5 Ways to Use Stuffed Animals in the Classroom


Students LOVE stuffed animals so why not capitalize on that love in the classroom.  I use my stuffed animals to help me teach Math, Language, Science and help with classroom management.  Read on to find out how I do it.  



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My Best Back to School Resource!


Have you heard the news?  Teachers Pay Teachers is holding it's annual Back to School sale on August 3rd and 4th.  When you checkout, make sure you use the code BTS15 to save.  I know my cart is ready!

I linked up with the the Wise Guys and I am so happy you have stopped by my blog to hear all about my Best (and favourite) Back to School Resource.  If you follow me on Periscope you may already know about the product I am talking about:  The Word Jail and my latest product The Overused Words Jail.

Let me start with the Word Jail.  It is my pride and joy.  I have been using it for years with great success with my first graders.  This product targets those words that don't follow the spelling patterns we teach our children: words like of, because and could.


The idea is pretty simple:  when you introduce your new Word Wall words at the beginning of the week place any words that don't follow the spelling rules you have taught your students into the Word Jail.  I always make a big production of putting the word in the "Jail". I also place it in it's rightful spot on the Word Wall.  Let me tell you, the kids LOVE putting words in the Word Jail. The best part is that it works.  My students are better able to read and spell those tricky words because I use the Word Jail to isolate those words and provide lots of opportunity for practice.  You can read more about how I use it in more detail {HERE} and {HERE}.

As a companion to this bulletin board display I created a companion pack of Word Jail Worksheets. These printables offer practice for each of the Word Jail words included in the product.  I have used them as morning work and during literacy centers.  Each worksheet practices the skill of isolating the proper spelling of the tricky word and crossing out the misspellings.  There is also practice in revising a sentence using the Word Jail word and creating a new sentence using the Word Jail word.
These products are available on their own or in a money saving BUNDLE!


There is now a BRAND NEW product in my store that uses the same concept - The Overused Words Jail.  Much like the Word Jail, which is an addition to the Word Wall, this display is a great addition to your Writing Bulletin Board.  Place those overused words on your Overused Words Jail poster and students are encouraged to come up with better word choices to use in their writing instead.  This product comes the poster, overused words cards, a mini lesson and finally 4 paragraph practice pages to work on the skills of identified overused words and replacing them with better word choices.  Click on the image below to check it out!


I also want to highlight for you my best selling item.  It is a craftivity pack to launch your addition and subtraction units in the early grades.  Meet Gus the Plus and Linus the Minus!  


These little characters are a big hit in my classroom.  My students loved making them and they are a good visual reminder for students.  This pack includes the craftivities, anchor charts, numberlines and printables. Click on the image to be taken to the bundle.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you might have found some products that you will have a need for in your classroom.  

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