I love teaching writing. And I am a big fan of writing workshop. So it’s no surprise that one of the most common questions I get asked from teachers is, “How do I teach text dependent writing?” There is a lot of pressure on teachers to help students develop this skill. In fact, I‘m being kind. Many teachers tell me that their admin expects ... Continue Reading
Everything You Need to Easily Teach Math
We've all been there—staring at a mountain of complex math curriculum, feeling completely overwhelmed. Your head starts to throb as you thumb through pages and pages of boring lesson plans, multiple problem sets, and homework sheets that go on forever, while you keep a running list of all the extras you need to create or find to keep your students ... Continue Reading
3 Simple Spelling Activities You Must Do This Year
Do you want your students to remember their spelling words after the test on Friday? Of course you do! That’s the whole point of teaching spelling. But, let’s be honest . . . that doesn’t often happen. So today, I’m sharing 3 simple spelling activities you must try this year to make sure that your students are actually learning how to spell and not ... Continue Reading
Save Time Lesson Planning: 4 Simple Tips to Try Today
Today we’re talking about lesson planning. Specifically, how to save time lesson planning. I bet that gets your attention. Look, I know lesson planning is an essential part of teaching, but sometimes it feels like it takes forever. Just the thought of lesson planning can inspire dread and stress. But what if I told you there are strategies to ... Continue Reading
3 Must-Have Resources for Teaching Writing
As we head into a brand new school year, I know many of you are thinking about what you can do to set yourself and your students up for success. And when it comes to teaching writing, that can feel a little daunting. Yep, I've been there! But what if I told you that there are three must-have resources that could turn teaching writing from ... Continue Reading
Save Time with FREE Pacing Guides for Grammar, Writing, Reading, and Math
There are so many things you need to teach your students every year. So many subjects, so many skills, so many standards. And you need to teach it all before state testing, which often occurs a month or two before the end of the school year. It’s no wonder that teachers often worry about how to fit it all in. But you don’t have to worry any longer ... 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
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