Reading is a crucial skill that helps learners succeed in all areas of life. However, it can be a challenge to keep students engaged in reading during their time off from school.

I know for my US friends, Thanksgiving Break is coming up pretty quickly!

Isn’t it funny how it seems to take forever to get here, and then once it is upon us, it seems to have jumped out of nowhere?

Maybe that’s just me – haha!

So let’s talk about Thanksgiving Break homework. Whether you are pro-homework or con-homework centric, keep reading and perhaps a comprised solution is below!

Encouraging Student Reading Over the Holidays

Here are some alternative ways to encourage reading over school breaks.

Teachers can help by providing students with a list of recommended books to read during the break.

This can be done through email or by sending home a printed list. The list should include a variety of genres and reading levels to cater to different interests and abilities.

Teachers can challenge students to set reading goals for themselves over the break. This could be in the form of a reading log or journal where students can track their progress and reflect on what they’ve read.

Setting goals can help students stay motivated and focused on their reading.

Parents can help by creating a cozy reading nook at home. This could be a designated area with comfortable seating, good lighting, and plenty of books to choose from.

Creating a comfortable and inviting space for reading can help encourage students to pick up a book and start reading.

Teachers and parents can consider using technology as an alternative way to encourage reading.

There are many online resources available that offer interactive books, audiobooks, and other digital tools that can help engage students in reading.

Who is Turkey Tom?

You may or may not have heard the urban myth about how “turkey Tom” got its name:

The legend states that Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were at odds about what the national bird should be. Franklin wanted the turkey and Jefferson felt the eagle was a better fit.

The story continues that after the eagle won out, Franklin named the turkey “Tom” after Thomas Jefferson.

Turns out that the above story most likely is not true at all.

Instead, the word Tom is added to male animal names. For example: a tomcat. In this case, we are talking about tom turkey.

There you have it. Nothing as drama-filled and far less entertaining. HA!

So here’s the real question…

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.

Should you assign homework during the holidays?

Some schools have just a few days off for the break, while others have over a week off.

Most students will be busy will visiting families, perhaps helping parents clean the house, or prep the meal. They will most likely be visiting with relatives they don’t see often.

The day after Thanksgiving, they might be tagging along for Black Friday shopping, going to the movie theater, or attending local Christmas lighting ceremonies.

Needless to say, they probably won’t have a ton of extra time to complete huge packets of work in the time off as the hours are most likely already accounted for with pre-planned activities.

I know many of you do not like to assign a bunch of homework over the holiday break anyway, but you would love if your students would do some reading during the time off, because reading is the key to everything.

So I threw together this fun little freebie for you to pass out the last day before break.

This fun Turkey Tom is perfect for Kindergarten to second grade students!

It could be used for older students, except perhaps change the requirements to just ONE book since older students are most likely reading chapter books and requiring 3 chapter books even over a week with all the additional activities is probably a bit much.

The printable slips say the following:

This is Turkey Tom and he really likes to read.
He is hoping with some days off school with friends and family,
You can follow his lead!

Read 3 books over break and bring back this slip to be entered in a fun prize drawing!

Now – what should you offer as the “prize”?  Perhaps a book!  How fun would that be?

Head to a local yard sale, thrift shop, or in your own stash at home and find a book in good condition to be able to gift to a deserving student.

Bonus points if it is holiday themed.

Other options?  Eat lunch with the teacher, a fun sticker, extra computer time, or sit by a friend.

And just for the record, I wouldn’t even mention what the “prize” is to the students until you do the drawing after returning from break.

Sometimes the mystery alone is worth the entry fee to many students.

I have included a color copy and a grayscale version for those of you who don’t have access to a color copier and prefer instead to just copy on colored paper instead.  Grab it below.

Encouraging elementary students to read over school breaks is important for their success as learners. By providing recommended book lists, setting goals, creating cozy reading nooks, and using technology as an alternative way to encourage reading, we can help keep students engaged in this crucial skill even when they’re not in school.

Have fun and I hope your students have fun reading over the holiday – which really is the point, right?

Happy Break!

~Charity

The post Turkey Tom Reading Over Break appeared first on Organized Classroom.

One way to promote gratitude in the classroom is through journaling and various activities.

I know most of us tend to think about the 12 Days of Christmas when December hits, but I was reflecting on being thankful in November, so I decided to throw a little Organized Classroom twist on the normal tradition.  

Introducing the 12 Days of Gratitude Jar!

November is a tough month for teachers. Usually you are coming off the craziness of Halloween and the sugar rush that follows.

Next, it’s election day and Veterans Day, which are both important to mention.

Usually, parent teacher conferences are in that mix as well, which means a couple really late evenings that week too.

Then, it seems as though you have a short week for Thanksgiving Break, but with only a couple days off, you are home and trying to clean, prep, and cook a big meal and host houseguests from out of town. Not to mention the laundry, grocery shopping, and more.

And then it’s suddenly December!

November is one of those months where you NEED to remember the memories and words of love throughout the month because it can spiral out of control very quickly.

Taking a few quiet minutes each school session in the days leading up to your holiday break really give both you and students a chance to pause and reflect on all the good things happening during this time of year as well.

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.

Lesson Plans for Practicing Gratitude

Journaling is an excellent way for students to reflect on their day and identify things they are grateful for.

Teachers can encourage students to keep a gratitude journal where they write down three things they are grateful for each day.

This activity helps students focus on the positive aspects of their lives and develop a more positive outlook.

Another way to promote gratitude in the classroom is through various activities.

For example, teachers can have students create a gratitude jar where they write down things they are grateful for on slips of paper and put them in the jar. At the end of each week, the class can read some of the slips out loud, promoting a sense of community and appreciation.

Gratitude has a deep meaning that goes beyond just saying thank you.

It involves recognizing the good things in our lives and being appreciative of them. By teaching students about gratitude, we are helping them develop a more positive mindset and outlook on life.

Incorporating quotes about gratitude into lessons is another way to promote appreciation in education.

Teachers can use quotes such as “Gratitude turns what we have into enough” by Melody Beattie or “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others” by Cicero to inspire students to think about what they are thankful for.

Examples of gratitude activities that teachers can incorporate into their lessons include writing thank-you notes to classmates or teachers, creating a gratitude tree where students write down what they are thankful for on leaves, or having a gratitude scavenger hunt where students search for things they are grateful for around the school.

How to Create Your Grateful Jar

How does it work?   Simple!  

Head below to download the freebie packet which contains both color and grayscale versions of the materials.  

Cut the page of sentences into strips and wrap each around a pencil to curl. 

Toss into a mason jar and tape the header around the bottom.

You can even get fancy and place fabric or scrapbook paper on the top of the jar if you wish, or you could choose to just leave the jar open with no lid at all. There really are no rules with this project.

Now – count 12 days before your Thanksgiving Break begins and each day for 12 days, pass the jar around for each student to pick a topic to be thankful for and write about it on the worksheet.  

After time is up for the activity that day, have students toss their topic back in the jar for the next day to pick again. 

It’s fine if they end up picking the same topic on more than one day.  Just have the student choose a different item to write about that would fall under the same topic. 

Easy peasy!

DIY Gratitude Journal for the Classroom

It is not a huge assessed writing assignment, but rather something to start (or end) the day with a frame of mind that encourages gratitude.

This will be their little version of a gratitude journal.

Should they share their writing with the class?

Personally, I don’t like to share my personal thoughts and gratefulness statements with others, but maybe some students do want to share.

Would you like to help your students build better character, while not taking time during your instructional period?

Find out more about Brad Bands HERE.

Perhaps a student is thankful for another child who included him or her in an activity at lunch or recess the previous day and wants to make sure that child is recognized.

Having some good examples ready will be important.

Here are a few you could prep:

• Today I am thankful for having a bed to sleep in because I know there are others out there who sleep on the floor or in a car.
• Today I am thankful for wearing a warm coat to school because it is snowing outside.
• Today I am thankful for recess because I am able to play with Tyrone, Destiny, and Kim. They make me smile.

Promoting student gratitude in the classroom is essential for their overall well-being and success in life. By incorporating journaling, activities, quotes, and appreciation into teaching, we can help our students develop a more positive mindset and outlook on life.

That is something that should happen all year long, but November is a particularly great month to focus on it.

And just for the record, I am super thankful for each of you!   #soblessed

Enjoy!

~Charity

The post 12 Days of Gratitude Jar! appeared first on Organized Classroom.

What I don’t remember learning a lot about was Native American culture throughout that process.  {Keep in mind, this was a great many years ago.}

Native American state names hold a significant place in the history and culture of the United States. Each state has a name that is rooted in the Native American heritage of the land.

Learning about these names not only provides insight into the rich history of Native American tribes, but also helps to foster a deeper appreciation for the diverse cultures that have shaped the country.

By exploring the significance of state names, engaging in fun activities, and understanding the origins and meanings behind them, we can gain a greater understanding and respect for Native American culture.

The Significance of State Names in Native American Culture

State names were not randomly assigned; they were chosen by Native American tribes who inhabited the land long before European settlers arrived.

These names often reflect the natural features, geography, or historical events associated with the area.

For example, the name “Oklahoma” comes from the Choctaw words “okla” meaning “people” and “humma” meaning “red,” which refers to the Native American tribes that once inhabited the region.

Similarly, the name “Massachusetts” is derived from the Algonquian word “massachusett,” which means “at or about the great hill.”

Names hold great importance in Native American culture. They are often given with great thought and consideration, reflecting the individual’s personality, characteristics, or significant events in their life.

Similarly, state names hold deep meaning for Native American tribes, as they represent their connection to the land and their ancestral heritage.

By learning about these names, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural significance they hold.

Celebrating Native American State Names through Art and Crafts

Art and crafts can be a creative and hands-on way to celebrate Native American state names. They provide an opportunity to engage with the topic in a visual and tactile manner, while also fostering creativity and cultural appreciation.

One art activity could involve creating a collage or painting inspired by the state name and its Native American origin. Participants can research the meaning behind the state name and use that as inspiration for their artwork.

This activity not only encourages artistic expression, but also deepens understanding and connection to Native American culture.

Another craft activity could involve making a dreamcatcher using materials that represent the state name and its Native American origin.

Participants can choose colors, feathers, and beads that reflect the meaning or symbolism behind the state name. This activity not only teaches about Native American culture and traditions, but also promotes mindfulness and creativity.

Native Americans and Feathers

So, while I was doing a little research, I did find out that Native Americans put a lot of meaning behind feathers – and particularly where the feather came from or whether it is given as a gift.  There is much symbolism attached to feathers.

What a fun lesson to learn even more about this group of people!

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.

I even came up with a neat way to make your own feathers in the classroom to add a real world component to your lessons!  They are inexpensive, fun to make, and easy for all students.

I think what I love the most is that each feather will be unique, much like the students who are creating them for the lessons.

Making DIY Feathers

Here is what you will need:

• scissors
• any type of wire
• washi tape

Steps to make them:

1 – Cut a piece of wire and then place one piece of tape on the top.

2 – Flip over and attach a matching piece of tape to the opposite side.

3 – Continue placing more tape on each side and then flipping to cover up the sticky part.  Create 4-5 rows on either side of the wire.

4 – Cut into a feather shape and then cut slits into the sides.   That’s it!

Native American Lesson Plan Ideas

You could then hole punch one end and attach twine to be able to hang from hair or maybe do a lesson about dreamcatchers?

The best part?  Tie this hands on activity in to whatever lessons you would normally teach about Native American culture.  No extra planning involved!

The study of Native American heritage is an important aspect of inclusive education.

By incorporating free and easy-to-use worksheets, printables, and activities into your lessons, you can engage students and deepen their understanding of Native American history and culture.

Need a free pdf perfect for morning work or to introduce the concept? Grab the word search below – includes an answer key too!

Click here to email your freebie

What are some ways you feel you could incorporate these easy activities into your curriculum?  We would love to hear in the comments below!

~Charity

The post Learning with Washi Feathers! appeared first on Organized Classroom.

I adore November!  There is so much excitement in the air between Veteran’s Day, the election, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and of course, the kickoff to the Christmas season! 

I don’t know about you, but I feel like this year is flying past like a jumbo jet!

November can be insane and the pressure can really start to build up.

Between parent conferences (enough said about that), student behaviors really starting to ramp up as they are fully settled in to their school year routine, and you just trying to get your head above water, it can seem like the work is piling up faster than you can get to it.

How can you enjoy the upcoming holiday season when you can barely enjoy your lunch while sitting at your desk grading (again)?

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for lesson planning and calendar organization in the classroom? This 70 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 14 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
-Curriculum Mapping
-Setting Up Your Daily Classroom Schedule
-Digital Filing Cabinets
-Weekly Planning Resources
-Several To-Do List Templates
-Balancing Home and Work Life in your Calendar
-File Organization
…and even more!

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

See it HERE.

Try a couple of things:

1 – Write a list of everything you need to do for this month. This will feel overwhelming and a waste of time you don’t currently have, but trust me on this one.

2 – Take a pencil and cross out anything that won’t matter 3 months from now if it doesn’t get done. {examples could include updating a bulletin board more often than needed, organizing your classroom library for the hundredth time, and making goody bags for the new teachers in your building}

3 – Next, use a highlighter to highlight anything your students or parents of students can do. Use those resources to their fullest extent. Even parents who can’t come into the classroom can cut, glue, design newsletters, or more at home.

4 – Now you should have a workable list. Place each item on a day in the calendar, making sure to leave some open space as other things will come up from time to time.

5 – Work your calendar one day at a time. Take time to enjoy teaching daily. Take time to enjoy your students daily. Take time to enjoy your colleagues daily.

Need some more things to enjoy?

I decided to go back to last year’s blog posts and find the most popular for November to share out again. 

November Classroom Ideas

I know there are a ton more readers than last year (thanks to you ALL for being here), and this do-over allows those same great ideas to be used again if you missed them the first time around!

In addition, I know the October Halloween Owls Calendar Freebie was a huge hit, so here is a little set I whipped up this morning for November.

You could use them for a center activity for math, for grouping students together (those with even numbers group together), or even for displaying on a calendar.

The options are endless!

Enjoy everyone and Happy November! 

What are YOU most excited about in November?  I would love to see a comment below! 

{I personally can’t wait for the yummy food and friends on Thanksgiving Day.  I made a turkey last year for the first time and it was pretty good.  Looking forward to making it even better this year!}

~Charity

The post WHOOOOO Loves November? appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Prefer to read the transcript?

I’ve gotcha covered! Keep reading and don’t forget to grab your freebie at the bottom of the page too!

Transcript:

Hi, everyone! Charity Preston here from the Organized Classroom blog. I hope you are doing well today.

So had a couple of questions on the fan page recently about what people are doing for Thanksgiving celebrations.

I know some schools allow you to do some things. Some schools do not allow you to do some things.

I thought of a really cute little activity that you could do with your students if you are able to do holiday activities. And you can modify this if you need to, but I would say K to 6th grade students could do something with this idea. You’re just going to have to change how much responsibility you let them do whenever they’re putting the activity together, as well as any other added activities with the books or different things that you want to do as well.

So I was thinking that you could start easily just by reading a book. Literature is always fantastic and wonderful. And even sixth graders love to hear simple picture books. They don’t take a lot of time.

You can really talk about some of the deeper concepts that are in them, and then you could do a much more difficult activity to wrap it up.

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.

Just a couple books that I had at my house already: I’ve got One Little, Two little, Three little Pilgrims.

I also have Arthur’s Thanksgiving and Pocahontas: Young Peacemaker, if you want something that is non-fiction, which is always a fantastic thing to work on.

And then my favorite Turkey Pox. And if anybody knows this book, they know why it is my favorite.

Spoiler alert: the main character’s name is charity. So of course I love that one, and my students love me reading it allowed using my own name.

Okay. So after you did a read aloud, you can have the students do this fantastic little activity. It is a Thanksgiving Thankful Mix that you can make, which is like a trail mix with a special meaning for each ingredient.

You’ll mix everything up into a little baggy.

And the first thing that you’re going to start with are Bugles. It is shaped like a cornucopia or horn of plenty. It’s a symbol of our nation’s abundance.

The next item is pretzel twists. And this one says arms folded in prayer of freedom sought by those who founded our country, which is true. So I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that statement in a in a public school system because it’s talking about the freedom of religious rights.

The next one, candy corn, is about the sacrifices of the first winter when food was so scarce that settlers survived on just a few kernels of corn a day.

Up next: either nuts or seeds. If you can’t have nuts, due to nut allergies at your school, then use seed instead which is all about the promise of a future harvest, one we will reap only if seeds are planted and tended with diligence. And there you can talk about the word diligence and what that means.

The next one is dried fruits, which are harvest gifts of our bountiful land.

M&Ms are memories of those who came before us to guide us to a blessed future.

And the last one is Hershey Kisses, which are a symbol of the love of family and friends that sweetens our lives.

You could start with an empty big bowl, and then have students help you to add full packages and stir it all up.

Then everyone gets a baggy to fill up from the large bowl which can be staples until they get home (or eat right away in class as a reward or party snack.

Then if you want to build on that at the very end, you could also then do some type of writing assignment where the students write about other things maybe that they would like to add to the mix.

With their good ideas, you could continue the following year to keep adding different items in your Thanksgiving Thankful Mix.

So that’s a super fun activity and easy activity to prep and do.

I will have the Thanksgiving thankful mix PDF below to download and staple to the student baggies.

I hope you have enjoyed and that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, no matter where you live.

I’m sure that I will talk to you soon again at the Organized Classroom blog! Okay. Bye.

Enjoy and I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday coming up soon!

~Charity

The post Thanksgiving Thankful Mix appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Seems like we sometimes jump right from Halloween to Christmas, and Thanksgiving doesn’t always get its due. 

This idea could be done by the teacher as a gift for herself or himself to display, it could be a fun party activity that is led by a parent and then given to the teacher, a family activity for Thanksgiving Day, or it could even be a fun idea for a homeschool family to be done at home!

I originally made this with cardstock and vinyl. And it was pretty cute!

But – we don’t all have access to a cutting machine.

Or if you’re like me, you might have a love/hate relationship with the one you do have. I spend so much time trying to figure out how to make it do what I want it to do, it doesn’t really save me any time at all. Haha!

So, I also created the printable below that you could also use instead of a cutting machine.

Simply download the freebies below and print on what color cardstock you like.

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for classroom decor and instructional materials in the classroom you can make yourself?  This 219 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 25 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:

• Simple Chair Pockets
• DIY Classroom Mailboxes
• Cute Student Birthday Snacks
• Page Protector Solutions
• Easy Center Sign Holders
• Pocket Chart Makeovers

…and even more!

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

See it HERE.

Next, I used regular paint and dipped fingers in the paint an onto the page to make the leaves. 

You could choose to use all one color leaves – or even write the kids’ names on or next to their fingerprints when they dried if you really want to remember which one belonged to which student.  Maybe even have the students all sign the back side of the paper?

After it dries, place it into a cheap dollar store frame, set it on your desk, or wrap it up as a gift! 

I know I would LOVE a truly thankful gift like this at Thanksgiving just to be reminded of the blessings we have in our classroom each and every day.  This would be so neat to have every year to display – almost like a class picture.

Or send home the template and have students do it at home with their own families. In lieu of the fingerprints, each family member could just write on the paper what they are thankful for and then use colored pencil to color it in as a leaf.

The year could also be added in at the bottom.

It really is a fun and easy activity! 

I was done in less than an hour by using my handy hair drier to dry the paint.

Download your templates below.

I am curious, what are YOU most thankful for as a teacher this year?

~Charity

The post A Nice “Thankful” Activity Tutorial appeared first on Organized Classroom.