As summer comes to an end, I’m collecting some back to school ideas for the classroom. From preschool themes to arts and crafts and everything in between, I’ve got you covered! Check out some of my favorite ideas for the beginning of the school year below.
Welcome back to Share It Saturday! School is starting soon (for both Engineer and me). Because of this, I’m focusing on all the wonderful back-to-school ideas that were shared last week, along with a few other ideas I like.
Share It Saturday is also hosted by
Karyn of Teach Beside Me
Leann & Colleen of Sugar Aunts
Kate from Laughing Kids Learn
Jen from Chestnut Grove Academy
Tiffany of Life & Lessons from a Country Road
From Fun-A-Day
Kindergarten Readiness: What Your Child REALLY Needs
Choosing a Preschool – 7 Factors to Consider
awesome back to school ideas for kids and families!
Arts and Crafts
Back to School Countdown Calendar {Lalymom}
Craft Stick School Bus {Reading Confetti}
DIY School Supplies that Kids Can Make {Inner Child Fun}
Weather Felt Board {Twodaloo}
Back to School “Bus Stop” Paper Napkin Wreath {Just Dip It In Chocolate}
Back to School Pencil Topper {We Made That}
Craft Stick School Bus Frame {Reading Confetti}
Meal Planning
101 Easy Recipes for Back to School {Blessed Beyond a Doubt}
13 Ways to Use Tortillas in Your Back to School Lunch Packing {Evolving Motherhood}
50 Back to School Ideas from Breakfast to Snack {Crazy for Crust}
Our Favorite Lunch Box: PlanetBox Launch Review {Buggy and Buddy}
Cloth Napkins for School Lunches (Tutorial) {Buggy and Buddy}
30 Back to School Lunch Ideas {Mama of Many Blessings}
Project LunchBox: 30 Days of Healthy Meals FREE PDF {Family Fresh Cooking}
{Back to School} Lunches without Sandwiches {JDaniel4’s Mom}
Books
Early Chapter Books about School {What Do We Do All Day?}
Multicultural Starting School Books {Pragmatic Mom}
Our Favorite Children’s Books for Back to School {Buggy and Buddy}
Best Beginning of the Year for Pre-K and Kindergarten {Pre-K Pages}
Great Back to School Books for Preschool Thru Middle School {KCEdventures}
For Homeschoolers
Preparing to Teach Preschool at Home {Teaching Mama}
Back to “School”: Learning Space {Stir the Wonder}
Homeschool Preschool Schedule 2013-2014 {Fantastic Fun & Learning}
Our Classroom Calendar – A Bit of History Daily {Sorting Sprinkles}
Preparing to Teach Preschool at Home {Teaching Mama}
Activities
Back to School Learning Bins {JDaniel4’s mom}
Kids Back to School Shopping Scavenger Hunt {B-Inspired Mama}
Free Back to School Printables {Some of the Best Things in Life are Mistakes}
Bag it Forward with Elmer’s and Champions for Kids! {Faith-Filled Food for Moms}
Call to Action: Donate Back to School Supplies {The Good Long Road}
Photos
The Not-So-Perfect 1st Day of School {House of Hendrix}
First Day of Kindergarten – Recorded with Sidewalk Chalk! {Paging Fun Moms}
Free Back to School Chalk Board Printables {Uniquely Undone}
30+ Free Printables for First Day of School Photos {Living Montessori Now}
Advice
Back to School Ideas: Supporting Beginning Readers {Ready-Set-Read}
Tips for Preventing Back to School Mishaps {Mom Endeavors}
Back to School: Fresh Beginnings {Fireflies and Mus Pies}
Mom’s Guide to School Clothes Shopping with Kids {B-Inspired Mama}
18 Back to School Money Saving Ideas {Caravan Sonnet}
A Preschool Curriculum for Home {The Measured Mom}
3 Things to Consider Before School Begins {Calm.Healthy.Sexy.}
Loving Ways to Ease School Separation Anxiety {Imagination Soup}
School Mistakes Even Smart Moms Make {iVillage}
Do you have any back to school ideas to share? I’d love to add some more to my repertoire!
Shared at Tuesday Tots, Mom’s Library , What I Learned Wednesday
Hands-On Preschool Materials
It is imperative that we keep our classrooms stocked with materials that will give our students the hands-on learning experiences that they love (and need!). There are a few specific things that I always keep on hand in my classroom. Check them out in the list below.
I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- Crayons
- Glue
- Blocks
- Puzzles
- Safety scissors
- Dramatic play items
- Math manipulatives
- Dry erase markers
- Sensory items
- Playdough
- Craft supplies
- Playground balls
- Music and movement tools
- Books, books, and more books!
When it comes to preschool, this list is really just skims the surface of the wide variety of materials that can be used. The best thing about this age group is that they learn the most while playing. So, whether they’re playing on the playground, building with blocks, or creating a masterpiece, rest assured that the children are learning so many important skills, all while having fun!
Done-for-You Preschool Resources
Planning meaningful lessons for students week after week while balancing other teaching responsibilities and a personal life can be a daunting task. That’s where Preschool Teacher 101 comes in to save you time!
Preschool Teacher 101 has created some amazing preschool lesson and activity plans that will be perfect for your classroom. Click on the images below to learn more about our “meet the teacher” planning pack!
Join The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101 today for exclusive access to our content. We have a variety of membership options to suit your needs.
wow! Thanks for featuring my latest post (that was quick)! What a great list!
I know it was rather quick, but I loved what you had to say about setting up your learning space! 🙂
Thanks for including our booklist! What a great round-up — I so need the meal planning section for lunches 🙂
You’re welcome Jacquie — loved the book list! Yes, I think out of everything I need the meal planning and organizational ideas!
What a fabulous resource this is! Thank you so much for including us!
Thanks Chelsey! I loved your lunch box review and the napkin tutorial was awesome! 🙂
What an amazing list! Thanks for featuring our weather felt board 😉
Thanks, Stephanie! I’ve decided you need to come and spend a week at my place just making me some of your awesome projects! The weather board would be a perfect addition to my preschool classroom! 🙂
Wow, what a wonderful list of ideas!! Thanks for including our 30 Healthy Back To School Lunch Ideas in your list, I greatly appreciate it! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!!
Glad to have it included, Nicole! I need a lot of extra help when it comes to making school lunches! 🙂 You had some great ideas that will definitely help me out!
Great list!! We’re so happy you are joining us on Share it Saturday 🙂
Colleen at Sugar Aunts
I have been having a great time with Share It Saturday! Thanks so much for inviting me to the party! 🙂
Hi Mary Catherine! I wanted to say thank you so much for including my bag it forward post in your line up of Activities! I am honored and I hope many will blessed with backpacks and supplies this year!
Blessings!
I just loved your post about helping others out for back to school. Of course it’s important to give back throughout the year, but what a meaningful way to get children thinking about others too!
Thank You so much for featuring my wreath! I’m so happy you guys liked it! Wishing you a Blessed and productive week, Lizy
Oh my word, Lizy, I ADORE your wreath! I need to try my hand at making one soon! Thanks for linking up with Share It Saturday!
So excited to see that you featured my free printables!! I hope everyone can use them for their precious one’s first day back to school!!
Kate @ Uniquely Undone
I’m sure a lot of people will use them for back to school!!! 🙂
What an awesome resource! Thanks so much for featuring my Free Printables for First Day of School Photos post. I pinned your post to my Back to School Pinterest Board. 🙂