Where learning feels like play.
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to engage your students with fun, festive, and educational activities. One of my favorite books to read aloud during this season is Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano. This delightful story follows a clever turkey as he dons various disguises to avoid ending up on Farmer Jake’s dinner table. It’s a […]
Teaching procedure writing can be fun and engaging when paired with the right picture books. Stories with clear sequences, repetitive text, and humorous situations help students understand the concept of step-by-step instructions. Here are some of my favorite books to inspire procedure writing in K–3 classrooms, along with companion resources to save you planning time. […]
Teaching phonics is the key to reading success, which is why fun phonics activities for kindergarten are so important. Using hands-on games, crafts, and writing exercises gives children multiple exposures to sounds, helping them become confident readers and writers from the start. Here are five fun phonics activities for kindergarten you can try in your […]
Starting a new school year can feel overwhelming for young students. Using back-to-school books about emotions is an excellent way to help children understand and express their feelings from day one. These books offer comfort and guidance while making emotional learning engaging and accessible. 1. The Color Monster: Teaching Emotions with Colours The Color Monster […]
As Anzac Day approaches, it’s important to find simple ways to teach young children about this significant day. Picture books provide an excellent opportunity to introduce children to bravery, sacrifice, and remembrance in an engaging and age-appropriate way. In this post, we’ll explore five picture books that help young learners understand Anzac Day, along with […]
Family Tree by Josh Pyke and Ronojoy Ghosh is a beautifully illustrated story about family, diversity, and the changing seasons of life. This heartfelt book was selected for the Australian Library and Information Association’s (ALIA) National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) in 2022, where children across Australia came together to enjoy the same story at the same […]
One of my absolute favourite picture books to share with my class – especially during the first week of school – is All the Ways to Be Smart by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys. I keep it right at the front of my back-to-school book stack because it never fails to spark beautiful conversations about […]
Creating a classroom culture filled with kindness and respect is something we work on from day one. One of my favourite ways to set this tone is by introducing the book Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud. The “bucket filling” concept from this story makes a powerful and easy-to-understand classroom management strategy […]
During the holiday season, keeping students focused can be tricky. That’s where Christmas classroom activities come in! Seasonal activities not only capture attention but also teach important skills like writing, problem-solving, and creativity. Here are five festive and engaging ideas for your classroom. For more seasonal inspiration, check out How to Add Holiday Magic with […]
If you’re looking for Bear Says Thanks activities to engage your students this Thanksgiving, you’re in the right place! Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman is a perfect read-aloud for teaching gratitude, sharing, and friendship in the classroom. The story follows a lonely bear who decides to throw a feast, and his […]
