Every teacher knows the student who groans at the mention of a writing task, then spends twenty minutes happily filling a page with speech bubbles, sound effects, and a very dramatic villain. Comics have a way of pulling in kids who don’t always see themselves as writers.

National Comic Book Day falls on September 25, and it’s a great excuse to bring comics into your classroom. It’s early enough in the school year to build some excitement, and it works just as well as a fun Friday activity as it does a full mini unit.

Why comics belong in your writing block

Making a comic asks students to do a lot of the same things we ask of them in any writing task. They have to plan a beginning, middle, and end. They have to think about characters and setting. They have to decide what the reader really needs to know and how to say it in just a few words. The difference is that the pictures give students a way in, and the small spaces of a panel make writing feel less overwhelming.

Comics also give you a natural way to talk about how text and images work together, which is a skill worth building no matter what else you’re teaching.

A few ways to celebrate in your classroom

Start with the parts of a comic. Panels, speech bubbles, thought bubbles, captions, and sound effects all have a job. A quick look at how they work gives students the vocabulary they need before they start creating.

Read or watch something comic-related. Share a favourite comic from your class library, or play a meet-the-author video with a comic creator. Hearing how a real author comes up with ideas can spark a few of their own.

Let students choose their own template. A little choice goes a long way. Some students want a simple strip, and others want a full page with lots of panels. Offering a few layouts lets everyone find one that fits their story.

Keep a comic bin for early finishers. Print a few extra copies of each template and keep them in a bin. Kids love creating comics, and it makes a great go-to activity for students who finish early.

Pair it with a read aloud. Students can retell a scene from the class novel as a comic, or draw what happens next. It’s a fun way to bring a story to life.

Assess it, or don’t. If you’d like to mark the comics, a rubric is included. If you’d rather keep things low pressure, let students create just for the fun of it.

Your free All About Writing Comics mini unit

We put together a mini unit to make this easy, so you don’t have to spend your evening making templates. It’s free, and it’s ready to use for National Comic Book Day or any time of the year.

What’s inside:

• 16 blank comic templates in a variety of layouts, ready to print
• An instructional Google Slides presentation that introduces students to comics and their common features
• A comic rubric, if you’d like to use it

The resource comes as a PDF and Google Slides, and it’s made for a wide range of grades, from Grade 3 to 8. It’s about 18 pages plus 10 slides, so you can teach the intro in one sitting and give students time to create over the rest of your lesson.

Get the Free Comic Writing Mini Unit

Happy National Comic Book Day, and happy creating!

Teacher Resource Cabin

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Gingerbread Math and Lesson Plans spans five days and incorporates activities in Number Sense, Algebra, Data, Spatial Sense, and Financial Literacy. Through a variety of tasks, from measuring ingredients for gingerbread cookies or gingerbread-scented playdough to creating cookie patterns and graphing, students experience math in ways that are fun and meaningful. This inclusive resource brings the magic of winter to your classroom without a holiday-specific focus, making it suitable for all students.

Highlights of the Gingerbread Math Resource:

1. Hands-On Math with Real-World Applications
   Students don’t just learn math concepts—they get to apply them! Activities like measuring ingredients reinforce practical skills and help students see the relevance of math in everyday life. The resource includes both a gingerbread cookie recipe and a gingerbread-scented playdough recipe, letting students practice measuring in a creative, sensory way.
2. Inclusive Seasonal Fun
   With a focus on winter and cookies, students can celebrate the season in a fun, inclusive way that focuses on math and learning.
3. All Ontario Math Strands Covered
   Designed with the Ontario math curriculum in mind, this resource covers every strand: Number Sense, Algebra, Data, Spatial Sense, and Financial Literacy. Activities like place value with gingerbread cookies, estimating with cookie jars, and tally charts provide a well-rounded experience. Curriculum expectations are met while keeping learning enjoyable.
4. Comprehensive Support for Teachers
   Gingerbread Math comes with a complete set of lesson plans, worksheets, and an answer key—36 pages in total. This resource is packed with tools to ensure a smooth week of math exploration.

Why Add Seasonal Math to Your Program?

• Engagement
  Seasonal themes capture students’ attention, making math more engaging and memorable. Students are more motivated to participate when they feel connected to the theme.
• Reinforcing Concepts through Context
  By applying math skills to activities like making dough or creating cookie graphs, students develop a deeper understanding of how these concepts relate to real life.
• Fostering a Joyful Learning Environment
  Incorporating winter themes can help create a joyful classroom environment, adding excitement to the learning process and creating positive associations with math.

With Gingerbread Math and Lesson Plans, math class becomes a fun experience that students look forward to. This resource makes it easy to bring the season into the classroom in a way that’s educational, inclusive, and packed with hands-on learning.

Start Your Gingerbread Math Adventure!
Transform math lessons this winter with Gingerbread Math and Lesson Plans for Grades 1-3—a resource that brings joy, engagement, and real-world connections to your students’ math learning!

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The important thing to know is this: the issue isn’t caused by the file or the creator. It’s actually a printing and software glitch.

This problem usually happens because of outdated printer settings, browser settings, or not using the correct program (like Adobe Acrobat Reader) to open the PDF. In other words, the resource itself is fine… it’s your computer or printer struggling with how the graphics are rendered!

If you’re not up for updating your programs or changing computer settings, one quick fix may just be to open the file on another computer and print it there. You could try printing from home, or printing it at your school/workplace, depending on where you’re encountering this issue.

If you’d prefer to solve the issue once and for all – read on!

How to Solve the Black Box Printing Error

Step 1: Update Adobe Acrobat Reader

Make sure you’re using the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader instead of your computer’s default preview app or a web browser. This step alone fixes the issue for many people.

Step 2: Change Print Settings

If updating doesn’t solve it:

1. Open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
2. Go to File → Print.
3. Click Advanced.
4. Check the box that says Print as Image.
5. Select OK, then click Print.

Instructions for Mac Users

If you use the Mac program “Preview” to open your files, here are a few things to try:

Step 1: Check for Updates

Make sure macOS and Preview are both up to date, since older versions sometimes have rendering glitches.

Step 2: Export a New Copy

1. Open the PDF in Preview.
2. Go to File → Export as PDF and save a new copy.
3. Try printing from the newly exported file.

Step 3: Try Opening With Adobe Acrobat Reader

Bypass Preview and use Adobe Acrobat Reader (a free program you can download for your Mac).

To open in Adobe Acrobat Reader, right-click (or hold + Command + click) the PDF → choose Open With → Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Conclusion

Technology is wonderful when it works, but glitches like this remind us it isn’t always perfect. Luckily, fixing the black box printing issue is simple once you know the steps. Keep this guide handy so your next print job comes out looking just as its supposed to!

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In this fun and lighthearted activity, your students will read about three fascinating scents and “scratch and sniff” their way through the adventure. The twist? They’re not actually smelling anything (except maybe a little paper!), but the experience will be so realistic that they’ll be convinced otherwise.

Here’s how you can pull off this April Fools’ joke in your classroom:

Step-by-Step Guide to Pulling Off the Perfect April Fools’ Joke

1. Introduce the Activity with Excitement
   Start by building some excitement around the activity. Tell your students that they’re about to explore some very unique and fascinating scents that will take them on a sensory adventure. Explain that they’ll be doing something special today: a “scratch and sniff” challenge, with special worksheets that have scratch and sniff spots. You can demonstrate scratching and sniffing one of spots. Pretend like you’re smelling something really unique!
   
   
2. Engage Their Imaginations
   The key to making this activity believable is to get your students to imagine they’re actually smelling the scents. As they scratch and sniff the paper, encourage them to close their eyes and think of the scents described in the text. If they begin to say they can’t smell anything, tell them to re-read the scent description and try again!
   
   
3. Share the Scent Stories
   Students will read through the text about the three different scents. Your students will be intrigued by the thought of smelling things like petrichor (the smell of rain), saffron (a rare and expensive spice), and ginkgo fruit (an ancient and unique autumn scent). Make sure to encourage them to take their time and really experience these smells.
   
   
4. Keep the Fun Going with Questions
   After they’ve scratched and “sniffed,” have them answer the follow-up questions. The fun part comes when they start to think about what they just experienced! You can ask them about which scent they liked the best.
   
   
5. The Big Reveal!
   After everyone has had time to reflect on the scents, don’t forget to say, “April Fools!”

Ready to Give It a Try?

If you’re ready to bring some playful fun to your classroom, you can download the full “scratch and sniff” April Fools’ Day worksheet for free! Just click the link below and get started:

Download the Scratch-and-Sniff April Fools’ Day Worksheet for Free!

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What is This New Resource?

Our Winter Poems and Activities resource includes ten simple poems, each with a unique winter theme like snowflakes, skiing, and snowmen. Designed for beginner readers, each poem uses simple words and rhyme to help students practice fluency and understand poetic rhythm. Weekly comprehension worksheets (with an included answer key) prompt students to reflect on details, fostering both enjoyment and deeper learning. Plus, we’ve included poetry writing templates to encourage students to create their own winter-inspired poetry!

Benefits of Incorporating Poetry into the Classroom:

1. Enhanced Reading Fluency
   Reading poetry aloud is an excellent way for students to practice fluency. The rhythmic and repetitive patterns in poetry help students develop a sense of timing, pace, and expression as they read.
2. Boosted Comprehension Skills
   Poetry encourages young learners to make connections, understand sequence, and recognize key details, all of which are vital for comprehension. Our comprehension worksheets complement each poem, guiding students to think critically and connect with what they’ve read.
3. A Fun, Engaging Way to Learn Language
   Poetry introduces language concepts in an enjoyable, memorable way. The seasonal themes and language in each poem make learning fresh and exciting, helping students relate language skills to experiences outside the classroom.
4. Creative Expression and Writing Practice
   Our resource includes 30 poetry-writing templates, which invite students to try their hand at creating their own winter poems. Writing poetry allows young learners to experiment with words and structures, building confidence and excitement around writing.

Incorporating poetry into the classroom can transform language lessons into something truly magical. Winter Poems and Activities for Grades 1/2 provides teachers with ready-to-use resources that will keep students engaged, learning, and inspired. Let’s help students build literacy skills while exploring the wonder of winter through poetry!

Ready to Bring Winter Poetry Into Your Classroom?
Explore Winter Poems and Activities for Grades 1/2 today and watch your students’ love for reading and writing grow this winter season!

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This resource invites students to explore the beauty of nature while engaging with important academic concepts in a fun, interactive way.

What is Ephemeral Art?

Ephemeral art is a form of temporary, nature-based art made from natural materials such as leaves, sticks, rocks, or flowers. What makes it special is its fleeting nature—ephemeral art doesn’t last. Wind, rain, or even time will eventually erase these works of art, returning the materials to the earth. This makes it an ideal form of creative expression for young learners, as the focus is on the process, not the end product.

With our Ephemeral Art resource, students will discover the joy of creating temporary masterpieces while connecting with the environment around them.

Resource Highlights

• Slide Deck: A visual and engaging introduction to what ephemeral art is and how it ties into math and science.
• 5 Guided Outdoor Activities: These hands-on activities guide students in creating ephemeral artwork while exploring concepts like patterns, symmetry, and shapes found in nature.
• Reflection Worksheets: After each activity, students have the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and solidify their understanding of the math and science concepts behind their creations.

Why Choose Ephemeral Art?

1. Quick and Accessible:
Ephemeral art can be completed within a short time frame, making it perfect for outdoor breaks or shorter class periods. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to integrate art into your day.

2. No Materials Needed:
Students use what they find in nature—no need to buy supplies! Whether it’s a collection of colourful leaves or a handful of rocks, these activities encourage students to see everyday objects in a new light.

3. Eco-Friendly:
Ephemeral art teaches students to create sustainably, using only natural, biodegradable materials. They’ll learn to appreciate the impermanence of their creations and the beauty of nature’s cycles.

4. No Clean-Up Required:
Because the artwork returns to nature, there’s no clean-up! This means you can focus on the experience and leave the “clean-up” to the elements.

5. Connecting to Nature:
These activities foster a deeper appreciation of the environment. By observing their surroundings, students begin to notice patterns, textures, and colours in nature that they may not have paid attention to before.

Lots of Learning Opportunities!

Through these activities, students will explore:

• Patterns and Symmetry: Whether it’s arranging leaves in a spiral or balancing stones, students encounter the natural symmetry and patterns found in the world around them.
• Shapes in Nature: Students will develop an understanding of geometry by identifying and creating shapes found in nature.
• Environmental Stewardship: By working with nature, students gain a sense of responsibility for the environment, learning that they can create without leaving a lasting impact.

We invite you to introduce your students to the world of ephemeral art, where creativity meets nature and learning goes beyond the classroom. Stay tuned for more new resources from Teacher Resource Cabin designed to make teaching both fun and meaningful!

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Ephemeral Nature Art Activities (Grade 1-3 Visual Arts)

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1. Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

Leaf Man takes an imaginative journey through fields and forests, blown by the wind. The unique leaf illustrations will inspire creativity in your classroom.

Activity idea: Have students collect leaves and create their own leaf characters to tell a story.

2. Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson

Fletcher, the little fox, worries as his favourite tree loses its leaves. This sweet story helps kids understand that change is a natural part of life.

Activity idea: Have a discussion with students about a time when something changed for them and how they felt.

3. In November by Cynthia Rylant

This book beautifully captures the quiet moments of November, as animals prepare for winter and families come together.

Activity idea: Have students write about their favourite month and what makes it special.

4. Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper

In this story about friendship, three friends are happy until one of them decides he wants to be in charge. It’s great for discussions on cooperation and sharing.

Activity idea: Have students write a “recipe” for friendship, listing ingredients like kindness and trust.

5. The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger

A little leaf isn’t ready to fall from its tree but finds courage with a friend. This is a sweet story about bravery and friendship.

Activity idea: Create a class tree mural, with each leaf representing an act of kindness they could do for someone.

6. Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak

Follow along as summer turns into autumn, exploring the beauty of seasonal changes. This book encourages observation and mindfulness.

Activity idea: Take a nature walk and have students write or draw what they notice as fall begins.

7. We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger

This fun adventure takes students through the woods, searching for colourful leaves. The rhythmic text makes it a great read-aloud.

Activity idea: Collect different leaves outdoors and have students sort them by type or colour.

8. Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert

A simple, beautiful story about the life of a tree, focusing on the changing colours of its leaves. Perfect for younger readers.

Activity idea: Have students create leaf rubbings and label the parts of the leaf for a science connection.

9. Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson

Bear wants to host a feast, but has nothing to give. His friends bring the food, teaching the importance of gratitude and community.

Activity idea: Start a classroom gratitude jar where students write down things they’re thankful for.

10. The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry

A touching story of friendship between a scarecrow and a little crow. It highlights empathy and the joy of helping others.

Activity idea: Have students imagine and draw an unlikely friendship between two different characters, like a wolf and a sheep or an owl and a mouse.

Boost Reading Comprehension with Our All-in-One Resource

Want to dive deeper into these fall favourites? Our Reading Comprehension for Any Book resource helps students engage with any story.

These worksheets guide students through key skills like identifying story elements, making inferences, and exploring new perspectives. Each activity helps students think critically and connect personally with what they’ve read.

Ready to help your students explore story elements and improve their comprehension? Check out our Reading Comprehension for Any Book resource and bring deeper learning to your fall read-alouds!

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Reading Comprehension Worksheets for ANY Book | NO PREP (Grade 1-3 Language)

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Groundhog Day is on February 2nd! You’re never too old to celebrate a day about weather-predicting rodents. This is a short Data Management Probability math activity that allows Grade 5-8 students to engage with real data.

Every year on Groundhog Day (and most other fun holidays), I see many resources floating around for early years and younger grade students – and I think that’s so great! But, I also don’t want our middle-grade and intermediate-grade students to be left out of the fun. Whenever I can, I always like to make fun freebies for older students.

What is Groundhog Day?

Groundhog Day happens every year on February 2nd. It is based on a Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that suggests that a groundhog seeing its shadow can predict the weather.

Many regions have their own groundhog prognosticators (a prognosticator is someone who can predict the future). For example, in Ontario, there is “Wiarton Willie,” in Québec there is “Fred la marmotte,” in Pennsylvania there is the famous “Punxsutawney Phil” and in Ohio there is “Buckeye Chuck.”

Awesome… I’m in! What’s the freebie?

I made a fun freebie in which students will learn about Groundhog Day. They will look at the predictions for either early spring or long winter made by different groundhogs around Canada and the United States (Wiarton Willie, Fred la marmotte, Punxsutawney Phil and Buckeye Chuck) for the past decade. Then, they will calculate the probability of what the groundhogs may predict for this year! This activity would be great as a minds-on at the beginning of the day on Groundhog Day or during your Math block.

Click here for your free download in French or English:

You can also find these resources on our TPT page if you prefer to download them and leave a review there. Here is a link to the English and French versions.

Happy Groundhog Day!!! Comment on this post to share other ways that you’re celebrating Groundhog Day with your students this year.

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Teaching the importance of Remembrance Day goes beyond just acknowledging historical events; it instils values like empathy, gratitude, and the understanding of the profound impact of war on individuals and societies.

The Importance of Teaching About Remembrance Day

1. Fostering Empathy: Teaching students about Remembrance Day helps them develop empathy and understanding for those who have served in the military and the sacrifices they’ve made. This empathy extends to their families, as they comprehend the emotional toll of war. It encourages students to connect with the stories of veterans and war survivors, recognizing the human faces behind the history.
2. Promoting Gratitude: Remembrance Day serves as a reminder to be grateful for the peace and freedom that we enjoy today. By teaching students about the sacrifices made by past generations, we help them appreciate the privileges they have.
3. Encouraging Critical Thinking: Discussing the causes and consequences of wars and conflicts encourages students to think critically about the world they live in.
4. Honouring Tradition: Observing Remembrance Day allows students to become part of a national tradition. They learn about history and actively participate in honouring the legacy of those who have served.

Resources for Teaching Remembrance Day

To help you teach about Remembrance Day, we have developed several resources suitable for different age groups:

Literacy Activities for Grade 1-3 and Grade 4-6: Our literacy activities are designed to engage students of various age levels. They include reading comprehension exercises, vocabulary lessons, and poetry prompts, allowing students to explore Remembrance Day from different angles. These activities foster a deeper understanding of the subject while developing essential language skills. These are also available in French!

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Remembrance Day Literacy Activities (Grade 1-3 Language)

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Remembrance Day Literacy Activities (Grade 4-6 Language)

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Le jour du Souvenir : cahier de poésie (Grade 1-3 French)

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Le jour du Souvenir : cahier de poésie (Grade 4-6 French)

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Free Playlist of YouTube Videos: We have curated a selection of educational YouTube videos that provide historical context, personal stories, and artistic interpretations of Remembrance Day. These videos can supplement your lessons and offer different perspectives to your students, making the subject matter more engaging and relatable.

Find the Youtube Playlist for Remembrance Day in Canada here

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One powerful way to engage in this process is through literature.

Books written by Canadian Indigenous authors provide valuable insights into the diverse cultures, histories, and lived experiences of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.

In this blog post, we’ve curated a list of 12 must-read books, divided into two sections – picture books and chapter books – to help foster understanding on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.

We’ve also included free printable “Every Child Matters” and “Chaque Enfant Compte (French)” shirt templates to use with students on Orange Shirt Day. Read to the end of this blog post for the download.

Picture Books:

	​“Shi-shi-etko” by Nicola I. Campbell This beautifully illustrated picture book follows a young girl’s experiences as she prepares to leave for residential school. It’s a poignant story that introduces young children to the concept of loss and the importance of holding on to one’s culture. (Available on Epic Books)
	​”When We Were Alone” by David A. Robertson A story about a grandmother and her granddaughter discussing their shared heritage. This book gently explores the impact of residential schools and the resilience of Indigenous people.
	​”You Hold Me Up” by Monique Gray Smith With its simple yet powerful message, this book shows children how small acts of kindness and empathy can make a big difference in building relationships and fostering reconciliation. (Available on Epic Books)
	​”Phyllis’s Orange Shirt” by Phyllis Webstad This book recounts Phyllis Webstad’s childhood experience of having her orange shirt taken away upon entering a residential school. It serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of these schools on Indigenous children.
	​”With Our Orange Hearts” by Phyllis Webstad Phyllis Webstad’s sequel to “Phyllis’s Orange Shirt,” this picture book continues the story of Phyllis as she discovers the significance of the orange heart symbol and its role in healing and reconciliation.
	​”Stolen Words” by Melanie Florence In this picture book, a young girl named Makwa discovers her grandfather’s lost language. The story beautifully captures the importance of preserving Indigenous languages and cultural heritage.
	​”When I Was Eight” by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret-Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton In this autobiographical story, Margaret Pokiak-Fenton shares her childhood memories of attending a residential school. This book offers a younger reader edition of the chapter book “Fatty Legs.” (Available on Epic Books)
	“The Secret Pocket” by Peggy Janicki The true story of how Indigenous girls at a Canadian residential school sewed secret pockets into their dresses to hide food and survive.

Chapter Books:

	“Fatty Legs” by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton This memoir details Margaret Pokiak-Fenton’s experiences at a residential school and her determination to learn how to read despite the challenges she faced. (Available on Epic Books)
	​”A Stranger at Home: A True Story” by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton This sequel to “Fatty Legs” continues the story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton’s experiences in a residential school. It explores her return home and the challenges of reintegrating into her family and community. (Available on Epic Books)
	“​My Name Is Seepeetza” by Shirley Sterling Written as a diary, this novel offers a glimpse into the life of a young girl named Seepeetza as she attends a residential school. It provides a personal perspective on the challenges she faces and her enduring spirit.
	“Speaking Our Truth” by Monique Gray Smith Monique Gray Smith guides young readers on a journey of truth and reconciliation, providing an age-appropriate exploration of Canada’s history, residential schools, and the path toward healing and understanding.

Free Printable “Every Child Matters” Resource

These books foster empathy, understanding, and a commitment to reconciliation. On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, these stories serve as important tools to engage in the ongoing journey toward reconciliation in Canada.

Click below to download free printable “Every Child Matters” and “Chaque Enfant Compte (French)” shirt templates to use with students on Orange Shirt Day.

These templates have been crafted for quick prep and straightforward use. However, it is crucial to integrate them with books, videos, and lessons that amplify the voices of Indigenous People.

Please connect with your local school board’s Indigenous Education consultant prior to using these templates or books to ensure they are appropriate for your students and school community.

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