Whether you're planning an activity for a child's birthday party, family night, or for your classroom, crowd-pleasing craft kits offer more fun-for-less! If you're already enjoying the convenience of Oriental Trading's easy-to-make, prepackaged craft kits for 1-12 kids, these money-saving ideas will show how you can also use craft kits to save on gifts, birthday parties and more.
An apple for the teacher? You can do better than that! Whether you’re a student, parent, or an administrator, chances are there’s a teacher (or several) who you’d like to thank. Here are 10 easy ways to put a new spin on the “old school” tradition of letting teachers know they’re appreciated.
Classroom organization saves valuable time and maximizes efficiency, so it’s key to set up your classroom space in an organized manner right from the start. These 9 simple strategies will help you organize your room and keep it that way.
It’s important that kids feel involved in holiday celebrations. At home or in the classroom, holiday craft projects are a great way to help kids feel included. With just a few supplies, you can help kids make fun and easy paper decorations for every holiday, or create simple gifts for mom and dad.
Celebrate your 100th day of school with fun paper craft projects kids will love. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.
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Use the power of hands-on learning in your classroom with creative projects for kids! If you're looking for activities to reinforce your lesson plan, engage students, inspire creativity, and make learning fun for everyone, try these free project ideas! You can print step-by-step project instructions to make classroom time more efficient, plus each project includes a convenient supply list. LOOK what KIDS can DO!™
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By Penny Warner
When the weather turns chilly and Jack Frost nips at the classroom windows, tie your lesson plans around a wintry theme. Your students will have a cool time as they learn about this special season.
Let It Snow!
Turn your classroom into a Winter Wonderland, filled with all kinds of “snow” activities. First, cover the walls with a Snow Scape Scene and set out a giant inflatable snowman. Have students make their own snowflakes then stick them on all the windows. Let them make snowmen out of clay or dough and set them around the room. Put on a puppet show using snowmen finger puppets. Give the kids snowflake kazoos and flutes and make it a musical! Pass out snow themed craft supplies to work with, such as glitter pens, erasers, notepads, stickers, stampers, etc. and have the students make their own wintertime bookmarks, book covers and book bags. Buy winter craft kits for the students and let them make snow globes and Marshmallow Snowmen. Have the students dress up in snow gear, take pictures of them next to the snow scene backdrop then let them decorate snowflake frames for the photos.
By Penny Warner
Nothing cheers up a classroom more than a big beautiful bulletin board! It’s easy to come up with a theme – just look out the window! Bring the four seasons indoors with these simple yet creative ideas and cover your waiting walls.
After you’ve tacked up the background, choose something that ties the seasons together and continues throughout the year, such as a tree, some kids, or a few well-chosen words using message magnets.
One significant way educators can help develop students' sense of worth and social conscience is to empower students to make a difference. There are many ways students can impact their community and the lives of others by volunteering their time and talents. Here are just a few ideas your class or school can use to get involved outside the classroom.
By Penny Warner
We all do things for rewards. We work for money, praise, approval, even self-satisfaction. Kids are no different, except that they need more concrete types of rewards than adults.
Rewards are not a substitute for praise. We parents and teachers must always tell our children and students they’re doing a good, they’re improving and we care about them, because positive reinforcement works a lot better than negative reinforcement. Too many times we notice when they’re misbehaving, or not doing their work, or getting into trouble. Instead, we need to “catch them being good,” and reward that behavior with positive statements and fun incentives.
Here are some ways to help you “catch them being good” and ways to reward them.
