Get Hyped: Why You Should Bring Jamboards to Your Classroom

 

Welcome to the future of education! With Jamboards, teachers can now easily create interactive and engaging lessons that will really get their students excited about learning. And here’s the best part: it can all be done right from the comfort of your own classroom. That's right - no more lugging around heavy projectors or trying to figure out how to make technologies available for every student in attendance. Jamboards are going to take teaching, collaboration and engagement up a notch (or two... or three) -- Ready? Let's jam!

 

One of the main reasons why Jamboards are so great is that they allow for interactivity. They’re a digital whiteboard that can be accessed by all students in the classroom, whether they’re in-person or remote. This means that they can all collaborate and work together on the same board in real-time. Whether it’s brainstorming, collaborating on a group project, or sharing their work with the class, Jamboards make it easy and engaging for everyone.

Are you tired of just talking at your students and not really making an impact? Jamboards allow you to integrate visual learning aids like charts, graphs, and images into your presentations. It makes the subject more fun and engaging by stimulating students' visual memory, which can reinforce learning and better retention. And if you want to jazz it up even more, you can add animated GIFs, emojis, and videos to your jamboards - just keep it educational, okay?

Jamboards can also encourage critical thinking and problem-solving. You can use the tool to create puzzles, quizzes, and interactive games that challenge your students while also promoting teamwork, creativity, and decision-making. And since jamboards are web-based, you can easily share them with other classrooms and teachers, so your students can get a wider perspective and collaborate with other schools.

Last but not least, Jamboards are completely free! They’re part of Google’s suite of educational tools, which makes them easy to access and use. All you need is a Google account and you’re good to go. There’s no need to worry about licensing fees or additional costs, which makes Jamboards an affordable and accessible tool for all teachers.

 

 There you have it, my dear teachers – Jamboards are the future of education. With a bit of imagination and creativity, you can transform your classrooms into interactive and engaging learning spaces that inspire students to learn and grow. So, what are you waiting for? Try Jamboards in your class and see the magic for yourself!

Teach your Students to Give Thanks for the Past: A Guide to Incorporating Thanksgiving into your Social Studies Classroom

'Tis the season to give thanks, and we educators have a special role in helping our students gain an understanding of what lies at the heart of Thanksgiving. This holiday is bursting with more than just turkey and stuffing - it's also chock-full o' history! So, let's bring history, gratitude and a good dose of a-maize-ing learning into our social studies class this season.

 

First, you have to acknowledge the problematic aspects of Thanksgiving: Let’s be real, the way Thanksgiving has been celebrated in American culture has done a disservice to the Native American communities. We’ve simplified their culture, and disregarded their voices. It’s time to acknowledge the problematic aspects of Thanksgiving and delve deeper into the history of the holiday. Let your students know that Thanksgiving wasn’t a happy story until much later in history. Encourage them to read stories that describe the true Native American experience and share their own perspectives.

 

And since we are exploring people's perspectives, use primary sources, like letters or diaries, to help explain the real history of Thanksgiving. You can also find books, websites, and resources that offer first-hand accounts of what really happened during the Thanksgiving holiday.

 

Another way to incorporate the history of Thanksgiving into your social studies classroom is by celebrating its diversity. Thanksgiving is a unique opportunity to highlight the contributions of different cultures to American society, and to teach your students about the different customs and traditions that have shaped our shared history. Instead of focusing solely on the traditional Thanksgiving meal or the pilgrims and Native Americans, why not explore other cultural dishes and celebrations that are celebrated in the fall? Ask your students to research and present their own traditional foods, holidays, and customs, and encourage them to learn from one another.

 

 

What is Thanksgiving without gratitude? As educators, we often emphasize the importance of being grateful, but how often do we put those words into practice? This Thanksgiving season, let's take the time to encourage our students to express their gratitude and appreciation for all the things they have in their lives. We can do this by having them write gratitude journals, creating gratitude posters, or even organizing a "thank-a-thon" where they can express their thanks to their friends, family, and teachers. By encouraging your students to embrace gratitude, you can help them build stronger relationships, improve their mental health, and foster a positive classroom environment.

 

Finally, Thanksgiving is more than just a history lesson or a cultural celebration - it's an opportunity for your students to understand the past to build a better future. By teaching your students about the different perspectives and experiences of those who came before us, you can empower them to become more conscious and compassionate citizens of the world. You can do this by encouraging them to think critically, analyze historical documents, and reflect on how they can take action to make a difference in their own lives and communities. By teaching your students to appreciate history and diversity, you can help them to create a better tomorrow.

 

Teaching the history of Thanksgiving isn't just another lesson - it's an opportunity to help your students become more grateful, compassionate, and culturally aware individuals. By understanding the origins of Thanksgiving, celebrating diversity, embracing gratitude, and working towards a better future, you can enrich your social studies curriculum and help your students to appreciate the true meaning of this national holiday. So this Thanksgiving, let's take a step back from the turkey and stuffing, and give thanks for the lessons that history can teach us. 

Map It Out: How to Introduce a Map Lesson in Social Studies

 

Alright, fellow educators! Are you ready to get your students navigating the world like a boss? Then it's time to introduce a map lesson in your next social studies class. Don't worry, it doesn't have to be a boring lecture where your students start zonking out faster than they can say "cartography." With a little bit of strategy, you'll have them eagerly reaching for their compasses and rulers in no time. Here are some tips on how to make that happen and shoo away those yawns.

First things first, make sure your students understand why maps are important to our daily lives. Talk to them about how we use maps for navigation, tourism, and even to understand political boundaries. You can even share some personal anecdotes about how maps have helped you in your own life. This will not only make the lesson more relatable, but it will also get your students engaged from the get-go.

When teaching anything, it's important to start with the foundation. Explain the differences between longitude and latitude, what a compass rose is, and maybe draw a rough sketch of a map on the board. Don't worry about getting too technical just yet. A good teacher knows how to start out slow and keep their students on track.

You don't want your students to feel like they're just sitting and watching a video for 45 minutes straight. One of the best ways to get their brains working is to give them a hands-on activity. You can have them draw a map of their respective neighborhood, assign a scavenger hunt where they have to use a map to find hidden clues, or encourage them to map out their personal dream vacation. This makes the lesson feel less like a lecture and more like an adventure.

The best part about maps is that they are everywhere. Show your students how maps play a role in their daily life - from navigating to school to finding the nearest fast-food chain. Make a game out of mapping their daily routines, and you might just ignite a love for geography in your students.

 

Let the past be your guide and make sure to give history a chance when it comes to geography. Maps are an amazing tool: they provide us with glimpses of cultures around the world, captivating our students in ways nothing else can. So let these tips lead you on a journey as you help your pupils take up exploring like pros - there’s no better way to spark their love for learning than getting them On The Map!

Don't brew up any trouble: What NOT to do when teaching the History of Halloween

Ah, Halloween, the spookiest time of the year. As a history teacher, you probably look forward to this time of year to not only talk about ancient traditions, but also to get your students excited about history. However, there are a few things that you should avoid doing when teaching the history of Halloween. In this blog post, we'll dive into what not to do when teaching this beloved holiday to ensure that you're educating your students in the best way possible.

Here's what NOT to do when teaching the history of Halloween.

It's important to remember that Halloween has its roots in ancient traditions, most famously, Samhain, which was celebrated by the Celts. However, when Europeans colonized North America, they brought their own traditions which eventually merged with local practices. That being said, it's important to not fetishize colonialism, which greatly harmed indigenous peoples. Focus on the traditions and their origins rather than the influence of European practices.

Don't demonize Halloween: The majority of people love Halloween - the decorations, the candy, and the costumes. However, you might come across some who believe that Halloween is a holiday of evil. Don't be the teacher who feeds into that belief. Halloween does have pagan origins, but the holiday has evolved over time and has become a holiday of fun and games for children. Rather than scaring your class, explain the historical background of the holiday in a way that they can understand.

Don't promote inappropriate costumes: Halloween can be a great time for dressing up, but it's also essential to consider the appropriateness of costumes. Don't encourage your class to dress up as stereotypes or to use Halloween as an excuse to show off a risqué costume. Be mindful of your students' cultural and religious beliefs as well. Instead, make some class guidelines for costumes that are inclusive and respectful of all cultures.

 Halloween may have originated from Celtic traditions, but it's important to remember that other cultures have their own form of celebration. For example, Mexico celebrates Dia de los Muertos, which is a day to celebrate the dead. It's important to not appropriate or co-opt these traditions for the sake of celebrating Halloween. Instead, encourage your students to learn about other cultures and their traditions, and maybe even incorporate them into your lesson plan.

 Last but not least, it's important to remember that Halloween is all about fun! While it's important to teach students about the history of the holiday, don't forget to have some fun along the way. Encourage your students to dress up and maybe even throw a Halloween party. After all, what better way to get excited about history than to dress up and have fun with it?

 

So, that's what NOT to do when teaching the history of Halloween. As a teacher, it's essential to remember that Halloween has evolved over time and has different meanings for different people. It's crucial to promote respect and inclusiveness in your classroom and to be mindful of your students' diverse backgrounds. By being a responsible teacher and avoiding these Halloween faux pas, you can ensure that your class has a spooktacular time while learning a little bit about history in the process.

The Importance of Timelines in Social Studies

If you're like me, then you probably love a good timeline. I mean, what's not to love? Timelines are neat, tidy, and they help us make sense of the chaos that is history. But for all of their charms, timelines are often misunderstood and underutilized in the classroom. So today, dear reader, I'm here to set the record straight on why timelines are important in social studies.

 

Ever wonder why some people just can't seem to grasp the concept of cause and effect? They probably didn't have access to a trusty timeline during their formative years. That's right, timelines aren't just for keeping track of important dates – they're key tools in helping students truly understand the interconnectedness of historical events. After all, it's not enough to know that the Battle of Waterloo happened – students need to see how it influenced the course of European history. So, let's all give timelines the respect they deserve, and maybe, just maybe, we'll start seeing a world where people actually learn from history instead of repeating it. 

 

 

History can be a tricky subject. It's like trying to find your way through a labyrinth of facts and dates, trying to make sense of it all. But fear not, dear students! The magical tool of timelines is here to save the day. Not only do they help you keep track of all those pesky dates and events, but they also give you a glimpse of how things have changed (or not) over time. And let's face it, studying controversial topics like slavery and civil rights can feel overwhelming at times. That's why timelines are like your trusty sidekick - guiding you through the ups and downs of history, helping you make sense of how attitudes and policies have evolved (or devolved) over time. So, put on your cape of curiosity and let's delve into the exciting world of timelines! 

The third reason timelines are important is that they help students see the interconnectedness of events. One of the most common misconceptions about history is that it's a series of isolated events. But in reality, history is full of interconnected events. Timelines can help students see these connections and understand how one event can lead to another. For example, the American Revolution didn't just happen in a vacuum; it was directly inspired by the earlier success of the British colonies in North America. Seeing this connection on a timeline can help students understand how different events can be connected.

 

Timelines are the perfect way for students to kickstart their historical exploration. Next time you're teaching a social studies unit, help your students really get to grips with history by using timelines. Viewing events as part of an interconnected whole helps kids develop their understanding and appreciation for how our world has shifted over time - plus it's fun too! So when mapping out your lesson plans, don't forget those invaluable chronicles of cause-and-effect throughout history.

Games to use for Test Review

When it comes to test review, there are a lot of options out there. But what are the best games to use? Here are a few of our favorites. Not only are these games fun, but they're also educational and can help your students review for their upcoming tests. So break out the board games and get ready to have some fun!

Memory

Memory games are perfect for review or even just for a bit of fun in the classroom! Using matching and other association-based activities, teachers can give students a mental workout with these interactive games. Refreshing familiar topics, characters, or equations with a fun and unique approach can help keep students engaged while they work on improving their memory. Games like these can also be useful for warming up the classroom before delving into any test reviews since it brings an interesting spin to traditional studying techniques.

Jeopardy

Jeopardy is one of the most popular games to help review material, and for a good reason! With a large selection of categories and questions that can be tailored to any particular subject matter, it is sure to keep everyone's minds buzzing. What's more, it encourages friendly competition which often brings motivation and excitement to an otherwise mundane task. Make use of it in your next test review and maximize your learning potential with this classic game!

Bingo

Bingo is a great game to use for test review because it's fast, effective, and fun! You can easily customize the game with academic content, so that it becomes an interactive, comprehensive study aid. With bingo, students become more engaged with the review material and can often better remember information that they have learned -- making them even more prepared for their exams! Bingo can not only be an exciting learning activity but also a morale booster among your students.

These three fun review games are great to use whether you’re teaching in the classroom or virtually. Do you have a favorite game that you like to use for test review? Click here to share this post with a teacher friend and help them out!

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How I teach the Declaration of Independence

 

Students are exposed to challenging content all throughout their lives. However, the middle school adds in a few extra challenges. Between friendship issues , puberty, and self-esteem, students are really struggling 😭! Therefore, it is key to bring in engaging ways to teach the challenging content. Additionally, it greatly helps to build connections 🤝in order for students to relate to the content. For example, they may love to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th 🎆 but not know the true meaning behind it. Thus, the 3 steps below will be incredibly helpful when teaching the Declaration of Independence!

1. Use the Comparison of a Couple Breaking Up

When teaching the Declaration of Independence, it will be important to bring in a comparison that middle school students will understand. Hence, explain this as a couple breaking up 💔. Now, some middle school students may not have personally been in a relationship yet. However, they have seen many breakups on TV 📺, in their own family 👪, or with a friend 👦. Therefore, it is a connection they can truly understand.

 

When first starting this comparison, ask students: What would be some reasons you would break up with someone? For example, there may be distance issues between the two people ✈. Or, there may be problems with communication 🤐, happiness, and respecting each other's decisions. Unfortunately, problems may become so bad that an apology just isn’t enough 🚫. There needs to be a formal separation and end of the relationship. By making this comparison, students will have a strong understanding of why the Declaration of Independence was needed. In order to truly excite your students, be sure to play Too Late To Apologize: A Declaration  ! Students will love the new lyrics to this well-known song 🎵.

2. Sections of the Declaration of Independence 

After students gain an understanding on why the Declaration of Independence was needed, it is time to dive deeper into the content. If the relationship comparison really connected with students, this step can even be explained as a divorce 💔. Specifically, compromises have to be worked out in order for all involved parties to come to an agreement 👍. Just as adults have to communicate and compromise, the 13 colonies had to do the same.

 

In order to break down the Declaration, this Close Reading and Text Analysis resource does an incredible job at explaining the different components. Here, students are provided three methods for decoding a really complicated text . Additionally, they use cooperative learning for analyzing the text 📕. By doing this, the reading 👀 is not so overwhelming. Then, they will listen to music to see Britain’s reaction. Since many students love music 🎵, this is a great way to help them understand the content. After this, students will be guided to depict grievances against King George. This resource does an incredible job at taking a document made of a ton of words and really simplifying them down to the most important aspects.

3. In-Depth Review of Grievances

After explaining what the Declaration is and how it is set up, it is time to move onto complications that arose. This in-depth review will focus on grievances and what they meant. Therefore, by doing this after the Close Reading and Text Analysis resource 👀, students will already have a general idea on this topic. Now, students can dive into the deeper content. To do this, they can explore different grievances, such as colonist participation in government and law enforcement, and separate them into categories. For example, categorize based on political, social, or economic aspects. These three are key issues in any major decision-making.

 

In order to help students really understand how grievances develop, it can be helpful to look 👀 at different parts of the American Revolution. For instance, the  Articles of Confederation Drag and Drop Activity is such a hands-on way 💻 for students to explore complex topics. Additionally, the activities will help students see the 👆 ups and downs 👇 that occurred during the establishment of the United States. Here, there are activities on the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and even the Northwest Ordinance.

 

The Declaration of Independence is such a complex topic to learn about. There are many people involved 👴👨👴 and several reasons for why it happened. Furthermore, there are endless complications that occurred during the Declaration development. Therefore, these 3 engaging strategies will greatly help break down the topic into one that all students can understand!

 

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How to use Task Cards in Your Classroom

Everyone mentions task cards and you see them ALL. THE. TIME. If you haven't jumped on the task card bandwagon, you should because they are awesome! Why? Because they are a review for the students that can go over a broad or specific topic. I love them because answer sheets and questions are already included so they can be taken for a daily grade. 

 

1. White board review  I absolutely LOVE using this throughout the day or the week. Even better, task cards are great to use with white boards. Students write their answer on the white board, then show it to the teacher at the same time. It gives you instant data on how many students know the answer and what they might still be missing. Check out my blog post on how to use whiteboards in your class!

ex:

(teacher) What are the 3 causes of the Civil War?

(students write the answer on the white board and show it to the teacher on the count of three)

as a teacher, I notice that the students know that two of the causes are slavery and states’ rights, but many of them are forgetting about sectionalism. I know that I need to review that more in depth with them

2. Stations there are two main ways to use task cards for stations. 

• (one topic) put 3-5 task cards at each station and have students rotate throughout the stations in order to break up the monotony of doing all the task cards at once. It also helps students not feel overwhelmed having to complete all of them
•  (2+ topics) separate the task cards by topic and set up the stations according to that topic.

ex: when reviewing science, you could put 3 space questions at a station and add images/paraphernalia from NASA. Another station on earthquakes could have pictures of the San Andreas fault in California or a video of the aftermath in Japan.

3. Quiz Quiz Trade With this activity, students are given one task card and must look up the answer before them begin. Students then go around the room and quiz another student and trade task cards when done. 

This is great for lower students because it makes them the “expert” with that task card. Students get to re-teach another student and helps students take ownership of the question/topic. You can also add an answer sheet for accountability. Great for the on-task class!

4. Scoot!  a more organized form of review. Each student has one task card. Each student also has an answer sheet. Everyone completes their own task card and write the answer down. After an allotted time (usually 1 minute), students pass the task card to the next person in their row. This is a great way to use task cards for the talkative classes or the classes with more behavior issues because everyone get the same amount of time, and there is less getting up/moving around. try to make it in a circle so the last student doesn’t have to run across the class to hand off the task card to the next person.

Check out the video below for an alternate way to play Scoot!

5. Back to Back  This is activity is a fan favorite because it gives students interaction. It's a  mix of scoot and QQT. Have students partner up and give them their answer sheet on a clip board. If you have a subject like math or science, add an extra piece of scratch paper to do any calculations on. Then, the students stand back to back, but where they can both see the screen at the same time. 

When you display the task card on the screen, the students have 30 seconds- 1 minutes to write their answer down on their answer sheet. when time is up, they turn and face their partner. then, they compare answers with their partners. This is great because it gives them a chance to work the problem out on their own before they discuss with their partner. It is also an easy way to collaborate and re-teach if needed. 

Bonus remediation (small group or one-on-one). after school tutorials, pick out 3 cards. the student picks 2 that they answer. continue until they have gone through all the cards. then, at the end, take the cards they didn’t answer and work with them on each task card one by one. this helps students filter out the material they know so you can pinpoint where they need help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building a Sense of Community in Your Middle School Classroom

INSTAGRAM AND INSTANT BONDING

How an Instagram of four stuffed animals warmed the hearts of even my toughest 8th graders.

I am so excited to have a guest post this month from Robin of Mrs. B's Brainy Bunch! She is a fantastic ELA teacher from New England she is one of my favorite people. She has had great success using class pets in her classroom, so check out how she implements them with her students.

THE INTRODUCTIONS

a long New England winter, and you get CLASS PETS. I can’t pinpoint the moment the idea came to me, but I vividly remember my husband’s reaction as I started ordering stuffed animals from Amazon. “Stuffed animals, for your 8th graders?” But my students are rarely surprised by my antics, and I knew they would be on board. Strengthening relationships among the various cliques in middle school is hard, but possible. Building a sense of community in my classroom is essential because when students feel like they belong, they learn!

IT ALL STARTED WITH FLAT STANLEY

I remember when my son was in the 2nd grade, and we received Flat Stanley in the mail from my nephew in Florida. For those of you who don’t know Flat Stanley, it’s a children’s book about a boy who is flattened by a bulletin board, and finds being flat brings endless possibilities. Our assignment was to show Flat Stanley around our Rhode Island town and take pictures of his adventures. When Stanley returned to Florida, he had been on a hayride in a pumpkin patch and out to dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant. I hoped this cute childhood project would translate to my 13-year-old students. My mind began to race with all the adventures our class pets could go on with my 105 students!

SOCIAL MEDIA AS THE HOOK

When it comes to social media, I’m what my students call “old school”. I use Facebook to keep in touch with family and childhood friends, but that’s about it. And as my students love to point out, only “old” people use Facebook. I knew Instagram would be the perfect place to share our photos, so I’d need to learn how to use it. Even though my knowledge of Instagram was sparse, I could take a good photo and use filters… so the pets had their first photo shoot.

OUR FRIENDS NEEDED NAMES

The students arrived Monday morning to the plush faces of the Class Pets. I explained that wherever they took the pets, if they sent me pictures of their adventures, I’d post them to our Instagram page. For safety reasons, the only rule was there couldn’t be any people in any of the pictures. But before the pets could leave school on their first adventures, they needed names. I sent the students a Google form (attached for you to make your own) with pictures of each pet and they began listing possible names. When the votes were tallied, these were the names selected.

Aidan was named after a favorite student on the team who was lovingly called The Goat. Flash was the perfect name for the sloth as we were studying irony, and Bubbles and Sprinkles rounded out the foursome. I didn’t know the ins and outs of Instagram; however, I stood in front of 105 young adults who did! They taught me how to swipe up, left, and right, as well as post Instagram Stories.

NEW ENGLAND SPORTS FANS

My students began bringing the pets to all of their sporting events. They became mascots for every soccer, softball, basketball, and hockey team, and even their teammates from other schools began following the pets on Instagram. Each of the pets was invited to a Super Bowl Party and cheered on Tom Brady and The Patriots as they won their 6th Super Bowl.

******

DISCOVERING SOMETHING NEW

The pets made the rounds participating in the students’ hobbies from playing chess to drama club to learning the violin, drums, and piano. They learned to play cards, cook, and do ballet. And on one especially cold night, Bubbles was given a sweater just his size. As the pets learned how to play Minecraft and Fortnite, the conversations among the different groups of gamers began. Which was better: PS4, XBOX or PC? Before I knew it, they were exchanging gamer tags to play together after school.

******

SHOWING THEIR CREATIVITY

I knew my students were imaginative, but I wasn’t prepared for the student who was doing her homework on The American Revolution to have Bubbles battle the Red Coats. Bubbles was an immediate favorite as students used his tusk to play ping pong, fence, and sing along to “The Narwhal Song”.

*****

THE UNEXPECTED

Each week I saw the followers on Instagram grow as the pets made their way into the lives of my students. The pets attended birthday parties, movies, and the theater, but I was not expecting the students’ parents and siblings to follow as well. One morning a student left Flash in the car, and her mother brought him to her job as a financial planner… and sent me pictures to post. Another week I got an email from a parent asking if Flash could come home with her son that weekend because they had a lot of fun activities planned for St. Joseph’s Day. This little community far exceeded the walls of Room 210.

*****

#BRINGBUBBLESHOME

The pets traveled all over the country from vacations to Kentucky and Florida to soccer tournaments in New Hampshire and Cape Cod. They even accompanied the returning RI State Science Olympiad Team to nationals in Cornell, NY. So, it was not a surprise when one went missing, but it warmed my heart to see the students sharing an assortment of hashtags about Bubbles disappearance.

Come spring, a new friend came to town. He was Gothic in nature, and the students decided on the name Midnight. Thankfully, Bubbles was found under a student’s bed by their cleaning lady. What I thought would be a fun weekend activity began to work its way into my class. Students began grabbing the pets during a test or a particularly tough day. They would even face the pets towards the TV during a movie so they could watch too. I feared the pets might only appeal to the girls on my team, but it was the boys who showed the most heart. As the year came to a close, I had to decide what to do with the pets. Although I posted the pictures to my Instagram page, these were not my pets.

*****

FINDING NEW HOMES

In the end, the pets were adopted by deserving students. The final Instagram post read:

The pets belong to the class of 2023, so it’s only right that they follow you to the high school. If you think you can give one of the pets a good home, send me a message with the pet you would like to adopt, and why you think you can give it a good home.

The applications were as sweet as their tender hearts. “I think my home would be a good home for Bubbles because she will always be busy with my little sister, and she will always be loved unconditionally.”

Another application read, “I believe I could provide Flash a good home because I have many stuffed animals he can become friends with, and everyone in my house will enjoy Flash very much.”

SENSE OF COMMUNITY

To say the students had fun with the Class Pets is an understatement. And as teachers know, kids learn better when they’re having fun. Middle school is a turbulent time for most teenagers, and they are craving a place where they belong. When students share their love of Dungeons and Dragons and old school New Kids on the Block, it’s because they feel comfortable being themselves. When students feel safe, they are more willing to take chances: raising their hands, sharing their ideas, reading a new book, writing a poem, DREAMING BIG. 

Community happens when you feel like people see you, hear you, and accept you for your unique ideas and quirky ways. I feel that in my classroom everyday, and so I know more silly and creative ideas lie ahead. Years from now, my students may not remember the correct use of a semicolon or how to correctly cite in MLA format, but as the old adage goes, they’ll remember how they felt in my classroom. And in my book, that’s a success!

EVERYTHING TO GET YOU STARTED WITH YOUR OWN CLASS PETS!

Letter to Parents

The Letter to Parents is completely editable so you can make it your own. You can decide how best you want the pictures sent to you be it school email or DM on Instagram . . . or both.

Naming the Pets

Naming the Pets is a Google Form that will make it easier for you to have the students name the pets. Simply swap the pictures and you are ready to go.

Request for Adoption

Request for Adoption is also a Google Form that will make it easier for you when the school year ends, and the pets are adopted by your students. Again, swap the picture and you are ready to go.

#CLASSPETCONNECTIONS

Due to the warm response of my blog post, I created a hashtag for teachers where we can share our favorite pet photos with fellow teachers around the world. When you post your photos on Instagram, use the #classpetconnections so we can see all the big and small adventures in which the pets embark. Happy Trails!

ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR STUDENTS AND CLASS PETS

If you are incorporating Class Pets into your classroom, these 12 MONTHLY ACTIVITIES are for you. These engaging activities help the students express themselves in new and creative ways.

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