Resources for Grades K-2nd

Write

What communities are you a part of?

Draw

A picture of one of the communities you are a part of.

Extend

Make a Venn diagram of the communities, how they intersect and/or fit within each other.

Write

I live in the city of ______, in the state of ________, in the country of the United States of America, on the continent of North America, on planet Earth.

Draw

The shape of your state or country or continent.

Extend

Use Google Earth to find your city, and/or another city. Explore the city. Show the students each distinction: the city, state, country, continent, Earth.

Write

Choose one or more of the following questions. If you know how to, write in complete sentences. What is something your family enjoys doing together? What is something you’d like to try with your family? What is something your microschool enjoys doing together? What is something you’d like to try with your microschool?

Draw

A picture of something you do or would like to do with your family or microschool.

Extend

Do one of the activities a student likes to do or would like to do with your microschool.

Write

Each student writes their name in big letters in the picture area. Then, students all pass their journals the same direction to the student next to them. That student writes something they enjoy or appreciate or admire about that student. Examples for getting started:

• We both like _______ (baseball, coloring, etc.)

• Jimmy is fun/kind/responsible/funny/thoughtful, etc.

• I like jumping on the trampoline with Juan.

• Robert is my friend.

• Younger children might just write one word, like: happy, smile, pretty, fun, laugh, play, ball.

Continue passing around for as long as you have time. You don’t have to finish this in one day.

Write

Complete this statement: Treating people the way I want to be treated means that ________. (The Guide might need to give some specific examples to get students started, like, “...I share the trampoline at recess/I put away my own dishes after a meal/I say ‘I’m sorry’ if I hurt someone, even accidentally.”

Read

"Plant a Kiss" by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

Can people really plant kisses? What is this book talking about? What can you do to spread kindness?

Make

Plant seeds and nurture them with "sunshine, water, greet, repeat."

Read

"The Gift of Nothing" by Patrick McDonnell

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

What are some of the nothing "no thing" gifts you give the people in your life?

Make

Wrap up an empty box of love to share with someone.

Read

"Great White Zeke" by Tim Boyle

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

Zeke is a human that is part of a shark community! In what ways is he like the sharks? In what ways is he different? How does being different than his community let Zeke save the sharks? What is something you think makes you "great?"

Make

Do you notice any similarities between Zeke and his mom, and you and your grown-up?

Read

"I Love you the Purplest" by Barbara M. Joosse

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

What color is the love you have for your mom, dad, brother, sister, Guide, friend, sister, brother, or someone else special in your life?

Make

Color your love for someone! Then give your artwork to the person you love.

Read

"Superheroes are Everywhere" by Kamala Harris

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

Who are the superheroes in your life?

Make

Draw a picture of your everyday superhero.

Read

"Duncan the Story Dragon" by Amanda Driscoll

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

What things do your friends help you do? What things are better when you do them with a friend?

Make

Let students pair up and read a book together.

Read

"When Charley Met Emma" by Amy Webb

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

Repeat what Charley's mom said as a class and/or one at a time: "Different isn't weird, sad, bad, or strange. Different is different. And different is OK!"

Make

Have a discussion using any point in this book that stood out to you or your students.

Read

"Drawn Together" by Minh Le

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

Do you always need words to communicate? What other ways besides words can you share ideas and thoughts with someone else?

Make

Watch this video where the illustrator shares his art-creating process. Pair up each student with another and invite them to draw a wordless story, adding on to each other's picture.

Double Double This This

Learn this surprisingly-tricky-for-some hand clapping sequence. Watch out for when the hands flip around!

Secret Handshake

Come up with a class secret handshake or greeting.

Face to Face

Have students pair up and stand back to back. On the count of three, have them turn towards each other showing a glad, sad, or mad facial expression. If the students have the same face they can high five or earn a point. Switch partners until everyone has played a round with everyone

Hula Hoop Pass

Have your students stand side-by-side in a line and ask them to hold hands. Place a hula hoop on the arm of the first person on one end of the line, and then challenge the students to move the hula hoop to the other end of the line while continuing to hold hands. It’s fun and silly and a great way to get children to work as a team!

Untwist / Human Knot

First, all students grab the left hand of someone in the circle, then a different person’s right hand. The students must communicate to get untangled without letting go!

Down Down Baby Hand-clapping Game

Guides! You might've seen this on Sesame Street as a child! First, watch the whole segment. Have a short discussion about how the girl in yellow learns to play along. Then learn this silly hand-clapping game yourselves.

Relay Race

Make a simple set of instructions, like "Run to the wall, do 15 jumping jacks and sing the ABC song as fast as you can, then run back to your team and tag the next runner," and run a relay race. If there is a skill your class might benefit from practicing, like writing sight words or counting by 10s, this could be a fun way to practice that skill.

Telephone

All kids sit in a circle and one person comes up with a funny statement and whispers it into the person sitting next to him/her. That person whispers to the next person and so on throughout the circle. The last person stands up and says what the original funny statement is. It usually is incorrect and hilarious!

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then say it aloud:

I am in charge of my own body.

Draw

Draw a way you like to use your body.

Extend

With the support of your Guide, perform some yoga moves.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then say it aloud:

I am in charge of my learning.

Draw

Draw how you like to learn, or about something you’d like to learn.

Extend

Interview your classmates. How many students share your learning preferences? How many are different? Present your findings to your microschool.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then say it aloud:

I am in charge of how I use my time.

Draw

Draw what you choose to do when you have free time.

Extend

Write out your morning and evening routine. Circle all the things you can do by yourself.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then fill-in-the-blanks:

Today for Conquer, I’m going to start with ____, then do _____, then do _____, and end with ______.

Draw

Draw your Conquer plan.

Extend

Reflect on how creating and seeing your Conquer plan helped you today. Share your thoughts with your Guide.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then say it aloud:

The thoughts I choose to think create the feelings I feel. I am in charge of my own feelings.

Draw

Draw a picture of you thinking about something and show on your face how you feel when you think about it.

Extend

Use card stock or another sturdy material, develop your own, custom emoji.

Read

"Today I Feel Silly" by Jamie Lee Curtis

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

The end of this book says, "Whatever I'm feeling inside is okay." Do you believe that whatever you feel is okay? What are some of the ways you've felt this week?

Make

Name as many feelings as your class can! Write them down.

Read

"So Few of Me" by Peter H. Reynolds

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

Have you ever tried making a list of what you wanted to do? Let's make a list of what you want to do in Conquer time, or after school today. But remember, doing more is not always better! Leo says, "What if I did less--but did my BEST?" Is there something in Conquer that you need to slow down and do your best on?

Make

Take time to daydream as part of class today.

Read

"Cinder Edna" by Ellen Jackson

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

How does Cinder Edna use her autonomy, her choices, to make her life fun and full of joy?

Make

How would you change Cinderella's story? Write or tell a new version as a class.

Read

"Sky Color" by Peter H. Reynolds

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

When Marisol doesn't have any blue paint for the sky, does she give up? Or does make a different choice? When you don't get what you want, can you make a different choice? What color is the sky where you live when you wake up? RIght now? When the sun is setting?

Make

Do a Sky Color inspired Hands On Art.

Read

"Fanny's Dream" by Caralyn Buehner

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

In the usual Cinderella story, a fairy godmother shows up and solves Cinderella's problems. Fanny has a dream to be like Cinderella, but her fairy godmother comes late. Or does she come late? Do you think Fanny is happy with the life she chose?

Make

How would you change Cinderella's story? Write or tell a new version as a class.

Read

“Beautiful” by William McGuffey

Discuss

Is one more important than the other (beautiful faces, hands, feet)? Explain your thinking.

Make

Write and act out a short play based on this poem.

Once Upon a Microshool

Using the phrase "Once upon a _______," begin a simple story, saying just one sentence. Then pass the story to the next person, who adds on a sentence of their own. Continue passing the story around from person to person.

I Have a Basket

The first player says, "I have a basket!" and all other players respond, "What do you have in it?" The first player mentions something that starts with "A." The next player repeats the process, but says something that starts with "B." The game continues through all the letters in the alphabet.

Drop the Handkerchief

The players stand in a circle holding hands. One player walks around the outside of the circle and drops a handkerchief (dishrag, stuffed animal, etc.) behind one of the players; that player instantly picks it up and pursues the one who dropped it. Once caught, the two players change places and the game continues as before.

Simon Says

If you need instructions, here is a cute video leading you through a few rounds. After learning the game, allow a student to lead.

Write

Nature Study! Go into nature and find something that interests you. Then complete the following statements about your find:

I notice…

I wonder…

This reminds me…

Draw

Draw your most detailed drawing of your nature find. Include labels if you like!

Extend

Create a sculpture of your nature finds.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then read the sentence aloud:

Practice makes my brain grow stronger!

Draw

Draw a silly picture of your brain as a stick person, doing exercise, and getting stronger.

Extend

Create a practice log! Write down how often you practice a skill or hobby throughout the week. Tally the amounts at the end of the week to see how much you practiced!

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then read the sentence aloud:

Never be afraid to be a beginner.

Draw

Draw something you’ve never tried before, but would like to try.

Extend

Interview an older family member about a time when they were a beginner. What did they learn during that time? How did they grow over time? Share their story with your microschool.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then read the sentence aloud:

Some things take me longer than others, and that’s okay!

Draw

Draw a BIG heart, then in that heart, draw an activity that might take you longer than it takes other people to do.

Extend

Create a Venn Diagram of the things that take you longer, the things that take others longer, and the things that take you and others the same amount of time.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then read the sentence aloud:

Mistakes help me learn. It’s okay to make mistakes.

Draw

Draw a quick squiggle on your page and then turn the squiggle into a picture.

Extend

Read the "Beautiful Oops" by Barney Saltzberg. You can click here to view the video read aloud. Share with a friend what inspired you the most.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then read the sentence aloud:

When I struggle, I grow!

Draw

Draw a little seed struggling to sprout out of the ground, and then draw what it will become.

Extend

Try to grow a bean in a plastic bag, with a wet paper towel inside the bag with the bean. What can you learn from watching the bean grow?

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then read the sentence aloud:

When things are hard it means I’m really learning!

Keep this page out while you do Conquer today, and look at it if something gets hard.

Draw

In your journal, draw what you think you look like when you learn.

Extend

With the support of your Guide, research the famous statue, "The Thinker." Think of a story that explains what he is thinking and feeling.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then read the sentence aloud:

I like a good challenge!

Draw

What do you like to do that not everybody else likes to do? Draw a picture of this challenging activity.

Extend

Create a special high-five to give friends when they complete a challenging activity.

Read

"The Quiltmaker's Gift" by Jeff Brumbeau

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

How does the king's mindset change from the beginning of the book until the end?

Make

Draw a quilt pattern to give away. You could also use cut out paper shapes to make your "quilt."

Read

"Not a Box" by Antoinette Portis.

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

What would you make out of a box? How many different ideas can our class come up with?

Make

Draw a picture of what you could build with a not-a-box, or build something great with your not-a-box!

If you like this book, try "Not a Stick" by the same author. Follow the same activities, but use a stick instead of a box.

Read

"I'm Trying to Love Spiders" by Bethany Barton

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

What are you "trying to love?"

Make

As a class, research some neat facts about something students are "trying to love."

Read

"Zen Shorts" by Jon J Muth

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

Listen again to Stillwater's story of "A Heavy Load" that starts at 7 minutes. The older monk asks, "I set the woman down hours ago. Why are you still carrying her?" How was the younger monk still carrying her? What does that mean? Do you ever carry grumpy feelings? What ideas does our class have to set those grumpy feelings down?

Make

Join Stillwater in A Mindful Moment.

If you liked Zen Shorts, look up Zen Ties, Hi Koo!, and Zen Ghosts.

Read

"The Most Magnificent Thing" by Ashley Spires

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

Have a class discussion about Imagination Station. Have you ever made something you thought would be "magnificent" but turns out "all wrong?" How did you learn from your mistakes?

Make

Do Imagination Station today. Remember, this can be spread out over Create for more than one day so students really have time to learn and grow through their design process like this girl did.

Read

"ish" by Peter H. Reynolds

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

How can "ish" spelling help you write more of your ideas down? Ramon loves to draw--it feels like his purpose! What is something you love to do as much as Ramon loves to draw?

Make

Draw an "ish" drawing, or try spelling some words you aren't sure of by sounding them out the best you can.

Read

"Tiny Perfect Things" by M.H. Clark

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

What tiny, perfect things surround you? Go find some and then share them with your class.

Make

Do a Nature Study. "I notice, I wonder, this reminds me..."

Read

"Laughter Is Like Sunshine" by Author Unknown

Discuss

How does laughter make you feel?

Make

Have a giggle fight. Be sure to stop when your Guide says so.

Read

"Face the Sun" by Author Unknown

Discuss

What does the line, "you find what you look for; don't pray for distress" mean?

Make

The sun is a symbol of hope in this poem. Use play dough to design your own hopeful sun.

Tic-Tac-Toe Hand-Clapping Game

Follow the instructions from Mya to learn this more complex hand-clapping game. All things are hard before they are easy; practice makes better!

The Cup Game

Learn the Cup Game individually, then play it as a class. Have those who catch-on quickly assist those who are struggling. Remind everyone that some things might take you longer than other people, and that's okay!

Miss Mary Mack Hand-Clapping Game

Your brain can stretch and grow! Stretch it as you learn Miss Mary Mack with a partner.

What is My Thought Like? (Challenge)

The leader thinks of a person or object and keeps it a secret, then asks each of the other players, "What is my thought like?" Each player then names an object or person. Next the leader announces his selected person or object; each player must then make a connection between their own guess and what the leader actually chose.

Teapot (Challenge)

One player leaves the room and the other players decide upon a word with multiple meanings (suggestions: red/read, right/write, rain/reign, blue/blew, two/to/too, buy/by/bye, scent/sent, chews/choose).The absent player returns and then tries to find out the chosen word. To make this possible, everyone else talks about it, but replaces the chosen word with "teapot." For example, "My favorite color is teapot," and "I teapot my book yesterday for 20 minutes." (The chosen word was red/read.) When the player correctly identifies the word, the player who gave the final clue leaves the room and gets the next turn to guess. Need mofr words? Google "homonyms." Students will also love thinking of their own.

Write

Let’s brainstorm! Write your name in the center of the page and draw a circle around it. Now, write what you love to think about, how you enjoy spending your time, what you like to learn about, and what makes you happy all around your name. Connect each of these things back to you with a line.

Write

Think of at least 3 things you might be interested in doing as a career when you are grown up. Write them down.

Draw

Draw at least 3 pictures of things you might be interested in doing as a career when you are grown up.

Extend

Play dress-up today! Role play a scenario from a career you are interested in.

Write

When do you feel the happiest? Write about that.

Draw

Draw a picture of when or where you feel the happiest.

Extend

Take a mirror and practice making happy faces. How many different happy faces can you make?

Write

Who is someone you want to be like? This person can be from your family, your school, your neighborhood, or any other community. Why do you want to be like them?

Draw

Draw a picture of you and the person you’d like to be like.

Extend

Play dress-up today! Role-play something the person you'd like to be like would do.

Write

What quality do you most want to develop in yourself right now? Kindness? Honesty? Respect? Working hard? Something else?

Draw

Draw yourself being kind/honest/respectful/working hard, etc.

Extend

Share your qualities with your microschool. Take a tally count of each quality. Did any repeat? Which has more? Which has less?

Read

"Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type" by Doreen Cronin

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

How did the cows use the typewriter to accomplish their purpose? How can writing help you get what you want?

Make

Write a letter asking for something you'd like at your next birthday, or about a change you'd like to see in the world.

Read

"The Word Collector" by Peter H. Reynolds

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

Do you have any collections? What is your collection? Why do you love collecting it?

Make

Invite students to bring their collections for a show and tell tomorrow.

Encourage students that when they do Treasure Hunt Reading word hunts, they are being a word collector like Jerome.

Read

"The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

At the end of the book, a little boy tells Vashti she is an artist. She shares how she started her journey as an artist by drawing a line and signing her name. What do you know how to do that you could teach your class right now?

Make

Invite students to draw their best dot or line drawing, or a drawing made of only lines and dots. Be sure to sign it!

Learn about pointillism for Hands On Art and create art made entirely of dots! Remember, it's okay for Create to take more than one day as students learn and iterate on their designs.

Read

“Try, Try Again” by William Edward Hickson

Discuss

Think of a baby learning to walk. What connections can you make between that image and this poem?

Make

Design a custom set of rose colored glasses!

Read

“You Tell On Yourself” by Unknown Author

Discuss

Do you agree with this poem? What would someone say about you based on your actions?

Make

Make a self-portrait using only yarn.

Read

"Which Loved Best" by Joy Allison

Discuss

What does "actions speak louder than words" mean to you?

Make

Do something today that will pleasantly surprise your family or caregivers, like cleaning your room.

Class Flag

Get a piece of white fabric and some fabric markers. Have the students draw a picture that represents them and draw it on a space on the flag--have each student do this. Have them add their name to their drawing. Then attach the class flag to the wall. Have each student stand and explain the drawing and why they did it. The Guide should also add their drawing and explain it to the class.

LEGO Building Challenge

Communicate with purpose! To play, the Guide must create a simple(ish) structure using LEGO pieces, divide the class into groups of 2, and provide each group with a bag filled with each of the LEGO pieces used to create the structure. The structure is placed somewhere out of sight (i.e. on a table in the hallway), and one person in the team is tasked with walking out to view the structure and reporting back to their team with verbal instructions on how to replicate it. The clue-giver cannot use their hands at any time. This is all about communication and can be both fun and frustrating!

Turning Over a New Leaf

Have everyone in the class stand on a good-sized blanket. The purpose is to turn the blanket over without anyone breaking contact with the blanket. Knowing your purpose makes it easier to work together.