Month: October 2024

When I was first exploring my new classroom space (and purging all the things) and saw these bright plastic chain link clips, I remember thinking, What am I going to do with these? They seemed like such a random item and I couldn’t figure out how to make them useful in my classroom. I almost tossed them out of my room, but something told me to hang onto them.  There were a few items I told myself I’d keep in the classroom for a year – and if I didn’t use them within that time, then I’d pass them onto someone else. Little did I know, these chain link clips would soon become one of my go-to resources! Hands-On Fine Motor Play at Its Best Now, after seeing them in action, I can’t imagine my classroom without them. Chain link clips are an amazing tool for hands-on fine motor play,…

As a Kindergarten teacher, I’ve always believed in the power of hands-on learning, but I’ll admit—when I first started introducing these activities in my classroom, I definitely made a few missteps. But my fumbles are your gains, so, I’m sharing the three biggest mistakes I made when introducing hands-on activities and what I learned from them, so you can skip the headaches and jump straight into effective, engaging learning for your students! #1 Not Prepping Enough My first mistake? Not preparing enough in advance. Hands-on activities are amazing, but they can quickly become chaotic if you’re not ready with all the materials. I remember a time when I underestimated how much prep time was needed, thinking I could just hand out materials and let the kids go. Spoiler alert: I couldn’t and if you know the patience of Kindergarteners you will know it is pretty much non-existent! Now, I make…

As a Kindergarten teacher, I’ve heard all sorts of opinions about classroom supplies, but one comment from a coworker really surprised me: “Playdough is a waste of classroom budget.” I mean, I couldn’t disagree more! I think that playdough is an important tool that we can offer our students and I’ll tell you why! Playdough is a POWERHOUSE for fine motor development! Seriously!  When it comes to building fine motor skills, playdough is a superstar, making it such an important tool in the classroom! Squishing, rolling, flattening, and pinching all work to strengthen the small muscles in students’ hands, fingers, and wrists—those same muscles they’ll use for writing, cutting, and daily tasks.    Playdough also gives kids a chance to feel different textures, which helps them calm their bodies and stay focused. It’s a fun, hands-on way for students to build motor skills while also sparking their creativity and imagination. Win-win…

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…