What a wonderful idea to share with families! Labeling everyday objects not only helps children connect print to the real world but also gives them repeated, meaningful exposure to words they’ll see often.

You might also encourage families to:
- Rotate labels every so often so children are exposed to new words.
- Make it interactive by having children help create the labels, decorate them, or even draw a picture to go with the word.
- Practice writing by having children copy the labels into a journal or use them in sentences.

These small, fun steps turn the home into a living word wall, reinforcing vocabulary and boosting reading confidence in everyday routines. 🌟

One option you might consider is Nearpod. It offers VR experiences, embedded videos, and opportunities for gamified assessments that can really engage parents. It also tracks who has logged in and provides insight into how participants interact with each part of the presentation. Parents just need a device to access the website, making it easy to use during Open House!

Perhaps one of these ideas?

- Oxidation Investigation: Cut apples different ways (whole, sliced, peeled) and test which browns the fastest. Add variables like lemon juice, salt water, or baking soda to see which slows oxidation.

- Time-lapse Video: Record the browning process of apples in different conditions to analyze changes over time.

- Apple Preservation Lab: Set up stations with apples placed in different environments (sunlight, refrigerator, wrapped in foil, in water, etc.). Have students hypothesize and track which apple lasts longest.

At Polaris, we focus on being Polaris Stars—our way of teaching and celebrating school-wide expectations. STARS stands for: Stand Together, Think Critically, Act with Integrity, Respect Differences, and Stay Curious.

Students earn STAR tickets when staff see them exhibiting these behaviors. Tickets can be saved and traded in for a variety of prizes—ranging from small rewards, to experiences like a lunch bunch, all the way up to larger prizes like a full LEGO set.

This system is part of our commitment to school-wide positive behavior support, helping us highlight positive choices, reinforce expectations consistently, and ensure every student has the chance to be recognized.

Technology thoughts!

- What digital tool or app has transformed your teaching this year?

- How are you helping students use technology in creative—not just consumptive—ways?

- If you had one hour to show a colleague how you use tech in class, what would you spotlight?

One of my favorite parts of the end of the year is bringing families into the celebration! A few ways I like to do this:

Student Showcases – We host a “gallery walk” where kids display projects, art, and writing from the year. Families walk through, leave sticky-note compliments, and celebrate growth.

Family Picnic or Ice Cream Social – A simple outdoor gathering with games, bubbles, and popsicles makes for low-stress fun.

Classroom Performances – Skits, poetry readings, or a mini talent show give students a chance to shine in front of their loved ones.

Memory Books & Slideshow – We put together a slideshow of photos from the year and share it during an informal family party (bonus if kids help narrate).

STEM/STEAM Stations – Families join their children in building towers, coding robots, or making art together as a playful capstone to the year.

It doesn’t have to be fancy—the key is giving families a chance to see the joy and learning from the year and celebrate alongside their kids.

Yes! This is such sound advice. I struggle with ensuring I am continually on top of my planning.

Perhaps some of these activities would fit the bill!

Marble Runs / Chain Reactions – Kids design a path using cardboard tubes, cups, or LEGO bricks. Great for engineering, physics, and creativity. Families can make it bigger across walls or furniture!

Design a Bridge Challenge – Students use popsicle sticks, paper, or spaghetti to build bridges and then test weight limits. Families can compete at home for “strongest” or “most creative.”

Art & Math: Symmetry Painting – Folded paper “ink blots” turn into discussions about symmetry, balance, and pattern. At home, kids can expand into designing symmetrical creatures or masks.

Paper Circuits – Combine art and science by making greeting cards or drawings that light up with copper tape, coin batteries, and LEDs.

Nature STEAM: Leaf Art & Classification – Students collect leaves, sort by size/shape, and create art collages. Families can add a “backyard field guide” component.

Math in Cooking – Baking with fractions and measurement conversions. Families love “double the recipe” or “halve it” math practice (and eating the results!).
Stop Motion Animation – Students create a short movie with clay, LEGO, or toys using free apps (like Stop Motion Studio). Great family project to script, film, and voice-act together.

Family STEM Night Favorite: Catapults – Build mini catapults from craft sticks and rubber bands. Test launch distances, chart data, and compare designs.

Hi Kristen!

I enjoy the following titles:

Jabari Tries: A playful story about perseverance and the engineering design process—all wrapped up in a sweetly illustrated tale of a child learning to dive. It’s a gentle intro to trying, failing, and trying again.

Arithmechicks Take Away
A math bedtime romp that cleverly introduces subtraction in a fun, rhythmic way—perfect for helping kids see the joy in numbers.

Rocket Says Clean Up!
Focuses on environmental science through a charming narrative about tidying up. It’s engaging, lighthearted, and builds early eco-awareness.

The Bread Pet: a Sourdough Story
Blends storytelling with microbiology—kids and adults alike will want to bake together after meeting this cute, science-infused tale.

I See a Shadow
Explores the intriguing science of light and shadow. A perfect launchpad for hands-on activities like shadow play or making silhouette art.

Fairy Science: Solid, Liquid, Gassy
A whimsical take on the states of matter featuring fairies—bridges fantasy and foundational science in a memorable way.

Growing Patterns
Introduces mathematically rich concepts like Fibonacci patterns in nature. Beautifully illustrated, it’s a great way to make patterns intriguing and tangible.

The Reason for the Seasons & It’s a Round, Round World!
Join young adventurer Joulia Copernicus as she uncovers why we have seasons and how we know Earth is round—packed with curiosity and discovery.

CATastrophe! A Story of Patterns
A hilarious tale of kittens on a boating adventure that turns into a math lesson: patterns and sequences emerge in the funniest ways.

Ten Birds by Cybèle Young
A counting fable featuring birds solving a river-crossing problem through creative and simple engineering. Teaches number sense and critical thinking with graceful pen‑and‑ink drawings.

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
Celebrated for encouraging curiosity and scientific inquiry—especially for girls. Ada’s persistent questions and investigations make her a compelling role model.

- Choice & Voice – Let students pick from menus of tasks, writing prompts, or projects. Even small choices (materials, partners, order of work) increase ownership.
- Movement & Kinesthetic Activities – Gallery walks, four corners debates, scavenger hunts, or “stand if…” games bring energy and inclusion.
- Collaborative Learning – Structures like Think-Pair-Share, Jigsaw, or Peer Teaching ensure everyone has a role and opportunity to contribute.
Gamification – Use tools like Kahoot, Blooket, or classroom badge systems to make practice exciting.
- Real-World Connections – Tie lessons to current events, pop culture, or students’ interests (sports, gaming, art, etc.) so content feels relevant.
- Storytelling & PBL – Frame units as investigations, mysteries, or projects with authentic audiences (e.g., presenting to parents, writing to experts).

- Dramatic Play Corners – Rotate themes (grocery store, post office, veterinarian, space station). Students practice literacy, math, and social-emotional skills through role-play.
- STEM Challenges – Build the tallest tower with cups, create a marble run, or design a bridge with popsicle sticks. Add reflection questions for critical thinking.
- Storytelling Bins – Fill a basket with puppets, figurines, or natural objects. Kids use them to retell familiar stories or invent new ones.
- Outdoor Play Invitations – Scavenger hunts, mud kitchens, nature weaving, or building shelters with sticks and fabric. Connects creativity and science concepts.
- Game-Based Learning – Adapt classics like Jenga, UNO, or Connect 4 with vocabulary words, math facts, or comprehension questions taped on pieces/cards.

Here are some other suggestions!

1. Brainiacs.org
Free Resource: Offers a variety of logic puzzles, brain teasers, and math riddles that can be filtered by difficulty level. A great option for practicing critical thinking and math skills.

Link: Brainiacs.org

2. Math Playground
Free Resource: This site offers interactive puzzles, riddles, and games that challenge students’ problem-solving skills and support math learning.

Link: https://www.mathplayground.com

3. KenKen Puzzles
Free Resource: KenKen puzzles are like Sudoku but with arithmetic. They are fantastic for students to practice logic and math operations.

Link: https://www.kenkenpuzzle.com

One simple but powerful strategy: include what your students are actually interested in. Take time at the beginning and middle of the year to survey them—ask about their favorite movies, games, artists, YouTubers, hobbies, sports teams, etc. You’d be surprised how much they’ll tell you when they feel heard.

Then, infuse that info into your lessons and classroom routines. Even small connections—like referencing a new movie release, trending meme, or popular song—can spark attention and make learning feel relevant.

Keep an eye on pop culture, seasonal trends, and what’s buzzing in their world. It doesn’t mean turning your classroom into a TikTok studio—but it does mean meeting kids where they are.

It’s not just about fun—it’s about belonging. When students see their culture and interests reflected in the classroom, they lean in.

How about creating a Family Attendance Wall—a visually engaging, school-wide display that celebrates not just student attendance, but the families who help make it happen? It’s a powerful way to show that showing up matters and that families play a vital role in their child’s education.

How it Works:

Monthly Recognition: At the end of each month, families of students with perfect or outstanding attendance (e.g., 95% or higher) are celebrated on a special display in a central hallway or community space.

Visual Display Options:

- “Attendance Tree”: Each recognized family gets a colorful paper leaf added to a growing tree mural with the family’s last name, child’s name, and grade level. The goal is to grow the tree throughout the year with as many leaves as possible!

- “Star Wall”: Families are honored with a star that includes their child’s name and a short positive message like “The Lopez Family Shines Bright!” Stars could be grouped by grade level or homeroom.

Monthly Drawing:

- All recognized families could be entered into a raffle for small prizes like a pizza night, school swag, or a family activity basket.

- Quarterly Celebration: Families with ongoing strong attendance could be invited to a special event like a "Donuts with Grown-Ups" morning or “Family Picnic Lunch.”

- Family Spotlight Board: One family per grade level could be chosen for a monthly spotlight—featuring their photo, quote about the importance of attendance, and what helps them get to school each day.

For Earth Day and Arbor Day, we focus on our deep ties to the land through an Indigenous lens. I share stories from my family and community about our sacred relationship with the Earth—how the land is not something we own, but something we care for like a relative. We invite Indigenous speakers, including elders and knowledge keepers, to share their wisdom about traditional ecological knowledge, seasonal practices, and respectful harvesting.

Our class spends time outside listening, observing, and learning from the land. We do nature journaling with photography and drawing, documenting patterns, plants, and animal signs. Students write gratitude poems to the Earth and create land acknowledgment art that reflects their understanding of place and stewardship.

One of our favorite activities is building a “Circle of Care” garden where each student plants a native seed or pollinator plant, sharing a promise of how they’ll care for the Earth. We also create natural mandalas using fallen materials like petals, leaves, and pinecones—honoring beauty without harming the land.

These experiences aren’t just lessons—they’re acts of connection and reciprocity. The Earth gives to us, and we learn how to give back with respect, creativity, and love.

In our class, we celebrate the end-of-year countdown with a “Colorful Nature Countdown!” Each day is inspired by a color and something from nature. For example, “G is for Green Day”—we go on a nature walk to find all things green, and take photos of plants and trees. We use iPads to create mini photo galleries and write colorful captions with feeling words and nature facts. It’s a fun way to mix art, writing, and the outdoors while counting down to summer!

I help my students experience changing seasons by incorporating nature observations and Indigenous perspectives into our learning. We spend time outside engaging in sensory observations, journaling about seasonal changes, and making connections to science and storytelling. For example, we might track how the trees change over time, observe animal behaviors, or discuss how different cultures recognize and celebrate seasonal shifts. I also bring in hands-on activities, such as creating nature-inspired art, studying traditional ecological knowledge, or using literature and poetry to reflect on seasonal transitions.

That sounds like such an amazing and meaningful event! I love that you're extending the Leader in Me principles beyond the classroom and into students' families—what a powerful way to build a strong school community.

As for a hashtag, here are a few fun ideas that tie into your school and theme:
🐆 #LeadLikeALeopard
📜 #LeopardLegacy
💡 #MissionWithMe
🏡 #FamilyMissionMoment
📸 #LeopardLeaders

I’d love to hear how it goes—sounds like it will be a fantastic experience for your students and their families!

That’s such a meaningful approach! I love the idea of encouraging students to research influential African Americans beyond the most commonly studied figures, especially those who have made a local impact. Making history relevant to students’ own communities is so powerful. I also couldn’t agree more that Black history should be woven into our curriculum year-round—it’s an essential part of American history, not just something to highlight in February.

It’s also so important that we don’t only focus on history but also highlight the modern achievements of the Black community. Our students need to see that Black excellence is thriving today in every field—from science and technology to the arts, politics, and beyond.

I absolutely love incorporating passion projects (Genius Hour) in my classroom as well! I think it's incredible that Google uses this model, and it’s so powerful to see students deeply engaged in their own learning. Ultimately, I would love to see this approach implemented schoolwide—including teachers, coaches, and administrators—so that we are fully modeling lifelong learning for our students. Imagine the impact if everyone in our school community had dedicated time to explore their own passions alongside our students.

Looking forward to hearing more about how you're using passion projects in your classroom!

I usually encourage students to learn something practical such as learning how to do laundry, the dishes, helping cook meals, etc.

I have always enjoyed inviting families to class to share about their holiday traditions and how they celebrate!

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief!

Opposing forces with levitating trains!

Virtual Natives: How a New Generation is Revolutionizing the Future of Work, Play, and Culture By Catherine D. Henry and Leslie Shannon. While it’s not an education book, it’s as provided so much insight into the generation I am currently teaching. It has compelled changed how I view my students and how I need to adjust my teaching.

Khanmigo is incredible. If you already have a Khan Academy account you already have access to Khan’s version of AI! It is incredibly robust and on par with Magic School if not better.

One thing I will be focusing on is agreeing to disagree. I think in schools we unconsciously promote that students have to agree which is certainly not the case. How do we effectively disagree respectfully and coexist in the classroom? A big part of this is listening and considering what the other person is saying rather than waiting for your turn to talk.

Cross-curricular teaching! Incorporating science and social studies is incredibly engaging and the motivation helps push students literacy skills.

Working with your school team as well. Chances are if there is trouble in your room it is see. In other rooms as well. Having other teachers also contact parents really helps take the pressure of of one person and helps parents understand not only the unity of the school but it’s not an isolated incident.

Our district uses Bridges, however our school uses Math in Focus which I find to be much better organized and put together.

In addition to these I would add Lalilo for the basics!

We talk about the Indigenous perspective in relation to the land and what a responsibility it is to respect it.

I have students answer Would You Rather questions in their journals and then discuss it with a peer when they’ve finished.

Colorado required the same Science of Reading classes. It took forever and we were not compensated outside of being able to continue our employment.

Prodigy! It’s gamified learning and an adult can assigned specific skills and receive reports. Additionally if the students needs fact fluency practice, Reflex is my go to. It does have a cost but highly worth it.

I always work on changing my 1st graders’ mentality when it comes to the various tests we have to take. We have a long conversation about how tests will be a part of our life regardless of what career paths we choose. I try to pump them up by reminding them it is an opportunity for them to show how incredible they are. Cheesy as it sounds, they now cheer for assessments rather than groan. I hope this mentality sticks with them as they become old enough for standardized testing.

Perhaps setting up a table for parents to sign up to share their STEM related professions with a class of the school? Also, a sign up in classrooms to host a STEM activity in class.

I love Augmented Reality books! I always read them through and then again to let students engage in the AR. One of my favorites is “The Bravest Worrier”.

I ask women (moms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, community members) to come in and talk about their professions!

I focus heavily on oral storytelling in class to honor Indigenous traditions and people. I will often make it a family project to get personal stories from students.

I will usually contact parents on day two to see how their student is doing and based on our conversation will send work home if needed.

We don’t get any time! I mainly incorporate it through math and literacy.

If you are ever looking for a calm brain break we love OK Go videos!

Digital tools have been highly helpful in my class as well. Google classroom and Showbie have been particularly helpful. I also don’t use the storage parts of desks as many things become lost in there. I use folders in rolling carts instead.

If you have or create an account through Donors Choose, there is an option to fund professional development!

I concur with Kristen! For 1st and 2nd grade I would often send students a bingo card they could complete with or without an adult. Some were practical, like learning to bake something new, or fun, such as building a snowman. I found this was reassuring to parents that students would not be in front of a screen all day. Of course if your district requires time online, morning meetings and social emotional lessons are a great way to connect “face-to-face”.