Catch a Leprechaun! A Fun (and FREE!) St. Patrick’s Day STEM Challenge

St. Patrick’s Day is almost here and you know what that means, don't you? It's time for those sneaky little leprechauns to swarm over our classrooms, leaving tiny footprints, glitter, and all kinds of mischief behind.

I'm determined that this is the year we’re going to catch one with even stronger traps than in the past!

Yesterday, (as I've done for the last 15 years!) I sent home pretty much the same VOLUNTARY / OPTIONAL activity letter to make a Leprechaun Trap at home with their families. You can download this Leprechaun Trap Letter and use with your class, too. It invites families to help their child create a leprechaun trap at home using simple household materials and recyclables. It’s an easy, fun STEM activity that gets kids thinking creatively while adding a little St. Patrick’s Day magic to my First Grade classroom!

Sorry for the bad pic but at least you get the idea!  Grab for free!

You may wonder why I don't have the kids make one in school? Honestly, I simply don't have the time and some families may not believe in leprechauns!  Shocking, I know! Each year, I have at least 3/4 of the class make them at home. The kids who don't make them still get to join on in the fun and help set the traps out right before dismissal the day before St. Patrick's Day.  NOTE: It's only been in the last five years that I put a SIZE limit on the traps: not bigger than 12x12 AND I tell kids THEY must be able to carry into school on their own. No drop-offs. 

Students can build their traps using things like:

• boxes

• paper towel tubes

• foil or gold paper

• glitter and stickers

• paint or markers

Umm...is that BEER on that trap?  Eek!

On St. Patrick’s Day, we set all the traps out and wait to see if we can finally catch one. The excitement in the room is priceless! 

Even if the leprechauns escape, they usually leave behind some leprechaun-like surprises!

Most of the mischief is on video but I did manage to find these photos.  I can still hear the kids screaming when they saw the ripped math paper and the scribbling over our chart!

Yep- it's a silly activity but I'm a firm believer that March needs a bit of a reset and this is a fun way to help!

If you’d like to try this with your class, you can grab the FREE family letter and start your own leprechaun-catching adventure.

Happy trapping… and may the creating begin! 🍀

March Poems and Songs for First Grade: Low-Prep Poetry Binders That Build Fluency All Month Long

March in first grade is BUSY.

We’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, diving into Read Across America, noticing rainbows, flying kites, talking about wind, and welcoming spring. And in the middle of all of that, we still need meaningful, consistent reading practice.

That’s exactly why I love using my March Poems and Songs Poetry Binder (Google Slides + Printable PDF). It gives my students short, high-impact reading passages that we can revisit all month long without adding one more overwhelming thing to my lesson plans.

Why Poetry Binders Work So Well in March

If you ever feel like there just isn’t enough time for fluency practice, poetry binders are the solution.

They:

• Encourage phrasing and rhythm through predictable patterns

• Build fluency through repetition

• Support sight word recognition in meaningful context

• Increase confidence and expression

Because poems are short and engaging, students reread them often. That repetition builds automaticity without feeling like “drill.”

And in March? Engagement is everything.

What’s Included in the March Poems and Songs Packet

Each March packet includes:

• 20 monthly thematic poems and songs

• Monthly dividers to keep your binder organized

• Printable PDF format

• Google Slides for projecting, centers, or remote learning

Themes include:

• St. Patrick’s Day

• Read Across America / Dr. Seuss

• Rainbows

• Kites

• March wind

• Early spring fun

It’s all ready to print or project . Forget about scrambling for last-minute poems. I'm way over that!

The Magic Is in the “Noticings”

One of my favorite parts of using poetry daily is what my students notice.

During one poem, someone spotted the words “don’t” and “I’ll.” That led to a mini-lesson on contractions.

Another time, a student noticed that a poem was simply describing green things. Immediately, we asked: “Can we write our own color poem?”

Poetry becomes:

• A phonics lesson

• A grammar mini-lesson

• A writing mentor text

• A vocabulary discussion

All from one simple page.

Perfect for Fluency, Buddy Reading, and Do-Nows

Our Poetry Binders are a quality Do-Now and perfect for Fast Finishers.

In my classroom, buddy reading with poetry binders is a favorite. Students:

• Echo read

• Take turns reading lines

• Choral read

• Perform for partners

It’s structured. It’s predictable. And it builds confidence. I even let them bring them home once a week to show off for their family and friends!

Ways to Use March Poems and Songs in Your Classroom

You can keep it simple or stretch it in so many directions. (NOTE: There are plenty of poems we just read and ENJOY it. No lessons.  No connections.  That's important!)

Literacy Centers & Independent Work

• Reread, illustrate, and highlight sight words

• Word hunts for rhyming words, blends, digraphs, or contractions

• High-frequency word review

• Punctuation practice

• Phonics pattern searches

• Illustration activities to visualize imagery

Reading & Fluency Practice

• Fluency rereads for automaticity

• Buddy reading

• Choral reading

• Echo reading

• Performance reading

Comprehension & Vocabulary

• Retell and discuss theme or author’s purpose

• Define tricky vocabulary

• Make text-to-self or text-to-world connections

• Practice simple inference

• Sequence poem lines

Writing Inspiration

• Poetry imitation (write your own version!)

• Sentence expansion with new adjectives or verbs

• Seasonal journal prompts

• Creative responses

Music, Movement & Drama

• Add rhythm sticks or clapping

• Create motions to match key lines

• Sing poems to familiar tunes during Morning Meeting

• Act out imagery

Cross-Curricular & SEL Connections

March themes naturally support:

• Science (weather, wind, spring changes)

• Social Studies (holidays, traditions)

• SEL (kindness, feelings, courage)

What Teachers Are Saying

“This was a great addition to our morning meeting and the students had so much fun practicing their fluency every morning.” – Grade 1 Teacher

“My students love these poems and are highly engaged in reading and practicing decoding and fluency. I love that I can quickly choose the poems I want to use and it is ready to go.” – Grade 1 Teacher

“This has saved me so much time looking for monthly poems to support our curriculum.”

That time-saving piece? It matters.

Save Time with the Yearlong Bundle

Purchasing the Poems and Songs Bundle saves you hours of searching for the perfect poem to match holidays, curriculum, and special events.

You’ll save $10 which is like getting two monthly packets FREE.

And don’t forget:

September is already FREE for you to sample.

No guesswork. No wondering if it will work in your classroom. You can try it first.

Try It for Free

• 20 FREE Poems

• Download Now

• Low Prep

• Enhances Your ELA Program

If March feels long…
If fluency practice keeps slipping…
If you need something structured but joyful…

This is it.

Short.
Engaging.
Repeatable.
Powerful.

Don't forget to download your FREE September poems today.  Enjoy!

March Morning Meeting Slides for PowerPoint & Google Slides | Classroom Community Reset

Feeling Stuck This Spring? Morning Meeting Might Be the Reset Your Classroom Needs

March can feel… heavy.

The sparkle of back-to-school is long gone.
Winter is dragging.
Spring break feels far away.
Students are restless.
You’re tired. (I'm tired!)

And suddenly your classroom feels a little… off.

If you’re in a teaching rut right now, you are not alone. Promise!

But here’s the good news:

Morning Meeting might be the simplest way to reset everything. If you are new to the Morning Meeting world or want a deep dive, I have a 4 part series that will give you all the insights you'll need to be a pro in no time. I think it's worth the read if I do say so myself!

Why March Is the Perfect Time for a Fresh Start

March is full of growth energy.

🌷 Early signs of spring
🌈 Growth mindset themes
💛 Kindness and community
🍀 St. Patrick’s Day and Read Across America fun

It’s the perfect month to intentionally rebuild classroom connections and bring back positive energy.

And that’s exactly what Morning Meeting does.

The 15 Minutes That Changes the Whole Day

When you start the day with:

• A structured greeting

• A meaningful share

• A quick, engaging activity

• A positive message

You set the tone.

Students feel seen.
Students feel heard.
Students know what to expect.

And when students feel connected, behavior improves and engagement skyrockets.

That’s not extra work.
That’s strategic teaching.

Why Use My March Morning Meeting Slides?

Let’s be honest.

When you’re in a rut, the last thing you want is to plan one more thing.

That’s why ready-to-use March Morning Meeting Slides are such a game-changer.

Just:
✔ Open
✔ Project
✔ Teach
✔ Connect

Done.

No scrambling.
No last-minute prep.
No reinventing the wheel.

My March Morning Meeting Slides are available in:

• PowerPoint

• Google Slides

They're fun!
Structured.
Purposeful.

And most importantly, easy.

This Isn’t Just Slides. It’s a Reset Button.

It’s a truly simply way to:

• Strengthen respectful listening and speaking

• Build classroom community

• Reinforce expectations

• Improve participation

• Increase student engagement

• Start each day calm and connected

So if March feels chaotic…
If your energy feels low…
If your students feel restless…

This might be the easiest way to bring the energy back.

Start tomorrow feeling prepared, positive, and connected.

March doesn’t have to feel like a slump.

It can feel like growth. Give them a try!🌷

Click on the Free Week-Long Morning Meeting Slides below.

Why Open-Ended Math Questions Are a Game Changer in Grades 1–2

Once you start using open-ended math prompts, you’ll wonder how you ever taught without them. These questions instantly get kids talking and in the best possible way. Instead of searching for a single correct answer, students dive into exploring different ways to show their thinking, justify their choices, and play with numbers.

In my classroom, these prompts have sparked some of our richest math conversations. I’ve watched quiet students suddenly open up, confident learners push their thinking even deeper, and everyone find an entry point. It’s amazing what happens when the pressure of “right or wrong” disappears. If you like my Which One Doesn't Belong WODB activities, you'll love these!

Why Open-Ended Questions Work

One of my favorite comparisons to make is this:

Traditional Question:
“There are 10 cookies. 7 are chocolate chip. How many are sugar?”

Open-Ended Version:
“There are 10 cookies. Some are sugar, some are chocolate chip. How many of each could I have?”

One question… so many possibilities! And that’s exactly the point.

Open-ended math prompts encourage students to:

• Explore multiple solutions

• Justify their thinking

• Show their work in different ways

• Reveal strategies, number sense, and creativity

• Develop confidence because there truly isn’t one “right” answer

These questions naturally lead to deeper math conversations, whether it’s whole group, small group, or independent work.

Model, Model, Model: What This Looks Like in My Classroom

I can’t stress this enough: modeling is everything. Before students can successfully work independently, they need to see how we think through open-ended tasks. Before students can fly independently, they need your guidance and lots of it!

Here’s a real example from one of our Morning Meeting activities (7 minutes!)

What I learned from this ONE prompt:

• A student who wrote “It is even” opened the door for a quick odd/even mini-lesson

• Another student wrote 2 × 10, which told me they were ready for an enrichment conversation later . Definitely not whole-group material! (This also helps keep parents who want enrichment satisfied...the proof is right in front of them in their child's responses.  Sometimes, the parents who speak the loudest have children who only write one response and a simple one at that.)

• Loved the word problem especially that the question was included!  Impressed!

• The last answer offered was a boy who asked if he added all pennies, could he get to 20? He came up and proved himself right!

• The child counting by 2s got up to 10 and then stuck. Called on a friend to not only help him but I asked student to show us how he knew the rest using the 100 chart.

• I gained insight into who was using mental math, who was drawing, who needed manipulatives, and who was/wasn't taking risks.

This quick warm-up turned into such rich discussion that I repeated the same question the following morning as our Do-Now. Some students got the same sheet while others chose their own “answer” number from 3 all the way to 1,000! Differentiation built right in.

The Big Benefits of Open-Ended Math Questions

Open-ended questions support learning far beyond “show me what you know.” They build thinking habits, meaningful math talk, and confidence.

🌟 Critical Thinking

Students analyze, sort, compare, reason, and justify.

🌟 Language Development

Math vocabulary becomes natural during turn-and-talks.

🌟 Growth Mindset

When there’s no single “correct” answer, students feel safe trying ideas and taking risks.

🌟 Differentiation Made Easy

Every learner can enter the task, no matter where they are.

🌟 Engagement & Motivation

Kids feel like detectives or explainers. Even shy students love sharing their ideas.

🌟 Social-Emotional Skills

Students practice listening, communicating, explaining, and respecting different perspectives.

🌟 Assessment-Friendly

You instantly see misconceptions, strategies, and confidence levels.

🌟 Teacher-Friendly

Quick prep. High impact. Perfect for busy mornings, transitions, or sub plans.

How to Use Open-Ended Questions in Your Classroom

These prompts can fit easily into your day anywhere:

• Morning Work or Do-Nows

• Morning Meeting warm-ups

• Whole-group number talks

• Turn and talk

• Small-group instruction

• Independent work / WIN Time / Homework

• Homeschool / Enrichment /Summer Push / Tutoring

You can use them every day. Some days as discussion, some days as written work, and many days as both.

A Peek Inside the December Set

Want to see what’s inside the December packet?

What Teachers Are Saying

One of the biggest benefits of open-ended math questions and the one teachers appreciate the most is that differentiation and visible effort are both built right in. These prompts don’t just show what a child knows; they show how deeply they’re willing to think. Since I started using them, I rarely (if ever!) get questions about math enrichment because parents can see their child’s capabilities, effort level, and perseverance immediately. When you share a glimpse of whole-class responses, the contrast becomes crystal clear.

My students know my expectation: go deep, think hard, and show everything you’ve got. So when a high-achieving student responds to “What do you know about 62?” with just 60 + 2, that speaks volumes. Open-ended questions make that visible. They reveal thinking, habits, and effort in ways a traditional worksheet never could. And that transparency is transformative for students, teachers, and parents alike.

NOTE: When I first introduce these, my high flyers DO NOT LIKE THEM.  Why?  They like getting one answer.  The right answer.  Takes them a while to warm up but I promise you they do!  They love the challenge.  They all do.  And this is FIRST GRADE!!!

Want the Whole Year?

If you're ready to save time and have meaningful math prompts at your fingertips, the Open-Ended Questions Bundle includes:

• All monthly packets

• PLUS all the same prompts but sorted into strands like Number Sense, Geometry, Measurement, etc, which are the ones I prefer to use now.

You can grab just the December set here if you prefer or click on pics above for the money-saving bundle. The more opportunities we give kids to think, the more they show us who they are as mathematicians. Open-ended questions make that possible every single day.  

Enjoy!

Why ‘Which One Doesn’t Belong?’ Is the Smartest 5-Minute Routine in My Classroom

Every once in a while, you stumble on an activity that just clicks with your students. And for me, that’s Which One Doesn’t Belong? These quick little slides spark so much conversation, curiosity, and deep thinking in my classroom. The best part? There’s no single right answer. My first graders love sharing their thinking, spotting patterns I never would’ve noticed, and backing up their ideas with evidence. It’s critical thinking wrapped in fun and it’s become a daily favorite activity.

Why WODB Works

What makes these slides so powerful? They foster a growth mindset, invite deeper thinking, and value every student's voice. There isn't just one correct answer. Kids quickly learn that math is about noticing patterns and making connections not just getting the ‘right’ answer. It’s also a built-in formative assessment tool: I can instantly see who’s applying the skills taught so far this year.

Here are a few of my students’ actual explanations.

Using Them in My Classroom

I use WODB slides for morning work, number talks, mini-lessons, or literacy warm-ups. They’re perfect for partners, centers, early finishers, independent work or even sub plans. The black-and-white printables make it easy to send home or slip into journals. Have a few minutes?  These are a perfect quick activity with a big payoff! 

Give WODB a Try for Free

What Others Are Saying

I'm not the only one who loves using them in my classroom!  Take a look at what other's have said about using my Which One Doesn't Belong Slides:

If you’re looking for an easy way to boost math talks, build reasoning skills, and sneak in some formative assessment without it feeling like “work,” give Which One Doesn’t Belong? a try this month.

Have you used WODB in your classroom?  Does your class love them as much as mine?  Let me know!