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”
Tag Archives: first week of school
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”
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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”
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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”
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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”
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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”
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Summer Planning in 3 Hours or Less
Oh, how we love summer…a time to rest, a time to reflect, and honestly a time to become human again. We as teachers know how truly exhausting the profession is, and everyone outside of the teaching world just doesn’t get it. I think I can speak for most educators when I say the first monthContinue reading “Summer Planning in 3 Hours or Less”
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10 Must-Teach Classroom Routines and Procedures to Start the Year Off Right
The first week of school is filled with excitement and anticipation. As teachers, we focus on getting to know our students and building a classroom community. Aside from social-emotional learning, there is one more critical component to a successful back-to-school season: routines and procedures. It is so easy to fall into the trap of talkingContinue reading “10 Must-Teach Classroom Routines and Procedures to Start the Year Off Right”
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Setting Up Your Classroom: 10 Must Dos for Any Upper Grade Teacher
It’s that time of year again…pre-Back to School season! This is the time of year when teachers hit up Back to School sales, get out those dusty curriculum guides, and start mapping out their classrooms. Some of you reading this, flip flops on, iced tea in hand, laying out on a beach somewhere, are holdingContinue reading “Setting Up Your Classroom: 10 Must Dos for Any Upper Grade Teacher”
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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?
