Every week brings new dynamics to my classroom, but I always include these five key elements in my lesson plans to create an engaging and effective learning environment.
1. Hands-On Games
Hands-on activities help young learners engage in visual and spatial learning. Each week, I make sure to include games and activities during our learning center time.
Here are some of the types of hands-on activities I include:
For more ideas, check out my full guide on hands-on learning activities and how I set up my center rotations.
2. Individual Targeted Skill Work
I make sure students have plenty of time for individual practice, reinforcing what we’ve learned as a class. This includes using a variety of printables and task cards.
Examples of resources I use:
- Task cards (great for flashcard-style practice or hands-on activities)
- Printables (sight words, phonics fluency, math worksheets)
Pro tip: To save paper, place printables in plastic sleeves so students can write on them with dry erase markers.
3. Technology
Technology plays a big role in engaging students, from interactive whiteboards to iPads.
How I use tech in the classroom:
Not sure where to start with digital resources? Check out my guide on choosing the best digital resources for your classroom.
4. Movement
Movement is a must for my primary students. To help them release energy, I plan for movement breaks throughout the day.
Examples of activities that get students moving:
- Brain breaks
- Gallery walks or scavenger hunts
- Dance parties
Planning for movement doesn’t require a lot of prep – just make time to get those wiggles out!
5. Community Building
Building relationships and fostering a sense of belonging in the classroom is my top priority. These activities help create a positive classroom culture and set the tone for the day.
Daily Community-Building Activities:
- Morning meetings: I never start my day without this key activity. It’s a great way to set expectations, check in with students, and start the day on a positive note.
- Greeting
- Student check-in
- Weather report
- Days of the week, current month, and total days in school
- Number of the day
- Student share time
- Today’s agenda
- Chit Chat: A fun activity to encourage conversation and help students get to know each other better. I use prompts like:
- “I would rather…”
- “My favorite…”
- “If I could, I would…”
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