New Year Reading Activities: History of Holiday Traditions

It's back-to-school time again! Heading back from the long holiday break can always be a little big stressful! But, I like to keep things easy and embrace the new year with lots of pre-prepped learning activities to celebrate! 

This newly updated resource is ready for 2024! This comes with 7 different reading articles for up to seven days of reading lessons done for you! Each article comes with a comprehension worksheet that also includes an answer key. Your students will learn a lot about the new year's holiday and the traditions with these new years non fiction articles. Included in the pack is one about the first and last countries to welcome the new year and how they celebrate. Another article explores the different balls that have been used in New York’s Time Square on New Year’s Eve and how that tradition got started. Students can extend their learning by completing a STEM challenge based on the ball drop. The third article is about the famous song, Auld Lang Syne, and just what those words mean and how the song came to be one we that sing when the clock strikes midnight on January first each year. Next, there is an article about goals and new year’s resolutions. Students can extend what they learn by setting goals of their own in a cute New Year’s Eve ball card. Another article is about words and how words are added to our dictionary each and every year. The class will learn who chooses what words are added and where these words come from. To extend, they may even create a snack or something to play with, should you choose to do so. Up next, is an article about the Tournament of Roses parade. When students read this, they may be inspired to create models of their own. So to extend their learning, you can have them create small shoebox floats and host their own walk-thru parade. Lastly, students will learn about college football bowls and how they came to be.

 

The resource does not stop there, also included is a time capsule that students can create individually. And finally, there is a teambuilding game that is perfect for welcoming your students back into the classroom and get them talking and sharing about their break and also the new year. As you can see, students will not only get reading activities with this pack, but this crosses over to other subject areas as well including history, science, writing, and art.

Click here to be taken to the resource. 

Christmas Reading Comprehension Activities

It's the most wonderful time of the year....and also one of the craziest. Can you really get any teaching done between Thanksgiving, Christmas breaks? My answer to you is yes, but you have to be strategic and play to the interests of the students....and what could be better than to using Christmas activities as the basis of your learning? I love to help my students learn about the traditions of the holidays. I find that sprinkling a bit of learning with a Christmas theme provides a bit of excitement and keeps them engaged in the crazy weeks leading into the holidays. 

Let me share with you what I mean. First, I think about different traditions for the holidays. I use those as the basis of learning activities. For example, I created a magazine-style reading booklet that covered different traditions surrounding Christmas trees. Inside I researched and wrote seven articles, enough for seven days of learning! Another booklet I created is all about gingerbread, a favorite around this time of year. With each set of reading articles, I included a set of comprehension worksheets. I also love to extend learning through additional fun activities. For the Christmas tree pack, we do a S.T.E.M. project where students build their own trees. We also do many other activities along the way. In the gingerbread activity pack, students create their own gingerbread houses using a template that looks like a gingerbread house and opens up to reveal a piece of writing about a Christmas memory or tradition. These are super cute for a bulletin board display too!

I love doing these for every holiday I can.  I these reading activity backs for many different holidays, not just Christmas. I have a set for New Year's that is updated with the new year each year. I have one for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, April Fool's Day, and Thanksgiving. They are so fun, and I love all the learning my students do. By the end of the holiday, they know why we have the traditions we do. 

If you are interested in checking any of theses out, you can find them by clicking on each picture below. 

Multiplication Escape Room and a Circus Classroom Transformation

Over the past couple of years I have done several escape rooms and they have always be a fun learning experience and great way to gamify my classroom. I decided that I wanted to try to create my own circus/carnival themed escape room, and I decided to call it Escape to the Circus because once students finished all the challenges in the game, which was circus themed, they would earn tickets to play carnival games for added fun. Here's how I set it all up.

Circus Classroom Transformation

Many years ago, I would create a new elaborate theme each year for my classroom. One of those years, I created a circus theme because we were learning about the five regions of the US, and since the circus travels the US, this was a perfect theme. I created a circus reading tent and banners and found some cute circus seating at IKEA and that year, Target also had some circus pieces I could add as decor. After creating it all and using it for that year, I packed it all away to use in the future for classroom transformations. I have used it a time or two since, but not for several years. I knew I wanted to pull this out to use with my escape room. That was the main reason I created a circus/carnival theme. The only decor item I purchased this time was the red and white backdrop, which is really a set of three table cloths that I found on Amazon for pretty cheap. I put some circus music on in the background, and the circus vibe was coming together. 

Aligning the Curriculum

Aligning the curriculum was super easy. The hard part for me was that I had to create three versions of each game because I teach in a multi-grade classroom with grades 3-5. Because I had all those grades, I needed a different level of math for each grade level, but I wanted all the grades in my classroom to be able to play the game. 

Since we were just finishing up our units on multiplication, I knew that my topic for this escape room would be multiplication. I would just level up each challenge for an easy, medium, and hard. So for third grade, I kept the challenges easy with basic multiplication facts using two and even three factors. For the fourth grade challenges, I took it up a notch. The fourth grade level included skills like multiplying with powers of ten, multiplying double digits with estimation, and multiplying double digits. For the fifth grade, the skills I focused on were multiplication of decimals using powers of ten, multiplying decimals with estimation, and multiplying decimals. These skills covered most of what we learned during the multiplication units in our actual curriculum. 

Building the Challenges

I decided to do four challenges for my escape room. Each challenge would reveal a secret code word or phrase that was related to the circus. 

In challenge one, students were give an envelope with a puzzle that was precut. The puzzle was easy to prep because I created the puzzle with rectangular shapes only. The goal was to match all the equations to the products. Once all products were in place, letters lined up to create a mystery phrase. I created a foldable where students could write the secret code. Because there were no spaces between the letters in the puzzles, students did not understand the secret code until they started writing it in the blanks in their foldables. This made it even more fun. 

For challenge two, students were given a sheet of 12 math equations that were already answered. The trick was that they had to decide which were true and which were false. Once they found all the ture equations, they used rubber ducks (I also made paper ones as an option) to reveal the code. I wrote a number on the back of each duck, and underneath I wrote  letter. The students would use the numbered ducks that matched the true problems. Once they put those in order, they looked on the duck and found a letter. When the ducks were lined up in numerical order, it revealed a secret word. 

In challenge three, students received a set of circus train cards. Each card had an equation that had to be solved. Once they were solved, the products were put in order from least to greatest to form the circus train. Each train car had a letter on top and when placed in the correct order, the code was revealed. 

For the final challenge, number four, students were able to play a short game of memory match. Once the cards were matched, the letters were written in the order of the card numbers. As an alternative, Students did not have to play memory match (if time was short) instead, they simply matched the card with the equation to the product to find the code. 

Launching the Escape Room

To launch the Escape room, students entered the room to see the circus decor and heard the circus music playing. They each received the foldable, and inside was a letter that I read to them. It welcomed them to the challenge and asked them to complete four challenges to escape to the circus. The students were so excited. Right afterwards, they received their first challenge. We did the challenges with partners, but this could definitely be done individually or even in small groups. I personally preferred the partnerships because it allowed the students to work with someone else to get through the challenges. I think it could work in small groups, but sometimes there is a teammate who sits back while others do the work. In partnerships, that seems less likely to happen.

Playing the Game

As challenges were completed, students each received a game ticket. These were saved to be used after all the challenges were completed. An extra game ticket was given to the team who finished first. It took about two to two and a half hours to complete the challenges. Our math block is about two hours, so it was pretty good, we just finished and let it run into one of the other classes. We adjusted everything else to finish. This could be used over the course of 1 day, two days, or even four days if you did just one challenge a day. The first challenge seemed to take the longest for all of my teams. 

Escape to the Circus

Once the teams completed all the challenges, they escaped to the circus. This meant that they could use their game tickets to play carnival-style games. I set up easy games using what I had and what I could borrow from other teachers in my building. Here are the games I used.

1. Basketball: A teacher friend of mine had a basketball game that clips onto the whiteboard. There were four basketballs that came with this, so the students could each get four tries. If they made one basket, it was a win and they received a prize.

2. Balloon Nerf Game: I blew up several balloons and taped them on a whiteboard. Students had to shoot one balloon with the Nerf gun. There were two foam bullets, so the students each got two tries to win. If they won, they collected a prize.

3. Bowling: A couple of years ago, I purchased a plastic bowling game from Hobby Lobby after the season for 1/2 off. I think I spent ten dollars. We used this for one of the games. It came with two balls, so each student got two tries. To win they had to knock down at least 3 pins. 

4. Ring Toss: My school has a ring toss game, so I used that for another game. In this version, the rings were each numbered with a certain amount of points. Students had many tries (maybe 8-10) to earn 60 points total. 

5. Pong Ball: In this game, I set up Dixie cups and each student had three ping pong balls. They had to toss the balls and land at least one in a cup to win. 

Prizes

For each game the students won, they received a prize. I purchased different prizes from Dollar Tree. I had popcorn...which was very popular, candies, and cookies, and some drinks too. You could also use other non-food prizes such as stickers, toys, games, pencils, erasers, etc. 

This game was so much fun and I cannot wait to create another escape room for my next unit on division. I am already planning an under-the-sea version. 

If you are interested in trying this Escape to the Circus escape room in your classroom, be sure to check out my resource on TPT. The work is already done for you. Your class will have so much fun! Click on the picture below to find out more and purchase. 

4 Super Simple Thanksgiving Activities to Use with Your Class

I just realized we are about two weeks away from Thanksgiving break and while I feel ready, it also made me panic a little bit when I thought about all the things I need to and want to do, before then, with my students.

In the midst of all the have-to's , I also like to throw in a few fun activities that tie into the holidays. Activities like this get students excited. One of my favorite things to do is teach my kids the history behind the holidays and these are some of my favorite activities to help with that.

1. Turkey Pardoning Courtroom Simulation:

After reading about the tradition of turkeys receiving a presidential pardon (I love the book: Thanksgiving in the White House. Another book that ties into this tradition is called Pardon that Turkey.), we talk about how the tradition came to be.

Once students learn about the tradition, it is time for even more fun! Students receive a turkey template that they use to create a costume for their turkey. Once the turkey has been "costumed" students write a persuasive essay about why their turkey should be pardoned from the dinner table. Students come before the judge (the teacher) in a courtroom simulation where they must defend their turkey in front of a panel of their peers. The peers will decide whether they believe there is reasonable cause to save the turkey...or not. The judge has the final say. It is so much fun and the students take their writing seriously. This is one of my favorite activities for Thanksgiving time. Click here if you are interested in this resource.

Me in my judge's robe...(my graduation robe) ready to judge some turkeys.

2. Macy's Day Parade:

Another book I love to share at Thanksgiving is Balloons Over Broadway. With this book we do comprehension activities, of course, but we also study puppets and create some of our own. We make foil balloons for the Macy's Parade. I love everything about this activity! Check it out over here.

3. One thing I love about the holidays is all of the traditions. But how much do you know about the different traditions? I wanted to teach my students where the traditions we celebrate with came from. I created a series of comprehension passages in a series of resources called The History Behind the Holidays. These different holiday booklets focus on different traditions and students practice reading comprehension at the same time. Students are then able to extend learning with some holiday themed extension activities based on the specific featured holidays. In my Thanksgiving resource I feature:

Thanksgiving around the World

Who Gave us Thanksgiving

Turkey Pardoning

Thanksgiving Feasting

Please Pass the Pie

Thankfulness and your Brain

Fun Facts

Find this resource here.

4. Art Chopped Challenge:

Have you ever seen the cooking show Chopped? I enjoy watching it. Contestants are given a basket of food items that they have to use in a recipe that will knock the judges' socks off. It is entertaining to see how they come up with unique and savory dishes.

I love doing an activity that is a spin off of this popular TV show. In this art-twist challenge, students are placed in groups. Each group receives a bag of art supplies and a theme to create a piece of artwork to wow me...the judge. Students compete with other teams in three different Thanksgiving challenges. This is a fun way to bring some art into the classroom during the holidays and also work on teambuilding in a fun competition. You can see this resource here.

Making the holidays special in the classroom, is just as important as making them special at home. I love finding unique ways to bring the joy to my class every holiday season. What are your plans this Thanksgiving?

~April

Five Engaging Ways to Practice Multiplication Math Facts

Do you ever imagine how life would be different if students actually WANTED to practice their math skills? What would motivate a student to learn their times tables? Mastering multiplication facts does not have to be a chore. It does not have to be boring! I am about to show you my favorite tips for getting those math facts stuck in your students' heads without coercion, threats, or begging. 

Gamify your Multiplication Facts

Nothing gets students more excited in class than actually getting to play. Sometimes students don't even realize they are learning or practicing when they are having fun doing it. Bring in the games. Let your students play with numbers. Play takes the heat off of them. It allows students to explore numbers in an engaging way. Games bring in competition and motivate students to get better so they can do better in whatever game they are playing. Playing multiplication games, or any academic game, allows students to build relationships with other students in the classroom as well. It's like the old adage, the family that plays together, stays together. Well, the same can be true for the classroom. Students will look forward to spending that time together, even if they are learning. They are interacting and having a great time learning all their facts. 

I always get a chuckle out of my students when I hear them say, today was so fun, all we did was play. Well, it may have felt like all they did was play, but it was very real and important work. Play, after all, is the work of childhood. 

Practice your Multiplication Facts

There's no getting away from it, a student who wants to learn his or her multiplication tables needs to put in the practice. Practice can look different, but students will need consistent practice.  Practice can take many forms, even as mentioned above, in the form of games. Here are some ways I love to have my students practice.

• Multiplication Games: This has already been stated, but it is worth saying again...students love games. If a child can practice in an engaging and fun way, DO IT! I have made tons of games over the year from War to Connect 4, from different themed games for every month, to my Spy Academy Games...I can easily keep my students engaged and set up with games. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Times Tables Partner Fluency Practice: Practicing with a partner always makes it more fun. In this practice, I like to allow one student to be the teacher, and the other becomes the student. Everyone likes to play the role of teacher and this activity capitalizes on that! I give the "student" a list of facts, without the answers, to a certain set. The "teacher" has the same list, except it has answers also listed. The student begins with a one minute timer, reading off his/her facts, one at a time and telling the answer. The teacher watches the answer key. If the student gets an answer wrong or doesn't know it, the teacher will tell them the whole fact, including the answer. The student must then stop, read the fact and answer three times, and then continue on through the list. The student will continue reading and rereading the list as many times as possible before they run out of time on the one-minute timer. 
  
  
  
• Kinesthetic Fact Practice: Kids were not made to sit still, and fact practice does not have to be another seat-bound time of the day. Using simple decks of multiplication facts, here are a couple of suggestions to bring the movement into your math class. First, try the game around the world. All students stand. Two students stand side-by-side. One fact is read by the teacher. The first two student try be the fist to answer the question. The first to answer, moves on to stand by the next student. The other student is out and must sit back down.  Play continues until one player, the winner, is left. Second, try this fun game. Students are divided into two groups. Have both groups line up on one side of a play area or gym. The other side of the play area or gym has math fact cards. The teacher will stand in the middle. On "Go!" one student from each team will race to the other side of the play area, grab a fact card and go to the middle to read and answer it. If he/she gets it correct, he/she keeps the card and tags the next person in line, who runs after a fact card. If the student answers incorrectly or doesn't know the answer, he/she goes back to his/her team and consults with them. Once he/she has the answer, he/she will go back to the teacher to share the correct answer before tagging the next player on the team. The team who answers all their cards first wins. 
  
  
  
• Speed Drills for Math Facts: I know what you are thinking....not every kid likes speed drills. You would be 100% correct in saying that, but as a teacher, I want to bring a variety of methods for practicing math facts, and speed drills can pack a powerful punch. I do not leave them out. Many students do love the thrill of trying to beat that one minute timer. They like tracking their progress from day to day. They like completing different levels. It feels like a game to many students. This is a powerful way to help students learn automaticity, which they will need to have when moving into higher math levels. Don't skip these. They still have value. 
  
  
  
• Fact Card Practice for Multiplication: Admittedly, I do not use these as frequently as some of the other options, but I do love fact cards for sending home. Many times, parents do not have the training to come up with fun games and activities, yet they need a way to practice with their children. Fact cards are an easy answer to what you can send home for student practice. Fact cards can be basic, like a flash card that you simply drill someone with. Fact cards can be more fun like when using the kinesthetic pat-down cards. These cards have students tapping and crossing the midline. The movement helps to stimulate another area in the brain for higher engagement and retention of facts. There is definitely a place for fact cards in your plans for memorizing the times tables.
  
  
  

Make Time for Committing your Multiplication Facts to Memory

It will take some time and effort, but students do have the ability to master their facts. It will take a bit of time. I usually allow a few minutes (maybe 5) at the start of class to practice the facts in some way. I always do a speed drill, but if time allows, another quick activity is nice to use as well. While I am working in small groups, I also like to use my math centers to rotate students through games and other activities that will force them to practice their times tables. I do 3 rotations for math, when I am meeting with another group, students have certain things they are required to do. Practicing math facts for multiplication is one of them.   I have many different games for students to choose from. Students can also work on other activities as well. Some days I may assign a certain activity. Other days  I let students have complete autonomy. 

In conclusion:

Students need practice to learn their times tables, and lots of it. Make it enjoyable whenever possible. Allow students to work with friends. Set up game choices. Make it a team effort between school and home. Give students options so they feel that they have some say over their learning. Stick with it, your students will learn their facts if you are consistent and allow them the time they need to practice.

 

I have spent many years creating all sorts of math games specifically for multiplication. I even created a Spy Academy Multiplication themed bundle that has everything you need to help your students practice. 

There are lots of ideas you can use up above, but if you need help with games or activities, I can help you out with that. These games and bundles can save you a lot of time. They are pre-done for you. It makes it so easy to get set up and started. Check out some of these links below to  purchase.