Author: daenag

Seriously, time is PRECIOUS in Kindergarten!   As Kindergarten teachers, we are always looking for ways to build fine motor skills WITHOUT adding extra prep time on our list.  Thankfully, there are plenty of activities that are quick, simple, and still super effective at developing those crucial muscles in our students and I am excited to share them with you! So here it is –  five simple ways to build fine motor skills that you can implement right away! (You can do a happy dance now – or at the end of this post!) 1. Stacking Stacking is a tried-and-true fine motor activity, whether it is with blocks or my favourite – paper cups! Paper cups are my absolute go-to because they’re QUIET when they fall, making them my favourite choice. (If we are using wooden blocks, I will have kids build on the carpet to help soften the blow when…

As Kindergarten teachers, we’re always on the hunt for tools that make learning both fun and effective. And if you’re teaching in a French Immersion or English Kindergarten classroom, I’ve got the perfect must-have for you: geoboards! These versatile tools are the key to hands-on learning, keeping students engaged while developing crucial fine motor skills. Let’s dive into the top 3 reasons why geoboards should be a staple in your classroom. 1. Hands-On Learning in Action When it comes to building fine motor skills, geoboards are a dream come true. With geoboards, students are constantly using their hands and fingers to create shapes, letters, and numbers, all while improving dexterity and coordination. This type of hands-on learning keeps students actively engaged as they manipulate elastics to form designs. The geoboard activities I’ve created take this even further—by making learning feel like play! These activities seamlessly blend creativity with key learning…

Welcome! I’m Daena Gibbons, a proud mom of 4, a devoted wife, and a true crime enthusiast. When I’m not shuttling my kids to their activities or diving into a good thriller, I’m usually reflecting on my wellness journey. But one of my greatest passions is teaching—and I’ve been doing it for 17 years now, in roles ranging from K-6 to Reading Recovery, Resource support, and even Virtual Teaching. This past year, I embarked on an exciting new chapter: teaching Kindergarten French Immersion. Having spent my entire career teaching in English, it was a big shift—but one I completely embraced. As *Mme Gibbons*, I found joy in reconnecting with the French language and bringing authentic, meaningful learning to my students. And here’s where the adventure really took off. Not only was I teaching in French, but I was also balancing two classes—alternating between my French Maternelle group and an English…