Author: daenag

As educators, we know the magic that can happen when we offer students opportunities to engage in hands-on learning. My Building of the World Cards have been a game-changer in our classroom building centre, not just for the intended purposes but for the unexpected benefits they’ve brought to our daily learning. Here are some of the most surprising wins I’ve seen since incorporating these cards into my classroom: 1️⃣ Cooperation and Problem-Solving Skills Flourished What started as a simple activity quickly turned into a collaborative experience for my students. Building structures based on the cards encouraged them to communicate, negotiate, and delegate tasks. It’s amazing to see students step up as leaders, share ideas, and celebrate their successes as a team. These problem-solving experiences are real-world skills in action, disguised as play. 2️⃣ Engagement and Active Learning Took Center Stage There’s something about these cards that captures students’ imaginations. Whether…

The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to refresh your classroom. After the holidays, a reset can create a feeling of excitement, renew focus, and make learning environments feel like new for both you and your students. Let’s chat about three simple yet impactful ways to energize your space this January! 1️⃣ Rotate Toys and Materials Sometimes, all it takes to reignite student interest is a little rotation! Swap out toys and materials for items that may have been tucked away for a while. Bring out those blocks, puzzles, or manipulatives you haven’t used since September—they’ll feel brand new to your students! 2️⃣ Collaborative Winter Mural Turn a blank wall into a collaborative project space. Provide students with cutouts of snowflakes, penguins, or mittens to decorate and place on a “Winter Wonderland” mural. This activity fosters a sense of community while giving the classroom a fun look!…

January is a whirlwind! Between getting back into routines and re-engaging students after the break, it can feel like there’s no time to add anything extra to your plate. That’s why I love sensory bins or tables—simple, engaging, and low-prep activities that keep students busy while supporting important skills. Sensory bins can be great to support calm transitions, fine motor development, and sparking creativity. Here are three of my favourite low-prep sensory bin ideas for this busy time of year: 1. Scrap Paper Cutting Bin Have a stack of scrap paper lying around? Sure you do! Go check the photocopy room – I guarantee there will be scrap paper in there! Toss it into a bin along with some kid-friendly scissors and let your students cut away! My students love those fancy scissors that make the cool patterns! Cutting is a fantastic way to strengthen fine motor skills, and the…

Let’s talk about adding a little magic to our learning experiences! We all know how important it is to keep students engaged and excited about what they’re learning, but sometimes we need a little extra spark. Here are three strategies that have worked wonders in my classroom and can help you bring that magic to life: Real-World Connections Ever notice how excited students get when they see their learning come to life? It’s like a lightbulb goes off! Take that math lesson outside and have students measure real objects, or bring Social Studies to life by sharing stories or artifacts from your local community. When lessons connect to the real world, they not only spark curiosity but also make learning memorable. It’s about giving students a reason to care and showing them how what they’re learning applies to the world around them. Incorporating Movement – Both Fine and Gross Motor…

As a teacher, I’m always on the lookout for ways to add value to my classroom without breaking the bank—who doesn’t love a good deal, right? 🤔 Well, I’ve discovered a little gem that’s not only inexpensive but also packs a big punch when it comes to developing fine motor skills: rubber bands! At first glance, rubber bands might seem like a simple classroom supply. But trust me, they’re a total game-changer. When students stretch and place rubber bands on geoboards, it requires precision and control. These small, intentional movements are key for developing fine motor skills. And here’s the bonus: those tiny hand muscles that are working so hard to manipulate the rubber bands are the same muscles that help with writing and cutting! So while the kids are having fun creating designs, they’re also strengthening their hands for those all-important tasks that will set them up for success…

🌟 Sometimes, it’s the quiet moments of exploration that reveal so much! 🌟 The other day, I decided to set out some new number blocks in my classroom and let my students have at it—no instructions, no guidelines, just the freedom to explore. What unfolded was nothing short of amazing. One student dove right into sorting, carefully grouping blocks by their numbers. Another sat down and arranged the blocks in order, confidently counting up and down. And one curious kiddo began experimenting with the concept of “equal,” lining up blocks and explaining how two rows could match perfectly. These moments of unstructured exploration gave me insights into each child’s understanding and unique approach to learning. It was incredible to see their personalities and thought processes throughout. What Makes Open-Ended Exploration So Powerful? 1️⃣ Fosters Confidence: When students are given the freedom to explore without fear of “doing it wrong,” they…

I’m so excited to introduce you to today’s guest on the blog: Brittany, also known as The Minimal Hive Teacher! 🐝 In today’s post, Brittany will share some great tips on how to add play to your school day! Hi, I’m Brittany also known as Minimal Hive Teacher! I’m a 2nd grade teacher in a small town in Kansas. I’m excited to share some easy ways to add play into your classroom. I’ve always had a passion for play in the classroom. According to The American Academy of Pediatrics, “Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth. Play is an essential part of the early childhood classroom. As academic pressure goes up, play time drops off dramatically.  There are so many benefits to including play in all early childhood classrooms. So even though I currently teach 2nd grade…

Truth and Reconciliation Day holds profound meaning, but for young children, it can feel like a heavy topic. However, this day gives us a valuable opportunity to begin teaching our students the foundations of respect, kindness, and understanding differences. At the heart of this message is the idea that every child matters and that every child deserves love, safety, and family. Why It Matters for Young Learners In the classroom, Truth and Reconciliation Day is a time for reflection, but it’s also a time to start important conversations about how we can learn from the past and build a kinder future. While young students may not grasp the full weight of history, they can certainly understand concepts like fairness, love, and the importance of treating others with kindness. By planting these seeds early, we help create a future where everyone feels valued, heard, and cared for. How We Can Approach…

October brings all kinds of excitement to the classroom, but not everyone celebrates Halloween. That’s why I’ve created a fun, inclusive way to mark the end of the month—a Pumpkin Party!  A Fun, Inclusive Celebration Rather than focusing on Halloween, we celebrate the end of October with pumpkins! It’s an engaging way to bring seasonal fun to the classroom while ensuring that all students feel included. Everyone loves pumpkins, right? Hands-On Pumpkin-Themed Activities At our Pumpkin Party, every activity is hands-on and skill-building! Here are some favorites from past years: Pumpkin Bowling for gross motor skills Exploring the Inside of a Pumpkin for sensory play and curiosity-driven learning Drawing on pumpkins with whiteboard markers (they wipe off!) for fine motor skills Pumpkin Geoboards to develop fine motor control Pumpkin Letter Matching for literacy practice Weighing and Measuring Pumpkins to explore math concepts And of course, Pumpkin Art for a creative…

If you’ve ever taught two languages in the same classroom, you know the STRUGGLE IS REAL.  Teaching two sets of students in two different languages is already challenging enough, but doing it in the same classroom on alternating days adds a whole new level of crazy! Switching between French and English can make it difficult to stay organized and keep lessons cohesive, and I was feeling overwhelmed by the constant shift in focus. Although it can feel like too much at times, over the last 2 years, I have learned the key that has made all the difference. The Key: Streamlining To overcome this, I realized the importance of streamlining my resources. That’s why I started creating materials that work in both French and English. Having resources that seamlessly transition between languages has been a game-changer for me! This approach not only saves me time but also ensures that my…