As we get closer to the end of the school year, teachers in my Facebook groups are asking for end of year student gift suggestions. I put together some of my best ideas! First, student gifts are not required! Don’t feel like you have to give one. I honestly don’t think students expect them. The end of the year is a blur for students ... Continue Reading
End of the Year: 11 Tips to Finish Strong
The end of the year is fast approaching. (Yes, even for my east coast teacher friends. I promise it is coming). I don’t know about you, but this time of year always gave me a mix of emotions. Excitement, anticipation, relief, sadness, overwhelm . . . As much fun as it is to look forward to summer vacation, it can also be bittersweet to say ... Continue Reading
3 Simple Classroom Games That Work With Any Subject
Worksheets . . . ugh! Is there anything more boring than assigning page after page of worksheets? It’s true that students need lots of practice to master new skills, but worksheets get old real fast. Luckily, it’s easy to turn any worksheet in any subject into a simple classroom game that makes learning fun! These classroom games are perfect for ... Continue Reading
How to Get More Done During Your Plan Time
Ah . . . your planning period–the fastest forty minutes of the day! And that’s if you are lucky enough to get dedicated daily plan time. With a to-do list a mile long, it can feel impossible to get it all done in such a short period of time. Often, just thinking about everything you have to do (lesson planning, grading, reports, committees, parent ... Continue Reading
5 Unpopular Opinions About Homework
Today we’re talking about a controversial subject: homework. Just the word is often enough to give you a headache. Everyone has an opinion about homework. Should we give it? How much? What’s the point of homework? Well, I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Here are my opinions about homework. I know they might not be very popular. For a long time, I ... Continue Reading
3 Must Dos for Effective Writing Mini Lessons
One of the most effective ways to improve students’ writing (and writing test scores) is to provide direct writing instruction. That’s why writing workshop starts with a mini lesson every day. Check out these three must-do tips to deliver effective writing mini lessons that help kids become more skilled and confident writers. 1. Keep the ... Continue Reading
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