Welcome to School Winners!

Winners for our giveaways were randomly picked and are listed below!

Westwillow Designs Alphabet poster goes to -

Nick and Jessica Gray said...


What a great idea hanging this in a room. By looking at this everyday, Korissa can see the ABC"S daily and eventually pick it up. Gonna have to make one of those! Awesome Idea thanks!

Goodnight Gorilla wooden set from Mama Kopp Shop goes to -

The Ericksons said...


These wooden characters are so cute. Plus, love Good Night Gorilla!

A felt set or fingerplay glove from StressLESS Teaching Resources goes to - 

Jennifer said...


Felt boards are so much fun. We have one, and don't use it enough.

If you won, email me with your name, what item you won, and mailing address to davenjen@wbcable.net. Thank you again to our sponsors!

StressLESS Teaching Resources Giveaway!

If you are returning for our week long celebration welcome back! If this is your first time check out this post, and this one for another chance to win!

Today's giveaway comes from StressLESS Teaching Resources, a great Etsy store for teachers! I love this felt board set that goes with the book Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell. We are going to be reading this book this month. I love how interactive the book can be in a classroom setting. How much more interactive will it be with this felt board set?!

Give each child in the class a character (if your class is larger read the story again) and when you get to their animal have them come up and place it on the felt board. Leave this set out after reading the story so that the children can do the story again during center time. Make sure to keep the book at the center so that the children can read it to themselves or a friend.

A little about Tanya and her Etsy store: My name is Tanya Winters and I am an Early Childhood Educator in Maryland. I hold a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master's of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I am a trained Reading Recovery Teacher and I have taught grades kindergarten and first. Moreover, I have functioned as a reading specialist--training teachers and instructing elementary aged students. I have also worked with students with special needs and have assisted in developing Individualized Educational Plans (IEP's). Currently, I am homeschooling my 3 children, Autumn(5), Caleb(3) and Aaron(1). In addition, I am newly an adjunct professor of early childhood education at a community college in my area. That's right, you've guessed it...I LOVE EDUCATION!!


In developing my teaching resources, I draw on the 18 years of experience that I have educating children. I utilize my skills as a highly qualified teacher to develop educational tools that are developmentally appropriate and excellently constructed. It is my goal that a mom experience NO STRESS while using my educational resources to homeschool her little ones.

To win a felt piece or fingerplay glove from StressLESS Teaching Resources leave a comment in this post. All the comments for each post will close September 15th, at midnight Pacific Standard Time.

Teach Well: Keep the book at the center so that the children can read it to themselves or a friend.

Good Night Gorilla!

Welcome to another day of giveaways! This month we will be reading Good Night Gorilla and doing a fun "walk through the zoo" activity to go right along with it. Wouldn't it be great to have this wooden set, from Mama Kopp Shop, to use in the classroom or at home when you walk through the zoo?

Comment on this post to try and win this beautiful wooden set! Comments close on September 15th, at midnight Pacific Standard Time.

Lorilee Kopp, the owner of Mama Kopp Shop, is a mother who stays home with her kids to ensure they have a unique educational experience. She says, "This is the love of my life, being home with my children. Next is my love to create. I love being part of heirloom toy making. I am very proud to be part of it and so proud to make things for families all over the world. I strive to tempt imagination in children as well as adults. It is important to me that each piece be made as perfect as can be. I use quality, natural materials. And hold close to my wooden art waldorf traditions. And if I can sneak in a little educational element I will." Visit her blog, Live n' Learn for those "live creatively and homeschool."


Teach Well: Tempt imagination in children.

Welcome In the School Year Celebration!

Today begins the week long celebration leading up to Teach Often's Beginning of the School Year Kick-Off! Join me all week for ideas for the month of September, great teaching product, and prizes. Who doesn't like prizes? ;) You have a chance to comment on each post for each prized listed. All the comments for each post will close September 15th, at midnight Pacific Standard Time.

Next week opens the door to new ideas and possibilities in the classroom. There will be great ideas to bookmark or write directly into your lesson plans for the next day! Aren't you excited? I know I am!

I teach thematically, and September's theme is The Zoo. We learn about our Zoo Phonics friends, letter recognition, colors, school safety, and learn how to use our classroom.

A modern way to displaying the alphabet is by using one of these posters, from Westwillow Designs, in your classroom or at home.

Sonya, once a teacher herself is now teaching her two children at home as a stay-at-home-mom. She designs beautiful pieces of art as her creative outlet. You can find more of her designs at her Etsy shop, Westwillow Designs.

You can add this poster to your classroom or child's decor by leaving a comment in this thread.

What to Look Forward to this School Year

As the summer comes to an end and the beginning of the school year gets closer, parents and teachers alike anticipate the first day of school. I get excited about pulling the September's boxes that have been stored away for a year; decorating our creative spaces; collecting items needed for our crafts; and the best part - new school supplies!

These last few weeks of August, I will be sharing with you what you will have to look forward to at Teach Well, Teach Often. This site has been created for inspiring teachers and parents alike. For those parents that are homeschooling their preschooler, these next few weeks will help you prepare for the months ahead.

I teach thematically. You can take a closer look at one of my themes here. To look at the entire school year's themes and activities, click here for my scope and sequence.

I am looking forward to the fun we will have with our children this school year! Keep checking back this week and next to help you prepare for the year and for some great give aways to add to your classroom at school or at home!