Teacher Holiday Tag 2021

Happy Sunday! Today, I am sharing with you my answers to the Teacher Holiday Tag. This tag has been floating around on YouTube and Pinterest, so I thought it would be fun to share some of my own answers. 

 1. What is your favorite drink this time of year: coffee, hot chocolate, or cider?

I am a huge hot chocolate fan! One of my students actually brought me a hot chocolate from Starbucks last week-- I have the best students! 

2. What is your favorite holiday read aloud?

This year, I decided to transform my classroom into Whoville. To set the stage, I read How The Grinch Stole Christmas and followed it up with ELA activities, where students had to practice sequencing and distinguishing facts from opinions. Students also put together Grinch puzzles by solving two-digit by two-digit multiplication equations. 

I picked up another book this year, The Little Red Sleigh by Erin Guendelsberger. This book is super cute! My students completed a directed drawing after we discussed the main idea and supporting details of the story. Later on in the day, students completed a STEM challenge where they had to build a functional sleigh. It was so much fun!

3. What is your favorite holiday craft?

The ornament kits from Hobby Lobby are my go-to! They're super cute and mess-free.

4. What is the weirdest gift you've ever received from a student?

I don't think I've ever received a "weird" gift from a student. However, I did find it pretty comical that half of my class brought me Reece's. 

5. Are you giving student gifts for the holiday this year? If so, what?

Every year, I give my students a winter-themed travel mug with a bag of Snowman Soup (hot chocolate, marshmallows, Hershey kisses, and a candy cane). It's super easy and it is budget-friendly. 

6. Are you planning a winter/holiday party?

I work at a Christian school so we had a birthday party for Baby Jesus! Hobby Lobby has the cutest stuff. I found napkins, cups, and cupcake holders that said Happy Birthday Jesus. It was a huge hit!

7. Do you dress in holiday fashion or stick to regular clothes?

Holiday fashion, all the way! I'm that teacher that puts a water bottle in her hair for Christmas Crazy Hair Day. 

8. What are you most looking forward to during Winter Break?

I am most looking forward to sleeping in during Winter Break. I'm also looking forward to spending time with my family. 

9. Candy cane or gingerbread men?

Candy canes! I love all things peppermint. 

10. What's your favorite holiday treat?

Cookies. Cookies. And, more cookies. My grandma makes the best chocolate chip cookies. 

And, that's the tag! I had a lot of fun putting this blog post together. I am planning on bringing my blog back in 2022 as my Capstone Thesis will be completed as of the end of February. Please let me know what types of blog posts you'd be interested in seeing. 

Have a Merry Christmas!

8 Spring Break Teacher Projects

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter! #HeIsRisen

In today's blog post, I decided to share some teacher projects I have been working on while on Spring Break. I decided to use my time off to lesson plan, create new content for my students, and DIY some organization materials with my sister's Cricut. 

1. Rae Dunn Inspired 3-Tier Cart

My sister used her Cricut to DIY some of my most recent purchases from Michael's. I purchased a 3-tier rolling cart and labeled it with the words "motivate," "educate," and "differentiate." I am planning to use this cart for guided math and reading groups. Hopefully, this will cart will help me manage my groups a little bit better. (Be sure to follow me on Instagram @guilianna13 to see pictures of my DIYs.)

2. Task Box Organizer (Math and Reading Centers Approved)

Michael's was having a huge sale a couple of weekends ago. I picked up two Rainbow Photo & Craft Keeper by Simply Tidy.  Each of these photo keepers are holding task cards for my math and reading centers. I also made labels for each of the containers. I am obsessed! I will be doing a whole post on these storage boxes over the summer. 

Run, don't walk: it's currently on sale for $14.99. 

3. Word Work Bin

Worksheets are SO overrated! Am I right? I decided to do some research on Word Work. I created these worksheets inspired by Pocketful of Primary and other elementary YouTubers. I created an instruction sheet and an actual worksheet for student practice. On the instruction sheet, I included optional activities the students can do if they finish early. Click here to print out your own copies.

4. Amazon Wish List (For Next Year!)

Start to put together your Amazon Wish List! As a first year teacher, I wasn't sure what I wanted or needed for my classroom. As I came across things that I would like in my classroom, I put together a list on Amazon. Something big on my wish list this year is a kidney table with flexible seating. I do a lot of small group instruction and differentiation in my classroom. A kidney table will allow me to give individualized instruction to my students who need a little extra support. 

Check out my Amazon Wish List here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/YKAJD35K793K?ref_=wl_share.

5. Google Classroom Assignments 

Get ahead of your Google Classroom game and post assignments for the upcoming weeks. This will take a load off after coming back from Spring Break. I spent a couple of hours scheduling the rest of my spelling assignments for the rest of the year. Yes, you read that right. The rest of the year! I am so glad that is done! 

6. Organize Your Google Drive.

I love TPT, but I also love to make my own stuff-- from task cards to worksheets to manipulatives. Sometimes, when I'm in a rush, I neglect putting my documents and slides in their designated folder. Taking 20-30 minutes to "spring clean" my drive will help me see what I still need to complete for the weeks ahead.

7. DIY Student Mailbox

I need student mailboxes! However, I have no desire to pay $50+ on Amazon for actual student mailboxes. That's absurd! I decided to DIY my own set of student mailboxes. I picked up an InstaCrate from Costco for $6.99. Then, I used some hanging folders and labeled them 1-20. I created a sign that says "You've Got Mail!" for the front of the crate. On the side of the crate, I have the students' names and numbers. This will definitely come in handy next year! I am planning to reuse this for years to come. 

8. Make a Summer To Do List

I have so much I want to vinyl and laminate. I also have so much I want to plan for next year. Making a list will ensure I get everything I need to accomplished. Here are some of the things on my to do list:

• Plan At Least 8 Room Transformations 
• Buy Books For My Classroom Library
• Organize My Lesson Plan Binder/Reflect On Lessons/Worksheets That Worked and Didn't
• DIY Calendar Blocks For Desk 

I had a ton of fun completing these projects over Spring Break. I am so excited to get started on some new projects once summer starts. Stay tuned for more teacher themed blog posts.