Usually when we go thrifting I don’t normally look in the book section. Between school and home, we own a lot of books! But now that our daughter is getting older, she is showing interest in counting and identifying letters and numbers. We want to be more intentional about what we buy for her. We were visiting Savers which depending on where you live may be called Value Village. During this visit we found The Cheerios Play Book written by Lee Wade. They also have an animal version we also bought. This book is great if you want to teach your child how to count with one-to-one correspondence.

This article, along with many other articles on Smells Like Teach Spirit, contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through the links I earn a small commission.  Clicking these links does not cost you anything extra but it does help with the cost of running this website and it helps keep great articles and freebies coming your way. Thank you!

The Cheerios Play Book is an interactive board book for toddlers. On each page you’ll find bright colorful pictures with fun rhymes. Each page has a place to put cheerios…..Our daughter enjoyed having Cheerios as a snack and counting them while she placed each one in their spot. This was a great opportunity for her to practice counting with one-to-one correspondence which becomes an important between the ages of three and five.

What is One-to-One Correspondence?

One-to-one correspondence is the act of counting a group of objects while assigning each one a number. This is not to be confused with rote counting, where you recite numbers from memory. One-to-one correspondence is a math skill that children learn in their early years. It can take anywhere from a few months to a year to fully grasp this skill. Children usually start in preschool to learn one-to-one correspondence. But if your child is showing interst in counting at an early age, its okay to practice with them.

Why is One-to-One Correspondence Important?

When a child successfully develops the skill one-to-one correspondence this gives them access to many more math skills such as addition and subtraction and eventually multiplication and division. One-to-one correspondence is the foundations to most other math skills.

How to Practice One-to-One Correspondence

1. Containers

Using containers is a great way to teach your child how to count with one-to-one correspondence. Some containers that would be perfect to use include, muffin pans, egg cartons or ice trays. I bet you already have some of these at home! Items like these force you to assign one numeral per object when you are counting.

2. Objects to Count

There are so many objects that can be used to teach your child how to count with one-to-one correspondence. In the beginning it is better to stick to smaller items that can be picked up with one hand.

Some example of items include:

• Pom Poms
• Buttons
• Beans
• Popcorn Kernels
• Small erasers
• Cotton Balls

Other Tips & Ideas

Sometimes when you sit down to teach your child how to count with one-to-one correspondence deliberately, it’s not that fun. Then they become resistant. If possible try to make it fun, turn it into a game and use everyday items you have in the house. Involve family members, go outside and count rocks or leaves. You can even toys during bath time! Whatever you do make sure your child is interested and having fun, it shouldn’t be forced.

FREEBIE!

I have the perfect activity to help your child practice counting with one-to-one correspondence! This placemat is great to use during snack time to encourage your child to practice counting! You can use it with any snack. Just laminate it and wipe it clean when their done eating. Click on the button to download it now!

I hope these ideas and tips for counting with one-to-one correspondence will help you understand how to help your child become a better counter. Do you have any other ideas for counting with one-to-one correspondence? Write it in the comments below!

Check out our Teachers Pay Teachers store for more activities to help your child learn to count with one-to-one correspondence.

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Since Open House is often parents’ very first glimpse of you and your classroom, you’re probably putting a lot of care into how you present yourself. That’s why I created a simple and fun activity to help take some of the pressure off and get conversations flowing.

Say hello to the Guess Who? Bulletin Board Activity Kit—a lighthearted, interactive way to break the ice and make your Open House experience more memorable. This easy-to-set-up display gets students and families engaged, curious, and smiling from the moment they walk in the door.

Back to School : Open House

This kit includes everything you need to create an engaging Guess Who? bulletin board display—perfect for Open House or any school event that involves families!

Originally designed for kindergarten through third grade, this resource can easily be adapted for older students too. Here’s how it works: each student draws a self-portrait and writes two clues about themselves. Families and classmates then read the clues and try to guess who’s who. Once they’ve made their guess, they can check the answer key to see if they were right!

It’s a simple, meaningful way to add fun and connection to your Open House—and students love seeing their work proudly displayed for their families to enjoy.

If you like this resource then check out our back to school bundle full of resources for the beginning of the school year!

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These four mini-tips come together to form one powerful piece of advice. As you navigate the excitement (and overwhelm) of the back-to-school season, this may be one of the most important back to school teacher tips to carry with you.

Back to School Series: 4 Practical First Week of School Advice for an Awesome Start

Make Connections That Matter

It’s easy to get swept up in routines and checklists, but don’t forget: relationships first, everything else second. Make space in the day to get to know your students—even if it’s just a few minutes at a time. Greet them by name, notice their interests, and let them know you see them.

These connections build trust and respect, and they’re the foundation for every successful school year. A classroom that feels safe and welcoming is one where students can take risks, ask for help, and grow.

With staff beyond your grade level team: Yes, your teammates are important—but so are the custodians, the school nurse, the secretary, the paraprofessionals, and even your admin! You’ll need all of them at some point—when the copier breaks, when you need more band-aids, or when you accidentally lock yourself out of your room. Relationships are everything.

With students: Let them get to know you! Talk about your favorite children’s book, your family pet, or the best place you’ve traveled. When students feel connected to you, they are more likely to feel safe, seen, and ready to learn.

With families: Start off on the right foot with parents and caretakers. A positive connection early on can make communication smoother throughout the year. Get connected with as many as you can during the first week of school.

Be Patient and Stay Consistent

In those early weeks of school, everything takes longer. Transitions, directions, routines—they all require modeling and practice again and again. That’s okay. Give your students time to learn, and give yourself grace when things don’t go perfectly.

Consistency doesn’t mean perfection—it means predictability. When students know what to expect from you and from their day, they feel safe and confident. Try to use the same language, responses, and routines each day. The more consistent you are, the less time you’ll spend redirecting or re-explaining.

Not every day will be perfect, but a consistent tone and structure helps students regulate and feel secure—even when the unexpected happens.

This is one of those back to school teacher tips that’s easy to forget in the moment: slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. Teaching procedures with patience and consistency now means fewer disruptions later.

Take Care of Yourself

We can’t talk about back to school teacher tips without talking about YOU. This season can be exhausting—mentally, physically, and emotionally. So here’s your permission: drink water, eat lunch, get some sleep, and set boundaries around work time. You matter too.

Set boundaries early. Try to leave no later than 30 minutes after your contract time. Go home. Eat a good meal. Rest. Call a friend. Watch your favorite show. Do something that brings you joy. You are a better teacher when you’re taking care of yourself.

Don’t Forget to Laugh

Laughter is not just good for the soul—it’s also a proven stress reliever and immune booster. Things will go wrong during that first week. You’ll forget a student’s name. You’ll spill your coffee. You’ll accidentally skip an activity. Laugh it off.

Show your students that mistakes are okay and that even adults don’t get everything right. Modeling this kind of grace makes your classroom a safe, warm, and welcoming place.

Final Thought

Back to school is a whirlwind, but you don’t have to do it all at once. Come back to these reminders when the days feel long: connect, be patient, stay consistent, and take care of you. Those small, intentional steps make all the difference.

Teaching is a marathon, not a sprint. Build relationships, give yourself (and others) grace, and keep showing up. You’re doing better than you think—and your students are lucky to have you.

Have a favorite tip that gets you through the first week of school? I’d love to hear it—drop it in the comments!

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Centers (also called stations) are a great way to give your students the opportunity to practice skills, build independence, and work cooperatively with others. They can quickly become your favorite part of the day—but only if you introduce them intentionally and patiently.

Back to School Series: The Best Way to Start Centers in Kindergarten and First Grade

Take It Slow

One of the biggest mistakes new teachers make is trying to launch all centers at once. It may feel like you’re “behind” if you wait, but trust me—it’s better to go slow now than to spend the rest of the year putting out fires later.

Start with just one center, like your classroom library or a word work activity. Spend a few days—or even a week—only teaching expectations for that one center. Model what students should do, what they should not do, and where everything goes when they’re done

Practice Transitions Early and Often

Getting to the center and cleaning up is just as important as what happens during it. Show students how to calmly walk to a center, how to carry materials, what to do if they finish early, and how to rotate to the next station. Then practice, practice, practice!

You don’t need to introduce a full center rotation system in the first week—or even the first month. Once students master one center, keep that group working in it while you introduce the next one to a new group. That way, you’re reinforcing routines while expanding your centers.

Set Boundaries for Small Group Time

Your time with a small group is precious—and students need to know when it’s okay to ask for help and when they should wait. Spend time teaching them explicitly how to tell the difference.

Some teachers use a visual signal like a touch light, lamp, or even a lava lamp to show when it’s small group time and they shouldn’t interrupt. Others wear a special hat, crown, or lanyard when they’re with a group. You can even make a sign that says, “I’m with a group—please wait!” and teach students what situations are urgent enough to interrupt you (e.g., someone is hurt or sick) and what can wait.

Practice these scenarios with your class so they feel confident and clear. The fewer interruptions, the more effective your small group time will be.

Prepare for the “What Ifs”

Students will interrupt your small groups with lots of little emergencies unless you prep them ahead of time. Show them what to do if:

• A center is missing materials
• Something is broken
• They’re not sure how to complete the activity
• They need help and you’re working with another group

Make these scenarios part of your practice time. The more you front-load expectations, the more independent your students will become.

Let’s Keep Learning Together

Centers are a classroom favorite when introduced the right way. Do you have a favorite tip for launching centers smoothly? Share it in the comments below—I’d love to hear what works for you!

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Let’s talk about the budget classroom setup. I’m not going to lie—I’m one of those teachers who loves walking into a space that feels bright, inviting, and Pinterest-worthy. But here’s the secret…

I rarely spend more than a few dollars putting my classroom together each year.

You don’t have to break the bank to create a space you love! With a few creative strategies and some teacher hustle, you can set up a beautiful, organized classroom on a budget—and feel proud walking into it every morning.

Back to School Series: Save Your Hard Earned Money!

Ask Your People

My first step every year is to reach out to friends and family. I’ll post on Facebook with a list of things I’m looking for—think flexible seating, storage bins, or even picture frames for anchor charts. You never know who’s doing a clean-out or is happy to donate gently used items. Don’t be afraid to ask!

Create an Amazon Wishlist

I always make an Amazon Wishlist with classroom supplies, materials, and décor. Once it’s ready, I share it on social media and with my parent community. It’s simple, quick, and you’d be surprised how many people are happy to support your classroom setup—especially if you emphasize your budget-friendly goals.

If you’re not sure how to get started with a wishlist, check out this post on how I use Amazon Wishlists to get classroom supplies.

Post a DonorsChoose Project

Every year, I create at least one classroom project on DonorsChoose. It’s a nonprofit platform that helps teachers across the U.S. get the supplies and experiences they need.

You can request things like flexible seating, art supplies, field trips, or even PD opportunities. Bonus: companies and donors frequently match contributions or fully fund projects during special campaigns—so it’s always worth having a project live on the site, especially when you’re working with a limited classroom budget.

Thrift Stores are Goldmines

I love thrifting for classroom finds. Whether it’s storage containers, bookshelves, clipboards, or even educational games, I almost always walk away with something useful. It’s also a fun and affordable way to inject your classroom with personality. Click here to see some of my favorite Goodwill finds!

Look for Local Nonprofit Resource Centers

Many areas have non profit organizations that recycle and redistribute classroom supplies. We have one in our area called Scarce, and it’s a treasure trove for teachers! I’ve found manipulatives, storage bins, pocket charts—even musical instruments.

A small donation is usually requested, but the value of what you leave with is so worth it. Bonus: many of these centers also support homeschool families and nonprofits. Definitely a go-to spot for budget classroom setup ideas.

Our Point

You don’t need to spend a fortune to create a space where learning thrives. With a little creativity and community support, you can fill your classroom with everything you need—without the financial stress.

Let’s Hear From You!

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Back to School Series: Call and Response

Feeling Like You’re Losing Control?

There’s nothing more overwhelming than standing in front of a room full of wiggly, chatty students — and not knowing how to help them settle down.

Back in my first year of teaching, I had two big questions:

1. What’s the best way to get my class’s attention quickly?
2. How do I keep the classroom calm without raising my voice?

After a lot of trial and error — watching YouTube videos, observing other teachers, and experimenting in my own room — I found my answer: Call and Response.

Why We Love Call and Response

“Call and Response” attention-getters have always worked beautifully in my classroom. They’re fast, fun, and effective — and they save your voice.

I always teach 2–3 call and response phrases during the first week of school so my students know exactly what to do when I need their attention.

It’s as simple as:

• Teacher: “Class, class!”
• Students: “Yes, yes!”

No yelling. No clapping over chatter. Just a quick, respectful cue — and it works like magic.

See It In Action!

Want to see how I use call and response in real life? Watch this quick reel of me using my favorite attention-getters with my class—it’s simple, effective, and fun!

Watch the video below:

Use Call and Response to Reinforce Expectations

One of our favorite tools for maintaining structure? Call and response routines.

Not only do they capture attention quickly, but they build classroom culture and give students a role in the routine.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• Teacher: “Hands on top” → Students: “Everybody stop!”
• Teacher: “Peanut Butter” → Students: “Jelly Time!”
• Teacher: “1, 2, 3, Eyes on me” → Students: “1, 2, 3 Eyes on you!”

Want something more personalized? Max uses rhythmic clapping patterns that students echo back. It’s simple, non-verbal, and super effective.

Max’s Music Twist

Max is a middle school music teacher, so he brings rhythm into everything. He loves using rhythmic clapping patterns with his students, and I’ve adapted that into my own classroom. The kids love echo clapping — and it gives us a little spark of fun during transitions!

Add This Tool to Your Teacher Toolkit

Whether it’s your first year or your fifteenth, call and response is one of those simple tools that can totally change the tone of your classroom.

Grab my Go-To List of Call and Response Attention Getters to quickly grab your students’ attention and set a calm, focused tone from Day 1!

Let’s Hear From You!

What’s Your Favorite Call and Response? We hope you found this post helpful! Comment below with your favorite call and response phrase — or one you’re excited to try this year!

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Specifically, Veterans Day is to honor all those who are living who served in the military. Teaching about this topic opens the door for many great conversations with your students.

There are a few points you need to establish with your students when teaching them about Veterans Day.

1. Veterans Day is different than Memorial Day.
2. Veterans Day is on November 11th, the same day every year.

Here are 6 easy ways to teach your students about Veterans Day in the classroom:

6 Ways to Celebrate Veterans Day in the Classroom

1. Read children’s books about Veterans Day

Children love a good read-aloud. Selecting books that capture the meaning of Veterans Day will help them understand the reason we celebrate it. Click on the link below to find a selection of books about Veterans Day.

Books about Veterans Day

2. Make Patriotic Crafts

Crafts are always fun for kids, and it’s even better when you can tie in some kind of meaning or lesson with the craft. Check out the craft below from our Veterans Day resource on Teachers Pay Teachers.

3. Sing Patriotic Songs

There’s just something about singing that makes the heart happy. Singing is a great way to learn and memorize new information. There are plenty of of songs to choose from. Click the link below to find one.

10 Patriotic Songs for Children

Patriotic USA Songs for Kids

4. Attend a Parade

Celebrate Veterans Day with a parade! You can attend one or watch one on television or the internet. If you’re not sure if your town has a parade visit vetfiends.com to find out.

5. Thank a Veteran

Encourage your students to write a thank you note to a veteran, or to say “thank you” when they see military personnel in uniform. Discuss why they would want to thank a veteran and give examples. Check out the writing templates below from our Veterans Day resource on Teachers Pay Teachers.

6. Ask Students if They Know A Veteran

Ask your students if they know any veterans, maybe a family member or someone in their neighborhood. If possible, reach out to the veteran and ask them to do a classroom visit. They can tell stories, show their medals, or even bring their uniform to share with the students.

I hope you enjoy these simple ideas. If you have any additional ideas for celebrating Veterans Day with children please put them in the comment box below.

Click here to for our Veterans Day resource.

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Between Max and I, we’ve experienced our fair share of first days—and if we’ve learned anything, it’s this: You cannot expect your students to “just know” what to do.

After a long summer (or for some, their first classroom ever), kids need clear, repeated, slow instruction in every single part of the school day. And it’s our job to teach them everything—even the parts that feel obvious.

Back to School Series: Routines

Why Assume They Know Nothing?

It’s not about being condescending. It’s about being proactive.

Your students may have never:

• Walked in a line before
• Used a pencil sharpener
• Transitioned to a rug without chaos
• Asked for help in a group setting

And even if they’ve done it before? It wasn’t with you.

So start fresh. Teach it all. Go slow. Model it clearly. Then… do it again.

How to Teach Routines that Stick

There are 3 key words we swear by when teaching routines:

EXPLICIT

Explain exactly what you expect. Break it into steps. Narrate your thought process as you model it.

“Watch how I push in my chair and walk over to the carpet. My hands are by my sides, my voice is off, and I’m not touching anything on the way.”

SLOWLY

If it takes all morning to teach one routine, so be it. You’re setting the tone for the rest of the year—not just checking off a list.

The slower you go now, the smoother things go later.

REPEAT

Repetition builds independence. Revisit key routines daily until students don’t even have to think about what to do next.

Use Call and Response to Reinforce Expectations

One of our favorite tools for maintaining structure? Call and response routines.

Not only do they capture attention quickly, but they build classroom culture and give students a role in the routine.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• Teacher: “Hands on top” → Students: “Everybody stop!”
• Teacher: “Peanut Butter” → Students: “Jelly Time!”
• Teacher: “1, 2, 3, Eyes on me” → Students: “1, 2, 3 Eyes on you!”

Want something more personalized? Max uses rhythmic clapping patterns that students echo back. It’s simple, non-verbal, and super effective.

You Can’t Overteach Routines

In fact, most behavioral issues in the first month of school can be traced back to one thing: unclear expectations.

When routines are solid, students know what to do—and that frees you up to teach. It’s the difference between constant redirection… and a calm, confident classroom.

Example Routines to Teach the First Week:

• Entering the classroom in the morning
• Lining up (and what to do while waiting)
• How to clean up supplies
• What to do if your pencil breaks
• Raising your hand for help
• How to transition between activities
• Voice levels during different times of day
• What to do when you finish early

Let’s Hear From You!

We hope you found this post helpful! What are your must-teach routines for the first week of school?

Drop them in the comments or tag us on Instagram @smellsliketeachspirit so we can share your genius with the teacher community!

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Want to make your first week easier? Grab our Ultimate List of Kindergarten Routines to set routines and expectations with confidence from Day 1.

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Oookay, let’s be honest: Kids are generally a mess when it comes to organization. Even most adults struggle with it! Organization a skill and a mindset that has to be taught and practiced.

When I decided to go back to work fall of 2022, I noticed that my students struggled mightily with organization. I would instruct them to retrieve a book from their desk, and it would either take them a very long time to find it or it would be “lost”. They could never find what they needed when they needed it. This would inevitably end up with students interrupting my instruction because they needed help finding something. After being frustrated with this cycle for a few weeks, I tried to think of a solution. I remembered being in primary school having, you guessed it, a Desk Fairy! Elementary school me never knew when the desk fairy would visit, so I always had to have my desk in order. This was very motivating for me and my classmates, so I decided to try it with my own students!

Organizing Their Desks

This article, along with many other articles on Smells Like Teach Spirit, contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through the links I earn a small commission.  Clicking these links does not cost you anything extra but it does help with the cost of running this website and it helps keep great articles and freebies coming your way. Thank you!

First, I had my students take everything out of their desks and place their items on top.
Second, I instructed them to throw away any loose papers.
Third, I had them divide their desk into two parts: the left side and the right side. I clearly stated which items belonged on the left and which items belonged on the right.
Fourth, I made a desk diagram on the board and went reviewed it with the students repeatedly. You can see this diagram below:

Fifth, I gave each student a Seat Sack to put on the back of their chair. This is where they stored their iPad, headphones, and a few other items.

Now that everything had a place, there was no excuse for not finding what they needed right away.

Sixth, I introduced the students to the concept of the desk fairy. Boy, did this get them excited! This was exactly the motivation they needed to maintain a clean desk. The anticipation for the fairy’s first visit kept them on the edge of their seat.

Materials for the Desk Fairy

A few days later I purchased a “fairy door” and put it on the wall in the back of the classroom. I also found a free sign that read “the Desk Fairy is watching”, and placed it by the fairy door. If the kids didn’t believe in the Desk Fairy before, they certainly did now!

The Desk Fairy Paid Us A Visit

Soon enough, the Desk Fairy paid the students a visit. I purchased notes from the Desk Fairy on Teachers Pay Teachers and I printed them on Astrobright Colored Paper. The Desk Fairy inspected my student’s desks and determined which one was the cleanest. She left a note for them along with a small prize. When the students noticed the visit upon returning from recess they were ecstatic. Even better, they wanted to know what they had to do to get a prize. I told them that it was simple: “Keep your desk neat and organized”.

Success!

I’m happy to sat that today, my first graders are able to maintain tidy desks! With a visual tool (my diagram) and the right motivation (the desk fairy), we’re able to make this work.

Do you have any strategies that you use to help your students stay organized? Share them below!

The post How to Make Your Classroom Exciting With The Desk Fairy first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

This article, along with many other articles on Smells Like Teach Spirit, contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through the links I earn a small commission.  Clicking these links does not cost you anything extra but it does help with the cost of running this website and it helps keep great articles and freebies coming your way. Thank you!

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that most kids prefer outdoor recess. They love playing on the playground (aren’t playgrounds so much better now than when we were in school??), running on the pavement and using other fun recess equipment they may not get to use at home. The school yard is their oyster. But what happens when recess is moved indoors due to weather or another issue? Some schools have an extra gym area where students can go for indoor recess. Most schools have indoor recess in the classroom. If you get stuck covering your own recess, here are our tips to help make it more bearable for everyone!

1. GoNoodle

GoNoodle is a website that provides fun videos and interactive activities for students from kindergarten to fifth grade. The videos are specifically designed to encourage movement throughout the day. The website has a variety of categories and topics, one of which includes “indoor recess”. There are countless videos in this category to choose from, and they vary in length and focus. My students LOVE doing GoNoodle videos during recess. It’s fun and helps them find that energy release they missed from not getting outdoor recess. GoNoodle is free! All you need to do is create an account. Click here to get started!

2. Coloring Books

Coloring books are always a hit with my students. I get my coloring books from two places: Dollar Tree and from Creative Clips on Teachers Pay Teachers. Dollar Tree has so many choices! I usually only get a few because I use them for free choice time on Fridays. Creative Clips has seasonal coloring books which I download and print, then keep in the students’ folders specifically for indoor recess time. My students are only allowed to use crayons for traditional coloring books because markers bleed through to the next page. But for printed coloring sheets the students can use markers if they wish.

3. Board Games

Board games are always a fun way to pass the time! It is also a great way for students to work on their interpersonal and communication skills. They can also learn to work together on a team and what it means to develop a strategy. When choosing board games you can stick to the classics like Candy Land or Connect Four or newer games like Apples to Apples. When introducing board games to my students, I always restrict the number of players for each board game by taping a notecard with the number of players to the front of the board game. This way, there are not too many students playing one board game. Click here for a list of my top 10 board games for indoor recess.

4. Whole Class Games

Playing games as a class is a blast! They are fun and exciting, and you won’t hear your students complain about boredom during indoor recess. My favorite game to play with my students is Heads Up, 7 Up. They love the mystery of figuring out who picked them. Some other games to play with your students include, charades, hot potato and Simon games. Don’t have the energy for leading a game? Turn on some music and turn the classroom into a dance floor!

5. Indoor Recess Cart

My indoor recess cart is always a hit with my students. It has a variety of hands-on activities for everyone. I can’t quite remember where I purchased my utility cart (Michael’s, maybe?), but here is a similar one on

I keep all of the activities in narrow plastic tubs purchased from Dollar Tree. You can also purchase them from Amazon. I always inform my students how many of them can use an activity at a time. For example, only 3 students may use Play-Doh and 4 students can play Uno. Each activity also has a designated area – Legos is played on the carpet, magnetic tiles are at student desks, Play-Doh is at the small group table and Mr. Potato Head is used in the classroom library. To dismiss students to choose an activity from the recess cart, I call their names from my bucket of popsicle sticks. For a list of all the items I used to make my indoor recess cart click here.

5 Tips to Surviving Indoor Recess

Indoor recess can sometimes be a challenge but when you’re prepared, the kids have a great time and it goes by quickly. There’s no need for complicated activities, just ask the students what they’re interested in doing and go from there. How does your school handle indoor recess? Share in the comments below!

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