Staff Christmas Party Games and Gifts to Boost Morale Through the Holidays

December in schools is jam-packed with concerts, parties, assessments, and a whole lot of holiday buzz. In the middle of all that hustle, finding time to celebrate your staff can go a long way toward building morale and spreading cheer. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, planning a festive staff meeting, or just looking for simple ways to sprinkle in some joy, these Staff Christmas Party Games and Gifts are ready-to-go and guaranteed to bring smiles. Here are some of my favorite festive resources that make it easy to keep things lighthearted, meaningful, and fun during one of the busiest months of the year!

1. Staff Christmas Gift Spinner

Want a game that’s equal parts excitement and holiday cheer? The Staff Christmas Gift Spinner has your team spinning, guessing, and winning prizes hidden under holiday cups. With bows, spinners, and a little bit of mystery, this game turns any staff meeting or Christmas party into an instant celebration. Here's what's included:

• 4 colorful spinners
• prize coupons
• directions for setup and play

Simply set up red and green Solo cups with hidden prizes underneath, and top each one with a different color bow. Then, staff will spin for a bow color, find a matching cup, and uncover their winnings! From no-cost rewards (like jeans passes or duty swaps) to small goodies, you can tailor the prizes to fit any budget. This is the perfect Christmas party game to add to your plans!

2. December Dollar Game

This one is always a crowd-pleaser! The December Dollar Game is all about avoiding the “outlaw word.” Every time someone slips up and says the chosen word, another staff member can swipe their dollar. By the end of the event, the person with the most dollars wins! In this resource, you get:

• Outlaw word poster in color and black and white 
• Reindeer dollars (printable or use real $1 bills)
• Awards for winners
• Directions for use

This quick-to-prep game works great at holiday parties or even during a December staff meeting for an extra dose of laughter. You'll pass out real dollars or printed reindeer dollars for each person. They will pin it to their collar or sleeve and go about the party or meeting. If they slip and say the "outlaw" word, the person who catches them can steal their dollar. The object of the game is to collect as many dollars as you can. Awards are given out when the game concludes. This is a fun one that's easy to weave into your staff Christmas party festivities!

3. Staff Christmas BINGO

Staff Morale BINGO is a fan favorite, and this Staff Christmas BINGO adds a holiday twist. There are 30+ BINGO cards included with fun holiday prompts like "read a holiday story to students" or "wrote a holiday card to a colleague". Staff complete tasks on each BINGO square, sign the board, and work toward five in a row. The best part? Everyone can participate, from teachers to support staff!

The idea is to collect as many BINGOs as possible. Each one gives that staff member a raffle entry to be completed when the playing time is over. Prizes can be as simple as a coffee gift card, a week of jeans, or that coveted parking spot. This activity runs beautifully over several days, giving staff something lighthearted to look forward to in the busy season.

4. Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Nothing sparks joy like a friendly scavenger hunt! The Christmas Scavenger Hunt has staff searching for items to stuff in their Christmas stockings. From holiday recipes to teeny-tiny pencils, there are so many fun items to find! Not to mention, the mix of silly and practical items ensures plenty of laughs along the way. Here's what's included in this resource:

• Directions for how to set up and play
• Scavenger Hunt Checklists (30+ items)
• Directions and rules handout for staff 
• Awards for winners 

On the day of the event, staff can play as individuals or teams throughout the day. At the end, you'll tally up the results and choose winners! To help keep things flexible, you can decide on prizes that fit your budget. Gift cards, special treats, office supplies, and casual wear passes are all great options. 

5. Holiday Mirror Shoutouts

Sometimes it’s the little surprises that mean the most. This Holiday Shoutouts resource includes colorful and B&W signs with fun, punny messages like "You Sleigh" or "Happy Holly Days." Print on festive paper, cut out, and place them on restroom mirrors, staffroom doors, or even use them in a holiday photo booth. 

This resource includes 17 festive shoutout signs (in color and B&W) and will be the perfect way to decorate and spruce up your breakroom. This one is a small effort with a big payoff. These unexpected notes of cheer will brighten everyone’s day!

Staff Christmas Party Bundle 

Want all the staff Christmas party fun without the planning? The Staff Christmas Party Bundle includes five festive resources in one pack, perfect for December morale-boosting. You get:

• December Gift Spinner
• Christmas Scavenger Hunt 
• December Dollar Game 
• Christmas Staff BINGO 
• December Mirror Shoutouts

Each activity is designed to bring your staff together, build community, and spread holiday cheer, without adding stress to your already busy schedule. These 5 activities are perfect to use during the week before Christmas break, or as activities for your Staff Christmas Party this year! 

December Holiday DOUBLE Bundle

I've got one more fun surprise up my sleeve... If you’re ready to go all out, the December Holiday Double Bundle is the ultimate holiday collection with 11 more ready-to-use staff activities. From cookie exchanges to hot cocoa bars, estimation jars, Secret Santa, and even printable Christmas Post-It notes, this bundle has plenty more festive activities to make December fun and memorable. Here's what's inside:

• White Elephant Book Exchange
• Cookie Exchange & Cookbook 
• Hot Cocoa Bar 
• Secret Santa 
• Holiday Decor and Affirmation Tags 
• Holiday Postcards 
• December Rock, Paper, Scissors
• Estimation Jar 
• December Scratch Off Tickets
• Christmas Post-It Notes
• Reindeer Name Game

With so many options, you will have so many exciting staff morale boosters at your fingertips. Be sure to check out this post for a closer look at many of the activities included in this bundle. Use them all month long to spread Christmas cheer and celebrate with your staff! 

Have a Memorable Holiday Season with Your Staff

December is busy, but it’s also the perfect time to pause, celebrate, and remind your staff how much they are valued. Whether you go with the Staff Christmas Party Activities Bundle or plan a whole month of fun with the December Holiday Double Bundle, these ready-to-go resources make it easy to spread joy without adding to your to-do list! Because at the end of the day, boosting staff morale isn’t about big gestures, it’s about creating moments of connection, laughter, and appreciation. And that’s the best holiday gift of all! Head on over to TPT to grab them both and simplify your holiday staff morale planning.

Want to Get a Jumpstart on January Staff Morale?

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November Staff Morale Activities to Celebrate Thanksgiving

The month of November can feel like a whirlwind in schools. Between parent conferences, shortened schedules, holiday programs, and preparing students for a long break, staff members often find themselves running on empty. That’s why it’s the perfect time to sprinkle in some extra joy and gratitude to boost morale. Simple, intentional staff morale activities can go a long way in showing appreciation and keeping spirits high as the holidays approach. That's why I'm sharing seven fun and meaningful November staff morale activities you can use to bring laughter, connection, and a whole lot of thankfulness to your team!

1. Guess the Weight of the Turkey Giveaway

Bring a little excitement to your staff lounge with this engaging and hilarious activity! Provide one or more turkeys and let staff members guess the exact weight. Use the included recording sheets, turkey cards, and ballots to keep things organized. The person with the closest guess wins the turkey. 

This activity is not only festive but also flexible, too! You can give away one turkey or twenty, depending on your budget or donations. Make sure to check with local grocery stores to see if any are willing to donate turkeys. You may be surprised how many are willing to help out your school. Try this activity at your November staff meeting before Thanksgiving for a fun way to boost morale and connect. 

2. Mini Pie Gift Tags

There’s nothing sweeter than pie. . . except being reminded how much you’re appreciated! This next resource falls perfectly in line with the Thanksgiving theme and is really easy to put together. Purchase mini pies from a local bakery or grocery store and attach thoughtful tags with appreciative messages. This resource includes 4 different colorful tags with fun sayings such as, "No matter how you slice it, you’re simply the best" and "Happy Thanksgiving! Thankful to have you on staff!".

Once you've got all your pies labeled with the cute tags, deliver them on a cart, place them in staff mailboxes, or hand them out personally. It’s an affordable gesture that leaves a big impact, especially during such a busy season! Plus, who doesn't love pie?! 

3. Your Turkey Name Game

Ready to laugh with your staff? This November staff morale resource is just the thing! The Turkey Name Game is a quick, low-prep way to spark laughter. To use, you will print and post the colorful game chart in a high-traffic area and print nametags for staff to fill in their silly "turkey names." They use the code on the chart to find the two words provided for the first letter of their name, as well as the month of their birth. When combined, this creates a super silly and fun turkey name to write on their tag. 

It’s a lighthearted way to break up the day and create shared moments of fun. Place it by the sign-in sheet, copier, or staff lounge on the last day before Thanksgiving break, or right before your staff meeting. You’ll hear giggles all day long!

4. November Post-It Notes

A kind and thoughtful sticky note can truly brighten someone’s day. With this resource, you’ll get 18 fall-themed designs that print right onto Post-It notes. They're so simple to use, too! Just open the template on your computer, load sticky notes into your printer by following the directions, print, and you're ready to go. No cutting required! 

Once they are printed, leave them on desks, doors, or mailboxes to spread cheer and encouragement throughout the month of November. You can even mix it up with seasonal colors such as orange, yellow, brown, and green. It’s quick, easy, and powerful in showing staff that they’re valued!

5. Gratitude & Wellness Staff BINGO

My Staff Morale BINGO is such a huge hit in schools that I knew I HAD to create a version specifically for November! With this resource, you'll be able to encourage gratitude, wellness, and self-care with a fun round of Staff BINGO. Here's how it works:

1. Choose 25 tasks from the 35+ included options
2. Print the colorful cards, and arrange them as a BINGO board on a wall in a high-traffic area
3. Let your staff complete challenges throughout the month and sign their name to each BINGO card as they do.
4. The goal is to get at least one BINGO horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. 

For each BINGO that a staff person gets, they will receive a raffle entry for prizes. These can be as simple as a prime parking spot, a jeans pass, or a free lunch. This is a great way to involve all the staff in your school, not just teachers, and promote positivity across the building. Just let your teachers know when the BINGO board is open, collect raffle entries, and raffle off prizes before break. This will be such a memorable activity that you will want to use it year after year!

6. Turkey Toss Challenge

Kids can't have all the fun at school! Get ready for laughter and a little friendly competition with this Turkey Toss Challenge. Using hula hoops, you'll set up a few different toss stations. Inside the resource, you'll find printable Thanksgiving-themed targets to place inside. Staff members will stand behind a spot marked on the floor with painter's tape and use bean bags or stuffed turkeys to toss at the target. This is a great activity to set up in the gym, or even outside on the playground if you live in a warm area. Staff take turns tossing into targets and earning points for their team. 

It’s active, silly, and guaranteed to bring people together! Finish it off with prizes for the winning team, like snacks, gift cards, or fun privileges. The best part about this activity is that you can choose the prizes to fit your budget! 

7. Turkey Hunt

The last November Staff Morale activity on this list is another active, fun game. To get started, you will print out the invitation that gives staff members the details. This activity is done every day for a week, and staff are put in teams to "hunt". On the first day of the event, hide a stuffed turkey somewhere in your school and let the hunt begin! 

Staff members will search throughout the day with their team and notify the leader of the game if they spot the hidden turkey. A point is awarded to the first team that finds it, and an extra bonus is given if they find it before noon. This repeats each day, and at the end of the week, points are tallied and the highest scoring team at the end of the week wins! You can choose the type of prizes you award, but one thing is for sure: this will be a hit! It’s a fantastic way to create energy and camaraderie in the weeks before break.

Bundle and Save on November Staff Morale Activities 

Loving all of these November staff morale activities? The good news is that you don't have to choose which one to use at your school! Check out this bundle to find many of the activities mentioned here, plus one more! Here's what's included:

• Turkey Name Game
• Gratitude BINGO 
• Turkey Hunt 
• November Post-It Notes
• Turkey Toss
• Gratitude Jar 

Grab the Thanksgiving Staff Morale Bundle to get these 6 activities, and don't forget to snag the Mini Pie Gift Tags and Guess the Turkey Weight Giveaway as well to secure plenty of Thanksgiving fun for your staff! With all of these fun and unique staff morale boosters in your back pocket, you'll be all set for a great November with your team. 

Have Fun Celebrating Thanksgiving with Your Team!

November is the season of gratitude, and these activities make it easy to celebrate the hardworking staff who keep your school thriving. Whether you’re gifting pies, sparking laughter with a silly turkey name, or encouraging wellness through BINGO, each small act adds up to a staff culture where people feel seen and appreciated. Take a moment this November to pause, give thanks, and spread joy. You’ll be amazed at the positive ripple effect it creates across your building!

Looking for More Staff Morale Activities?

Check out these posts next to get all set up for the months to come!

• More November Staff Morale Activities
• December Staff Morale Activities 
• January Staff Morale Activities
• Planning a Year of Staff Morale Activities

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October Math Activities for Primary Classrooms

October is such a fun month in the classroom! Between pumpkins, costumes, and all things fall, it’s the perfect time to weave a little seasonal magic into your math block. The trick, of course, is keeping activities meaningful and engaging. That’s where the right mix of centers, games, and hands-on practice comes in. Today, I’m rounding up some of my favorite October math resources that will keep your students learning while leaning into the excitement of the season. Whether you’re focusing on number sense, addition and subtraction, patterns, or even money skills, you’ll find something here to fit your plans!

Why Use Seasonal Resources?

First, a quick note on the value of using seasonal resources in your classroom. Using seasonal resources in the primary classroom is more than just adding a festive touch. Seasonal activities capture students’ attention, give abstract concepts a meaningful context, and help anchor learning to the time of year. When math lessons connect to something students are already excited about, like pumpkins, Halloween, or fall, the content sticks! Plus, seasonal themes naturally add variety, keeping your math block fresh and engaging month after month. Ready to see how it all comes together? Let's dive in! 

1. October Visual Discrimination Cards 

Visual discrimination skills are a building block for both reading and math. Finding ways to weave these skills into your lessons will pay off big time when it comes to student success. These Halloween-themed visual discrimination task cards help students practice spotting “same” and “different.” 

Best of all, though, you can use these in many different ways, too! Try using these task cards in your small group warm-ups, as an independent center activity, or a fun option for those fast-finishers in your room. Just print, cut, and laminate for durability, then store these cards in a plastic photo box for easy access. With 84 cards featuring fun Halloween pictures, they are sure to be a hit!

2. Five Little Pumpkins October Math Activity

Do you like teaching with songs and poems in your classroom? Rhythm and music help boost engagement and are so much fun! If you want to bring some Halloween fun to your room, I know you'll love this Five Little Pumpkins Resource! 

Inside, you'll find a poem poster that doubles as an interactive counting and subtraction activity. You get a poem poster in both color and black and white, a fun fall-themed work mat, and pumpkin strips that can be used by students or as a visual for group instruction. This activity is a lot of fun to use with candy pumpkins or mini erasers, too. No matter what you decide, I think this activity will become a classroom favorite!

3. October Friends of 10

Some teachers call this skill "friends of 10" while others simply say "making 10", but the idea is to help our students become more fluent with their math facts, and which addends make 10. After all, composing and decomposing 10 is a cornerstone skill for addition and subtraction! 

In this resource, you will find:

• Tens Buddy Cards: Helps students see at a glance which addends add up to the sum of 10
• Find the 10's Buddies Colored Wipe Off Boards - 4 different versions and all themed for Halloween fun 
• Find the 10's Buddies Worksheet - 8 versions that print 4 to a page. 
• Tens Buddy Path Games - candy corn and ghost version included

Try using these activities as center work, mini-lessons for math groups, or as a partner game! They are the perfect addition to your math centers in October.

4. Make a Ten Monster Game

Looking for more fun October math activities to practice making 10? You're in luck! This Make a Ten Monster Spinner Game is always a classroom hit! Here's how to play:

Each pair of students shares a 0-10 work mat. To save space, you can print the mats at half size. Each student receives two sets of candy number cards, giving them duplicate numbers to start the game, along with a single spinner. You can use a paperclip-and-pencil spinner or a plastic overlay spinner to determine the numbers. 

When a student spins, the spinner will land on a number between 0 and 10, which becomes the first addend in a number sentence. The student then goes to the corresponding monster work mat and selects the candy number card from their hand that, when added to the first number, equals a sum of 10. These are Make a 10 Monster mats are great for center time during the month of October!

5. Counting Forward and Backward Number Sense Game

Counting forward and backward is a foundational skill that students begin practicing in the primary years. Mastering “10 more, 10 less” and “1 more, 1 less” can be challenging for some students, but those who can do this with ease demonstrate strong number sense and place value understanding. This Counting On, Counting Backwards Game is perfect for your students during the month of October. Included, you get:

• 100 Number Cards with Numbers 1-120
• 4 Directions Cards (+1, -1, +10, -10)
• 4 Full Moon Cards (students steal a friend's pile)
• 4 Spider Web Cards (student takes another turn)

To play, students draw one number card and one directions card and follow the directions. They will count up or back by one or ten, depending on the card they drew. This card game will make it fun and easy to practice this skill with a fun Halloween twist! It’s a fun, engaging break from typical worksheets and traditional number sense games.

6. Pumpkin Number Bonds

This Number Bond Practice Math Center is perfect for students working on addition and subtraction within 20. With a pumpkin theme, it’s a fun way to sneak in some fall spirit while reinforcing essential math skills. Number bonds are the building blocks of addition and subtraction. Students practice finding the missing addend, figuring out sums, and developing strong number sense. 

To use, place the cards in a basket or container. Add dry-erase markers and erasers so students can write the missing numbers directly on the cards. Use all the cards or select a subset to meet different skill levels. Some students can focus on finding the missing addend, while others practice sums. There are also optional recording sheets for more accountability, too! Students can work solo or pair up to solve the cards together, checking each other’s work and talking through their thinking.

This pumpkin number bonds center makes learning concrete and visual, perfect for young learners who need something to hold, manipulate, and see as they work.

7. Pumpkin Shapes 

Young learners need engaging, concrete ways to explore shapes. This pocket chart activity makes 2D shapes visual, interactive, and meaningful. Students can match pictures to words, connect shapes to sentences, and even practice reading, all while exploring a seasonal theme they love. It’s a great way to integrate multiple skills in one playful activity! Here's what's included:

• 9 Pumpkin Shape Cards
• Matching Words Cards 
• Sentence Cards 
• Reproductible Mini Book

Use the shape cards, matching word cards, and sentence cards to create a pocket chart activity and identify each shape. Then, allow students to try this activity on their own during centers. Finally, use the mini books to reinforce what you've learned!

8. Pumpkin Patterns 

These Pumpkin Pattern Task Cards make pattern recognition visual, interactive, and fun! Students can identify and extend patterns with festive pumpkin shapes, all while enjoying a seasonal Fall or Halloween theme. This activity is perfect for independent practice in a fall math center. You get 20 Pumpkin Pattern Task Cards in a variety of patterns, as well as an answer key, in this download. 

Students determine the pattern on each card and choose which shape comes next from three options. They can clip a clothespin to the correct answer, giving a hands-on, self-checking element. Cards are numbered 1–20 for easy organization, and they include patterns such as AB, ABB, AAB, and more. This activity is ideal for small groups, math centers, or independent practice, making patterning both fun and educational!

9. October 120 Chart

Developing number sense is key for primary students, and finding missing numbers on a 120 chart is a hands-on way to strengthen this skill. These Halloween 120 Chart Puzzles make identifying missing numbers fun, seasonal, and engaging. Inside, you get 2 versions of 32 puzzles. One with less support and one with more support to fit the needs of your classroom. There are two ways to play:

• Pile Method: Place all cards in a pile. Students select a card, determine the missing number, and record it. 

• Scoot Activity: Spread cards around the classroom. Students rotate from card to card, recording the missing numbers as they move. Collect recording sheets at the end for grading.

These puzzles provide a fun, seasonal twist on number sense practice, keeping students engaged while reinforcing important skills!

10. Haunted House Money Math Lesson 

Last on the list, I've got a spooky surprise! Practicing coin identification, counting money, and making change doesn’t have to be boring! This Halloween, your students can get hands-on experience with money while creating a festive haunted house craft. Combining math with a seasonal theme not only boosts engagement but also helps students see the real-world application of the skills they’re learning.

This activity is perfect for teaching students how to identify coins, count money, and make change in a meaningful, interactive way. Instead of traditional worksheets, students “shop” for haunted house pieces using coins from their own cups. They’ll practice adding, multiplying, and making change as they collect all the items they need to complete their craft.

To set up the activity, give each student a menu and a cup of coins. Organize your classroom into small store stations with adults, parent volunteers, or older students acting as storekeepers. As students shop, they practice coin identification, count sets of coins, add totals, and make change. Storekeepers provide guidance as needed, and once students have gathered all their pieces, they return to their seats to assemble their haunted houses. This activity is not only educational but also incredibly engaging!

More October Math Activities 

So friend, which of these October Math Activities was your favorite?! Can't decide? Don't worry, you don't have to! You can find all of the super-engaging, Halloween, and pumpkin-themed October math activities in my shop! Head on over to snag them all and find many more engaging activities to use throughout the month of October. Have fun with your spooky math lessons!

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November Pocket Chart Fun for the Primary Classroom

November is the perfect month to engage your students with festive, hands-on activities that build literacy and phonemic awareness while keeping learning fun. Pocket charts are an excellent way to create interactive lessons that students can explore independently, and they’re perfect for the primary classroom. In this post, I’m sharing some must-have November pocket chart activities that are ready to use, low prep, and incredibly effective!

Why Pocket Charts Work So Well in the Classroom

Pocket charts are one of the easiest centers to establish in your classroom. They’re compact, easy to store, and simple for students to use independently. Once students learn how to interact with a pocket chart, they can practice skills on their own or in small groups. When finished, all the pieces can be tucked into an envelope or small container for safekeeping until next year, making organization a breeze. Plus, pocket charts are versatile, too! They can be used on the tabletop, floor, or even as a shared reading space. Now, let's talk pocket chart fun for November!

Pocket Chart Poetry Activities for November 

Poetry is a wonderful way to develop phonemic awareness in kindergarten, first, and even second graders. Not to mention, kids think it's a lot of fun! In my room, I liked to use two different Thanksgiving-themed poems that are perfect for pocket charts, tabletop activities, or floor practice. One is about being thankful, and one is all about those silly turkeys. You'll start by teaching the poem orally and then let students practice reading, rhythm, and rhyme independently. Each poem pack includes:

• Poem split into pocket chart word cards (2 colors included for matching)
• Printed version - perfect for student reference 
• Instructions and ideas for using in your classroom

How to Teach the Poem (Step by Step)

If you’re brand new to teaching with poetry, here’s a simple routine you can try:

Model the Poem Orally: First, read the poem aloud with lots of expression, so students hear the rhythm and rhyme. Then, invite them to echo you line by line. For example, read:“Turkeys big, turkeys small” and have the whole group repeat it back three times.

Add Movement or Gestures: Young learners love actions! As you read together, flap your arms like a turkey or gesture big and small. Movements make the words easier to remember.

Point and Read Together: Display the pocket chart words and track each word with a seasonal pointer (a fun leaf, turkey, or even just a craft stick with a sticker). Move left to right, pointing under each word as the class reads along. This models voice-print pairing and reinforces one-to-one correspondence.

Student Practice in the Pocket Chart: When you're ready, place the cut-apart word cards in a basket and let students rebuild the poem. At first, they can simply match words on colored paper to the black-and-white chart you’ve pre-assembled. Later, challenge them to put the poem in order independently. This is a great way to differentiate the activity for all of your learners.

By repeating this same structure with both the Thankful Poem and the Turkey Poem, you’ll give students the comfort of routine while keeping things fresh with seasonal content. These poems are a wonderful way to practice fluency daily, and the pocket chart format makes it easy and versatile to use in a variety of ways. 

Pocket Chart Poems for the Whole Year

I know once you give these a try in your room, your students will be hooked, so be sure to check out the Year-Long Pocket Chart Poem Bundle, too! This includes 12 different poems, so you can continue the poetry pocket chart center all year long!

With these poetry pocket chart activities, your students will strengthen a wide range of early literacy skills in a fun and interactive way. They’ll practice essential reading behaviors such as left-to-right progression, return sweep, and one-to-one correspondence, while also building voice-print pairing and sight word recognition. 

Each poem reinforces phonemic awareness through rhythm, rhyme, and repetition, and gives students the chance to work on beginning sounds, rhyming words, and overall reading fluency. Together, these skills provide a strong foundation for growing confident, independent readers all year long.

More Uses for the Poems 

Beyond the pocket chart center, you can also use the included printed poems in "I Can Read Notebooks". Using this resource continues to reinforce top-to-bottom, left-to-right reading and return sweep. This resource includes 10 different sample pages to get you started, as well as everything you need to make the binders themselves, including cover pages and binder spines. Then, each month, as you introduce new poems, you can add them to the notebooks for continued, independent practice. Students will love reading the poems at their desks and illustrating them. 

Colorful Turkeys Pocket Chart

Learning colors has never been this fun! This Colorful Turkeys November Pocket Chart activity is perfect for students working on color recognition and reading color words. The adorable turkey graphics make matching exercises engaging, while students practice reading simple color words or sentences. Here's what's included:

• Turkey picture cards 
• Color word cards 
• Color sentence cards (This turkey is....)
• Color or Black Text options
• Bonus color gameboard and spinner

To play, place all cards in a basket near the pocket chart. Students match picture cards with the correct color word or sentence. You can choose the option that best fits the skill level of your students. For students who have not mastered color words, start with the color text options that allow them to match colors while also practicing reading these words. For more of a challenge, use the black text option. Consider using a seasonal pointer to use as students read the sentences or identify color words for an extra layer of fun. 

Next, use the spinner game to move pawns to matching turkeys as a follow-up activity. This game is perfect as a companion to the pocket chart activity that will extend learning and give kids more opportunities to practice color recognition and color words! They will love "racing" to the finish line as they spin, identify the color, and move their game marker!

Thanksgiving Nonsense Word Activity

Looking for a way to boost fluency and decoding skills this November? This Nonsense Word November Pocket Chart Activity engages students while practicing CVC words. Kindergarten and first graders will love sorting turkey-themed cards into real words and nonsense words. Plus, it's far more exciting than a plain word list! This resource includes:

• 60 turkey-themed cards 
• Header cards for sorting "Real Words" and "Nonsense Words"
• Optional student recording sheet for additional accountability 

Students will choose a card, read it, and sort the cards under the correct heading based on whether they are real or nonsense words.  The activity covers all short vowels, making it a comprehensive, engaging center for small groups or whole group instruction. Not to mention, this one is always full of giggles as students decode the words and determine if they are real or not! You can also use the optional recording sheets for some additional accountability and have students write the words as they sort. 

November Pocket Chart Fun for Everyone!

Pocket chart activities are a simple, low-prep way to build essential literacy skills in the primary classroom while keeping students engaged and independent. From Thanksgiving poems and color matching to nonsense word fluency, these November resources will help you create meaningful, hands-on centers your students will love. Head on over to TPT to snag these and many other activities that can be used in pocket charts in your classroom.

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5 Ways to Use Word Banks to Support Independent Writing in K-2

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a student ask, “How do you spell ___?” If I had a dollar for every time, well… let’s just say I could probably fund my entire classroom library! While it can feel repetitive, this is actually an amazing opportunity to help students build independence, strengthen spelling skills, and develop confidence as writers. The key? Word banks!

 

What are Word Banks?

Word banks are organized collections of words that students can reference while reading or writing. They can include high-frequency sight words, thematic vocabulary, or words that follow specific phonics patterns. In K-2 classrooms, they are often in the format of a picture dictionary. 

They serve as a safety net for young writers, helping them spell words correctly without interrupting the flow of their ideas. By giving students easy access to the words they need, word banks promote independence, boost confidence, and encourage more frequent writing practice. 

They can be as simple as a small card, a class chart, or a full, multi-page picture dictionary. Really, anything that allows students to quickly find and use words during their learning!

Why Word Banks Work for K-2

Word banks give students a reference they can use when they’re stuck, so they aren’t constantly interrupting your teaching or feeling frustrated. They also provide repeated exposure to high-frequency words and phonics patterns, which helps students internalize correct spelling over time. When students know where to find the words they need, they can focus more on expressing their ideas rather than stressing over spelling.

When we're just getting started with word banks, I love to use one that includes common words that show up in primary writing. Then, as we are getting deeper into phonics lessons, we use word banks that feature words tied directly to those rules. These tools are one of the best ways to create more independent, confident writers in your classroom, which is my favorite benefit of all! 

Now, let's take a look at how you can use these amazing tools for writing growth in your classroom!

1. Writing Folder Support

My first idea for using word banks is probably my favorite. . . Tuck timely word bank pages into writing folders for instant support! This was a go-to in my classroom over the years. All you need to do is keep a small set of word bank pages on hand that are relevant to what students are writing about. 

For example, if you’re writing about fall topics, include words like leaf, pumpkin, rake, and apple. Students can pull out these pages whenever they need them. This makes writing activities quick, easy, and self-directed! This is great if you are running centers in your classroom or need some time to facilitate small groups. 

To make this easy to prep, I liked to store master copies in plastic sleeves in a binder. Then, as I was prepping folders for the month, I could quickly and easily make copies to place in each folder. The kids LOVE to see the new word bank each month, and I love how much it supports their writing. 

2. Create Picture Dictionary Reference Books 

Picture dictionaries are a great addition to your writing center or classroom book area. Students can flip through pages to find the word they need, matching letters with images. This visual support is especially helpful for young students or English language learners. Over time, these picture dictionaries become go-to references, making your classroom more independent and less interrupted.

I like to create a few of these and rotate them throughout the year. You can make books with common words for the season, as well as specific phonics skills you're working on. You might be surprised how many children choose to "read" these reference books all on their own during free choice reading time! 

3. Use the Smartboard

For whole-group or small-group writing, project timely word banks on your Smartboard. This allows all students to see and refer to words at the same time. You can update the projected word bank weekly to align with writing prompts, thematic units, or phonics skills. Plus, it saves paper while keeping students engaged!

This is also a great way to make a large anchor-chart version of the word banks. Just project it up on the wall, trace everything on chart paper, and color in the pictures. This is a lot of fun to use during a morning meeting when you introduce a new word bank. Plus, you'll be able to leave it hanging up all month long. 

4. Use a Word of the Day Board

Feature one or two high-interest or thematic words each day on a small display or whiteboard. Students can refer to the word throughout the day in their writing, during discussions, or even during journal time. This repeated exposure helps the word stick while encouraging students to use new vocabulary confidently. 

You can also have students add these words to a personal word bank journal they keep at their desks and draw a picture to go with it. Add the word to the word wall when the day is over, and by the end of the month, you'll have a huge visual display of fun, seasonal words that students can include in their writing. 

5. Incorporate Word Banks into Guided Reading & Writing 

During guided writing lessons, display a word bank relevant to the prompt. Students can refer to the bank while writing their ideas, helping them connect spelling, phonics patterns, and sentence construction all at once. This is especially effective for reinforcing recently taught phonics or vocabulary skills.

I also find that word banks are super helpful during guided reading lessons as well. Keeping a few word banks with timely words or phonics patterns handy is a great visual reminder to help students connect text to pictures and better comprehend the material. 

Ready to Use Word Bank Resources

If you're loving the sound of using word banks in your classroom to foster independent writing skills and self-confidence, you'll love my ready-to-use resources! As I mentioned, these were a favorite in my room, so I made lots of options to use all year long. 

Picture Dictionary

This Picture Dictionary will make your word bank dreams come true! Inside, you will find done-for-you word bank resources to make facilitating independence a breeze. Here's what's included:

• 10 monthly word banks with seasonal words
• 12 thematic word banks (animals, weather, colors, and more)
• 4 seasonal word banks
• 26 beginning sound words
• dictionary cover pages 

You will love using these in your classroom to make reference books, as well as using them individually for student support. Not to mention, I know your kids will be SO excited to see a fresh new word list in their writing folder each month! 

Phonics Word Banks 

Using word banks as you're learning new phonics rules is a total game-changer. You'll be amazed at how much this helps your students master new spelling patterns and sounds. Plus, they're a great support to send home in homework folders, too! Here are the phonics rules covered in this bundle:

• Beginning Sounds (long & short vowels)
• CVC and CVE words
• Beginning and Ending Blends
• Beginning and Ending Digraphs 
• Vowel Teams and Bossy R
• Final Double Consonants

That's right, you get 6 different phonics rules word banks that will transform your literacy and writing blocks! I know that you will find endless ways to use these, even beyond the 5 things I mentioned above.

Independent Writing Here We Come! 

Word banks are the ultimate tool for independence, confidence, and skill-building. The next time a student asks you how to spell a word, you can point them to a word bank and watch them light up with pride as they find it themselves! Beyond the classroom management benefits of using word banks, I think you'll love to see the positive mental impact this has on your students. There's nothing quite like independence to boost your mood and make you feel capable, right?! Head on over to TPT and grab these word bank resources to help your kids become confident, capable writers! 

Looking for More?

Check out these posts next for more support in K-2!

• 4 Must Teach Primary Classroom Procedures
  
• Fun Activities to Help Students Hear and Count Syllables
  

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