Christmas Activity Ideas For Your Classroom and Weekly $25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway

Christmas Break is on the horizon, and your students are probably a bit antsy! Here are a few ideas for Christmas related activities to keep them busy while celebrating the festivities! And stick around to the bottom of the post because there is a giveaway for a $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card to help you out as well!


This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love. 

We will be using these Perimeter and Area Brain Teasers from The Primary Gal.  You can grab this freebie here.

If you are looking for a simple and easy craft idea, these Christmas trees are perfect.  

I love the detail on this one!  See the little squirrel at the bottom?

We used the instructions below from Krokotak, and these green Astrobrights paper to make our trees.

Did you know that Macy's donates $1 to Make a Wish Foundation for every letter to Santa they receive? 

 Every year my students write persuasive letters to Santa explaining why they should be on Santa's good list!  

We send them to Macy's so that our wishes can go to a good cause.  You can find out more about this amazing program here.

Students can always use more practice with their math facts!  My students love to play this Cookies for Santa game during the holidays to practice math fact fluency!  

I print the cards out on card stock and then put them in an empty cookie can.

We always take a class photo to make holiday Christmas Cards for families, our specials teachers, the principal, school secretary, etc.  Here is this year's picture - I still need to make our card.

An example of a prior year Christmas card.

Color by Number is a great activity for keeping students happily busy and engaged.  I love using them to help my students practice their math facts.  You can find my Christmas versions here.

And now... time for the Giveaway!

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED - Enter our Current Giveaway here!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $25 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher), 

Co-hosts:   An Apple for the Teacher, Amanda Kristofferson, Miss Pentagirl Kinderpuzzle, Third Grade Giggles, kelseynhayes, and

Glistening Gems

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter. Giveaway ends 12/19/16 and is open worldwide.

Sorry this giveaway is over!  Please visit our Giveaways Page to find current giveaway.

Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers!

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Monthly $75 Teacher pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway December 2016

Every month we get to spoil an amazing teacher with a $75 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card!  It is one of my favorite things to do, and December seems like an even more special time to do it!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Prize:  $75 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher).

Co-hosts: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher),  Paula's Preschool and Kindergarten, Amanda Kristofferson, A Plus Kids, Heart 2 Heart Teaching, Reading and Writing Redhead, Teach with Hope, Rebekah Sayler, Peas In A Pod, A Library and Garden, Schoolhouse Treasures, Brynn's Teacher Bag, Simone's Math Resources, Ms. K, Jackie Crews, ZippadeeZazz, The Chocolate Teacher, Planet Happy Smiles, Growing Grade by Grade, Elementary at HEART, La-Nette Mark, Teacher Gameroom,  Teaching Biilfizzcend, and Claudia's Classroom.



Rules: Use the Rafflecopter form to enter.  Giveaway ends 12/13/16 and is open worldwide.

And don't forget to enter our weekly $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card giveaway as well!

Sorry this giveaway is over!  Please visit our Giveaways Page to find current giveaway.

Are you a blogger who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your blog?  Click here to find out how you can join a totally awesome group of bloggers!

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5 Tips for Successful Co-Teaching

I have been lucky enough to have two amazing co-teaching experiences. Last year I had one of our Special Education teachers pushing into my classroom and this year I have one of our ELL teachers pushing into my classroom.  Although I have been happy with my own experience, I know that not everyone has been able to find that happy balance.  In this blog post I will be sharing some tips that may make it a little less challenging.  

Our ELL teacher leading our whole group lesson

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.    Co-teaching is defined as two teachers working together with groups of students; sharing the planning, organization, delivery, and assessment of instruction, as well as the physical space. (Bacharach, Heck & Dank, 2004).

If you are wondering how to make co-teaching effective or more effective in your classroom, here are a few tips:

1. Get to Know One Another - Before the students arrive, take some time to meet each other and establish a relationship with one another. I find it helpful to discuss educational philosophies and preferences for co-teaching.  You may also want to share personal information such as hobbies, interests, etc. to help establish a bond.

2. Establish A Co-Teaching Set of Norms and Routines. Discuss your beliefs about teaching practices and discipline ahead of time.  Decide together policies that will work with both of your styles.  I have always been more comfortable with hands on instruction using manipulatives, while both of my co-teachers have preferred to use worksheets as student evidence of learning. 

 We have managed to blend our styles through our lesson plans.  We have even added taking pictures of student work as an alternative evidence of learning.

You may want to check out these different models of co-teaching for ideas as well.

In order for the situation to be successful, both teachers must always be thinking, "We are both teaching!" (Bacharach, & Heck 2011).

3. Plan Together - It is so much easier to be on the same page when you plan your lessons together.  I have worked together with my co-teachers to look over the particular goals of students they service (IEP and ELL), and develop ways to meet those needs through our co-taught lessons.  We also include the needs of the class as a whole.  As we plan, we decide together if it would be best to teach a certain lesson whole group, or in small groups. We usually take turns presenting whole group lessons and each take a small group afterwards.

4. Be Consistent.  Students depend on a routine and a schedule.  If you deviate to often it can really throw them off behavior wise and academically.  We have a set time Monday - Thursday that my co-teacher comes in to the classroom.  If she is absent, she has a sub that covers her.  My students have gotten used to having her in our room, so they treat her the same way they do me.  They know that we are BOTH their teachers.

5. Take Risks and Grow. My favorite part of co-teaching has been my own teaching growth.  I have learned so many strategies for teaching from observing my co-teachers in practice!  I have also been able to modify my own instruction and validate successful practices through our reflections after lessons.

Have you had experience with co-teaching?  Good or Bad?  I would love to hear about it in the comments below!  

$25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway and A SALE!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break with your family and friends!  Just a few more weeks back in the classroom and it will already be time for Christmas break!  I know December always flies by for me!  There are always so many activities both at school and for my family - add in all of the Christmas shopping and it is easy to see why!

Speaking of shopping... did you know that Teachers pay Teachers is having a sale in honor of Cyber Monday? Just use the Promo Code: CYBER2016 to save 28% off your purchases!

And... just in case you aren't able to get everything on your wish list, we have a giveaway for a $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card that will help you out!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $25 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher), 

Co-hosts:   An Apple for the Teacher, Mickey's Place, Amanda Kristofferson, Claudia's Classroom, and Kathryn Watts.

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter. Giveaway ends 12/5/16 and is open worldwide.

Sorry this giveaway is over!  Please visit our Giveaways Page to find current giveaway.

Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers!

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10 Christmas Gift Ideas for Teachers

If you have a special teacher in your life, or you are a teacher who has a hard time asking for things at Christmas time, this list is for you!  Here are 10 of my favorite teacher-related present ideas.

Teachers do A LOT of printing!  Sometimes we can print at school, but often we print things at home, especially if the items are in color.  That can cost A LOT of money!  My husband bought me an HP Instant-Ink friendly printer last Christmas and it has been amazing!  I have the HP Officejet PRO 8610, but if you just look for a printer with Instant-Ink you will be good to go!  Trust me, the teacher in your life will LOVE you for this purchase!

You can sign up for Insta-Ink and get one month free! Save up to 50% on Printer Ink Replacement with HP Instant Ink! Receive the 1st Month Free - Sign up Now!

The only thing teachers may do as much as copying is laminating!  We love to laminate just about anything we possibly can to keep it lasting as long as it possibly can (no small feat when handled by young children).  I have a this Scotch Laminator, and I LOVE it! I love it so much, I actually have 2 - one at home and one at school.  If you buy this for your loved one, don't forget extra laminating pouches!

If your favorite teacher is a reader, they will love The Reading Strategies book by Jennifer Serravallo!  It is my absolute favorite Professional Development book ever!  I even did a book study on this book this summer, which you can find here if you are interested.

 If they already own this book, you might want to pre-order the Writing Strategies book which will be released February 16, 2017.

If you give a teacher Mr. Sketch markers she is going to want to make an anchor chart - lots of anchor charts!  These are the best markers for making anchor charts and for stuffing stockings!

Sharpening pencils can take a LOOONG time!  Any teacher would love the gift of time and an electric pencil sharpener will save her tons of time!

Teachers need to plan out their day!  My absolute favorite planner is the Arc Planner from Staples, because I can customize it to fit my needs.

Whether it's for a morning energizer or an afternoon pick me up, most teachers would love a Starbucks gift card!

Another great gift card option would be from the teacher supply store - Really Good Stuff.  It is aptly named because it has some really good stuff for teachers!

My favorite gift card to receive is one from Teachers pay Teachers!  My 20 year old son has purchased one for me for both of the last two Christmases - he knows his Mama! 

You might want to buy a few items from your favorite teacher's wish-list.  The item in my TpT store that is the most wish-listed is my Kicking It Math Fact Fluency program.  

And, don't forget to get a little something for yourself.  Check out our most current giveaways here for a chance to win a Teachers pay Teachers gift card!

Encounter Writing Prompt and $25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway

If you are looking for a last minute idea for Thanksgiving, you might want to read the book Encounter by Jane Yolen with your class! And don't forget to read until the end to enter to win a $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card!

It tells the story of Christopher Columbus' encounter with the Taino Indians when he landed on the shores of San Salvador.  The story is told from the point of view of one of the Taino Indian boys.

My students loved this thought-provoking book and were surprised to see that the Taino Indians might think that the white Europeans were different.  I think it really helped them grasp the idea of different points of view.

We did a close read of the book hoping to answer the question What happened when Christopher Columbus encountered the Taino Indians?  The students made their own graphic organizers to keep track of their learning.  I am really working on having my students create more of their own graphic organizers so that they own the thinking.

I was so impressed with the level of their responses!  

I am most impressed that all levels of my students responded with high level thinking!  I have changed things up a bit in my teaching and I am so excited to see these results!  I will be sharing a few lessons and ideas with you soon!

If you would like to purchase this book, you can find it here:


Only 2 more days of school for us before Thanksgiving break and boy am I thankful!  It is always nice to get a little break and be able to come back to the classroom refreshed!  You could also be extra thankful if you win this week's $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $25 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy 

Co-hosts:   An Apple for the Teacher, Alina V Design, Claudia's Classroom, Teaching Ideas For Those Who Love Teaching, Kathryn Watts, and Teaching Superkids.

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter. Giveaway ends 11/28/16 and is open worldwide.

Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers!

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$25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Weekly Giveaway

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and that means a well deserved rest for all of us teachers!  In the meantime, I thought a chance to win a $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card might tide you over!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $25 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher), 

Co-hosts:   An Apple for the Teacher, Teacher Gameroom, Amanda Kristofferson, Samson's Shoppe, Claudia's Classroom, and Mrs Irvins Toolbox.

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter. Giveaway ends 11/21/16 and is open worldwide.

Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway