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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The post Introducing Centers in Your Classroom? Avoid These Common Mistakes first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

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!

What’s your best classroom budget hack? Share it in the comments below!

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The post The Secret to a Beautiful Classroom Setup on a Budget first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

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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The post Awesome Call and Response Ideas You’re Sure to Love first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

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!

Want to Save Time?

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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The post How to Teach Kindergarten Routines the First Week of School! first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

For additional resources about Pets to use in your classroom, click here!

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. And for that, I thank you.

These books about pets for kids are not listed in any particular order. All of them can be found on Amazon. I have also included YouTube links where you can preview the book as well! All book information was taken from Amazon.

10 Books About Pets for Kids

1. Biscuit Visits the Doctor

Author: Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Age Level: 2 – 5

Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten

YouTube: Read Here

Shop: Buy Here

Going to the doctor can be scary. Read along with Biscuit to find out that a visit to the doctor is another opportunity for fun and learning! How much has Biscuit grown? Let’s find out! Join Biscuit and the little girl when they visit Dr. Green’s office for a checkup, and meet new friends, too! Woof!

2. Can I Be Your Dog

Author: Troy Cummings

Age Level: 3 – 6

Grade Level: Preschool – 2

YouTube: Read Here

Shop: Buy Here

Arfy is a homeless mutt who lives in a box in an alley. Arfy writes to every person on Butternut Street about what a great pet he’d make. His letters to prospective owners share that he’s house broken! He has his own squeaky bone! He can learn to live with cats! But, no one wants him. Won’t anyone open their heart–and home–to a lonesome dog? Readers will be happily surprised to learn just who steps up to adopt Arfy.

3. What Pet Should I Get?

Author: Dr. Seuss

Age Level: 3 – 7

Grade Level: Preschool – 2

YouTube: Read Here

Shop: Buy Here

A dog or a cat? A fish or a bird? Or maybe a crazy creature straight from the mind of Dr. Seuss! Which pet would YOU get? A trip to the pet store turns into a hilarious struggle when two kids must choose one pet to take home… but every time they think they see an animal they like, they find something even better! Perfect for animal lovers and Seuss lover alike, this book will delight readers young and old.

4. National Geographic Readers: Cats vs. Dogs

Author: Elizabeth Carney

Age Level: 6 – 9

Grade Level: 1 – 4

YouTube: Read Here

Shop: Buy Here

Chocolate or vanilla? Creamy peanut butter or crunchy? Cats or dogs? On some matters in life, every kid must take a stance. Ever since the first youngster in history had a pet, cats vs. dogs has been a hotly debated issue at recesses and lunch tables worldwide. Which one’s better? Smarter? This reader presents the facts in fun and informative fashion. Kids will love the stimulating Level 3 text as they decide the answer to this question for themselves.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

5. Little Kids First Big Book of Pets

Author: Catherine Hughes

Age Level: 4 – 8

Grade Level: Preschool – 3

YouTube: N/A

Shop: Buy Here

From cats to dogs to guinea pigs to birds to fish to snakes and more, this adorable reference book introduces kids to a wide variety of family-friendly pets. Readers learn which kinds of animals make good pets and which ones are better off staying in the wild, along with how each type of pet eats, sleeps, and plays. Packed with more than 200 colorful photos, the book also provides information on animal breeds, characteristics, and behavior and includes tips for training pets. Filled with fun facts and designed for interactive learning, this book will quickly become a favorite at storytime, bedtime, and any time.

6. Do Not Wish For A Pet Ostrich!

Author: Sarina Siebenaler

Age Level: 3 – 7

Grade Level: Preschool – 2

YouTube: Read Here

Shop: Buy Here

Follow the adventure and humor as a spunky child wishes for a pet ostrich of her very own. Will it be everything she hopes for – or a big feathery mistake? This delightful, rhyming tale about the fastest bird in the world has a surprise ending that is sure to bring a smile. A bonus educational section is included to help children who are already ostrich fans – and those who aren’t fans yet!

★A FREE comprehension and activity lesson is included at the end of this story.

★A FREE lesson plan for teachers and parents are available at www.sarinasiebenaler.com

7. Pete the Cat: A Pet for Pete

Author: James Dean

Age Level: 3 – 6

Grade Level: Preschool – 1

YouTube: Read Here

Shop: Buy Here

Pete the Cat can’t wait to get a new pet! He gets a goldfish he names Goldie. Pete paints a cool painting of Goldie and now everyone wants a piece of it! But Pete doesn’t have enough time to make one for everyone. Will Pete find a way to have fun painting Goldie and have time to finish his homework?.

8. The Perfect Pet

Author: Margie Palatini

Age Level: 4 – 7

Grade Level: Preschool – 2

YouTube: Read Here

Shop: Buy Here

While Elizabeth campaigns to find the right pet, her family imagines some hair-raising possibilities, until Doug comes along. Doug is, without a doubt, the most unusual, perfect pet of all. Doug is a bug! He’s not big like a horse or loud like a dog. He doesn’t scratch, or shed, or jump on furniture. And he hardly eats a thing. Margie Palatini and Bruce Whatley have created a hiarious picture book that handles a topic every parent and child will relate to—choosing that perfect pet.

9. Look & Learn: Pets

Author: National Kids

Age Level: 2 – 5

Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten

YouTube: Read Here

Shop: Buy Here

From adorable dogs to cuddly kittens to friendly fish, young readers are introduced to popular family pets and how to care for them. Using simple, age-appropriate text paired with colorful photos, Look & Learn books introduce children to a subject on one spread and then show it in a real-life context on the next.

10. The Berenstain Bears’ Valentine Blessings

Author: James Spears

Age Level: 8 – 11

Grade Level: 3 – 5

YouTube: Read Here

Shop: Buy Here

Let the fur fly with tons of photos and facts about our animal friends. Did you know that a cat’s top speed is about 31 miles per hour, that a dog can make about 100 different facial expressions, or that many birds’ feathers weigh more than their bones? Find out everything you ever wanted to know about our beloved pets–whether scaly, slithery, four-legged, or feathered–in National Geographic Kids Everything Pets. Filled with fabulous and funny photos and peppered with fun facts, this is a must-have for all young animal lovers, sure to satisfy kids’ curiosity about every kind of pet.

10 Books About Pets for Kids

This is not an exhaustive list; there are many more books about Pets for kids to read! Are there some which are not listed that you would suggest? Which book are you most excited to share with your child or add to your classroom?

Check out some of our other book lists!

Check out some of these classroom resources about pets!

For more ideas and activities from our unit themes click here!

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The post 10 Books About Pets for Kids first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

For additional resources about Valentine’s Day to use in your classroom, click here!

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. And for that, I thank you.

These books about Valentine’s Day for kids are not listed in any particular order. All of them can be found on Amazon. I have also included YouTube links where you can preview the book as well! All book information was taken from Amazon.

10 Books About Valentine’s Day for Kids

1. The Biggest Valentine Ever

Author: Steven Kroll

Age Level: 3 – 5

Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten

YouTube: Read Here

Buy Here: Buy Here

Clayton and Desmond are back in this companion to the bestselling book THE BIGGEST PUMPKIN EVER! A sheet of colorful foil stickers is bound into the book for extra valentine fun!When Mrs. Mousely asks her class to make valentines, Clayton and Desmond decide to make one together and give it to their teacher as a surprise. But things don’t go as planned. First Clayton puts too much glitter on the card. Then Desmond puts on too many hearts. Soon the friends are arguing and they rip the card in half. “I’m going to make my own valentine!” they both say and go home in a huff. But then Desmond and Clayton realize that by working together they can make the biggest, best valentine ever! Kids can use the colorful foil stickers to make their own valentines!

2. Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Valentine’s Day

Author: Carolyn Otto

Age Level: 7 – 10

Grade Level: 2 – 5

YouTube: N/A

Buy Here: Buy Here

When is New Year’s Day? WhaCelebrate Valentine’s Day focuses on historical and cultural aspects of this holiday and the international traditions, food, and celebrations associated with it. This celebration of love includes fun facts; a recipe; a map showing the location of all photographs; a resource list of books, videos, and Web sites; and a note from an expert consultant, aimed at parents and teachers, which deepens our understanding of the holiday’s importance and meaning. 

3. The Littlest Valentine

Author: Brandi Dougherty

Age Level: 3 – 5

Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten

YouTube: Read Here

Buy Here: Buy Here

From the New York Times bestselling author that brought us The Littlest Pilgrim comes a sweet new Valentine’s Day companion filled with family, food, and love.Emma may be the littlest in the Valentine family, but she knows that she has what it takes to help the family business get ready for the holiday. But Emma just can’t seem to do things the right way like the bigger members of her family, no matter how hard she tries. Will Emma find a way to help her family on Valentine’s Day, or is the littlest Valentine just too little?A sweet Valentine’s Day story to share with the littlest of readers!

4. The Invisible String

Author: Patrice Karst

Age Level: 4 – 8

Grade Level: Preschool – 3

YouTube: Read Here

Buy Here: Buy Here

Parents, educators, therapists, and social workers alike have declared The Invisible String the perfect tool for coping with all kinds of separation anxiety, loss, and grief. In this relatable and reassuring contemporary classic, a mother tells her two children that they’re all connected by an invisible string. “That’s impossible!” the children insist, but still they want to know more: “What kind of string?” The answer is the simple truth that binds us all: An Invisible String made of love. Even though you can’t see it with your eyes, you can feel it deep in your heart, and know that you are always connected to the ones you love. Does everybody have an Invisible String? How far does it reach? Does it ever go away? This heartwarming picture book for all ages explores questions about the intangible yet unbreakable connections between us, and opens up deeper conversations about love.

5. Squirrel’s New Year’s ResLlama Llama I Love You

Author: Anna Dewdney

Age Level: 0 – 3

Grade Level: Birth – Preschool

YouTube: Read Here

Buy Here: Buy Here

In Llama Llama I Love You, little llama shows his friends and family how much he loves them with heart-shaped cards and lots of hugs. What could be sweeter than Llama Llama on Valentine’s Day?

6. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose!

Author: Lucille Colandro

Age Level: 3 – 5

Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten

YouTube: Read Here

Buy Here: Buy Here

Our favorite lady is back and hungry for Valentine’s Day treats!That lovely old lady has returned just in time for Valentine’s Day. Now she’s swallowing items to make a very special gift for her valentine!With rhyming text and hilarious illustrations, this wacky version of the classic song will appeal to young readers as they follow the Old Lady on a wild Valentine’s Day adventure.

7. Love from the Crayons

Author: Drew Daywalt

Age Level: 5 – 8

Grade Level: Kindergarten – 3

YouTube: Read Here

Buy Here: Buy Here

This special gift book, featuring all the The Crayons from The Day the Crayons Quit, explores the bright colors and subtle shades of love. This is a must-have for fans of The Crayons, and the perfect gift for that special someone.

8. Love Is My Favorite Thing

Author: Emma Chichester Clark 

Age Level: 3 – 5

Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten

YouTube: Read Here

Buy Here: Buy Here

Plum has lots of favorite things—catching sticks, her bear, her bed—but really, LOVE is her absolute favorite thing. She loves her family and all the things they do together. Sometimes, however, Plum’s exuberance causes trouble, and she just can’t help being naughty. But fortunately, love is such a great thing that even when she makes mistakes, Plum’s family still adores her.

9. The Night Before Valentine’s DayHappy New Year Around the World

Author: Natasha Wing

Age Level: 4 – 8

Grade Level: Preschool – 3

YouTube: Buy Now

Buy Here: Buy Here

It’s the sweetest holiday of the year! Celebrate love and Valentine’s Day with card-making, tasty treats, and more in this installment of Natasha Wing’s best-selling series. Join in on all of the colorful fun, and then come along to school the next morning for a day of parties and games!

10. The Berenstain Bears’ Valentine Blessings

Author: Mike Berenstain

Age Level: 4 – 8

Grade Level: Preschool – 3

YouTube: Read Here

Buy Here: Buy Here

In The Berenstain Bears’ Valentine Blessings, young readers and Sister Bear find out that Brother Bear has a secret admirer! Sweetie Bear has sent him a valentine card, complete with pink hearts and flowers. What will tough, hockey-playing Brother do about this and his teasing sister? But Papa Bear steps in to save the day, telling the cubs a story about another set of young cubs and a secret admirer … Papa and Mama Bear! And he reminds the cubs that all love comes from God, who is love.

10 Books About Valentine’s Day for Kids

This is not an exhaustive list; there are many more books about Valentine’s Day for kids to read! Are there some which are not listed that you would suggest? Which book are you most excited to share with your child or add to your classroom?

Check out some of my other book lists!

Check out some of these classroom resources for Valentine’s Day!

Join Us!

Follow us on social media for more tips, tricks and resources for your students!

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The post 10 Books About Valentine’s Day for Kids first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

Since we’re all stuck inside I wanted to think of an activity that utilizes items we already have around the house. Coffee filter crafts are quite common and so cute and easy to do! My husband loves coffee so we have plenty of coffee filters.

Easy Earth Day Craft & Simple Song

Materials

• Coffee Filters
• Washable Markers
• Spray Bottle with water
• Towel
• Paper Bag or protective covering for table

Directions

1. Place a paper grocery bag or protective covering over the table you are using if you want to keep marker from getting on the table.
2. Use your green marker to draw the land, the children can draw circles or squiggly shapes and then color them in. Remember that about 71% of the earth is water so the land should not take up too much space.

3. Use your blue marker and color in the rest of the coffee filter blue. This is not an art contest, it doesn’t have to be neat and if they do not stay in the lines that is okay.

4. Place your colored coffee filter on a towel or outside on the ground or on a plate. Spray the coffee filter lightly with water until every part is wet. When you spray the coffee filter the water the colors will bleed together creating a beautiful picture.

5. Lay out to dry.
6. Hang your coffee filter in the window for a “stained glass” effect.

My husband helped me find a song to go along with Earth Day. The title of the song is “The Earth is Our Mother”.

The song goes:

The earth is our mother,
we must take care of her.

The earth is our mother,
we must take care of her.

Hey yanna, ho yanna, hey yan yan.
Hey yanna, ho yanna, hey yan yan.

Listen to the song below, or watch our Fun Friday video to learn more about this song.

For a printable download of this song click here.

I hope you enjoyed our easy Earth Day craft & simple song! Share a photo or video on our social media if you do any of these activities! For more Fun Friday activities click here!

What are you doing to celebrate Earth day?

The post Fun Friday with Mrs. Pankau: Earth Day Craft & Song first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

We are getting ready to finish up our unit on composing and decomposing teen numbers. So I thought it would be timely to create an emergent reader that would help them practice the skills they’ve been learning.

Prep Time!

To assemble, print books, copy pages back to back, cut in half, and staple! Watch the video below to see a preview of this product!

Time to Read!

One thing I love about emergent readers is the predictive text and the simple words usually used. The students are familiar with most of the words and the pictures are helpful in helping them identify words they don’t know.

These booklets can be used in many ways! Use these emergent readers in guided reading, small groups, or send home to reinforce reading skills. I also like to print and laminate the color copies and put them in our classroom library for the students.

Home – School Connection

On the back of each booklet there is a box for the students to check mark once they have read it at school. Then they take the book home and read it to a family member and check the last box.

More Resources

Are you looking for more St. Patrick’s Day activities? Click –>here<– to find what you’re looking for!

The post St. Patrick’s Day Emergent Reader first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.

November is here and it’s passing by just as quickly as it came! The days are shorter, it gets darker sooner and with the Thanksgiving holiday it’s a very short month for the kids. Continue reading for Thanksgiving Activities for Kindergarten and First Grade!

Usually we spend November discussing Veterans Day, Turkeys and Thankfulness. Thanksgiving is always such a fun time of the year for my students. There are so many great books, crafts, writing activities, and discussion for this time of year! Keep reading to learn about some of the activities I do with my kindergarteners during this time of the year.

BOOKS

As soon as November hits I change all of our Halloween and Fall books for books about Turkeys and Thanksgiving. The students always get excited when they come back the next day to find new books. We read books about being thankful and we spend some time discussing what exactly thankfulness looks and feels like.

If you’re wondering how I have so many Turkey and Thanksgiving books, I got them from eBay! I searched “Thanksgiving Book Lot for Children” and voilà! I was able to get a package of books for around 15-20 dollars as opposed to buying individual books on Amazon for 3-5 dollars each or hoping to stumble upon some at the Goodwill. These books will compliment your thanksgiving activities for kindergarten very well!

ANCHOR CHARTS

Anchor charts are my favorite things to use with my kindergartners, they are a great way to provide a visual representation of concepts being taught. Afterwards, we make an a list of all the things we are thankful for. I model for my students for by naming a few things I am thankful for. Then I have the students turn and talk with a partner and share what they are thankful for. Then I call on 15-16 students to share with the class what they are thankful for. There are so many different anchor charts that you can find on Pinterest that will go along with your Thanksgiving Activities for Kindergarten.

EMERGENT READERS

By this time of year I have a good number of students who are able to read simple sight words and use the pictures in books as clues to read new words. I created a mini book/emergent reader for my students to reinforce they skills they have learned so far this year.

My students loved reading and sharing what they were thankful for with this emergent reader. This booklet is 10-12 pages in length, with new vocabulary, predictable text patterns, picture supports as well as familiar sight words.

This emergent reader will go along great with your Thanksgiving unit. Use this emergent readers in guided reading, small groups, or send home to reinforce reading skills. There are both color and black & white copies!

If you’re interested in this emergent reader, click here!

WRITING

After we have read a few books about being thankful, we write about being thankful. By this point the children are clear regarding the definition of “thankfulness” and are able to state what they are thankful for.

I wanted to create a resource for my students that allowed them to share what they were thankful for so I created a collection of differentiated writing prompts that served this propose. These writing prompts are for students who are not yet writing as well as those who are writing independently without sentence starters. When the students began writing about what they were thankful for I displaced a page from the Thanksgiving Writing Prompts on the SmartBoard. The students looked at the pictures and turned and talked with a partner what they were most thankful for.

What I like about these writing prompts is that there is something for every student. The students are able to communicate what they are thankful for no matter what their ability. Take a look at the pictures below to view the differentiation.

Click here to view all the pages of this resource!

TURKEYS

We also do a unit on Turkeys, A Dab of Glue has a great resource that I like using, click here to check it out. In our classroom the students decorate their own turkey feathers and we make a turkey for our classroom. In the past I’ve sent the feather home as an activity for the parents and students to complete together but the feathers can also be decorated at school. I used butcher paper to make the turkey body and construction paper to make the face, then I laminated it so I can use it year after year. The turkey feathers are cut out from 18 by 12 inch construction paper. I love seeing each student’s designs!

TURKEY IN DISGUISE

My school does “Turkey in Disguise”, which is where the students are given a picture of a Turkey and they have to decorate the turkey so it does not look like a Turkey. This activity was sent home during Veterans day weekend as a family project. I can’t believe how creative all of my students were, they all turned out great!

And that’s pretty much everything we do! I’d love to know what you do in your classroom. Comment below and let me know what kind of activities you plan on doing with your students.

For more ideas and activities from our unit themes click here!

<a href=”https://www.freepik.com/photos/background”>Background photo created by freepik – www.freepik.com</a>

The post Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Kindergarten and First Grade first appeared on Smells Like Teach Spirit.