Just a few days to go! I hope you’ve had a chance to prepare and prime your students for the various schedule changes, concerts, plays, and parties. If not, that’s totally okay! This season can be chaotic, and it’s important to give yourself grace. Remember, you can always revisit this series next year to help plan for the weeks leading up to winter break.

Last week, we explored ways to structure classroom parties and prepare students for the big day. This week, we’re focusing on strategies to organize crafts and other activities that encourage independence and active participation!

But first—how are you all feeling this week? I was joking with my SLP bestie that just writing this series stirs up so many emotions about the time between Thanksgiving and winter break. It’s such a love/hate relationship with the chaos of the season! I don’t miss the stress, but I do miss the pure excitement from students when we rolled out those fun activities.

This Buddy the Elf meme perfectly sums up the rollercoaster of emotions we all experience leading up to winter break. So, tell me—which Buddy are you right now? ✨

Visual step-by-step Instructions were a staple in my classroom for crafts, recipes, and activities. I would introduce the activity by showing the model—the finished product—and then guide students through a visual, step-by-step process, complete with a supply list. It’s like following a recipe, but for crafts! Verbal instructions alone vanish after spoken, but these visuals offer a consistent, concrete reference that students can revisit as needed, promoting greater independence and reducing frustration.

Below is an example of step-by-step instructions for one of my favorite winter crafts: a snowman sensory bottle. You can find this activity in the Resources section!

The Stride Team from Owatonna structures crafts in their program classrooms by implementing the Get Ready, Do, Done strategy. This approach takes visual step-by-step instructions to the next level by organizing activities into three clear phases:

• Get Ready: Lists all the materials needed for the activity.
• Do: Provides clear, step-by-step instructions for completing the task.
• Done: Displays the finished product, giving students a clear and tangible goal.

This strategy not only simplifies the planning process but also eliminates guesswork, making it easier for students to plan, initiate, and complete tasks. It’s a fantastic tool for supporting students as they develop essential executive functioning skills like task planning and follow-through!

The above photo is from Staphany Wesely's classroom in Owatonna, showcasing the Stride Team's turkey craft created using the Get Ready, Do, Done approach. A perfect example of how this strategy brings structure and clarity to creative activities!

When introducing an activity, consider "planning backwards" to set the stage for success:

1. Start with Done: Show the final product to give students a clear goal.
2. Move to Do: Outline the steps needed to complete the activity.
3. End with Get Ready: Share the list of supplies they'll need.

When it’s time for students to begin, they’ll follow the sequence starting with Get Ready and work forward through Do to reach Done.

This backward-planning approach provides a clear and structured framework, making crafts (or any activity!) more engaging and accessible for students. Below is an example of how to introduce an activity using this strategy. Want to try it with your class? You can find this activity in the Resources section!

"We are going to make snowman sensory bottles! This is what it will look like when it's all done!" (Hold a up a snowman sensory bottle.)

"These are the steps we will do to make the sensory bottle. First... " (point to each step and describe it)"

"In order to make the snowman sensory bottle, we will need an empty water bottle, an entire bottle of clear glue, water, glitter, foil snowflakes, a hot glue gun, ribbon, sharpies, and eyes. Ok, let's get ready!"

You can use this strategy for so many different activities. In the Resources section, I've included one for making hot chocolate!

Paint stick schedules were an essential tool in my classroom, especially for activities that involve multiple steps that often vary, like art projects, academic projects, cut and paste worksheets, etc. These schedules are highly effective, providing a clear structure for students to follow. As students complete each step, they simply remove the corresponding symbol and place it on the back of the stick. Adding the next activity—such as a break or a “check schedule” icon—helps students anticipate what’s coming next and stay on track.

You can customize paint stick schedules for individual students or create one for pairs, depending on your classroom setup. These simple yet versatile tools make crafts and other activities more organized, engaging, and accessible for all students.

I’ve included printable visuals for crafts in the Resources section that you can use for your next art project!

Check out the I'm Going Places unit in Themes First!, which includes original songs, books, and activities that support students’ skill development and generalization with content that’s fun, accessible, and theme-based. These monthly units now include an expanded Social Studies suite, containing fun, theme-related activities that reinforce cultural engagement. Included in all Themes First! units are lessons, activities, and worksheets for group and independent work at a wide range of levels.

The next Themes First! release, Winter Sports, is ready to prep!

💡Print all the activities you plan to use for the upcoming month as soon as they become available. Put printed activities in a "prep" area equipped with a laminator, file folders, Velcro, labels, and baggies. If you have a large laminator, laminate all the activities at once! When you and your team have a few minutes to spare, laminate, cut, and Velcro. It helps to organize activities in trays by "Needs to be Prepped" and "Finished." Don't forget to teach your team how to prep the activities and to model this new expectation. Check out the How to Prep a Month-Long Themes First! Unit below.

Classroom Routines

Introduction

Teaching Routines

Classroom Slide Deck

Arrival Routine

Check Schedule Routine

Expectations

Resources for the New Year Series

STAR Media Center Updates

Caregiver Survey

Home-School Communication

Reset Checklist Visuals

2023-2024 Tuesday Tips & Tricks Newsletters

Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns via email or phone. I'm also available to chat via Zoom Mondays from 7:30-8:00 AM and 3:00-3:30 PM. If these times do not work for your schedule, please email me and we will find a time that will work for both of us.

Use the link below to ask questions about this week's Tuesday Tips 'N' Tricks and/or give suggestions on future topics.

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