What kid doesn’t love Legos? I mean seriously, there are infinite possibilities in those tiny little bricks! So naturally, I needed a way to bring Legos into my classroom… and this is what I came up with! Enjoy some simple addition and subtraction practice!
Click here for the free printable PDFs:
Lego addition 1
Lego addition 2
Lego subtraction
I saw this idea and LOVED it! It’s a free worksheet to help you preserve how students draw, write and color. Such a fun idea for the first day of school! Click here for the free printable collection: First Day – coloring & drawing pages
The key to getting your classroom to run smoothly and minimize behavior issues is to establish procedures and routines. This takes significant work and practice in the beginning but is well worth the effort! The following procedures are key to a successful teaching experience:
Beginning the day — Enter the room politely; put away your backpack, lunch, and coat; turn in your homework; sit at your desk and read alone or do before-school work silently.
Classroom helpers; learning a classroom job — If you get a job on Monday, see the person who did the job last week during silent reading time, ask him or her for the job description card, and have him or her help you on the first day. For the rest of the week, it is your responsibility to remember to do your job.
Classroom library — When I am not teaching the whole group, you may check out a book. To do so, select a book (you only have three minutes at the class library) and sign out the book on the sign-out sheet. Take good care of the book; when you are finished, return the book to the basket and check it off the list.
End of the day — Clean off your desk; leave out your work notebook; pick up any trash within three feet of your desk; stack your chair; collect your mail; wait quietly to be dismissed.
Entering the classroom — Enter quietly and politely; remove your hat if you’re wearing one; don’t interrupt other students; follow the appropriate procedures for each time of day (e.g., morning, after lunch, after a special class).
Exiting the room — Tell me where you are going; take the correct hall pass; do not run or play in the hallways or restrooms.
Finding lost items — Ask the people around you if they found the item you lost; if not, check the Lost and Found box; if it is not there, ask me at a time when I’m not teaching the class; if you find it, thank the person who turned it in; next time, try to take care of your things. Consider going through the Lost and Found box at the end of each month with the whole class. If an item remains unclaimed, give it to the person who turned it in.
Fire drill — Stop everything; stand up and head for the door quickly, but without running or pushing; do not cover your ears; do not make any side trips; the classroom “fire chief” takes the fire drill packet and leads the line outside; the second person in line holds the classroom door for the rest of the class; the third person in line holds the outside door only for our class, then becomes the last person in line; wait patiently, calmly, and quietly in line outside until we are allowed to go back to what we were doing.
Getting help with assignments — Quietly ask the students at your table for help with directions if you need it; if you are working alone, raise your hand to get help from me; if you are working with a group, ask them for help in understanding how you do the assignment.
Getting into work groups — Take all the materials you will need; greet each other; complete the task doing your personal best; make sure each person signs the project; thank the others in your group.
Getting tissues — You may get a tissue from the closest of the four tissue boxes whenever you need one; you don’t even have to ask; throw the used tissue away immediately; make sure it lands in the trash can; get right back to work.
Guests in the classroom — When guests enter the room, let the designated classroom “host” or “hostess” greet them; when the host or hostess rings the chimes, get ready to listen to and look at the visitor — a smile is great!; when the host or hostess introduces the visitor, say, “Welcome to our class, __________”; remember, most guests are here to watch you learn, so be ready to explain what you are working on; treat guests respectfully.
Handling seatwork pages — As soon as you get a paper, print your first name and last initial at the top on the right-hand side and today’s date at the top on the left-hand side.
Helping other students — In a cooperative classroom, it is good to help one another; if someone needs help with directions or reading an assignment, help him or her if you are able; if someone needs help with understanding the problem, tell him or her to ask me for help; never put down another student who asks for help.
Lining up — Stand up quietly; push in your chair; take all necessary items; line up without touching others or talking; face the front of the line; watch where you are going.
Lunch count/attendance — “Hot lunch” means you are having school lunch; “cold lunch” means you brought a lunch from home; move your attendance tag/magnet/clothes pin to the “hot lunch” or “cold lunch” sign/spot; wait patiently for your turn.
Organizing your desk — Remove all loose papers; decide if they should go home or stay at school; put papers that should stay at school in the front pocket of your work notebook; put pencil or art supplies in your school box; put your folders and work notebook on the left side of your desk tray; everything else goes on the right side; pick up your trash.
Participating in group lessons — Do not bring anything with you unless I ask you to; politely find a place to sit where you can do your best learning; sit flat, not on your knees; listen carefully for new information; raise your hand to speak; do not speak when someone else is speaking.
Pledge — When you hear/see the signal, stop what you’re doing immediately and stand up; place your right hand over your heart; say the Pledge of Allegiance respectfully; during the 30 seconds of silence, quietly think about the things you want to learn today and how you will act in class and on the playground.
Preparing for lunch — Wait quietly at your desk; when your lunch number is called, get your lunch or lunch money and line up in order; take everything with you, as you will not be allowed to come back to the classroom after we leave for lunch; while you’re waiting in line, think about the way you need to behave in the lunchroom and on the playground; while you’re at lunch and at recess, find one person who is behaving responsibly and be prepared to tell the class what you noticed.
Signals for attention — When I need your attention, I will ring the chimes (or sound the rain stick, open the music box, etc.); as soon as you hear the signal, stop what you are doing, look at me, and listen for directions.
Taking out/putting away/caring for supplies — Share group supplies; recap markers and glue; check the number written on the supplies to make sure they belong in your group basket; if something belongs to another group, return it to them quietly.
Throwing away trash — You may throw away trash whenever you need to if I am not teaching the whole group; do not play basketball with your trash; make sure all trash lands in the can; pick up trash even if it isn’t yours.
Turning in finished work/homework — Make sure your name is on your paper; place your paper upside down in the “finished work” or “homework” basket.
Turning in lost items — Ask the people around you if they lost the item you found; if not, write your name and the date on a slip of paper and tape the item to it; if it is money or something valuable, put the item and slip on my desk for safekeeping; if not, put it in the Lost and Found box; give yourself a “pat on the back” for being honest.
Using the drinking fountain or sink — When I am not teaching the whole group, you may get a drink; take only a three-second drink; you may bring a water bottle to keep on your desk; if you need to wash your hands, use only a little soap; wipe up any water you spill.
Using the pencil sharpener — At the beginning of each assignment, the person I’ve chosen to be the “Pencil Sharpener” will invite you to have him or her sharpen your pencil; if your pencil breaks during an assignment, use a community pencil; only the “Pencil Sharpener” can run the sharpener and empty it.
Using the school bathroom — If I am not teaching the whole group, stand by the classroom door with your hand raised; if I say “no,” wait for a better class time to go; if I nod, leave the room quietly; do not play in the restroom; return to class before two minutes have passed (promptly).
What to do during free time — If you finish an assignment, first work on any unfinished assignments that are in the front pocket of your work notebook; when you finish those, you may choose to do your classroom job, read a book, write a story, illustrate a book, make up math problems, work on a research project, peer-tutor someone who needs your help, or create a song about what the class is studying.
What to do with unfinished work — If I ask for work to be turned in, let me know if it isn’t finished; if I ask you to keep an unfinished project, put it in your class work notebook.
SOURCE: The New Teacher’s Complete Sourcebook: Grades K–4 by Bonnie P. Murray
Here’s my biggest piece of advice about all of this: If something’s not working, change it. Keep changing it until it works. When I was a first year teacher, I thought I had to decide on everything and get it set in stone before school started. I thought that changing things up mid-year meant that I had been wrong or weak or didn’t know what I was doing. WRONG! Even if you don’t know what you’re doing at the start, the important thing is to find what works for you and your class for that year. Everyone’s different and there’s no use sticking with a procedure, system, or routine that doesn’t work. Try your own version of each of these procedures and tweak it until you find something golden!
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Free printable worksheet to practice matching upper and lowercase letters. This is something we practice over and over in kindergarten, but it’s critical to students’ literacy. Now letters really are delicious!
Here’s my third installment of the measurement collection. It’s a great math review, and has endless extension possibilities (what kid doesn’t like running around with a ruler measuring stuff!?) Enjoy this free measurement worksheet!
Here’s the answer key:
This idea randomly came to me when I was working with some kindergartners a while back. Some of them turned out better than others, but the kids had fun getting to finger paint! It seems like it would be a fun summer craft too!
Here’s what you do: Paint the child’s hand brown from fingertips to a few inches below the wrist (paint their non-dominant hand).
Have the child press their hand against plain paper (construction paper works best). Then let the child use their dominant hand to finger paint leaves, apples, grass, etc. on the rest of the paper. Ta-da! You’re all done!
When I saw this idea, I about fell over. It’s such an easy idea, I can’t believe I hadn’t seen it before! This teacher used a strip of bulletin board border to cover the frame the window and cover part of the blinds! What a genius idea!
1. Convince your parents to raise your allowance.
2. Should at least two years of foreign language classes be required for high-school graduation?
3. Should there be a dress code at your school?
4. Persuade your parents to listen to your favorite music.
5. Your principal has asked you to suggest one way of improving your school to make it a better place for students. Think about the changes that are needed at your school. Pick one change you feel would really make a difference. Write an essay to convince your principal that your idea is one that should be adopted.
6. Convince your teacher to read a favorite book of yours to the class.
7. Children watch too much television. Do you agree? Take a stand and support it. Convince your reader of your position.
8. Are part-time jobs for high school students a good thing or do they hinder getting an education? Take a stand.
9. Students are allowed to drop out of school at age 16. Should the state lower the school dropout age? Write an essay to support your view on the subject.
10. Should your school require uniforms? Convince your reader why or why not uniforms should or should not be required in your school.
11. Convince your parents to take you to a particular place.
12. Should gum chewing (use whatever is forbidden at your school) be allowed on the school campus?
13. Should community service be a requirement for graduation from high school?
14. Suppose you want a pet, and your parents are not sure you should have one. Think of the reasons for having a pet. Think of what you can say that would change your parents’ minds. Write a paper to convince your parents to allow you to have a pet.
15. Persuade your mom to let you have your favorite food any time you want it.
16. Should the state legislature add ten days to the school year? Write to convince your reader of your side of the argument.
17. Should we do away with extra-curricular activities such as Art, P.E., and Music and go back to the basics, or are these classes necessary to a student’s education?
18. Should homework be eliminated?
19. Considering the rights of non-smokers, write an essay about whether smoking should or should not be permitted in public places. Convince your reader of your position.
20. Should students be allowed to drop out of school?
21. If you could make a suggestion to change the school dress code, what one suggestion would you make? Now write to convince your reader to adopt your suggestion.
22. Your teacher has asked for suggestions on a place to visit for a field trip. Where would you like to go? Now write to convince your reader to adopt your suggestion.
23. We have rules everywhere. Argue to support the need to change a rule or situation that affects you.
24. Vandalism is becoming a problem in today’s society. Do you think teenagers who vandalize should pay fines or serve mandatory community service to help repair the damage? Write an essay to convince your reader of your position.
25. Should students hold after-school jobs? Convince your reader of your point of view.
26. Parents, courts, and cities often impose curfews on teenagers. What do you think of curfews? Are they helpful in saving lives and keeping teenagers out of trouble, or are they just another insult to responsible teenagers? Think of some arguments to support your opinion. Alternative for younger students: Most people make their children come in before dark. What do you think of this? Does having to come home early keep kids out of trouble, or are they just another insult to responsible kids? Think of some arguments to support your opinion. Now, write an essay to convince your reader of your opinion regarding requiring kids to be home after dark.
27. Many adults disagree whether sex education should be taught in the schools. What is your opinion on this matter? Should sex education be taught in the schools? Take a stand. Write an essay to convince your reader of your point of view on whether sex education should be taught in the schools or not. Alternative for younger students: Some things are taught in school that students do not think should be taught. Think of one thing you are required to learn in school that you do not think should be included in the curriculum. Now, write an essay to convince your teachers to abandon that part of the curriculum.
28. The state writing assessment test puts pressure on students and their teachers. On the other hand, student writing all over the country has improved since this test has been implemented. What is your opinion on the matter? Should there be a state writing assessment test, or should this particular test be eliminated? Write an essay to convince your state of your opinion on whether there should (or should not) be a state writing assessment test.
29. Parents, schools, and society all impose rules, but schools especially have a set of rules that must be followed. Think of one school rule that you really dislike. Think of some arguments against having this rule at your school. Now, write an essay to convince your principal and teachers to abandon this particular rule.
30. Universities require that an entering freshman must have taken at least two years of a foreign language in high school in order to be considered for admission. Some teacher and politicians think that high schools should require two years of a foreign language for graduation. What do you think of this possible requirement? Should high schools require two years of studying a foreign language for graduation? There are many arguments for and against this. Write an essay to convince the powers-that-be whether or not two years of a foreign language should be a requirement for graduation from high school.
Alternative for younger students: Research has shown that the younger you are, the easier it is to learn a foreign language. Should we start requiring that students begin taking a foreign language in elementary school? Take a stand, and convince your reader of your opinion on requiring foreign language in elementary school.
31. Most families assign chores to the children (teenagers). Most children (teens) object to having these chores imposed upon them. What is your opinion? Do you think that children should have assigned chores to do at home, or do you think you have enough to do already?
32. There is controversy (argument) going on in the country about requiring seat belts in school buses. What is your opinion? Should seat belts be required in all school buses? Write an essay to convince the powers-that-be of your opinion regarding the matter of whether seat belts should be required on school buses.
33. High schools do not offer all the elective courses that students would like to take. Think of an elective course you would like to take that your school does not offer at this time. Think of some reasons why you think this course should be offered. Now, write an essay to convince the administration at your high school to offer the course of your choice.
34. In Europe, the driving age is 18 because those governments feel that teens are not mature enough to handle the responsibility and the rules of driving in order to avoid accidents. In America, the driving age is still 16. Some people would like to raise the driving age in America to 18. What do you think? Should the driving age be raised to 18? Write an essay to convince the legislature of your position in the matter of raising the driving age to 18.
35. Most school systems have a separate school for pregnant teens to keep them away from other teens and to give them special classes to help them raise their babies. Do you think that pregnant teenagers should have to attend a special school, or do you think that they should be allowed to remain in their current school? Write an essay to convince your reader of your point of view. Should pregnant teenagers have to attend a special school? Alternative for younger students: Many school systems have special schools for students who misbehave all the time and disrupt the classroom so that little learning can take place. Do you think this is a good idea? What is your opinion? Write an essay to convince your school system of your point of view.
36. Many students object to the requirement of taking P.E., saying that it is not necessary. What do you think? Should physical education remain a required course at your school? Write an essay to convince your principal of your point of view. (Note: You can substitute any unpopular course here.)
37. American teenagers have argued that they drink anyway even though it is illegal for them to do so. Adults feel that they are too young to drink alcohol. Should the drinking age be lowered? What do you think about this? Think about some teens that you know. Think of some arguments to support your opinion. Now, write an essay to convince your reader of your opinion on whether the drinking age should be lowered or not.
38. In recent years, there has been much controversy over the previously solemn ritual of high school graduation. Students (and parents) at some graduation ceremonies have become rowdy and playful. What do you think of this? Should high school graduation continue to be the solemn occasion it has been in the past, or should students (and parents) be allowed to yell and “cut up” during the ceremony? Write an essay to convince your graduation committee of your opinion concerning the matter. Should graduation be a solemn occasion? Alternative for younger students: Some schools have graduation ceremonies in the fifth and eighth grade before students have completed their education. What do you think of this? Should students have graduation ceremonies before they finish all of their education or not? Think of some reasons to support your opinion. Now, write an essay to convince the reader of your point of view.
39. You hear the older generation complaining that they wished they had watched what they ate when they were younger so they wouldn’t have the health problems they have as older persons. What do you think of this? Should teens (children) watch what they eat? Should young people be health-conscious and eat healthily even though they have few health problems now? Write an essay to convince your reader on your point of view on whether or not children should watch their health through their choices in food.
40. Teachers and educational experts say that TV is rotting the mind of today’s youth. They maintain that young people watch far too much television. Do you think this is true? Do you think that children watch too much television? Should parents restrict the number of hours their children watch? Write an essay to convince your parents of your point of view on this issue. Should parents limit your TV viewing?
41. Years ago, in some cities, there were separate public schools for girls and boys, especially at the high school level. Boys went to one school and girls went to another nearby, an entirely different school. Do you think this is a beneficial idea? Should boys and girls attend separate schools? Write an essay to persuade school officials whether or not they should separate boys and girls into different schools.
42. Most teens (children) complain that they get too little allowance. What do you think? Should you get more allowance? Think of some arguments to raise your allowance. Now, write an essay to the adults in your home to convince them to raise your allowance.
43. In many households where teens reside, possession of the family car is a conflict. How would you convince your parents to lend you the car? Think of some arguments you could use. Write an essay to convince the adults in your home to lend you the car whenever you want it. Alternative for younger students: In many households where there are children, there are many arguments over the use of the telephone. How would you convince your parents to get you a phone of your own? Think of some arguments you could use. Now, write an essay to convince your parents that you need a phone of your own. (Note: If some of your students have no phone in their home, perhaps they could convince parents to buy an outfit or handheld video game that their parents could afford.)
44. Students complain about having too much homework. Do you think this is true? Do your teachers assign too much homework, or do they not give you enough for you to learn the subjects? Write an essay to convince your teachers either to give you more or less homework.
45. Test scores show that the United States is educationally behind other developed countries in Europe and Asia. We need to take a course of action to improve our education. Some think that the school year should be extended year-round with only short breaks between semesters. Others think it would not help. What do you think? Write an essay to persuade the reader of your opinion on the matter. Should the school year be lengthening?
46. Many people think that smoking is a dangerous habit that kills many from lung cancer. They think that cigarette smoking is not only dangerous for the people who smoke, but also for others around them. They think that the tobacco companies lure young people into smoking (convince young people to smoke) with their clever advertisements. Do you think that smoking should be made illegal? Do you think that no one should be allowed to smoke at all? Or, do you think the choice of smoking should be up to the individual person? What is your opinion? Take a stand. Should all smoking be banned and made illegal? Write an essay to convince the reader of your point of view.
47. In the 1920’s it was illegal to sell or to drink alcohol. Today alcohol still causes many problems for the people who drink and for their families. There are also many deaths caused by people (teens) who drink and drive. Should alcohol be made illegal again? Would making it illegal solve some problems, or would it impinge (limit) the rights of adults to do what they want to do? What do you think? Should the sale and drinking of alcohol again be made illegal? Write an essay to convince the reader of your point of view.
48. Many people are convinced that violence on TV influences children and teens to be violent in real life. Do you think that this is true? Do you think that the violence on TV is responsible for increased violence among today’s youth? Take a stand on this issue and write an essay to convince your reader of your position on whether TV causes violence in real life.
49. Some schools in the United States are requiring that students volunteer for several hours each semester to help on a community problem. What do you think? Write an essay to persuade your reader of your point of view on whether students should be required to volunteer for several hours each semester to help on a community problem.
50. School dress codes often cause conflict among students and teachers. If you were on a committee of teachers and students to set the dress code at your school, what one item of your dress code would you argue to allow students to wear? How would you convince your fellow committee members to accept your idea to allow students to wear this item? Now, write an essay to convince your fellow dress-code committee members that the clothing item you chose be allowed at your school. (Note: Conversely, {to be contrary} you could have a prompt to argue one item of clothing that should not be allowed at your school.)
51. Your local TV station is going to hire a student reporter for the evening news program, and you would like the job. Think about your local evening news program and why you should be chosen as the student reporter. Now write an essay to convince your local TV station to hire you as their student reporter.
52. The drama teacher is selecting students to act in a play about famous people. Think of yourself and some of your friends. Think who would be best suited to act in such a play and why they would be good at it. Now write an essay to convince the drama teacher to use that person in a play.
53. A national organization is honoring a teacher. Who should that teacher be? Think of some of the excellent teachers you have had in the past or have this year. Pick one whom you think should be honored by this award. Think of some reasons why you picked this teacher. Now write an essay to convince the national organization to honor the teacher you picked.
54. The School Advisory Council has money to spend in one of the following ways: improving the cafeteria, buying computers, getting interesting speakers for assemblies, or taking field trips. Pick one of these choices and think why you chose it over the others. Now write an essay to convince the School Advisory Council why they should spend their money on the choice you suggest.
55. The City Council wants a teen as a member to represent your age group. Think of yourself and the teens you know. Who would make an excellent representative on the City Council? Think of some reasons why you chose this person. Now write an essay to convince the City Council to select your choice.
56. Imagine that your school does not have a school newspaper. Your principal wants to begin one. Is a school newspaper a good idea? What do you think? Write an essay to convince your principal of your point of view.
57. A good friend of yours is thinking of moving to your town. Think of some attributes of your town that would appeal to your friend. Now write an essay to convince your friend to move to your town.
58. Imagine that you had a friend who ate only junk food, and you know that this is not good for him or her. Think of some reasons why eating junk food is not good for people. Now write an essay to convince your reader of your opinion.
59. A movie director is looking for teens to act in a movie that will be set in your town. Think of yourself and all the teens you know. Who would you choose to act in this movie? Think why you would choose this person. Write an essay to convince the movie director of your choice.
60. If your school is going to grant your grade level one privilege that other grades in your school will not have, what should that privilege be? Think of one privilege that you would like to have that you do not have now. Think why your class should be granted this privilege. Write an essay to convince the administrators of your school to grant this privilege to your class for the rest of the year.
Squarehead Teachers 