Where creativity & learning collide.
With the end of the school year quickly approaching, I know it can get harder and harder to keep students focused. I know I sure struggled to keep learning meaningful while managing my excited students. One of my favorite topics to cover with summer just around the corner is the ocean! You can integrate oceansMore
I recently came across a newer website (and app) called AirTable. Using AirTable in the classroom could be a game changer in a few areas. Because it’s a cloud-based system, you can access your bases (spreadsheets or files) from anywhere. AirTable lets you customize just about everything in it, which makes it great to useMore
Guided reading – how do those words make you feel? I’ve talked to so many teachers who would love to try it out, but don’t know how to get started. I’ve talked to some teachers who are doing it, but aren’t totally sure if they are doing it correctly. I get it! It can beMore
I don’t know about you, but I was always looking for easy, more efficient ways to write lesson plans and keep up with them. One neat way to do just that is with online lesson plans that also make sharing easy! AirTable is an online space to create and share content that’s a crossover betweenMore
I think we can all agree that in the primary grades, our classes are made up of a variety of students with different abilities. Every year we never know who will be walking into our door! That’s part of the fun. With 20 or more little people that we are responsible for teaching, differentiating isMore
How does writing fit into your schedule? Are you able to share the experience with your students? Shared writing is one part of the balanced literacy approach to teaching. It’s such a valuable part of the day that teaches writing through writing. Why to Do Shared Writing Shared writing is an opportunity to scaffold learningMore
Depending on your class each year, finding a solid morning routine for your students can be tough, but it’s worth it! The morning routine sets the tone for your kids for the day. Part of a good routine usually includes morning work time. Today I’m sharing my favorite simple morning work ideas. I hope you’llMore
When it comes to guided reading, there are several components of a lesson. The students have jobs and you, the teacher, have jobs, too. One of those is to take a running record. What is a running record? A running record is a page of notes that you take as you listen to a readerMore
Writing in about science can seem difficult, especially in primary grades. However, we know it is so important! With our kindergarten, first grade, and second grade learners, it’s critical that we help set the foundation of learning for them to be successful in writing about science. One way to do that is to make sureMore
We are all SO busy! That’s why I love a good podcast that lets me squeeze in some professional learning while driving, getting ready, or exercising. Literacy podcasts can be harder to come by, but today I’m sharing a few that I think can be helpful! Some are entire podcasts dedicated to literacy, and someMore
As you dig into writer’s workshop, I hope you’re seeing your writers blossom and make great strides in their writing! One impactful mini-lesson you’ll want to do with writers in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade is writing wow words. “Wow words” are words outside of their regular vocabulary that make the reader or listenerMore
When it comes to guided reading, there are many ways to approach it. Some people pull one group a day, some people, see all of their groups each day, some people rarely take informal running records, and others take a running record each time they sit down at their table. Basically, everyone has their ownMore
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s time to figure out what to give to your kiddos. Maybe you are a teacher who wants to give something to their whole class or maybe you are a parent who wants to give something other than candy to your child’s classmates. You also do not want toMore
February is Black History Month and a wonderful time to celebrate the amazing contributions African Americans have made to history. I love that we have a specific month to celebrate the Black race. As a parent of a black little girl, we talk about race often. Even if we don’t bring it up, it comesMore
Are you needing some fresh, fun ideas for science in February? Let me share some ideas that are perfect for first grade science this month! This unit comes with a detailed curriculum map for the month so you’ll know exactly where you’re going. It also has a weekly guide to help you with lesson plans.More
Taking running records on all of your students can seem daunting! If you teach a primary grade, you probably know just how important they are. I want to share a few tips for you to make taking running records a little easier and make them more meaningful. Remember, meaningful running records can really help youMore
There’s a growing population of English Language Learners (ELLs) in our classrooms now more than ever. These students already have one (or more) language down and are trying to learn another. WOW!! That is something big to be celebrated for sure! One misconception is that teachers of ELLs have to stop and completely change howMore
Writer’s workshop is such an important part of the balanced literacy approach to teaching. I hope you have a good routine in place and your little writers are loving being authors! One of the most important pieces of writer’s workshop is the conferring time. This is the meat and potatoes of it because you getMore
