Have you been hearing all the buzz about having a Glow in the Dark Day or Neon Day as a special end of year classroom activity....but aren't quite sure you have the time or budget to really pull it off?  Well, as an #endofyeartired teacher who's known as a bargain shopper...I'm here to help you prep for a classroom transformation your 1st graders will never forget!  *Note this post contains Amazon Affiliate links to make your shopping even easier . The Logistics My grade level hosts a different themed day the last 10 days of school, and while it is SO MUCH FUN, it is also exhausting! Here are some things I've learned after hosting a few Glow Days that make this day so much easier and manageable.  On Glow Day or Neon Day we ask all students to wear white or bright colored clothing, and of course we join them! A craft store can be a great place to get a neon shirt for just a few dollars. Side note, our pink and white clothing glowed much brighter than the orange or gree......

So first let me start by saying how much I truly believe in the power of play in my first grade classroom. When my kids come in to a room filled with hands on experiences, "toys", and games, learning instantly becomes less scary. When learning just seems fun, it happens more naturally. Of course, we can't just sit and play all day, standards need to be taught and expectations are high. Which means, I have to get creative on how I can make play a powerful part of our learning. Side note- This post contains affiliate links which provide me with a small commission, at no extra cost to you, should you purchase something through them. BUT, as always, I promise to never share something that I do not absolutely love using in my own classroom.  To set up for my Ice Cream Day I first gathered up a few ice cream themed activities , made a sign out of foam board, and bought tablecloths from a dollar store. I also sent home a letter to parents asking them to do......

The end of the year is within reach (2 more weeks) and we finally got to let loose a little bit now that testing is over. Can I get an amen?! Last week we learned all about camping and I can't wait to share our fun with you. Please know, this post does contain affiliate links which means that I earn a small amount when you make purchases from some of the links shared on this page. However, my promise to you is that I am only sharing my honest opinions and I will never promote something I do not believe in or love. We started by brainstorming background knowledge. I split my kids into groups and each had a different topic to discuss. We made an anchor chart and added to it each day as we learned something new. Although I am not an expert camper by any means, I was surprised to learn that the majority of my students had little to no experience with the great outdoors. We also read lots of camping and summer camp themed books. Here are few of my favorites. You can click ea......