Author: obsessedwithlearning

5 Classroom Bucket List Ideas

When the first sign of winter abounds, it’s a time of rejoicing. Not only will the cold be behind us soon enough, but the sunshine, the beautiful flowers, and the longer days bring so much joy. Let’s be real too….if you’re a teacher, you know spring signifies the beginning of the end of the school year. We can let out a collective sigh over that news. Today, we want to share our 5 Classroom Bucket List Ideas to incorporate into your classroom.

If you’re like us, your spring break is coming soon. You’re burnt out. You’re stretched thin. Your eyes are red and you just need some time to yourself. Spring break gives us all that much-needed recuperation time.

We always hear about summer bucket lists, but let’s start relaxing and recuperating with some fun spring bucket lists now.

 Note, I know there is a temptation to use your spring break to get caught up with grades and lesson plans. I have spent some years doing just that, but I have always regretted it when I chose to work instead of spending time on self-care.

We encourage you to carve out time for yourself and your family to go on fun adventures, sit in the sunshine, and bask in the freedom of your spring break. Use our bucket lists to give you, your family, and your students some fun and relaxing ideas to enjoy your spring. 

Individual bucket lists bring hope and joy as you look at some entertaining ideas you’d like to try out, but did you know that you can bring that same feeling to your students by using bucket lists in the classroom?

Here are five ways to use bucket lists in your classroom.

#1 Bucket List for Behavior Motivation

We are approaching the end of the year and with that pops up challenging behavior, the spring sillies, and overall forgetfulness of classroom rules. Motivate your students to be on their best behavior by creating Friday Bucket Lists. On Monday, ask students to help you create a Friday Bucket List full of fun but attainable ideas students can do for a Fun Friday afternoon. Perhaps students would love to have thirty minutes of free time, an extra recess, a board game afternoon, or a sweet treat and movie.

List all the ideas on the bucket list, guide students with what could be done, and then vote for the one idea they’ll work toward. Place the words, BUCKET LIST on the board, and be clear in your expectations and rules. If they collectively break rules such as not listening immediately or not taking their supplies out when asked, create a simple system in which a letter is erased from BUCKET LIST. The catch is that they can do things as a class to earn the letter back. At the end of the week, students must have the entire phrase on the board to enjoy their bucket list item.

*We also recommend writing your classroom bucket lists on an anchor chart to leave up in the classroom.”

#2 Bucket Lists as Unit Planning

At the beginning of a new unit or chapter in a subject, ask students to help you collaborate in forming a bucket list of ideas and concepts they’d like to learn about within that subject. For instance, for a unit on solar systems, your students might ask to explore why Pluto is no longer a planet, the upcoming solar eclipse, or if we could live on Mars one day. Leave up this bucket list as you teach your lessons and cross off each item once learned. If you’re not able to incorporate all the bucket list items students wanted to learn into your lessons, students can complete a fun independent project in which they explore their bucket list items.

#3 Bucket Lists as End-of-Year Resolutions

Students can create individual bucket lists to help motivate themselves to put forth their best effort to finish the year off well. Encourage students to list their personal and academic goals on their bucket lists. Give some examples such as they may want to earn a B in a struggling subject, or a 100 on a hard upcoming test. Perhaps, they want to work toward turning in their homework every day, not having late work, and studying nightly. Their personal goals might include some sports achievements, befriending someone new, reading every day, or learning a new hobby. Encourage students to leave their bucket lists in a spot they can view daily such as the front of their notebook, their lockers, or at home. This visual reminder will motivate students toward their goals and give a sense of accomplishment as they cross off each item. 

#4 Reading Bucket List

Collaborate on a bucket list of picture books your class would like to read before the end of the year. Perhaps they’d like to read fantasy picture books, fairy tales, seasonal picture books, or funny ones. Give them ideas by holding up books from the library or your classroom shelves. As you read each book, mark it off from your bucket list. April is National Poetry Month, so a separate poetry bucket list with various types of poems can work well too. Students will be proud of the goals they’ve met as they see each book or type of poetry being crossed off. 

#5 Create a Beautifying Bucket List

Read the book, Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney, to inspire your students to choose an activity to make the world more beautiful, just like the main character. Miss Rumphius didn’t let her age or health conditions stop her from planting beautiful lupines throughout her seaside town, and your students’ age shouldn’t stop them from changing the world.

Create a Beautifying Bucket List with your students with tangible ways to make the school and its atmosphere more beautiful. With Earth Day in April, this is a wonderful way to stir students to action as they list ideas that also make the Earth more beautiful. Some goals can include picking up trash outside the school, planting flowers in pots by the front door, painting rocks for the courtyard, having a friendly attitude, and more. 

Interested in more Miss Rumphius?

Read our Spring, Flowers, and Miss Rumphius blog and grab our freebie for this darling picture book.

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Interested in our Earth Day resources?

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Conclusion

By incorporating bucket lists into your classroom, you can inspire students to set goals, visualize their achievements, incite intrinsic motivation, and create meaningful and authentic experiences both inside and outside of the school building. 

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10 Picture Books to Use in Middle School for Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month in March is a wonderful opportunity to focus on remarkable and determined women who helped change the world. There are many ways to teach students Women’s History Month, from projects and activities to interactive bulletin boards. Today, we are going to share our top 10 Picture Books to Use in Middle School for Women’s History Month.

Another powerful way to educate and inspire students is through the magic of picture books. The following picture books can introduce your class to extraordinary women and their inspirational stories. Furthermore, these tales will also influence and encourage your students to make a difference and make their own mark in the world.  

10 Marvelous Picture Books for Women’s History Month

#1 Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909

Written by Michelle Markel and Illustrated by Caldecott Honor Winner Melissa Sweet

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Clara Lemlich is not a household name and your students may not have heard of her before. Therefore, this book is perfect to tell the tale of this brave young girl. 

Publisher’s Synopsis:

When Clara arrived in America, she couldn’t speak English. She didn’t know that young women had to go to work, that they traded an education for long hours of labor, that she was expected to grow up fast. But that didn’t stop Clara. She went to night school, spent hours studying English, and helped support her family by sewing in a shirtwaist factory.

Clara never quit, and she never accepted that girls should be treated poorly and paid little. Fed up with the mistreatment of her fellow laborers, Clara led the largest walkout of women workers the country had seen. From her short time in America, Clara learned that everyone deserved a fair chance. That you had to stand together and fight for what you wanted. And, most importantly, that you could do anything you put your mind to.

This picture book biography about Ukrainian immigrant Clara Lemlich tackles topics like activism and the U.S. garment industry. The art, by Caldecott Honor winner Melissa Sweet, beautifully incorporates stitching and fabric. 

Do you want our FREE Women’s History Virtual Library that contains all the books listed here? If so, grab yours now.

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#2 The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin

Written by Julia Finley Mosca and Illustrated by Daniel Rieley 

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This rhyming picture book not only tells of the inspiring story of determined Dr. Temple Grandin, but students will connect to the theme of feeling like an outsider and learning to appreciate one’s own uniqueness. This book also shows that autism is a superpower. 

Publisher’s Synopsis:

When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that. Her unique mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe. In addition to the illustrated rhyming tale, you’ll find a complete biography, fun facts, a colorful timeline of events, and even a note from Temple herself!

#3 The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist

Written by Cynthia Levinson and Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

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Students will be inspired by Audrey’s bravery, learn that anyone can change the world at a young age and that we always need to stand up for what’s right. 

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks intended to go places and do things like anybody else. So when she heard grown-ups talk about wiping out Birmingham’s segregation laws, she spoke up. As she listened to the preacher’s words, smooth as glass, she sat up tall. And when she heard the plan—picket those white stores! March to protest those unfair laws! Fill the jails!—she stepped right up and said, I’ll do it! She was going to j-a-a-il! Audrey Faye Hendricks was confident and bold and brave as can be, and hers is the remarkable and inspiring story of one child’s role in the Civil Rights Movement.

#4 Malala’s Magic Pencil

Written by Malala Yousafzai and Illustrated by Kerascoet

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The story of Malala will inspire your students to stand tall in the face of adversity and not be afraid to imagine a better world and do anything to make that happen. 

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Malala’s first picture book will inspire young readers everywhere to find the magic all around them. As a child in Pakistan, Malala made a wish for a magic pencil. She would use it to make everyone happy, to erase the smell of garbage from her city, to sleep an extra hour in the morning.

But as she grew older, Malala saw that there were more important things to wish for. She saw a world that needed fixing. And even if she never found a magic pencil, Malala realized that she could still work hard every day to make her wishes come true. This beautifully illustrated volume tells Malala’s story for a younger audience and shows them the worldview that allowed Malala to hold on to hope even in the most difficult of times.

Looking to learn about other ways to teach about Malala’s remarkable life? Check out our blog post, 4 Activities for I Am Malala. 

#5 Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race

Written by Margot Lee Shetterly and Illustrated by Laura Freeman

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This picture book is not only an inspirational tale of the lives of these intelligent and brave women, but it is scientifically and historically informative as well. It will inspire your students to delve into science and STEM as well. 

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden were good at math…really good. In this beautifully illustrated picture book edition, we explore the story of four female African American mathematicians at NASA, known as “colored computers,” and how they overcame gender and racial barriers to succeed in a highly challenging STEM-based career.

#6 Joan Proctor, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles

Written by Patricia Valdez, Illustrated by Felicita Sala

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This picture book tells of Joan Proctor, a truly fascinating zoologist who dives into the world of reptiles during WWI. I love how this book encourages children to explore their interests and not to be afraid of what others may think. Joan was even known to walk her 3-foot Komodo dragon on a leash. 

Publisher’s Synopsis:

While other girls played with dolls, Joan preferred the company of reptiles. She carried her favorite lizard with her everywhere–she even brought a crocodile to school! When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum. She went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo, including a home for the rumored-to-be-vicious komodo dragons. There, just like when she was a little girl, Joan hosted children’s tea parties–with her Komodo dragon as the guest of honor.

#7 The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps

Written by Jeanette Winter

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This picture book shows students how one can learn so much simply by watching the world around them. Jane’s adventurous life will inspire your students to be bold in pursuing their interests. 

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Acclaimed picture book biographer Jeanette Winter has found her perfect subject: Jane Goodall, the great observer of chimpanzees. Follow Jane from her childhood in London watching a robin on her windowsill, to her years in the African forests of Gombe, Tanzania. She was invited by brilliant scientist Louis Leakey to observe chimps, to her worldwide crusade to save these primates who are now in danger of extinction and their habitat. Young animal lovers and Winter’s many fans will welcome this fascinating and moving portrait of an extraordinary person and the animals to whom she has dedicated her life.

#8 Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre

Written by Anika Aldamuy Denise and Illustrate by Paola Escobar

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As someone who has a librarian close to me in my life (my mother), I love that this picture book celebrates the important job librarians hold. This beautifully illustrated bilingual picture book. It shows how an ordinary life can impact so many and that there is significance in being a storyteller. 

Publisher’s Synopsis:

An inspiring picture book biography of storyteller, puppeteer, and New York City’s first Puerto Rican librarian, who championed bilingual literature. When she came to America in 1921, Pura Belpré carried the cuentos folklóricos of her Puerto Rican homeland. Finding a new home at the New York Public Library as a bilingual assistant, she turned her popular retellings into libros and spread story seeds across the land. Today, these seeds have grown into a lush landscape as generations of children and storytellers continue to share her tales and celebrate Pura’s legacy. Brought to colorful life by Paola Escobar’s elegant and exuberant illustrations and Anika Aldamuy Denise’s lyrical text, this gorgeous book is perfect for the pioneers in your life.

#9 I Am Anne Frank

Written by Brad Meltzer

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The heaviness of the Holocaust and Anne’s life is touched upon in age-appropriate ways through this picture book about Anne Frank. 

Publisher’s Synopsis:

This engaging biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great–the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. Each book tells the story of an icon in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers. At the back are an excellent timeline and photos.

This volume features Anne Frank. Her courage and hope during a time of terror are still an inspiration for people around the world today. Anne and her family hid in an attic during the Holocaust. She kept a journal about all her hopes and fears and observations. That journal and the story of her life are still read and told today to remember the life of a young girl and warn against the consequences of bigotry.

Looking to teach more about Anne Frank? Check out our blog on 4 Activities for the Diary of Anne Frank. 

4 Activities for the Diary of Anne Frank. 

#10 The Story of Ruby Bridges

Written by Robert Coles and Illustrated by George Ford

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Any picture book that can impel and energize children to make a difference at a young age is a win in my book. 

Publisher’s Synopsis:

The inspirational true story of Ruby Bridges. The year is 1960, and six-year-old Ruby Bridges and her family have recently moved from Mississippi to New Orleans. They are in search of a better life. When a judge orders Ruby to attend first grade at William Frantz Elementary, an all-white school, Ruby must face angry mobs of parents. These parents are refusing to send their children to school with her.

Told with Robert Coles’ powerful narrative and dramatically illustrated by George Ford, Certainly, Ruby’s story of courage, faith, and hope continues to resonate more than 60 years later.

Conclusion

From librarians to scientists, from young ladies to social justice activists, from zoologists to writers, your students will be inspired by these women. These 10 picture books are just a starting point for this month. These stories offer inspiring tales of determination, courage, and resilience that will educate and empower your students. 

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5 Women’s History Month Activities

Alas, March! It has finally arrived and with it, the ushering of warmer weather, new greenery, flowers, and just the renewed hope of spring. As we celebrate the newness of March, it’s also time to celebrate Women’s History Month and engage our students in learning about the remarkable women who shaped our world. To help your students dive in, here are 5 Women’s History Month Activities,

Beginning in 1980, when President Jimmy Carter issued the Presidential Proclamation, Women’s History was first celebrated as just one week. Later, due to some congressional revisions, in 1987, Women’s History Month took its place. According to the National Women’s History Project, “These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made throughout American history in a variety of fields.”

#1 Women’s History: Timeline Crafts

Visit your library and check out historical women’s biographies and nonfiction books. Have students pick an important woman they can read all about. Students could also choose a woman from a pre-made list and peruse the internet for significant events and accomplishments from this person’s life. 

Next, students craft a timeline on large paper or by gluing 2-3 sheets of copy paper into a line. Ask students to include 10-15 important life events from the woman’s life, including her major accomplishments that helped her make history. Ask students to write in complete sentences, include full dates, and include at least 5 pictures that are drawn or printed to bring the timeline to life. This simple timeline craft can be completed over a week and creates student engagement and provides autonomy. I love how students choose women who are interested in the same fields they are. From my science lovers choosing Marie Curie or NASA’s Mary Jackson to my sports lovers choosing Simone Biles or Maria Sharapova, there is a plethora of women to learn about. 

#2 Women’s History Month Artwork

With so many wonderful women artists out there, merge history and art with this fun idea. Every week in March, designate a Woman Artist of the Week to learn about. Read an article or book about a famous woman artist and carve out one afternoon to replicate one of her art pieces. Here is a simple and quick list of some famous women artists and their remarkable work. 

Frida Kahlo and her self-portraits and works inspired by Mexican culture and nature. 

Georgia O’Keefe-Known for her large flower paintings and desert landscapes.

Berthe Marisot-A French artist known for feminine flower bouquet paintings.  

Laurel Burch-Known for her colorful cat drawings.

Mary Blair-She was the original artist for the pumpkin sequence in Disney’s Cinderella. Have students create their own Disney castle in tribute to Mary Blair. 

For more on Mary Blair, please visit.

#3 Women’s History: Guest Speakers

Invite women guest speakers into your classroom to talk to your students about their achievements, insights, and perspectives. Send out an email to your families to see if a mother would come in to talk or if they know of a community leader, entrepreneur, local author, or historian who could come in to give authentic knowledge and unique experiences to your students. Honoring Women’s History Month not only involves national and global heroines, but local ones too. 

#4 Women’s History Research Report Resource

Looking for a way to incorporate research report writing into your class? Accomplish two tasks in one go with the Women’s Research Report Project Resource. Students pick between 18 historical women to complete basic research on. In this resource, there are 18 passages, one for each provided famous woman. Students can read and peruse the passages to pick the woman they want to write a report on.

This resource comes with a research outline graphic organizer, as well as a rubric for final grading. It also comes with a worksheet with 18 questions,  in which students complete after reading all 18 passages. This could be an activity that takes place in which you read 3-4 passages a day together before ending the unit with the questions.

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The above passages match this full bulletin board. This bulletin board has a set of 18 historical women posters with direct inspirational quotes to easily spark interest and for your students to want to learn and research more. Combined with the above passages, this bulletin board becomes even more informative and interactive. 

Additionally, you could use the above passages and posters to create a Woman of the Day bulletin board. Display a poster, along with its informative passage. Read all about the Woman of the Day together as a class, and make it interactive by posting a question on the whiteboard for morning work or as an opener for Social Studies. For example, for Amelia Earhart, you could ask, “Would you want to fly around the world by yourself?”

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If you like, you can purchase both together as a bundle and save. Check it out below!

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#5 Women’s History Biography Book Club

For the month of March, students can read a biography of a famous woman from the Who Was? collection or any other book. Next, they can complete a Chip/Coffee Can Biography Research Report. 

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Students use the graphic organizers to complete self-guided research and then turn their research into an index card report. These index cards are placed inside a chip or coffee can that is created to look like that famous woman. These biography cans make for great presentations and an informative classroom display. 

Conclusion

Women’s History Month provides ample opportunity to educate students about the contributions of remarkable and influential women throughout history. With these five activities, you can help students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the impact women make in society and inspire them to make a difference in the world. 

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