STEM

Writing Fractured Fairy Tales: Mini-Lessons, Mentor Texts, and Classroom Fun!

Writing Fractured Fairy Tales: Mini-Lessons, Mentor Texts & Classroom Fun

Okay, friends. If there is one writing unit that gets kids genuinely excited to put pencil to paper, it is writing fractured fairy tales. Not just any fairy tales—fractured fairy tales. The kind where the Big Bad Wolf is suddenly the good guy, Cinderella refuses to go to the ball, or the Three Bears file a complaint with the local police. Kids go absolutely wild for this stuff. And honestly? So do I. After 23 years in a primary classroom, I can tell you that fairy tale writing hits differently than other units. It is one of those magical combinations

Elementary student observing a critter. Observation Journals for elementary science.

Observation Journals: How to Bring Real Science into Your Classroom (No Prep Required)

Hey there, teacher friend. Do you love the idea of hands-on science, but sometimes the reality feels a little overwhelming? Between the planning, the supplies, and the cleanup, it’s easy to let science slide to the back burner when the week gets busy. But here’s the good news: you don’t need complicated experiments to help your students think like scientists. In fact, some of the best science learning happens when students simply stop, look closely, and record what they notice. That’s where observation journals come in. They’re simple, no-prep, and surprisingly powerful. Whether you use them during your science block,

Explore the World of STEM: Exciting STEM Day Ideas for Primary Learners

Hey there Teacher Friends! Today, I’m beyond excited to share some out-of-this-world tips on how to host a STEM-tastic day in your classroom. Get ready for a super fun day filled with curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning with these fun STEM day ideas! This post does contain Amazon Affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. What is STEM/STEAM? STEM/STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The A in STEAM is for Art. These types of hands-on learning opportunities give your students time to explore a problem and come up with ways

Image of Water Slides with title: Tips for Preventing "Summer Slide". Preventing summer learning loss.

How to Prevent Summer Learning Loss: 5+ Tips for Beating Summer Slide

Summer is the best. Except for the dreaded “Summer Slide” or Summer Learning Loss. Read on for some tips to prevent summer learning loss! (This post does contain Amazon Affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission at no cost to you! Thanks so much!) Rather watch this post? Check out the YouTube Video: Prevent Summer Learning Loss Tip 1: Read! Encourage your child (or students) to read over the summer! Many libraries host summer reading programs, and children can earn prizes for their efforts. Our local library also has an amazing app that lets

october activities cover with surprised little girllittle girl

7 Fun October Activities You NEED in Your Primary Classroom

October Activities are my favorite activities! Ahhhhhhh! Fall is a lovely season here in Indiana. This is a great time of year for being a teacher as well. The kiddos are finally into the routine (hopefully), your teacher stamina is built up, and things are humming along. Not to mention you can get out all of your cute jeans and sweaters! I have a few October Activities to help your October be even better! And yes, there are freebies as well! So, without further ado… 7 Fun October Activities You NEED in Your Primary Classroom October Activities #1: Pumpkin Math!

3 Fun STEM Activities to Engage Your Fast Finishers

STEM Activities for Fast Finishers: Maker Space or STEM Center This is one of my student’s favorite ideas for fast finishers! Before we start with our Maker Space and/or STEM Center we talk a lot about what it is, what it’s not, and how to use it. One thing that we talk about is what we are making. If we make something that looks like trash and we take it home, what will the grown-up at home do with it? Throw it away. So, when we are working in this space, we should be creating something that we can use,

Fun and Low-Prep STEM Playdough Activities

STEM Playdough Activities are a huge hit in my classroom! Read on to learn more about STEM/STEAM and easy and fun ways that you can incorporate STEM/STEAM into your classroom! This post does contain affiliate links to Amazon. If you do purchase something through my links I receive a small commission at no cost to you! What is STEM/STEAM? What is STEM/STEAM? STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. STEAM adds in the A for Art. These fields all share an emphasis on creative thinking, problem solving, innovating, and critical thinking, all the things that we would like our

Mentor Text Monday: Mealworm Life Cycle

Hello all! It’s that time of year again! It’s time to study the life cycle of the mealworm or darkling beetle! Are you ready? I have a fantastic book that is perfect for your study and a Mealworm Life Cycle observation freebie! This post contains an affiliate link to Amazon (if you would like to get your own copy of this book!). I came across this awesome book several years ago when I started teaching second grade. I always try to introduce a new topic with a book. This one is awesome for teaching the life cycle of

#1 First Day of School Activity that your students will LOVE! (It will also make the whole day a little easier!)

Ah! I hate to break it to you, but the first day of school is coming, and there is nothing we can do to stop it! That being said, I have a super fun, engaging first day of school activity that will help make the whole day just a little bit easier! First Day of School Activity! Wow! The first day of school is a real whirlwind. I don’t know about you, but I like the first day to be as relaxing and fun as possible. So, I start out the first day with …Play Dough! When the kiddos come

Pumpkin Math Fun: How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?

It’s that time of year again! Pumpkin Math time! This super engaging, hands-on, inquiry-based math activity is one of our favorites! I have a great book suggestion and a freebie for you! We start by doing estimates with our pumpkins: How much does it weight? What is its circumference? How long is the pumpkin’s stem? How many seeds do you think are inside? We record these on our sheets with a thin marker or crayon before we start. This helps with changing our estimates when we learn the real answer. 😉 Then, we start our pumpkin math investigations working on

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STEM

Writing Fractured Fairy Tales: Mini-Lessons, Mentor Texts & Classroom Fun

Observation Journals: How to Bring Real Science into Your Classroom (No Prep Required)

Explore the World of STEM: Exciting STEM Day Ideas for Primary Learners

How to Prevent Summer Learning Loss: 5+ Tips for Beating Summer Slide

7 Fun October Activities You NEED in Your Primary Classroom

3 Fun STEM Activities to Engage Your Fast Finishers

Fun and Low-Prep STEM Playdough Activities

Mentor Text Monday: Mealworm Life Cycle

#1 First Day of School Activity that your students will LOVE! (It will also make the whole day a little easier!)

Pumpkin Math Fun: How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?

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