March Word Searches for Kids (Perfect for Morning Work & Early Finishers)

March in the classroom brings a shift in energy. Spring is on the horizon, smaller holidays are popping up, and keeping students focused can suddenly become the biggest challenge of the day.

That’s exactly why I love having simple, engaging no-prep activities ready to go that keep students focused while still having fun.

If you're looking for a quick activity students actually enjoy, you can grab these March Word Searches here which are perfect for first grade, second grade, or any elementary classroom:

MARCH THEMATIC WORD SEARCHES FOR GRADES 1-2

Why Word Searches Still Work

Word searches might seem simple, but they’re actually packed with learning benefits. Students practice scanning skills, spelling patterns, letter recognition, and vocabulary while building focus and persistence.

And the best part? Kids just think they’re fun.

Students love grabbing a pencil, crayon or a highlighter and getting right to work. Some work quietly on their own while others whisper to a neighbor when they think they’ve spotted a tricky word.

Perfect for Those Extra Minutes in the Day

You know those little pockets of time teachers always have during the day:

morning arrival/Do Nows
early / fast finishers
indoor recess
after an assessment
transition time before specials

Great to leave for subs, too!

These puzzles are print and go, which makes them incredibly easy to keep on hand. Each word search is also included in two versions: one with diagonal words and one without. This makes it easy to differentiate depending on your students' ability levels or the time of year.

I like to keep a small stack ready so students can grab one whenever they need a quick challenge. Have extras? My students like bringing them home to do with their siblings.  Sweet!

Students Love the Challenge

Students get surprisingly determined to find every single word. I hear things like:

“Wait… I think I see one backwards!”
“I found tornado!”
“There’s one hiding diagonally!”

One student even told me, “This is like a treasure hunt!”

A Simple March Literacy Activity

Activities like this keep students engaged while quietly reinforcing literacy skills. 

Students even started trying to beat their friends to find the last hidden word!

Grab the March Word Searches Here

If you're looking for a quick activity students actually enjoy, you can take a closer look at these March word searches for the classroom here and decide if they would work well for your students:

• Dr. Seuss / Read Across America Word Search
• St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun Word Search
• March Madness Basketball Word Search
• Windy Weather Spring Word Search
• Mardi Gras Word Search

Or get the MONEY SAVING BUNDLE HERE for only $8!  You will save $19!  Happy Spring To You!

Looking for more March activities for first grade? Be sure to explore more ideas here at First Grade Bloomabilities and be sure to follow my TpT store so you’re notified when new resources are posted and discounted.

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.