5 Ideas for Springcation

Having a stay-at-home spring break this year? Here's some quick and easy ideas that won't break the bank.

1. Think like a tourist. 

What would a tourist do if they visited your town (or the surrounding area)? What museums, attractions, gardens, parks, or fun spots are within 30 minutes to an hour of where you live? Check out one of them...or even more than one. Try something close-by that you have not done. So many times we are blind to what is in our own town or area simply because it is so close...we take it for granted. Dig a little, I am sure you will come up with an amazing new spot to explore. 

2. Try a new restaurant. 

Are there any restaurants that are new to your town or you just have not tried yet? Make it a point to try out one new eatery this break. Who knows, maybe it will even become your new favorite. And, if you can dine out with a friend, that is even better. 

3. Do something you love. 

Craft, draw, sew, do photography, do whatever makes you happiest. Take time for you. It isn't often that you get to take time to explore your hobbies. Do a little more of that this break...it will refresh your soul and bring happiness to your life. 

4. Visit the library. 

I have a new motto...out of necessity (I am getting buried in books)...I do not buy personal books that I can find and borrow at the library (well, OK, unless it is one that I will return to again and again). There is just something about reading...it helps you escape. Read something mindless, helpful, entertaining, or interesting. Reading truly can take you places. 

5. Host a get-together.

Have friends over. Do something fun that you enjoy. Play games. Watch movies. Craft. Whatever makes you happy. Continuing to grow your relationships is super important. 

I encourage you to think about how you can have a relaxing and enjoyable break even if you are not jetting off to some exotic destination. The whole point for us, as teachers, is to take some time recharge and rejuvenate ourselves. The place is not as important as the fact that we take time.

Cleaning Tips for the Classroom

Do you have a cleaning routine for your classroom? Classroom jobs? It can definitely be a challenge to keep the room tidy during the school day with everything else you have going on. There are definitely days when I have to leave the room in a hurry and things are ...well...not neat at all. I have in no way perfected keeping things clean. We do have classroom jobs that we do nearly every day, but here are some fun ways that I have figured out over the years to help tidy things up quickly when necessary either at the end of the day or throughout the day. The key is to break it up and not use the same strategy too often or it can lose its effectiveness. 

Keeping the Floors Clean

Throughout the day, the floors can collect little pieces of paper, pencils, markers, water bottles, books, out of place flexible seating, you name it... but these will be simple solutions to combat the problem and have a tidy classroom floor. 

1. Set a timer and have students race to see how many things they can pick up that should not be on the floor. They place the items on their desks and at the end of the minute or two, whoever has found and cleaned up the most will get a prize. I keep a jar of small erasers and another of candy. Either works, and it is super affordable. Sometimes, if it seems too close, or if the class in general does a great job, I will give everyone a prize for a job well done.

2. Turn cleaning the floor into a game. I like to introduce this game to every class I have. I call it the Secret Piece Game. It is simple to play and manage. Before you announce the start of the game, look around the classroom floor and find a certain piece of trash or item that is out of place. Then I announce to the students that I have a secret piece of trash. They scramble out of their seats and find as many items as they can. Before they throw the trash away or put the item back in place, they must show me. I just tell them thank you as they show me, but do not reveal whether or not they have found my secret piece. I do pay attention to who has picked up the secret piece. I do not end the game until the classroom floor is cleaned up. Once it is cleaned up, I do a ten second countdown and they know to show me all they have before sitting back down in their seat. Once everyone is seated, I will announce the secret piece finder who will usually get a small decorative eraser. I keep a jar of erasers that I purchase at Target in the Bullseye Playground. Usually you can get a bag of 60 for a dollar. 

As you can see, keeping your classroom neat and tidy can be quick and it can also be fun. By simply adding a timer or playing a clean up game, students are engaged and attitudes are positive. Students will have fun cleaning up your classroom. 

Happy Cleaning!

Valentine's Day

Are you looking for a quick an inexpensive idea this Valentine's day? If so, be sure to read on for a couple of fun ideas you can put into place immediately with little time left. 

For me, Valentine's Day would not be Valentine's Day without sharing some books in the classroom. Kids love listening to stories and over time, I have built up a little collection to help celebrate the day. None can ever measure up to my absolute all time favorite book, Somebody Loves you Mr. Hatch. It is seriously so good. I never tire of it. It is definitely my yearly MUST READ.

My next suggestion is to bring a treat to pass out. Last year I did a donut bar and my class LOVED it! I picked up some donuts on my way to work, added a can of pink icing, and some sprinkles and the students got to decorate and enjoy their own donut. Sometimes I bring homemade goodies too, which is even more cost efficient.  

If you have seen those tubes of hashtag blocks at Target, you know how much students love them. And their creativity is astounding! I love to use the Valentine sets for a hashtag block challenge. Students have a grid of different challenges that they complete. It is a lot of fun and for only a dollar per tube of blocks, it isn't bad....plus you can reuse them from year to year. 

Finally, I love to pass out Valentines. This year, I am giving these super fun Valentine envelopes that open up to reveal 8 coupons that can be used in the classroom for privileges. My students absolutely love receiving coupons from time to time, usually during holidays. 

If you need more ideas for celebrating Valentine's Day in the classroom, be sure to check out my older blog post here and here and here. 

And, if you are interested in snagging these little Valentine coupon envelopes, you can find them here.