We know teachers like you need plenty of time to plan ahead. That’s why last month’s
OUT OF THE BOX feature invited you to send in activity ideas celebrating autumn.
The result? Our offices were flooded with more than 700 clever classroom-tested
ideas for fall! How incredible is that? So here’s a big shout out—plus a big A+ for creativity,
content and effort—for each and every one of you who contributed.
Read on to enjoy just a small sampling of the inspiring OUT OF THE BOX Fall
Celebration ideas your colleagues dreamed up. Then stay tuned. We’ll be sharing
more ideas in the months ahead. Meanwhile, read on to see how you can contribute
your ideas right now!
 Out of the Box: Fall Celebration Ideas
Like we said, we received hundreds of wonderful “Out of the Box” ideas for celebrating
fall. Here are four of our favorites:
What’s Round and Orange and Teaches Kids Map Skills?
Idea by Charlene, 4th Grade Teacher, Washington, Pennsylvania
At the beginning of the year, map skills are the primary Social Studies focus for my
class. more...
Autumn Leaf Spirals Set the Mood.
Idea by Connie, 1st Grade Teacher, Denair, California.
Decorate both sides of a paper plate in fall colors. Then cut it into a spiral. more...
This Spider Party Captures their Interest and Imagination.
Idea by Kristin, 2nd Grade Teacher, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Instead of a Halloween party, have a spider party. more...
Colorful Leaf Graph Display Fosters Seasonal Science Concepts and More!
Idea by Allison, Primary Teacher, DeKalb, Illinois.
Each student brings in two leaves that are found in the fall. more...
Story of the Month
The Real Meaning of Teaching and Learning.
Idea by Lynda, 3rd Grade Teacher, Galion, Ohio.
My class and I have just gone through an incredibly difficult year. more...
Teacher's Solution
Not Enough Face Time with Parents?
Idea by Shibahn, 2nd Grade Teacher, Dayton, Texas.
This year I tried something new. I set aside time for parent conferences three times in the school year - beginning, middle, and end. more...
New Teacher Suggestion
Never Feel Overwhelmed Again:
An Innovative Approach that Really Works!
Idea by Shannon, 2nd and 3rd Grade Teacher, Binghamton, New York.
Be very organized! I keep a binder that is my teaching bible. more...
Management Tips
Forget Rules! Here’s the Key to Getting Kids to Cooperate.
Idea by Devorah, 1st Grade Teacher, Spring Valley, New York.
At the beginning of the year, I create a classroom agreement with my class. more...
Provide a Magic Carpet Ride to Better Class Management.
Idea by Amy, 1st Grade Teacher, Bentonville, Arkansas.
It is always a challenge at the beginning of the year for students in first grade to line up in "number order" - each student is assigned a number that they have all year long for use in everything we do in class. more...
Here’s How to Increase the Peace.
Idea by Cindy, 1st Grade Teacher, Thousand Oaks, California.
I believe in having all children actively participate in taking care of our class needs. more...
Activities and Ideas
Want to Plan a Special Event or Activity that Takes Place Before the School Year Begins? Here are 4 Ideas to Try:
Schedule a School Kick-Off Party.
Idea by Gena, 1st Grade Teacher, Valley Head, Alabama.
Before school begins each year I have a "getting to know you party." more...
Organize a Getting-to-Know-You “Media Blitz.”
Idea by Mary Lou, 5th Grade Teacher, Renton, Washington.
I like to start building a rapport with my students and their families before school starts. more...
Stuffed Animal “Name Tags” Guarantee Warm, Cuddly Connections.
Idea by Lenae, Kindergarten Teacher, Boca Raton, Flordia.
For the past 19 years, I welcome students at Open House, prior to the first day of school, with a tiny stuffed bear. more...
Keepsake Photos and Poems: A Tender Solution to Easing First Day Fears and Tears.
Idea by Stephanie, Kindergarten Teacher, Valrico, Florida.
For those Kindergarten teachers, it can be tough to watch the separation anxiety that little ones, and moms and dads, go through on the first day of school. more...
Here Are Six Ideas for Starting Fresh and Staying Strong:
Invite Children to Draw First-Day/ Last-Day Self-portraits.
Idea by Amy, 1st Grade Teacher, Massillon, Ohio.
On the first day of school, my students draw a picture of themselves. more...
Create Literature-based Love Notes.
Idea by Liz, Kindergarten and 1st Grade Teacher, El Paso, Texas.
In first grade to help with the first-day jitters we start the day by reading The Kissing Hand to our students. more...
Now Little Ones Can Feel Comfortable with New School Faces.
Idea by Debra, Kindergarten Teacher, Yulee, Florida.
I like to help the new little ones feel comfortable with all the new faces they are going to meet on the school campus. more...
Let Day-of-the-Week Groups Help You Get Your Act in Gear.
Idea by Trudy, 2nd Grade Teacher, Raleigh, North Carolina.
At the beginning of the school year, I group my students into the days of the week: Monday students, Tuesday students, etc. more...
Silhouette Meet & Greets Help Older Kids Get Acquainted Fast.
Idea by Michelle, 5th Grade Teacher, Maple Glen, Pennsylvania.
I use this activity during the first week of school to get to know my students better. more...
How About them Apples, Oranges and Name Games? Oh, My!
Idea by Linda, 4th Grade Teacher in Duxbury, Massachusetts.
To combine greeting my children and, in turn, helping them meet each other, I have two activities I do on the first day of school. more...
The Question And Answer Forum
This month's question was sent in by Cindy
, who teaches in Cedar Park, TX:
Does anyone have a really good and simple discipline management system that's easy to implement with 1st graders, and more importantly, easy to stick with throughout the year?
Click here to respond...
Ask a question
Would you like to ask a question and have teachers from around the country give you their responses? Click here!
Last month's question was sent in by Connie, who teaches in Ukiah, CA:
Does anyone have any great activities for Kindergarten or first graders to do on the first day/week of school?
Click here to read what teachers had to say!
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
"It's not what is poured into a student but what is planted."
-L.Conway |
|
 |
|
 |
Want another chance to contribute
to our OUT OF THE
BOX feature? If so, this
month’s question is: What
innovative Ice Breakers do
you use on the first day of
school? If we publish your
response, we’ll send you a
$25 gift certificate.
CLICK HERE!
Of course, we continue to welcome your
Management Tips, Craft
Ideas, Dealing with Parents and Story of the Month submission.Whenever your idea is published, you receive a $25 gift certificate! |
|
 |
 |
|
Treasure Hunt For Bargains!
Visit the Really Good Stuff Outlet Store! Savings up to 70% off!
CLICK HERE! |
|
 |
|
Create a Product - WIN A PRIZE!
We’re always interested in hearing your ideas for new products. And if we turn your suggestion into a product, we’ll send you a $25 gift certificate plus a free copy of the finished product*
click here to enter!
|
|
|
*Must be an original idea not already in development. In case more than one teacher supplies a similar idea, the first one submitted will receive the prize.
|
|
What do you think?
Here’s your chance to let us know how a Really Good Stuff® product is working for you!
We’d love to hear testimonials of things that are working well
We also want to know if you’ve got a suggestion on a product you wish worked better!
CLICK HERE! |
|
|
|
