by California Casualty | Educators |
Author: Erin Randolph has taught elementary school for ten years. She lives in Olathe, KS with her husband, son, and daughter.
After a short winter break, teachers will be returning to their classrooms (and virtual classrooms) to begin the 2nd semester of the school year. The new semester brings with it a fresh start. It can also be stressful jumping back into a hectic schedule after such a blissful break.
Try making some of these small changes to help ease this transition.
Get Organized
An organized classroom and workspace are important for students and for teachers. Start small, like that messy, top desk drawer, or home office desk. Then work up to the big stuff, like the 4-drawer filing cabinet you haven’t touched in years.
I try to get one “space” completed each day. A good rule of thumb for questionable items: if you haven’t used it, looked at it, or touched it in a year, toss it or give it away. With your classroom and workspace uncluttered, you can focus more of your attention on students.
Make a Plan to Positively Communicate About Students
I began doing this a few years ago and I’ve never looked back. At the beginning of the 1st and 3rd quarters (September and January), I send home a message to each family regarding their student. I plan for one message per day, moving alphabetically through my roster. For teachers that are teaching remotely, an email or a text works just fine too!
In the messages, I praise students for accomplishments, positive behaviors, and hard work. My messages are only about a paragraph long and take less than 10 minutes to compose. Parents appreciate the communication from me and students are excited about being recognized for the things they are doing well in the classroom.
Don’t have time to do that? Try these printable positive notes home from The Brown Bag Teacher.
Dedicate a Time to Enter Grades
With everything that is going on in the world and in classrooms today, it’s hard to keep up with the grading itself, much less entering it into “the system.” To avoid this stress, carve out a time that you will solely dedicate to entering grades. This might be a daily routine or a weekly one.
Mine happens to be on Friday morning (before all the weekly homework comes in). I dedicate 30 minutes of my Friday plan time just for this task. When the quarter is over, I don’t have to worry about scrambling to get my “grades in.”
Plan Spot Checks for Struggling Students
Most teachers are consistently monitoring students who have difficulty. To more accurately monitor student progress, my district uses a web-based universal screener and progress monitoring program for reading and math. I set a notification on my school calendar to check on my struggling students.
Every other week, I check on my students who receive a math or reading intervention (help outside of the regular, core instruction time). I make note of students who are not making progress in their interventions and follow through with the appropriate teachers/interventionists. I also like to use student data folders; students track their own progress on weekly tests and quizzes. It’s efficient and effective for tracking student progress throughout the year and something to share with parents at conference time.
Get Students Involved in Goal Setting
Adults set New Year’s resolutions, so why shouldn’t students? The New Year is a great time for students to set academic and behavior goals for the semester. I ask students to:
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- Identify the specific goal (ex: score 8 out of 10 on weekly spelling test 4 weeks in a row)
- Make a plan for how they will accomplish the goal (ex: write spelling words 2 times each night)
- Provide evidence that they met goal (ex: 4 consecutive teacher-graded tests with a score of at least 80%)
If you are learning in-person, post the goals in the classroom where students will always see them. If not, have each student write them on sticky notes and place them where they can see them daily.
Take time during the quarter or semester to conference with students about said goals. Are students making progress towards goals? Why or why not? What needs to change?
Check-in with yourself at the end of every school week and see if you are sticking to your resolutions, this will help hold you accountable and keep you on track.
Happy New Year and happy second semester, you’re almost there! You can do it!
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
by California Casualty | Educators, Safety |
Much like all else in 2020, this holiday season is sure to look a little different this year. And unfortunately, many of us will not be together, like we had planned; but that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on all of the fun with our friends and families!
Whether you are a teacher hosting a party for your remote learning class or a family staying socially distant at your holiday gathering, we’ve got an array of ideas to help you have fun at your virtual holiday party.
Check out our list of Zoom holiday party ideas below.
1.Virtual Ugly Sweater Contest
No holiday party is complete without everyone going completely all out in their festive gear! Invite each person on your Zoom call or in your virtual classroom to show off their ugly sweaters and have everyone vote on their favorites.
Don’t want anyone to have to buy an ugly sweater? Try dressing up with Santa hats, elf ears, or reindeer antlers; or hold a contest for the best holiday decor or funniest holiday Zoom background! The possibilities are endless. For prizes print off certificates or send e-gift cards.
2. Play a Game
There are tons of games that you can play together with your class or friends and family that can be taken virtual like: Trivia, Simone Says, Scattergories, Heads Up, 20 Questions, Zoom In, etc. Here are a few funs ones that you can try with your crew:
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- Carol Pictionary
- Use the Zoom whiteboard feature, split into teams and take turns guessing the carol that is being drawn, you must SING the carol to win.
- Charades
- Come up with a fun list of Holiday sayings or movie titles, have everyone split into teams, and let the fun begin
- Festive Bingo
- Make or buy virtual bingo cards and email them out prior to your event
- Name That! – Holiday Edition
- Have someone volunteer to DJ (if you are a teacher that means you) and challenge your guests to name that Holiday Tune! You could even play using short youtube clips of your favorite festive movies.
- Guess the Gift
- Have each player wrap something up as a “gift” and everyone else try and guess what it is by asking only questions!
3. Send Holiday Gift Boxes & Open Them
Wish everything going on in the world today, it can be hard to get into the holiday spirit. Sending a holiday gift package can be an easy way to spread cheer and a physical reminder that even though you are apart, you can still celebrate together. You can even have everyone wait to open them until you are on your virtual call together. Here are some ideas of what you can include in your packages:
For Students: Holiday bingo card, hot chocolate, holiday-themed or cozy socks, a handwritten note, holiday-themed pens, pencils, or note pads, candy
For Friends and Family Members: Holiday games to play, homemade treats, holiday drinking favorites, gift cards, holiday-themed clothing items: ugly sweaters, hats, socks, etc., blankets, holiday movies, photo booth prompts
4. Do Holiday Crafts
What’s not to love about holiday crafting? It’s cheap and something that you can do with people of all ages. You can even keep your creations and use them as decorations next year! Here are some easy(ish) holiday crafting ideas to try:
5. Host a Virtual Holiday Scavenger Hunt
This past year we’ve all spent a lot of time sitting behind the screen. Scavenger hunts are easy ways to get everyone up and moving and they are so easy to do! To make an at-home holiday scavenger hunt, come up with a list of festive items or descriptions of items that can easily be found inside everyone’s home this time of year (or you could just find one on Pinterest).
If you plan on making your own scavenger hunt here are some easy ideas to put on your list:
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- Something shiny
- Something makes noise
- Something the Grinch would love
- Something you could put in a stocking
- A prop that could have been used in “Home Alone”
- Something a reindeer would eat
- Something better than presents
- Something you could use as a Tree
- Something that resembles snow
- Something as tall as an elf
- Something you can tie into a bow
Have a good laugh when everyone comes together (virtually) to share their findings!
6. Enjoy a Holiday Treat Together
What brings people together more than food? Exactly. Have everyone bring one (or more than one) of their favorite treats to the party to enjoy while doing other activities!
For Teachers: You can send them holiday treats before your party, or have them bring a treat of their choice (doesn’t have to be holiday related) to eat with their peers while having fun!
For Friends and Family Members: Make your favorite holiday dishes or desserts to enjoy surrounded by your favorite people.
7. Host a Talent Show
Have each person come to the virtual party with a Holiday talent in mind to show off to their peers. This can be anything from acting out a Holiday movie, singing or playing an instrument to the tune of a Carol, showing off their design skills by dressing up as a well-known character, telling Holiday Jokes, decorating cookies, or gingerbread, etc.
The talent show is purely for entertainment purposes and should be voluntary so shyer party-goers can sit back and have fun watching the show, but don’t forget to send out a signup sheet at least a week before so everyone has time to prepare!
and last but not least, remember to…
8. Keep Up With Any Traditions
We may not all be together right now, but that doesn’t mean we should stop partaking in our holiday traditions. It may take some adapting, but you’ve got this! It’s important (especially for our kids) that we can continue to make happy memories during the most wonderful time of the year.
For Teachers: If it’s traditional for your kids to create holiday cards for their parents- send your kids a holiday card template, let them decorate it, and give it to their parents. Or if you usually make ornaments, take time during your virtual party and work together online as a class to create them!
For Friends and Family Members: If your family has traditions like baking together, singing carols, putting on your new PJs, and watching movies- you can do all of these things virtually at your holiday party as well. Sure, it’s not the same as being together, but it’s the next best thing.
Don’t forget! – No party is complete without some festive tunes! Check out our kid-friendly Holly Jolly Holidays Playlist on Spotify to set the mood for your virtual holiday party this season. Click here to listen.
This article is furnished by California Casualty. We specialize in providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
by California Casualty | Educators |
If anyone deserves a supersized, overflowing stocking this year, it’s teachers. These heroes of the (virtual) classroom have been going above and beyond, keeping our kids on track and learning during an unexpected pandemic – no small feat!
Give them the big thanks they deserve by making this year’s holiday gift extra special. Personalize it if you can (ask your child if they remember their teacher mentioning any favorite pastimes, hobbies, or likes). If you don’t have much information to go on, practical gifts are always appreciated – especially by teachers and administrators who juggle so much every day.
Start with any clues your child might have, check out the list below, and then build from there!
1. Handwritten card or note – A thoughtful, heartfelt holiday card and message from your child will make their teacher’s year. These are often the gifts that stay with educators for years to come.
2. Gift cards – You can’t go wrong with gift cards. Target, coffee, Amazon, gas, Apple, restaurants, iTunes – the list is endless. They’re a super practical gift that will definitely get used!
3. TpT e-card – Help educators take a lesson planning load off this holiday by giving them a gift card for their Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) account. Shop and send it in seconds here.
4. Office supplies – Besides needing supplies to keep classwork and lessons organized, many teachers secretly adore creative, whimsical, and cool supplies. Check out sticky notes, to-do list pads, novelty paper clips, themed stickers, daily planners, and more.
5. Customized stationery – There are all kinds of online services that let you customize paper goods and stationery items such as notepads, note cards, letter writing paper sets, address labels, pencils, thank you notes, and stickers.
6. Coffee – Educators may be one of the most caffeinated of professionals. How about getting them a gift certificate or subscription for a new roast to change up their morning ritual? If this one seems a little expensive, don’t worry a few bags (or Kcups) of their favorite cup of Joe should do the trick 😉
7. Mug or tumbler – Help teachers stay hydrated (or caffeinated!) all day long with a quirky, contemporary, or inspirational mug. Teachers are famously oftentimes mug collectors, so this is a pretty safe bet.
8. Fun, festive or teacher-themed socks – There are a million and one different novelty-themed socks online. These won’t break the bank (or break on the way to school with your child) and offer the warmth of the hugs that we can’t share today. Plus, sizing is a no-brainer!
9. Snacks – Teachers barely get enough time to finish their lunches – even ones who work remotely. So, you can never go wrong with snacks. Don’t worry, they aren’t picky – chocolate, popcorn, candy, chips! Let’s load those snack drawers.
10. A nice pencil pouch – A high-quality zipper pouch is the perfect organizer for highlighters, markers, pens, pencils, and correction tape. There are a ton of great designs out there too – good luck trying to choose!
11. A charging station – We’re all living on our devices right now – and running down batteries quicker than ever. Keep your child’s teacher charged for the day by gifting a portable charger, charging station, extra charging cords or USB power bank.
12. Tech gadgets – Make teachers’ remote work lives a little more enjoyable with gadgets such as an iPhone or IPad tripod, ring light, or universal cable.
And what not to get….
As you narrow your list, here’s a gentle reminder of some things to leave off of it. Though well-intentioned, the following presents either aren’t very practical or are gifted so often they end up collecting dust in closets or cupboards.
- “World’s Greatest Teacher” clothing, cups, posters, etc.
- Ornaments and other holiday knick-knacks
- Stuffed animals
- Jewelry
As with all gift-giving, thoughtfulness counts more than anything else during the holidays. A little brainstorming with your child could well result in the perfect gift – and extra holiday cheer to fuel their teacher for the New Year ahead.
Happy gifting and happy holidays!
This article is furnished by California Casualty. We do not take ownership of any photo featured in this article; all photos have been linked to their owner. California Casualty specializeas in providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
by California Casualty | Educators |
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The excitement of the looming Winter Break can be felt in every classroom, and what better way to celebrate than with some fun and festive Bulletin Boards? It’s officially to de-stress and have fun creating some winter bulletin boards for your kids and classroom.
We’ve pulled together our favorite ideas for Winter, Christmas, and more below. Check them out! And for all the teachers teaching remotely, you don’t miss out on the fun! Use these ideas for your Zoom backgrounds, or even create (fake) bulletin board on a blank wall at home!
1. School Door…or Gingerbread House?
Go big or go home, right? You could even put kid’s names or pictures on the gumdrops!
2. Take an #sELFie
Literally, the cutest thing we have ever seen. Take student #sELFies and send them to parents as Christmas cards!
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas
Throw it back to your childhood, with a classic Snoopy bulletin board. You can even add each child’s name or photo on the lights, like they have below.
4. A Kindness Christmas Tree
Make a countdown until break and reveal a new kindness quote each day.
5. Frozen-Themed
Winter isn’t complete without Olaf in your classroom!
6. Under Elf Surveillance
This elf can be on mask duty in the hallway OR or classroom duty, just put it on your door.
7. ….Or You Could Use a Different Elf
You could use so many different sayings on this Buddy the Elf Bulletin Board.
8. Wall of Joy
We’d be lying if we didn’t tell you this one was our favorite. Put this in the hall and have each child write what brings them joy 🙂 (for sanitary reasons, be sure to have them use their own writing tool)
9. Rudolph ft. DIY Christmas Ornaments
Have kids make their own ornaments! Want something a bit more simple? Just showcase the ornaments hanging from the top of the bulletin board instead.
10. Reading Makes You Bright
We love the symbolism! Except in the photo, all of the snowflakes are the same…So, be sure to have your students each make snowflakes to hang on your board!
11. Don’t be a GRINCH be Kind
Because who doesn’t love The Grinch?
12. Oh Deer! Christmas is Almost Here
Each child can make their own unique reindeer.
13. Chillin’ With My Snowmies
You could leave it as is, or for a larger board have each student make a snowman or Santa-gnome!
14. If Santa Was Stuck In My Chimney…
You can’t beat a funny holiday writing prompt!
15. A Tree Made of Border
So we know this technically isn’t a bulletin board, but what a cool idea to make a tree out of extra border paper!
16. Fa-la-la Singing Reindeer
Holiday cuteness overload
17. Learning is a Gift
A classic, that is easy to create and really make your own. Put subjects or children’s names on the presents!
18. Loco for Cocoa
Another easy writing prompt idea, kids can write their perfect hot cocoa recipe and decorate their own mug.
19. Stockings Hung By The Chimney With Care
Keep it nice and cozy this winter with this cute classroom fireplace. Kids can even make their own stockings and hang them up for Santa!
20. Teacher-Elves in a Snow Globe
Don’t be afraid to make a silly bulletin board like this, it’s guaranteed to make your student’s day!
21. Fal la la la llama
Because Christmas doesn’t always have to be able elves and reindeer.
and, last but not least, our honorable mention…
Frosty’s Baby Picture
A true work of art.
Head over to our Pinterest for more Christmas & Winter Bulletin Board options! Don’t forget to give us a follow at California Casualty to stay up to date on every new idea we discover! Scan our Pincode with your Pinterest camera to follow:
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. California Casualty does not own any of the photos in this post, all are sources by to their original owners. Get a quote at 1.800.800.9410 or www.calcas.com.
by California Casualty | Educators |
Distance learning certainly has its challenges, but it’s also an opportunity to get creative and think outside the box.
Creative approaches to learning STEAM subjects – science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics – help students developing important skills such as critical thinking, innovation, and collaboration.
Below are ten STEAM activities designed to get your students’ creative juices flowing and log off the screen for some analog learning.
1. The Solar System as Muse
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- How it works: This activity bridges art, Earth and space sciences by having students use artistic elements to understand and portray the cosmos.
- Materials needed: Drawing paper, drawing media (e.g. pastels, watercolors, crayons, markers or pencils), gummy erasers, Q-tips, cleaning wipes, fixative (optional).
- Learn more: See lesson plans and downloadable materials here.
2. X-Rays and Anatomies
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- How it works: This simple activity gives students an inside peek at different animal skeletons and then asks them to turn that x-ray vision on themselves. Includes different lesson options.
- Materials needed: Animal x-ray printouts (use links provided or find your own), paper, pencil, scissors, pretzel sticks and/or pretzel loops.
- Learn more: See lesson plan and info here.
3. Light-Up Greeting Card
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- How it works: This activity helps children learn about electrical circuits, and by the end of the lesson they end up with a glowing card to light up someone’s day.
- Materials needed: Card stock or construction paper, coin or AA battery, drawing media (crayons, markers, pencils), stickers (optional), tape (electrical or masking), scissors, LED or old holiday lights.
- Learn more: See full instructions here. Note: this activity requires parental supervision.
4. Pipe Cleaner Constellations
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- How it works: Students use pipe cleaners and beads to learn about the stars, their names, and constellations. Includes several activity variations.
- Materials needed: Book or website on constellations, beads, pipe cleaners, scissors, glow in the dark paint (optional).
- Learn more: See instructions and optional downloadable materials here.
5. Clothespin Building Challenge
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- How it works: Kids get a primer on the fun of engineering by building structures out of simple, everyday materials. Includes five different options for building the tallest or strongest structure, as well as other engineering design challenges.
- Materials needed: Colored craft sticks, binder clips, wooden clothespins.
- Learn more: Full lesson available here.
6. Autumn Leaf Lab
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- How it works: By collecting and experimenting on leaves in their own backyards, kids learn about the chemistry of leaves and why they change color in the fall. Includes lessons for younger and older students.
- Materials needed: Leaves, rubbing alcohol, jars with lids, butter knife, large bowl, coffee filters, hot water, plates, scissors.
- Learn more: Full instructions and links here.
7. Biodiversity Field Study
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- How it works: By finding and studying the living beings in their geographic locale (backyard, park, community garden, etc.), students gain an understanding of animal phyla and taxonomy.
- Materials needed: Paper, pen or pencil, digital camera (optional), magnifying glass (optional).
- Learn more: Lesson instructions and teaching prompts here.
8. Weather News Deep-Dive
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- How it works: By researching a single weather event in the news, students not only learn about weather events and impacts, but also the different ways the event is reported in news outlets and publications.
- Materials needed: Copies of news stories (find your own or use those provided in-lesson), chart paper, markers.
- Learn more: Lesson instructions and teaching prompts here.
9. Climate Postcards
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- How it works: Students learn about the world’s different climate zones and interpret data by using a creative postcard project.
- Materials needed: Worksheets/print-outs (links supplied).
- Learn more: Download worksheets and lesson info here.
10. Ocean Studies: The Twilight Zone
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- How it works: This activity engages kids to learn about the fascinating creatures that live in the ocean’s “twilight zone” – the mysterious layer of ocean that lies between the sunlit zone and the dark abyss below.
- Materials needed: Books/materials about twilight zone animals, drawing media (crayons, markers, pencils), a bucket, design materials (plastic wrap, straws, wax paper, etc.), paper, scissors, tape.
- Learn more: See instructions here.
Just because we’re stuck at home doesn’t mean we can’t be creative. Many of the above projects are hosted on sites with lots of STEAM activities – take some time to look through and bookmark more lessons for later!
This article is furnished by California Casualty. We specialize in providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
by California Casualty | Educators |
Much like all holidays, Halloween is going to look quite a bit different this year, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be fun (and spooky, of course).
No matter if you are back in the classroom or virtual learning, here are some fun, socially distant Halloween activities that you can do all week long with your students.
Carve Virtual Pumpkins
ABCYa has a free game on their website called “Carve It” where kids can draw on a pumpkin and it will carve it for them virtually. Unlike real pumpkins, they can easily click undo or reset when they mess up and there is no cleanup!
Boo! Your Students
You might have heard of the trend “Booing! your neighbors”, but if not, it’s basically just surprising them with Halloween Treats. All you have to do is put together a bag of goodies and a note saying that they’ve been “Booed!” and leave it on their doorstep when they aren’t home.
You can Boo! your students by leaving Halloween goodie bags at their desks. If you are remote learning, you could Boo! them at their homes or if you want to go an easier route, you could send them a fun email letting them know they have been Booed!
Play Halloween-Themed Games
There are all kinds of games that can be tailored to meet the Halloween-theme. Here are a few of our favorites:
Halloween PowerPoint Races- Games4esl.com has created this super fun and socially distant Halloween-themed PowerPoint race for students. All they have to do is answer the questions correctly and they will move forward in the race. Click HERE to download the document and read the instructions.
Hallo-Charades- Gather together a list of Halloween terms and split students into two teams. Like a game of regular charades, each group must have someone act out the Halloween term that they have been given in their time window if they do not then the other team gets a chance to guess. Correct answers get points!
Halloween-Themed Virtual Escape Rooms- Click HERE to get into the free kid-friendly Halloween virtual escape room. Have students work individually or into virtual break out groups to solve this creepy riddle. If older kids want to get in on the fun (or you have a few overachievers in your class) have them check out this free Harry Potter-themed virtual escape room! Click HERE to enter.
Draw a Monster- This may be the easiest and most fun game you have ever played with your students, and it works great with remote and in-person classes! Have your students each take out a piece of paper and a pencil. Click HERE to play the video and have each child draw what they think the scary Halloween monster looks like based on the description it gives.
Halloween Printables- Printable activities are always good alternatives to group games. You can download a free Halloween Word Search and Build a Jack-O-Lantern activity to either print out or email to all of your students to complete on their own.
Host a Halloween Costume Party/Contest
Even if there is no parade to show them off, kids still want their friends to see what they are being for Halloween. So, on the last day of the week, let kids wear their costumes to class (even if you are remote learning). You could even print out awards and let the kids vote on the best, funniest, and scariest costumes!
For those in person, let parents know the costumes must be something that they can sit in all day and they must still wear masks.
Want to make the week extra spooktacular? Try using these fun Halloween-Themed Zoom Backgrounds and don’t forget to play our Halloween Party Spotify Playlist during your activities.
Have a happy and safe Halloween!
This article is furnished by California Casualty. We specialize in providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
