Giving thanks for our students and their hard work can look like:
1. TRYING SOME NEW SNACKS (WITH MATH INVOLVED)
Many students have never tried eating pumpkin, so this is great opportunity for them to try! (Of course, make sure that your students have no allergy issues first.) Buying a bag of salted and roasted pumpkin seeds is super simple and easy to give each student a few to try. Or add some math skills by making Pumpkin Pie in a Bag. Check out this free recipe that is a great way to get some real life math measuring skills in!
2. MAKE A CRAFT
This doesn't have to be fancy! Show students how to trace their hand and let them color their own unique turkey. Or go outside and pick out some leaves to do some color rubbings. If you would like to incorporate some math and need some print and go resources, check out these cute 3-D turkeys!
I played these often while students were working on completing a worksheet, reading a book of their choosing or on those days where we needed it, COLORING! These November Multiplication Coloring Sheets are the perfect combination of practicing multiplication strategies and just relaxing and coloring. Bonus: They are differentiated!
Some days we just need that (teachers and the students). We get so busy making sure the kids are educated, differentiated, accommodated, and all, that we forget that we ALL NEED SOME DOWN TIME! The day before a holiday break, a movie and popcorn was my go to! I used the time to connect with the kids a bit, straighten up the room, lay out some materials for after the break and if I could sneak it in, do a bit of lesson planning or grading.
5. PLAY CARD GAMES AND BOARD GAMES
I'm not going to lie, this can be a bit bananas, but OH the MEMORIES you will make!!! I usually would have some of my games be educational games that we were already playing in class anyway (because I wouldn't have to review the rules), some card games (like Multiplication War - free directions or UNO) and some easy games like Candyland (it may seem babyish, but I guarantee they will still love it).
These are the moments your students will remember in your classroom. Slow down this Thanksgiving and allow the magic of memories to be created in your classroom.
Follow my blog with BloglovinWhat tip was your favorite? Comment below using the SPEECH BUBBLE.
I love all the tips, but if I have to pick a favorite I would choose the coloring sheets. The kids love to color and it's great that they include math!
ReplyDeleteI like the PLAY A CALMING NATURE VIDEO WHILE WORKING tip. I have actually used this and it works!! We watch the Eagle Cams and the kids love it. We have learned so much over the years of watching. We call it "Watch and Work". I go over the rules (we have to work more and watch occasionally, we can't talk while working & watching, if we are off task we are off feed, etc.) and the kids really do adhere to them becuase they want me to keep the feed up on the Smartboard. Great strategy!!!
ReplyDeleteI definitely try to incorporate crafts with instruction, especially around holidays when students are antsy!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips but I love the games one the most because we loves games.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas. My students love coloring sheets!
ReplyDeleteMy students love to play card & board games. I often use Task Cards with the boards from games we have in our classroom.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that incorporating board games is a great tip - not only does it allow for making fabulous memories, today's children don't often get the chance to play board games, and it is an important opportunity to learn social skills like taking turns, being patient, etc. It's a WIN-WIN all around!
ReplyDeleteSome good ideas! I liked the calming video while working one,
ReplyDeleteall these ideas are great! I am loving the Pie in a bag math activity.
ReplyDeleteSnacks and math are always a good idea!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of playing a fall video while students work. I also use fall timers I find on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteI like the Play a calming nature video. Thanks for all the great tips.
ReplyDeleteI love the projects and lessons for thanksgiving
ReplyDeleteLove the fall nature video idea! I always have background music on in my room!
ReplyDeleteLove the fall nature video idea! I always have background music on in the room so this would be perfect.
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have thought to save pumpkin seeds for class activities!
Love playing a nature video in the background to help ease and soothe my kid while working.
ReplyDeleteThey were all great! However, I love the board games, card games, movies, and popcorn!!
ReplyDeleteMy students love to play games! They would love a day just playing board games and relaxing!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of playing nature videos while working! Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI love watching a movie and eating popcorn.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea od watching a movie and eating popcorn!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ideas. I love playing nature videos.
ReplyDeleteCard and board games are my favorite
ReplyDeleteI love doing crafts or popcorn and a movie
ReplyDeleteHonestly I enjoyed reading your Scissor Tips for kids! I am grateful for educators like you who share their talents with the world! Thank you!
ReplyDeletetesting
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of flyover nature videos while the kids are working. I've used music before, but I never thought to do that!
ReplyDeleteLove the recipe/make a pie recipe idea; definitely something that will offer my resource room students something new and fun when we are working on extra support ...making fractions fun is a must! Thanks.
ReplyDelete