Thoughtfully selected first week of school read alouds can help to set a positive and welcoming tone for the school year. With this in mind, I look for inclusive titles that will support me in honoring all students as valued members of our classroom community. For me, this means books that feature diverse characters with […]
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Ways to Show Appreciation for School Staff
Teachers do amazing work, but we all know that it truly takes a village to educate a child. Classroom teachers are able to be most successful with a strong administrative and support staff behind them. Whether it’s during Teacher Appreciation Week or simply in the final days of the school year, it’s important to make […]
Inquiry-Based Learning with Mystery Creatures
Spring is my favorite time of year in the classroom. My students are really starting to gain independence and some basic research skills. They now know how to search safely online and how to use a table of contents and index to find information. It’s the perfect time to put those skills to use at […]
Hands-On Fraction Activities
As they begin to explore fractions, our second graders need to start with tangible, concrete representations. Providing hands-on experiences with fractions can provide powerful visuals and allow students to manipulate and experiment with these new concepts, making fractions come to life as students establish a basic understanding. You’ll then be able to extend their knowledge, […]
Twosday Read Aloud & Free Activity: Two of Everything
If you teach second grade, you have likely heard that February 22, 2022, or 2/22/22, is just around the corner. Adding to the excitement, it falls on a Tuesday! Twos all around! Creative teachers are coming up with all kinds of fun “Twosday” celebration ideas. I’d thought I’d add to the idea bank with one […]
100th Day of School Writing with Aging Booth
I don’t know about you, but the 100th day of school always creeps up on me! We get back from the holiday break, get rolling with midyear testing, throw in a snow day or two, and suddenly the 100th day is just days away! In my school, the kindergarten and first-grade teachers typically have all […]
Daily Math Practice in Morning Meeting
We all know math concepts build upon each other. Students with strong number sense (meaning a firm understanding of quantities and place value, and the ability to work flexibly with numbers) have a definite advantage. As a classroom teacher, I wanted to build up those skills in all my students to pave the way for […]
October Read Alouds and Writing Prompts
A chill is in the air and it’s a great time to dust off your favorite October read alouds! Here are a few of my favorite pumpkin-themed stories, along with a couple of slightly spooky options for those of you celebrating Halloween with your classes. You’ll also find a link to receive free printable writing […]
Making Flexible Seating Work for You
Let’s talk about why teachers are investing in flexible seating! What’s all the buzz about? Research shows that our brains form maps from the body’s “relationship scenery”. That means that changing a learner’s position in the room throughout the day can provide more unique “learning addresses”, which can contribute to better recall of learning. Further, […]
My Best Advice for New Teachers
Looking for advice for new teachers? If it is your first year teaching, congratulations on landing your first teaching job! As you embark upon this amazing journey, you will impact the lives of twenty-something little people in countless ways this year. It is an awesome responsibility and a privilege. There will be smiles, moments of […]