Primary School
- Kids 4th of July Book and Activity
- Create a Reading Learning Center
- Choosing an Elementary Tutor
- A Classroom Mission Statement
- Elementary Student Summer Calendar
- Elementary Teacher Interview Tips
- End of School Year Class Reward
- Thank Your Favorite Teacher
- A lost art?
- Great Holiday Books
Kids 4th of July Book and Activity
Posted by
Megan Sheakoski
Megan Sheakoski
A children's summer craft idea based on a Fourth of July picture storybook. Teach kids about America's birthday while having fun as a family.
Get your primary school age kids excited about America’s Independence Day with an educational activity they can do at home. Use Harriet Ziefert’s Hats Off for the Fourth of July (Viking, 2000) as the basis for a family craft and parade.
What You’ll Need
What You’ll Need
- Hats Off for the Fourth of July by Harriet Ziefert
- Strips of cardstock
- Construction Paper
- Markers
- Other art supplies
- Before you read the book flip through the pages and look at the pictures. Ask your children to tell you what they think will happen in the story.
- Read Hats Off for the Fourth of July and talk about what happened in the story. Check to see if the kids’ prediction were correct.
- Ask them to list the different things that went by in the parade. Reread the book and to complete the list.
- Discuss the title and then tell the kids they are going to get to make their favorite hat from the story.
- Use the cardstock strip as the hat’s foundation. Staple the strip so that it becomes a band that fits each child’s head.
- Cover the band with construction paper to create a motorcycle helmet, a Little League hat, a cowboy hat, or whatever hat they have chosen. The kids can then decorate the hat using art supplies you already have at home.
- When all the hats are finished have everyone march around the house for a family parade.
Create a Reading Learning Center
Posted by
Megan Sheakoski
Megan Sheakoski
Tips on how parents can set up a reading and writing center at home that kids can use while on summer vacation to make reading and writing fun.
When children are little all they want to do is be read to and look at their favorite books. By the time elementary school hits those days are long gone for many kids- especially in the summertime. Encourage reading and writing by creating a learning center in your home filled with books and art supplies that the kids can use to make their own books, construct their favorite characters, illustrate their poetry, and much more.
The Reading Center Space
Your home learning center doesn’t need to be anything elaborate. It can simply be a small, rolling storage cart next to a bookshelf or a small table in the corner of the room. Find an area that will work for you and your family and decorate and label it. Make the center inviting so the kids will be excited about using it.
The Materials for a Reading Center
Start with some books, different types of paper, pencils and crayons. Depending on what kinds of art supplies your kids enjoy using you can add items such as a hole puncher, glitter, fabric pieces, popsicle sticks, and yarn. Change the books that are in the center frequently so that the kids don’t get bored.
The Rules for a Reading Learning Center
Just like any other area of the house the reading center needs to have procedures that the kids will follow when they use it. Choose whatever rules will work best for you children that address issues such as when the center can be used, how it needs to be left when they are done, and what activities require adult supervision.
The Reading Center Space
Your home learning center doesn’t need to be anything elaborate. It can simply be a small, rolling storage cart next to a bookshelf or a small table in the corner of the room. Find an area that will work for you and your family and decorate and label it. Make the center inviting so the kids will be excited about using it.
The Materials for a Reading Center
Start with some books, different types of paper, pencils and crayons. Depending on what kinds of art supplies your kids enjoy using you can add items such as a hole puncher, glitter, fabric pieces, popsicle sticks, and yarn. Change the books that are in the center frequently so that the kids don’t get bored.
The Rules for a Reading Learning Center
Just like any other area of the house the reading center needs to have procedures that the kids will follow when they use it. Choose whatever rules will work best for you children that address issues such as when the center can be used, how it needs to be left when they are done, and what activities require adult supervision.
Posted by
Megan Sheakoski
Megan Sheakoski
Types of summer tutoring programs for primary students, what questions to ask a tutor, and characteristics of a strong elementary tutoring program.
Whether your child requires extra help, would enjoy enrichment and practice, or needs to maintain current skills summer tutoring may be just what you’re looking for. Use the information below to get the most out of the experience.
Tutoring Options
Tutoring Options
- Students who need remediation may qualify for free or inexpensive school-run reading or math programs.
- Private tutors such as college students or local elementary school teachers provide one-on-one personalized instruction for primary students. Check your child’s school or the local library for recommendations.
- Tutoring centers, such as Sylvan Learning Center, also provide customized lessons and usually have multiple locations and convenient hours.
- What are your qualifications and relevant schooling?
- How long have you been tutoring? Can you provide me with references?
- How much do you charge? What happens if we have to cancel a session?
- How do you plan to assess my child’s strengths and needs?
- How will you measure progress and how often will I be updated?
- Student strengths and needs are assessed prior to instruction and periodically during instruction.
- The tutor seeks input from both the parent and child and, if possible, the former teacher.
- A plan is developed that includes realistic goals for the summer along with specific objectives as to how the goals will be reached.
- Instruction is personalized for the child and takes into account his learning style and interests.
Posted by
Megan Sheakoski
Megan Sheakoski
How elementary teachers can use the end of the school year to reflect on their classroom management plans and create a class mission statement for next year.
As the school year winds down teachers, students, and parents look forward to a relaxed schedule and more free time. But before you pack up your stuff and head to the beach take time to reflect on the past year and create a mission statement for next year’s class.
What is a classroom mission statement?
What is a classroom mission statement?
- Just like a company’s mission statement a classroom mission statement defines the vision of the classroom culture or environment. Anyone who reads the statement can immediately get a feel for the priorities of the teacher and the focus of the classroom.
- Teachers can use the statement to share their views with students, parents and administrators at the beginning of the school year.
- The first thing to do when developing a mission statement is to reflect on your instructional and educational values and make a list of the classroom characteristics that are most important to you.
- Go through the list and categorize the qualities into main ideas that you believe are essential to a positive teaching and learning environment.
- Use the main ideas to write a short paragraph describing your vision for the classroom.
Elementary Student Summer Calendar
Posted by
Megan Sheakoski
Megan Sheakoski
Create an educational summer activity calendar for elementary school students to complete at home. Includes a week's worth of sample calendar activities.
The school year is ending, but that doesn’t mean the learning has to stop. Send home a summer activity calendar with your primary school age students to keep their education going even when you’re not around!
A summer activity calendar can be detailed or very simple. What you choose to do depends on the age and interest of your students. Before school ends create a list of educational activities that the students can do at home. When your list is complete organize the activities by type or category. For example, make a list of reading activities, a list math of activities, a list of writing activities, etc.
Take a blank calendar and fill it in making sure to have a variety of activities each week. Don’t feel the need to put something on the calendar every day, very few students will be able to complete all of the suggested activities. You can choose to make a separate calendar for each month of summer vacation or just one that can be reused each month.
Use this sample week of activities to help you get started.
Monday
Read a story to your pet, younger sibling, or favorite stuffed animal.
Tuesday
Draw a picture or write a letter to send to a family member who lives far away.
Wednesday
Pretend you are a crab at the beach and crabwalk around your house.
Thursday
Use a ruler or tape measure to measure each member of your family.
Friday
Explore your front yard. Take a notebook and record your observations.
Have fun with the list and be as creative as possible. Remember, the activities don't have to be long or involved- anything that keeps them thinking and learning will make a great impact!
A summer activity calendar can be detailed or very simple. What you choose to do depends on the age and interest of your students. Before school ends create a list of educational activities that the students can do at home. When your list is complete organize the activities by type or category. For example, make a list of reading activities, a list math of activities, a list of writing activities, etc.
Take a blank calendar and fill it in making sure to have a variety of activities each week. Don’t feel the need to put something on the calendar every day, very few students will be able to complete all of the suggested activities. You can choose to make a separate calendar for each month of summer vacation or just one that can be reused each month.
Use this sample week of activities to help you get started.
Monday
Read a story to your pet, younger sibling, or favorite stuffed animal.
Tuesday
Draw a picture or write a letter to send to a family member who lives far away.
Wednesday
Pretend you are a crab at the beach and crabwalk around your house.
Thursday
Use a ruler or tape measure to measure each member of your family.
Friday
Explore your front yard. Take a notebook and record your observations.
Have fun with the list and be as creative as possible. Remember, the activities don't have to be long or involved- anything that keeps them thinking and learning will make a great impact!
Elementary Teacher Interview Tips
Posted by
Megan Sheakoski
Megan Sheakoski
Information on how to get ready for and what do during an interview for an elementary school teaching position.
You’ve just received your Elementary Education Teaching Degree and are finally ready for your own classroom. The next step in the process of beginning your teaching career is to ace the school district interview. You know you can do a great job, now is the time to prove it to your future colleagues. Use the interview tips below to nail the perfect teaching position.
Research, Research, Research
Not doing your homework before an interview can lead to the district not realizing how well you may fit into their school family. Before you send out and application or cover letter, research school districts and schools with open positions. When answering interview questions you can refer to this information in your response.
Use Personal Examples
Depending on how the interview is set up you may not have the chance to show off your complete portfolio or highlight your best work. Draw on brief, personal anecdotes about your teaching experience in your interview answers. When appropriate use your portfolio as a visual aid to draw attention to your teaching skill and creativity.
Demonstrate Good Public Speaking
Every teacher needs to be an excellent communicator. Make eye contact with all of the interviewers and use a clear speaking voice. Show enthusiasm for your subject- remember, everyone loves a friendly first grade teacher!
Research, Research, Research
Not doing your homework before an interview can lead to the district not realizing how well you may fit into their school family. Before you send out and application or cover letter, research school districts and schools with open positions. When answering interview questions you can refer to this information in your response.
Use Personal Examples
Depending on how the interview is set up you may not have the chance to show off your complete portfolio or highlight your best work. Draw on brief, personal anecdotes about your teaching experience in your interview answers. When appropriate use your portfolio as a visual aid to draw attention to your teaching skill and creativity.
Demonstrate Good Public Speaking
Every teacher needs to be an excellent communicator. Make eye contact with all of the interviewers and use a clear speaking voice. Show enthusiasm for your subject- remember, everyone loves a friendly first grade teacher!
End of School Year Class Reward
Posted by
Megan Sheakoski
Megan Sheakoski
How to use an ice cream party as a class reward system to increase classroom management during the last weeks of school.
The last week of school can be tough on classroom management. The weather is warmer, the schedule is crazy, and elementary students and teachers can only think of one thing- summer vacation. The management plan and reward system that has been effective all year may not be successful now.
Use the steps below to add an element of summer fun to the classroom by having the students earn an ice cream sundae party.
Set Up the Parameters
Use the steps below to add an element of summer fun to the classroom by having the students earn an ice cream sundae party.
Set Up the Parameters
- Decide when the party will take place.
- Choose what types of behaviors will be rewarded.
- Develop a plan for how you will handle individual misbehavior.
- Devote a classroom bulletin board to the ice cream party.
- Draw and cut out all of the parts of an ice cream party. You will need a napkin, a bowl, a spoon, some scoops of ice cream, individual toppings, a cup, and a drink.
- Display the individual parts of the party the class needs to earn around the outer edges of the bulletin board.
- Show the students the bulletin board and talk about what they can potentially have at the party.
- Give them specific examples of behaviors you will reward.
- Discuss what will happen if one student continues to disrupt the class.
Posted by
Megan Sheakoski
Megan Sheakoski
How to thank your favorite teacher by donating classroom materials to your local school or any grade school using the Donors Choose or Adopt a Classroom websites.
Whether you are a student, have a student, or were a student there is at least one special teacher you are grateful for. Teachers have an enormous impact in our lives, and while you can never really repay a great teacher for all she has done, there are some easy and thoughtful ways to demonstrate your appreciation. One way to honor a special elementary teacher is to donate school supplies to needy classrooms.
Three Ways to Give Back to Teachers
For more ways to say thank you to a great teacher read Teacher Appreciation Gifts.
Three Ways to Give Back to Teachers
- Call your favorite primary school teacher and ask what is needed. You then choose what you would like to donate, buy the supplies, and take them to the class. Or you can just send a check to the school to be used however you designate.
- Visit Donors Choose to give to a class without ever leaving your house. Teachers submit proposals outlining what they need and how they will use it. Donors use the many search options to choose a project that they would like to help fund and donate the money through the website. Everyone who makes a donation receives a thank-you from the students and every donation is tax-deductible.
- Go to the Adopt a Classroom website to search for a class to adopt. For a minimum donation of twenty-five dollars you can help a teacher to obtain materials for her students. You are also able to visit the classroom you sponsor and even chaperone field trips.
For more ways to say thank you to a great teacher read Teacher Appreciation Gifts.
Posted by
Jaime L. Hebert
Today's children have different ways of playing than adults may remember from their childhoods. Is this a problem or merely a reflection of changing times?
What comes to mind when you think of play as a kid? Here are some examples from an informal poll I took:
But are today's children having those experiences. Observe any child today, and you might assume that play today includes watching television, playing computer or electronic games, talking on the phone, chatting online with friends or taking part in an organized activity. Are these the experiences today's children will recall fondly when they are thirty or fifty? Do you know a child who doesn't know how to play hopscotch or jump rope, skip, or blow bubbles with bubble gum? Sadly, I do. One five year old child couldn't skip when asked to and angrily said he didn't know how because he hadn't been taught.
Do we need to teach our children to play? Of course we do! How else will they learn? They don't just learn to play games or use their imaginations from nothing. They need guidance. They need somebody to encourage them to play, and to teach them games or provide them opportunities. Then they, in turn, can encourage their friends and we will see more and more children "just playing." Just because times are changing, it doesn't mean play is losing importance. In fact, it may be more important than ever. Future employers want workers with creative energy and the ability to work well with others. It starts in childhood. It starts with play.
- Playing with dolls
- Playing games like "Mother May I?" or "Red Light, Green Light."
- Building a fort or tree house
- Playing tag, kick ball, or other physical games
- Playing with action figures
- Playing in the dirt or in the sand box
But are today's children having those experiences. Observe any child today, and you might assume that play today includes watching television, playing computer or electronic games, talking on the phone, chatting online with friends or taking part in an organized activity. Are these the experiences today's children will recall fondly when they are thirty or fifty? Do you know a child who doesn't know how to play hopscotch or jump rope, skip, or blow bubbles with bubble gum? Sadly, I do. One five year old child couldn't skip when asked to and angrily said he didn't know how because he hadn't been taught.
Do we need to teach our children to play? Of course we do! How else will they learn? They don't just learn to play games or use their imaginations from nothing. They need guidance. They need somebody to encourage them to play, and to teach them games or provide them opportunities. Then they, in turn, can encourage their friends and we will see more and more children "just playing." Just because times are changing, it doesn't mean play is losing importance. In fact, it may be more important than ever. Future employers want workers with creative energy and the ability to work well with others. It starts in childhood. It starts with play.
Posted by
Jaime L. Hebert
No holiday is complete without good holiday books. Here are some new reads and some classic selections.
Nothing is better on a cold winter's evening than settling in with a warm fuzzy blanket and a good holiday book. Whether your children enjoy the old classics, or prefer a new or updated story, there is a book for everyone! Many tell stories of holidays around the world and eloquently state the true meaning of the season, and some are just fun!
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel
This is the story of how clever Hershel of Ostropol rids a town of their pesky goblin problem. Townspeople were afraid to celebrate Hanukkah, because the goblins came and ruined their celebrations every year. Hershel uses his wits to rid the synagogue of the goblin infestation, and readers learn about the Hanukkah traditions, like the dreidel, in a fun way.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
It's a classic for a reason! The original story of Ebeneezer Scrooge is just as engaging today as when it was written. In order for a lonely, crabby old man to experience the true meaning of Christmas, he must face up to the demons of his past (and present, and future!). And when he does, every reader will see that a little Christmas spirit goes a long way, especially for the poor Cratchit family and the unexpected gift that comes to them from the least likely person.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Forget the so-so movie with Jim Carrey. This is the original Grinch, and the simple rhymes and illustrations make it a highly anticipated yearly read. From the Grinch's dog, Max, to little Cindy Lou Who (who in this version is no more than two!), children of all ages will see the true meaning of the season shine through when the Grinch's small heart grows three sizes and he is graciously invited to spend the holiday at the Who's' table.
Seven Spools of Thread by Angela Shelf Medaris
In this Kwanzaa story, seven brothers are given the task of making gold out of seven spools of thread. An impossible task, you say? Not when the brothers work together using the seven principles of Kwanzaa. This book is colorful and engaging and will help young readers learn about the newer holiday of Kwanzaa.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
This is a funny book for older readers about the year the most awful kids in town manage to worm their way into the plum roles in the town's Christmas pageant. The Herdmans (all six of them) are bound to ruin the pageant, aren't they? After all, they have a reputation for bad behavior. But maybe the Herdmans will surprise everyone and show that even "bad" kids can do good things. A fun story for reading aloud to kids, ore for older kids to read themselves.
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel
This is the story of how clever Hershel of Ostropol rids a town of their pesky goblin problem. Townspeople were afraid to celebrate Hanukkah, because the goblins came and ruined their celebrations every year. Hershel uses his wits to rid the synagogue of the goblin infestation, and readers learn about the Hanukkah traditions, like the dreidel, in a fun way.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
It's a classic for a reason! The original story of Ebeneezer Scrooge is just as engaging today as when it was written. In order for a lonely, crabby old man to experience the true meaning of Christmas, he must face up to the demons of his past (and present, and future!). And when he does, every reader will see that a little Christmas spirit goes a long way, especially for the poor Cratchit family and the unexpected gift that comes to them from the least likely person.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Forget the so-so movie with Jim Carrey. This is the original Grinch, and the simple rhymes and illustrations make it a highly anticipated yearly read. From the Grinch's dog, Max, to little Cindy Lou Who (who in this version is no more than two!), children of all ages will see the true meaning of the season shine through when the Grinch's small heart grows three sizes and he is graciously invited to spend the holiday at the Who's' table.
Seven Spools of Thread by Angela Shelf Medaris
In this Kwanzaa story, seven brothers are given the task of making gold out of seven spools of thread. An impossible task, you say? Not when the brothers work together using the seven principles of Kwanzaa. This book is colorful and engaging and will help young readers learn about the newer holiday of Kwanzaa.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
This is a funny book for older readers about the year the most awful kids in town manage to worm their way into the plum roles in the town's Christmas pageant. The Herdmans (all six of them) are bound to ruin the pageant, aren't they? After all, they have a reputation for bad behavior. But maybe the Herdmans will surprise everyone and show that even "bad" kids can do good things. A fun story for reading aloud to kids, ore for older kids to read themselves.