• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Ericas Ed-Ventures

Primary Education Ideas

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Classroom Decor Inspiration
  • Teacher Style
  • Shop
  • Contact

Free Downloads

Winter Ideas and Freebies

I don't know what type of winter you have been having but this pretty much sums up the weather here on Long Island: We did have one snowy weekend and of course the kids were so very excited.   I decided to make them these banners to complete in class.   They are a freebie so, just ...

Read More

Filed Under: Free Downloads, Uncategorized, Winter

Celebrating 2017 in the Classroom {Freebie Included!}

When do you go back to school?  We go back January 3rd.  I'M NOT READY!  I need to get all the December projects down when I get back and usher in the new year.   I am sure you are planning on doing the same.  I am here with a freebie and some resources to help you celebrate ...

Read More

Filed Under: Free Downloads, New Year's, Uncategorized

Gingerbread Classroom Ideas

Gingerbread is my favorite December theme and a favorite of my students.  They cannot wait to read a different version of the story and see if they follow the same pattern.   I hope you find some ideas in this post to help you and your students get immersed in all things ...

Read More

Filed Under: Free Downloads, Gingerbread Men, Uncategorized

1st Grade Pumpkin Ideas & a Freebie

I just love teaching the students about pumpkins in the month of October.  I hope this post gives you some ideas for teaching about pumpkins in first grade.  Click the images to check out the TpT sources and my free resources through Google Drive. Before we even start learning about pumpkins, we ...

Read More

Filed Under: Free Downloads, Pumpkins, Teachers Pay Teachers, Uncategorized

Apples Theme in First Grade

In first grade we are finishing up our apple themed learning.  Here are photos of some of the activities we have done.  I also have a freebie for your at the end of this post!  Click on the photos to check out the packets the activities are from. We start our learning with an apple schema chart. ...

Read More

Filed Under: Apples, Free Downloads, Uncategorized

Thoughts on Whole Body Listening

I asked Susanne Poulette if she would write a blog post for me on Whole Body Listening.  She is the original author of Whole Body Listening and many years ago, she gave me permission to use the term "Whole Body Listening" on my Teachers Pay Teachers freebie.  I hope you enjoy reading this ...

Read More

Filed Under: Classroom Management, Free Downloads, Uncategorized

Back to School Student Gifts {FREEBIES}

I love giving my students a little something on the first day of first grade.  It gives them something to do while you are greeting students at the door and makes them feel special.  I changed over to suction cup balls last year and they had a blast rolling them on their desks!  I hope you can use ...

Read More

Filed Under: Back to School, Free Downloads, Uncategorized

Mother’s Day Freebies and More!

Are you looking for ways to celebrate Mother's Day with your students?   I thought I would take time to put together a post of some of my Mother's Day freebies and more.  As always feel free to pin and click on the images to check out the resources on TpT. These Mother's Day cards are totally free ...

Read More

Filed Under: Free Downloads, Mother's Day, Uncategorized

Spring Resources and Freebies

I just wanted to write this quick blog post with links to some of my freebies and my Spring themed packets!  I plan on adding a decor themed freebie to my TpT store soon.  I am THIS CLOSE to finishing it.  Follow my store, my fb, and/or my Instagram so you don't miss out (the links are right above ...

Read More

Filed Under: Free Downloads, Spring, Teachers Pay Teachers, Uncategorized

Valentine Freebies, Ideas, and More!

I cannot believe it is almost Valentine's Day!  I feel like February is always a blur of holidays.   I am particularly excited for the return of The Walking Dead, but that has nothing to do with school! I have so many Valentine's Day resources available for you.  Some are paid products and many are ...

Read More

Filed Under: Free Downloads, Teachers Pay Teachers, Uncategorized, Valentine's Day

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 13
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

Categories

Subscribe via Email

Featured Products

Disclosure: This website/blog contains affiliate links.  What that means is that when you click on a link to a merchant and purchase something, I get a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you.

Footer

Latest on Instagram

📚 Back-to-school magic starts with the right read- 📚 Back-to-school magic starts with the right read-alouds!
These are my absolute favorite first-week books for building classroom community, easing those first-day jitters, and setting a positive tone from day one.
From Our Class is a Family, All Are Welcome, The Book of Rules, and so many more — these stories never miss.

Which one is a must-read in your classroom? Drop it in the comments and I will send you the links to my follow up activities!

#BackToSchool #ReadAlouds #picturebooks
These play-doh first day gifts are cute and practi These play-doh first day gifts are cute and practical!  The play-doh gives your students something fun to do while you are busy greeting students at the door.  Then once everyone is in, then you can unpack supplies as a class. 

Want the link to the FREE tags and to see what else I do on the first day?  Comment “first day” below and I will DM you the links!

#teacherhack #teacherfreebies #playdoh #teachersfollowteachers #backtoschool
How do you handle this situation? Do you put the How do you handle this situation?  Do you put the new student at the end of the alphabetical list or do you start over with a new one?
I know I am next for a new student (I have 24 kids and everyone else has 25), so I am holding off until the night before the first day.  I wish I could just wait but I like modeling where their bags and mail goes, both of which are set up using numbers.

True story: One year on the first day, I had a no show.  Then I was assigned a new student.  That student fit perfectly in the alphabetical order spot that was left.  I should have played the lottery or something.  What were the odds of that?!

#teacherproblems #teacherhumor #primaryteacher
5 things that are worth the money for your classro 5 things that are worth the money for your classroom!

1. A color printer.  We don’t have color printers at school and this has saved me from having to remember to print something at home. I brought in mine from home and then bought a new one for home. 
2. MacBookAir - This is my personal laptop.  I bring it home on weekends and holidays but for the most part I keep it at school.  I did need approval to get it on our district WiFi, which meant my phone could not also be on the WiFi.  There is a one device per teacher rule.
3. A lay-flat binder for my plan book, dismissal binder, and sub binder.  These save so much space and they are flexible. 
4. A laminator at school and a laminator at home.  It took me many years before I caved and bought another one but again, it saves me from remembering to laminate at home and I can also laminate during snack time and preps. Matte laminating is also worth the splurge.
5. My teacher toolbox! This toolbox has been with me for over 10 years, I just change out the labels to go with my decor theme.  Everything has a place and it keeps my desk organized.

Want the links?  Comment “links” below and I will DM you them. 

#classroommanagement #amazonfinds #classroom #teacherhacks #firstgradeteacher
✨Center time just got so much better! ✨ These 1st ✨Center time just got so much better! ✨
These 1st grade phonics-based literacy centers keep my students engaged, independent, and actually cheering when I say it’s center time. 🙌
Year-long skills that spiral and build (short vowels → digraphs → blends → vowel teams → multisyllabic words and more), primary lined recording sheets, supportive visuals, and activities that are easy to prep once and reuse all year.

Perfect for Science of Reading classrooms, Fundations® users, Daily 5, or anyone who wants structured, decodable practice while you pull small groups.

My students know exactly what to do… and I get to teach without interruptions. Win-win! 📚💛

Comment LINK if you want a full year of ready-to-go phonics centers and a free sample set!
#PhonicsCenters  #LiteracyCenters #FirstGradeTeacher  #Phonics #WordWork ReadingCenters
🌻Sunflower Classroom Decor Room Tour🌻 This was my 🌻Sunflower Classroom Decor Room Tour🌻

This was my room decor before the pastels.  It worked well to incorporate my old farmhouse items (my decor theme before that) and as a bonus it made my Ukrainian students smile (the sunflower is the national flower of the Ukrainian).

Do you want the links?  Comment “sunflower” below. 

#classroomdecor #tptcheckoutmyclassroom #firstgradeteacher
Teacher Tip: Sort and store your printables for th Teacher Tip: Sort and store your printables for the upcoming weeks in a file tray above drawers for the days of the week.  This helps to keep you organized for the weeks ahead.
Save and use leftover colored copies as dividers. This makes them less bulky, than if you had used binder clips.
When you near the end of the week, pull the papers from the tray and sort into the weekday drawers and centers.

Have questions?  Ask them below!

#classroomorganization #classroommanagement #teachertips #teacherhacks
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2026 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs