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Mrs. Munch's Munchkins

A blog to give teachers ideas and tools that make teaching easier

March 6, 2023

Make a Memorable Café Classroom Transformation Day!

Ready for the most memorable day of the year?! Transform your classroom into a café for the day with the Learning Café resource and watch your student excitement and engagement abound! Below I’m telling you all the details and resources I use to make this day a success.

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Filed in: Student Engagement | 5 Comments

August 18, 2022

How to Celebrate Birthdays in the Classroom

A little girl and her dog in party hats. How to Celebrate Birthdays in the Classroom.

My birthday is on December 30th. Thus, I was that kid who never got to celebrate birthdays in the classroom. All my Summer and Winter Break birthday friends know the pain. For me, even my half birthday was out of the question because it occurs during the Summer.

Therefore, as a teacher, I’ve always been passionate about making sure EVERY birthday is celebrated in the classroom. I want every student to get the chance to feel special and recognized! Below I’ll explain exactly what I do to accomplish this.

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Filed in: Back to School, Blog Posts, Student Engagement | 59 Comments

August 1, 2022

How to use Handshakes in the Classroom

A video of The Parent Trap movie handshake. How to use Handshakes in the Classroom.

How to Use Handshakes in the Classroom: I once had a super amazing babysitter who memorized The Parent Trap handshake with me. In case you’re unfamiliar, the handshake occurs in iconic scene in the move (the full clip is inserted below.) Annie is a young girl from London headed to summer camp in the states for 8 weeks. Before leaving, she and her butler commence in a darling handshake sequence.

My babysitter and I replayed this clip over and over. Rewinding our VCR multiple times to ensure we had the sequence down just right.

I’ve always loved that scene. And I’ve always loved the symbol of closeness special handshakes hold. Thus, it’s no wonder I love using handshakes with my students!

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Filed in: Back to School, Blog Posts, Student Engagement | 2 Comments

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A photo of the author of the website. Teacher expert, Melody Munch.

About me

Hi teacher friend! My name is Melody Munch. I taught 2nd grade for 8 years and am currently serving teachers through full time resource creation. Here you'll find ideas to help you create classroom memories and teach with ease. Enjoy looking around, I’m so happy you're here!

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Effortless Ideas for End the Year with a Bang

Summer is on its way, and everyone in the classroom can feel it. Help those last days fly by with this fun countdown to end the school year! It’s time to end the year with a bang!

How to Start Slides in the Classroom

Ever feel like your day in the classroom is a bit, scrambled? It happens to us all. The best laid plans just don’t always play out as we hoped. However, there is a way to avoid this. Using Daily Slides with your class can dramatically improve the flow of your day, amongst bettering other areas […]

End of Year Awards for Elementary Students

Hands down, my favorite Last Day of School tradition is our End of Year Awards Ceremony. I lay out the red (butcher paper) carpet, turn on the disco lights, cue the Hollywood Award Show music, and grab my microphone for announcing each student’s name. It’s a massive hit. And it just feels right as a […]

Make a Memorable Café Classroom Transformation Day!

Ready for the most memorable day of the year?! Transform your classroom into a café for the day with the Learning Café resource and watch your student excitement and engagement abound! Below I’m telling you all the details and resources I use to make this day a success.

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mrsmunchsmunchkins

🍎 Here to help Elementary Teachers
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📓Creating for the classroom full time
⬇️ Find items from posts linked below

Christmas Party Stations the class will love!! 🎄❤️ Christmas Party Stations the class will love!! 🎄❤️ Comment PARTY for the links! 

Need a Winter version of this resource?! I have that, too! 🙌🏼🩵❄️Comment “party” and I’ll include the Winter version in your links.

#teachersofinstagram #classroomideas #makelearningfun #elementaryteacher #2ndgradeteacher #3rdgradeteacher #1stgradeteacher
MATH SNOWBALL FIGHT! ❄️ This will be a huge hit wi MATH SNOWBALL FIGHT! ❄️ This will be a huge hit with your students! 👏🏽 

It’s the perfect way to get them up and moving while reviewing academic skills! 🤩 I love using this in the days before Winter Break + all during the Winter Season. ❄️ It’s an ideal brain break or Fun Friday activity as well! 

Comment the word “SNOWBALL” to be sent the resource link!

#makelearningfun #teachersofinstagram #classroomideas #teachertips #2ndgradeteacher #3rdgradeteacher #1stgradeteacher #4thgradeteacher #elementaryteacher
CHRISTMAS PARTY STATIONS🎄🥰 These will be a hit wit CHRISTMAS PARTY STATIONS🎄🥰 These will be a hit with your students! 

I’m all about having a fun & memorable class party…but I need “controlled chaos” over just pure “chaos.” 😅 These stations are how I achieved that at our Class Christmas Party year after year! 

I typically split my students intro three groups and picked three stations (usually Bingo, Snacks or Cookie Decorating, & Snowball Toss.) I used Pin the Nose on Rudolph as an “Early Finisher” station.

I’ve added more station options & early finisher pages to help make your party go as smooth as possible. 🥰

Comment PARTY below and I’ll send you the link! 🔗 Note: you have to be following me before you comment or your message will appear blank in your inbox! 

P.S. Need a more generic “Winter” Party version?! I got you! 🙌🏼🩵❄️Comment “party” and I’ll include the Winter version in your links!

#teachersofinstagram #classroomideas #2ndgradeteacher #3rdgradeteacher #1stgradeteacher #elementaryteacher
The cutest Christmas Bulletin Board! 🎄❤️ Comment “ The cutest Christmas Bulletin Board! 🎄❤️ Comment “cookie” if you’d like the link! 🔗

This board makes the perfect seasonal display for your hallway or door. Create it with students and allow them to color in their own gingerbread to add even more personality!

#teachersofinstagram #classroomideas #2ndgradeteacher #3rdgradeteacher #teacherideas #bulletinboard
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