This section is for class sizes of 18-19 students. While all the photos show options for 18 students, feel free to place an additional student on the end of one of groups, if needed. This lets the students face the front of the room easily and it will be easy to organize with different heights […]
Classroom Seating Chart: Pyramid Formation
Simple Teacher Desk Decor
Classroom organization isn’t just about where to put all the manipulatives that come crashing out of the cupboards when you open them. Or how to organize a classroom library so students can actually find an interesting book on their own reading level. It can be simple. Figuring out what to put on your teacher desk […]
Repurpose That Old Filing Cabinet!
Hey teaching friends! I hope everyone is fabulous! I have noticed throughout various media outlets that many teachers are beginning the process of scanning hard files into computers and archiving them that way. While it does take some time, it certainly also takes up far less space in your classroom! If you are one of […]
Block Learning DIY Style!
Check out my newest idea: Block Learning! It’s pretty simple really, just grab some blocks of wood and some stickers – that’s it! Now, I have to tell you I went to the craft store to grab my blocks of wood, and THOUGHT I was getting a deal. Turns out they cost WAY more than […]
Lateral Classroom Calendars
Do you teach littles or special education and find that calendar time with a traditional calendar format is just very confusing? If so, I have a good option to perhaps change things up: a lateral classroom calendar! It is a nice way to bridge the gap between no calendar skills and a standard calendar format. […]
One Stop Bulletin Board
Looking for unique ideas for setting ups your classroom bulletin boards? It can be so time consuming to constantly have to change your bulletin board every month: figuring out WHAT theme to put up there, digging out the supplies, cutting out the letters, pulling down the old materials, stapling up the new the new items […]
Rubrics ‘R’ Us
Rubric generators are perfect for classroom differentiation of assessing student project work. Using a rubric maker online, you can create quick rubrics for math, writing, or any other common core standard you wish to assess. Differentiation in the classroom is a given, and one way to differentiate is by changing up the product for different […]
Author’s Purpose eBook Freebie!
Freebie Friday is here! Whoo hoo! I don’t know about you, but I have had a whirlwind of a week! At times, it seemed as though it would never end, and at others, I didn’t have enough time in the day to get it all done! I hope your weekend ahead is filled with relaxation […]
Friendly Friendship Freebie!
I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for something that is fun and helps children to know just how much alike they are to another than different. So I created this really fun glyph activity! You can use this fun handout at the end of the year during a celebration party, at […]
12 Fun Summer Ideas for Your Students
It’s time for summer and you have no idea what to give your students or what to encourage him or her to do over the summer break that isn’t just about reading more. Here are 12 ideas that just might mask learning as fun. 1. DIY Travel Coloring Cases. Personally, I would maybe even try index […]
What Are Your Go-To Classroom Binders?
Teacher paperwork. Classroom paperwork. Student paperwork. Parent paperwork. Lesson plans. Report cards. Field trip permission slips. As a teacher you already understand. So. many. papers. While SOME of it can be done electronically these days, certain pages really need to have a paper hard copy. You know, for those times when you have a last-minute […]
Order Up Some Spelling
Hey teacher friends! Hope everyone is fantastic today! I was doing some updating yesterday and wanted to freshen up a super popular freebie: my Differentiated Spelling Homework Menu! I used this menu in third grade (though it could be adapted easily by other grade levels as well), and the students, parents, and administrators loved it! […]
Easy Center Sign Holders
Centers are pretty much a given in most elementary classrooms, and I even think upper level classrooms should also be able to implement centers if done in a “non-babyish” way. Centers are wonderful for allowing small group time to work with students on a specific skill, they teach students how to time-manage and work semi-independently, […]
Slider Baggie Counting
Need something new (and concrete) for those students that are struggling with math counting? Having something physical to see the adding and subtracting of items as they move the manipulative can really assist in children’s understanding of basic math skills. How about a fun video idea? I recorded a little something new today for you. […]
My Teacher’s Summer Break Book
Hey teacher friends! Hopefully this year is wrapping up quickly (and quietly) for you! I know it is a crazy time of year to say the least! While you may already have finished up – or even have the rest of the year planned, if you are someone who still has some time left to […]
How Do You Balance Home and Work Life?
That is the question that was posed on The OC Blog Facebook Fan Page yesterday, and there were lots of great answers from fellow educators! You might want to check out: Need some new ideas for lesson planning and calendar organization in the classroom? This 107 page digital book has you covered! Includes 22 […]
DIY Printed Classroom Posters
Do you love the look and functionality of classroom posters, but dislike the fact all your big company manufactured posters are mix-and-match and don’t really gel with your current classroom theme? I have always felt that way and for years, I always ONLY purchased classroom decor items that were solid primary colors so that way […]
DIY Mother’s Day Silhouette Necklaces
Finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift idea for students to wow mom can be a challenge. Teachers appreciate the caregivers and want to make sure the children show that appreciation as well. Looking through Pinterest for the one gift idea that is unique, personalized to that specific child, and will be treasured by the […]
9 Ideas For Organizing Differentiated Instruction
Do you WANT to differentiate, but are completely frozen in fear just thinking about all the chaos that COULD ensue in your classroom if you tried it? I am here to help with 9 tips that might get you moving in the right direction towards DI instead of away from it! 1. Prepare lessons with […]
Rolling with the Borders
Today I have a tip that shows you how to organize those pesky bulletin board borders. Many have used a cardboard box that you can find from the teacher supply store, or perhaps you just have them placed in the middle of chart paper or a tri-fold board. If you are looking for a more […]