How about a super easy library checkout system for your classroom bookshelves? So simple, it will blow your mind you didn’t think of it before! It’s probably easier than trying to label tons of books, have barcodes, have a checkout system, have a form to fill out to check. Really, I prefer the KISS method. […]
How to Create Your Own Custom Teacher Planner
Teacher planners just might be the highlight of any planner junkie + teacher out there. Choosing just the right cover, layout, to do list, and extra insert pieces makes a difference. Adding in stickers creates a whole new level of awe. Yes, you purchase your teacher planner in the hopes it will help you to […]
Soaring with Spring Snacks
Hey teaching friends! Today, I just wanted to share an idea that I did for my son’s preschool class for his birthday treat. I thought it would also be a great idea for an end of the school year celebration too! It was a huge hit with the teachers and students alike! I certainly can’t […]
First Year Teacher Advice
Hi teacher friends! In case no one else has said it lately, I will be the first to say: THANKS for all you do! You ARE changing lives every single day, whether it is noticed or not. I truly appreciate all you do for your students. Speaking of teaching being a difficult profession at times, […]
April Showers Bring Measurement?
Hi teaching friends! Needing a new idea for a measurement lesson? How about a new spring bulletin board? Perhaps something that combines them both? Score! I am definitely one for working smarter and not harder. As I was contemplating what I would put up for the April classroom bulletin board, I realized that I could […]
Storing Sight Words
Teaching sight words to new readers is vital to their literacy success when learning to read. Sight words are those words that come up repeatedly and may or may not follow the typically phonics rules. Many teachers like to send home sight word flash cards for students and parents to practice regularly outside of school […]
Multiplication Poetry
Have you ever thought of combining subject areas, such as math, with funny riddles? Using riddles for kids (making them show their answers) is one of the best ways to differentiate your content in the classroom. Even better, students can have their friends, families, or other adults solve their creations. They can be as […]
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 it? I bet many teachers would say no. Or they would say that they have tried DI in the past, but it was too confusing, took too long to prep, […]
Having A Ball With Vocabulary – DIY Style
Teaching vocabulary is super important for background knowledge and understanding context clues within new reading passages, math story problems, and other nonfiction subject area resources, like geography and science. Finding teaching techniques that work fast and effectively to broaden all different types of vocabulary lists can feel daunting at times. When students show up on […]
Super STEM Strategies
STEM activities are becoming more widely used in classrooms everywhere and students are loving all the hands-on problem solving that is taking place as well. Next time a student asks “when will I use this in the real world?” you will have it covered. So many career fields are requiring training in STEM to be […]
Curriculum Mapping Your Content
Curriculum mapping sounds like a hard process that might require an entire professional development study session for an individual teacher, but you might be surprised to find out it is really simple – and might just take an afternoon to plan out your entire school year! Whether you teach elementary grades or high school, art […]
What Are the Best Teacher Shoes?
What are the best school shoes for teachers? Although it seems like an unusual topic for a blog post, I noticed that when a fan at the Facebook Fan Page posed the question to other fans, the response was overwhelming and I realized that obviously it IS an important topic since teachers are on their […]
Order Up with Choice Boards!
Giving students a choice board option, such as a spelling menu for homework, encourages a “buy-in” from that student. Anytime you are given a choice, you are more likely to want to follow through on the selection you made. The best part about learning menus is that you are still structuring the content you wish […]
Teacher Interview Tips
Teacher interview questions are definitely specific to the role. You’ll probably get asked about behavior management, lesson plans, teaching strategies, standardized test scores, and perhaps even your teaching philosophy. I can’t imagine any other potential employer would ask those same types of questions. I actually was a late-to-the-game teacher. I didn’t realize it was my […]
Classroom Desk Straightening Tip
Keeping student desks in the classroom desk arrangement you intended throughout the day is nearly impossible. Students are constantly moving the seats, bumping them, and scooting them around the classroom. Having desk organization where you aren’t personally always having to straighten up the rows or desk groupings is actually an easier fix than you might […]