The excitement, and exhaustion, of the first day of school cannot be matched by anything else. It’s the first opportunity to meet your students and set the tone for your year. When my students walk through my door I want them to know they are loved. This is a space for learning which is messy […]
Elementary School
An elementary school is a primary school for children between the ages of 5-11 and between the grades prekindergarten and secondary education.
Posted inClassroom Management, Elementary School, From the Front Lines
The New, Old Classroom
Going into my 20th year of teaching I am just as excited as I was that first year. I remember spending that first summer in 1996 organizing my classroom, making curtains, and buying supplies. This summer, I am doing much of the same thing; but with a new twist. I have 20 years of experience now to guide […]
Posted inElementary School, Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment: Peer Feedback
This is the fourth piece in my series about formative assessment. Formative assessment is a tool used by many teachers in classrooms to move each student forward in learning. This series is to encourage and challenge teachers to think about the practices involved in this practice. Setting clear objectives, which goes beyond posting them in […]
Posted inBook Review, Current Events in Education, Elementary School, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies
Read Alouds With A Purpose For Third and Fourth Graders
I have been working through several books this summer to read aloud to my students; books that I’ve never read to them before. I love my old standbys but really wanted to find some books that could strike up some discussion instead of just entertain. I have read twenty-five books and have chosen the top […]
Posted inElementary School, Featured, Instructional Strategies, Kindergarten, Series, Teacher Leaders
How to Own the Leadership of Your Classroom: Craft a Vision
It’s no secret that teacher burnout is a problem. A commonly cited statistic is that as many as half of teachers leave the profession within their first five years. As retention of teachers gains attention in policy circles, teacher leadership has emerged as one possible solution. Generally teacher leadership means an opportunity to extend a […]
Posted inChild Development, Elementary School, Featured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Kindergarten, Mathematics
Making Time and Money Concepts Stick
One of the most challenging concepts to teach younger children is time and money. Think about how confusing it is to their little minds: we spend all this time teaching them the worth of pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters, then switch to a clock that is split into quarters that do not equal the 25 […]
Posted inElementary School, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Kindergarten, Literacy, Parents
Engaging Students In Spelling List Studying
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] I am proud to announce that Stewart the Spelling Minion will join our classroom this year. I’ve already introduced Gilligan in a previous piece, who helps with social studies retention. Gus […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Elementary School, Featured, Kindergarten, Opinion
Because We Know: The Art of Teaching
Teaching is truly a calling. There is a part somewhere deep inside of teachers that make them a teacher. It collects, learns and synthesizes what is best for kids. The research, methods and strategies are only proven tools that allow the heart of the teacher to have these tools use as a vehicle to teach. Companies and […]