Author: adampetersoneducation

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to spread holiday cheer than by engaging in festive and fun activities with your little ones during the Christmas break? We believe that learning should be joyful and memorable. So, let’s unwrap the gift of quality time and create lasting memories with these delightful Christmas break activities for kids.

1. Gingerbread House Extravaganza: Transform your kitchen into a winter wonderland by building and decorating gingerbread houses. This classic activity not only sparks creativity but also enhances fine motor skills as kids carefully place candy decorations on their edible masterpieces. It’s a tasty and hands-on way to celebrate the season.
2. Storytime by the Fireplace: Cozy up by the fireplace or create a makeshift reading nook with blankets and pillows. Choose classic Christmas stories or let your children’s imagination run wild with holiday-themed books. Reading together not only fosters a love for literature but also provides an opportunity to discuss the values and traditions associated with Christmas.
3. DIY Ornaments and Decorations: Get crafty with DIY ornament-making sessions. Provide your little artists with various materials such as paper, glue, glitter, and beads to create unique ornaments that can be cherished for years to come. This hands-on activity not only promotes creativity but also encourages resourcefulness.
4. Christmas Movie Marathon: Set up a cozy movie corner with blankets and pillows, and let the Christmas movie marathon begin! Choose a mix of classic and new holiday films suitable for different age groups. Don’t forget the popcorn and hot cocoa. It’s a great way to relax and bond as a family during the festive season.
5. Outdoor Adventures in a Winter Wonderland: If you’re lucky enough to have a white Christmas, embrace the winter wonderland by engaging in outdoor activities. Build snowmen, have a friendly snowball fight, or go sledding. These activities promote physical exercise and allow kids to appreciate the beauty of nature during the holidays.
6. Baking Cookies for Santa: What’s Christmas without cookies for Santa? Gather the kids in the kitchen and bake a batch of delicious holiday cookies. Allow them to take the lead in measuring ingredients, mixing the dough, and using cookie cutters. It’s a tasty way to teach math and teamwork while creating treats for Santa and the whole family.
7. Virtual Caroling Session: Connect with loved ones near and far through a virtual caroling session. Gather the family around a computer or tablet and sing your favorite Christmas carols together. It’s a heartwarming way to share the holiday spirit with friends and relatives while staying connected during the festive season.

As we wrap up another year and celebrate the magic of Christmas, let’s remember that the most precious gift we can give our children is the gift of time and shared experiences. These fun Christmas break activities are not only entertaining but also educational, fostering creativity, teamwork, and a sense of wonder. From our family to yours, may your holiday season be filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Happy holidays! -Adam

Hello, teachers! As we transition from the colorful leaves of October to the cozy vibes of November, it’s the perfect time to infuse your elementary classroom with engaging activities that celebrate the season and inspire creativity. To help you make the most of this wonderful month, I’m here to share some fantastic ideas that will keep your students excited about learning throughout November.

Gratitude Journals: November is the month of thanksgiving, and what better way to instill the spirit of gratitude in your students than with gratitude journals? Have them decorate their own journals and write down one thing they’re thankful for each day. This practice can not only foster positivity but also improve their writing skills.

Cooking Class: Host a “Cooking Day” in your classroom where students prepare simple, kid-friendly Thanksgiving recipes. They can make mini pumpkin pies, turkey-shaped cookies, or cranberry sauce. This will not only teach them cooking skills but also give them a deeper understanding of the holiday’s traditions.

Fall Nature Walk: Take your students on a nature walk to observe the seasonal changes. Ask them to document what they see, hear, and smell. You can also turn this into a science lesson by discussing migration patterns, hibernation, and how animals and plants prepare for winter.

Fall-Themed Crafts: Engage your students in various autumn-themed arts and crafts projects. They can create leaf collages, pinecone animals, or even paint pumpkins. These projects allow them to express themselves creatively while also learning about the beauty of the season.

November is a magical time in the elementary classroom, filled with opportunities for exploration, creativity, and growth. With these fun and educational ideas, you can ensure that your students are not only learning but also making cherished memories. So, let’s embrace the season and create a November to remember in our classrooms! Happy teaching, my friends! -Adam

Hello, teachers and Halloween enthusiasts! Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to infuse some spooktacular fun into your elementary school classroom. Whether you’re a teacher or a parent helping with a Halloween-themed class party, there are endless opportunities to make learning exciting and memorable. In this blog post, I’ll share a treasure trove of Halloween activities that are not only fun, but also educational for elementary students.

1. Literary Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Combine reading and creativity by organizing a literary pumpkin decorating contest. Each student selects their favorite book character and decorates a pumpkin to represent that character. This activity encourages reading and artistic expression, while fostering a love for literature. If you don’t have time to do one for each student, try creating class pumpkin based off a book character like this one that I helped make with my wife, Trisha, and her class a few years ago!

2. Spooky Science Experiments

Turn your classroom into a mad scientist’s laboratory by conducting Halloween-themed science experiments. Create bubbling potions with baking soda and vinegar, make “slime” with Elmer’s glue, or explore the concept of buoyancy with a floating ghost experiment. These activities engage young scientists while teaching them valuable scientific concepts. Trisha does Witch’s Brew experiments in her class every year and her students absolutely LOVE it!

3. Math Mummies

Math can be more fun when you transform it into a game. Use gauze or toilet paper to wrap up some “math mummies.” Write math problems on the gauze, and students must solve the problem to unravel their mummy. This activity is a creative way to reinforce math skills.

4. Spooky Storytelling

Boost your students’ creativity and language skills by having them create their own spooky stories. Provide them with prompts, props, or even a mysterious setting, and watch their imaginations run wild. Afterward, have a storytelling circle where students share their eerie tales.

5. Halloween History Lessons

Turn Halloween into an educational opportunity by delving into the history and cultural significance of this holiday. Teach students about the origins of Halloween, its traditions, and the importance of respecting different cultural celebrations. You can even explore the history of famous haunted locations.

7. Costume Parade and Vocabulary Challenge

Host a costume parade, where students can dress up as their favorite characters, historical figures, or anything they find fascinating. Then, turn it into a vocabulary challenge by having students describe their costumes using rich, descriptive language. It’s a great opportunity to enhance their communication skills.

8. Glow-in-the-Dark Art

Enhance art class with glow-in-the-dark materials. Provide students with fluorescent paints or markers, and let them create spooky masterpieces. Discuss the science behind phosphorescence and bioluminescence for an added educational element.

9. Halloween History Projects

Have students choose a historical figure or event related to Halloween and create a project that explores its significance. This encourages research, critical thinking, and presentation skills while adding an educational dimension to the holiday.

Halloween is a fantastic opportunity to blend education and fun in your classroom. These Halloween activities for elementary students are designed to stimulate creativity, critical thinking, and a love for learning. Remember that learning can be exciting when it’s woven into the fabric of enjoyable activities, and Halloween provides the perfect backdrop for doing just that. So, go ahead, transform your classroom into a spooky, educational wonderland, and watch your students learn while having a monstrously good time! Happy Halloween! -Adam

Hello, teachers! It’s that time of year again when the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold, and the air becomes crisp and cool. Fall is here, and it’s the perfect season to engage your learners in some wonderful activities, explore the magic of autumn through children’s books, and sing along to delightful fall-themed songs. Let’s dive into the world of Fall together!

Activities to Embrace the Fall Season

Children’s Books to Celebrate Fall

Fall-Themed Songs for Kids

1. “Autumn Leaves Are Falling Down”: A catchy and simple tune that kids can sing along to while imagining leaves falling from trees. I did this with my music students and we used orange balloons that we hit in the air and had to keep from hitting the ground! We sang as we did this activity, too. “Autumn leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down. Autumn leaves are falling down, don’t let them hit the ground!”
2. “Five Little Pumpkins”: This classic rhyme helps kids learn to count and has a fun Halloween twist.
3. “The Acorn Song”: Sing about the life cycle of an acorn growing into a mighty oak tree. It’s educational and enjoyable!
4. “I’m a Little Scarecrow”: Get your little ones in the Halloween spirit with this adorable scarecrow-themed song.

As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, take advantage of this wonderful season to bond with your children through these engaging activities, heartwarming books, and catchy songs. Fall is a time of change, growth, and appreciation for the beauty of nature, and there’s no better way to share these lessons with your learners than through hands-on experiences and storytelling.

Stay tuned for more tips, resources, and ideas to make every season of the year an enriching and enjoyable learning journey for your children. Happy Fall! -Adam

Hello there, teachers and apple enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into the wonderful world of apple-themed activities in the classroom. As autumn paints the world with its warm hues, apples become the perfect focal point for engaging and educational experiences. So, let’s explore some ways to infuse a little apple-picking magic into your curriculum.

1. Apple Tasting Extravaganza:

One of the best ways to kick off your apple-themed adventures is with an apple tasting session. Bring in a variety of apple types – from Granny Smith to Honeycrisp – and let your students indulge their taste buds. Encourage them to describe the flavors, textures, and colors they experience. This is a perfect time to do some shared or interactive writing as you create descriptive anchor charts of each of the apple varieties. Create a tasting chart where they can rate each apple on a graph, fostering critical thinking and math skills.

2. Apple Artistry:

Get those creative juices flowing by incorporating apple art into your lesson plans. Apples can be used as stamps, carved into unique designs, or even turned into delightful apple-themed sculptures. This hands-on activity nurtures fine motor skills, creativity, and attention to detail. If you have access to an apple die-cut, cut out a bunch of apples on yellow, red, and green construction paper. Cut two long black strips of paper for each student and staple them together. Students can use the die-cut apples to create apple patterns.

3. Apple Math Mania:

Transform your classroom into a math orchard with apple math activities. Use apples for counting, sorting, and measuring exercises. You can also introduce simple addition and subtraction using apple seeds or slices. For older elementary students, delve into more advanced topics like ratios by comparing apple sizes and varieties.

4. Apple Science Investigations:

Apples offer a perfect canvas for scientific exploration. Conduct experiments like the classic apple volcano (mixing baking soda and vinegar) to teach chemical reactions. Explore the life cycle of an apple tree or investigate how different environments affect apple growth. These activities foster curiosity and a love for scientific inquiry. Better yet, dive into the steps of the scientific method with my out-of-the-box exploration called Apple Drop Science! My newest book, The Science Box, is full of easy science activities and the video below describes one of my favorites to do with young students! Get The Science Box here and then pick up the unit on Teachers Pay Teachers.

5. Apple Storytelling and Writing:

Apples can inspire captivating stories and creative writing. Encourage your students to write apple-themed narratives or poems. They can also create “How to Make Apple Pie” guides, enhancing their procedural writing skills. One of my favorite apple themed stories is one titled “The Little Red House with No Windows, No Doors, and a Star Inside.” Watch this video to learn more about some fun storytelling ideas!

6. Apple Snack Attack:

Wrap up your apple-filled day with a healthy apple-themed snack party. Have your students help prepare apple slices, applesauce, or even mini apple pies. This not only reinforces culinary skills but also emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet.

Remember, incorporating apples into your classroom activities isn’t just about the fruit itself. It’s about nurturing a love for learning, fostering creativity, and promoting a growth mindset. These apple-themed adventures are designed to engage and inspire young minds while connecting them to the world around them.

So, as the leaves begin to fall and apples ripen on the trees, seize the opportunity to infuse your elementary classroom with a bushel of apple-inspired education. Let’s make this season of learning as fruitful as it can be!

Stay tuned for more educational insights and ideas in the coming weeks. Until next time, have the best day possible today! -Adam

🎉 Welcome Back, Amazing Educators! 📚

I hope you’re all having an amazing start to another incredible school year. The start of a new academic season is always a mix of excitement, anticipation, and a touch of nostalgia for the summer days gone by. I’m thrilled to have you back (and welcome my new followers), and I can’t wait to continue our journey of learning, growth, and inspiration together. I have had a blast visiting schools these past couple of months for keynotes and workshops. It has been the most rewarding part of my teaching career visiting your schools and sharing my story!

As we enter this new school year together, let’s take a moment to reflect on the power of education and the tremendous impact you have as teachers. You are the architects of the future, shaping the minds of tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and innovators. Your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to your students are nothing short of extraordinary, and I’m here to support and celebrate you every step of the way.

📣 What’s in Store for You? 📣

This year I have exciting plans in store to make your teaching journey even more rewarding and enriching:

1. Inspiring Blog Posts: My blog will hopefully be a treasure trove of educational insights, classroom strategies, and teaching inspiration. Whether you’re looking for fresh teaching ideas, classroom management tips, or ways to foster creativity in your students, I plan on posting a lot more this year.
2. Community and Collaboration: Connect with fellow educators in our thriving community. Share your experiences, exchange ideas, and find support in a network of passionate teachers by follow adampetersoneducation on Instagram and AdamPetersonEdu on Twitter!
3. Professional Development: I’m currently booking the remainder of 2023 and already into 2024! If you’d like to bring me to your school or event please fill out the form on the Professional Development Link on my website!

🌟 A Note of Appreciation 🌟

I want to express my deepest gratitude not only for the support you all have shown me through PD and school visits, but also, THANK YOU for your unwavering dedication to the education of our youth. Your resilience, adaptability, and passion have been a beacon of hope, especially during challenging times.

As I welcome you back to adampetersoneducation.com, remember that you’re part of a community of educators who are making a profound impact on the world. Together, we’ll continue to inspire, uplift, and empower the next generation.

Stay tuned for more incredible content, engaging discussions, and valuable resources coming your way. Here’s to a fantastic school year filled with growth, joy, and countless “aha” moments in the classroom.

Welcome back, friends. Let’s make this year the best one ever, and remember to always #betheyellow!

-Adam

Take A Look At My Learning Space!

I mentioned in the last blog post that I am back in the classroom and I couldn’t be happier about this. While I’m not teaching full time or in a public school, I feel like I couldn’t have found a better fit for where I am in life right now than this one. I am so fortunate to have found such an amazing space in an established pre-school classroom! A lot of people have asked how I went about getting this program up and running and the answer is quite simple. I started asking what parents in the community were in need of for their children’s education and I created lessons and a schedule that fit those needs. Really, just ask! Luckily the space I found is used by a pre-school teacher who has the same play-driven mindset as I do so it was very easy to move into it.

So how do we share this space when we’re both running two different programs. Easy! She holds class for what is called Kreative Kids Preschool three days a week in the morning. Any time she doesn’t have students, the space is mine to use! I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason so I think it didn’t happen by chance that while Covid cancelled much of a my work with schools and conferences, this opportunity presented itself. I feel extremely lucky that parents have placed their children with me as their teacher and tutor and even more lucky that speaking gigs are starting to pick back up and hopefully continue to be getting more and more work in schools. I really do feel like I have the best of both worlds right now: teaching kids and helping teachers!

What does your current situation in education look like? Your learning space? Your title/class size/etc? I’d love to hear from you and see your spaces! Until next time, I hope this finds you well.