Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Using Escape Rooms with Pre-K and Kindergarten: A Video Post

Escape Rooms for Pre-K and Kindergarten: The "What" and "How" | Apples to Applique
Hey everyone, and welcome to my first video post! I know, I know, it's 2019 and I need to get with the times. I just have a hang-up about hearing my own voice on video, but I'm learning to power through those feelings and "do it scared".

I wrote a post a while back about using my escape rooms with early childhood, but I've since realized that I could explain it even better with a video.



Sound like something you would like to try with your class? Find all of my escape rooms here! I have them for so many different skills, holidays, and seasons, and I'm adding more all the time. They really are a fun way for kids to learn or review content.

Here's what some teachers have had to say after using some of my escape rooms:
"The kids wanted to play again!" --Carolyn P.
"My students were so engaged and had so much fun doing this! --Miss Rieger
"So fun! The students looked forward to the activity each day!!!" --Jennifer T.
"Amazing! My students were so excited for each clue." --Rachel E.

Still have questions about how this could work in your classroom? Drop me a comment or send me an email!

Monday, June 17, 2019

Morning Greeting Choices

I have an announcement to make! After five wonderful years in Pre-K, I am switching it up and moving to first grade this fall. I have the opportunity to teach closer to home, which will take over an hour off my daily travel time. I'm sad to leave my school and my little learners, but I am thrilled for more time with my family, and excited about new opportunities. I already have so many plans for first grade!

Morning Greeting Choices | Apples to Applique


One thing I plan to implement is a morning greeting choice board. They are all the rage right now, and for good reason. They are such a great way to start every day by building relationships. Greeting students in their preferred way goes a long way toward establishing trust and respect.

This beautiful poster will hang outside my door, so that students can select how they want to be greeted every morning.


Morning Greeting Choices | Apples to Applique


I've also included some options for differentiation. While I won't be in a special education position at my new school, I still have my special education license, and, more importantly, will always hold a special place in my heart for students with special needs, so my resources will continue to reflect that! This morning greeting choice kit contains a sensory-friendly poster with a plain background.


Morning Greeting Choices | Apples to Applique
It also includes some individual choice boards for students who need it. I would use hook and loop tape on these and attach them to a clip board so that students can reuse them daily. These are great for students to use with a para!

Morning Greeting Choices | Apples to Applique

My quick-reference lanyard visuals and potty training visuals have been so popular that I decided I needed to create a version for morning greeting choices!

Morning Greeting Choices | Apples to Applique


Morning Greeting Choices | Apples to Applique

While I anticipate most teachers will use the poster option, these layered morning greeting choices are ideal for staff members who aren't typically able to greet students at a classroom door. They're handy for administrators, counselors, or others who greet students daily, or for teachers who are working car rider duty, etc. They're also perfect for those days when you are greeting your students at an assembly instead of in your classroom.

I can't wait to put these into use this fall! Want to try it out yourself? Head on over to my Teachers Pay Teachers store to get all of these visuals to use in your own classroom!

Have any experience using morning greeting choices in your classroom? Leave a comment to tell me how it went for you!