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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5 Ways to Use Handwritten Notes to Boost Staff Morale

If you're anything like me, you're probably on the lookout for simple yet effective ways to show appreciation and boost staff morale in your school. This was my focus for many years as the leader of the Sunshine Committee in my building. Over the years, I learned that handwritten notes are one of the best ways to add a personal touch and make everyone feel appreciated. Let's chat about simple ways you can weave these into your staff morale plan!

The Simple, Personalized Gestures Mean So Much!

Why handwritten notes? Well, they are a personalized, thoughtful gesture that's becoming less and less common. In our digital world, staff are used to receiving emails and e-cards, but receiving a handwritten note feels extra special! I know that personally, there's nothing that feels better to me than getting a note in the mail or finding one left on my desk. It's definitely a bucket filler!

Aside from making your staff feel remembered, handwritten notes are great for many other reasons, such as:

• They're inexpensive
• Easy to make time for
• Can be used for many occasions
• Easily adaptable 
• Encourage staff to slow down and connect 

No matter how you look at it, handwritten notes are a surefire winner for boosting staff morale! If you want to make an intentional effort to include these in your year, come along for 5 fun and unique ways to use them! 

1. Back-to-School Postcards 

If you work in a school, I don't need to tell you how busy the back to school season can be! It's a hectic time of year for everyone. This means that staff morale is more important than ever! We want our teachers and faculty to come back to school, looking forward to connecting with each other, not dreading it. One of the ways to help facilitate this is with handwritten notes. 

I loved sending personalized postcards to each member of the staff right as back to school time was gearing up. I heard so many staff members comment on how it was a wonderful surprise and just the boost of motivation they needed. The fun thing about sending personalized notes rather than an email blast is that you can tailor them to different personalities. 

This Back to School Postcards Resource is filled with 9 different designs that print 4 to a page. There's a wide variety of styles to choose from, so you'll be able to find something for everyone on your staff roster. Whether you need an encouraging quote, a funny joke, or just a sweet back to school message, these postcards will fit the bill! 

2. Summertime Postcards 

Postcards are a hit, so why not use them in the summer months too? I know that staff morale can be harder to facilitate in the summer months, and sending mail straight to their mailboxes is a great way to show appreciation! This Summer Postcard Resource includes 10 different designs. 

To use, just select the designs you like and print them off. There is also a backside design included that you can print using the 2-sided feature in your printer. Print on cardstock so they hold up in the mail! Then just fill them out, add postage, and send them off to make your staff smile! 

I recommend printing these off before the school year ends and cutting them with a paper cutter. Then, bring them home with you (along with some cute pens) and fill them out as you have time. You can send them throughout the summer to spread a little joy! Looking for more ways to boost staff morale in the summer? I've got you covered. Check out this unique list of ideas next!

3. Encourage Staff to Give Handwritten Notes 

Once you start showing appreciation with handwritten notes for staff, I know you'll be hooked! These small, yet meaningful gestures always invoke a cascade of positivity and joy in the workplace. We loved them so much in my building that I actually liked to take it a step further and encourage staff to send notes to each other. 

This is easy to do if you have a staff morale hub, or sunshine corner, in your school. Just fill a basket with a variety of notecards and let staff know they are free for the taking. You can remind staff during monthly meetings if needed. Before you know it, you'll see those cards disappear and wonderful, encouraging notes being handed out left and right. 

You can find lots of inexpensive notecards at places like Target and the Dollar Store. I also have a few personal favorites on Amazon linked below:

• Bright Colors
• Groovy Pastels 
• Elegant Florals 

Encourage your staff to share thank-you's among their team and throughout the school to keep those positive vibes flowing!

4. Take Time for Handwritten Birthday Cards 

What's better than getting recognized on your birthday? Not much, right?! I mean, seriously, it really can bring a big smile to staff faces. And the best part is that it doesn't take much to make staff feel special. A thoughtful Birthday Card is just the thing! 

There are 10 different birthday cards included in this resource, along with 10 different coordinating messages that can be mixed and matched. Just choose, print, and fill out to spread birthday cheer! You can pass these around for other staff members to sign, or print a few to be filled out by different team members. No matter what you decide, I know your faculty will love to receive a personalized card. 

If you really want to get ahead of the game, print several copies of these ahead of time and store them in a file folder for quick and easy access throughout the year. You'll be so happy you thought ahead!

5. Holiday Cards 

Alright, friend, one more simple idea to get handwritten notes out to your staff - Holiday Cards! I think we can all agree that December is a busy month. We're all trying to squeeze our teaching into a short month, prepare for time off, and spread some merriment. Help staff feel valued and appreciated during this crazy time with some handwritten, personalized holiday cards. 

The postcards in this resource are great to send out to the homes of your staff over break, or simply place them in your mailbox area in the office. Either way, they mean so much! Inside this resource, you will find 7 different cards to choose from for your staff members. They cover winter themes, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza, so you'll have plenty to choose from. 

Looking to mix it up? This resource also includes 5 options for you to send to staff family members. This is a fun alternative to the normal card and will allow you to tell staff family members why they are valuable to your team! 

Boost Staff Morale All Year Long with Handwritten Notes

With these simple ideas, you'll be able to send out handwritten notes all year long. I love this strategy for showing staff that they are valued and appreciated, without breaking the bank! We all know that it can be difficult to manage a staff morale budget, but with handwritten notes, your costs will be kept to a minimum. Plus, there's no denying how special we all feel when we receive a handwritten, personalized note of appreciation! Give these a try in your school at different times of the year to boost morale and keep spirits high. Click on the images below to grab them all on TPT! 

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Be sure to read this post next if you're looking for more ways to make room in the school budget for staff morale activities!

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4 Must-Teach Primary Classroom Procedures for the Beginning of the School Year

If you have ever taught in the primary grades, you likely already know that the first month or so of the school year is all about laying a solid foundation that sticks. During back-to-school time, it's super important to focus on the routines and classroom procedures that will help your students be successful all year long. In fact, I recommend developing those skills from the very first day. So let's dive into the 4 must-teach primary classroom procedures that will save your sanity and promote independence all year long! 

Why Teaching Classroom Procedures is a MUST in the Primary Grades 

The truth is, when it comes to essential classroom procedures, like how to use scissors or care for books, many children simply haven't been taught. Your kiddos aren't trying to be irresponsible with the school supplies; they just don't know the proper way to use them. And that's okay, because we're going to fix that! 

Teaching routines and classroom procedures, especially when it comes to how to use materials and tools, is going to be a game-changer in your classroom. Not only will this help ensure your school supplies stand up, but it will also mean that your students will learn personal responsibility, respect for property, and how to share with classmates. I'm sure we can all agree that these are great things to focus on with little learners. 

These are also great to teach right away since that means you can get started using books, scissors, glue, and pencils. Not together, of course, but you get the idea! Teaching these things will also open the door to teaching other classroom rules and expectations naturally. All-in-all, it's a win! 

Make Teaching Classroom Procedures Simple with Read-Alouds

Alright, ready to see how I make this super simple, friendly, and easy to implement? In my room, I created some read-alouds that cover these 4 classroom procedures. During the first week of school, we use 1 per day with the whole group. I read it aloud, and then we had a discussion afterward to discuss what we learned. I also love to make these books available for the kiddos to look through later as a little reminder when needed throughout the year. 

The idea is to prepare the read alouds ahead of time and bind them into books you can use in your lessons. I liked to laminate the pages and use a binding machine to do so. Then, I would read the book aloud in the classroom and have a discussion with students afterward. You can even make an anchor chart with some of the things you covered to make this lesson more impactful. Using read-alouds has proven to be an easy and age-appropriate way to convey the message right from the start!

So, what exactly should you teach? Glad you asked! Here's a look at the top four must-teach classroom procedures for primary kiddos. 

1. Book Care Classroom Procedures

I loved having a large collection of books available to my students in my classroom. The classroom library was one of our centers, and I designed a cozy little area where kids were able to choose a book and tuck themselves away. I found this to be so helpful for students who needed some quiet time sprinkled into their day, or maybe didn't have access to many books at home. I would swap them out every season, so the choices were always fresh. 

This space only stays magical if the books stay in good shape, though! This is why I highly recommend teaching this classroom procedure right off the bat! I like to sit down with my students and use my read-aloud that discusses the rules regarding book use. Some of the rules we cover include:

• Make sure to handle books with clean hands 
• Not eating or drinking while handling books
• Not tearing or cutting pages 

and more! Reading aloud is a great way to help students understand that we must take care of property if we want to be able to keep using it! 

2. Classroom Procedures for Glue 

How to use glue properly is another super important classroom procedure to teach in the primary grades. I'm not sure if there's much worse than puddles of sticky glue dripping off every surface! So before it has the chance to happen, use an activity like this Glue Practice Read Aloud to make it easier on your students, and you! 

This book covers proper procedures for both liquid glue and gluesticks. No more broken glue sticks or excess glue on your watch! I recommend introducing this book during the first week of school, having plenty of discussions, and re-reading it anytime your kids need a refresher. Art supplies are fun and tempting to overdo it with, so you may need to revisit this one a few times! 

Oh, and if you're looking for another tip to make your glue sticks last longer, purchase giant-sized ones like these. They hold up better and are easier for little hands to use! 

3. Scissor Safety Practice 

Does the idea of teaching kids to use scissors give you the chills? I get it. This is a BIG one in the primary classroom. Not only for safety, but to keep the rest of your materials and classmates' hair out of the line of fire! But with an age-appropriate read-aloud about scissor safety, you won't have to stress about this! 

This resource is packed with all of the important rules and classroom procedures your kids should know when it comes to scissors safety. Inside the book, you will find age-appropriate, clear illustrations to help them understand. I've also used simple language throughout and empowering "I" statements. 

I also highly recommend purchasing some quality scissors for your classroom for your primary students. I love these blunt-tip scissors. The reason is that some of the cheaply made knockoffs don't work as well and will result in frustration when your kids are trying to use them.

4. Finger Spacing 

Last on this list is another important classroom procedure that I recommend teaching early on - finger spacing. This is so important because it will help your students with reading and writing legibility. In my classroom, I used the Spaceman for over 15 years. If you've never heard of this, you're in for a treat! 

I use this read-aloud along with my own "Spaceman" tool to demonstrate proper finger spacing. You can purchase wooden spaceman tools like these or make your own with popsicle sticks. The idea is that kids will use them as they write to leave the proper amount of space between words. The kids LOVE these and honestly, I do too! It makes teaching this classroom procedure fun and easy! 

Final Tips for Teaching Classroom Procedures

As you prepare to get started teaching these essential classroom procedures in your own classroom, I have a few more tips for you to make this as easy as possible! 

Teach One Thing at a Time 

Don't try to shove these lessons into a single day. For primary kiddos, focusing on one skill per day is usually a good amount of time that will allow you to teach the procedures, discuss, and practice. Speaking of which. . . 

Allow Lots of Practice! 

After reading each of the books on classroom procedures, allow your kids to practice. Many times. They can use glue sticks, try snipping paper with scissors, or have a few minutes of reading using the procedures taught. I like to talk through some of the things that were covered in the read-alouds as kids' work. 

Be Patient 

Even with the best lesson and lots of practice, patience is going to be an essential element for success. Know that there will be slip-ups and use them as opportunities to revisit the rules and re-teach classroom procedures throughout the year. 

Grab the Classroom Procedures Bundle to Simplify Your Lessons 

Want to make teaching classroom procedures and routines seamless in your room? Make sure to snag the bundle of Classroom Routines Read Alouds! Inside, you get all four books that you can prep and laminate to be used over and over again in your classroom. They take the guesswork out of this process and will help you effectively teach these essential classroom procedures in an age-appropriate and engaging format! Plus, you'll be armed and ready when it's time for a refresher! 

Looking for More Beginning of the Year Tips?

Make sure to check out these posts next! 

• 7 Ideas for Making Student Birthdays Special
• Back to School Resources for a Smooth Year

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