Ayanna Kai The Traveling Teacher

Our First Grade historians did an AMAZING job on their Historical Figure Bottle Projects! ✨📚

As part of our Georgia First Grade Social Studies curriculum, students selected a historical figure to research, such as Ruby Bridges and other influential leaders from history. Students created a bottle replica of their chosen figure, conducted research, and proudly presented their learning to their classmates. 🎤🖍️

I loved being able to connect this project to history, research skills, speaking & listening standards, creativity, and Black History Month learning opportunities all in one meaningful experience.

Here’s a look at the final display outside our classroom — I am so proud of their hard work, creativity, and confidence! ❤️

Weather Watchers in Action ☀️🌈☁️

Aligned to Georgia Science Standard S1E1, students are observing the sky and using what they see to describe and determine daily weather patterns. 🌤️

We took it a step further with creative writing as students described their favorite season using real-world observations and science vocabulary. 🍂❄️🌸🌞

Learning through observation, creativity, and connection is what makes it stick.

Sometimes we have to go beyond the textbook to truly reach our students. This year, my class needed extra support with identifying both 2D and 3D shapes, so I created two rap jingles—2D Shapes Parade and 3D Shapes Parade—to bring the concepts to life.

Music gives students another way to access learning. It builds vocabulary, supports memory through rhythm and repetition, and creates an environment where students feel excited and confident to participate. Instead of just naming shapes, my students are now singing about circles, squares, cubes, spheres, and cylinders—and actually understanding what they are.

As educators, we can’t always rely on one method. When something doesn’t click, we shift, we create, and we meet our students where they are. That’s where real learning happens.

2d shapes parade
3d shapes parade
if they don’t get it we remix it
turn math into a beat so it sticks

Sometimes we have to go beyond the textbook to truly reach our students. This year, my class needed extra support with identifying and understanding 3D shapes, so I created a rap jingle called 3D Shapes Parade to bring the concepts to life.

Music gives students another way to access learning. It builds vocabulary, supports memory through rhythm and repetition, and creates an environment where students feel excited and confident to participate. Instead of just naming shapes, my students are now singing about cubes, spheres, and cylinders—and actually understanding what they are.

As educators, we can’t always rely on one method. When something doesn’t click, we shift, we create, and we meet our students where they are. That’s where real learning happens.

3d shapes parade
if they don’t get it we remix it
turn math into a beat so it sticks

Your classroom should not be silent during reading time. You should hear voices. Fluency grows when children hear themselves read and build confidence using their voice. Let them read. Let them be heard.