Friday the 13th: That (un)Lucky Day
Activities for working with the number 13.
Lesson Plans
Pairing Different Grades
Simple activities to do if you can have two grade levels together, such as 2nd and 5th, for 30 minutes or so.
Seasonal Themes for Combining Younger and Older Grades
Put an older student with a younger one, in this self-esteem building exercise. Using a Thanksgiving theme, like “Write a story from the turkey’s point of view”, have the younger student tell the story, with the older writing it down.
How Do You Say Thanksgiving?
Briefly explore not-so-traditional holiday plans.
Calendars: Get Your Kids Organized
Ring in the new year with a calendar-making exercise.
Decision Making: Get Their Priorities Straight
With so many choices available, students need a firm foundation in wise decision making. This exercise helps them set priorities that are realistic and attainable, both individually and in groups.
Filing Early
Have your kids keep a “What’s Cool” file, of items clipped from newspapers and magazines, items that make them say, “wow, that’s neat.” And build >>>
Kids Listless? Give Them Lists.
To help students recognize lists, and practice assembling one for their own use.
Define Processes Through Board Games
Being in charge of a project or preparing for a large assignment involves breaking down a large, abstract idea into definable and manageable pieces. Analyzing the processes involved in board games can help your students overcome feelings of helplessness when faced with large assignments.
Snow Activities
The first snow of the year might mean a snow day for your happy students. When they return, talk about the impact snow has on your local environment – including missed days of school and work.
Map Your School
Have students create a visual map of your school. You can use this lesson to incorporate about as many subjects as you want – writing, drawing, math, computer design, even fire safety. For example, do you know where all the fire extinguishers are in your building? A school map could tell you.
My Own Home: Left, Right, Up, Down
Left, Right, Up, Down: Grades K-3 Overview: Work on spacial and direction skills with familiar surroundings – their own home. Teacher Preparation: Have parents draw >>>
Triangles & Trapezoids
The most stable of structures is all around us. Try these activities to open your students’ eyes.
Bag It: Recycling Plastic Bags
A lowly plastic grocery sack may not seem like a versatile tool for the classroom, but don’t overlook all the uses for this free and easy-to-find item. Start with these ideas, then build on your own brainstorms.
Fairy Tales Unit Ideas
A list of ideas for incorporating fairy tales and their characters into just about any subject.