March 2022 Reading!

Abracadabra! Spring is in the air and having spring-themed books is a great way to get kids in the mood for observing the changing season. Spring offers a wide variety of books that celebrates the arrival of baby animals, blooming flowers and trees. 

Kids learn in many different ways. Poems, fictional characters can teach lessons in new and exciting ways. So rather than simply talking about a topic, you can use stories to explore a topic. Reinforcing healthy eating and healthy habits can be done in a fun and educational way by using books. The characters in a book can be used as a tool to inspire young children to be more adventurous and taste different types of food. Combing the reading of books about food with cookery will reinforce the message to try new things.

Gardening books are a great way to help children learn about where their food comes from and who grows it. Taking time to explain words and looking at pictures give kids time to explore their curiosity and ask questions.  What do they think the fruit or vegetable tastes like? Ask open-ended questions to invite kids to explore their own ideas about healthy eating and gardening. Books can plant seeds for healthy habits,  and gardening books can spark interesting discussions about the joy and importance of gardening.

You can use historical fiction to provide a rich learning environment. Picture books are engaging and full of interesting information so they provide a great starting point for exploring events and people. Picture books also provide visual and contextual clues to how people dressed and how they lived. A great way to ensure that students learn and remember is to ask them to draw and write about the person or the event. 

History promotes multiple perspectives and history introduces children to characters who have different points of view. In addition, the characters may solve an issue or problem in a different way. March is a wonderful time to read books about amazing and fantastic women. Tailor a book display around Women’s History Month, and encourage your kids to learn about the important contributions of women throughout history.

Happy Reading!

March 2022 Products

Spring is knocking on the classroom door! From rainbows to healthy eating and remarkable women, you’ll find exciting resources in my TpT shop that will help you plan March in your classroom. It might seem like yesterday that we were coming back from the winter break, and now we are starting to count the days until the Spring break arrives. 

St Patrick’s Day is a holiday that observes the death of the patron saint of Ireland. This March 17th you can celebrate all things Irish in your classroom. St Patrick’s Day began as a religious feast but it is now grown to an international festival where people eat Irish food, take part in parades and dancing. People are wearing green shamrocks and dressing up Irish fairies called leprechauns. The Emerald Island with its rich history makes a fantastic topic for a project. 

The warmer weather might spark another green project. Gardening offers a fantastic opportunity to meet science standards. Growing beans is an easy way to see the progress of each step in the life cycle of beans. Exploring different types of veggies and discussing if you eat the top or bottom can result in a really interesting discussion. Gardening projects can also have a healthy focus and vegetables like carrots can be explored from a healthy eating perspective. 

Celebrate the new life born on the farm with a project.  Farm animals are a great topic that can be expanded to include science and social studies lessons on sustainability and food chains. Drawing is an important form of communication and using directed drawing is a great opportunity to enhance drawing skills. You’ll be amazed by the finished drawing of cows, sheep, pigs and other farm animals.  

Finally,  March is women’s history month. Dedicate this month to reflect on and explore often-overlooked contributions of women to culture, history and society. History is filled with remarkable women from Helen Keller, and Amelia Earhart to Marie Curie and Malala Yusafzai. Read about the exciting life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the 2nd woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court!

All resources may be found in my store!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Thebeezyteacher

Let your classroom bloom with fresh ideas as you welcome Spring!

You are a friend! - Teaching kids about friendship and caring

February is perfect for exploring friendships skills. Explore different ways that you can show somebody that you care. You can smile, say kind words, or spend time together. Kids may desperately want friends, yet, sometimes they do not know how to treat them.

“Everybody Loves You Mr Hatch” is a story book companion based on the famous book  "Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch" by Eileen Spinelli. This is a book with a strong message where the importance of love and kindness is emphasised. It is a story that can be enjoyed year-round but particularly it is great to use the book to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The story will support kids to understand how wonderful it is to feel loved and the importance of helping others feel loved. 

Mr Hatch is a lonely man who doesn’t interact with anyone. One day he receives a box of chocolate in the mail with a note that says “Somebody loves you.” Mr Hatch has no idea who has sent the box and he starts to get to know the people that he interacts with every day while he is trying to find out who has sent the box.

He begins to bake treats and help his neighbors but it turns out that the box was delivered to the wrong address and the box of chocolates was not meant for him!  Fortunately, a simple gesture from his neighbors shows Mr Hatch that he is loved.

The book shows that you need to be brave when you reach out to others. Sending out love to people around you, magnify the love in your own heart. Liesl - in the movie "The Sound of Music" says, "Love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay, Love isn’t love ’til you give it away”

By using resources that includes friendship activities you support kids to develop building blocks of relationships. Finding out that different people can have things in common and learning how to plant seeds of friendships are vital life skills. Plant lots of friendship seeds in February!

Check out my resource about Mr. Hatch in my store!

 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Everybody-Loves-You-Mr-Hatch-with-Digital-Activities-1707658 

Enjoy!

Sweet Reading Books for February

What better way to celebrate kindness and love than reading Valentine’s Day stories. Heartwarming stories about people or monsters who are trying to fit in. After all, love is not only about hearts, flowers and chocolate. Share different flavors of love by using a wide range of books that showcase gratitude and the joy of sharing love.

There a many wonderful fiction books about the Groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil. Stock up on some fascinating non-fiction books  - the perfect complement when kids are carrying out their own research into the lives of these fascinating creatures. Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks or whistle pigs. Why whistle pigs? Well, that is a great research question.

 

Kids will love reading fiction as well as educational books about dental health. There is a great selection of books about brushing and flossing. Stories about the first loose tooth experience and the tooth fairy provide exciting reading material.

 

February is Black History Month. Kids should be exposed to images to understand diversity. Celebrating diversity enriches the minds of all children. Spend time reading books that introduce young kids to what Black History Month is all about.  Teaching all kids about the struggles of segregation, racism and slavery is important to build a more equal world.



“Reading is the gateway for children that makes all other learning possible.” – Barack Obama



Happy Reading!

Sweet February 2022 Products

Seasonal topics help you keep the classroom exciting and fresh. February may be a short month, yet, friendship is in the air, teeth are shining bright, and an irresistible little critter is making predictions!

A very important question is when is Spring coming? On the 2nd of February, people ask Punxsutawney Phil if he can see his shadow? Will Spring come early or late? Your kids will be delighted when you give them a fact booklet to celebrate Groundhog Day. Researching this fascinating animal is a lovely way to develop reading, writing and drawing skills. 

February is Dental Health Month and encouraging kids to learn about dental hygiene can put a big healthy smile on kids’ faces. Your kids will be eager to learn about how to brush their teeth once they have been told about plaque. Keep kids busy by making paper teeth, drawing tooth fairies and other craftivities.

In the classroom, Valentine’s Day is all about kindness and friendship. Your classroom will look stunning when you display kids Valentine crafts and drawings. Creating animals out of hearts is a fun activity and hearty animal crafts make a lovely gift.

President’s Day is a wonderful chance to honor all our presidents and to teach kids about their lives and remarkable achievements. Research the accomplishments of our first president George Washington, and great leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama. Black History Month offers a chance to explore the rich history and cultures of Africa and African-Americans. Open your kids’ eyes to the achievements made by Martin Luther King Jr, Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Rosa Parks, and Frederick Douglass. 

February offers so many possibilities for themes that it can be challenging to know where to begin. Let us know how you make the most of this month in your classroom. 

All products may be found in my store!  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Thebeezyteacher