How to Have a Funded Donors Choose Project
Have you tried getting a funded Donors Choose project in hopes of getting some much needed resources for your classroom? You may have found out that it can be difficult to get your project fully funded. I will go over some tips that have helped me get over 20 Donors...
Being an Elementary Teacher – 15 Pros and Cons
Crying students. Tying shoe laces. Tattling. These are some things I think of when someone asks me what it's like being an elementary teacher. Are you thinking of maybe teaching in elementary or are just curious what it entails? Below I will go over the pros and cons...
How To Manage Challenging Student Behavior
Are you looking for ways on how to manage challenging student behavior this year in your classroom? Difficult behaviors can turn an otherwise calm environment into chaos, as it can feed other students. Below are five strategies that have drastically improved my...
Why I Love Blended Learning In My Elementary Classroom
Distance learning is something all teachers have experience in now due to the 2020 pandemic. I have Zoom™ and Google Meets™ fatigue. This will not deter me from using blended learning in my classroom, though. Here are five reasons why I will continue to use technology...
How To Manage Difficult Students In K-2
I love when parents appreciate what I do for their students. That said, I sometimes hear parents say that anyone can teach. This is a broad statement that does not factor in hundreds of variables they are likely unaware of. The biggest one to me is the ability to...
Ways to Communicate with Parents as a Teacher
When preparing to become a teacher, you have a lot of courses in college that detail the developmental and educational needs of students. You do not typically get training on ways to communicate with parents as a teacher that will create a partnership. Some teachers...
Seesaw Activities Instructions on Audio Playback
Do you need Seesaw activities instructions on how to add audio playback to your pages? Adding audio to digital activities can be beneficial for your classroom. It helps students that struggle with reading and adds personal touches to your activities that will keep...
Math Tools for Elementary Students You Need
When I taught a math concept to my first graders, I would have them go practice it using manipulatives in their workbooks from our district’s curriculum. I never thought of how I could deepen learning using math tools for my elementary students. I noticed many...
Using Google Classroom Elementary Assignments
Using Google Classroom elementary assignments in schools is a great tool to use when you have technology in the classroom, or when distance learning. It allows you, as the teacher, to grade, view and assign work effortlessly. You can save all of your assignments in...
How To Engage Your Students During Phonics Instruction
Phonics instruction is vital for first grade, as it sets the foundation for a student's reading. I find it's important to do phonics instruction that is backed by research to gain the best results for students. This was new to me as a new teacher. I did not have the...
Working at a Title 1 School – 5 Pros and Cons
When I first started teaching, I was surplused to a Title 1 school in inner South Salt Lake. I was worried. I heard so many negative things in college from other students and some of my instructors about challenges I would face if I went to a Title 1 school. While...
Classroom Organization for Primary Grades
I had no classroom organization for primary grades when I got my own classroom. Making my room organized was one of my first goals when setting up my classroom, but I didn't know where to start. I wanted to know where all of my materials where, since I was terrified...
How Gamification Can Change Your Classroom!
Gamification is all the rage in making concepts fun in school. Who wouldn't want to feel they're playing a game and learning something at the same time? Bringing competition, chances to earn things, and make progress can drive people. Learn what it means to add...
Best Flexible Seating Options for Your Classroom
When I started flexible seating in my classroom, there were not many options available to me. It was still a new concept and companies were barely creating options for the classroom. Since then, many companies are now creating a variety of options to choose for your...
How to Implement Flexible Seating in Your Classroom
Implementing flexible seating is a great way to have student choice in the classroom. It helps students feel more ownership in the classroom, and it has helped my students be more engaged in their learning. Having a flexible seating classroom that provides choice in...
Word Ladders – A Great Differentiated ELA Centers Activity
When I first started teaching gifted education in my classroom, I was wondering how I could differentiate for my students while still getting the rest of my class covered. I was introduced to word ladders for a great way to incorporate phonics and word play into my...