Jewel's School Gems by Jewel Pastor | Page 7 of 9 | Where Science and Math resources are brilliant, interactive and fun!

10 MATH AND SCIENCE ACTIVITIES TO PREVENT THE SUMMER SLIDE

June 10, 2016 By Jewel Pastor 2 Comments

What exactly does the term “summer slide” mean? Unfortunately, it’s not a playground equipment that you can buy for your students’ or own kids’ enjoyment during summer. Summer slide actually refers to the loss of academic skills – especially math and literacy skills – that occurs during summer break.

We hear again and again how kids are encouraged to read a lot of books or engage in summer activities linked to reading during summer. However, Math and Science should also be given the attention they deserve.

According to studies, Math skills tend to decline more during summer, since kids tend to be more likely occupied with reading tasks. Science is also pushed aside with video games and other areas of interests being pursued more.

Luckily, there are many Math and Science activities that can be done over the summer break to make sure kids do more than the usual reading of books. As a teacher, you can recommend these activities to parents or do them with your own kids. Here are 10 Math and Science activities that you can do to help prevent summer slide in children:

Math Summer Activities for Kids

1. Play games. Math games don’t only provide hours of fun, but also help prevent the dreaded summer slide. You might be surprised that something as simple as multiplication and division flashcards can help keep math skills sharp. Card games like this Multiplication and Division I Have/Who Has Game also provide math practice. Good old board games like Monopoly can assist in keeping math skills fresh as well, when you let kids acts as the banker.

2. Cook or bake. Summer is the perfect time to practice math skills through cooking or baking with children. Aside from having to read and follow directions, young kids can exercise number recognition while older ones can practice ratio and proportion with ingredients.

3. Watch sports. Watching a game of soccer, football or basketball live or just on television can help kids fight the summer slide. Children can be given piece of paper and a pen, and asked to calculate statistics along with the experts.

4. Set up a lemonade stand. Setting up a lemonade stand might sound simple, but helping children run a drinks stand also means helping boost math skills. Kids will be measuring ingredients and managing money while having fun!

5. Play travel games. Families usually do some traveling during summer. It can be a great opportunity to practice math skills. Kids can count vehicles of a particular color, round the prices of gas, or add up all the numbers on license plates.

Science Summer Activities for Kids

6. Plant a garden. Starting a garden and watching plants grow are truly exciting for kids. They can keep a record of the growth of specific plants by drawing what the plants look like on specific number of days and even write down their observations. They can also view presentations and do crafts to enrich their knowledge about plants.

Related: How to Teach Plants for Kids

7. Go camping. What better way to interact with nature than while camping! Kids will have a lot of opportunities to observe the world around them during this time. Aside from giving everyone in the family some screen time off, camping also provides a chance for parents and children to discuss the importance of taking care of Mother Nature.

8. Visit the zoo. A visit to the zoo can surely pique children’s interest on animals and motivate them to learn more about animal life. After a family field trip to the zoo, children can do some research on their favorite animals or create crafts on their life cycles.

9. Build a robot. Robotics has been quite popular for some time now that so many cool and kid-friendly robot projects for kids are available on the Internet. Tutorials outline the materials needed and even the step-by-step instructions to be followed on how to construct robots ranging from the simplest to the most complex ones.

10. Do science experiments and STEM challenges. Of course, if you want to develop scientific skills and stop summer slide in children during summer, engage them with science experiments and STEM challenges! Kids will surely love experimenting with ice, bubbles, cream, and other items that can be found mostly in the house. They will also enjoy building various contraptions using recyclable materials. Just search for summer science experiments or summer STEM challenges on the Internet and you’ll be blown away by the number of awesome activities that kids can do easily and inexpensively at home! Children will understand the scientific method and the engineering design process better with such activities, too.

It’s so tempting to just let the kids play all they want since it’s the summer break. Unfortunately, summer slide is a reality for many kids. A balance of activities that children already love – such as playing computer games, skateboarding, or shopping – and activities related to reading, Math and Science will help kids to have a summer that is worth remembering. It’s one with no summer slide on it for sure!

Monitoring the weather, doing word searches, and writing poems can also be great summer activities to combat the summer slide! Click the image below to become a Jewel’s School Gems subscriber and grab these free weather sheets that are a part of my weather bundle on TpT. You will also have immediate access to my Growing Library of Free Resources and receive my newsletter with updates, bonuses, and inspiration just for you!

Which Math or Science activities will you try with kids to avoid the summer slide? Tell us in the comments!

3 BENEFITS OF COLOR BY NUMBER PAGES

May 27, 2016 By Jewel Pastor Leave a Comment

Have you ever tried using color by number worksheets in the classroom? If you have, then I bet you’ll agree that these pages provide a lot of fun for children of all ages the whole year round.

Aside from providing hours of enjoyment for your kiddos, here are three other benefits of using color by number worksheets:

1. Children are trained to follow instructions. Let’s face it; even adults have a hard time following instructions. I think this only means that training children early to follow directions, even for something as simple as color by number worksheets, surely has its benefits. Aside from learning the importance of following instructions to come up with a correctly colored picture, children are trained to function better at home and in school, as well as taught to accomplish other tasks faster and more effectively.

2. Children learn the meaning of symbols. Color by number worksheets are fantastic in helping children understand that symbols have meaning. Not only do children get better at color recognition when using color by number pages, children also learn that numbers can be used to represent other things and aren’t only just for counting. Later on, children will be able to grasp that different objects in their surroundings can actually be used as a symbol for other things and have other meanings. It’s just undeniable that symbolic understanding is important to function well in the society we live in.

3. Children see the benefit of finishing what they have started. This might sound so simple, but again, many children grow up not to know that it’s important to see things through to the end. In my experience, most children love finishing color by number worksheets since they would like to see what the picture would look like if colored entirely. According to research, it takes an average of two months to create a habit. Imagine using color by number worksheets in your classroom just to develop the skill of seeing things through to the end the whole year. That’s one life skill that your students will be able to benefit from long after they have left your classroom.

Using Color by Number Worksheets from Jewel’s School Gems

I currently offer several color by number worksheets in my Teachers Pay Teachers store. I love creating color by number worksheets for different themes and holidays. Below are a couple of feedback from awesome teachers.

For my Fire Safety color by number worksheets, here’s what Ashley had to say:

“My son has loved coloring these! He saw them on Pinterest and really wanted them, and I’m so happy we got them. He has been really excited to do one each day. :)”

For my Apple ones, here’s what Melanie said:

“Just right for my Kinder’s first experience with coloring by number and perfect for our apple theme.”

Check out all my color by number worksheets HERE today.

Want More Teacher Resources for FREE?

Save yourself valuable time and sign up to access my Free Resource Library for very busy teachers! One of the freebies you will have immediate access to are the free color by number worksheets below, which are a part of my summer bundle. Just click on the image below to sign up and grab them!

Can you think of other benefits of using color by number worksheets? Tell us in the comments below!

You can also check out this post featured on the TpT blog!

TOP 10 WAYS TO DE-STRESS FOR TEACHERS: PART 2

May 16, 2016 By Jewel Pastor 15 Comments

Here is Part 2 of my list on the Top 10 Ways to De-stress for Teachers! Happy reading!

Read Part 1 here.

6. Grab a cup of coffee or reach for that snack. I know many will say that food shouldn’t really be used to deal with stress, but let’s keep it real here. Who doesn’t love having that occasional treat to feel better, especially after a long tiring day?! Certainly NOT these educators:

Judith M Darling: Before I retired in Alaska, I would head for Vagabond Blues coffee shop in Palmer, get a caramel latte, sit by a big window and relax while looking at the mountains and watching people walk by. I miss those days very much.

Sara E.: A nice hot cup of tea and some peace and quiet to work on my TpT products before my kids come home. A Coke Zero, a bowl of popcorn and some ‘fixer upper’ are also a fave.

Sheena Lannin: Curl up on the couch with a good book and chocolate! Or red wine and chocolate! Or a cuppa and chocolate! Notice a theme here?

Karen Walkup Hester: I’ve gotten in the habit of stopping at Sonic and getting an ice cream cone to enjoy on the way home. Probably not the healthiest, but I sure look forward to it!

7. Enjoy music. The calming power of music is well-known. It can relax the mind, absorb attention and provide much-needed distraction. These teachers can attest to the soothing power of music:

Chrissy Webster Hutzel: I play clarinet, tuba, and sax with a bunch of retirees in an accordion band. We rehearse weekly and perform two to three times a month at nursing homes, retirement homes, churches, and Oktoberfest celebrations. So much fun!

Joya Crawford: My favorite thing to do is turn up the music on my drive home and sing along as loud as I can… Gets all the stress out! My first couple years of teaching I had a mix tape I listened to every day on the way home. Yeah I just admitted I’m old…

Keri Powers-Pye: My 2-year-old and I turn on the Baby Einstein Pandora station and dance like fools around the living room! Our personal favorite is the reggae version of Five Little Monkeys.

Sally Bondelevitch DeCost: I have a cup of tea, turn on mindless TV, and surf the net then, once a week, I sing with my singing group. Singing always makes me feel better, and I love the people in my group!

Jeanine Arlotta Schneider: I love listening to the spa station! Relaxing music always helps me!

Chris: Playing guitar and having a beer. Then, crash.

8. Read a good book. Reading can actually help reduce stress faster than other methods. According to a research, just six minutes of reading can help reduce stress levels by more than two thirds. Take it from these teachers:

Crystal Lee Gillespie: I like to read novels. Getting caught up in a good book takes my mind off a stressful day. I especially love being able to sit outside and read when the weather cooperates.

Najda Zada: This one’s a tad boring, but most often I’d like to give myself a “me” time by reading a book or scrolling through my phone with a cup of tea.

Joey Pastor: I go to the gym, read a good book and sleep!

Stacey Carlson: A good book, a cup of tea, and a few yummy treats.

9. Walk or play with a pet. While having human friends to talk to and do fun activities with is awesome, having a pet is also actually quite beneficial. Pets are great stress relievers. Owning a dog, for example, is found to reduce blood pressure, boost feel-good chemicals in the brain, and decrease stress hormones. These teachers prove the fabulous benefits of having a dog:

Michelle Stern: Spending time outside with my dog is relaxing and soothing.

Tracy Willis: Hiking trails with my dog, Gracie.

Christine Barnett: I usually take 10 minutes when I get home to sit and cuddle with my dog! Pets are such great stress reducers. Just 10 minutes with her calms me down!

Lori Mcdonald: I walk my dogs who are so happy to see me, they can’t get to me fast enough. They love me unconditionally.

10. Do what makes you happy! At the end of the day, I believe it’s important that we do whatever makes our hearts sing. I think we should do whatever makes us forget the stresses of the day (as long as it’s not doing drugs, of course! LOL!). You might get some ideas from these teachers:

Karen Crawford: I love to dive into a Dollar Store or Target Dollar Spot (Retail Therapy). Yahoo!

Kelly Rivett: A hot bubble bath with candles flickering and a movie going on the ipad. Or simple window shopping trip to the mall.

Jackie Clarke: After the children have left, I make a cup of tea and reflect on the day as I plan for the next.

Meghan McLane Mathis: Lately, I’ve been focusing on trying to accomplish something else UNRELATED so I can get that feeling of successful accomplishment that I didn’t get in class that day. Sometimes I’ll clean up the kitchen, mow the lawn, pull some weeds, fold the pile of laundry that’s been sitting in the laundry room since the weekend before, or even vacuum a room or two. It isn’t “fun,” but a lot of time I can’t have “fun” yet because I’m still stewing over what happened at school. By getting SOMETHING accomplished, my brain can relax a bit. Maybe today was a mess in class…but my stovetop is spotless!!! From there, I can do something more enjoyable. Sit on the back porch and read a book, watch a dumb TV show, play with my kids, etc.

Jennifer Booker Smith: I knit, and a teacher-heavy Stitch n B* group has kept us all sane, and probably made us better teachers. It gives us a “safe” place to vent and we get useful feedback for the issues causing us stress. (“Safe” because we don’t work together.)

Alisha Hughes: This year back at full time work has been out of control! (As I take deep breaths) I actually scooter part way home each day to catch the ferry. Great way to destress and even better when there is a sunset. I also play PS4 or puzzle games which takes my mind completely off work. A glass of red wine helps, too.

Personally, going to the mall, eating some sushi, and buying toys and clothes for my toddler relax me. Some days, it’s just taking a walk around our farm, feeding the chickens, watering the plants, or chasing my daughter in her mini-playground. I also enjoy meditating, reading my Bible, and praying.

There you have it, my teacher-friend! I hope you got some ideas to make your days more relaxing and less stressful! Thanks again to the wonderful teacherpreneurs who shared their de-stressing tips. Just click on their names to be taken to their TpT stores.

Now, to add some more feel-good chemicals to your brain, let’s do a GIVEAWAY!

Enter the giveaway through the Rafflecopter app for a chance to win a $25 TeachersPayTeachers gift certificate! This is also to celebrate my second TpT anniversary tomorrow (such a blessing!). The winner will be announced on my birthday on the 23^rd of May.

Happy de-stressing and I hope you win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!

May 2, 2016 By Jewel Pastor 2 Comments

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week, girl! I hope you’d feel appreciated, respected and loved throughout this week (and forevermore!) because YOU TOTALLY DESERVE IT. In case you don’t know yet, TpT is holding a sitewide sale to celebrate its 10^th founding anniversary and to honor fabulous teachers like you all over the world. You get up to 28% off in my store for all items (including big bundles!) when you purchase and use the code CELEBRATE upon checkout. I am also extending the sale in my store till the 5th as a bonus for teachers everywhere and especially for my cherished TpT followers.

And just for fun, I’m joining a linky party hosted by Jen Lium of Teaching in the Tongass. Thanks, Jen, for organizing this fun linky! Below are my Top 3 wishlisted items connected to Math and Science (click on the pictures to see them in my store) with some of the most amazing feedback from fabulous teachers like you:

Now, if you’re a Jewel School Gems subscriber (or wanna be one!), I have a surprise for you! Access my FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY by clicking the image below and find this Teacher Appreciation Freebie waiting just for you. It’s normally $2.50 in my store, but for you, as my way of saying THANK YOU, it’s all FREE! I hope you and your students will enjoy using this teacher scrapbook.

Thanks for stopping by and again, Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

TOP 10 WAYS TO DE-STRESS FOR TEACHERS: PART 1

April 29, 2016 By Jewel Pastor 4 Comments

Looking for ways to de-stress for teachers? I know, it’s that time of the year. You might be in the middle of doing tests with your students or you’re done with tests and are simply trying to survive till the end of the year. Admit it, kids go crazy at this time of the year and your stress levels can shoot through the roof. Well, the good news is you’re not alone (LOL. Okay, that’s just not so comforting), but the even greater news is there are many ways to de-stress at the end of a working day!

I compiled tips from fabulous teachers of the TpT Down Under Tribe and #TeacherpreneurTribe on Facebook, and came up with this Top 10 list on ways to de-stress for hardworking teachers like you! I got so many valuable tips that this is just the first of a two-part blog post (By the way, make sure to read till the end to score a freebie!). Read Part 2 here.

Are you ready for the Top 5?

1. Do some exercise. It is a well-known fact that exercise in any form can act as a great stress reliever. Physical activity increases production of endorphins, your brain’s feel-good chemicals. Take it from these teachers:

Nicki Jean: I love weight lifting!

Jennifer Garcia: I love working out! A good spin class or kickboxing class definitely helps me de-stress at the end of the day.

Megan Harrell: Working out! We do a fit club after school. Gives me the energy and focus I need to get through the rest of the day!

Brittany Philipsen: Late night yoga after I put the kids to bed! Keeps me up past my bedtime, but it feels oh so good. And I feel rebellious staying up trying to wind down once everyone has fallen asleep.

Bec Perry: Yoga! Specifically shoulder stand pose helps the stress go away.

Tammy Aiello: When I was younger and child-free my absolutely FAV thing to do after work on Fridays was to go rock climbing with a colleague. TOTALLY de-stressing.

Retta London: Zumba, yoga, and reading—all great to unwind!

Ashley Robinson Duff: I’m a big advocate of exercise, so I run. I also do yoga at a place that has a class with essential oils and the teacher always plans a super beautiful sensory class with music, oils, and just the right amount of sunshine. It helps me revive in the winter or calm down during autumn when things are crazy!

Christina Gray: During my first two (very stressful) years of teaching, I ran after school everyday with another teacher. We would run around the school, on the track or in the neighborhoods near the school. Although it was not easy to do every day, the exercise and being able to talk though a rough day with a fellow teacher really helped me to survive.

2. Engage in self-pampering. A little self-pampering can go a long way in helping you recharge those teacher batteries and keep you sane! Some “me time” is definitely recommended by these teachers:

Katie Roltgen: I love getting a mani/pedi with a fun spring color! I don’t usually splurge on them, but the end of the year is special!

Lauren Kuhn: Coconut Detox Soak! Pour one cup of coconut cream under the warm water as you fill your tub. Add 1/2 cup of magnesium salts (called Epsom Salts here in Australia). Soak for 20 minutes to feel your muscles melt! Candles and wine are not necessary but a lovely luxury.

Rachel Vincent: Everyone has such great ways, but honestly, the best thing that helps me de-stress is to take a nap!

Mary Carr: My team mates and I spend a few minutes after school once a week painting each other’s nails and just hanging out in one of our classrooms. It’s fun and cheap and helps us unwind.

Tessa Miller-Schweder: Spa day! Once a quarter! Absolutely amazing!

Amy O’Grady: A nice hot bath, eat some chocolate and a little bit of T.V. or TPT creating.

Jennifer Bailey: For many years, I had a difficult time turning my mind off of my school stress, worries and work. On a whim, I signed up for a meditation class. It turned out to be one of the best things I have ever done. I learned so much about being in the moment, quieting my brain and focusing on my breathing. I begin each day with a few quiet minutes of meditation. When I find my morning going awry, I take a few minutes during my lunchtime to re-center myself. It’s such a powerful way to manage the stress and worries of teaching!

3. Watch Netflix or TV. Some people will disagree about TV and de-stressing, but many teachers actually find that watching their favorite TV shows has a calming effect. These teachers attest to the de-stressing power of Netflix (and a few yummy treats!):

Whitney Murry Shaddock: Normal day: playing with my 3 year old!
Bad day: Netflix and sherbet ice cream after I put the kiddo to bed!

Alexandria Becky: Netflix! I am currently re watching Gilmore Girls…so good!

Sandra Riddle: I love to put on comfy pajamas, climb in my recliner, and spend some time with a celebrity boyfriend (like Sam Heughan, currently portraying Jamie Fraser on Outlander). Oh, and my husband is totally okay with this!

Karen Crawford: I grab a glass of wine and switch on Netflix.

Casey Patch: I have a crazy 2-year-old! When she goes to bed, I grab myself some snacks and watch some reality TV—think Keeping up with the Kardashians and The Real Housewives. Sometimes I even beg hubby to go on a slushie run for me depending on how my day went! Haha!

Vikki Longthorn: Binge watching The Bold and the Beautiful and realizing how wonderful my life is in comparison!

Jacqui Johnson: Wine, chocolate and Netflix!

4. Do some coloring and create crafts.

Researchers have acknowledged the benefits of art for years. It’s not surprising then that these teachers do coloring and create crafts for stress relief:

Deborah Griffith: I love to unwind by art journaling. There are several great free classes online. If you haven’t tried it, you should!

Katie Fewell: I just bought a new coloring book.

Erin Perry: I also do coloring books, but one of my favorite things to do is to send special gifts to other teachers to spread the happiness.

Josie Io: Getting comfy, taking the dog for a walk and those adult coloring books.

Martha Hach: I like to read, color, or play the piano. Typically, I fall asleep before I can get to do one of these things though!

Wendy Darcy: I make beaded jewelry or take a weekend away!

Linda Look: I make quilts! I love to design them and the stitching part is very peaceful for me.

Bev O’Loughlin: I love photography so when I can, I head down to the beach to sit and wait for the sunset.

5. Play with your kids or just be with your family and friends. Strong social support is actually crucial in battling stress. These educators find being with their loved ones an effective way to destress at the end of a working day:

Amy Lawrence: I leave my school stress at school. It will still be there tomorrow. I go home and unwind playing with my boys, and enjoying time at home.

Jane Ro: Playing with my children and listening to their funny stories about their day.

Rebecca Randall: I would love to be able to fall into bed during the working week having already de-stressed and without a single thought of school! That being said, we make it a thing to have family dinner (with everyone who is home), altogether, at the table, every night!!! Love, love, love it!

Rosie Ponifasio-Hughes: Before kids: Walk the dog on the beach barefoot (often with a cold boutique beer in hand). After kids: Change out of my work clothes and into old stretchy pj pants and make them some afternoon tea snacks (and then eat most of it myself! Ha ha ha!).

Nikki Wade Sabiston: I’m looking at all these amazingly positive and productive de-stressers and feeling sheepish because I just sit out on the patio and have a beer while the kids play in the backyard. If it’s been a particularly difficult day, chocolate may be involved.

Kim Field: During the fall and winter my kids are playing sports at their high school. There is nothing better than leaving a stressful day behind and watching your child play in a game that he or she loves. I also like to walk—either with my dog or with a friend.

Whew! There you go, girl—the first part of the Top 10 Ways to De-stress for Teachers! Make sure to check the blog for the other five in the following weeks! I hope you got some ideas from the amazing teachers who contributed to this blog post. Just click on the names of these wonderful teachers to be taken to their TpT stores!

In the spirit of de-stressing, grab three adult coloring sheets for FREE when you become one of my loyal subscribers! Just click on the image below! Enjoy and have a relaxing, stress-free day!

What other ways can you add to the list above? Tell us in the comments. 🙂