Month: October 2025

October is full of excitement in the classroom, but not every student celebrates Halloween. That’s why I love doing a Pumpkin Party—it’s inclusive, hands-on, and perfect for the end of the month! Here are seven pumpkin-themed activities that build skills while keeping things festive: 1. Pumpkin Bowling Gross motor practice disguised as fun! Line up small pumpkins and let students roll them down like bowling balls. Bonus: add numbers or letters to the pins for an extra learning twist. 2. Exploring the Inside of a Pumpkin Sensory play meets science. Let kids scoop, touch, and sort seeds and pulp while talking about textures, shapes, and even counting seeds. 3. Pumpkin Drawing with Whiteboard Markers Fine motor skills without the mess! Kids can draw designs on mini pumpkins using wipe-off markers. Great for creativity and hand control. 4. Pumpkin Geoboards Stretch those fingers and explore shapes! Kids create designs on pumpkin-shaped…

If you’re teaching in two languages, you already know how quickly prep time can get out of control. Centers are a huge part of building independence in the classroom, but when you’re running both French and English (or another language combo), it can feel like you need two completely different setups. Twice the printing, twice the laminating, twice the organizing. Here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t need double the prep to make bilingual centers work. With a few simple shifts, you can set up once and use your centers across both languages. 1. Keep the Structure the Same The best thing you can do is keep your routines and expectations consistent. If students know how to play a math game or complete a literacy activity in English, the only thing that changes in French is the language on the cards or instructions. No…

Halloween in the classroom can be a lot. The excitement, the costumes, the sugar rush—it’s real. That’s why I like to lean into the fun while still keeping activities purposeful (and low-stress for me). One of my favourite ways to do this is with fine motor centres that double as vocabulary practice. It’s the best of both worlds—kids feel like they’re “just playing,” but you know they’re actually building skills that matter. That’s exactly why I created my Fine Motor Halloween Vocabulary Bundle. It’s packed with simple, engaging activities that get kids cutting, tracing, pinching, and colouring—while also practicing seasonal vocabulary in English and French. Here’s what I love most about this bundle: It works in both English and French classrooms (or a mix of both if you’re supporting multiple groups). The activities are flexible—use them in centers, small groups, or even as early-finisher options. They’re festive without being overwhelming…

Fall is the perfect time for hands-on learning, and it’s also a great season to sneak in some fine motor practice. Developing strong fingers, hands, and wrists early on supports writing, drawing, and a ton of other classroom tasks—but it doesn’t have to be complicated or prep-heavy. Here are a few easy, fall-inspired ways to get your students building those skills: 1. Torn Paper Pumpkins or Leaves Tearing paper might seem simple, but it’s powerful for strengthening thumbs, index, and middle fingers. Have students create pumpkins, leaves, or acorns by tearing and gluing coloured paper. Bonus: it’s mostly mess-free and perfect for autumn art displays. 2. Tracing and Colouring Fall Shapes Leaves, acorns, and pinecones are easy shapes for tracing or colouring. Encourage careful lines, gentle pencil pressure, and attention to detail. This supports precision needed for writing. 3. Nature Sorting and Counting Bring the outdoors inside with small sticks,…

Fall is such a fun time of year in the classroom. The changing seasons bring new energy, and students are often excited about all the fall themes—leaves, sunflowers, pumpkins, and more. I love weaving these themes into our learning because it makes the activities feel fresh and engaging while still keeping the focus on key skills. When it comes to math, I keep things simple, hands-on, and meaningful. Here are two of my go-to fall math activities that work well for both whole class and center time. 🌟 1. Fall Hidden Numbers This activity combines seasonal fun with number recognition practice. Students search through fall-themed pictures to find and color hidden numbers. It’s great because: It strengthens number recognition skills. Students practice attention to detail and perseverance. It’s low-prep for teachers—just print and go! I’ve found this one works really well as a quiet independent activity or as part of…