Author: daenag

Teaching in a bilingual classroom is such a rewarding experience, but it also comes with its own unique challenges. When I first started, I quickly realized that what worked in an English classroom didn’t always translate (literally and figuratively) into French. There was a lot of trial and error, a lot of adapting, and honestly—a lot of creating my own resources! Looking back, here are five things I wish I had known before stepping into a bilingual classroom. Not Every Resource Works in Both Languages I learned this one fast. Some activities that are perfect in English just don’t work the same way in French, especially when it comes to phonics, sentence structure, or word patterns. Many “print and go” resources are designed with English learners in mind, which can make things tricky when teaching French Immersion. That’s why I started creating my own resources—ones that work seamlessly in both…

As a Kindergarten teacher, I know firsthand how important it is to have high-quality, hands-on resources that don’t require hours of prep. That’s why I’ve created a collection of free resources that not only support student learning but also make your job a little easier. From engaging math activities to fine motor skill builders, these freebies are designed to be easy to implement, bilingual, and fun for young learners. Why Freebies Matter in Your Classroom It can feel overwhelming to find resources that align with your teaching style, especially when you’re juggling different classroom needs. I wanted to offer materials that help educators like you integrate essential skills into everyday learning without the extra time commitment. That’s why I’m always working to provide free resources that support both the academic and developmental growth of your students, especially in areas like fine motor skills, math, and language learning.   A Sneak…

As a Kindergarten teacher, I’m always on the lookout for hands-on, engaging resources that help my students grow both academically and developmentally. When I couldn’t find enough materials for the Festival du Voyageur that fit these needs, I decided to create my own activity bundle. Last year, I put together a set of activities that I was excited to test in my classroom. Unfortunately, I had to step away for surgery, but I was fortunate enough to have some fantastic teachers try them out in their classrooms, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive! This activity bundle is designed to be fun, educational, and easy to implement in a Kindergarten classroom. It includes four activities that promote fine motor skills while also encouraging creativity and language learning in both French and English. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find in the bundle: Roll & Build: Students roll a die to determine…

Valentine’s Day is such a special time to foster friendship, kindness, and creativity in the classroom. While it can feel like just another busy holiday, it’s also a golden opportunity to incorporate hands-on activities that bring learning and celebration together. Here are a few ways we’ll be making the day fun, meaningful, and engaging—with a focus on building fine motor skills and fostering connections! Friendship Fruit Salad – A Collaborative Activity with Heart In our classroom, the Valentine’s celebration isn’t complete without making Friendship Fruit Salad. This activity is a beautiful way to teach children about sharing, teamwork, and how everyone contributes something unique to the group. How It Works: Each child brings a piece of fruit to share. We talk about how each fruit represents something special about our class community. Then, the students help peel, chop, and mix the fruit to create a delicious salad we all enjoy…

Ripping paper might seem like a simple activity, but in the world of early childhood education, it’s a powerhouse for developing fine motor skills. This tactile and engaging exercise is a great way to strengthen the tiny muscles in children’s hands, preparing them for critical tasks like writing, cutting, and drawing. Let’s explore why tearing paper is such an effective tool for building fine motor strength and how you can incorporate it into your classroom with ease. Why Ripping Paper Works Strengthens Hand Muscles The action of tearing paper requires a combination of grip strength and controlled hand movements. As children practice, they’re working the small muscles in their fingers, hands, and wrists—the same muscles they’ll use for handwriting and other precise tasks. Improves Hand-Eye Coordination Ripping paper isn’t just about strength; it also requires focus and coordination. Children need to carefully align their hands and adjust their grip to…

Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions, but let’s be honest—it can also be one of the most overwhelming. The endless to-do lists, growing workloads, and desire to give our best to our students can leave us feeling stretched thin. If you’ve been feeling this way, you’re not alone. Let’s dive into some practical strategies to help reclaim our time, sanity, and joy in the classroom.   1. Prioritize What Matters Most When faced with a mile-long to-do list, it’s easy to feel paralyzed. Start by focusing on what really matters: Which tasks directly impact your students’ learning and well-being? Which ones can wait or aren’t essential? And here’s a biggie: let go of the idea that your classroom has to look Pinterest-perfect. What’s more important is creating a positive, nurturing environment where students can thrive—and where you can breathe. 2. Schedule Self-Care Like It’s an Appointment Self-care isn’t…

The Lunar New Year is a wonderful celebration that offers so many opportunities for students to connect to culture, tradition, and creativity. This year, I wanted to bring the magic of the celebration into my classroom in a hands-on, engaging, and educational way using my Hands-On Chinese Lunar New Year Activity Centre Bundle! This bundle was designed to help students learn about the Lunar New Year while supporting fine motor development and creative exploration through playful, hands-on activities. These activities are versatile, engaging, and easy to implement—perfect for bringing the celebration to life in the classroom while making learning fun. Here’s how we’ve been celebrating the Lunar New Year with these activities: All of my holiday activity centre bundles include four versatile and fine motor-friendly activities that connect learning to creativity. Here’s how we’re using each one to celebrate the Lunar New Year: 1️⃣ Roll and Build – Get Creative…

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…