Winter Classroom Ideas From the North

When you come back from a long break, Winter classroom ideas can fall flat, or be uninspired.

Thankfully, starting the year with Winter themes can get you in the mood and make it easier.  For that reason, my Polar Animals unit is always my favorite.  I know the kids love anything to do with animals, so I am always excited to begin.

Winter Classroom Ideas Come to Life with  Dramatic Play

After the kids left for break, we set up our Arctic Exploration Station in our Dramatic Play Center.  I just created this set, so I was a little unsure of what I had on hand to add to the sign set, but we managed to cobble together a pretty cool little Arctic lab for our little scientists, researchers and explorers…it will be fun to watch their imaginations take off this week.

The Winter Bookshelf

I have set a bookshelf with the extra Winter and Polar Animals books that I had on hand, saving my favorites to read to the class this week.  There is so much out there in nonfiction that I can’t wait to see what grabs their attention!  I love to find really cool videos on youtube that show what the arctic animals look like in the summer and early fall…then watch the amazement as the kids see how the animal’s fur will change to white as winter approaches!  As a result, we have some great conversations about camouflage and how animals keep away from predators.  I just love to listen to all that they know, and what they can guess on their own based on prior knowledge and common sense. Consequently, higher level thinking kicks into gear!

If you need any help readying your room for Polar animal week…go to my TPT store and you will find everything you need for a great week of learning and fun!

Just follow the links below and enjoy exploring and learning with your little ones!

Polar Animals Complete Classroom Bundle for Preschool, PreK, K & Homeschool
All About Polar Animals 5-day Unit/Lesson Plans for Preschool PreK, K Homeschool
Arctic Exploration Station Dramatic Play: Signs, Props, & MORE!
Polar Animals 5-day Lesson Plan & Arctic Exploration Dramatic Play Bundle!
Mama & Baby Polar Bear Letter Match!

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Teach PreK

Teach PreK

Preschool/PreK teacher. I create engaging resources for teachers that make students love learning! Visit my Blog and TPT store to learn more!

Teach PreK

3 months ago

Teach PreK
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Get ready for some snowy fun! ❄️❄️Don't miss out on our FREE Sneezy the Snowman literacy resource! 📖✨🧊 Spark your students' imaginations with this captivating story and engage their critical thinking skills by asking them why their own Sneezy would melt! 🤔⛄️Let their creativity shine as they create their very own melted snowman masterpiece! 🎨⛄️👉 Don't wait! Click the link below to access the resource and let the snow adventure begin! ⬇️✨dry-snow-7998.ck.pa#SnowyFun2#creativethinkingr#FreeResourceg #FreeResource ... See MoreSee Less

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Letter of the Week Bundle Link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Ultimate-Alphabet-Letter-of-the-Week-Bundle-3902325 Alphabet Anchor Charts: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Anchor-Charts-3902000 🌟 Unlock the magic of alphabet learning in your preschool classroom with our comprehensive guide for teaching the ABCs! 🎨✨Keep, but minimize Letter of the Week– we've got an engaging approach that captivates young minds. 🔤 **Magnet Letter Mania:** Dive into the world of letters using colorful magnet letters! Foster hands-on exploration and let the little ones feel the shapes and curves that make up each letter. Create exciting activities to make letter recognition a multisensory experience. 🎉 **Name of the Day:** Make it personal! Elevate alphabet learning by focusing on the most important letters to your little learners – the ones in their names! Introduce "Name of the Day" to create a connection between letters and real-life significance. 🎵 **Alphabet Song Adventure:** Turn the classic alphabet song into an interactive journey! Play alphabet games that give meaning to each letter, making the song a powerful teaching tool. Watch as your preschoolers grasp the alphabet with joy and enthusiasm. 📚 **Letter and Sound Book Bonanza:** Craft a special book that not only teaches letters and sounds but also includes the names of your students. Personalization adds a touch of excitement as children see themselves in the learning process. 🏫 **Letter of the Week Extravaganza:** Ready for a dynamic routine? Dive into our efficient Letter of the Week approach! Utilize anchor charts, letter sound tubs, and letter sound cards to create a captivating and organized learning environment. Equip yourself with these creative strategies and witness your students really learning all the letters of the Alphabet #learningthroughplay #TeacherTips 🍎📚
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Link to Free Valentine's Day Circle Time Kit!: https://dry-snow-7998.ck.page/9f96e96d6e Welcome to our preschool circle time where learning meets fun! In this video, we're diving into the essential components that make circle time an enriching and engaging experience for our little learners. 1. **Auditory Cue to Gather:** The first step to a successful circle time is a clear auditory cue that signals it's time to gather together. Whether it's a bell, a chime, or a special song, this cue helps transition children into the circle and sets the tone for the session. 2. **Simple and Clear Circle Time Rules:** We believe in setting clear expectations for behavior during circle time. In our classroom, we post simple and clear circle time rules that help guide our preschoolers in understanding how to participate respectfully and attentively. 3. **Routine with Variety:** Our circle time routine is anything but monotonous! We keep our little ones engaged with a variety of activities, including movement exercises, songs, chants, and interactive participation. From stretching and dancing to fingerplays and storytelling, there's always something new and exciting happening during our circle time. 4. **Dynamic Sitting and Movement:** We understand that preschoolers have bundles of energy, which is why our circle time strikes the perfect balance between sitting and movement. While we encourage attentive listening and participation while seated, we also incorporate plenty of opportunities for movement and exploration to keep our young learners actively engaged. 5. **Full of Learning:** Circle time isn't just about fun and games—it's also a valuable opportunity for learning! Through interactive songs, educational chants, and themed activities, we integrate important concepts such as counting, colors, shapes, alphabet recognition, and social skills development into every circle time session. Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery, laughter, and learning during our preschool circle time! Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more educational content tailored for our youngest learners. Let's make every circle time a memorable and enriching experience!
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