Designed for children ages 4–7, this colorful, ocean-themed workbook helps young learners master 101 essential sight words through tracing, writing, puzzles, word searches, games, secret messages, and reading activities. Four progressive skill levels build confidence step by step while strengthening handwriting, vocabulary, fine motor skills, and sight word recognition.

With 144 pages of playful learning, it’s a wonderful resource for preschool, kindergarten, first grade, homeschool, at-home practice, or summer skill-building. Young readers can explore underwater scenes, meet friendly sea creatures, and turn reading practice into an exciting treasure hunt!

Sneak Peek Inside the Workbook

Track Sight Word Progress: Young readers can follow their progress as they master each sight word. Engaging activities encourage children to color, trace, write, and identify words while searching for the correct word among colorful fish.

Practice Words in Multiple Ways: Each sight word receives focused practice through coloring, handwriting, letter boxes, word recognition, and simple sentence completion. The playful ocean theme keeps children engaged as they build essential reading skills.

Build Skills with Progressive Activities: As learners advance through the workbook, the activities become more challenging. Children practice writing sight words, completing sentences, and recognizing words in context—all while enjoying friendly sea creatures and pirate-themed illustrations.

About the Author

Crystal Radke is a nationally recognized educator and best-selling author with a passion for helping children succeed in their earliest years of learning. With over two million copies of her books sold, she has become a trusted name in early education resources for parents, teachers, and homeschool families around the world.

Her approachable style and engaging designs make her books a go-to resource for strengthening foundational skills like handwriting, reading, and math.

Where to Buy

Ready to dive into reading? Order My First Learn-to-Read Sight Words Workbook on Amazon today!

The post Make Sight Word Practice an Underwater Adventure! appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

We are so excited to share some BIG news with our Kreative in Kinder community! Best-selling author Crystal Radke, who has sold over two million books worldwide, has just released her newest resource for early learners — Big Handwriting Practice Workbook for Kids.

Published by @HarperCollins, this brand-new handwriting workbook is designed to give children the confidence, structure, and fun they need to master their writing skills. Whether you’re a teacher, homeschool parent, or grandparent supporting little learners, this book is the perfect addition to your toolbox.

Why This Handwriting Workbook Is a Must-Have

Handwriting is a foundational skill that impacts a child’s confidence, fine motor development, and even reading readiness. The Big Handwriting Practice Workbook for Kids makes the learning process simple, engaging, and effective by combining structured tracing with fun practice pages.

This workbook includes:
Letter Tracing – both uppercase and lowercase practice
Number Tracing – essential number writing skills
Word Practice – build vocabulary while improving penmanship
Fun Activities – interactive exercises that keep kids engaged
Confidence-Building Design – large print and guided tracing lines to support young learners

Perfect for ages 3–7, this book is ideal for:

• Preschool and Kindergarten classrooms

• Homeschool handwriting lessons

• Parents reinforcing skills at home

• Grandparents wanting to give meaningful, educational gifts

About the Author

Crystal Radke is a nationally recognized educator and best-selling author with a passion for helping children succeed in their earliest years of learning. With over two million copies of her books sold, she has become a trusted name in early education resources for parents, teachers, and homeschool families around the world.

Her approachable style and engaging designs make her books a go-to resource for strengthening foundational skills like handwriting, reading, and math.

Sneak Peek Inside the Workbook

Take a look inside and you’ll find colorful, inviting practice pages that guide children step-by-step as they learn to form letters and numbers. The workbook makes room for creativity while keeping practice structured and effective.

Where to Buy

The Big Handwriting Practice Workbook for Kids is available now on Amazon!
Order your copy here: https://amzn.to/46I9asy affiliate link

Don’t wait — add this incredible handwriting practice book to your early learning library today and set your little learners up for handwriting success!

The post ✏️ New Release! Big Handwriting Practice Workbook for Kids by Best-Selling Author Crystal Radke appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

Make Connections

Encourage students to connect with books on a personal level with an activity that encourages them to apply what they’ve read to their own experiences. For example, after reading a book, students draw a picture and reflect on how the story relates to their own experiences. This is a great way to foster comprehension and self-expression while making reading meaningful.

Practice Sequencing

Help young learners develop storytelling skills by having them write and illustrate the beginning and end of a book. This hands-on exercise reinforces sequencing, comprehension, and creativity as students recall important story elements.

Write with Sentence Starters

Early writers can build confidence with sentence starters. These prompts encourage self-expression while helping students develop early writing skills. By giving them a structured yet open-ended way to communicate their thoughts, they’ll gain confidence in forming complete sentences.

Identify Character Traits

Encourage a deeper comprehension by having students identify traits for the various characters in the books they read. Identifying personalities also helps your young learners relate to the choices and actions a character may make in the story. 

Celebrate 

Don’t forget to celebrate your young learners’ accomplishments! Students can make a fun hat for each book they read, and you can present them with a certificate at the end of the week. 

Conclusion

These activities are just a few of the many engaging literacy tools available in our Read Across America unit. Whether you’re focusing on comprehension, storytelling, or writing confidence, these exercises will keep your students engaged and excited about reading!

The post Activities for Read Across America in Kindergarten appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

Fall Early Finisher Tubs

When you’re teaching a group of energetic kindergarteners, it’s essential to have activities ready for those who finish early. My November Early Finishers Tub is perfect for keeping young learners productive after they’ve completed their work. This tub is packed with fall-themed activities that help reinforce essential skills while keeping the fun alive.

Students will enjoy fall-themed activities, such as rhyming words, beginning sounds (letters A, M, C, T), sight words, number recognition, and counting games. These simple but engaging tasks allow students to practice early math and literacy skills independently. Plus, activities like sorting and matching objects are a great way to strengthen fine motor development while keeping with the festive theme.

Fall Crafts and Writing Activities

There are so many great ways to include crafts and writing in your November learning! My November Crafts and Writing Activities are perfect for giving students the chance to express themselves through writing and create adorable crafts to display in the classroom or at home.

The crafts in this product include a football, a flag heart (Veterans Day), a scarecrow, a tree of thankfulness, a thankful turkey, and an acorn. For each craft, there are at least three writing pages, as well as a resource list that includes links YouTube for read-alouds, songs, etc. that relate that topic. One popular activity is creating a “Thankful Turkey,” where students write what they are thankful for on each feather of a turkey craft. This is a wonderful way to combine gratitude with writing practice, and the finished turkeys make a lovely classroom display. Another activity includes writing a letter to thank a veteran. Students are never too young to learn about how our veterans have served our country, and these activities can help.

Fall STEM Activities

STEM activities are a great way to include hands-on learning into your day, and my November STEM Learning product is perfect for sparking curiosity. These engaging STEM challenges encourage problem-solving and creativity with fun fall themes.

Students are challenged with building a turkey trap, a barn, a windmill, and more using various materials like blocks, straws, and connectors. These activities promotes teamwork, critical thinking, and engineering skills in your young students. 

Fall Morning Tubs

Getting the day off to a productive start is essential, and my November Morning Tubs are an excellent way to do just that. These hands-on activities help children ease into the day with fine motor practice, literacy, and math games, all with a festive November twist.

These fall-themed fine motor activities are a hit, as students work with playdough to create upper- and lowercase letters, practice cutting, assemble puzzles for number 1-10, build and match sight words, and so much more! These activities include fun elements like turkeys, pies, and leaves, which captures the students’ attention right from the start of the day.

In conclusion, focus on giving your students a balance of creativity, hands-on learning, and foundational skill-building. From early finishers to morning tubs, crafts, writing, and STEM activities, there’s no shortage of ways to keep your little learners engaged and excited about learning. As we move through this season of gratitude, let’s celebrate all the joy, growth, and exploration happening in our classrooms.

Happy November learning!

The post November Learning in Kindergarten appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

Create a Personalized Pumpkin Name Craft

What better way to celebrate fall than by letting your students personalize their own pumpkins? This activity is perfect for reinforcing name recognition and spelling skills. Your students can decorate their pumpkins and create something they can proudly display on your classroom bulletin board or take home. They’ll also enjoy the creative writing prompts! This craft is simple, fun, and a great way to integrate literacy with seasonal art projects.

Study the Lifecycle of a Pumpkin

Fall is a wonderful time to introduce students to the lifecycle of a pumpkin. This activity not only teaches science concepts but also promotes curiosity and observation skills in your young learners as it walks students through the fascinating stages of a pumpkin’s growth, from seed to sprout to vine and finally to pumpkin.

This set includes a variety of activities! Students can put the lifecycle stages in order, reinforcing sequencing and comprehension skills. You can also plant pumpkin seeds with your students and observe their growth over time. This provides an ongoing, real-life example of the plant lifecycle that they can monitor daily.

Investigate Pumpkins All Week Long  

Do your students love to ask questions? Help them become pumpkin detectives with my Pumpkin Investigations unit. This hands-on activity guides students through a series of scientific investigations centered around pumpkins.

Some of the fun activities include:

• Measuring the circumference, height, and weight of pumpkins.
• Predicting how many seeds are inside their pumpkins before they open them.
• Introducing the concept of buoyancy using pumpkins in a sink-or-float experiment. 

These activities help develop key skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, while keeping the focus on pumpkins and fun.

Provide October-Themed STEM Challenges

Pumpkins are also a great way to incorporate some STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fun into your classroom. My October STEM Learning is filled with seasonal challenges that encourage students to use their creativity and engineering skills and is a great addition to your fall-themed units.

One of the activities in this unit involves students discovering a way to build the tallest tower possible using mini pumpkins. This activity encourages them to think critically and problem-solve while having fun with their pumpkin “building materials.” Anytime you can incorporate a learning activity that feels like play is a win in my book.

In conclusion, whether you’re decorating pumpkins, learning about their lifecycle, or using them to conduct science investigations, pumpkins offer a fun and engaging way to bring fall learning to life in your classroom. These activities, paired with seasonal lessons, will help your students develop skills in literacy, math, science, and creativity, all while embracing the festive spirit of the season. Let the pumpkin fun begin!

The post Pumpkin Activities and Crafts in Kindergarten appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

Why Teach the Five Senses in Kindergarten?

Teaching the five senses helps children develop observation skills, assists with language development, and encourages cognitive thinking. By exploring the senses, children learn to be more aware of their environment and understand how their bodies work. This knowledge lays the groundwork for scientific inquiry, as it encourages curiosity and exploration—skills that are vital for future learning.

Introduction to the Five Senses

Start your unit with a basic introduction to the five senses. Explain that our senses help us understand and learn about the world. You can use a fun song or rhyme to introduce each sense, making it easier for children to remember. Teach a catchy song that names each sense and the body part associated with it (e.g., “Eyes help us see, ears help us hear…”). Songs are a great way to reinforce memory through repetition and rhythm.

You can also set up five stations in your classroom, each dedicated to a different sense. Include posters or visual aids at each station that show the sense and the corresponding body part. Use these stations to introduce the topic and allow children to rotate through them.

Sense of Sight

The sense of sight is an excellent place to start, as it’s a sense children use extensively in their everyday activities. Focus on how our eyes help us see colors, shapes, sizes, and movements. Go on a color hunt around the classroom or playground. Ask students to find objects of a specific color and bring them back to a designated area. This activity enhances observation skills and color recognition. Or, play a game of “I Spy” using different colors, shapes, or objects around the classroom. This classic game encourages children to use descriptive language and strengthens their attention to detail.

Consider introducing simple optical illusions and ask children what they see. This can spark conversations about how sometimes our eyes can play tricks on us, highlighting the complexity of the sense of sight.

Sense of Hearing

Next, explore the sense of hearing by helping children understand how their ears work and the importance of listening. Take the class on a “sound walk” around the school or outside. Ask students to listen carefully and identify different sounds, such as birds chirping, cars passing, or leaves rustling. Discuss what they heard and how each sound made them feel.

You might play a “mystery sounds” game where children close their eyes and listen to various sounds (e.g., clapping, a bell ringing, water pouring). Have them guess what each sound is and discuss how we use our sense of hearing to identify sounds. You can also provide a variety of simple musical instruments and let children explore the different sounds they make. Discuss high and low sounds, loud and soft sounds, and create a class band to play a simple rhythm together.

Sense of Touch

Students can explore their sense of touch through activities that focus on texture, temperature, and pressure. Set up a texture table with a variety of materials like sandpaper, cotton balls, feathers, and smooth stones. Encourage children to touch each item and describe how it feels. Use descriptive words like rough, smooth, soft, and bumpy.

Children love learning through games! Play a fun guessing game by creating “feely bags.” Place different objects with distinct textures inside bags and have students reach in without looking and describe what they feel. 

Teach an important safety lesson of not touching things that are too hot by using warm and cold water bowls to help children understand temperature differences. Have them dip their hands in each bowl and describe how each feels.

Sense of Taste

Exploring the sense of taste is always a favorite with young learners! This activity can teach children about different flavors and how taste buds work. Prepare a taste-testing activity with foods representing the four basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. For example, use sugar (sweet), saltine crackers (salty), lemon slices (sour), and unsweetened cocoa powder (bitter). Guide students through tasting each item and discussing their reactions.

Make a game of using different flavored foods or drinks and have children match the flavor to a corresponding picture or description. This can be a fun way to build vocabulary and understanding of different tastes.

Use this time to combine the lesson with a healthy snack-making activity. Discuss how different flavors can complement each other and create a simple recipe that incorporates multiple tastes, like a fruit salad or veggie platter.

Sense of Smell

The sense of smell can be a fascinating topic for kindergarten students, as it is closely linked to taste and memory. Create smell jars with various scents, such as vanilla, cinnamon, mint, and lemon. Ask children to close their eyes, take a sniff, and guess what each smell is. Discuss how different scents can remind us of different things, like food, places, or experiences.

I’m a huge fan of incorporating art with any lesson. Use scented markers or scratch-and-sniff stickers for a fun art project. Children can draw pictures and then “smell” their artwork, combining creativity with sensory exploration.

You can also show children how there are different smells in nature. Bring in a variety of flowers and have children smell each one. Discuss how flowers have different scents and why some plants have strong smells. This can also be tied into a science lesson about pollination and how plants attract insects.

Integrating the Senses

To conclude your five senses unit, create an activity that integrates all five senses. This will help reinforce what students have learned and show how our senses work together to help us experience the world. You can organize a scavenger hunt that requires children to use all their senses. For example, find something that makes a noise (hearing), something that is red (sight), something soft (touch), something sweet (taste), and something fragrant (smell).

Sensory bins are an important part of the kindergarten classroom. Create sensory bins filled with items that engage multiple senses. For example, a bin filled with dried beans (touch and sound), scented rice (smell), or themed items related to a particular season or holiday.

You can also turn your story time into a sensory activity. Read a storybook that uses descriptive language about the five senses and provide sensory props to accompany the story. For example, if the book talks about a forest, bring in pine needles to smell, rough bark to touch, and sounds of birds chirping to listen to.

In conclusion, teaching the five senses in kindergarten is not only fun but also foundational for young learners. These activities encourage observation, develop critical thinking, and assist with language development. By incorporating a variety of hands-on activities and engaging experiences, you can create a dynamic and interactive learning environment that helps children better understand how they explore and interact with the world around them.

The post Exploring the Five Senses in Kindergarten appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

Here are some ideas and activities to help you celebrate Constitution Day in your kindergarten classroom.

Why Celebrate Constitution Day in Kindergarten?

At the kindergarten level, celebrating Constitution Day is an excellent chance to teach children about being part of a community and the values of respect, cooperation, and responsibility. These foundational concepts can be reinforced through fun and interactive activities that make learning enjoyable.

Create a Classroom Constitution

One way to introduce the concept of the Constitution is by creating a “Classroom Constitution.” This activity not only makes the idea of a constitution tangible but also helps establish a positive classroom culture from the beginning of the school year. You can start by asking students why they think rules are important and what happens when we don’t have rules. Then, help them brainstorm a list of rules that help make the classroom a happy, safe, and productive place for everyone. Write down the rules on a large sheet of paper and have each student sign their name (or place a handprint) at the bottom as a pledge to follow the rules. Be sure to display the Classroom Constitution in your classroom as a reminder of the shared agreement.

Add a Patriotic Twist to Story Time

Using story time to introduce the themes of Constitution Day can help make the topic more relatable and understandable for young children. Choose books that simplify the concept of rules, fairness, and leadership. I recommend the book We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States by David Catrow. This book provides a kid-friendly interpretation of the Preamble and uses engaging illustrations to explain what each part means. Another fun book is Duck for President by Doreen Cronin. This humorous story about a duck who runs for office is a great way to introduce children to the concept of voting and leadership. After discussing the books, you can have students draw their favorite part of the story or create their own illustrations of what they think a good rule is.

Create Patriotic Art Projects

It’s always a great idea to incorporate art into your lessons. As a group, you can have students create a large flag or mural made of handprints from each student. For individual crafts, have students create a collage using pictures from magazines or drawings that represent what freedom means to them. This can help personalize the concept of freedom and make it more relevant to their everyday lives.

Learn the Pledge of Allegiance

Teaching the Pledge of Allegiance is a great way to introduce young children to the idea of citizenship and respect for their country. Explain to the students that the Pledge of Allegiance is a way people in the United States show respect for their country. Keep the explanation simple and age-appropriate. Recite the Pledge of Allegiance together as a class. Break it down into short, easy-to-understand phrases, and explain the meaning of each part in simple terms. You could also create hand motions to help students remember the words and their meanings.

Assign Classroom Helpers

Role-playing is an excellent way to help children understand the concepts of rules, fairness, and good citizenship even within the “community” of their classroom. Assign each student a role as a “helper” for a day, such as line leader, door holder, or cleanup helper. Discuss how these roles help the classroom run smoothly and how everyone’s contributions are important.

Invite Guest Speakers

If possible, invite a police officer, firefighter, local government official, or parent who works in a related field to speak about their role in the community and how they help uphold the rules. This can provide a real-world connection to the idea of the Constitution and help children understand how rules apply outside of school. 

Host a Mini Parade and Sing Patriotic Songs

End your Constitution Day celebration with a mini parade or a sing-along of patriotic songs. This can be a fun and memorable way to wrap up the day’s activities and celebrate the spirit of America. Students can march around the classroom or playground with their handmade flags or other patriotic crafts. Teach simple patriotic songs such as “America the Beautiful” or “This Land is Your Land.” 

Celebrating Constitution Day in kindergarten is a wonderful opportunity to introduce young learners to the fundamental concepts of rules, fairness, and citizenship in an engaging and age-appropriate way. By using interactive activities, creative projects, and thoughtful discussions, you can help your students understand the importance of freedom in America and the value of working together to create a positive environment. With these fun and educational activities, Constitution Day can become a memorable and meaningful experience for your kindergarten class, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of good citizenship and a love of learning.

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Back-to-School and Classroom Routines

September is all about new beginnings, and the first few weeks are perfect for introducing classroom rules and routines. Establishing a sense of order and predictability helps young children feel safe and confident in their new environment. One thing you can do is to create a scavenger hunt that helps students familiarize themselves with your classroom layout, available materials, and centers.

You can use role-playing to teach social skills and classroom expectations. Young students may need visual reminders, in addition to role playing. 

You can also start each day with a morning meeting to greet each other, discuss the day’s schedule, and share feelings. Having a class schedule helps young students know what to expect, which could potentially alleviate meltdowns.

All About Me

One of the most popular themes for kindergarten in September is “All About Me.” This theme allows students to share about themselves, share about their families, and learn more about their classmates. Students can create self-portraits and share about their favorite pets, color, food, and more!

Don’t forget Show-and-Tell! Students love bringing items from home that are special to them. This helps with public speaking skills and encourages listening and empathy among classmates.

Seasonal Changes: Welcome Fall

As September transitions into fall, it’s a great time to explore the changes in weather, nature, and the environment. Kindergarteners are naturally curious about the world around them, making this an ideal time to introduce concepts related to seasons and weather. You can take the class on a nature walk to collect different types of leaves. Back in the classroom, sort the leaves by color, shape, or size, and use them for art projects or science lessons.

With fall comes weather changes. You can create a daily weather chart with your students to track the changes throughout the month. Discuss different weather patterns, what clothes are appropriate for each type of weather, and how weather affects daily life.

Fall also means pumpkin everything! Take this opportunity to create hands-on pumpkin activities! Students can investigate the textures, colors, and sizes of pumpkins and even practice counting seeds for a math-related activity.

Friendship and Teamwork

September is a great time to emphasize the importance of friendship and teamwork in the classroom. Building a positive classroom culture early in the year helps reduce conflicts and encourages cooperation. You can have students make friendship bracelets for each other or create a classroom “Friendship Tree” where each child adds a leaf with their name and a positive adjective that describes them.  You can also introduce games that require teamwork, such as “Parachute Play” or “Buddy Reading.” These activities help children learn the value of working together and supporting each other.

Community Helpers

Introducing the concept of community helpers is a fantastic way to help children understand the world around them and recognize the people who make their community function. To celebrate these heroes in our comminity, you can organize a dress-up day where students come dressed as their favorite firefighters, doctors, teachers, or even mail carriers. Encourage them to share why they chose that particular helper. Invite parents or community members who are willing to come in and speak about their jobs. This real-world connection can make the concept of community helpers more tangible for young learners. 

Colors and Shapes

Learning about colors and shapes is fundamental in kindergarten. September provides the perfect opportunity to introduce these concepts through interactive and sensory-based activities. You can dedicate a day each week to a different color. Then, have students wear the color, bring an item of that color, and create an art project focusing on that color. This is another time where you can have a scavenger hunt and have students look for and identify shapes and colors in the world around them. A fun science activity might involve color-mixing experiments. This hands-on activity not only teaches color theory but also encourages scientific inquiry and observation skills.

In conclusion, September is a month full of promise and potential in a kindergarten classroom. By focusing on these engaging themes and activities, you can create a warm, welcoming environment that fosters a love of learning. Remember, the key is to make learning fun and interactive, helping your young students build a strong foundation for the rest of the school year. Here’s to a successful and joyful September!

The post September Learning Themes in Kindergarten appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

When we return to school, it is easy for us to want to immediately jump into standards and important concepts we know that our students need to master before the end of the school year. However, our new kindergarteners often have other plans. Cue expectations for tears (and not just yours–ha), potty accidents, unplanned naps (again, not you…you wish), and sweet littles who just can’t understand why they have to come back EVERY DAY. Yes, this is the transition of a lifetime my friends. With all of these other things going on, it can be hard to know what to realistically plan for the first month of Kindergarten. 

Many parts of kindergarten can wait until after the first month, when students begin to get the hang of things. So, when planning for the first month, these are the simple activities I plan to help set up routines, expectations, and a love of school that will last through the school year. Building community and fostering a safe environment takes priority over everything else.

Planning for The First Day

On the first day of school and for several days after it, I begin the day with a coloring sheet. This gives me enough time to comfort the criers. Then, we have our very first morning meeting. I introduce and tell a little bit about myself, and then let my students do the same. We read The Kissing Hand (the next day we will make our First Day Feelings chart). We also make sure to do plenty of GoNoodle breaks and go to the playground for two recesses. We continue the two recess routine for the first two weeks of school to help break up the day and help them unwind. 

In the afternoon, we typically read the book No, David! and discuss what we want our class rules to be. We also do “centers.” At first, they are play-based to give students an opportunity to practice the center procedures. Then after about two weeks, they change to fine motor centers. We wrap up the day by reading Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes. I know it doesn’t seem like much, but a large part of the day is also spent covering rules and procedures, so we sometimes don’t even finish everything I have planned!

Plan for Setting Expectations and Procedures

In between the books and activities planned for the first day of kindergarten, I plan plenty of time to practice how to follow procedures. For example, we go to the cafeteria and practice getting a tray and going to our table. Of course we are also talking about how we stand in the hall and walk quietly (and we will do this for the next 180 days–ha). Next, we learn how to use the restroom in our classroom. When it is time for us to have our first recess, we have to talk about the playground rules first and sometimes learn a little song to help us remember.

If there is time, I will also teach them how to correctly play with playdough. Each student will have a mini tub (you can get a 15-pack in the party section). My kids always have playdough in their supply boxes. It’s a great buffer if I need a minute. It doesn’t have to always be free play, either. You can have them make their name or a certain letter or number. They love that!

Plan for Teaching About Parts of the Classroom

During the first day, and for many days to follow, we also talk about different places in our school and classroom. I will introduce the class to different areas in the classroom (home living, library, blocks, legos, etc.), tell them the expectation and then show them what that looks like. Never assume they understand what you are saying. Always show them what carrying a tub with two hands looks like. Then, allow a little bit of free time for them to practice in one of these areas. This is a great way for them to learn how to share, get along in a small group, and allows me to walk around and give extra instructions for those who need “personalized instructions.” 

Most kinders can’t wait to come to school to “play” with everything in the classroom. Often we as teachers spend so much time with them going over rules and procedures (which are clearly necessary) but never let them play. I try to squeeze in free play time every day the first week of school. This also helps them to build relationships with their classmates and gives me an opportunity to observe students and their personalities before I place them in academic groups for centers. 

Plan for Building Relationships 

As you can see, I always use pretty simple ideas when planning the first month of kindergarten. It’s really like herding cats, people. You know, mixing with a blender with no lid. It’s no joke. Be realistic when planning. Remember that they are four or five years old. You are their new everything. They will spend more waking hours with you than anyone else. Earn their trust, and you will have their dedication to making good choices. Remember to laugh, play, sing, dance, and have FUN. You may be the first person in their educational career and are setting the tone for their love of learning.

Here is what my day one lesson plans looked like:

7:35 – Pick up class from cafeteria. If any have supplies, have them unload them and keep at table. Tell class about standing and putting right hand on heart. Pin on name tags.

7:45 – Announcements.

7:50 – Greet class (introduce self) and tell them about lunchboxes and tray lunch. Then tell them about morning routine (unpack, stay put, pledge, call tables to unload folders and bookbags, show two backpacks to a hook, etc).

Call one table at a time to unload and put away backpack. 

Tell each table about supplies at their table.

Hand out stars and have them color the star and cut it out (talk about safety with scissors and to put scissors down before they get up to throw away trash). Then they stay at their table. As they finish, have them put their name on the star with a marker. (take pictures by Chicka tree) If they finish they can read book on carpet.

8:15 – (carpet) Let students pick spots. Have them bring star to carpet. Tell carpet expectations. Talk about the need for rules. Do you jump on the bed at home?

Expectations:

• Sit “criss-cross applesauce”.
• Be attentive
• Raise hand to ask question.
• Go down aisles to go to front.

Talk about K-P and how we are proud of our school and we want to keep it clean and we all work together in our class and we share and we are nice to our new friends. Call up one at time to glue on star.  With class’s help make up title.

(Kennedy-Powell Stars, Friends, etc.)

Read Aloud: Tiptoe into Kindergarten and The Kissing Hand.

Talk about feelings and going to school (were you sad, happy, excited, a little scared)and missing Mom and Dad. Talk about Chester and how he got over being sad.

Talk about RR rules. Tell how Carpet time is a NO RR time, but when we go to our tables they can go to RR and get a drink without asking permission. Talk about RR and how one person can wait by door, check the stop sign, how we knock and don’t play in there, flush and wash hands….No Playing. Show them the “Goody Jar” and tell them about the “Caught you Being Good” list.  This week, use notepad and stickers.  When they get 10 stickers they can get something from the “goody jar”.

8:45 – Mr. Clem in cafeteria

9:00 – Go outside and sit on sidewalk. Tell about buckets and chalk.

Give playground expectations.

Expectations:

• Rocks stay on ground.
• Play where teacher can see you (show).
• Go down slides, don’t walk up them EXCEPT the one. Tell about big slide (show)
• Don’t hang on picnic cover.

9:20 – Come in and sit at tables.  Call one table at a time to get a drink.  They can use RR as needed.  SNACK

9:30 – (Carpet) SW  make a list of what different students liked on playground. 

_______________ likes the ________________.

Read BB Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

COP – Cover

Title

Where do I begin to read?  During this time assess ability to cross the midline. SF alphabet tape.

9:45 – Talk about work jobs and how we will do them next week.  Tell about playdough rules.

Expectations:

• Just play with your ball of dough.
• Don’t eat it.
• Make things or letters.
• Show vacuum technique to clean up. 
• Show mats used at center.

Hand out playdough balls and wax paper.  While playing with playdough walk around and ask students the cup their hands look for the pocket in their palm (fine motor assessment)

10:05 – Word Study – writing their name, show name on table, we put our names on all our papers, one capital letter and the rest are lowercase. Sing alphabet song and point to letters.

10:15 – Sing Name Songs read and alphabet book.

10: 30 – School Calendar and math jobs.  Model jobs, review carpet expectations 

10:50 – Talk about walking in line in hall rules.

Expectations:

• No talking
• No touching another
• Walk, but don’t get too far behind

Put in ABC order

10:58 – Go to RR by office.

11:05 – Take in cafeteria and remind of rules.

Expectations:

• No talking 1st 10 minutes, EAT, then whisper.
• Lunchboxes go to tables Girls on one side Boys on other.
• Raise hand to get all help at once.
• Feet down.
• Stay seated, raise hand for help.

LUNCH

11:30 – Pick them up go to classroom.

Have lunchboxes put in cubbies and sit on carpet.

Go over rules again for playground

12:00 – Come in and sit at tables, put heads down, rest and call for drinks, turn off lights, RR if needed.

12:15 – Math lesson 1-1 & 1-2 Attendance routine

Review “big” and “little”. Show bean circles (and beans) and how to do it.  Tell rules for glue use (Chester tears or bug tears show amount, show opening and closing, show where it goes).Send to tables put beans in middle, remind them to put names on papers. Put in hall to dry. Read on carpet when finished

12:50 – CARPET – show how to make pictures with pattern blocks.  Show unifix cubes and pattern cards.

TABLES – Play with pattern blocks and unifix cubes then switch tables.

1:00 – Show Kinder magnet, send to tables to work – tell them to go to RR if needed. 

1:20 – Sit on carpet and talk about activities and rules/pack up

Walking in hall rules too.

No talking.

No touching one another.

Walk, but don’t get too far behind.

Library & Science Lab

If you are still feeling a bit stressed about what to realistically plan for the first month of kindergarten, check out The Ultimate Back to School Resource for Kindergarten in my Teachers Pay Teachers store. It includes lessons and activities to help you survive the first month of school and activities for the books I mentioned above. It’s a simple, straightforward packet. It really can be a life-saver!

The post What to Plan The First Month of Kindergarten appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.

What is a Calm Down Corner?

A calm down corner is a designated space in the classroom where students can go to regulate their emotions and calm themselves when they’re feeling overwhelmed. This area provides a safe and supportive environment for children to learn about their feelings and practice calming techniques. By incorporating a calm down corner, you create a trauma-informed classroom that supports social emotional learning (SEL).

Why Use a Calm Down Corner?

Implementing a calm down corner offers several benefits:

• Emotional Regulation: Helps students identify and manage their emotions.
• Coping Strategies: Provides tools and activities to develop coping skills.
• Self-Regulation: Encourages students to practice mindfulness and calming techniques.
• Behavior Management: Reduces classroom disruptions by offering a proactive solution for emotional outbursts.

Setting Up Your Calm Down Corner

You can set up your calm down corner in four easy steps:

1. Choose the Right Location

The first step is to select a quiet and easily accessible spot in your classroom. Ensure it is a place where students can feel safe and uninterrupted.

2. Equip with Essential Tools

Next, fill the space! My Calm Down Corner set contains everything you need to create an effective calm down space. It includes:

• Explanation Page: Understand the purpose and benefits of a calm down corner.
• Teacher Tips: Get practical advice on implementing and managing the corner.
• Calm Down Cards and Feelings Posters: Visual aids to help students identify their emotions and choose appropriate calming strategies.
• Signs: Designate the area with signs such as Safe Place, Calm Corner, or Calm Spot.
• Read Aloud Book List: Engage students with books that address feelings and coping mechanisms.
• Feelings Printables and Real Images of Each Feeling: Help students visually understand and relate to different emotions.
• Yoga Poses Posters and Cards: Introduce mindfulness and physical activity as calming techniques.
• Deep Breaths Chart and Calm Down Questions: Guide students through breathing exercises and reflective questions to understand their emotions.
• How Am I Feeling? and I Feel / I Choose Charts: Enable students to express their feelings and select appropriate calming activities.

3. Introduce the Calm Down Corner to Your Students

Third, explain the purpose of the calm down corner to your class. Discuss how it can help them manage their feelings and demonstrate how to use the tools provided. You can use role-playing scenarios to teach students when and how to use the corner.

4. Encourage Regular Use

Finally, incorporate the calm down corner into your daily routine. Encourage students to use it whenever they feel the need, not just during moments of crisis. This regular practice helps normalize emotional regulation and coping strategies.

Benefits of Using the Calm Down Corner Unit

As I mentioned, I designed this comprehensive SEL toolkit to make implementing a calm down corner easy and effective for any teacher. Here’s why you’ll love it:

• User-Friendly: Simply print, cut, and hang up in your classroom.
• Comprehensive: Includes all necessary resources for a well-rounded calm down corner.
• Engaging: Students enjoy practicing mindfulness and exploring their feelings with the visually appealing materials.

By using the Calm Down Corner items into your classroom, you’re equipping your students with essential tools for their emotional and social development. Not only will this create a more harmonious classroom environment, but it also fosters a supportive space where every child can thrive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, creating a calm down corner is a powerful step towards a trauma-informed classroom that prioritizes social and emotional learning. By using the Calm Down Corner kit, you not only support your students’ emotional growth but also contribute to a more peaceful and productive learning environment.

The post Using a Calm Down Corner in the Kindergarten Classroom appeared first on Kreative in Kinder.