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…
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…
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…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! But before you can relax on Christmas break, you have to plan a special holiday party for your sweet fourth graders. Below are my favorite classroom Christmas party ideas for 4th grade. Of course, these could work really well for third graders and fifth graders, too! You…
Are you planning for your annual holiday party at school? I’m guessing you’ll have some combination of games, decorations, sweet treats, and some type of book or toy exchange. If you’re like most teachers, it’s pretty stressful trying to pull off a special Christmas party with the added pressure of extra parents in the classroom,…
There’s nothing more fun than a classroom pet to bring a bit of joy to your school day and an extra dose of learning for your kids. But teachers have enough to do already, so you need to be careful as you make a decision about what to bring into your room. Any animal that…