Category Archives: Classroom Community

Classroom Games: Bringing Joy and Play Back into the Classroom

Listen to the podcast episode! Classroom games do more than fill time! They boost engagement, reinforce learning, and build classroom community. In my last blog post, I discussed the importance of incorporating play into the classroom routine. In today’s post, we will take it a step further and discuss how to make that happen withoutContinue reading “Classroom Games: Bringing Joy and Play Back into the Classroom”

Creating a Joyful Classroom: A Student-Centered Learning Approach

Listen to the podcast episode! Imagine walking into a classroom where students are engaged, making choices, and taking ownership of their learning. Sounds like a dream, no? Well, let me assure you that it is completely doable. Active learning, inquiry-based instruction, and collaborative activities all contribute to student agency, which is a vital component ofContinue reading “Creating a Joyful Classroom: A Student-Centered Learning Approach”

5 Literacy Activities for the First Week of School

Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope. It is a tool for daily life in modern society. It is a bulwark against poverty, and a building block of development… Kofi Annon As many of you know, I am a literacy mentor along with being a classroom teacher. The quote above stresses the importance ofContinue reading “5 Literacy Activities for the First Week of School”

Community Circles: Combining SEL and Classroom Community

Taking the time to build community, to get to know your people will have long-lasting benefits. -Clifton Taulbert Ah…SEL… sometimes I feel like we have a love-hate relationship. It’s not that I don’t see the importance of explicitly teaching social and emotional skills. In fact, quite the opposite! As educators, our ultimate goal is toContinue reading “Community Circles: Combining SEL and Classroom Community”

Picture Books: A Window into the World of SEL

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s about learning to dance in the rain. Vivian Greene Although SEL, or social-emotional learning, has been around for decades, it has really made headlines in the world of education since the pandemic. We as educators must explicitly teach students how to manage their emotions. Being ableContinue reading “Picture Books: A Window into the World of SEL”

5 First Week of School Activities Your Upper Graders Will Love

Whether you are a first-year teacher or have been teaching for years and years, there is one question that all of us have on our minds right now…What do you do the first week of school?