Here are some other suggestions!

1. Brainiacs.org
Free Resource: Offers a variety of logic puzzles, brain teasers, and math riddles that can be filtered by difficulty level. A great option for practicing critical thinking and math skills.

Link: Brainiacs.org

2. Math Playground
Free Resource: This site offers interactive puzzles, riddles, and games that challenge students’ problem-solving skills and support math learning.

Link: https://www.mathplayground.com

3. KenKen Puzzles
Free Resource: KenKen puzzles are like Sudoku but with arithmetic. They are fantastic for students to practice logic and math operations.

Link: https://www.kenkenpuzzle.com

One simple but powerful strategy: include what your students are actually interested in. Take time at the beginning and middle of the year to survey them—ask about their favorite movies, games, artists, YouTubers, hobbies, sports teams, etc. You’d be surprised how much they’ll tell you when they feel heard.

Then, infuse that info into your lessons and classroom routines. Even small connections—like referencing a new movie release, trending meme, or popular song—can spark attention and make learning feel relevant.

Keep an eye on pop culture, seasonal trends, and what’s buzzing in their world. It doesn’t mean turning your classroom into a TikTok studio—but it does mean meeting kids where they are.

It’s not just about fun—it’s about belonging. When students see their culture and interests reflected in the classroom, they lean in.

How about creating a Family Attendance Wall—a visually engaging, school-wide display that celebrates not just student attendance, but the families who help make it happen? It’s a powerful way to show that showing up matters and that families play a vital role in their child’s education.

How it Works:

Monthly Recognition: At the end of each month, families of students with perfect or outstanding attendance (e.g., 95% or higher) are celebrated on a special display in a central hallway or community space.

Visual Display Options:

- “Attendance Tree”: Each recognized family gets a colorful paper leaf added to a growing tree mural with the family’s last name, child’s name, and grade level. The goal is to grow the tree throughout the year with as many leaves as possible!

- “Star Wall”: Families are honored with a star that includes their child’s name and a short positive message like “The Lopez Family Shines Bright!” Stars could be grouped by grade level or homeroom.

Monthly Drawing:

- All recognized families could be entered into a raffle for small prizes like a pizza night, school swag, or a family activity basket.

- Quarterly Celebration: Families with ongoing strong attendance could be invited to a special event like a "Donuts with Grown-Ups" morning or “Family Picnic Lunch.”

- Family Spotlight Board: One family per grade level could be chosen for a monthly spotlight—featuring their photo, quote about the importance of attendance, and what helps them get to school each day.

For Earth Day and Arbor Day, we focus on our deep ties to the land through an Indigenous lens. I share stories from my family and community about our sacred relationship with the Earth—how the land is not something we own, but something we care for like a relative. We invite Indigenous speakers, including elders and knowledge keepers, to share their wisdom about traditional ecological knowledge, seasonal practices, and respectful harvesting.

Our class spends time outside listening, observing, and learning from the land. We do nature journaling with photography and drawing, documenting patterns, plants, and animal signs. Students write gratitude poems to the Earth and create land acknowledgment art that reflects their understanding of place and stewardship.

One of our favorite activities is building a “Circle of Care” garden where each student plants a native seed or pollinator plant, sharing a promise of how they’ll care for the Earth. We also create natural mandalas using fallen materials like petals, leaves, and pinecones—honoring beauty without harming the land.

These experiences aren’t just lessons—they’re acts of connection and reciprocity. The Earth gives to us, and we learn how to give back with respect, creativity, and love.

In our class, we celebrate the end-of-year countdown with a “Colorful Nature Countdown!” Each day is inspired by a color and something from nature. For example, “G is for Green Day”—we go on a nature walk to find all things green, and take photos of plants and trees. We use iPads to create mini photo galleries and write colorful captions with feeling words and nature facts. It’s a fun way to mix art, writing, and the outdoors while counting down to summer!

I help my students experience changing seasons by incorporating nature observations and Indigenous perspectives into our learning. We spend time outside engaging in sensory observations, journaling about seasonal changes, and making connections to science and storytelling. For example, we might track how the trees change over time, observe animal behaviors, or discuss how different cultures recognize and celebrate seasonal shifts. I also bring in hands-on activities, such as creating nature-inspired art, studying traditional ecological knowledge, or using literature and poetry to reflect on seasonal transitions.

That sounds like such an amazing and meaningful event! I love that you're extending the Leader in Me principles beyond the classroom and into students' families—what a powerful way to build a strong school community.

As for a hashtag, here are a few fun ideas that tie into your school and theme:
🐆 #LeadLikeALeopard
📜 #LeopardLegacy
💡 #MissionWithMe
🏡 #FamilyMissionMoment
📸 #LeopardLeaders

I’d love to hear how it goes—sounds like it will be a fantastic experience for your students and their families!

That’s such a meaningful approach! I love the idea of encouraging students to research influential African Americans beyond the most commonly studied figures, especially those who have made a local impact. Making history relevant to students’ own communities is so powerful. I also couldn’t agree more that Black history should be woven into our curriculum year-round—it’s an essential part of American history, not just something to highlight in February.

It’s also so important that we don’t only focus on history but also highlight the modern achievements of the Black community. Our students need to see that Black excellence is thriving today in every field—from science and technology to the arts, politics, and beyond.

I absolutely love incorporating passion projects (Genius Hour) in my classroom as well! I think it's incredible that Google uses this model, and it’s so powerful to see students deeply engaged in their own learning. Ultimately, I would love to see this approach implemented schoolwide—including teachers, coaches, and administrators—so that we are fully modeling lifelong learning for our students. Imagine the impact if everyone in our school community had dedicated time to explore their own passions alongside our students.

Looking forward to hearing more about how you're using passion projects in your classroom!

I usually encourage students to learn something practical such as learning how to do laundry, the dishes, helping cook meals, etc.

I have always enjoyed inviting families to class to share about their holiday traditions and how they celebrate!

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief!

Opposing forces with levitating trains!

Virtual Natives: How a New Generation is Revolutionizing the Future of Work, Play, and Culture By Catherine D. Henry and Leslie Shannon. While it’s not an education book, it’s as provided so much insight into the generation I am currently teaching. It has compelled changed how I view my students and how I need to adjust my teaching.

Khanmigo is incredible. If you already have a Khan Academy account you already have access to Khan’s version of AI! It is incredibly robust and on par with Magic School if not better.

One thing I will be focusing on is agreeing to disagree. I think in schools we unconsciously promote that students have to agree which is certainly not the case. How do we effectively disagree respectfully and coexist in the classroom? A big part of this is listening and considering what the other person is saying rather than waiting for your turn to talk.

Cross-curricular teaching! Incorporating science and social studies is incredibly engaging and the motivation helps push students literacy skills.

Working with your school team as well. Chances are if there is trouble in your room it is see. In other rooms as well. Having other teachers also contact parents really helps take the pressure of of one person and helps parents understand not only the unity of the school but it’s not an isolated incident.

Our district uses Bridges, however our school uses Math in Focus which I find to be much better organized and put together.

In addition to these I would add Lalilo for the basics!

We talk about the Indigenous perspective in relation to the land and what a responsibility it is to respect it.

I have students answer Would You Rather questions in their journals and then discuss it with a peer when they’ve finished.

Colorado required the same Science of Reading classes. It took forever and we were not compensated outside of being able to continue our employment.

Prodigy! It’s gamified learning and an adult can assigned specific skills and receive reports. Additionally if the students needs fact fluency practice, Reflex is my go to. It does have a cost but highly worth it.

I always work on changing my 1st graders’ mentality when it comes to the various tests we have to take. We have a long conversation about how tests will be a part of our life regardless of what career paths we choose. I try to pump them up by reminding them it is an opportunity for them to show how incredible they are. Cheesy as it sounds, they now cheer for assessments rather than groan. I hope this mentality sticks with them as they become old enough for standardized testing.

Perhaps setting up a table for parents to sign up to share their STEM related professions with a class of the school? Also, a sign up in classrooms to host a STEM activity in class.

I love Augmented Reality books! I always read them through and then again to let students engage in the AR. One of my favorites is “The Bravest Worrier”.

I ask women (moms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, community members) to come in and talk about their professions!

I focus heavily on oral storytelling in class to honor Indigenous traditions and people. I will often make it a family project to get personal stories from students.

I will usually contact parents on day two to see how their student is doing and based on our conversation will send work home if needed.

We don’t get any time! I mainly incorporate it through math and literacy.

If you are ever looking for a calm brain break we love OK Go videos!

Digital tools have been highly helpful in my class as well. Google classroom and Showbie have been particularly helpful. I also don’t use the storage parts of desks as many things become lost in there. I use folders in rolling carts instead.

If you have or create an account through Donors Choose, there is an option to fund professional development!

I concur with Kristen! For 1st and 2nd grade I would often send students a bingo card they could complete with or without an adult. Some were practical, like learning to bake something new, or fun, such as building a snowman. I found this was reassuring to parents that students would not be in front of a screen all day. Of course if your district requires time online, morning meetings and social emotional lessons are a great way to connect “face-to-face”.