Why Morning Tubs Will Be Your Favorite Routine This Year

Why Morning Tubs Will Be Your Favorite Routine This Year

I used to start my school day with a worksheet.

You know the kind—meant to keep kids busy while I took attendance and got things settled. But more often than not, it led to a chorus of “I need help!” and papers half-finished (or scribbled on and crumpled like a fast-food napkin).

So I tried something different. I swapped those worksheets for hands-on tubs filled with simple, engaging activities… and I’ve never looked back.

Psst—new to Morning Tubs?
I’ve got a free Morning Tub Starter Kit you can grab to see what they’re all about.
🎁 Click here to get your freebie!

Here’s why I think Morning Tubs might just become your favorite routine this year, too:

✨ They give your morning a calm, focused start.
You’re trying to do all the things—take attendance, respond to an email, tie a shoelace, and smile at parents hovering in the doorway. Morning tubs let your students dive right in independently, giving you time to breathe (and sip your coffee while it’s still hot).

🧠 They build skills without feeling like “work.”
My tubs are filled with math, literacy, critical thinking, and fine motor tasks—disguised as games, puzzles, and challenges. The best part? Your students won’t even realize how much learning they’re doing.

🎯 They’re easy to prep and reuse.
Print, laminate, and pop them in bins. Done. I even include editable direction cards to make your life easier. (Because heaven knows you already have enough on your plate.)

📚 They grow with your students.
I’ve created a set for each grade—2nd, 3rd, and 4th—so the content hits that just-right sweet spot. The August tubs are perfect for Back-to-School, with a balance of review and confidence-boosting tasks.

If you’ve never tried Morning Tubs before, August is the perfect time to start. They’ll help you and your students settle into a routine that feels manageable and meaningful from Day One.

👉 Check out my August Morning Tubs here (available for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade)

Or if you’re all-in and want to make mornings easier all year long…
💡 Peek at the full Morning Tub Bundles here

Whatever you choose, just know this:
A smooth morning routine isn’t just possible—it’s just a tub away. 💛

Using Morning Tubs in Your Homeschool Routine: Creative Ideas for Maximum Value

Using Morning Tubs in Your Homeschool Routine: Creative Ideas for Maximum Value

Morning tubs aren’t just for traditional classrooms—they can be a game-changer for your homeschool! These versatile, hands-on activities are perfect for engaging your kids at the start of the day, keeping learning fun and flexible. If you’ve never used morning tubs before, let me show you how they can become one of your favorite tools in homeschooling, especially when you’re looking for ways to reuse resources for maximum value.

What Are Morning Tubs?

Morning tubs are sets of activities designed to kick off the day with engaging, meaningful tasks. They’re often hands-on and cover a range of subjects like math, reading, writing, or fine motor skills. Instead of jumping straight into formal lessons, kids ease into the day with these enjoyable activities.

 The 2nd Grade Morning Work Tubs for February from my Teachers Pay Teachers store is a great example—they’re filled with themed activities that are educational and fun!

Why Use Morning Tubs in Your Homeschool?

Here are some reasons why morning tubs are a perfect fit for homeschooling:

1. Independent Work Time: While your kids are busy with morning tubs, you can take a few moments to prepare for the day or work one-on-one with another child.
2. Flexible Learning: Morning tubs can be tailored to your family’s schedule and educational goals, whether you want to focus on math, literacy, or fine motor skills.
3. Reusable Resources: The activities in these tubs can be used multiple times and in different ways, making them an excellent investment.

How to Use Morning Tubs at Home

Here are several ideas for incorporating morning tubs into your homeschool routine:

1. Start the Day with Fun Learning Begin your day with morning tubs to set a positive tone. The February-themed tubs include activities like sorting, matching, and problem-solving—all designed to build foundational skills while feeling like play.

2. Pair with Themed Learning Units If your February lessons include topics like winter, Valentine’s Day, or kindness, use the tubs as an extension. For example, math activities from the tubs could reinforce counting or pattern-making, tying directly into seasonal themes.

3. Rotate for Multi-Use Don’t use all the activities at once! Rotate them weekly to keep things fresh. What’s great about these tubs is that they’re reusable year after year, so the activities can reappear in future lessons for reinforcement or as a fun review.

4. Use for Transition Times Morning tubs are ideal for filling gaps in your schedule. If you’re transitioning between subjects or need to keep one child busy while helping another, these tubs are a lifesaver.

5. Incorporate with Siblings Morning tubs aren’t just for one child! Many activities can be adapted for different ages. Younger kids can join in with simplified tasks, while older siblings might enjoy “helping” by explaining concepts.

6. Supplement with Family Challenges Turn the activities into mini-competitions or family challenges. For example, who can finish the math puzzle fastest? This adds an element of excitement and encourages critical thinking.

Maximize the Value of Morning Tubs

One of the best things about morning tubs is their reusability. Here’s how to make the most of them:

• Laminate Activities: Laminating task cards or sheets ensures they’ll last longer. Use dry-erase markers to make them reusable.
• Store for Future Use: Pack tubs away after February and bring them out the next year for a fresh start.
• Repurpose for Other Subjects: Many activities, like matching or puzzles, can be repurposed for a variety of subjects, from science vocabulary to geography.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re excited to bring morning tubs into your homeschool, check out my Morning Tubs on Teachers Pay Teachers. They’re packed with fun, seasonal activities that you can use again and again. Whether you’re new to morning tubs or looking for fresh ideas, these resources are sure to add joy and flexibility to your homeschooling days.

Do you use morning tubs in your homeschool? I’d love to hear your favorite ideas or adaptations in the comments below!

Math Centers that Are Easy to Plan, Organize, and Prepare

Are you looking for centers that are easy to plan, organize, and prepare?  

Keep reading to find math centers you can use all year in your classroom.  

Your life is about to get so much easier!

Choosing to keep the same centers all year long will lessen the amount of time you are spending to get the centers ready for students.  

Here are five centers to use in your classroom all year long.

1)  Technology

Use the technology that is available to you.  Whether this is a group of computers in your classrooms, a class set of Chromebooks or iPads, or something else, there is always a choice of things to use in this center.  You can use digital task cards or interactive games for students to practice current math skills or to review past math skills.

2)  Working with Numbers

This unit will work with any activity that involves numbers.  Include math games, activities, or worksheets in this center.  Using one of the No Prep math activities in this unit makes it super easy to prepare!

3)  Fact Fluency

It doesn't matter what grade level you teach, there is always fact fluency students need to practice.  Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division need practice daily for students to become fluent.  Having a dedicated center will help students accomplish that goal, and it builds a foundation for everything else.  Games such as Bump, worksheets manipulatives, and other activities are good choices to add to this center all year.

4)  Writing/Word Work

This math center is the perfect place to add some writing aspects to your math routine.  Students can write the steps to tell how to solve math problems, complete word problems, practice writing numbers, do constructed math problems, and more.  Writing is important for math, so make sure that you include it.

5)  Math Games

Students love games.  I feel strongly about using games to learn.  Adding a play factor always helps students improve while they enjoy the activity.  Add board games that are already in your classroom.  Search the Internet for fun math games using a deck of playing cards.  Add math task cards to a Candy Land board, and watch how excited your students are to play.  

Related Post:  Keeping Literacy Centers Simple, Easy, and Fun

See more:

2nd Grade No Prep Math Centers  

3rd Grade No Prep Math Centers  

4th Grade No Prep Math Centers

How do math centers look in your classroom?  Are they working for you?  Leave a comment below and tell me.

Helping you find simple solutions to big problems and lighten your load is just...

My Kind of Teaching!

FREE Scavenger Hunts

How do you learn the best?  

For me, it is certainly not by sitting and listening all day long.  That's why I like to put some movement into our classroom.  Movement is great for both homeschool and public school!

Whether your children are five or fifteen, there's fun to be had in a scavenger hunt, and I have several for you.  The best part is that they are FREE!

Notice the higher vocabulary on some of these.  Your child is like a sponge.  Take advantage!  Don't minimize vocabulary, even at the youngest age.  A rich vocabulary helps expand your child's brain.  Explain the meanings of the words, and use them in everyday conversations.

(Side note - People are absolutely amazed at my little grandson's vocabulary.  It's because we never simplified language just because he was little.  So many people think, "little person, little words".  NO!!!  Use those big words.  They can handle them!)

Use one of these scavenger hunts when you and/or your child is feeling restless, or use it when you need a fun break.  Other benefits are exercise and cognitive thinking.  What one person finds as an answer may very well be a different answer from another person.  It's good to discover that more than one answer will work.

Click on picture to download your free copy.

That's just...

My Kind of Teaching

10 Things to Buy at Dollar Tree in June

Whether you are homeschooling your child or just looking for some fun (and cheap) activities for the summer break, you can't beat shopping at Dollar Tree!  Whenever I shop anywhere, I'm always looking and thinking of fun activities I can use the item for, which is not necessarily how it is normally used.  Keep reading for ways to cover literacy, math, science, social studies, and much more!

#1 - Mini Dust Pan and Brush

This makes a fun game to play at home or on a road trip!  Write uppercase or lowercase letters, numbers, cvc words, sight words, etc. on small pieces of paper.  Let your child throw the cards up in the air to scatter all over the floor.  Call out something for your child to sweep into the pan.  This is a fun and simple game that will have your child learning and practicing important concepts while "sweeping up"!

#2 - United States Wall Map

All children need to learn about geography, map skills, and the states.  Place this on a wall.  Use a pushpin or highlighter to mark the places you travel this summer.  Keep it up all year to continue using as your child learns about important landmarks, capitals, etc.

#3 - Clothespins

Using clothespins to clip items helps your child develop fine motor skills.  Use clothespins to pick up pom-poms or other small items.  Call out a number, and have your child use a clothespin to pick up and count out that many objects.   

 #4 - Patriotic Table Scatter

There are so many great educational activities to do with these.  Sort by colors.  Sort the stars by large or small.  Count the red items, white items, or blue items.  Count the stars.  Compare which color has more and which has less.  Are there more large stars or small stars?  Start patterns and have your child finish each pattern.  Use the clothespins you purchase to pick up the items.  After you've completed a LOT of math activities using this one simple product, glue the pieces on construction paper for arts and crafts. Make a Happy 4th of July card, make a poster to carry to a parade, or make place cards with names for a get-together or with the names of foods.  Use your imagination.  This one activity can keep your child busy for a LONG time! 

 #5 - Cyclone Fever Twirly Toy

My grandson has had SO much fun with this one.  The heat index has been CRAZY, so he's played with it inside.  Again, this one is great for math activities.  Predict which color will fly the highest or the most distance.  Measure to check.  It's a great science lesson for force and motion also!

 #6 - Straws

Sort the straws by color and count them.  Cut the straws into different lengths, and put them in order from shortest to longest or longest to shortest.  Make patterns.  Use the straws to make shapes.  Add large marshmallows to build 3-D shapes.  Use the straws for non-standard measurement of the distance of the twirly toy (10 yellow straws or 20 blue straws).  Use the straws as counters for adding or subtracting.  Of course, use them for drinking deliciously cold slushy drinks!

 #7 - Bug Catcher

Not only will your child love scooping up and catching insects, but there are other uses, as well!  Use these with items in a container of water.  Catch small objects as they are floating by.  Pick up pom-poms, or scoop up rice.  This is another fun way to develop fine motor control.

#8 - Pick up Pairs Card Game

These cards are great for developing your child's vocabulary.  Discuss the types of habitats of the different animals.  Discuss different kinds of skin coverings.  Sort the animals by their skin, where they live, or number or legs, or classify as mammals, birds, amphibians.  One of our favorite games is to turn them all over and play a game of classic memory. 

#9 - Cookie Sheet

Not only is a cookie sheet magnetic, but it's the perfect size to hold in a lap when traveling this summer.  Use it to hold items for playing so that they stay contained.  Use it to keep crayons from rolling off.  It's also perfect as a "desk" for books and coloring books.  It can even be used for a food tray!  

#10 - Puzzles

Puzzles are a lost gem in today's world of technology.  When I taught kindergarten, we used a lot of puzzles in the classroom.  This is another activity that is perfect for developing fine motor skills.  Puzzles also help build logic, reasoning, and cognitive skills.  We love to put small magnets on the back of each puzzle piece, pop them into a Ziploc baggie with the front of the box for reference, and take them along on a road trip (or even just a trip to town).  Use the puzzle with the cookie sheet to make for an easy and fun activity that really sticks!  

(Please note this blog post has an affiliate link for the magnets.  This means that if you purchase using the link, I receive a very small commission that helps me with the upkeep of my website.  However, this doesn't add to the price of the item for you.)

Do you love Dollar Tree as much as I do?  It's a frugal and effective way to have fun learning at home.  Don't miss out next month when I give you ten more ideas to purchase for July.  

Fun and frugal learning is just...

My Kind of Teaching!!!

Homeschool Classroom

I recently made the decision to retire after thirty years of teaching.  Many, many reasons were behind my decision, but the most EXCITING one was the opportunity to help homeschool my grandson.  I set up a classroom in my house so that we could begin doing some activities to see how he would respond.  It has been one of my most FAVORITE things ever!  Check out the pictures of our room!

I am using a small sitting room between two bedrooms for our classroom.  I spent very little money because I scoured my house to see which items I could move into this room.  There is a ton of natural light from the large windows.  The ceiling is very high, making the room feel much larger than it actually is.  

After moving in the furniture, it was time to make the room into a classroom that was ready for fun and learning!  I purchased this clock for $4 from the a dollar store.  The small cork board was mine as a child.  I purchased two packs of scouring pads from Dollar Tree and stapled them on.  It is now a perfect board for any items that have Velcro.

 I added a a soft throw blanket and a trash can.  I already had the plastic container.  It is filled with zippered bags I purchased from Amazon.  They are perfect for grab-and-go activities.

This was a CD/DVD holder one of my daughters left behind when she got married It is perfect for holding several small containers with different items in them.  The small table with the tissues was moved from my sunroom.  I purchased the chair from Target a couple of years ago for my home office  It fits perfectly in the corner.  The lamp is at least 30 years old but still works great!

This chair cushion makes sitting on the floor more comfortable.  What would a classroom be without at least one friend?  Our soft doggie is a friend to hold or just watch while we are learning.  The small stool is perfect for my grandson to sit on to look out the window.

I moved this small shelf from another room in the house.  It holds coloring books, activity books, sensory bins, construction paper, pencil boxes with crayons, pencils, scissors, glue, and a few other items.

The write/wipe/magnetic board is the only larger item I purchased for our classroom.  It was less than $20.  I also purchased the smaller board for my grandson to use.

I purchased this $1 mirror from Dollar Tree.  We use this for reading "mirror sight words" and looking at our expressions!

We make sure that we complete at least one of each of these activities during our fun learning time.  Luke loves to check off each box.  

Another leftover item from before our daughters married is this larger corkboard.  I used fabric I had purchased years ago when I taught second grade.  I also used some border I purchased a few years ago.  I bought the small hanging pocket chair several years ago at Target.

 My daughter gave us this coffee table.  It is the perfect size for our classroom.  The straw basket holds laminated cards for tracing.

 Here is the view from one door.  We LOVE our perfectly sized room! 

My other daughter (the mother of my grandson) gave us this rug.  We love playing movement games on it.  Under the coffee table is a large plastic container filled with pebbles and construction toys for sensory play.  My grandson and I are so enjoying our learning time together.

This is our favorite space, as homeschooling has become...

 My Kind of Teaching.