Ice Breaker Activities for the First Day of School

Yes, that's me :-)

Ice Breaker Activities for the First Day of School

Ice breaker activities can help make your students feel more comfortable.

If you are like me, you know the feeling of uneasiness that comes along with walking into a room full of people you don't know.  I ran into that at the recent Teachers Pay Teachers Conference in Vegas. It was  800 people I had never met, and although I warmed up to everyone, it took some mingling to help make that happen.  Mingling is a great way for your students to get to know each other on the first day of school.  I have used lots of different ice breaker activities over the years, one of which is the 'get to know your classmates scavenger hunt'.  It's a fun activity, but many of the kids have done it before.  In an effort to change it up a little, I came up with my version, which is called Bubble Gum Buddies.  It's the same concept, but it's bubble gum themed and the kids get to chew gum while they walk around. I also included a version without gum chewing just in case anyone was forbidden to have gum in the classroom. Bummer if that is the case! Keep in mind that it's only about 25 minutes of gum chewing and bubble blowing, so it's not too big of a deal. Have your camera ready because it is going to make for some cute pictures.

Get this fun Ice Breaker Activity by clicking HERE

You can also find the ice breaker activity in my back-to-school bundled activity pack for upper elementary. It has 15 activities to choose from at a reduced price.

Click HERE for the Back to School Pack

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great time getting to know your new students.

Guest Blog Post for Laura Candler's Corkboard Connections

Calling all Laura Candler fans!!  If you are like me, you have been a fan of hers for years. With that said, I am sure you can imagine how honored I was to write a guest blog post for her Corkboard Connections blog. The post is now live and ready for you to enjoy. It's a positively fun post with tips on how to  bring smiles to your classroom.  You can check it out by clicking the link below. There is a freebie  download included in the post. 
 After reading it, take a moment to look around her blog and Teaching Resources website where you will find many other great teaching ideas. She has lots of  printable resources, some of which are free. Enjoy!
Guest Post:  5 Ways to Make Your Students Smile

If you are interested in having me guest post on your blog, I am always open for the invitation. Just send me an email using the link on the sidebar and we can discuss the details.  

Teacher Burnout

Although I have been in the classroom for  nearly twenty years, it has been the last ten years or so where teacher burnout has become so prevalent.  It's a sad reality that great teachers all over the country are leaving teaching, or even the field of education, to never return.  We all see the open letters floating around the Internet from teachers exiting the classroom.  It's their way of saying why they simply can't do it any longer.  
The start to a new school year is a great time to give yourself a little reminder that teachers are not Superheroes.  Even though we are pushed into Superhero expectations, we are not.  So, take a breather, enjoy my little video, and start your new year knowing that you are not alone when you feel overwhelmed.  Remember to take a moment for yourself when you need it.  
Also, you might find this little list of back-to-school teacher tips helpful.  It's from a former post and can be found here: Back to School Teacher Tips Teacher Superhero
Feel free to share a link to this post.  Thank you. 

10 Things I learned in Vegas for the TpT Conference

There were so many things I learned or confirmed in Vegas. 

These are just 10 fun thoughts.   TpT is the best!!!

1. “A tpt cha-ching is better than a slot machine!”  (lost $3 but sold a $4 item all in the same 2 minutes).  That was the comment my husband made when I was like, “Crap!  And people bet thousands and lose!!” I was sad at 3 bucks!!   For those that buy from me... thank you for helping to support me and my family.  You are appreciated!

2. I’m not the only one that has gained TpT weight.  Several mentioned it, even a presenter.  Need to be better about that exercise and quit with the Twinkies. 

3. OMG....The Venetian is  beautiful, but Italian music is not for me. 

4. YES!!  I finally got to meet so many absolutely wonderful teachers.  I have  been talking to many of the teachers  online  for years and it was the coolest thing to see the non-virtual version. The tips I learned at the seminars were very much appreciated.

5. My shy (somewhat introverted) self wanted to walk away from the large crowds  of people, but I overcame that and I’m glad I did.  A glass of sparkly red helps.

6. Actually, this wasn't  just learned, but it was confirmed.  Joining TpT five years ago was spot on.  I thought it was brilliant then.  I KNOW it is brilliant now.

7. Okay, this was learned going to and from the conferences, but none the less.... I confirmed I don’t want to be an airline flight attendant.  I mean, really!!  Who in their right mind likes to sit for four hours beside  a  2x2 foot bathroom being used by a hundred or more people.  I appreciate them, for sure.  Just  don’t want to be one. 

8. Oh, when someone hands you a "two for the price of one" coupon in Vegas …………um, …. Well, ….yeah.... it's not your typical BOGO offer. 

9. The team at TpT is just as wonderful in person as they are online.  I mean, like totally awesome!!!  Enough said.

10. For ten, I will focus on 10.  I can not wait to see where TpT is in 10 years.  Totally can't wait!  The teachers’ lives being changed, the students’ lives being changed…. I am going to go so far as to say changing the world!!  I’m so glad I am along for the ride.

Me with  Amy from the TpT team.  LOVE Amy!!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog!
Want to hear what other teachers thought?  Click the link below to read more.
A Burst of First Vegas Linky- Click HERE