small group instruction teacher sitting with 5 kids

50 Thank You Card for Teacher Ideas to Show You Care

It’s hard to be a teacher nowadays, but it’s also a great joy to spend quality time with kids of all ages. If you have a teacher in your child’s life who has made a meaningful impact on their education, self confidence, and day-to-day happiness, please don’t miss the opportunity to send a heartfelt thank…

cartoon graphic of kids cooperating around a yellow table - table points classroom management example

An Easy Table Points Classroom Management Strategy for K-5

I absolutely love using table points as a simple yet effective way to motivate kids in lower elementary school classrooms. What most K-2 teachers need is a streamlined, no-fuss classroom management strategy that will teach kids classroom expectations. While we want our students to have intrinsic motivation to succeed, the reality is that most kids don’t develop…

word wall ideas for the classroom

30 Interactive Word Wall Ideas for the Classroom

At my elementary school, our word walls have to meet very specific requirements because we follow a dual-language program called Gomez and Gomez. But guess what? These word wall ideas for the classroom will support any kid – not just English language learners. The main thing is that a word wall should not be treated like…

Zach and Ann reader from Amplify

A Kindergarten Reading Level: What’s Expected of Today’s Kids

Kindergarten certainly isn’t what it used to be. In decades past, kindergarten was mostly about socialization and learning through play. Now, we see learning through play happening mostly in pre-k. Today’s public school kindergarteners are expected to be fluently reading sentences and short paragraphs by the end of the school year.  But what exactly is…

utensil bag-what do teachers need for their classrooms

33 of the Best Teacher Supplies for Your Classroom

As a former classroom teacher and current instructional coach, I can help you set up your classroom for success. The right supplies in your classroom can make a huge difference in your mindset.  It can be tempting to focus on classroom decorations and bulletin boards (and let’s face it – that’s the fun part for…