Teaching With Haley O'Connor

Let's build a better world together-one classroom at a time!

FREE Editable Awards

The end of the school year is so emotional. We're excited for summer and rest, but sad not to see the same little faces each day. We worry about them regressing over the summer and if we worked with them enough. This year is even more complicated as so many of you didn't get to say goodbye to students. The last few weeks of school are usually full of award ceremonies, parties, and lots of ... read more

Make the Most of Digital Student Memory Books

As we near the end of the school year, I've been racking my brain coming up with substitutes for all the fun EOY activities. Even though we won't be able to have award ceremonies in person or share our yearbooks together, we CAN still make special memories. I absolutely love this blog post that Elementary Nest wrote about digital ideas for the end of the year. She even has a free Balloon Pop ... read more

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day in the Inclusive Classroom

This post contains affiliate links. As I have grown as an educator, I have started to see so many things in a new light. Mother's Day and Father's Day is something I went into teaching knowing it was sensitive. Having grown up with divorced parents and several step-parents, I knew it could be awkward for kids. I remember only getting one packet to fill out and wondering who I should give ... read more

PE Activities to Do at Home

This post contains affiliate links. That means I get a small compensation (at NO charge to you) for sharing links. I use these fees to keep this website up and running! Do you have that person in your life that stepped up for you when you really needed them? You look up to them and want to be just like them when you grow up? For me, that person is my Aunt Patti. She has been there for me my ... read more

Digital Activities for Vowel Teams and Diphthongs

This post contains affiliate links. That means I share a quick link for you on Amazon and I get a little referral fee. BUT they are always things I use frequently and believe in! This referral fee helps keep this website up and running and doesn't cost you anything! So sometime in the future you'll be reading this blog post and you may not remember these days. These days of shelter in place. ... read more

Easter Egg Learning Activities

About a month ago I grabbed some plastic eggs for my daughter's sensory bins. As we have used them to put pom poms in, in the bathtub and to build with, I remembered all the fun my students used to have with them. I wanted to share 5 simple activities you can put inside plastic eggs...but really you could put them inside anything they can hunt for! You could even just put them around your ... read more

Learning with Chalk

Hello!! I never thought I'd say this but I am SO thankful for Texas weather. So many of my friends are stuck inside due to snow or rain. We have been able to go outside almost every day. Granted we go outside in the rain (unless it's storming), but for the most part, the weather has been perfect. If you're a parent, be sure to check out my For Families category! As more time passes with schools ... read more

#6-Teaching about Staying Healthy

Good morning, parents! My name is Jessica Tobin and I'm the blogger over at Elementary Nest. Haley is one of my dearest friends, so I was so excited and eager to help out with her blog series all about helping you guys tackle this new experience. The last few days, Haley has brought you ideas for online learning, COVId discussions, and other family activities. I'm going to be bringing you some ... read more

Family Blog Series #5- Printable Resources You Can Use Today

This post contains affiliate links. Hi families! If you've made it this far I hope you've found some valuable info for helping your kids learn at home! Today I just wanted to share a few printable resources you might be interested in. I know many of you have teachers sending work but some of you don't. You may also find that the work coming home is a bit challenging and you need extra ... read more

Family Blog Series #4-Learning and Family Activities

Hello! Thanks for coming back for #4 in my blog series for families who have just started remote/virtual learning during school closures. If you're looking for support, I started a Facebook group for families just like you. Today I did a quick Facebook live and shared a bit about the writing your kids might be doing as well as 2 quick St. Patrick's Day activities. I plan to be in there a lot ... read more

Latest on Pinterest

  • First Grade History Worksheets: Thinking Past and Present: Then and Now #2
  • How to make SCENTED sidewalk chalk! We must try this!
  • This summer review packet is made for the summer between kindergarten and first grade. The summer slide affects students in the two and a half months that they're not in school every day. Help prevent this summer slide with a 30-day summer review packet book for kindergarten students to work on! It now comes with a Google Slides option, too for digital formatting.
  • Here are a few viewpoints from elementary teachers about how we can learn and grow from distance teaching. Several teachers responded to a question about what you're doing during distance learning that you'll change about next year. Their responses help guide us to learn what we can take away from this strange time in teaching, whether it's their distance learning schedule, tools, or mindsets.
  • Here are a few viewpoints from elementary teachers about how we can learn and grow from distance teaching. Several teachers responded to a question about what you're doing during distance learning that you'll change about next year. Their responses help guide us to learn what we can take away from this strange time in teaching, whether it's their distance learning schedule, tools, or mindsets.
  • Back to school time already? Check out these 9 Back to School Read Aloud Books. I have compiled a list of 9 books to help you load up your back to school lesson plans. Books about the first day of school are so important to include to help your students feel comfortable in the classroom. Check out my most recommended back to school read aloud books here!
  • Seriously though, aren’t those clouds amazing?! This homemade puffy paint was such a fun and EASY craft for the kids to do! They loved the texture and had so much fun mixing everything together! With three simple ingredients, you can keep the kids entertained for hours!
  • This end of the year activity is a free activity for VIRTUAL learning. This free balloon pop countdown activity is now incorporated with a digital theme of things that can be done with distance learning. Download the FREE end of the year activity for elementary students.
  • This fun and easy number sense card game is a great one to add to your kindergarten or first grade classroom. All you need is a deck of cards! Head over to the post to see how to play.
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