5 Simple and Effective Literacy Activities for May

May begins one of the busiest times in the classroom for many teachers. School is almost out for summer (yay!), which means that we're all usually busier than ever. This time of year, I always relied on tried and true activities to get us through! If you need some simple, yet effective literacy activities for May in your classroom, I've got you covered!

Make the Most of Your Time in May 

Is your last month of school May? Or maybe you've got a few weeks in June? Either way, there's no denying the busyness of this time of year for teachers. We're squeezing in review, assessments, end of the year activities, field trips, and all the things! Because I already knew how crazy this time of year was in my room, my aim was always to simplify my lesson planning. 

Now, don't worry; we're not resorting to endless worksheets and boring activities. Oh no! Just the opposite! I tapped into those classroom favorite, hands-on activities that kept my students engaged while practicing and reviewing key skills. 

I'm sharing 5 simple yet effective literacy activities for May that will keep engagement high in your room. Let's inch toward summer on a positive note and make learning fun! 

1. May Nonsense Word Sort

I love word-sorting games for the classroom. They're so versatile and can be used as a whole group lesson, a small group game, and even an independent learning activity. Having literacy activities for May that check all these boxes was a must for me! This allowed me to switch and swap and use things in a variety of ways depending on our needs that day. 

That's just one of the reasons this May Nonsense Word Sort is on my list of favorites. This activity includes headings for real and nonsense words as well as 60 different cards to sort. Students will choose a card, read the word, and decide which category it falls into- real or nonsense. 

This game is great because it gives students an engaging way to practice both decoding skills and reading comprehension! They will love reading the words aloud and then determining if it's a real one or not. I've included an optional recording sheet that students can use to keep track of words. They will write each one in the correct column, adding another layer of practice. This resource also features a bright and colorful bug theme that's perfect for May!

2. Spin and Say Nonsense Words

Nonsense words are a lot of fun. So much fun, in fact, that I've got another literacy activity for May that incorporates them. This Spin and Say Nonsense Words activity is going to be a new favorite in your classroom. It's much more engaging than regular old CVC worksheets, easy to prep, and can be used in many different ways!

To play, each student gets a game card as well as a spinner mat. They will use a plastic spinner, or a pencil and a paperclip to spin. Whichever picture they land on represents the row they will read from on their game card. They point to each nonsense word, reading as fluently as possible. 

My favorite way to use this activity is in small groups so that I can informally assess student progress. Once the kids know how to use these, they also make a fantastic addition to your literacy centers. I like to laminate the game boards and spinner cards so that they can be used again and again. 

3. May Sensory Bin 

Hands-on learning is always a win in my book. Primary learners love using tactile activities, which is why I know this May Sensory Bin is sure to be a hit in your classroom! The idea behind this activity is that you will fill a small sensory bin with the included letter or letter sound cards. Students will use a spinner to spin a letter and then find the matching card in the bin. There is a recording sheet included so that they can write down each one as they go. 

I would fill sensory bins or tubs with easter grass. It's inexpensive, low-mess, and really easy to hide the cards in the bin. You can also add seasonal mini erasers and fun figurines for an extra fun touch. I also liked to have the students use tweezers to pick up the cards for an extra fine motor element. 

This activity is great because you can set it up once and pull it out a few times during the month as a literacy center option. Just print a stack of recording sheets and leave them next to the bin to prepare this simple yet effective and fun literacy center for May! 

4. Counting Syllables Spring Scoot Game 

Next up, this Counting Syllables Spring Scoot Game will get your kiddos moving and practicing phonemic awareness skills in a fun way. This resource includes 40 different picture cards that have a syllable count of 1-5, as well as a student recording sheet. You will lay 1 card out on each desk, or around the classroom perimeter, and provide each student with a recording sheet. Then, set a timer and have them work on counting the number of syllables in that word and mark down their answer before the time is up. When the timer goes off, they scoot to the next task card and repeat. My students loved this game because we could all play it together and move from spot to spot. 

I've also included headings for 1 syllable, 2 syllables, and so on. You can place these in a pocket chart and use the picture cards to play a sorting game instead if you prefer. I liked to use both versions of this game throughout the month of May to mix it up. The versatility is great because it will allow you to target the skill of counting syllables in more than one way.

5. May Letter Recognition & Sound Fluency Activity 

Alright, friends, I've got one more all-star on this list of simple and effective literacy activities for May! These May Letter Recognition & Sound Fluency Mats are going to be your new best friend. These work just like activity #2, except instead of reading nonsense words, we're focusing on letter recognition and letter sounds. Just choose which skill your students need to target.

Students will spin the spinner, find the matching picture on their card, and read the letters straight across and as fluently as possible. As they work their way across the card, they will simply say the letter name or sound as they move across the line. 

This is a very versatile and fun resource to add to your literacy activities for May. Use them for independent desk work, center time, small groups, or fun and easy assessments! The options are endless. 

Simplify Your Literacy Activities for May 

We all know that May is busy, busy, busy in the primary classroom! So, why not simplify your lesson planning with these engaging activities? You can find all of these great literacy activities inside the May Literacy Centers Bundle. Not only will this streamline your planning, but it will be fun for your students too! Plus, when you buy the products in their bundle, you get them at a great discount. So, if you want to take one thing off your plate for May, be sure to check it out! 

Looking for More? 

Check out these posts next for more literacy teaching ideas.

• 7 Engaging Ways to Practice CVC Words
• Teaching Poetry in the Primary Classroom
• Fun Phonics Activities that Align with the Science of Reading

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5 Fun April Staff Morale Boosters

Are you ready to see your school staff light up with excitement this April?! I sure hope so! These 5 fun April Staff Morale Boosters are just what you need to engage your faculty as we inch toward the end of the school year. Come along to see these ideas to boost staff morale and keep everyone smiling!

Make Staff Morale a Priority In Your School

If you're an administrator or head of your school Sunshine Committee, you probably already know what an incredible effect staff morale activities can have on your school. We live in a time where teaching is harder than ever, and school staff are presented with daily challenges. When we make staff morale a priority, we're not only fostering connection in our school relationships but also bringing encouragement and excitement to our daily routines. 

So, if you're looking for ways to inspire and show appreciation to your school staff this spring, you're in the right place! Let's explore 5 of my all-time favorite April Staff Morale Boosters and how I used them to make a big impact in my school! 

1. Spring Mirror Shout-Outs

We're kicking off this list with one of my favorite April staff morale boosters - Spring Shoutouts! The idea behind this resource is that it will offer a way to praise and recognize your staff in the simplest way. Inside, you'll find templates for fun, spring-themed phrases that you print and cut out. Then, place them on the mirror in your staff bathroom, in the staff lounge, or around the school as a fun surprise and reminder of the good job your staff is doing daily. The phrases included in this resource are things like:

• I Notice a Spring in Your Step 
• Live Life in Full Bloom 
• You Look A-MAY-Zing!
• I Be-Leaf in You
• and many more!

These silly, quirky phrases are sure to make your staff smile when they see them. In my school, I challenged staff to take a selfie with the shoutouts that resonated with them most and then posted the photos on a staff bulletin board. While this is such an easy staff morale booster to implement, it made a big impact in building community in our school! Plus, everyone looked forward to seeing the new shoutouts posted each month!

2. Staff Salad Bar Luncheon

What's more fun than a staff luncheon? I think we can all agree that getting together to "break bread" is something most people look forward to. In my school, I loved hosting a potluck, lunch, or snack bar at least once a month for this very reason. It's just wonderful to visit with colleagues, share favorite recipes, and build a sense of community. 

In April, we're all usually ready for some fresher spring fare, so what better thing to host than a Salad Bar Luncheon?! Inside this resource, you'll find everything you need to plan an event that will be a total hit! You get:

• salad bar timeline for planning 
• advertising signs 
• sign up sheets (if you choose to do this potluck style)
• information for setting up 
• coordinators shopping list 
• bulletin to notify staff
• salad bar-themed decor 

These materials make it super simple to facilitate this event, even if you've already got a "full plate" (pun intended!) In all seriousness, this was a favorite at our school. Everyone was excited to bring a component for the salad bar, and with so many options to choose from - there's something for everyone to enjoy. I also find that luncheons that allow everyone to create their own special plate are usually everyone's favorite. Try adding this April staff morale booster to your calendar this spring to connect with staff in a fun new way! 

3. Lucky Duck Hunt 

Alright, friends, ready for something a little different on this roundup of April staff morale boosters? If you're looking for a fun way to engage your staff, I know you will absolutely love this Lucky Duck Hunt! Not only is this activity fun, but it's so easy to prepare for! 

Here's how it works - You will purchase 100 small rubber ducks like these ones and number the bottom of them with a permanent marker. Then, the night before your event - hide the ducks all over your school. Included in this resource is a directions memo that can either be hand-delivered or dropped in staff mailboxes. You'll just want to make sure everyone reads the directions the morning of your event. 

The objective is for staff to find and collect ducks as they go about their daily routine. At the end of the day, they will turn them in, and the winners with the most ducks will receive prizes! This is such a great activity because you get to determine the budget and number of prizes to be distributed. Whether you want to reward everyone or just "big winners" is totally up to you. This makes it such a versatile and affordable activity for any school! 

Inside the resource, I've also included numbers that can be used for random prize drawings if you would prefer to offer rewards that way. You'll also find a list of prize ideas that are both free and at varying price points. This will allow you to customize this April staff morale booster to fit your needs and budget easily! 

4. Spring Seed Packets for Staff Appreciation 

When I was head of the Sunshine Committee at my school, I loved looking for fun and inexpensive ways to show staff appreciation. We all know that working in a school is a tough job, and everyone who chooses to do it deserves recognition! What I love most about these Spring Seed Packet Gifts is that they can be used for every staff member in your school, not just teachers!

The idea is that you will buy assorted seed packets in bulk. Then, you'll print off the fun garden-themed cards that each feature a sweet quote. I like to print these in full color on cardstock to really make them stand out and feel special. There are 4 different designs to choose from, so you'll have a good option for every member of your staff. Finally, you'll fold the flaps on the cards and tuck the seed packets inside. Distribute them as a "just because" spring gift that your staff will love!

These are so much fun to leave in staff mailboxes or distribute at your April staff meeting. They are super simple to make and inexpensive, meaning they check all the boxes in my book! Plus, the garden theme is perfect for April! 

5. Staff Appreciation Easter Eggs 

Last but not least, I've got one more April staff morale booster that is going to be a hit! At your April staff meeting, invite "the Easter Bunny" to make an appearance with these Staff Appreciation Easter Eggs. 

This resource includes printable prize tags that you'll use to fill Easter eggs. Then, place the eggs in a basket and distribute them as prizes at your next meeting. Or you could even host a staff Easter egg hunt by hiding them all over the school. There are tons of prizes currently included, and I am actively adding more! There are free options, as well as ones that require a purchase, giving you plenty of options to customize this activity for your school. 

Oh, and if you need help financing your staff morale activities, be sure to read this post next! It's filled with all my best tips for budgeting for staff morale and making space for these types of activities. It takes a little planning, but it's well worth it.  

Make Planning April Staff Morale Boosters Quick and Easy

Isn't this roundup of April staff morale ideas fun?! These were such a hit at my school that I thought it might be helpful to put them all together in one convenient bundle for you. Inside the April Staff Morale Bundle, you will find all 5 of these great activities! 

This will make it super simple and easy for you to plan your staff morale activities this spring. Take one thing off your to-do list, AND engage your staff in the process! What's better than that? Head on over to my TPT Store to check it out. Have fun with your staff this month!

Looking for More Staff Morale Activities?

Check out these posts next to keep the fun rolling!

• Staff Morale BINGO 
• Staff Morale Boosters That Aren't Food
• Tasty Staff Snack Bars Everyone Will Love!

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5 Engaging April Literacy Centers for Primary Students

As spring emerges in the world, a new excitement spreads into the classroom. I don't know about you guys but April is one of my favorite months in the classroom. The warmer weather brings a happy vibe to the classroom that I absolutely love. And what better way to celebrate than to connect our classroom learning with the fresh themes of spring. 

Bring on the Springtime Fun! 

April is a fun month for teaching and we've got plenty of fun things to explore like spring themes, Easter, and Earth Day. . .  hooray! In my room, I liked to play into these fun themes by choosing centers and activities that align. After a long winter in the classroom, I think it's safe to say everyone is usually ready for some springtime fun. Now, without further ado, here are 5 of my favorite April literacy centers!

1. April Letter Fluency Spinner Game 

We all know that letter identification and letter fluency are keys to becoming a successful reader. As a primary teacher, you're probably always looking for ways to make practicing these skills more fun since they are something our students work on all year long. This April Letter Fluency Spinner Game is just the thing to add to the mix when your students are in need of some extra practice. 

The way these work is simple and they're perfect for small group time. Aside from small group learning, I find that this is especially helpful if your students need to be assessed regularly for intervention or RTI. All you need to do is print the game mats and spinners and you're ready to go! If you plan to use them for years to come I also recommend laminating them. 

Students can use either a pencil and a paperclip as a spinner, or you can set these plastic spinners on top. Students will spin and see which spring picture they land on. Then, they find that picture on their game mat and try to read the letters in the order they occur as fluently as possible. There's a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters on each card, so students will get plenty of practice with letter identification in this activity. 

Once students know how to use this activity, it also makes a great desk activity, literacy center option, and even homework! Everyone will love the adorable spring theme too! 

2. April Nonsense Word Games 

Nonsense word games are among my favorite literacy activities for primary learners. These April Nonsense Word games are always a hit and make it fun to practice spotting the difference between real words and pretend ones! The great thing about these games is that they're super engaging. This means you'll be able to target important literacy skills in your classroom, without losing the interest of your kiddos! 

Here's how to play - just like the Letter Fluency Mats I mentioned above, this game requires using a spinner and a game mat. Students will spin the spinner, identify the spring picture, and then find that section on their mat. They read straight across and after each word, they will decide if it's real or nonsense. This game gets a lot of giggles, trust me! 

These activities are super engaging and absolutely perfect for small group instruction and April literacy centers. There are 5 different game mats included in 3 different printing options so you can choose what works best for your group. 

3. Real and Nonsense Word Sort 

Nonsense words are fun and such a great phonemic awareness activity, so why not keep the fun rolling with another game using this skill? In my April Real and Nonsense Word Sort, students will draw a card, read the word, and then decide if it's real or not. This game includes headers as well as 60 different task cards so there is plenty of decoding practice included.  

My favorite thing about this activity is its versatility. We played this game in small groups, during center time, and even as a whole group activity. Typically, I'd introduce first as a whole group game by playing on the floor in a big circle. Students would draw a card and then set it under the correct heading, which I placed in the middle of the circle. Then, try it again at the table in small groups to assess student understanding and help correct mistakes. Finally, place the headings in a pocket chart and turn this into a partner game or center activity for continued practice. There's even a student recording sheet that can be added in for some additional accountability. 

With so many uses, you'll definitely want to laminate the materials included for this game and use them again and again in your classroom! 

4. Spring Letters Sensory Bin 

Next up on this list of April literacy centers, I'm sharing a student favorite. . . a spring sensory bin! We all know that hands-on learning is valuable in the classroom. Anytime I could find creative ways to use tactile materials, I noticed that my students were far more engaged. That's why I love to use this Spring Letters Sensory Bin to practice letter identification and letter sounds. It's different than a typical worksheet and feels exciting to students.

All you need to do is grab a small bin and add some sensory filler to it. April is the perfect time to grab some colorful Easter grass for this activity! You could also throw some plastic bunnies or chicks in for even more thematic fun. Then, print, cut, and laminate the letter cards and add them to the bin. Students will search through the bin for cards, identify the letter or letter sound, and then record it on their paper. Make this even more challenging for your students by adding a pair of tweezers to the bin. They'll need to use hand strength and fine motor skills to retrieve it! 

There are also spinners included if you'd like to prompt students to search for specific letters or letter sounds with each turn. I love putting this activity out during center time. It's such an engaging way to target these important skills!

5. Spring Alphabet Hole Punch Activity 

Last on this list, we've got an activity that targets fine motor skills, hand strength, letter identification, and letter correspondence. Doesn't get better than that right? Give this Spring Alphabet Hole Punch activity a try in your room in April to practice these skills in a fun way. 

Included, you'll find learning mats and corresponding task card decks that target uppercase letters or lowercase letters in both sequenced order and mixed up. The idea is that you will pair the matching deck with a mat and allow students to draw one card at a time. They find the letter they drew on their mat and hole-punch it. The center of the learning mats features a cute spring picture that everyone will love! There are many versions of play for this activity including:

• Capital to Capital
• Lowercase to Lowercase
• Cross Case Letter Matching
• Beginning Sound
• Letters in sequence
• Letters out of sequence 

The great thing about this activity is that you'll be able to play it more than once in your classroom. Try showing students how to play first in small groups and then choosing another version to play as a center station later. Everyone will love working on their fine motor skills with the hole punch while they search for the letters they draw. 

Make Planning Your April Literacy Centers a Breeze 

So what do you think friend? Aren't these fun?! I love these spring literacy centers and they're absolutely perfect for the month of April. If you're looking for a simple way to plan all of your literacy centers this month, I've got something exciting for you. . .  The April Literacy Centers Bundle is about to make your life a whole lot easier! This bundle includes all 5 of the resources I shared here in one place. Plus, with the bundle, you'll save money too. 

These engaging April literacy centers will make it quick and easy to plan springtime lessons in your classroom. Best of all, these can be used in so many ways! Small groups, intervention, center stations, homework, morning work, and more. Grab the bundle and simplify your April literacy centers with engaging activities your students will love! 

Looking for More? 

Be sure to check out these posts next for more engaging learning ideas for the primary classroom. 

• 4 Fun Activities to Practice Hearing and Counting Syllables
• Phonics Activities that Align with the Science of Reading
• 7 Engaging Ways to Practice CVC Words

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Make sure to pin this post on Pinterest so that you can come back to it when you're ready to start planning your April literacy centers. 

March Staff Morale Boosters for Springtime Fun

Yay for spring! After a looooong winter in the classroom, there's nothing more exciting than those warmer days ahead. In March, staff are ready for some springtime fun, so why not weave some great staff morale activities into your month? These March staff morale boosters are sure to be a hit in your school! 

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: This post includes Affiliate Links to some of my favorite products. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Celebrate Spring with Staff 

I know we can all agree that winters can be tough in a school environment. Once spring rolls around, there are usually more than a few excited faces. I like to take advantage of this excitement and use it as fuel for staff morale fun! Planning some fun March staff morale boosters is a great way to connect with faculty members and celebrate spring together. If you're stumped on ideas... you're in the right place!

Today I'm sharing 5 fun staff morale boosters for March that I know you'll love. These ideas are super easy to implement, fun for everyone, and VERY budget-friendly. I know that the Sunshine Committee fund can look a little sad after winter since a big chunk of it gets spent over the holidays. These ideas won't break the bank, making it easy to keep staff motivation high and help bring on the springtime fun! 

1. March Scratch-Offs 

We're kicking off the party with a staff favorite - scratch-offs! These little tickets are St. Patrick's Day themed, and I know your staff will feel very lucky to receive them. They work like the lotto tickets you can buy at the gas station that you scratch off with a coin. They're easy to prep, too! Just print and add a scratch-off sticker. I would give every staff member at our monthly meeting one of these tickets as a "thank you" for all you do. Everyone looked forward to their monthly prize, and it was a fun way to end the meeting. 

You can also use these as prizes for other events and games throughout the month. Either way, they're a simple way to thank and recognize staff. The great thing about these tickets is that the prize options are very versatile. Pre-written prizes on the tickets include:

• jeans pass
• prime parking spot
• special treat 
• copies prepared
• lunch provided
• book of choice 

These are the pre-filled options, but you can also write down your own prizes too! I love that these prizes are inexpensive or free options. This makes it super simple to work these into the budget. If the budget is tight, we simply use more of the prize options that are free. Need more prize ideas? Read this post next! 

2. Staff Appreciation Note

I'm a firm believer in the idea that the little things matter! This is so true when it comes to staff appreciation. That's why I created these fun little notes with a Lucky Charms theme. Across the top, they read, "We are so lucky you are part of our staff." Across the bottom is says "Thanks for all you do every single day. Your efforts are truly appreciated." 

These notes really do say it all in my opinion. Staff members are working SO hard, daily to ensure that our students get their very best. We all know that working in schools is harder than ever, which is why it's so important to express gratitude to our staff members! 

I liked to print these little notes out on cardstock and then place them in the staff mailboxes. You can also leave them on teacher desks, or even pass them out personally. I know your staff will love receiving these!  

3. March Rock, Paper, Scissors Challenge 

I love a good game, and I think most others do too! This March Rock, Paper, Scissors Challenge will allow you and your staff to engage in a friendly competition all day long. Here's how it works:

1. Each staff will receive a beaded necklace and instructions on how to play. 
2. On the day of the event, when they pass other faculty members in the hall, they can challenge each other to a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. 
3. The winner gets to "steal" the other player's necklace. 
4. The games continue all day with the goal being to collect the most necklaces.
5. The players with the most necklaces at the end of the day win a prize!

This is so much fun to play! Everyone gets really into it as the day goes on. I like to use St. Patrick's necklaces from the dollar store or Amazon to add some March flair to the game. You can even play this more than once during the month. Consider making the prizes for the first round different than the second for even more fun. For example, you can provide lunch for the winners one day and pass out fun office supplies another day. This idea is sure to get your staff smiling! 

4. Staff Appreciation - Pi Day

Does your school celebrate Pi Day, on March 14th? If not, I highly encourage giving it a try! It's a fun way to boost staff morale and a great excuse to eat pie! This Pie Day Resource includes everything you need to set up a fun buffet of pies for staff to enjoy. Inside you get:

• announcement sign 
• sign up sheet for the potluck style event 
• room decor with pie-themed quotes 
• pie ID tags for the spread 

Staff will sign up to bring different types of pie to share on the day of the event. Then, decorate the staff lounge with the fun signs and use the pie ID tags so everyone knows what's what. Staff will love hanging out together and enjoying a nice slice of pie. This event is the perfect little staff boost for March! 

5. March St. Patrick's Day Spirit Week 

I've saved the best March staff morale booster for last... St. Patrick's Day Spirit Week! This idea is the ultimate pick-me-up for springtime fun! Here's how it works: for 5 days, staff will dress up to align with a festive theme. Each day of the week has a St. Patrick's Day theme that makes it FUN for everyone. 

Included in the download, you get a fun flyer with details for each day of the week. It comes in both color and black & white so you can choose what works best for your staff. All you need to do is print these out and pass them out to staff to let the fun begin. The final day of the spirit week also includes a treat buffet that everyone will love! 

Make Planning March Staff Morale Boosters Easy 

These March staff morale boosters are so much fun for staff! They will add some springtime fun to your month, show appreciation, and, best of all, make the faculty smile. If you'd like to take planning staff morale activities off your plate this month, I suggest checking out the March Staff Morale Bundle. 

Inside you get all 5 of these activities at an even lower price than when you purchase them individually. They're already a great deal, but you'll get an even better discount with the bundle! The best benefit is that you'll make it simple and easy to boost staff morale all month long. Just print and go; these resources couldn't be easier to use! 

Want to Plan the Whole Year at Once? 

Are you a planner? Me too! I love knowing what's coming and planning accordingly. This is especially helpful if you're in charge of managing staff morale or Sunshine Committee funds. If this sounds like you, be sure to check out the Annual Bundle of Staff Morale Resources. Inside, you'll find a package of activities for each month. From seasonal games to scratch-offs, to potlucks, there's all kinds of fun inside! This huge bundle will allow you to plan staff morale activities on auto-pilot and ensure you've got a good variety of staff morale boosters for the whole year! 

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10 Engaging March Literacy Centers Your Students Will Love!

I love March in the classroom! Spring is starting to appear and there's plenty of leprechaun magic floating around the primary classroom. Today I'm sharing 10 of my favorite March Literacy Centers that will engage your students in learning all month long. 

Using Leprechaun Magic to Make March Literacy Centers More Fun 

Do you enjoy seasonal and thematic teaching? I know I certainly do! As a literacy intervention teacher, I was always looking for ways to spruce up my lesson plan and engage those kiddos in learning. Using fun themes in your activities is one of the best ways to snag their attention. And. . . what's more fun than leprechauns?!

That's why I love these March literacy centers. They've all got a fun St. Patrick's Day theme and were beloved by all in my room. Not to mention - these activities are versatile! Whether you use them for center stations, partner games, small group lessons, or intervention materials - I know you and your students will love these! 

1. March Fluency Spinners 

This first activity is one of my all-time favorites because it's super simple to prep and use in a variety of ways. The idea is to have students spin the spinner and identify the picture they land on. Then, they will find that picture on their gameboard and then quickly identify the letters (or letter sounds) in the sequence. 

This is such a great activity for small groups, literacy centers, and even homework! I also found them to be especially helpful in assessing students quickly and easily as part of our intervention/RTI process throughout the month of March. Best of all, just print and laminate these once and use them over and over in your classroom. 

2. Spin and Say Nonsense Word Game

Looking for a March literacy center that will leave your kiddos smiling? I know you'll love this Spin and Say Nonsense Word Game. To play, students will use a spinner to spin a picture. Once they land on one, they will find the matching picture on their gameboard and read the nonsense words aloud. 

This is another great activity for your small groups and as a center activity. Students love to read the nonsense CVC words and enjoy the St. Patrick's Day Theme on each board! 

3. Real and Nonsense Word Sort 

Speaking of nonsense words, how about a fun sorting game to keep this theme going? In this Real and Nonsense Word Sort, students will choose a card, read the word and determine if it is real or nonsense. Then, they place it under the corresponding category. There are 60 different word cards included, so you'll be able to play this with your whole group at once!

I liked to play by calling on students one at a time to come up to the pocket chart and make their selections. The cards feature a St. Patrick's Day theme and everyone loves to see if they will pull a real or nonsense word. After modeling as a whole group, this makes for a fantastic center activity as well! 

4. March Literacy Center Sensory Bin 

Do you ever use sensory bins in your literacy centers? If not, you're missing out on a great opportunity for high engagement in your classroom! Students love to use activities with tactile materials - so adding a sensory bin to your routine might be just what you need to boost engagement. This March Sensory Basket focuses on letters and sounds in a fun way! 

To use, you'll fill a small bin or tub with some kind of fun filler. I like to use colored easter grass because it's festive and low-mess. Then, you'll add the letter cards or sound cards and some fun seasonal items. I like to add gold coins or rainbow mini erasers to add to the tactile experience.  Next, have students choose or spin for the letter or sound they will be looking for. After they locate the card, they name what they see and then use a recording sheet to mark their answer by tracing the corresponding letter. 

Want to add some additional fine motor practice to the mix? Try having students use tweezers to choose cards from the sensory bins. This is so much fun and targets multiple skills at once including fine motor, letter/sound identification, and tracing. Your students will love this March Literacy Center! 

5. March Hole Punch Literacy Center

Do your kids need to work on developing hand strength? Mine always did too! That's one of the reasons I absolutely love hole-punch activities. Aside from that, the students always loved getting to use hole punchers during literacy centers! This resource is designed to help students practice letter or sound identification while weaving in some hand strengthening. Best of all, there are many different ways to play and skills to target including:

• Capital to Capital
• Lowercase to Lowercase
• Cross Case
• Beginning Sound
• Letters in sequence
• Letters out of sequence

To play, students will receive a game mat and a stack of cards. They will flip cards one at a time and identify the letter or sound on the card. Then, they find the match on their board and hole punch it! I always liked to use these reduced-effort hole punches with primary kiddos. This activity is a fantastic independent literacy center that students will really enjoy!

6. Spin a CVC Word 

Looking for another fun March literacy center where your students can play solo? This Spin a CVC Word Activity will be a classroom favorite! Kiddos will spin a spinner for 1 letter at a time to build a CVC word. As they spin, they add 1 letter tile to the mat to build the CVC word. You can also laminate the pages and have students use dry-erase markers or magnetic letters for this step as well!

Once all 3 letters have been spun and written, students will read the word and determine if it is real or nonsense. There are also 3 optional recording sheets to choose from that you can have students use to write down their words as they go. On this page, they write the word and then check a box to show if it's real or not. After students have finished, you can have them turn in the pages or swap with a partner to check each other's work. 

7. March Word Ladders 

Word ladders are one of my favorite ways to practice blending without using traditional worksheets. We all know those get boring, so why not try a more engaging activity instead? These March Word Ladders are just the thing! To prepare, all you need to do is print the pages and slip them into a plastic sleeve for durability. Then, provide students with a set of magnetic letters. 

To use, students will begin at the bottom of the ladder. They will look at the shamrock and determine the picture. Then, they use magnetic letters to spell out that word. Students can also use a dry-erase marker to write the word. They will continue this process by progressing up the ladder and changing only one letter to form a new word. The pages have options for both tracing words and writing words so that you can differentiate by skill level easily! 

8. St. Patrick's Day CVC Words

Next up on my list of fun March Literacy Centers is an activity that is super quick to prep and super versatile! This St. Patrick's Day CVC Word Building Activity is perfect for practicing short vowel CVC words. To use, students will identify the picture near the top of each work mat. Then, on the 3 shamrocks below, they will use magnetic letters to build the word. This is a great center to prep once and use over and over! 

You can also provide students with one of the included recording sheets and 10 mats at a time to use independently. They will build each word and then write it down on their mat. This is great for student accountability and to help keep them on task! This activity comes with both color and black-and-white options, as well as mats with the letters already on the shamrocks. So you can choose what works best for you and your students. 

9. Counting Syllables Scoot 

Counting syllables is an important literacy skill for kindergarten and first grade students. Try using this March Counting Syllables Scoot Game to make it more fun in your room! To prep, you will just need to print and laminate the included cards. You'll also want to print one recording sheet for each student in your room. Last you'll want to gather up enough clipboards for your students. 

When you're ready to play, spread out the picture cards around the perimeter of your classroom. Students will clip their paper to their clipboard and start in front of one card. To complete their task card, they look at the picture and clap and count out how many syllables the word has. Then, they record their answer on the sheet. 

This game also comes with heading cards that read 1-4 syllables if you would prefer to play it as a sorting game. This is great if you want to use it in your March Literacy Centers or as a whole group activity.

10. Would You Rather Morning Meeting Slides

Now this last idea isn't directly tied to literacy - but hear me out! While not directly geared towards practicing literacy skills in the activity, I always found that it helped prepare my students' minds and bodies to learn. Let me explain... Do your students ever need to shake out the wiggles? This is pretty common for primary students! If we don't allow for some movement breaks, it can make for a pretty rough day of learning! 

So, instead of fighting it... try incorporating some movement into your daily routine! These Would You Rather March Morning Meeting Slides using a fun St. Patrick's Day theme that everyone will love and they'll help ensure that your kids are ready to learn! Each slide has a fun choice to ponder and 2 sets of actions based on what students choose. As they make their choice, they carry out the action shown. Kids will love choosing between things like "being invisible" or "being friends with a leprechaun" and then lunging or running in place based on their choice. Use one of these per day to boost engagement and help students get ready to focus and learn!

Make Phonics Fun with These March Literacy Centers

So friend, which of these was your favorite?! It's always hard for me to choose! I love that these center activities target so many important skills, while also easily limiting the amount of time I need to spend on preparing the materials. Many of them are simply print and go! Another great thing about these activities is that they make engagement simple. My students love the leprechaun theme in these activities and I know yours will too! I hope you found something fun to add to your rotation. You can find all of these activities and many more in my TPT shop! 

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10 Fantastic February Resources for The Primary Classroom

February is a fun-filled month in the primary classroom. There are so many fun topics to explore in a short amount of time! If you're looking for inspiration to bring a bit of February fun to your lesson plans, you're in the right place! Today I'm sharing 10 fantastic February resources to make targeting math and literacy skills fun and easy. 

Embrace Valentine's Day in February 

February has always been a favorite month of mine because it feels like a bright spot in the dead of winter. A lot is going on between President's Day, Valentine's Day, and many of the other fun themes to explore this month. For this reason, I am all about embracing a particular topic, or topics in your lessons. We all know that the best way to make learning stick is to make it fun, right? And what's more fun than holiday-themed activities?! 

In my room, we always lean heavily into the theme of Valentine's Day. Hearts, candy, and friendship add a special touch to our day and make everyone smile. This will make touching on important primary skills and concepts a total breeze! Here are a few of my favorite February resources for phonics, math, and more:  

February Resources for Phonics Skills

First up... phonics! Here are some of my favorite activities to practice literacy skills during the month of February. 

1. February Morning Work 

Do you have a morning work routine in your classroom? If not, February is a great time to start! This one little thing can positively impact your room. Teaching students to start the day with a predictable morning work routine is great for many reasons. It teaches independence, reviews important skills and concepts, and will allow you a few moments each morning to get settled and ready to teach. 

These February Morning Work Pages use a fun Valentine's Day theme that students will love! Not to mention, they cover many important skills such as:

• Syllables 
• CVC words
• Silent E words and more!

Students will love these engaging worksheets and you'll love how easily they can be independent as they work. There are a total of 33 pages included with activities such as rolling and coloring, filling in word boxes, counting syllables, word ladders, and more! Add these to your mornings for a fun and easy way to review important phonics concepts! 

2. Nonsense Word Sorting 

Do you ever use nonsense words in your phonics activities? This February resource focuses on sorting real and nonsense words into the correct category and will surely be a hit in your classroom! There are 60 words included with a Valentine Theme in this set along with headers for real words and nonsense words. To play, students will choose a card and read the word on it. Then, they determine if it's real, or nonsense and add it under the correct heading. I like to play this game with a pocket chart, but it can also easily be played on the floor or at a table as well. 

The cards cover words with all short vowels and all have a CVC pattern. This is such a fun way to work on blending letter sounds together and also using some critical thinking to determine which words are real. I've also included an optional recording sheet that students can use to write down their answers. The best part about this game, though, is how many different ways you can use it. Try it as a whole group game, a center activity, or a partner game in your room!

3. Valentine's Day CVC Words 

Next up on this February resource round-up, is Valentine's Day CVC Words! This is one of my favorite phonics activities to use in the classroom. The idea is that students will choose a colorful word-building mat, identify the picture on it, and use magnetic letters to build the word. There are 48 colorful work mats included and each one is numbered so that students can keep track of which ones they've used. 

These mats also come with some additional options so you can make them work best for your classroom. Use the black and white versions if you'd like to save on printer ink. And for your students who need a little extra support, I've included a version with the words spelled out on the work mats. This is so great for differentiation as you'll be able to give each group a set of work mats aligned to their skill level. 

You can even add an additional layer of accountability to this activity by providing students with the optional recording sheets. They'll write down their words as they go for even more practice! 

4. Valentine's Day Sight Word Games 

I think we can all agree that finding creative and fun ways to practice sight words is an absolute must for the primary classroom! The more fluent our kiddos become with sight words, the more successful they'll be. But... endless flashcard drills get boring quick! So instead, consider using a fun game like this one, Pucker Up, Buttercup! 

In this game, you'll use 112 flashcards with common Fry Words. You can include as many or as few as you like. All the cards get placed facedown in a pile and students take turns drawing a card. As they choose, they will read the card aloud. If read correctly, they get to keep it. Mixed in with the word cards are "Pucker Up, Buttercup" cards. If a student draws one of these, they make a "kissy face" sound and return all of their cards to the pile. My students thought this game was absolutely hysterical and it always makes practicing sight words more fun! 

5. FREE Word Bank Picture Dictionary 

Last on my list of February resources for phonics practice, I've got a freebie that I know you'll love! Grab this February Word Bank Picture Dictionary to make writing time more fun and independent for your students! 

This freebie includes a page with common February vocabulary words. There is a picture and the written word for each one. The idea is that students will keep these in a writing folder, at their desk, or use it in the writing center. Then, as they are writing and want to add specific vocabulary words to their page, they'll have a handy page to help them do so! 

Not only will this facilitate more independence in your classroom, but it will also help reduce the number of times you can asked to spell things during writing time. 

If you like this freebie, then you are going to love the Personal Dictionary. This resource includes 10 monthly word banks, 4 seasonal word banks, 11 thematic word banks and beginning sound word banks for every letter of the alphabet.  It is the perfect way to get your students interacting with new words during writing and building their vocabulary at the same time.

February Resources for Math Skills 

Keep the fun rolling with these February resources that focus on math skills for primary learners. 

6. Valentine's Day Number Charts

Number sense can be a challenge for primary students, which is why it's crucial to find fun ways to practice. I love using these Valentine's Day Number Charts to target numbers 1-120. These charts feature various sequences of numbers 1-120. Students will look at the numbers included and fill in the number with the colorful heart. I like to laminate these cards and have students use dry-erase markers to complete them. This makes them a great center-time activity. 

I have also included differentiation options to tailor this to your students. Options with more support include most of the numbers in the sequence. Students will only need to fill in a few missing numbers, making this a great option for students who might be struggling with this concept. On the other hand, options with less support include fewer numbers, making them a bit tricker. 

7. Valentine's Day Pattern Clip Cards

Help your students work on patterns in a fun way with these Valentine's Day Pattern Clip Cards. This activity is super simple to prep and can be used again and again, making it a great center-time activity! Simply print, cut, and laminate the cards for durability. Place them in a bin along with a set of clothes pins and you're ready to go! 

To play, students will read the pattern and then use a clothespin to select the answer for the item that comes next in the sequence. There are many different pattern options included such as AB, AAB, ABC, ABB, AABB, and more. You can even make this activity self-checking by using a highlighter or marker to draw a smiley face on the backside of the card where the correct answer is. Students love being able to check their work as they play!

February Resources for the Teacher 

Last, on this list of February resources, I've included some of my favorite things to use to celebrate Valentine's Day with my students. 

8. Valentine's Day Crazy Straw Gift Tags

If you're looking for a super simple Valentine's Day student gift that everyone will love - look no further! And even better, this one doesn't even use candy! These Valentine's Day Crazy Straw Gift Tags are super simple to prepare and everyone will love this fun gift. 

Included, you get 4 different colorful gift tag options to choose from. Simply, print, cut apart, and place together with a crazy straw to complete the gift. There are spaces to personalize the tags with each student's name and your signature to make each child feel special. Then, pass these out on Valentine's Day and watch the smiles spread across the room! 

9. Eyeball Ring Valentine's Day Card 

Looking for another fun option to give your kids for Valentine's Day? Check out these silly Google Eyes Valentine's Day Cards! These cute cards read "I've got my eyes on you" and are sure to make students smile. Simply print them out, cut them apart, and tape down a silly eyeball ring that students will love!

This is another great non-candy option that is inexpensive, easy to prep, and will make your students smile! 

10. Valentine's Day Cards 

This final February resource can be used in many ways! These Valentine's Day cards are great for your writing center, to give out to students, or to keep on hand for students who forget to bring Valentine's Day cards for their friends. Included, you get 20 different colorful Valentine cards that print 2 to a page. Many different adorable sayings are included on each one including:

• Bee Mine
• You are Monsterrific
• You Make My Heart Race 
• I Love You To The Moon and Back and many more!

Place these in your writing center for students to fill out for friends and family, give them out to your students, or print some extras for kiddos in your class to use during your card exchange. No matter what you choose - these are sure to be a hit! 

Have Fun with These February Resources

I hope you have fun with these February resources and find something new to try in your classroom! Over the years, I have found that embracing a Valentine's Day theme all month long really adds to the fun and engagement! Don't forget, you can find all of these February activities and many more in my TPT shop! Happy planning!

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