What are the best teacher shoes? Although it seems like an unusual topic for a blog post, I noticed that when a fan at the Facebook Fan Page posed … [Read more...]
Attendance Tracker Motivation
Motivating students to come to school using an attendance tracker could be the solution you need. Attendance trackers for students are easy, visual, … [Read more...]
Disappearing Pencil Woes?
Procedures in the classroom are super important, but I am not sure any can drive you more batty than disappearing pencils. When students complain … [Read more...]
Organize Your Weekly Lesson Plans!
When I did the post about Curriculum Mapping, Betsy K. asked in the comments about what my lesson planning crate was and how to organize lesson plans, … [Read more...]
Proactive Teachers vs Reactive Teachers
Being proactive vs reactive can be the difference between being miserable in the classroom on a daily basis, or looking at the big picture and taking … [Read more...]
10 Classroom Systems You Need to Be Using Right Now
When you think about classroom systems, you might easily think about writing lesson plans or your classroom management method. Those are both very … [Read more...]
Feel Good in School February
Character building in students is important work done by educators each day that typically goes unnoticed by most. Good character traits are often … [Read more...]
Need A Lift?
Staff morale boosters for teachers are important for retention of staff members and keeping the overall vibe in the school building high. By boosting … [Read more...]
15 Fabulous Equivalent Fractions Teaching Tools
Teaching equivalent fractions is either something you love or you hate. I find very few teachers who are meh about it. Me? I personally love … [Read more...]
30 Indoor Recess Ideas!
Indoor recess ideas to the rescue for all my teacher friends! I hope everyone is staying warm in for classroom recess with yet ANOTHER blast of cold … [Read more...]
Turkey Tom Reading Over Break
Hey teaching friends! I know for my US friends, Thanksgiving Break is coming up pretty quickly! Isn't it funny how it seems to take forever to get … [Read more...]
The Great Candy Comparison
Hey teaching friends! I was thinking about how quickly the fall seems to be going - for me anyway. And how the holidays seem to be rushing past! I … [Read more...]
Fantastic Fraction Fun!
I don't know about you, but teaching fractions in third grade was always a tough concept for some students, while others picked up on it super fast. … [Read more...]
New PD in Your PJs: 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! This one is called 5 Days to Parent Involvement and it … [Read more...]
How Not to Run Out of Time for Teaching
Do you cringe when you think about all the curriculum you have to cover in one year - and how there is literally no way possible that it can be done? … [Read more...]
Finding Time to do All the Paperwork
She was drowning in paperwork and overwhelm. As a 5-year veteran teacher in fourth grade, Jamie wasn't new to the demands and workload of the job. … [Read more...]
5 Work/Life Balance Tools
Do you have work and life balance? Do you know what the secret to it is? I don't know all the answers, but I can tell you that everyone struggles … [Read more...]
Want to Learn How to Fit It All In?
This time of year is always filled with so much activity that it's hard to catch your breath at times. But even though this time of year is … [Read more...]
Secrets of Stellar Student Listening
True story: I was tired of repeating directions and instructions over and over and over again in the classroom. I was also frustrated with the … [Read more...]
7 Myths About Differentiated Instruction
The classroom is on fire! Literally! And your only way to put out the flame is to use differentiated instruction strategies. Could you do … [Read more...]
Accountable Classroom Centers
As I walked into the classroom, it felt like an alternative universe. I noticed students in various places in the classroom working quietly. Some … [Read more...]
The Truth About Paper Piles
Do you know a teacher who is a "piler" in the classroom? I did. It was my cooperating teacher when I was student teaching many eons ago. For the … [Read more...]
Popping Up in February
Hey teaching friends! Need a little something extra fun for February? I made a fun freebie for you for next month! Groundhog Calendar … [Read more...]
DIY Choose Your Adventure Stories
As a child that was drawn to books and to the library more than anywhere else, I LOVED the Choose Your Own Adventure series books! They bring back so … [Read more...]
Being on the Other Side of the Teacher Conference Desk
I waffled for the last 2 weeks whether or not write this essay of a post. This is a very tough post to write as I like to keep things pretty simple … [Read more...]
12 Days of Gratitude Jar!
Hey teaching friends! I know most of us tend to think about the 12 Days of Christmas when December hits, but I was reflecting on being thankful in … [Read more...]
Free Hallway Tips Workshop
As you are walking through the hallway at school, do you ever see the group of students that is goofing off, being entirely too loud, and is either … [Read more...]
Resources for Fire Prevention Week
*This is a post sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association and Sparky.org. Fire Prevention Week is upon us and luckily our local fire … [Read more...]
FREE Teacher Workshops!
Who loves some FREE PD in their PJs??? I would much rather sit and watch online trainings in the comfort of my home or from my mobile device on my … [Read more...]
Student Led Conferences
You walk into the classroom and see a student sitting at a pod of desks with her parents discussing her work portfolio. There is quiet music playing … [Read more...]
Building Block Storage
Do you love to have building materials as a free time or center activity from time to time? So many students LOVE to have freedom to just explore and … [Read more...]
Classroom Bulletin Board Backgrounds
It's almost that time! Many teachers are either already back in school or prepping for the new school year to begin! I have found there is a … [Read more...]
Chalkboard Comprehension Centers
Need a fun and easy comprehension center your students will love to complete? I was at the Target Dollar Spot the other day (big surprise) and … [Read more...]
7 Must Haves for Organized Teachers
These are my favorite things when it comes time to getting that classroom setup. These 7 things are non-negotiable. They need to be in my classroom, … [Read more...]
Easy Peasy Classroom Library Checkout System
How about a super easy library checkout system for your classroom? Why? Because it's what so many people are searching for on my website right now. … [Read more...]
Organized Manipulatives in the Classroom
I have a great quick organized classroom tip for you today. I've received a lot of questions about packing up at the end of the year, getting … [Read more...]
Simple Lesson Assessment
Today I have a question from Jillian. Jillian writes and asks, "How do I know if students really understood the lesson after I've taught it? They … [Read more...]
Teacher Try It Out Thursday: The Book With No Pictures
I love reality TV! Well, when I watch it anyway. Why? I love feeling like I get a glimpse into real life - not something that is scripted. {Yes, … [Read more...]
A New Science and Social Studies Resource!
Hey all! Introducing a fun new Preston family project: Fun Facts with Alex! It is just getting started. Our vision is for science and social studies … [Read more...]
What to do With Parent Helpers in the Classroom
Hey everyone! Today I want to talk to you about how you can use those parent helpers! Imagine: They want to come into your classroom and you have … [Read more...]
Classroom Supplies Home Organization Tips
Hey everyone! Today, I wanted to answer a question that was posted on our Facebook page wall that is from Pamela O. She says, "Hi Charity, I am … [Read more...]
Classroom Management: Peer Pressure
Hey everyone! I hope you are having an awesome week so far, and today I thought it would be fun to talk about classroom management. We talk about … [Read more...]
Instagram From Your Computer
Hey everyone! I hope you are having an awesome week and you are making it through this winter. If you are my US friends and not getting snowed in too … [Read more...]
Teaching Tip: Keeping Students Engaged
Hey everyone and I hope you are awesome today and having a fantastic week. I want to share a great tip with you, I actually received a question from … [Read more...]
Grade Level Resource Pages Just for YOU!
Hey teaching friends! Just stopping by super fast to let you know about a new resource I think you are going to LOVE! As many of you know, … [Read more...]
Student Gift Idea: Snowflake Window Clings! And a Freebie!
Hey all! Hope you had an awesome Thanksgiving Break and are prepping for the holidays! YAY! How about a new idea for students to create gifts for … [Read more...]
How To Thursday: Twitter Chats
Now - before you go running off thinking you aren't interested in Twitter, much less chatting with anyone on there (I mean, who does that anyway?) - I … [Read more...]
Singing to Spelling Idea
So - I have a 1st grader who was struggling just a bit with a couple sight words, such as very and what on his spelling list for this week, so - as I … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Puzzler
Hey teaching friends! How about another fun freebie? I am having a blast with pumpkins so I decided to continue on to the theme. :) Today … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Sorting Activity
Hey teaching friends! I was feeling pretty inspired today and decided to whip up a fun sorting activity freebie hopefully some of you can use in … [Read more...]
Chalk Quotes Like a Pro
Well, maybe not a pro. But you get the idea. lol! Hey teaching friends! I took my youngest to his first grade Open House the other night and I … [Read more...]
DIY Star Student Poster
Hey teaching friends and TGIF! As you know, I have teamed up with the fine folks over at Cricut to show some fun things you can do with the Cricut … [Read more...]
Welcome Back Banner Freebie!
Hey teaching friends! I whipped up a little freebie for you to use to welcome students, parents, and staff back-to-school! Perfect for Open House … [Read more...]
Supply Bags in a Snap!
Hey teaching friends! So - I was contacted by the amazing folks over at Cricut and they sent me a fun box of goodies in the mail, including a Cricut … [Read more...]
Over the Door Poster Holder
Hey teaching friends! I have a short and quick idea post for you today! It is one of those ideas where you say "why didn't I think of that?" … [Read more...]
Simple Classroom Store System
Hey teaching friends! WHEW! I am hearing so many are already back in school, many with students already! If that is you then welcome back! I was … [Read more...]
Manipulatives Supply List Box
Hey teaching friends! I am BAAAAACK! :) I had the most AMAZING 3-week trip across Europe with my daughter to celebrate her high school … [Read more...]
Serving Up Place Value with Straws
Hey teaching friends! I know it is getting to be the end of the year and don't you love when you pull out a box of manipulatives, only to find half … [Read more...]
Binder Clip Centers Signs
Hey teaching friends! How about a fun and easy way to display your center signage? And I bet you might even have all the supplies you need already … [Read more...]
Unshakeable: Innovate and adapt to make teaching an adventure
Hey teaching friends! I know many of you are in the midst of testing season right now and will be running hard through the end of the school year to … [Read more...]
Storing Sight Words
Sorry I was MIA last week - I was actually in Cancun. It sure was hard getting back to work this week without someone making my bed, my meals, and … [Read more...]
Share Your Ideas for Cash!
Hey teacher friends! I hope you are saying warm wherever you are and safe from the ice storm I know many are getting slammed with this week. Since … [Read more...]
Slider Baggie Counting
Hey friends! How about a fun video idea? I recorded a little something new today for you. :) Just grab a worksheet, baggie, sharpie, … [Read more...]
Are You in Kahoot(s) Yet?
Hey teaching friends! Apparently I have been out of the loop, but this is the first time I have heard about this really cool assessment website from … [Read more...]
To Do List: Washi Tape Style
Hey teaching friends and Happy 2015! I know it has been a while and I have had some much-needed time off to focus on family. Now that it is 2015, I … [Read more...]
Snowman Sam Reading Over Break
Hey teaching friends! Sorry for the last minute post, but you know how it gets - especially this time of year - lol! :) I had a request from … [Read more...]
Marker Mug Magic
Hey teaching friends! It has been a crazy last couple of months to say the least! I hope your life is way more calm. :) Today I wanted to share … [Read more...]
Classroom Job Organization
Hey teaching friends! Today I have a fun and EASY way to set up a classroom jobs chart in your classroom using a few basic supplies that you can … [Read more...]