Where Should I Sit? (Student Spacing Trick)

Where Should I Sit Photo
There are times when students need to sit on the ground. It may sound like an easy task, but most teachers have heard “There’s not enough space here!”  or “Scoot over! You’re too close to me!” right after you give that direction. Here’s an easy solution:
 Cut out a bunch of small foam circles. Then as you’re giving directions, drop them on the ground in a spread out circle so students know where to sit. This is an idea that many PE teachers use (but they use those dinner plate sized rubber circles that are pretty pricey). This idea takes the genius of that concept and adapts it to an economical, storage-friendly solution.  Just be sure to have kids return the foam circles when you’re done with the activity (or maybe right after they sit down, so they don’t become a distraction).
Have a good idea to share? Send it to me (squareheadteachers at gmail dot com) so other teachers can benefit also! Thank ya much!

 

Holiday Synonyms and Antonyms Worksheet

Holiday syn-ant

Christmas is almost here!!! Yay! Check out this new page I made, using some of my favorite Squarehead cartoons from my dad. This one deals with one of my favorite language arts topics: synonyms and antonyms. Let me know what you think by commenting below!

Click here for the FREE PDF: Holiday Synonyms-Antonyms

Holiday Equivalent Fraction-Percent Worksheet

Holiday Fraction-Percent Match STICKER

Merry Christmas! (I love getting to say that! It’s my favorite time of the year, by far!) Anyway, my freebie for you today is a free worksheet for equivalent percents and fractions. I chose common fractions, since those are the ones it’s really helpful for students to have memorized!

Click here for the FREE printable PDF: Holiday Number Matching – Fraction Percent

Holiday Number Sequences Worksheet

Holiday Number Sequences STICKERCheck out my new Christmas/holiday number sequences worksheet for pre-K or kindergarten. The kids should write in the missing number from the sequence. No need for an answer key; all you need to do is count! And as always, it’s FREE! Merry Christmas!

Click here to download: Holiday Number Sequences – Reindeer

Write On Plastic Pocket Charts

Check out this cool idea a reader submitted. It’s simple, but genius!
If you use a pocket chart to hold vocabulary words, you can diagram them right on the pocket! Use an overhead marker or a whiteboard marker to diagram words onto the clear front pocket of the chart! This way, you can leave it up for the week while you’re focusing on a specific principle, and you don’t have to write on the word strip.
pocket charts
Have any other great ideas?  Send them to me (squareheadteachers at gmail dot com) and I’ll post them on this blog! Thanks!
pocket charts 2

Last Minute Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

Sometimes I don’t get my act together in time to pull off the fabulous crafts that other teachers do. So here’s a collection of easy last-minute Thanksgiving crafts you can do with your class (or any kids):

Paper plate turkey! Click here for directions.


Paper loop turkey! Click here for directions.

But what if you’re tired of doing turkey this and turkey that. I hear you, my friend!
Try these non-turkey crafts:


How about a cute popsicle stick scarecrow? Click here for directions.


I absolutely loved this one! The Mayflower often gets forgotten among Thanksgiving crafts but this hand print Mayflower craft is too cute and too easy NOT to do! Get directions here.


Make a thankful leaf wreath (say that 3 times fast!).
Sorry, no directions available, but here’s where I found the photo.

Have any other ideas that need to be shared? Let me know! Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Equivalent Percents & Decimals

Thanksgiving equivalents STICKERConverting percents and decimals is easy as PIE… especially around Thanksgiving! But seriously, practice makes perfect. For me as a young student, this was just something that eventually clicked one day; the more practice, the better. Here’s a page of practice with equivalent percents and decimals with a Thanksgiving theme.

Click here to download the page: Thanksgiving Pie Number Matching – decimal percent 2

What’s My Equation? Array Math Puzzles

Here’s a simple idea that one reader submitted. Cut out a bunch of paper fall leaves (or any seasonal shape, like snowflakes for winter, hearts for Valentine’s Day, etc.) and laminate them. Then attach a magnet to the back.

Fall Equations 1Then put an array up on your white board. Ask your students what equation is depicted. There will be more than one way to write the equation.

Fall Equations 2 Fall Equations 3

 

Then discuss the answers as a class. For younger grades, the answer could be “4+4+4 = 12″ or +3+3+3+3=12”, but for upper grades the answer could also include “4×3=12” or “3×4=12”.Fall Equations 4This would make a great warm up for math lessons. Have any great ideas for building number sense? Send them to me at squareheadteachers at gmail dot com. 🙂