18 Winter Learning and Teaching Ideas

18 Winter Learning and Teaching Ideas

Got the winter blahs? Looking for some new teaching ideas to inspire your students? Well, bring on the snowflakes and flurries with these amazing ideas.

1. Fine Motor Skills
https://earlylearningideas.com/winter-fine-motor-activities/

Work on fine motor skills with these winter craft ideas, from Marshmallow Letter activities and Hammering into Ice  to sorting in a sensory bin.                                                                                                                                                 
2. Sensory Play Learning
https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/winter-activities-for-kids-winter-sensory-play-learning/

Gotta try Snowflake Slime and Hot Chocolate Scented Cloud Dough!

3. Winter Books and Crafts
http://www.readingconfetti.com/2013/01/25-winter-books-and-crafts-for-kids.html

A nice selection of winter books along with matching crafts to do.

4. Winter Science Experiments
https://lemonlimeadventures.com/must-try-winter-science-experiments-for-kids/

Snow Volcanoes? Snow storm in a Jar? Biology of Bread? Find it here for primary grades.

5. Winter Solstice Activities
https://carrotsareorange.com/winter-solstice-activities-for-kids/

Try Classic Medallion Snowflakes, Orange Bird Feeder, and reading some winter books.

6. Winter Storytelling Activities
https://nurturestore.co.uk/storytelling-activities

Make a Fairy Land, Make your own Ice Palace, Learn to Read with Speech Bubbles are just of few of these activities made to inspire imagination and play.

7. STEM Activities
https://leftbraincraftbrain.com/28-days-of-stem-activities-and-steam-activities-for-kids/

Indoor Soil Science and Engineering Challenge, Explore Force & Motion with STEAM Activities, Homemade Pan Flutes and more.

8. Learn about Arctic Animals
https://www.giftofcuriosity.com/arctic-animals-9-learning-activities/

Arctic Animals Camouflage, Arctic animal identification, Blubber experiment to learn about Arctic animal adaptations and other fun ideas to try.

9. Winter Observation Journal
https://theeducatorsspinonit.com/looking-for-signs-of-winter-after/

10. Free Winter Printables
http://cottonridgehomeschool.com/2014/02/21/winter-themed-educational-activities-for-kids-free-printables/

11. 55 Winter Olympic Activities and Crafts for Kids
https://tipjunkie.com/winter-olympic-activities-and-crafts-for-kids/

Ski Jump 3-d Art, Balloon Hockey, Luge Marble Track Race Indoor Game, Tacky the Penguin and the Winter Math Games, Winter Sports Writing, free printables, and other original ideas for indoor learning and play.

12. Winter Terrarium
http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/winter-wonderland-terrarium/

13. Investigate Winter Weather
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=62

Click winter storm activities for lesson plans on investigating the weather.

14. Winter Themed Classroom Ideas
http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/winter-theme-gradesK-5.html

The Shadow Knows I, Hibernation Worksheet, Daylight Savings Time, Ping-Pong Avalanches, Extreme Cold Prevention Guide,Starry Night Education and other ideas for elementary grades.

15. Winter Learning Packets
https://www.mcas.k12.in.us/winter

 Elementary, Middle and High School student packets to promote academic success during winter break. Great idea for an intervention tool or homework idea.

16. Pre K-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide (for winter, too)
https://www.plt.org/curriculum/environmental-education-activity-guide/

Apply for a grant for project funding or attend a training for the teaching materials.

17. Lists and Rules of Olympic sports
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/guides/Sports/Olympics.pg_01.html

18. Snowy Day Winter Lessons
https://www.teachhub.com/snowy-day-winter-lesson-ideas

Precipitation-Inspired Problems, Weather's Effect on History, Snowy Prose: Snow Day Adventure Story, Snowy Poetry and more.

Imagery provided by glitter-graphics.com

Valentine's Day Flash Freebie

FLASH FREEBIE from now until?

"What the world really needs is more love and less paper work."- Pearl Bailey

A Valentine’s Day and the 8 Parts of Speech color version is offered here.

Valentines Day and the 8 Parts of Speech

In Valentine’s Day and the 8 Parts of Speech, learners read 46 funny, infamous Valentine’s Day quotes with nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, interjection, conjunctions or prepositions. It's perfect for Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day and the 8 Parts of Speech can be used as...

*a whole group class game
*in cooperative learning groups
*an ELA center
*an intervention
*an assessment

Valentine's Day and the 8 Parts of Speech includes...

*useful links
*directions for use
*46 task cards
*2 answer keys
*2 rewards cards
*student recording sheets


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FLASH FREEBIE UNIT FROM NOW UNTIL ?

FLASH-FREEBIE

FLASH FREEBIE from now until ? Hilarious! Pets in Disguise Writing Prompts Unit is a collection of funny dogs and cats in their groovy costumes. Amazingly fun for interactive whiteboard use. Suann F. said, "Lots of laughter and creative writing happening!"

This 5 week daily writing activity can be used as...

• whole group activity
• intervention
• assessment

Pets in Disguise Writing Prompts Unit includes...

• teaching tips
• evaluation rubric
• student journal print-outs
• 26 disguised pet scenes and key word writing prompts

21 December Holiday Celebrations Learning Fun

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   Happy winter holidays! I've found some interesting and fun holiday educational learning ideas for your classes. These 21 links are from a variety of celebrations. Try a few.

1. What is Kwanzaa? (K, 1 and 2)
https://www.learningtogive.org/units/kwanzaa-unity-within-community/what-kwanzaa

Students learn about the basic concepts surrounding the holiday of Kwanzaa.

2. Hanukkah Crafts for Kids
https://handsonaswegrow.com/hanukkah-crafts-kids/

Create crafts such as dreidel, Star of David, Hanukkah Advent calendar. Select from 44 different ideas. There are also Christmas crafts to make, too.

3. 12 Questions of Christmas - What is Hanukkah?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEHlA7U2nmA

Puppets answer the question of what Christmas and Hanukkah are.

4. Jewish Circle Dance Instruction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNiAuCAbMnQ

Why a circle dance? Find out the answer to this question and try some dance moves. 

6. Santas.net
http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm

How do other countries celebrate Christmas? Find out how over 50 countries celebrate Christmas. 

7.  Christmas in Europe 4k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzrBPzhPXUo

What is a Christmas market? It's not only a place to find classic wooden toys and foods sold only around Christmas.

8. Kevin's Kwanzaa | Children's Books Read Aloud
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Lyii40-G4

A story about Kwanzaa for elementary school grades.

9. Hanukkah Cookies with Sprinkles Read Aloud
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPd6F3z8_Kc

A Hanukkah story for elementary school grades.

10. What is Las Posadas? Christmas Around the World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne8fUWyT6SQ

Learn about what happens with Las Posadas in this short video.

11. How to Draw a Christmas Tree
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZLuMn8CZUQ

Grab a paper, pencil and colored pencils and draw along with the artist. 

12. Instrumental Christmas Music 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRXrqURyRy0

Relaxing holiday music (under 4 minutes long) with a fireplace.

13. Christmas Around the World Song | Christmas Traditions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtMN2XuSc7M

Learn about the traditions of other countries in this short video.

14. Crazy Santa Dance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACPaLwK4xCI

Follow these wild dance moves as best as you can in this fun dance!

15. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Rises And Lights 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPO2QFL4rV0

A time lapse of  events of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

16. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV1qLYukTH8

The Royal Ballet presents this dance segment from the Nutcracker.

17. Hanukkah Dance 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b62k_or5piM

Music string arrangement by Matt Conaway.

18. African Bell Carol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScHWbk_g98g

19. Arthur Fiedler & The Boston Pops Sleigh Ride
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9jKyI6N9rg

20. Vince Guaraldi Trio - Christmas Time Is Here 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PzetPqepXA

21. Nat King Cole Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhzxQCTCI3E

glitter-graphics.com

FLASH FREEBIE From Now Until ?

Flash Freebie Winter Scenic Writing Prompts Unit Interactive Whiteboard

Flash Freebie! Northern lights, angel making in the snow, polar bears, toboggans. Winter Scenic Writing Prompts is great for interactive white board use. This resource for 1 month of student journal writing includes:

• writing prompts for interactive whiteboard

• notes to teacher

• student journal stationary

• writing rubric

Winter Learning Fun Ideas

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   Is winter really here now? Maybe not yet. But, a teacher has got to plan. What can be done for winter learning fun on a budget? 

1. Hide and Seek Turkey
https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/stores/free-crafts

This free turkey template shows you what you'll need and how to make it. Every few weeks, get some free templates or craft ideas from this site. If you are in the area, there are free craft class for kids.

2. Edible Finger Paint Recipes 
http://kidslearninghq.com/crafts/edible-finger-paint-recipes-for-kids/

Learn how to make non-toxic finger paint for activities with kids.

3. Use Arts and Crafts in English Lessons
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/using-arts-crafts-arts-english-lessons

Ten tips to integrate English Language Arts activities in the classroom and focus on learning objectives at the same time.

4. 28 Winter Crafts for Kids
https://handsonaswegrow.com/28-winter-crafts-kids/

From ice catchers to edible bird feeders, and paper plate Arctic foxes, this site has very interesting and creative learning ideas to try... and the cutest puffy paint polar bear face!

5. Great Reasons for Arts and Crafts
https://nspt4kids.com/parenting/5-developmental-benefits-of-arts-and-crafts/

Read this great article about the benefits of arts and crafts. Try making snowflakes and creating cards for friends.

6. Winter Crafts
 https://www.easypeasyandfun.com/winter-crafts-for-kids-to-make/

Construction paper strips and doilies make beautiful snowmen!

7. Winter Themed Educational Tools
http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/winter-theme-gradesK-5.html

Lesson plans and activities for pre-k until high school are available here to download. An excellent unit geared for upper elementary and through high school is Weather Scope: An Investigative Study of Weather and Climate.

8. Teaching Outside in Winter
https://www.plt.org/educator-tips/teaching-outside-in-winter/

From Project Learning Tree, some useful ideas on how to teach out-of-doors in winter. Make snow animals for younger students,  identify trees for upper elementary and a whole module on forests for high school students.

9. Winter STEM Activities
https://www.steampoweredfamily.com/activities/winter-stem-activities/

Crystal growing, making winter lava maps, and igloo challenges are great fun!

10. Winter Science Ideas
https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/winter-science-ideas-kids/

Oobleck, snowman slime, snowstorm in a jar are just some of these indoor science activities.

Be back soon with some holiday learning ideas for your classroom!


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FLASH FREEBIE from now until ?? Happy Halloween!

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FLASH FREEBIE 

from now until?

FLASH-FREEBIE Halloween Frankies Conversion Math Distance Time Volume Mass
   Reading about Frankenstein or another monster story? This not so scary math follows the Mary Shelly story line in a fun way with word problems about distances, time, liquid volumes, masses, measurements and quantities. With Frankie's Conversion Math, get ready to convert measurements! Frankie's Conversion Math can be used as a class game, in cooperative groups or placed in a math center station. Frankie’s Conversion Math includes directions for the teacher, lesson plans, 30 task cards, Conversion Facts sheet, answer key, and two awards cards.