Your students are geniuses! This may sound super cheesy, but it’s true. Every student in your classroom has a contribution to make. They also have curiosity that cannot be stifled by testing or curriculum expectations. They're also capable of learning so much through their own questioning and ...
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Ways to Make New Students Feel Welcome
Being new to school is tough at any age, but for younger students, it can be really overwhelming! Transitioning to a brand new school after other students have already settled into a routine can be scary. Students are learning rules that other students already know and understand, and they are ...
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Fun Ways to Reinforce Classroom Rules and Procedures
Even if you’ve already started your school year, it’s so important to revisit classroom expectations often to make sure your students are on the right track and ready to meet both academic and behavior goals. This doesn’t mean just standing at the front of the room and spouting off rules. In fact, ...
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Get Your Classroom Organized this School Year!
Every year, I swear that it’s going to be the year I get uber-organized in my classroom. Fortunately, I have set up products and systems to help organize my room, plans, and more! Whether it’s your first year in the classroom or your 25th, here are some tips to get your classroom organized this ...
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Handwriting Activities for Primary Grades
It seems like the public no longer believes cursive writing is being taught in schools, but the truth is, it’s alive and thriving in many primary classrooms! Ignore the social media posts begging teachers to bget rid of cursive in schools. You know it’s here to stay! The key to making sure your ...
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Using Digital Newsletters to Communicate with Parents
Communicating with parents is one of the most challenging parts of being a teacher. Many of us can work with children all day long, but informing parents of their progress, having meetings, and making phone calls can be quite intimidating. Alleviate some of that stress by using digital newsletters ...
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Sight Word Activities for Second Graders
Second graders need to learn high frequency or sight words. These words that they memorize and identify by sight are an important part of second grade reading curriculum, but just giving word lists for memorization can be, well, boring! Rote memorization isn’t engaging for the students, and it’s ...
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How to Keep Yourself Organized this School Year
Every school year, I go in wanting to be completely organized in my classroom. I set up systems for my students, but it’s hard to keep yourself organized week after week and month after month. Since I love to organize and clean (really), here are some of my favorite tips on how to keep yourself ...
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Icebreakers for Back to School
It’s back to school time! I am so excited to start the school year with digital resources that save paper and engage students. Traditional icebreakers like student inventory sheets or “stand-up if you. . .” activities can get old and tired. When students start switching classes or have multiple ...
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Tips for a Stress-Free Back to School Night
Meeting the parents of your students during the hustle and bustle of the new school year can be overwhelming. Back to school is synonymous with busy, and early elementary parents and kids always come ready with questions and enthusiasm. Make your open house night carefree with these tips for a ...
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Teach Your Heart Out Cruise
PD at sea...need I say more??
Two weeks ago, I had was able to attend the Teach Your Heart Out Conference on a Royal Caribbean Cruise ship! I love attending teacher conferences throughout the school year, but having one on a cruise ship was an experience of a lifetime.
The 2-day conference ...
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Prepare for a Sub Before You Have to Make the Call
There is nothing more stressful than having to make lesson plans while you’re sick in bed or have a sick kid. You might resort to having your students watch brain pop videos or do some busy review work that they don’t get a lot out of. Instead of flying by the seat of your pants and dragging ...
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