Read and Learn
LITERACY IN THE CLASSROOM
Read our latest content on all things reading, writing, and language arts!
One Is a Feast for a Mouse: A Thanksgiving Tale and Helpful Ideas Students Will Enjoy
This fun cumulative Thanksgiving story of One Is a Feast for a Mouse becomes a bit of a cautionary tale when a little mouse quickly changes from grateful to greedy.
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves: Finding Happiness in Change
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves reminds us that change doesn’t need to be worrisome and that there is beauty in every season of life.
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.
MATH IN THE CLASSROOM
Read our latest content on numbers, operations, graphing, and more!
Easily Increase Student Confidence with Daily Spiral Review
Daily spiral review is a highly effective method of reinforcing previously learned skills in students. When students practice skills repeatedly, they build automaticity and confidence in their abilities. Spiral review can be implemented in many ways, but one of the most popular approaches is through math journals.
Why I Regret Using Interactive Math Notebooks in Kindergarten
You may have tried math journals or interactive math notebooks in the past or you may even be using them now… but you’re finding they are just not sustainable with everything else you must get done during the day. The solution is easy – pre-made math journals.
10 More Math Concepts You Can Teach with Pattern Blocks
Pattern blocks can be found in most elementary classrooms today, but they have been around for a long time. They were developed by Edward Prenowitz, in 1963, at the Education Development Center. The set of six colored geometric shapes were designed as a fun learning through play way to help students make sense of math using manipulatives.
SCIENCE IN THE CLASSROOM
Read our latest content on exploring technology and science topics with your students!
This Awesome Extension Lets You Use Google Slides with Movable Pieces in Present Mode
If you spent any time working in Google Slides this past year, you may have noticed that in order to utilize Google Slides with movable pieces, you need to be working in edit mode. This can be a frustrating realization when you are trying to work on an activity as a...
3 Digital Phonics Activities Your Kindergartners Will Be Excited About
Since phonics focuses on foundational skills, chances are your students will be spending a lot of time practicing or reviewing phonics skills. So that means you need a lot of phonics activities! This can be done in a variety of ways whether they are working with the whole class, in a small group, or even independently.
5 Reasons to Choose Digital Graphing
Graphing is an important tool to help students understand information. Creating graphs gives students an opportunity to practice counting, sorting, and organizing to compare and analyze data. Graphs also help students learn how to use the information to answer questions and solve problems. Digital graphing offers an interactive alternative to traditional class charts or graphing worksheets.
ALL ABOUT SOCIAL STUDIES
Read our latest content on exploring the community, holidays, and more!
How to Use Google Earth to Travel the World this Christmas
Are you looking to add a little more technology to your lessons on Winter Holidays Around the World? Google Earth is the perfect tool to use when “traveling” around the world!
Thanksgiving Activities and Resources We Think Your Students Will Love
Teaching about holidays can be fun, but they are also required. At least they are in Texas. In early elementary, we talk about the origins of customs, holidays, and celebrations celebrated in the community, state, and nation. Among those holidays is Thanksgiving. Today I’m sharing some Thanksgiving activities and resources you might want to add to your lesson plans.
3 Steps to Getting Started with Elf on the Shelf in Your Classroom
Elf on the Shelf has been a well-known tradition since 2005. But have you ever considered adapting it for your classroom? We all know that as winter break approaches things can get a little crazy in the classroom. I found using an elf helped our class stay positive and on track through December.
NEW TEACHER RESOURCES
Read our latest content to help you get through your first few years of teaching!
Why You Need to Do More Than Simply Post Your Weekly Learning Objectives
Many schools or districts require that learning objectives be posted daily. This can be a time-consuming task if you are wasting your prep time handwriting these objectives on the board.
Phonics vs Phonemic Awareness and Why Both Are Important
If you went to college to become an elementary school teacher, you undoubtedly took a course or seven on reading instruction to learn about things like the alphabetic principle, phonics vs phonemic awareness, and more. Literacy Foundations, Phonological and Orthographic Principles in Reading, Literacy Assessment and Instruction, and Reading and Language Arts across the Curriculum are just a few of the required classes at my alma mater today.
Power Up Your Classroom Transitions Now: 3 Compelling Reasons to Use Math Journals
Do you know how much instruction time you lose during the day? Do you know where that time is being eaten up? Likely you are losing about five minutes every time you transition – unless you are using that time wisely. When I noticed this problem in my classroom, I quickly pivoted and found ways to make my classroom transitions more efficient.