Tag Archives: back to school

3 Types of Brain Breaks To Improve Focus

In my classroom, we work hard, we play hard. Everyone needs brain breaks, even adults! Students cannot be expected to focus and remain silent for hours. In order to get them to focus during the moments that matter most (i.e. direct instruction), they must have breaks where they can play and simply enjoy being kids.Continue reading “3 Types of Brain Breaks To Improve Focus”

Morning Work: A Time for Play Not Just Practice

Ahh…morning work…a classic way to start the day. This is a tried-and-true strategy, and in my humble opinion, it is a solid way to get the kids in school mode as soon as they walk in the door. Now, often that morning work consists of a worksheet or spiral review. Although that is a goodContinue reading “Morning Work: A Time for Play Not Just Practice”

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”

From Passive to Active: 3 Student Engagement Strategies You’ll Love

Engagement happens when students feel safe, valued, and challenged at the right level. -Carol Ann Tomlinson That’s a big ask…How can we make our classroom environment safe and welcoming all while differentiating? It starts with classroom setup and classroom management. In my last post, we tackled how to create such environment by considering traffic flow,Continue reading “From Passive to Active: 3 Student Engagement Strategies You’ll Love”

Classroom Setup on a Budget: 3 Hacks Save You Money

Listen to the podcast episode instead. How do I create a warm, welcoming classroom environment on a budget? Everyone loves a good classroom theme…myself included! For me, your classroom theme represents your personality as a teacher and creates a vibe that sets the tone of your room for the rest of the year. Whether youContinue reading “Classroom Setup on a Budget: 3 Hacks Save You Money”

Three Literacy Assessments You Need to Target the Science of Reading

The start of the school year is both exciting and chaotic…when it comes to the back to school season, there is never a shortage of skills to teach. SEL (social-emotional learning), character traits, literacy skills, and the science of reading…the list goes on and on. One task that must not be forgotten during these firstContinue reading “Three Literacy Assessments You Need to Target the Science of Reading”

The Science of Reading from Day 1: How to Include Literacy Practices into Your Back to School Plans

Listen to the podcast. Aww…back to school…the smell of sharpened pencils, the excitement of new books, the smiling faces of your new classroom family…there is something very special about the start of a brand new school year. Although I truly love back to school season (despite mourning the loss of my summer break), it canContinue reading “The Science of Reading from Day 1: How to Include Literacy Practices into Your Back to School Plans”

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”