Read and Learn
LITERACY IN THE CLASSROOM
Read our latest content on all things reading, writing, and language arts!
Summer Review Packets Can Help Prevent the Summer Slide for Incoming First Graders
Kids learn A LOT in the 180 days they spend with you. If you teach kindergarten, I would argue they learn more than most grade levels (at least in elementary school). With all that new knowledge, it is important for students to review the skills over the summer to prepare for first grade. Summer review will help them be better prepared for the next school year and keep their minds active during the summer.
Too Many Carrots: Being Greedy and Learning to Share
The story, Too Many Carrots, has wonderful illustrations and gives many opportunities to talk with students about what a good friend should and shouldn’t do.
Animal Research in First Grade Is Perfect for Spring Lesson Plans
Easter is a time when many people think about rabbits, and it’s a great opportunity to teach young children about these fascinating creatures. But instead of just focusing on the Easter bunny, why not take the opportunity to delve deeper into the world of rabbits and learn about their unique characteristics and behavior through animal research?
MATH IN THE CLASSROOM
Read our latest content on numbers, operations, graphing, and more!
Classroom Centers Organization and Storage Solutions That Actually Work
Classroom centers organization and storage are things you want to consider when setting up your centers. I promise it will save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run. So, what is the most useful way to store your kindergarten or first grade centers? ...
Grab the Free Download to Create a Center Rotation Chart That You’ll Love
Look at a few ways to display your center rotations and download the FREE cards to create your center rotation chart. While this was designed to go along with my City Centers System™, you can apply these ideas to any centers.
City Centers System: Kindergarten Math Centers Made Easy with an Innovative Systematic Approach
I’m super excited to share some information about the new City Centers System. But first, let me give you a little background info. Over the years, I’ve gotten the most compliments from my friends and family about my organization and planning skills.
SCIENCE IN THE CLASSROOM
Read our latest content on exploring technology and science topics with your students!
4 Ways to Help Your Students Understand the Chicken Life Cycle
Teaching the chicken life cycle to first graders can be a fun and engaging learning experience! In this blog post, we’ll discuss some creative ways to introduce this concept to your students.
Encourage Curiosity While Teaching the Butterfly Life Cycle
One of the most effective ways to teach the butterfly life cycle with younger students is through hands-on activities. A simple activity your students can complete is arranging pictures of the stages of the butterfly life cycle in order. This activity will also help students explore the physical changes that occur throughout the stages of the butterfly life cycle.
How to Make Learning About Hibernation Interesting in Elementary School
With a little creativity (and the right resources), you can make learning about hibernation fun and interesting for your students! My go-to way to talk about science topics in younger grade levels is by using picture books to start conversations.
ALL ABOUT SOCIAL STUDIES
Read our latest content on exploring the community, holidays, and more!
What Could Make November Read Alouds More Fun Than A Turkey For Thanksgiving?
A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting has been one of my favorite Thanksgiving picture books for many years. My students have always been engaged by the story and love the surprise ending.
Turkey Trick or Treat in Search of the Perfect Classroom Halloween Costume
This silly series by Wendi Silvano is a first-grade favorite and Turkey Trick or Treat is a great read-aloud choice to add to your Halloween week lesson plans!
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything A Classic Halloween Read Aloud
If you have ever taught on Halloween, you know the excitement to come can be very distracting. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything is a perfect read-aloud to combine movement and keep students engaged.
NEW TEACHER RESOURCES
Read our latest content to help you get through your first few years of teaching!
How to Get Started with Kindergarten Math Centers for a Successful Year
If you look at kindergarten math centers through a student’s eyes, you’ll see fun activities that are a nice break from learning. BUT we really know that these hands-on, engaging activities are where some of your students will learn the most.
10 More Early Finishers Activities to Keep Your Students Engaged
Every classroom has early finishers, but does every classroom have early finishers activities? Our students have different strengths and weaknesses, so naturally, they are going to work at different paces. But the question is, how do you keep those students engaged?
10 Simple Early Finishers Activities to Keep Your Students Engaged
If you spent even one day in a classroom, you know that your students have different abilities and that means they are going to work at different paces. Early finishers or fast finishers can be a real problem if you are trying to get things done, like assessments or...