As the end of the school year gets closer, it's important to keep kids motivated and engaged in their learning. But with summer just around the corner, it can be challenging to maintain their focus. Truth be told, it's even hard to maintain our own focus! Beach, anyone? No worries. We've got you covered with some fun ways to keep kids motivated until the very end! IDEAS TO KEEP KIDS … [Read more...]
Pairing Cards for Student Partners
Pairing cards are one of my favorite ways to bring kids together for activities. There are a number of ways you can set up student partnerships in a classroom. Often, I'm very intentional when pairing up children. If the work is academic, I tend to pair kids who need support and a gentle spirit with kids who are patient and natural at coaching. I also try to avoid combining children who rile up … [Read more...]
Sub Plans for Teachers
These sub plans for teachers have saved my sanity on more than one occasion. I remember the year our principal asked us to prepare emergency lesson plans before school even started. Ugh, why? I'm usually a pretty proactive person, but not when it came to sub plans. I was never sick. And I was never out. But then I had kids of my own. And THEY got sick. And THEY were out. Scrambling to write … [Read more...]
Ideas for Classroom Rewards
FUN IDEAS FOR CLASSROOM REWARDS I'm writing this in mid April... you know, that time of year when the behavior plan you've had in place all year long suddenly seems to be cracking. No worries. It's probably just time for spring break. A little time away is good for everyone. And when the little muffins return, everything will be back to normal. Right? Probably. I mean, sure. I've gone … [Read more...]
How to Teach Writing in First Grade
I think a lot about how to teach writing in first grade. When I was a beginning teacher, I would read through the writing standards and wonder if they were even reachable for kids who were only six ... kids who pretty much just learned how to use letters to write their own names ... kids who were still drawing pictures to communicate most of their ideas ... kids who would rather hear a story than … [Read more...]