Here's How To Bring The Magic This March!
We did it! We made it through February which even though it has the fewest days, it sure does feel like the lonnnggggest month of the year. There’s no turning back now. You are more than likely winding down the third quarter and thinking about what needs to be done before report cards. Hopefully, you have a system in place for making comments and contacting parents which will be a huge time saver. But now you still need to think about what you want to do to make learning F-U-N this month. Well, it just so happens that March can be the most magical learning month of the school year without too much prep on your end.
Lucky Charms Math
What students wouldn’t want to come to school when they know math class is going to involve the cereal Lucky Charms? That’s right! Madison Rowe, @sweetfirstiefun has the most adorable Lucky Charms math activity that will keep your students hungry for learning. Students will tally the shapes that are in their bowls, use ten frames to count their marshmallows, sort their shapes, and even graph how many of each shape they receive. How fun! How cool! How engaging! Here is the link so you can be sure to check out Madison’s activity: https://www.instagram.com/sweetfirstiefun
Lucky the Leprechaun
Ever have a school year where just need something to help you get your students under control just a little bit more. I know I have had plenty of years like this so I decided to introduce my buddy Lucky the Leprechaun. I chose a day that I felt we needed a class “pick me up” and after school ‘Lucky” would write a positive message to the class. He explains that he’s been watching their hard work and left a secret treasure under Miss Zbiegien’s desk. Of course, they get super excited and want to see, but here’s where you will execute some class control and explain that you will pull it out for everyone to see. Students need to be seated with feet on the floor before you show them the treasure. Your bag will contain milk, instant pudding, spoons, and plastic cups. Each student will receive half a cup of milk and three spoons of the pudding. They have to wait to make the “magic” until everyone has their secret recipes. Then have students stir for about thirty seconds or so adding more milk if someone needs it. Ta-dah…you just made your first batch of “magic powder!” From here you can teach all about states of matter or touch on the different senses students are using or even turn it into a writing activity about what they’ll do with their lucky dust. Either way, this is a super-duper fun activity to get your students through the month of March. Click here to grab your FREEBIE with this lesson!
March Madness
I come from a basketball loving family so it wouldn’t be March if we weren’t watching basketball. Once my students learn my love for basketball, they too want to join in the fun so it quickly becomes part of our classroom conversations. Once this happens, I end up putting up a little suction cup hoop and nerf ball that we incorporate into our learning throughout the day. Students can earn a shot if they spell a spelling or sight word correctly, answer a tough question, or even solve a math fact correctly. Once they take their turn, then they get to get their things for recess, lunch or packing up at the end of the day. The actual activity of shooting is the reward and they LOVE it! This breaks up our day in a quick and fun manner. Best of all, it doesn’t cost a thing!
Spring Windsock
If you have never tried making a windsock with your students, then this is a must-do on Friday afternoon. Simply give students a long piece of white construction paper and have them fold it in half hot dog style. Then, give them plenty of time to add spring decorations and lots of colors. When they finish, have spring-colored streamers on hand, cut into about 7-8 inch strips. Students can glue the streamers in-between the white construction paper. After that, students should bring the windsock to you to staple into a circle, punch two holes into the opposite sides and run an 18-inch long string through the holes. If your students know how to tie, then have them tie the string into a knot in it. If not, then simply tie knots and hang from the ceiling if you are able to do so. Your students will love seeing their windsocks blow once the weather is warm enough to crack a window!
You may feel like your teacher's energy is running low, but I’m here to tell you that you’ve got this! When in doubt, try to think along the lines of whatever age level you are teaching. What are your students into? How can you incorporate that into your lessons? What interests do you have that you can incorporate? Once you start thinking along these lines, the teaching and learning become so much F-U-N! We’re always happy to serve our primary teachers so feel free to reach out via email or Instagram.
Don’t forget to grab your FREE Magical March Learning Activities!
Until next week...
Teach-Relax-Repeat
Lauren
PS: If you are a K-3 teacher looking for a fun and easy way to earn contact hours, share this with your admins. They can click here to learn what Lesson Plan Toolbox is all about and how we serve our primary teachers.
