One of the most important things parents can do at home is read with their students each day, but working with young readers can sometimes be a challenge. Helping young readers, while also making it fun, is the key to keep it light, useful, and struggle-free! Here are some tips and resources to help parents get those ... read more
80+ Positive and Helpful Report Card Comments To Use Today!
Report card comments are an important piece of communication with parents, but writing meaningful comments can take time and we all know that's something that teachers are usually running short on!! I always try to start with a positive comment, end with a positive comment, and sprinkle a few throughout the academic ... read more
Christmas Resources For K-3 Classrooms
'Tis the season when students can become a bit...distracted. :) So, my sister and I have some holiday-themed products to help K-3 teachers focus that energy and keep those kiddos learning through the holidays...including some FREEBIES!! Check out this post about using Logic Puzzles in the classroom! Read more ... read more
Make A Difference Mondays
Several years ago, I started Make A Difference Mondays during the holiday season to keep my students focused while working on kind and charitable activities! Here's How It Works! On the Friday before we start, I read and show all of the cards to my students. We have a quick discussion about the various activities. ... read more
Using Differentiated Reading Passages in the Classroom
Are you looking for homework activities that are able to be completed by all students? In first grade, there is no one-size-fits-all due to the varied reading readiness levels that my students arrive with! So, I came up with these differentiated reading passages with comprehension activities at three different ... read more
Six Simple Ways to Start Building a Relationship with Your Students Right Away!!
I love letting my students know about my life right from the start so I can start learning about them, too! This automatically helps them feel more comfortable in their new classroom, builds trust between us, and encourages them to share more with me, too! HERE ARE SIX WAYS I START RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING... 1. ... read more
Why You Should Definitely Make Time for Show and Tell!
Do you do show and tell or sharing in your classroom? We call it Sharing in my classroom and it is a fun, meaningful, and beneficial time. My students get so excited to share their favorite toys, keepsakes, photos, and more! Why Is Sharing Important? Community Building Learn more about your students' personal ... read more
Back to School Book Challenge!
One of my favorite ways to kick off the school year is with our Back to School Book Challenge! It's easy, free, and fun....and I'll tell you a few other reasons why I love it and how you can do it in your classroom this year! Book Challenge Benefits!! Goal Setting This is a fun and informal way to start talking ... read more
Seven Ways to Reward Little Learners
Positive reinforcement and authentic praise are the best ways to let a student know that they are on the right track! In this post, I'm going to list my easiest and most frequently used ways of letting my students know "JOB WELL DONE!" 1. Verbal and Nonverbal Recognition This is the quickest and easiest way to let a ... read more
Got Time Fillers?? I Do!
One inevitable part of teaching is that you will sometimes be left with a small block of time and no formal plans. Maybe you've lined up a few minutes early, arrived at specials a few minutes ahead of time, or are waiting around for a bus or an assembly. Whatever it is, it's always good to have some easy time fillers in ... read more
