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Second Grade Smiles

A Teaching Blog by Amanda Taylor

classroom management

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, […]

Filed Under: Advice for Teachers, Back to School, Creative Teaching Ideas Leave a Comment

Creating a Calm Corner in Your Classroom

Now more than ever, our students need our classrooms to be safe, calm spaces. I wanted to take some time today to share a classroom space that has helped me to successfully support students who may have had difficulty self-regulating or just occasionally needed time and space to regroup – my classroom’s calm corner. Calm […]

Filed Under: Advice for Teachers, Back to School, Creative Teaching Ideas 4 Comments

Teacher Tips for Fostering Strong Relationships the First Day Back From Winter Break

Teachers, if you are anything like me, your winter break flew by and now your head is spinning with all you need to accomplish in the second half of the school year. It’s tempting to hit the ground running that first day back, but the transition back to the classroom after a break can be […]

Filed Under: Advice for Teachers, Creative Teaching Ideas, Digital Learning Leave a Comment

Tips for Stress-Free Learning Center Activities

I love that running daily learning centers in my classroom gives me the opportunity to work with small groups and differentiate my guided reading instruction. It also encourages my students to build independent and partner work skills. Over the years, I’ve learned that thoughtful planning and routines are key to setting up my classroom for […]

Filed Under: Advice for Teachers, Back to School, Learning Centers 4 Comments

Building Relationships with Students Beginning Those First Weeks of School

You’ve heard it before – building relationships with students is key to both your students’ academic success and successful classroom management. It makes sense. Students perform better and behave better for teachers who they feel a connection with, the people they know care about them and have made an effort to get to know them. […]

Filed Under: Advice for Teachers, Back to School 3 Comments

Back to School with Guided Discovery of Materials

Appropriate use and storage of all your classroom materials – from pencils to glue sticks to tablets – goes a long way in helping your classroom to be safe, organized, and smoothly run. Knowing where things are when you need them and being able to trust that they will be in good condition saves time. […]

Filed Under: Back to School Leave a Comment

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