• Home
  • About
    • Favorites
    • Contact
  • Shop
    • TPT Store
    • Amazon Favorites
    • LIKETOKNOW.IT
  • Blog
    • Back to School
    • Class Songs
    • End of Year
    • Holidays
    • Management
    • Student Engagement
    • Slides
    • Class Pet
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

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.

Read more

Filed in: Student Engagement | 15 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.

Read more

Filed in: Back to School, Blog Posts, Student Engagement | 73 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!

Read more

Filed in: Back to School, Blog Posts, Student Engagement | 13 Comments

Next Page »
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!

an envelope
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Search the Blog

Pinterest Board

Popular Posts

let's end the year with a bang balloon countdown

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.

Follow @mrsmunchsmunchkins

mrsmunchsmunchkins

🍎 Here to help Elementary Teachers
🫶🏼Jesus lover, wife, & mama
📓Creating for the classroom full time
⬇️ Find items from posts linked below

Let’s make your writing block EASY PEASY this year Let’s make your writing block EASY PEASY this year! ✍🏼✏️

If you teach 2nd or 3rd grade and have struggled to teach writing, this is for you! 👏🏽 These premade units will guide you through EVERY BEAT of your lessons every single day!

NO MORE STRESS about writing this year-I’ve got you covered! 🥰

Comment “Writing” to learn more! 🍎

#teachersofinstagram #classroomideas #3rdgradeteacher #2ndgradeteacher #teachertips
Let’s make your classroom the place to be!! 📓✏️🍎👏🏼 Let’s make your classroom the place to be!! 📓✏️🍎👏🏼 Comment “makeover” for links to enter! 

I’m so excited to offer this Classroom Makeover Giveaway ft. our new Composition Notebook Decor Set! 🎉

$100 Wishlist + Decor Set Giveaway open to all Pre-K to 5th grade teachers! 👩🏻‍🏫 If you already bought the decor set, we’ll send you a TPT gift card in place of the set! 

To enter:
1) Follow my page @mrsmunchsmunchkins
2) Like this post & comment “makeover”
3) Fill out the giveaway form

Giveaway closes on Wednesday, July 22nd at 9 PM CST. Winners announced via email on Thursday, July 23rd.

Local Makeover open to K-5 teachers whose classrooms are within 2 hours of 📍Tulsa, OK. Spread the word if you know a teacher who needs to apply! 

To enter:
1) Follow my page @mrsmunchsmunchkins
2) Like this post & comment “makeover”
3) Fill out the Local Giveaway Application 

Applications close Sunday, July 19th! We will contact select applicants with more details to determine our winner. 

BEST OF LUCK, teacher friends! 🍎

#firstyearteacher #teachersofinstagram #classroomdecor #backtoshool #clearthelist
Why did NO ONE tell me this?! 😅🫣 Is this something Why did NO ONE tell me this?! 😅🫣 Is this something you already knew, or did I just change your life? 

Comment “laminator” if you’d like the link to my favorite laminating items & to the Meet the Teacher Contact Cards shown in the video. 🩵

#teachersofinstagram #classroomideas #firstyearteacher #2ndgradeteacher #teacherideas
Your first day of school is planned! 🍎📋✏️ Comment Your first day of school is planned! 🍎📋✏️ Comment “first day” for the resources! 

I can tell you from experience, these activities will get you through the first day and beyond with EASE. It’s the perfect mix of connection, community, and setting expectations. Students will leave so excited to spend the year with you! 🥰

#teachersofinstagram #firstdayofschool #2ndgradeteacher #backtoschool #3rdgradeteacher
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2026 · Theme by Blog Pixie