Every year I sit and ponder about what my new classroom theme ideas should be. I search Pinterest and shop and typically go with a mood I can live with the entire year. As you know teachers live in their classroom more than anywhere else during the school year. So, I have been busy because I know there are teachers… Read More
Focused Poetry with Poem of the Week
Focused Poetry can be a wonderful type of literature for children to enjoy. Rich in imagery and literary devices, poetry also provides many learning opportunities. I love teaching poetry and especially incorporating Poem of the Week. Through studying poems, students can learn that there are many interesting ways to express emotions and ideas. Furthermore, children learn about metaphors, similes, imagery,… Read More
January Resources for Upper Elementary
When kids come back from winter break, they are full of new energy and excitement. Sometimes it can be hard to harness their energy for school work! That’s why you need some great January resources to help them get back in the groove. I have compiled books and activities to get you started with your lesson planning. January Resources… Read More
Free Winter Writing Activities
Take a break on me and enjoy this gift, I love sharing resources with all of you… and I wanted to share a few Free Winter Writing Activities that are perfect to use this upcoming month. This season we are often busy planning engaging resources to keep our students excited to keep learning. These are also perfect bulletin board ideas… Read More
Christmas Holidays Around the World Activities
Celebrating different cultures isn’t just a part of the curriculum, it’s an obligation to help all learners feel included and valued in and out of the classroom. That’s why it’s so important to show upper elementary students how Christmas is celebrated around the globe. Celebrating Christmas Holidays Around the World can be done with many engaging and differentiated activities in… Read More
Dear Teacher Inspirational Quote Posters
Dear Teacher Friend, I am so happy you are here today, being my teacher friend will be fun and I got your back if you need help throughout your school year. I created these Dear Teacher Inspirational Quote Posters to help inspire and motivate you my friends! First I want to promise you 2 things. First, when you are having… Read More
Meet the Teacher Ideas and Open House
Back to school night means time for parents and students to meet the teacher, share important classroom information, introduce the curriculum, and make families feel welcome! It shouldn’t have to be stressful, however. You have enough going on at the start of the school year than to spend hours on your open house. For Meet the Teacher: Creating an inviting… Read More
Affordable Classroom Decoration Ideas
Whether you are getting a new classroom in the fall or updating your theme in your current room, there are so many ways to decorate your student space. If you take the more difficult route, you could spend hours on Pinterest coming up with a theme and then more time (and money) creating and finding materials for the perfect classroom… Read More
Help Avoid the Summer Slide Activities
Help Avoid the Summer Slide with these activities. Did you know summer time is one of the best opportunities for your kids to continue to grow and learn. Of course summer time is a great time for kids to relax, have fun and play a lot. However we want to avoid the summer slide and I will share some easy… Read More
Effective Classroom Communication: Newsletters & Calendars
Building special relationships with parents and guardians is very important and one way is communicating effectively. Sending Communication Newsletters is a resourceful way to communicate about all the wonderful things that are happening in your classroom. The time it takes to contact parents can be overwhelming, but an effective alternative is using digital newsletters and monthly calendars in your classroom. These… Read More
Fun & Inspirational Teacher Shirts
Who says jeans and inspirational teacher shirts can’t make for the perfect teaching outfit? My favorite day of the school week has always been spirit day or jeans day! So the past two years I have been creating my favorite themed shirts that are both fun and inspirational. You will love wearing your comfy cute jeans with the perfect teacher… Read More
Using Reading Logs in Upper Elementary
One thing I encourage my students to do outside of class daily is read! Studies show that even reading twenty minutes a day can drastically improve reading comprehension and even raise standardized test scores. Plus, reading independently helps our students enjoy reading more by focusing on texts that they love! Whether your students are reading informational or narrative texts, there… Read More
End of the Year Advice for Future Students
Kids love being the expert of all things. So why not have them be the expert of your class, grade level, and you as a teacher! Yes, you heard me. Let them take all that they have learned and be an expert to share advice for future students who will be coming to your class next year. Over the years… Read More
5 Easy Positive Incentives for Students
Recognizing the good your students do is so important, especially in upper elementary grades. Students are used to getting “gold stars” and constant praise in their early school years, but as they continue in their academic careers, we often just expect them to do the right thing and work hard in school. It’s imperative to reward students who traditionally follow… Read More
Amazon Teacher Outfits on a Budget Spring Fashion
Spring is almost here, and it’s time to spruce up your teacher wardrobe with Amazon Teacher Outfits on a Budget. These teacher spring trends will have you ready for anything whether it’s testing, daily classroom activities, field day, or parent teacher conferences! Just like you update your bulletin boards for spring, update your fashion style. From head to toe, these latest… Read More
Strategies to Promote Reading Comprehension
Chances are you have students at various reading levels in your classroom. There are students reading at grade level, students who are reading far above grade level, and students who are struggling to comprehend classroom texts. Regardless of reading levels, the strategies that promote reading comprehension skills can be used with any text. Using these skills and strategies in your… Read More