Yep, I am ready to pull out the snowman and the candy canes!

I wanted to give you some classroom party ideas that have worked from both a former room mom prospective as well as the teacher prospective.

Let me throw some tips and ideas at you! Get your ideas now and be stress free when planning for the Holidays. So grab a mug of hot chocolate and let’s get this party started.

There are two free printable games in this post that will make you shine, so read on…

One of the first things that either the room mom or the teacher should get ready is the party bag.

Often kids will bring in treats for their classmates and this is an awesome way to be ready to store those treats quickly on a high energy day.

Go to you local grocery store and ask for enough brown bags for each child in your classroom and one for the teacher. You could either have the kiddos decorate them or you could simply print, cut, and glue a snowman to the bag.

Have an adult write the name of each child on the outside of the bag. I am sure the kiddos could write their own name, but having an adult write it ensures the name on the bag will be easy to read.

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for hosting successful classroom celebrations?  This 416 page digital book has you covered! Includes 61 ad-free articles from Organized Classroom, including holidays such as:

• Groundhog Day
• Winter
• Black History
• Valentines Day
• St. Patricks Day
• Earth Day
• Spring
• Mothers Day
• Memorial Day
• Summer
• Independence Day
• Fall
• Halloween
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas

…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!

See it HERE.

On the day of the party, line up all the grocery bags along a wall. Have each child that brought a treat to share, drop the item in each bag. The teacher can also stick their treat for the kiddos in the bags.

When the party is over, staple the bags shut and the kiddos can carry them home on the bus. It’s like Christmas when they get home and get to go through their party bags.

The best way to run a party is to break the kids up into four groups. Each group will visit four activities (which will be run by an adult – so you will need three volunteers, plus the teacher) for a total of 10 minutes each.

Each of the four groups of students will rotate to the different activities. That is around 45 min. of activity time.

After all activities are completed, one of the volunteers should read a winter story to the classroom while the other volunteers prepare a small snack of Ho-Ho’s and a bottle of water! Or check out Craft and Things, Polar Express Snack.

Snack and Story is about a total of 20 minutes – Making total party time around an hour.

Decide in advance three games and one craft activity for the class to do (I will give you some ideas below).

It is a good idea to assign one volunteer per game and one volunteer to run the craft station. The room mom or the teacher should keep track of the time and make sure they announce when the kids should rotate to the next activity.

Also, it is a great idea to give each station volunteer a winter book to read to their group in case they find they finish their activity before the allotted time. So you may want to check out a few winter books at the school library before your party day.

Now that you have the general set-up of the party planned, let’s talk games. You want them to be age appropriate and FUN! Try not to make them difficult. This is a time for all the kids to come together and just enjoy the classroom community.

Here are some fun game ideas that would be great for PREK-3 (choose three):

-Pass the hot chocolate- get a box of hot chocolate packets from a local store. Play the song from the Polar Express movie, Hot Chocolate and have the kids pass around the box. When the music stops, whoever is holding the box gets a hot chocolate packet.

The winner stays in the game and play continues until “conveniently” everyone in the group has won a hot chocolate packet. Have the kiddos stick their winning in their brown party bag before moving onto the next station.

-Play the Snow Globe Game – This is a free printable you will need to assemble before play.

You will also need small white pom-poms (Get these at a craft store).

Print enough board games (Page 1 – there are two on a page) for each child in your group.

Print a set of cards (Print page 2 twice to make a set).

Hand each child a playing board. Put the pom-poms (snowballs) in the middle of the table. The adult holds the playing cards.

Students take turns taking a playing card and adding the number of snowballs given on the card to their card.

First person to get eight snowballs and fills their globe is the winner. Be careful, you may draw a card that asks you to put a snowball back.

-Play Snow Bingo. You can download six cards here.

Print the cards and play like regular bingo. The nice thing about this bingo is that for each call every student will have something to cover up. The winner is the first to get four in a row.

-Do a Snowman Relay – Check this snowman relay at Huie Elementary School.

Cute, right? Looks like they used Pillowcases as the body.

For an easy Snowman Relay with Hula Hoops visit Physical Education Update.

-Disney Family Fun has a very cute game to print for free called, Jack Frost is Not Lost.

If you are allowed to have food as manipulatives this would be tons of fun!

Let’s talk Winter Party Crafts!

I think one of the things parents planning classroom parties forget is that the craft must be ready to go home with the child and must be age appropriate.

Don’t forget time either. They must be easy to finish.

Since the craft will go right into the child’s winter party bag, no paint or globs of glue that must dry. Keep it simple.

Michael’s Craft store sells sets of crafts. Target and Walmart often have cute craft sets that are perfect for classrooms.

We have done door knob hangers in the past that are decorated with foam stickers. Start shopping now because these fly off the shelves.

My favorite craft for a party is a sticker scene craft. You can buy cute sticker scenes with a winter theme in bulk from Oriental Trading. Basically each crafter gets a background and a sheet of stickers to place on the background to create their own scene.

Kiddos from PreK to third love these and they are mess free.

I hope this winter party post has got your wheels turning in your head with ideas for your classroom party!

Have a wonderful time planning! Planning parties is always so much fun.

Seeing the kiddos happy faces the day of the party is even better!

The post Classroom Winter Party Fun! appeared first on Organized Classroom.

I also know that I love to switch things up for special occasions or seasons, but don’t like to go overboard in the decorations. 

Not to mention a little thing most teachers also must abide by called:  living on a teacher’s salary. 

So redoing your classroom theme every month is not really feasible either. 

The Benefits of Using Supply Caddies in the Classroom

One effective way to maintain classroom organization is by using supply caddies. Supply caddies are portable containers that hold essential supplies for students.

By providing each student group with their own supply caddy, you can ensure that materials are easily accessible and neatly stored.

This not only saves time but also increases efficiency in the classroom.

Would you like to know step-by-step routines that put teachers back in control in just 4 weeks?

Download the FREE Classroom Systems Starter Kit now!

Essential Supplies to Include in Your Supply Caddies

To ensure that your supply caddies are well-stocked and ready for student use, it’s important to include essential supplies.

These supplies may vary depending on the grade level and subject area you teach, but some common items include pencils, erasers, markers, scissors, glue sticks, and rulers.

It’s also helpful to have extra supplies such as paper clips, sticky notes, and index cards available for students to use when needed.

Check out the video to see how easy this is (along with the secret item you need to make it that you don’t see in the picture) and let me know in the comments what you could use this idea for in your own classroom?

Materials you will need:

• A muffin tin (used is fine)

• Avery 5163 2×4 Labels – Clear or White

• Plastic Cups – Any color works great!

• Magnets that were mentioned in the video to keep the cups sitting in the tins correctly

Tips for Maintaining and Restocking Your Supply Caddies

To ensure that your supply caddies remain organized and well-stocked throughout the school year, it’s important to establish a system for maintenance and restocking.

Regularly check the caddies to see if any supplies need to be replenished or replaced. You can involve students in this process by assigning them specific roles, such as supply monitors, who are responsible for checking and restocking the caddies on a regular basis.

Incorporating Technology into Your Supply Caddy System

In today’s digital age, incorporating technology into your supply caddy system can be a practical and effective way to enhance organization.

For example, you can create a digital inventory of the supplies in each caddy using a spreadsheet or an online tool. This allows you to easily track and update the contents of each caddy, making it simpler to restock and maintain organization.

Maximizing Your Classroom Efficiency with Efficient Supply Caddy Placement

Strategic placement of supply caddies is key to maximizing classroom efficiency.

Consider the layout of your classroom and the needs of your students when deciding where to position the caddies. Ideally, they should be easily accessible to all students and located near relevant work areas.

For example, if you have a designated art corner, place the art supply caddies nearby for easy access during creative activities.

Oh yeah – and don’t forget to grab the freebie labels file (with 3 blank ones also supplied for your customization). Use PowerPoint or Google Slides to edit.

I included winter and spring-themed versions.

Enjoy!

~Charity

The post Organized Seasonal Supply Caddies appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Too soon? Funny, I know.

Well even the snow falling outside or frigid temps that always force me inside (I’m a weenie when it comes to extreme temps) makes me stir crazy.

The bonus for you is that when I get stir crazy, YOU get freebies – yay!

I always need a creative outlet when I get cooped up inside and there is a lot of that going on recently.

My loss is your gain.

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for hosting successful classroom celebrations?  This 416 page digital book has you covered! Includes 61 ad-free articles from Organized Classroom, including holidays such as:

• Groundhog Day
• Winter
• Black History
• Valentines Day
• St. Patricks Day
• Earth Day
• Spring
• Mothers Day
• Memorial Day
• Summer
• Independence Day
• Fall
• Halloween
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas

…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!

See it HERE.

Benefits of Grouping Students During Winter Months

Grouping students during the winter months can have several benefits for their academic performance and mental health.

By working together in groups, students are more likely to feel engaged and motivated in their studies. They can also develop important social skills and improve their communication abilities.

When students work in groups, they are more likely to actively participate in class discussions and activities.

This increased engagement can lead to a deeper understanding of the material and improved academic outcomes.

Group work also encourages students to take ownership of their learning and develop problem-solving skills.

Working in groups also provides an opportunity for students to develop important social skills. They learn how to collaborate with others, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts.

These skills are essential for success in both academic and professional settings.

Creative Grouping Ideas for Winter Months

To overcome the limitations of traditional grouping strategies, educators can consider implementing creative grouping ideas during the winter months.

These strategies take into account students’ interests, learning styles, personality traits, academic performance, and goals.

One creative grouping idea is to group students based on their interests and hobbies.

This allows students to work with others who share similar passions, making the learning experience more enjoyable and engaging.

For example, students who are interested in art can be grouped together to work on a winter-themed art project.

Another idea is to group students based on their learning styles and preferences.

Some students may prefer visual learning, while others may prefer hands-on activities or group discussions.

By grouping students based on their preferred learning style, educators can cater to their individual needs and enhance their understanding of the material.

Personality traits and temperaments can also be considered when grouping students.

Some students may be more introverted and prefer to work independently, while others may thrive in collaborative settings.

By grouping students based on their personality traits, educators can create a balanced mix of skills and promote a positive learning environment.

Academic performance and goals can also be taken into account when grouping students.

Students who are struggling in a particular subject can be grouped together to receive targeted support and instruction.

On the other hand, high-achieving students can be grouped together to work on more challenging projects or assignments.

Collaborative projects and assignments can also be used as a grouping strategy during the winter months.

By assigning group projects, students have the opportunity to work together, share ideas, and learn from one another. This promotes teamwork and communication skills, while also fostering a sense of belonging and community.

Lastly, educators can group students for winter-themed activities and events.

This can include organizing winter sports teams, planning holiday celebrations, or participating in community service projects.

These activities not only provide opportunities for students to engage in fun and meaningful experiences but also promote social interaction and a sense of belonging.

Simple Snowflake Activity

Since I was shut-in from the cold, I thought maybe I would whip up a new freebie for you all and share the warmth that way.

In honor of the snow, I created a Similar Snowflakes Grouping Freebie! 

It is a simple idea:  print, cut, and laminate the different snowflakes for as many different groups as you would like. 

Then, randomly – or not so randomly – pass out the cards to the students. 

And then give the students a few minutes to group up into pairs/small groups by matching their snowflakes!

Easy peasy and fun for winter – even if you live in Florida!

Have fun grouping up and stay safe out there everyone no matter where you reside!

Enjoy!

~Charity

The post Similar Snowflakes Grouping Freebie appeared first on Organized Classroom.

December Calendar Pieces

As the month of December approaches, it’s time to start thinking about updating your classroom calendar.

Whether you’re a teacher or a homeschooling parent, having a calendar in your classroom is an essential tool for keeping track of important dates and events.

One of the best things about updating your classroom calendar for December is that there are so many free, printable resources available online.

You can find everything from numbers and pieces to cards and PDFs that will help you create a beautiful and functional calendar for your school.

When it comes to choosing the right pieces for your calendar, it’s important to consider what you want to include. Some teachers prefer to use simple numbers, while others like to add special cards for holidays or other important events.

Whatever you choose, make sure that it’s easy to read and understand for your students.

Another important consideration when updating your classroom calendar is the layout.

You want to make sure that it’s easy to read and that all of the information is clearly visible.

You may also want to consider adding some color or other visual elements to make it more engaging for your students.

Overall, updating your classroom calendar for December is an important task that can help you stay organized and on top of important dates and events. So why not get started today?

Grab the free printable I pulled together for you below! Enjoy!

Happy Holidays Banner

What better way to get into the festive spirit than by decorating your classroom with a holiday banner?

Whether you’re an elementary school teacher or a homeschooling parent, a holiday banner can add a touch of cheer to your learning space.

First, let’s talk about the party vibe.

A classroom holiday banner can be a great way to set the tone for a holiday party or celebration.

You can use bright colors and fun designs to create a festive atmosphere that will get your students excited for the upcoming festivities.

Some popular themes for holiday banners include snowflakes, Christmas trees, and gingerbread men.

If you’re looking for free ideas for your classroom holiday banner, there are plenty of resources available online.

Websites like Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers offer a wide variety of templates and printable decorations that you can use to create your own unique banner.

You can also find inspiration from other teachers on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

When it comes to templates, there are many options available depending on your preferences.

Some templates are designed to be printed on standard printer paper and then cut out and assembled into a banner.

Others are larger and require more advanced printing equipment, such as a plotter or large format printer.

Regardless of which template you choose, make sure it’s easy to read from a distance so that all of your students can enjoy it.

Printable decorations are another great way to add some extra flair to your classroom holiday banner.

You can print out images of snowflakes, ornaments, or other festive symbols and attach them to your banner using tape or glue.

You can also use posters or other decorative elements to create a more layered effect.

Creating a classroom holiday banner is an easy and fun way to get into the festive spirit with your students.

With free ideas, templates, and printable decorations available online, you can easily create a unique banner that will add some cheer to your learning space.

So why not give it a try this holiday season? Your students will love the free option below, so make sure to grab it.

Enjoy and happy holidays!

~Charity

The post Winter Freebies! appeared first on Organized Classroom.

When choosing winter arts and crafts for kids, I like to to find things that can be done inside, yet incorporate winter activities for kids outside in nature as well.  It helps if they are less than messy.  

One of my go to places to look for winter crafts is on Pinterest, but sometimes those “easy” items I know the kids will love involve way too many steps to make it an easy fun winter craft for a class of 20+ students at one time.

So today, I decided on a great winter paper craft that elementary students might like to create – and you can even tie it into your reading curriculum too!

How to use paper plates for this craft idea…

You actually only need a few basic and inexpensive supplies for this classroom craft!

• Paper plates – you can use plain, colored, square, or round.  Just make sure they can fit in a 6 inch maze.
• Scissors
• Glue Sticks
• Maze Template or markers if students want to create their own (download below)
• Optional:  Popsicle sticks and button magnets

What ages is this winter craft perfect for?

Kindergarten,

First graders,

2nd grade,

3rd graders,

and even 4th graders!  Honestly, it’s super easy and can be adapted to the age and ability of any student in grades K-5!

Steps involved in making the basic paper plate maze:

Begin by printing and cutting out the circle maze template from below.  Use the dashed red line as your cut line.

Next, use a glue stick to add the maze template to the top of the paper plate.   I prefer glue sticks over white glue for this as it’s much less messy.

Easy peasy!  Now you have a paper plate maze!  

What you decide to do with it now is part of the fun – there are lots of possibilities!

School Bulletin Board Full Site Access

Create your bulletin boards in a snap with premade templates!

Click HERE to see more!

What do you make with the rest of the paper?

There are several options that I will share with you, but honestly, the sky is the limit when choosing your craft idea:

Option 1:  In honor of the season, I have included a snowman, polar bear, and fun snowflake icon on the maze template, as well as one blank icon for the paper plate craft.  You can have students use the glue stick to attach one of the icons in the center of the maze.

Then, they would think of 3 things that the icon would not want to be near and draw those 3 items into the maze where it makes sense.  In my example, I have chosen the snowman.  A snowman probably wouldn’t be too fond of the sun, a mean dog, or a truck (especially if it had a plow on the front).

Students can then use a finger to trace the right path to keep the snowman safe.

Option 2:  Repeat the same steps as Option 1, but laminate the work before attaching to the paper plate.

Students can then use a dry erase marker to do the mazes from their peers.

Option 3:  Instead of making the icon be the center, you can attach a button magnet to the back of it.   Grab a popsicle stick and attach the matching button magnet (they should pull towards one another when the poles are opposite).

The child can then use the popsicle stick on the bottom of the plate and the icon on the top and find the way through the maze that way.  This option is a really cute craft with the paper plates that students love because they all love the magnets!

Option 4:  The last option is customizing your mazes to your curriculum.  Maybe have students use the main character of a story of the week or an individual reading selection as the center icon.

They would then draw in 3 “obstacles” that the main character faces in the story.

Label the title of the story on the back of the plate.  Students can take turns trading their mazes and trying to guess the book title.

This is even a great way to incorporate a simple art project for kids in the specials classroom too!

Winter Bulletin Board Idea!

Everyone is busy after returning from winter break, so finding quick winter bulletin board ideas are key, right?

How is this for a winter wonderland bulletin board?   Grab the finishes student mazes, add some lettering that says “Winding Our Way Through a Winter Wonderland,” and then attach some twine that is connected to the left and right sides of the board.

Using glitter flocked clothespins, attach the student mazes to the twine.

Done and done!  Super easy and I bet if it is a hallway bulletin board, students in other classes will think the mazes are pretty awesome too!

Would it be helpful to have a blank maze template so you aren’t starting from scratch?  I’ve got you covered!  Download it below and then check your email for the file.

Hope you have an a-maze-ing winter!

~Charity

The post Winter Craft Paper Plate Fun! appeared first on Organized Classroom.

I hope everyone is staying warm in for classroom recess. I know in many years in my local school district, the students have definitely had their Winter Break extended due to the freezing air before so it can get that cold everywhere! 

I know so many of you have been forced inside for indoor recess if you are at school due to the bitter cold, so I decided to ask the BEST fans in the world what they do when going outside isn’t an option.  And, as always, they came through with flying colors!

What are some great indoor recess games?

Thanks so much to all the Organized Classroom’s Facebook fans for sharing lots of ideas for what they do during indoor recess!

You can find that free document below, but just a few items suggested by fellow teachers include:

• Coloring books and stencils
• Floor puzzles
• Legos
• Homemade “Headbandz” game
• Recess games, such as Simon Says
• Play-Doh
• Puppets
• Making cards for local retirement home residents
• Reading informational magazines
• Writing a card to a grandparent

How can I incorporate movement for kids into my indoor recess?

One surefire method is by using GoNoodle for kids!   So many teachers swear by this method to incorporate movement for kids for brain breaks, but indoor classroom recess is a perfect time as well!  

Another idea that I would like to add is just putting on some fun music and allowing the students to get some physical activity in while having fun at the same time!  A great go-to option is to grab a KidzBop CD and turn it up!

KidzBop always has the latest music, so even the “big kids” won’t feel like it is babyish.  They have “today’s biggest hits sung by kids for kids” which includes the most popular music they already know and can sing along with in the classroom.  Simply turn it on and let the students have fun – with little to no prep from you!

One of my favorites is KidzBop 25!  My little man LOVES to hop around the house when I put it on for him too.

KidzBop 25 includes:

• Roar
• Best Song Ever
• Clarity
• Wrecking Ball
• Treasure
• Royals
• Applause
• Wake Me Up
• Love Somebody
• Still into You
• I Need Your Love
• Cups
• Safe and Sound
• Cruise
• Summertime Sadness
• The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)

How fun are all those songs?  Of course, I always recommend to preview anything you plan on playing for students beforehand, and this would be no exception.  {A little CYA tip – ha!}

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for hosting successful classroom celebrations?  This 416 page digital book has you covered! Includes 61 ad-free articles from Organized Classroom, including holidays such as:

• Groundhog Day
• Winter
• Black History
• Valentines Day
• St. Patricks Day
• Earth Day
• Spring
• Mothers Day
• Memorial Day
• Summer
• Independence Day
• Fall
• Halloween
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas

…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!

See it HERE.

Where does classroom management fit into brain break stations?

Of course, you don’t want students bumping into one another and running around the room creating a safety hazard, so having a few indoor recess ground rules is always a good plan.  Here are 3 to get you started:

1. If your legs are moving faster than your teacher can walk, slow it up.  Try to “run” in slow motion.
2. If your classmate can hear what you are saying across the room, lower your voice.
3. If you can extend your arms all the way out and can touch more than 2 people, you are too close.  Spread out so you have room to enjoy the activity.

Of course, depending on the activity, some of those ideas might not mesh with your individual needs, so feel free to be creative in coming up with your own, while still thinking of the safety of students as they get in some fun indoor game time!  Classroom management is really just about defining some guidelines and following through with them.

Speaking of playing fun classroom games, everyone is a winner here with a FREE Indoor Recess Ideas eBook!  Just head to the download page below and check your email for the document.

Enjoy and stay warm everyone!

~Charity

The post 30 Indoor Recess Ideas! appeared first on Organized Classroom.