Hey teaching friends! I don’t know about you, but I am a serious pocket chart junkie! I have just about every size and color they make. They have been used for behavior, daily schedules, calendars, vocabulary, centers, and more. BUT – the one issue I have with pocket charts is that (at least in my […]
Classroom DIY
Classroom decor ideas for all classroom teachers. Includes ideas for storage, managing mailboxes, easy center stations, word walls, organized desks, and more! Have fun exploring!
Manipulatives Supply List Box
I don’t know about you, but I absolutely hate it when after I teach a unit, and then am digging through my manipulatives supply closet, only to see something I could have used perfectly with that last unit. Uggggh – it kills me! So how about this for an idea? Grab yourself some card boxes […]
Create Your Own Big Book of Heart!
Hey teaching friends! Need something fun to showcase all those special notes you get from your students throughout the year? Here is the gist: Collect all those student love notes, poems, drawings, and more and keep them in a binder to display all year long. Love it! It makes it so much easier than trying […]
Personal Student Desk Supplies
With the pandemic, there were lots of classroom adaptations that had to be made. I’m guessing, some of those changes will stick around (at least for the time being). One of those is how students will not be sharing community school supplies in the near future. So how are you able to monitor all the […]
DIY Classroom Library Sticks
Hey teacher friends! I have had a few comments on the Facebook fan page lately about organizing your classroom libraries and wile I do have a few ideas for library checkouts, I also thought the idea below might also help out just for keeping your books organized a little better while students are “shopping.” Oh, […]
Make Your Own {Almost} No-Sew Themed Book Bags!
For those of you who have been reading this blog for awhile, you will know that I am not super crafty. AT. ALL. I have NO IDEA how to sew by hand correctly, or even what a bobbin is (which tells you how many times I have ever used a sewing machine in my life). […]
7 Classroom Luau Learning Ideas
Pool noodles seem like pretty much a summer swimming activity, but it turns out there are lots of ways to use pool noodles for DIY crafts! You can make lots of fun kids’ learning solutions by bringing the summer into your classroom – no matter what the temperature outside. Keep reading for a few suggestions… […]
Classroom Curtains Hack
Hey there teacher! Today’s classroom tip is simple: How to create classroom curtains on the cheap. Some might say that “curtains” are not necessary and I would agree 100%. They aren’t necessary at all and probably won’t impact student learning a whole lot. So why bother? More Than Just Classroom Decor Have you ever […]
Simple Centers
Hey teaching friends! I don’t know about you, but sometimes I wonder if all these centers printables with elaborate activities and millions of pieces that have to be printed are increasing the learning – or will some basic supplies do the trick just as well? I think both are wonderful, but if you are like […]
2-in-1 Technology Organization Option
Now that you have a classroom full of 2-in-1 devices, you are left to figure out how in the world you will get them organized so that they are passed out and returned in a neat and orderly manner. Having the piece of mind that the technology is being taken care of properly so […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
Fact Family Funhouse
Teaching a fact family lesson is one of my favorite topics! I love watching students light up when they realize how they can easily figure out how to subtract without using fingers. Like any other math concept for young students, you will want to start by using concrete models and then eventually moving to […]
Keeping Tabs on your PD Materials
Hey teaching friends! So, I was looking for a PD resource book the other day for an idea and I realized that I had loaned the book to a friend and it still has not yet been returned! While the person who borrowed it, did not mean to have forgotten about it, it is still […]
Serving Up Place Value with Straws
Teaching place value is certainly a building block of math instruction and using items such as place value charts, simple manipulatives, and printables can help to create a deeper understanding so that when decimals are introduced in later grades, students can easily add their prior knowledge. What is place value and how do you teach […]
Flipping for Assessment
Keeping with the video theme this week, today’s idea is an oldie but a goodie that I imagine a lot of veteran teachers still use to this day. Assessment is part of being a good teacher and while many think the only way to assess is through a paper and pencil test, I am here […]