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Now that I am retired, I volunteer at my old school. I have noticed that teaching has definitely become more complicated as classes require more differentiated teaching due to the many different needs in the classroom. It is becoming more and more obvious that not all children are able to demonstrate their knowledge effectively through written reports and essays. They find tests difficult and often are unable to answer questions correctly. They write minimally, and therefore, it is not a clear indicator or evaluation of their understanding.  When I was still teaching, I often did projects with my students. I found that by providing at least one project per year, many of my students were able to share their knowledge through other means. They were thrilled to present to parents and students during our celebration days, and they surprised older students and teachers in the intermediate grades with how much they knew. They were proud of their projects, and they found that having a variety of choices for presenting allowed them to choose something they could be successful with. Project Based InstructionSharing learning with projects works well for most children. Providing multiple ways to present information and knowledge through projects allows all students to share in a way that works best for them. Some kids require more hands on methods of sharing ideas and expertise, as written or oral assignments don't work well for them.  I created a few different projects for my classes. Students had a choice of ways to present their information. Sometimes there were several options, and other times there were only a couple of options, but the specifics were flexible to allow for creativity in the presentations. The hands on and collaborative nature of these projects worked well for the students, and they were very engaged in their learning. See some of the different presentations in the pictures below. The students were very excited to share what they had learned with others, and they presented with confidence.  The key to making these projects work is the home/school connection. Some of these projects involve family research. The heritage project and the flat family project require the child to know something about their family's history or background. You can find out more about my heritage projects here. The bulk of the research and teaching is done at school, but the specifics for the project presentations is done at home. (Note: I have had times where some of my students were unable to get home support. In these cases, I had my educational assistant or the librarian help them out. If I had some spare time while others were engaged in an activity, I would also provide extra support.)  If you are interested in trying out some social studies projects, check out these ones. They include criteria and simple marking sheets to make it clear what is required. I highly recommend giving them a try.    It’s hard to believe we’re already approaching the end of another year. The Christmas season has arrived once again, and with it comes a chance to pause and reflect on everything the past months have brought our way. Some seasons seemed to fly by, while others stretched on with challenges of their own, but here we are, having made it through all of them.  This time of year always reminds me to slow down and appreciate the people, moments, and opportunities that fill my life with joy. I often write about teaching and classroom ideas, but if you visit my home page, you’ll see another part of me too, the part that treasures my family above everything else. I haven’t written about them for a while, so today I wanted to open that door again and share a few special memories.  For many years, our family has taken a camping trip each summer. It’s one of the rare times we can gather almost everyone, except for one daughter who lives in another province, and simply enjoy being together. As the grandchildren grow older and schedules get busier, I realize these trips won’t always be easy to coordinate, so I hold these memories close while we still have them. This summer held another unforgettable moment: my husband and I were surprised with an Alaskan cruise to celebrate our birthdays and our almost 49 years together. It was truly a dream come true, an experience I wasn’t sure we’d ever have. The breathtaking scenery, the quiet moments, and the laughter we shared will stay with me for years.  We’ve also made a shift in how we approach Christmas. Over the last couple of years, we’ve tried to focus more on meaningful experiences and less on traditional gift-giving. This year, because of scheduling, we started a little early. We treated our son and his family to an evening on the Christmas Express, and watching our grandchildren take in the lights and climb aboard a decorated steam train was pure magic. To help keep the memory alive, we gave them a small train set to go around their Christmas tree. Now they’ll remember that night every time the train circles the branches.  New Year’s Eve has its traditions, too. For us, it’s usually a family affair filled with games, snacks, and laughter. Occasionally a few friends join in, but at its heart, it’s about being together. During the height of Covid, we celebrated over Zoom with our kids and their families. It wasn’t the same as being in the same room, but it gave us a chance to connect and welcome the new year despite the distance. Now that we’re spread across different cities, we often celebrate in smaller groups and then share a big message or phone call at midnight. It looks a little different now, but it still fills the night with warmth and connection.  Because we have many teachers in our family, conversations often drift toward the return to school after the break. January can be a wonderful time for sharing stories, but it can also be tough for students who didn’t have a restful or joyful holiday. A gentle, thoughtful start can make a big difference. If you’re preparing for that transition back to school, here are a few posts that might help: How To Have A Successful Start To The New Year After The Holiday Break How To Excite And Engage Kids By Using Special Occasions In The New Year How Special Day Themes Help Jumpstart Kids In The New Year  Once January arrives and students step back into the classroom, everything feels just a little different. Some children return full of excitement, while others come back carrying worries or uncertainty. The first few days are a perfect opportunity to rebuild routines, help everyone feel grounded, and bring a bit of joy into the winter months. Activities that help students feel comfortable, along with a few that spark curiosity, can make easing back into academics much smoother.  As we get ready to welcome a brand-new year, I’m reminded once again of how quickly time moves and how important it is to hold on to the moments that matter, both at home and in the classroom. Whether you’re returning to a room full of eager little faces or easing back into a familiar routine yourself, I hope the weeks ahead bring calm, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose. ]Thank you for being here, for reading, and for sharing a bit of my reflections with me. Here’s to a gentle start, meaningful memories, and a bright year ahead. I've always enjoyed teaching social studies in my classroom. It's exciting to see the connections kids make from who they are to how they fit into their community and their place in the world. Kids naturally learn best when we start with learning about themselves, and then gradually widen the circle: first to their family, then their neighborhood, their community, their country, and finally the world. This approach helps children feel connected, curious, and confident as they learn about people and places beyond their own experience.  I have put together a Growing Our World blog series to help break down the process into manageable pieces. In this four-part blog series, we’ll explore:
 Starting With Me And My FamilyThis is a great place to start because kids naturally love to talk about their favorite food, the people they care about, and even what they want to be when they grow up. When we begin here, social studies feels less like memorizing facts and more like telling their own story. Starting small and personal also helps children feel confident. Once they’ve shared about themselves, it’s much easier for them to see how they fit into their family, their neighborhood, and eventually the wider world.  A great first step is inviting kids to share who they are in a fun, visual way.
 Important Alternatives For InclusionIt’s important to remember that not every child will have happy memories to share, and not every home life feels safe or loving. We can make sure every child feels included by:
 Connecting Today With Stories Of The PastChildren love to hear stories about the past, especially when they’re about their own families. Discussing with parents and grandparents about what school looked like when they were young can feed their curiosity. Reading stories about children growing up long ago and how their lives were so different can lead to wonderful conversations. If you want to turn this curiosity into a project, the Flat Family Project is a fun way to get families involved. Children create a “flat” version of themselves and send it on adventures with family or friends. The stories and photos they bring back make for a wonderful sharing day. (Note: If connecting with family members is difficult, other people can be chosen. In the past, I have sent flat families to some of my relatives for those who don't have someone to approach. This way they have also had stories and packages to share with others.)  Learning About Our HeritageFor older students, the Heritage Project: Discovering Our Roots is a gentle introduction to exploring where their family comes from, through favorite foods, languages spoken at home, or special traditions. It can also help them to feel proud of who they are and develop confidence in sharing this with others. (Note: I created this project when a young girl in my class was afraid to let people know about her heritage because she had been teased in her former school. By the end of the project, she was able to share many things about her culture and feel confident in letting people know about her heritage.)  Starting with “me and my family” isn’t just a fun way to begin the year, it’s a foundation. When kids see their own lives as part of a story, they begin to understand that everyone has a story worth sharing. They also start to learn that:
 This is just the first part of our Growing Our World series. In the next post, we’ll move from family life to neighborhoods and communities, and discover how the people around us help make our world work. Related Posts Summer is a much-needed break from the school routine—but it doesn’t have to be a break from learning. If you’re a teacher, homeschooler, or parent of a primary-aged child, you know how easy it is for kids to forget important skills during those sunny months. The good news? Learning can still happen in simple, natural ways that feel more like play than schoolwork. In fact, summer is the perfect time to connect real-life experiences with essential academic skills across all subject areas.  Over the next few weeks I will be sharing tips and activities that help kids practice skills with real world situations. Check below for a summary of each upcoming blog post. Math in the Real WorldFrom counting coins at the lemonade stand to measuring ingredients in the kitchen, math is everywhere in summer. This post will be packed with fun, hands-on ideas to keep those number sense skills fresh—without pulling out a worksheet. Topics include:
 Simple Summer ScienceWhether you're chasing bugs in the backyard or building a simple water filter, summer is full of curiosity-driven science learning. Help kids explore nature, ask questions, and become scientists in their own environment. Topics include:
 Language Arts That Feels Like FunReading and writing don’t have to stop when school ends! With playful prompts, letters to friends, and backyard storytelling, literacy learning can feel like an adventure. Topics include:
 Everyday Social StudiesSocial Studies comes to life through community exploration, cultural traditions, and conversations about fairness, history, and identity. Summer is full of real-world ways to learn about how people live and work together. Topics include:
 Kids don’t need to sit at a desk all summer to keep their minds growing. With a little creativity and the right mindset, everyday experiences can be full of opportunities to practice important academic skills—and build a love of learning that lasts all year long. Whether you're planning a road trip, a backyard staycation, or something in between, these summer learning ideas will help make every day count.  Related Posts
You've taught your children about communities and you've done activities to explore how communities vary and what each type of community might need or contribute to the areas around them. Now what? Try building a 3D community. Building a 3D community model is a fantastic way to engage kids in learning about urban, suburban, and rural communities. This project is a unique combination of teamwork, creativity, and real-world application. By involving families, kids get a chance to connect their learning at school with their experiences at home, resulting in a truly collaborative effort.  The Project FrameworkI have had great success with this project over the years and it was always a favorite for my students. The best part is that my students were the planners and designers so they took ownership from the very beginning. Check out Types of Communities: Urban, Suburban, Rural Communities & Creating A Community Model. This resource includes detailed lesson plans and templates to help guide the process from start to finish. It's class-designed, so each student takes responsibility for working on the design and type of community chosen. They are also responsible for their own parcel of land. Students work in pairs to create essential service buildings, while families provide support by helping design and construct individual properties. For homeschooled kids, the family members would share those responsibilities.  Step 1: Choosing a Community TypeBegin by discussing the three main types of communities: urban, suburban, and rural. Use your lessons to review the characteristics of each, including population density, common types of buildings, and services. Encourage kids to decide as a group which type of community they want to create for their model. This decision can be made through a class vote, ensuring everyone feels included in the process. Once the decision is made, collaboratively brainstorm the community’s overall design, including zones for housing, services, and recreation. This resource may help. Types Of Communities|Urban Suburban Rural Communities|What Is A Community Bundle  Step 2: Identifying Key Buildings and ServicesOnce the type of community is chosen, brainstorm what buildings and services are essential. For example:
Divide children into small groups to research and design specific buildings, considering their purpose and importance to the community. Beyond their homes, kids work in pairs to create vital community buildings, such as:
 Step 3: City PlanningCity planning is where creativity and strategy come into play. Start with a discussion about why certain buildings need to be placed in specific locations. For instance:
Once the plan is finalized, assign groups to start constructing their buildings using materials such as cardboard, clay, or other craft supplies.  Step 4: Assigning Parcels of LandEach child receives a parcel of land—a small piece of the community to call their own. Their task is to create their home, incorporating features they feel are important. Encourage them to think about:
 Step 5: Collaborating with FamiliesThis project extends into the home, giving families an opportunity to get involved. Encourage families to:
 Step 6: Building the 3D ModelWith the blueprint as a guide, children can bring their vision to life. Provide materials like recycled boxes, craft paper, paint, and glue. Assign each group a section of the community to build. As the model takes shape, encourage collaboration between groups to ensure the pieces fit together seamlessly. Step 7: Assembling the Community ModelOnce all individual parcels and service buildings are completed, it’s time to assemble the community! Bring everything together on a large base (like a piece of plywood or cardboard) and arrange the parcels according to the class design. Discuss as a group how to ensure roads, pathways, and other shared spaces connect seamlessly. Note: I used a section of the classroom and marked off the area with tape. The different parcels of land and service buildings were fitted into the area. I cut out pieces of cardboard for each parcel of land and placed it on the floor area ahead of time to ensure that all of the parts would fit within the given space when it was assembled. Then I handed out the pieces of cardboard to each student to use as their base. Check out some photos from some of my previous classes' 3D communities
Step 8: Culminating CelebrationThe highlight of the project is a community celebration where students and families come together to showcase their work. Ideas for the event include:
 By giving each child ownership of their parcel and involving families in the process, this 3D community model project becomes a rich learning experience. It teaches children about the functions of communities, encourages collaboration, and bridges the gap between home and school. With teamwork, creativity, and celebration, your class can create something truly special! Related Posts
For some, summer break is just beginning, and for others, it is halfway through. This is a time for having fun, enjoying family time and friends, and taking time away from school studies. However, learning and practicing skills doesn't have to end. It just needs to be approached in a different way. Just think of all the different things that can be done during the summer that can be turned into learning experiences. All we need to do is stop and take a closer look and we can see math and science all around us. We can learn about social studies and practice our skills during our outdoor adventures.  Camping ActivitiesCamping is a great way to explore nature and learn more about the environment. It's a family time that can lead to many adventures and discoveries. There are many different types of activities that can be done that can enrich the learning experience. Go on hikes and explore the trails and the different scenery. This provides opportunities to make comparisons between different areas and what can be found there. It's also a great way to get exercise. Going on nature walks is a great way to get to learn more about the different plants and animals that are local to the area.  Scavenger Hunt And Nature ArtOrganize a scavenger hunt where family members search for specific plants, insects, rocks, and other natural items. Create a scavenger hunt list that includes different types of leaves, birds, insects, and rocks. As you find each item, discuss interesting facts about them. For example, talk about the lifecycle of a butterfly or the different types of rocks and how they form. This activity promotes observation skills and teaches about local plants and animals. Use natural materials collected during the scavenger hunt to create art projects. Make leaf rubbings, paint rocks, or create a nature collage. This promotes creativity and appreciation for nature.  Beach AdventuresSpending time at the beach and summer vacations go hand in hand, so use this time to have fun and learn at the same time. Depending on where the beach is and what kind of water body it is can provide different experiences. Rivers and lakes will be different from the sea or ocean and they will provide a different landscape to discover. Depending on where you are, you can collect shells, build sandcastles, and explore tide pools. This could be a great time to discuss the purposes and similarities or differences of the different water bodies as well how they behave in different manners.  Vacation TravelsIf you go on trips or outings, have children keep a travel journal. They can write about the places they visit, draw pictures, and note interesting facts. This activity enhances writing skills and geographical knowledge. Before leaving, check out different special activities, landmarks, and events that may be happening and plan to incorporate some of these in your itinerary. You could explore local museums that focus on art, history, science or culture. You could also attend local festivals to experience traditional music, dance, food and crafts. These are all good ways to learn about the culture and history behind the celebrations. If you are going to areas that are more isolated or away from city centers, you could do activities that explore the area and create memories of the experiences.  Day Trip ActivitiesIf you wish to stay close to home or take day trips, there are many types of activities that can be done to enrich learning experiences. Here are a few ideas. Spend a day at a science center or planetarium. Participate in hands-on experiments and watch educational shows about space and science. Visit aquariums and zoos to learn about marine life and animals. Attend feeding sessions and educational talks. Visit a local farm to learn about agriculture and animal care. Participate in activities like picking fruits, feeding animals, and milking cows. Go geocaching, and search for hidden caches while learning about the locations you visit.  It's important for kids to have fun this summer and enjoy being with family and friends. But I would also like to encourage you to help them take some time to learn more about the world around them and keep building on the skills they learned throughout the school year. This will set them up for success in the new school year.  Related Posts
There's no better way to capture a child's interest and spark his imagination than to create things to demonstrate learning. This could be a model, a poster, task cards, a game, a diorama, a play, or a podcast just to name a few. When children are engaged and motivated, they tend to learn more deeply and they are more passionate about their project.  There are many different types of projects that can be done based on the subject and concepts that are to be studied. Today, I would like to focus on some projects that work well with the primary social studies topics of families and communities. Community projects and researchAssigning research projects where children investigate different aspects of their community, such as its history, economy, or cultural heritage and present their findings through presentations, posters, or multimedia projects develops research skills, information literacy, and a deeper understanding of the community's development.  Heritage ProjectWe often study about families and look at family trees in the early grades. I wanted to take this further, so I developed a project that studied family heritage. To find out more about it and why it was important to me, check out this post. The goal of the project was to learn more about what make us unique and special. It was a great way to research different cultural aspects of various countries and share them with others. Check out the project here.  Flat Family ProjectMany people are probably familiar with Flat Stanley and the project that began with sending cutouts of Flat Stanley around the world and recording adventures with him. Then people began sending cutouts of themselves to record these adventures. I decided to take this a step further as part of our heritage studies. We created flat families and journals that we mailed to family members in different parts of the world. The families took photos of activities together and made journal entries to share. They returned these journals along with special mementos to the children. It was so exciting to watch the faces of the children when a package arrived and the contents were shared with the class. This Flat Family project has been set up for others to try. You can read more about it here.  Creating A 3D Community ProjectLearning about communities and what they need is important. What better way to make sure that they understand what they have learned than to create a 3D community. This was a fun project that wowed the parents and other classes, not only because of its appearance, but also because of how much the kids could share that they had learned. Check it out here. If you would like to learn more about how we created it, check out this blog post.  These are just 3 different projects that can be done. If you are interested in other projects, check out my social studies category. I hope you find doing projects as successful as I did.  Related Posts
Are classroom disruptions, kids not listening, friends bickering, and an unsettled environment driving you nuts? This was how I felt at the beginning of some school years until I made some changes to create harmony and a respectful, caring environment the norm.  I remember one year, prior to school happening, we had a professional development day that caused me to rethink how I approached my class. During the keynote address, we were challenged with "Focus on what is going right in the world". We were encouraged to find what was positive and good and change our focus to that instead of letting the negative drive our day.  That makes lots of sense, and it's probably something everyone wants to do, but the reality is, when negative things are happening around us, we can easily get derailed and begin focusing on that instead. I made a conscious effort that year to change my approach and it helped me to get through some very challenging years with surprising success.  One thing I did was find ways for kids to save face after negative situations and give them opportunities to start fresh. I decided to work on ways to help kids remain in the classroom and not be sent out for misbehaviors. This was definitely challenging at times, and I admit, I wasn't always able to do so. I did have to maintain the safety of all my students, so there were times when I had no other choice.  I started to focus on behaviors in the classroom that I wanted others to emulate. This was the start of my positive freckles. I had some small happy face stickers that I would put on the faces or hands of kids that I noticed doing things that I wanted others to do. It was fun to see how the kids reacted as they headed out to recess with freckles and how others in the class wanted to have the same.  I also started handing out student tickets for work habits and other behaviors that I noticed during seat work time. These were collected in a container and at the end of each week I would draw names for prizes. (I collected small toys and trinkets for them to choose from.) I made sure that those who were struggling to behave positively were recognized as sometimes it is easy to overlook them for the ones who are always doing what is expected. It is important to make sure that they feel they have a chance or they will give up.  The school started up a Gotcha program where tickets were handed out around the school for behaviors noticed by different staff members. Recognition was given to the students and some were rewarded with special treats at assemblies. This tied in nicely with the student tickets I was using in my classroom.  There are several different variations of recognizing positive behaviors that have been used in classrooms. Another one that is quite popular is the warm fuzzy jar. This jar collects notes or objects and is used to acknowledge class behaviors and ultimately earn a class reward. The cool thing about this idea is the class can decide together what to work towards as a reward and the students can support each other so that they can earn the reward as a team.  Sometimes there may be a student who requires more support to move in a positive direction. This will look different for each child, but ultimately, it will require a cheering section (classmates and teacher) and consistency. Giving attention for positive behaviors usually will help to overcome the need for getting attention by negative behaviors. It may take a long time and you may not see immediate results, but I believe that if we help kids develop positive self esteem they will behave more positively.  Parents can also use some of these ideas to help with behaviors at home. Tensions rise as kids unwind after a long day at school and parents come home tired after a day at work. It is easy to have patience with other people, but it takes way more effort and patience to handle your own kids without frustration. Try using the warm fuzzy jar or some other type of recognition for positive behaviors and see how it goes.  I set up these warm fuzzy jars for my grandchildren when they were feeling overwhelmed from moving to another city, getting ready to start a new school, and missing their friends and cousins. With all the stress and emotions, listening and being respectful and kind to each other was slipping and everyone was getting frustrated. Things calmed down quickly when they had something visual to focus on and tensions lessened. This didn't end some of the behaviors, but it did create more positive interactions and the negative behaviors were less frequent. In this case, each child decorated a jar and had colored pompoms to collect. A family jar was also created. When everyone was working together and the parents decided it merited a pompom they added one to this jar. The goal of reaching a certain number of pompoms for a special family treat was the incentive.  Note: The other day I called them and they were excited to tell me they had more pompoms in their jars. They also helped with these pictures so you could see it in action.  I encourage you to "focus on what is going right" and use whatever tools or ideas work for you to create harmony and a respectful, caring environment in your classroom or at home. Everyone will benefit from working together in a positive environment and this will enhance learning as well. If you haven't figured it out yet, I am a fan of student led conferences. Since I was introduced to this format in the early nineties, I have been constantly blown away with the positive effects it has had on both my students and their parents. If you haven't tried them before, I encourage you to do so. You will be amazed at how well they can work.  What are student led conferences?Student led conferences are meetings where your students get to talk to their parents about their schoolwork, show what they're proud of, and talk about what they want to learn. It's like a special meeting where your students are the teachers, and their parents get to listen and learn about their progress. This helps them feel proud, confident, and more involved in their learning. It's a chance for them to talk together, celebrate successes, and make plans for the future. A small portion of the meeting time includes you, as the teacher. This is a time for sharing concerns, observations, and successes noticed in both personal and academic growth.  Benefits of student led conferencesThere are many benefits with conducting student led conferences. Here are a few key ones. Ownership of learning: The students become active participants in assessing and presenting their own progress, developing a sense of responsibility and accountability. Communication skills: Leading a conference helps students to practice their communication skills. They learn to articulate their thoughts, explain their accomplishments, and express their learning experiences to a real audience. Confidence builder: Successfully presenting their work and progress boosts students' self-confidence and self-esteem. This experience helps them recognize their abilities and builds a positive self-image. Parent involvement: Student-led conferences provide parents with a deeper understanding of their child's learning journey. They gain insight into their child's strengths, challenges, interests, and overall educational experience. Positive parent-child interaction: Student-led conferences encourage open and positive communication between parents and children. Parents have the opportunity to listen to their child's perspective and celebrate their accomplishments. Self reflection and goal setting: Students participate in self-assessment and reflection activities, identifying their strengths and areas for improvement. They set academic and personal goals, promoting a growth mindset and a commitment to continued improvement.  What kinds of activities happen during a student led conference?There are so many different kinds of activities that can be done during a student led conference. What you choose should be based on the following goal: The goal of student led conferences is to provide an opportunity for kids to take ownership of their learning and showcase their progress to their parents or guardians. These conferences should empower students to be actively involved in the conversation about their education. Here are some activities and components that kids can engage in during student-led conferences: Tour of classroom centers and areas of learning Work folder presentation and discussion Goal setting and reflections Interactive activities with parents Parent-child discussions Meeting with the teacher  How to prepare ahead of timePreparing for a student-led conference involves careful planning, organization, and collaboration between students and teachers. It begins with introducing the idea to your students and letting them know what it is, how it works, and its purpose. It is important to make sure that your students understand what their role is and that they are prepared ahead of time. Explain the different components of the conference, such as work folder presentations, goal setting, and discussions. Begin gathering work samples early on and allow your students to choose some of their best work to showcase during the conference. This could be assignments, projects, artwork, and written reflections. Help students to assess their own progress, strengths, areas for improvement, and personal goals. Provide some worksheets or templates to help them to articulate these ideas. Practice communication skills and role playing to help prepare your students for their role in the conference. Do activities to practice speaking clearly, making contact, and engaging with their audience. Make sure that parents understand the purpose of the student led conference and how they can support their children during it. Set up meeting times and send out invitations. Create a conference folder for each student that includes their work samples, self-assessment sheets, and any other relevant materials.  How I ran my student led conferencesOver the years, I ran my student led conferences in a similar fashion. I figured out what worked for my teaching style and I created a plan using that as my starting point. Before the conferences were set to begin, I did lots of role playing with my students. The kids especially loved taking on the role of the parents for other students and it was fun to see how they rose to the challenge as they went through the motions of doing a conference. Each child had a folder of work and an agenda to follow for the conference. Parents were informed ahead of time that the conferences could take up to 45 minutes, but that it was important not to rush the child. Some parents had more than one child's meeting, so they were told that If they had to leave for another appointment, they were welcome to return afterward. During the conferences, I had my room set up with a separate area for meeting with me so that 3 groups could be in the room at the same time, but there was some privacy during the meet the teacher part of the agenda. I always had a math or literacy activity for them to do together with their parents. It was fun to see how they used their skills or concepts for these activities. Parents were totally engaged in working with their children. The end of the meeting was the best part because the parents wrote a letter to their child and then filled in a reflection sheet. The children beamed when they read the letters. If you are interested in checking out the materials and forms that I used, you can find them here.  If you are wondering if student led conferences will work for you, I encourage you to give it a try. You may need to make some modifications along the way, but the benefits for the parents and children make it worth it.  Remember: The goal of student led conferences is to provide an opportunity for kids to take ownership of their learning and showcase their progress to their parents or guardians. These conferences should empower students to be actively involved in the conversation about their education. Related Posts
As the weather begins to warm up and the sunshine brightens our days, other things can warm our heart as well. This is the time of year to think about special people and all that they have done for us. From caring for us to little acts of kindness, we have been blessed to have these people in our lives. Special Days For Special PeopleSome of the most popular special celebrations at this time of the year are Mother's Day, Father's Day, Teacher Appreciation Day/Week, and Volunteer Appreciation. Here are a few ideas and resources to help with these celebrations.  Mother's Day/Father's DayAs family dynamics change, it makes it more difficult to focus on some celebrations, Mother's Day and Father's Day are two that have been traditionally celebrated over the years and time has been spent making gifts and cards at school for these special days. However, it is more complicated now and we need to take into consideration those who might find this a challenge and help them to feel included and comfortable participating. If a mother or father is not part of the picture, a special lady or special man in the person's life can be the focus instead.  Mother's Day (Special Lady) There are many special women that can be acknowledged on this day. They may be mothers, grandmothers, aunts, step mothers, foster mothers, friends of the family, neighbors, or even teachers. These women are special for various different reasons, but they are important in our lives. If a child has more than one "mother figure" and wishes to celebrate these special ladies, it's important to give them that opportunity. Here are some resources that may be of interest for Mother's Day. Mother's Day Certificates Mother's Day Booklets And Cards Special Mother's Day Coupons And Acrostic Special Day Coupons, Templates And Acrostics (for mothers, fathers, and generic)  Father's Day (Special Man) As with mothers, kids may want to celebrate different special men in their lives. They may be fathers, grandfathers, uncles, step fathers, foster fathers, friends of the family, neighbors, or even teachers. These men provide different roles in their lives, but they are important to the child. Opportunities need to be provided to acknowledge them as well. Here are some resources that may be of interest for Father's Day. Father's Day Cards For Dads And Other Special Men Father's Day Cards And Posters Special Day Coupons, Templates And Acrostics (for mothers, fathers, and generic)  Teacher Appreciation Day/WeekTeachers do so much for our children. It is only fitting that they be celebrated. They have had a tough time during these last few years dealing with the pandemic and the residual effects of varied learning experiences as a result. They continue to show up and give their all every day, even when they are struggling. Teacher appreciation day or week, depending on where you are, is just a small acknowledgement of their impact on our children's lives. Every little thank you token of appreciation is special to them. Don't forget to let them know how much you appreciate them. Support staff and educational assistants are also important and should be included in these celebrations. There are so many things they do to help teachers and support learning.  Volunteer AppreciationMany schools have volunteer appreciation days or teas to thank volunteers for all they do for the school. This could be the parent groups, classroom helpers, individual parents, or people from the community. All of these people help the programs and school run better. Helpers are always needed, and we want to make sure they are not taken for granted. Every school or district is different, but here is an example from what we have done at our school. The classes would meet in the gymnasium and the volunteers would be invited to enter after every class was there. The students would give them a standing ovation as they entered the gym. This would be followed by some entertainment and then a strawberry tea. The students would be in class or outside playing while the tea was happening. The senior students would serve the volunteers. Place mats and thank you cards were made for the tables. Plants were also provided to decorate and then take home. Here are some place mats and thank you cards that I created for use at our tea. Helping Hands Thank You Notes  Whatever the special occasion, it's a chance to say thank you and let people know that you appreciate them. So many times people feel taken for granted and this little acknowledgement can warm their hearts and help them to keep going.  Thank you to all the special people in my life. You have given me so much and I truly am blessed to have you as part of my life. I may not say it often enough, but I do appreciate you. Related Posts
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About Me Charlene Sequeira
I am a wife, mother of 4, grandmother of 9, and a retired primary and music teacher. I love working with kids and continue to volunteer at school and teach ukulele. 
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