As I was thinking about US Thanksgiving, I thought about how I learned about Thanksgiving when I was in school. What I don’t remember learning a lot about was Native American culture throughout that process. {Keep in mind, this was a great many years ago.} So, while I was doing a little research, I did […]
Learning with Washi Feathers!
WHOOOOO Loves November?
I adore November! There is so much excitement in the air between Veteran’s Day, the election, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and of course, the kickoff to the Christmas season! I don’t know about you, but I feel like this year is flying past like a jumbo jet! November can be insane and the pressure […]
87 Seating Charts for Any Class Size
Knowing the best classroom desk arrangement for your students takes a bit of time after school has started. You can always begin with one seating chart on Day One, but very quickly you start to learn whether the current desk configuration will work with your students – or will need to be modified. Some days […]
Student Slang for Teachers
I’m sitting minding my own business when my son comes in the door from the school bus and says, “Get wrecked.” I immediately thought he meant that the bus had gotten into a collision with something else and panicked. Turns out “get wrecked” just means a cooler way of saying ‘oh snap’ about someone or […]
Word Walls to the Rescue
Looking for some new word wall ideas? Word walls don’t have to be a standard wall full of sight words that remain static all school year long. You can create interactive word walls, word walls for character traits, or even a portable word wall that you only pull out when needed! There are so many […]
Boppin’ with Brain Breaks
How often do you stop instruction for brain breaks? Is it when you see the glazed look on your students’ faces – or perhaps you set a timer every so often to remind you to stop intentionally for a quick pick-me-up? However you decide to remind yourself to stop for a brain break, it is […]
Easy Classroom Jobs Rotations!
I feel like I’ve tried it all when it comes to classroom jobs! At one point I had different individual jobs for each and every student that I had to remember to change everyday (exhausting!). With all the little, and big, things teachers have to do, classroom jobs should be at the very least of […]
Character Day Ideas
Teacher Halloween costumes are usually either allowed per school policy or not. From asking my audience, I have found that the majority of schools still do allow costumes every fall. I looooooove fall. Even when it’s rainy like today and I’m under the blanket. And don’t even get me started on the candy. But – […]
Falling Into Classroom Management
I know you have probably seen those “you’ve been booed” signs around in different neighborhoods around town. They are fun and definitely festive! I actually don’t live in a neighborhood, but rather set way far back off a busy road. We have neighbors, but not really close by. And their kids are all grown […]
Classroom Seating Chart: Wigwams
This section is for class sizes of 24-25 students. While all the photos show options for 24 students, feel free to place an additional student on the end of one of the groups, if needed. Triangular groups of three is nice for group discussions and projects. This type of classroom desk arrangement would not be […]
5 Days to Parent Involvement!
Oh yeah! I know a lot of you LOVE my PD in your PJs Workshops and I have a NEW one for you that is sent purely all email and not a video training! This one is called 5 Days to Parent Involvement and it is presented a little differently than some of […]
Spooktacular Jokes for Kids!
I know a principal once who would tell jokes for kids every morning on the announcements. It was a great way to start the day, even though we would hear groans from the students and staff from the corny riddles he shared. Students would then start to bring in their own funny jokes for kids […]
Research Resources
Today I wanted to show you a really fun research tools website that perhaps some of you already know about but this was completely new to me and I figured if it’s new to me, there’s probably someone else that may or may not have heard about it before. The reason I actually stumbled across […]
Managing Bathroom Breaks
Do bathroom breaks in the middle of your lessons drive you bonkers? It seemed for me that every time Janelle needed to use the restroom, it started a chain reaction. First Janelle went, then it was Ayisha, then Jacqui. I’m fairly certain they were plotting the end of the world on the back of a […]
Pumpkin Puzzle Game
Hey teaching friends! Who else loves fall? I adore the cooler weather, leaves falling, heading to see th Friday Night lights at our local high school football game, hayrides, cornmazes… And don’t even get me started on the food! Cinnamon donuts, apple cider, pumpkin chocolate chip drop cookies, pumpkin rolls, hot chocolate, apple fritters, peanut […]