Valentine’s Day Delight
As an early childhood special educator, I am so nostalgic about Valentine’s Day activities in school! I have very distinct memories of creating my desk Valentine’s envelope and handing out my little cards. Parties with brownies, chips galore and Valentine’s Day...
Valentine’s Day Fun
Heart Day Feburary is filled with holidays and fun days for students to celebrate. With Groundhog's Day behind us, I'm looking towards our next holiday, Valentine's Day. Class Parties can be stressful, but with a little prep, a good plan, and some visuals, parties can...
New Year Refresh
I Love a Good Refresh When things get stagnant and old, a refresh can breathe just the right amount of new life into a classroom. In December, I take some time to reflect on some areas of my classroom where I can shake things up. Where are my students ready to...
Gingerbread and Snowman Fun!
While most everyone else you talk to is living for summer to come back around, I love this weather and I LOVE this time of year! There’s something so whimsical about Gingerbread houses, snowmen, candy canes and sugar cookies. This year my students and families have...
Fun February Learning Activities!
You guys the nostalgia behind Valentine’s activities is real! I miss the days of decorating those little heart pocket envelopes for desks and passing out sweet treats. So, you better believe I am taking full advantage of these activities with my daycare...
Winter Fun!
Beat the Winter Blues By January, when the holidays are over and everything settles into routine, the winter blues can set in. The weather in the mid-west gets cold, rainy, snowy, and gross. Indoor recess becomes the norm, and students (and staff!) get restless. Some...
Engaging Winter Fun Activities!
Coming back from the holiday break can be tough but knowing that snow, winter fun, and snowman themed activities were up next made it just a bit easier! These fun winter themed activities are sure to keep your students interested and engaged!Easy Weekly...
Christmas Class Party Setup Kit
Let’s talk about having a Christmas class party in the self-contained classroom! My students and I love celebrating holidays in our classroom. Celebrating the holidays allows us to build lasting memories and they are a GREAT reason to have a party! As fun as...
Focus on Five: Holiday Activities
Our school is getting out for winter break on the 23rd this year, so I needed a lot of different holiday activities to keep my students engaged while still working on objectives and goals. If you are in the same boat or are just looking for some last-minute holiday...
Holiday December Fun!
I cannot believe we are already to December. I knew it would come in the blink of an eye and I have to say I was more prepared with my themed activities! I have jam packed my December with engaging and differentiated activities in the few weeks that schools and...
Holiday Lesson Planning and Gift Guide
So much to do, yet so little time. Don’t let this time of the year be stressful or overwhelming. Follow this guide for all things holiday lesson planning and gift ideas!Lesson Planning Making lesson plans for the classroom during the holiday season ranks high as my...
Valentine’s Day Activities!
Readers I do not know if it’s the gray weather, the constant snow here on the East coast or lack of sunshine, but I am SO excited for February activities. Give me all the hearts, strawberry milkshakes, February bingo, and cupcakes that you can! Here is a little...
Holiday Wellness Guide for Educators
Tis the season for staff Secret Santa, holiday themed spirit weeks, and making salt-dough ornaments with your students. The month of December is full of joy, cheer, and let’s be honest, counting down the days until the semester officially ends. It’s time for us as...
How To Adapt Holiday Project Based Learning with Community Service
Project Based Learning (PBL) is something new to our homeschool. Sure, we do a ton of projects, but not the ones that focus on several skills at once and off current study topics. MagiCore’s creativity with technology has drawn me in, and after success with her Build...
Winter Holiday Resource Round Up
With winter break rapidly approaching, attentions often become distracted and motivation fluctuates with staff and students alike! My favorite winter holiday themed resources will help to hold attention and keep everyone learning right up to winter break. These fun...
The 12 Days of St. Patrick’s Day with Free Book Visuals and Questions
I’m always on the lookout for new books to use with my students related to holidays and I recently found one for St. Patrick’s Day which is “The 12 Days of St. Patrick’s Day.” I have used the other “The 12 Days of….” holiday books by Jenna Lettice and when I saw this...
Winter Themed Activities and Centers
I love a good theme. Teaching with a theme never gets old. In fact, I find it brings excitement and wonder back into the classroom after the holidays. Winter months always draw me to themes of snow, arctic animals and penguins. I intertwine themes in our center time....
Winter Sensory Play & Fine Motor Activities
Teaching before winter break is hard. This year is especially hard. It's cold outside, festivities are likely cancelled or drastically changed due to COVID, and we seem to be squeezing in every assessment possible in the last few days of school. I'm determined to have...
Favorite Holiday Activities Roundup
As an Infants and Toddler’s Special Education teacher, I follow a coaching model and everything since March has been completely virtual. I understand the challenges of virtual teaching especially with children birth to 3! Being cognizant of different home situations...
Focus on Five: Holiday Gifts
The holidays are here! Last school year, I had students make and wrap holiday gifts for their family members. My colleague and I co-teach Special Activity Time each day and we did this project together for the first time last school year. Having students make and...
Free Valentine Recipe, Craft, and Sort
Valentine DipAs many of you know I love to do cooking activities with my students. It’s a great way to work on some many different language and social skills while having fun. My students are always engaged and willing to participate when we cook in speech! I...