Spring is here… it’s a great time to learn about poetry and other creative pursuits. What is a haiku? A haiku (俳句) is a type of Japanese short poem. Traditionally, haikus have consisted of 17 syllables, with: Five syllables in the first line Seven syllables in the second line, and Five syllables in the third line However, haikus do not have to ...

Next year I'm moving into a room with a window. I'm so excited to be able to look out the window any time.  There are benefits to NOT having a window. I imagine that it is a cloudy rainy day and so I don't mind being stuck inside. Being a weather junky, I always know what the weather is really like out there. We read the ''Goodbye Hello ...

We had so much fun with all of you PreK, Kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, fourth grade, 5th grade and sixth grade teachers at TBA's Ultimate Freebie Celebration. Together as a fun resource community we collected over 1,700 free downloads and printables in four grade-level specific categories. Yowza! There were items to ...

This is the first grade and 2nd grade teacher free download party stop. We know you'll find a free download (or perhaps even several hundred) that is just right for you that teach first grade and second grade. Welcome to TBA's Birthday Party! We are hosting the ultimate freebie celebration this week where you can bring a freebie, take home ...

Here’s a free tool for you to use to review, organize, and categorize your lessons by Common Core standard. I know that I’m looking forward to using it myself! Reviewing your Common Core lessons With this tool, you can keep a record of which lessons, activities, worksheets, or chapters that you have used with your class, and which ones were the ...

What time is it? It’s time for a free worksheet, of course! Here’s a free download of a connect-the-dots activity with a twist. Your students should connect the dots on the face of the clock, then figure out what time it is based on the hands that they have drawn. This gives students practice with multiple Common Core skills… counting, ...

I have a naughty leprechaun in my classroom. Each morning Seamus has played some kind of trick on my owlets. They refuse to even try to make any fake gold because they like his tricks! They like finding the green sparkles he always leaves behind. They have written up some elaborate schemes for catching him, but I think they just want to be ...

I love me some cat in the hat. When Tammy showed me how to draw my very own, I was elated. I could hardly wait to share my new found artistic abilities with my owlets! I didn't even tell them what we were drawing, which added to the excitement. The next day we turned ourselves into the cat in the hat and wrote about it which was pretty awesome, ...

This week we are celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday at my school.  In today’s homework packet the children received a reading oath.  They are being asked to turn off the TV/ or turn off the video games one day this week and read!! Then child and parent sign the oath to say that it was accomplished.  I am the child of a children’s librarian so being ...

The snow piles are still laying in piles all around town. They aren't as pretty or as welcome as they were when they first arrived in November. They have worn out their welcome and we would all be happier if they would go away and make way for spring. Spring is in the air. I can tell she's arriving by the way the birds welcome me each morning when ...