• Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Our Class is a Family
    • Our School is a Family
    • A Letter From Your Teacher: First Day of School
    • A Letter From Your Teacher: Last Day of School
    • Book Companions
    • Author Visits
    • Virtual Read Aloud Permission
  • Shop
    • My account
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • Reward Points
  • TPT
  • Summers
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Life Between Summers

Elementary Teaching Blog

latest from the blog

10 Fall Activities for 2nd Grade

Grandparents Day Activities and Ideas for the Classroom

Early Finisher Activities for Students Who Say, “I’m Done!”

Anchor Chart Examples, Storage, and Hacks

Class Community Building for Back to School Time

10 Ideas for End of the School Year Activities

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • …
  • 16
  • Next Page »

Latest on Instagram

Today is the DAY!!! 🎉 Our School is a Family is Today is the DAY!!! 🎉 Our School is a Family is officially available on Amazon! 🥳🙌🏼

I still remember very vividly how I felt when publishing Our Class is a Family, almost 3 years ago. These books are like my babies…and I’ve got all those very same feels of nervousness & excitement right now as I did with the “first born,” haha! 😅💗

This new book with @sandiesonke really builds upon Our Class is a Family- extending classroom community to the wider school community 🏫 

It’s a book that can be read to kids by teachers, parents, administrators, school librarians, school counselors, speech pathologists, etc. Essentially, any caring grownup who wants students to feel safe, loved, and supported at school! ❤️

I've shared more details about it in my stories (which I’ll save for you in my highlights) and in a brand new blog post ✏️ 

The blog post includes a video book trailer, ideas for extension activities, and the direct links to where you can order the book now. 
 
If you’d like the link to the blog post, I’ve shared it in my stories and in the link in my profile, or just leave me a comment below and I’m happy to DM it to you! 
 
P.S. I’d LOVE seeing any of your photos/videos with the book or how you plan to use it with your class (I often re-share these!) so please tag me @lifebetweensummers & @sandiesonke if you happen to share! 😍
 
Thanks for reading this far, I truly hope that you & your school family love it!! 🥰

P.S. Paperbacks can be ordered on Amazon now, and hardcovers are coming soon. And for my international teacher friends, I’ll make sure to let you know when this new book becomes available outside of the U.S. (it’ll most likely be in April)! Thanks so much for your patience, I can’t wait to share it with you! 📖💕

#ourschoolisafamily #ourclassisafamily #shannonolsen #schoolcommunity #teachersofinstagram #classroomlibrary #readalouds
Happy first day of spring! 🌷 The quote above is Happy first day of spring! 🌷 The quote above is from Oprah Winfrey 💗

It’s getting to be that time of year when students can really, really start to bloom in so many ways 🌸 And you yourself too, of course…blossom away, my friend! 💐

Enjoy this new season!! 

#teacherlife #teachermindset #teacherpositivity #teachinginspring #teacherquotes
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you! 🍀🌈 I feel Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you! 🍀🌈

I feel so ✨lucky✨ that I was invited to do an author visit with all the 1st grade classes at my daughter’s school today! A special memory for both of us 🥰 

Any St. Paddy’s Day festivities for you at school (or after school!) today? Hope you’re enjoying your Friday, and that you enjoy your weekend!! 💚

P.S. If you’d still like an advance reading of the new book, “Our School is a Family,” this weekend’s the best time…eBook price will be going up next week. The link is in my profile, or you can search just the title on Amazon! 🥰
Want to read Our School is a Family before it’s Want to read Our School is a Family before it’s officially released on Amazon?? 

You can get the eBook and read the whole thing right now! 👏🏼

OR just get a little sneaky peek at the first few pages by going to Amazon & clicking where it says “Look Inside” (swipe to see) 👀

The eBook is free with Kindle Unlimited, and if you don’t have KU it’s still even less than the cost of a cup of coffee- this is the lowest pricing the eBook will ever be! 

It will go back up to normal price once regular copies become available…so if you’d like to have a digital version on hand for the classroom, now’s the best time! 🏃🏻‍♀️

And eeek, a HUGE favor to ask! If you do get the eBook, I would be incredibly appreciative if you could take a very quick moment to leave a review on Amazon after reading 🙏🏼💗

Educators value what fellow educators have to say, so sharing your thoughts is so helpful, and it means a lot to me as the author too! 

If you do leave a review, please let me know in the comments or send me a DM so that I can thank you personally!! 🥰 

The link to the eBook is in my profile and stories, or comment below if you’d like me to message it to you directly 💕 You can also just search the book title on Amazon 😄

Hope you love it, and I'll be sure to give you a heads up as soon as the regular copies become available too!! 📚

#ourschoolisafamily #ourclassisafamily #elementaryteachers #iteachelementary #schoolcommunity #classcommunity
Kids love making this butterfly life cycle flow ma Kids love making this butterfly life cycle flow map! Pair it with student writing, and you’ve got yourself a gorgeous spring bulletin board that showcases their writing, art, & some science too! 🌱

Want the template for the craft & writing paper? The link is in my profile, or comment below and I’m happy to message you the link! 🦋

#butterflylifecycle #thinkingmaps #butterflyactivities #springactivitiesforkids #iteachprimary
March 14th…Happy Pi Day! 😁 Math was always March 14th…Happy Pi Day! 😁 

Math was always my least favorite subject as a student, but actually ended up being my favorite to teach when I became a teacher! How bout you? 

(Photos with my girls are from last school year- 2nd grade had a math measurement party and π shirt day was schoolwide)! 🥧💕
Top ‘o the Monday to you! 🍀 Whether or not Top ‘o the Monday to you! 🍀 

Whether or not anyone’s told you in a while how amazing you are…I’m telling you! 😁 You do SO MUCH for your kids day in and day out…they are one lucky class 💚

Have a happy St. Patrick’s Day this week! 🌈✨

#teacherlove #teacherpositivity #luckyteacher #teachinginmarch
Our Class is a Family bracelets for the end of the Our Class is a Family bracelets for the end of the year are now officially available for preorder!!! 🥳👏🏼

We know the EOY is still quite a ways away, but we’ve opened it up for preordering early so that there’s plenty of time for us to get these handmade for you! 💕

These can be given to your students as a special keepsake on the last day of school- especially if you plan on reading aloud the book to them that day 📖💗

They come fully assembled with the tag, packaging, and beaded bracelets for your specific grade level...nothing you have to take time to put together yourself! 🙌🏼

We’re only going to be having a limited quantity of these- if you’re interested in reserving a class set of bracelets to be shipped to you by May, we recommend preordering sooner rather than later just in case. 

All the details are in the link in my profile, or just comment below if you’d like us to send you the direct link! 💞

Hope you & your class family love them!! 🥰

#ourclassisafamily #iteachelementary #classroomcommunity #classroomculture #endoftheschoolyear #endoftheschoolyeargift #studentgifts
Rain rain, go ARRAY!! ☔️🌷 My seasonal work Rain rain, go ARRAY!! ☔️🌷 My seasonal work mats for making arrays include a set that’s themed for springtime! 🐣🌸

These mats are ideal to use with mini erasers or any math counters/manipulatives, and make for an engaging, hands-on math center for foundational multiplication skills! 

You can find them (along with more ideas for practice with arrays) by hopping over to the link in my profile 🐰💕 or just comment below if you’d like me to DM you the link! 

#iteach2nd #iteachsecond #secondgrademath #arrays #makingarrays #mathcenter #mathcenters

Latest on Facebook

Life Between Summers

13 hours ago

Life Between Summers
Today is the DAY!!! 🎉 Our School is a Family is officially available on Amazon! 👏🏼This new book really builds upon Our Class is a Family- extending classroom community to the wider school community 🏫 It’s a book that can be read to kids by teachers, administrators, school librarians, school counselors, speech pathologists, parents, etc. Essentially, any caring grownup who wants students to feel safe, loved, and supported at school! ❤️I've shared more details about the book (including a video book trailer, extension activities, & where you can order your copy) right here: lifebetweensummers.com/2023/03/20/our-school-is-a-family-a-school-community-book/ ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Life Between Summers

6 days ago

Life Between Summers
Our School is a Family will be available to order on Amazon very soon!! 📖💕 Want to see this brand new book before it’s officially released??You can get the eBook and read it right now! 👏🏼OR just get a little sneaky peek at the first few pages by going to Amazon & clicking where it says “Look Inside” 👀See it here: www.amazon.com/dp/B0BY81F194/ ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Life Between Summers

2 weeks ago

Life Between Summers
Our Class is a Family bracelets for the end of the year are officially available for preorder!!! 🥳👏🏼The EOY is still quite a ways away, but preordering is open early so that there’s plenty of time to get these handmade for you!These can be given to your students as a special keepsake on the last day of school- especially if you plan on reading aloud “Our Class is a Family” to them that day! 📖 They come fully assembled with the tag, packaging, and beaded bracelets for your specific grade level...nothing you have to take time to put together yourself! 🙌🏼There will only be a limited quantity of these- if you’re interested in reserving a class set of bracelets to be shipped to you by May, it’s recommended to preorder sooner rather than later, just in case. Hope you & your class family love them!! 🥰lifebetweensummers.com/product/our-class-is-a-family-bracelets-farewell-bracelets-for-end-of-the-... ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Life Between Summers

7 months ago

Life Between Summers
SURPRISE!!! 🎉 Sandie Sonke Illustration & I just finished up the cover for our 4th book together, coming in 2023! 📙🥳In the past, I haven’t shared new book titles/covers until closer to the release date, but this time around I’d like to try and share more with you throughout the actual book-creating journey (sketches, sneak peeks, etc.) so here ya have it! 💞As you probably guessed by the title, this new one will be a follow up to Our Class is a Family! 🥰The premise:Kids have their immediate family that they live with, but extended relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) make up a special part of a family too! You can see where this is going- it’s similar at school! Students have their teacher & each other within their classroom walls, but they also have an extended family there to support them ❤️Specifically, all of the amazing people who are a big piece of the heart of a school:Librarians, speech pathologists, school counselors, administrators, custodians, school secretaries, reading specialists, cafeteria workers, and parent volunteers, just to name a few 🏫 And you’ll find them all represented in this new book! 🙌🏼 My hope for “Our School is a Family” is that it will help students feel extra safe, loved, & supported, and encourage kids to form positive relationships with (and show appreciation toward) the helpers at their school!I am so excited to share more about this book with you in the months to come!! 📖 P.S. Speaking of “months,” my very warmest congrats to Sandie, who is Society of Children's Book Writers & IllustratorsIllustrator of the Month! So very well-deserved!!! 🥂💗#ourschoolisafamily #ourclassisafamily #aletterfromyourteacher #shannonolsen #shannonolsenauthor #backtoschoolbooks #teacherreadaloud #schoollibrarian #schoolcounselor #speechpathologist #schoolcommunity ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Life Between Summers

11 months ago

Life Between Summers
New book companion to go with Our Class is a Family! Class Family Memory Books for the end of the school year 📖💕This is a nice & simple writing activity for students to work on during those final weeks/days leading up to summer break 👌🏼 It’s a meaningful way to reflect on all their memories from the year, and they can take it home as a special keepsake on the last day of school! If you’re thinking you might want these memory books for your students, the timing couldn’t be better because they’re 25% off today & tomorrow (along with all other resources in my TPT store!) with the code THANKYOU22 💛 This comes available on its own, or in a discounted bundle with more extension activities for all 3 of my books 📚 I will share the link in the comments! 💕 ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Latest on Pinterest

  • This memory book is an end of the year activity that can be used as an extension for the book Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen. It’s a fun way for students to reflect on their favorite memories from the year, and they can take it home with them on the last day of school. Incorporate this into your end of year lesson plans. This makes a great end of year gift. Celebrate your strong classroom community one more time with this last day of school activity.
  • Are you looking for hands-on geometry activities to spice up your math lessons? These geometry games and activities are a hit for K-3 students. You can use these math activities during math workshop, small groups, and math centers. Help students to learn about 2D shapes and 3D shapes with a shape scavenger hunts. This blog post also includes shape building activities. Geometry Jenga is one of the most engaging and exciting math games for young learners. What geometry activity will you pick?
  • Are you looking for end of the year activities to do with your elementary students? One of my all time favorite activities to add to my end of the year lesson plans is an end of the year memory book. This year I created a memory book to go with my book Our Class is a Family. In this post, I share my end of the year memory book along with other end of the year activities that go with this best seller. Find all of my Our Class is a Family activities for the end of the year here!
  • With the end of the school year just around the corner, have you decided what you are going to give as student gifts? If you are struggling with an idea, check out this post for 5 student gifts from the teacher. All of the student gift ideas are inspired by a picture book, so you can do a classroom read aloud before handing out the end of the year gifts. Your students will love everything from the classroom bracelets to end of the year letters. Don’t miss these end of the year ideas.
  • With the end of the school year quickly approaching, you may be thinking about a way to tell your students goodbye. Check out these end of the year teacher gifts - our class is a family bracelet to say farewell at the end of the year. This is a great teacher gift to give students before they head off for summer break. You can use these teacher gifts for the end of the year for every grade; prek to 5th grade. Grab these classroom bracelets to help your students remember their class is a family.
  • Are you looking for the perfect end of the year activity to do with your elementary students? Today, I am sharing my book companion for A Letter From Your Teacher On The Last Day of School. This last day of school activity allows students to write letters to their classmates and their teacher gets to write letters to their students. A perfect end of the year gift from the teacher. Use this during your end of the year party or end of year lesson plans.
  • Looking for classroom management tips and tricks to help you make it to the end of the school year? Some of my favorite classroom management hacks are catch a bubble and using visual voice levels. These are both great classroom management tools. Also doing whole class rewards or individual student rewards is another great way to keep students on task. Try one of these classroom management strategies and tools today!
  • Are you looking for the perfect end of the year activity to do with your elementary students? Today, I am sharing my book companion for A Letter From Your Teacher On The Last Day of School. This last day of school activity allows students to write letters to their classmates and their teacher gets to write letters to their students. A perfect end of the year gift from the teacher. Use this during your end of the year party or end of year lesson plans.
Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs Privacy Policy and Disclosure