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9 Tips to Manage a Talkative Class
Let’s talk about a common challenge: managing a chatty class. We all know kids love to talk, and as educators, we enjoy communicating too. But how can we balance encouraging conversation and maintaining a productive classroom? Don’t worry, I’ve got your back! Here are 9 amazing tips for effectively managing
Fast Fact Folders: A Simple System for Math Mastery
I’m SO excited to share with you a math fact practice system that has transformed fact fluency in my classroom: Fast Fact Folders! This simple and effective tool provides differentiated daily practice while allowing students to track their progress in a fun and engaging way. Over the past few years,
The Best Printable & Editable Name Tags Alternative for Desks
Deciding on name tags is such a big deal! For teachers, finding the right way to label students’ desks can make a significant difference in classroom management and student engagement. Traditional name plates can be cumbersome, easily damaged, or simply uninspiring. Fortunately, there are innovative and practical alternatives that can
10 of the Best Read Aloud Books for 2nd Grade
One of my daily goals is to read a quality picture book and a chapter from a chapter book to my 2nd graders. It doesn’t always happen but I am successful about 80% of the time. I firmly believe reading to our students needs to happen every day (along with
First Three Reading Lessons of the School Year
I am really excited to wrap up my “First Three” blog series with my first three reading lessons of the school year. If you missed my other posts, you can check them outhere. While I love teaching math and I definitely identify as a writer, teaching reading is also a
My First 3 Math Lessons of the School Year
Planning for the beginning of the year is so important for setting the tone in your classroom. For my first 3 math lessons of the school year, I ask myself “What do I want to communicate about what is valued in our classroom in this subject area?“ In math, I
Activities and Books for Teaching Fact and Opinion
Facts and Opinions I love having activities and books for teaching fact and opinions prepared and ready to teach! In this post, I’m sharing with you how I teach facts and opinions using mini-lessons and mentor texts. Out of all of the comprehension skills, I have found that teaching facts
Easy Last Days of School Activities to Make the End of the Year Memorable
Ah, May is here! The onset of the final stretch of the school year stirs up a whirlwind of emotions within me. It’s a bittersweet time, really. Every year brings its own blend of cherished moments I’ll miss dearly and aspects I’m eager to bid farewell to. But before the
10 Money Games and Activities for Teaching in 2nd Grade
Teaching money is a refreshing break from addition and subtraction with regrouping. Counting coins offers countless enjoyable and interactive activities. However, teaching this skill has become increasingly challenging. Nowadays, students have limited exposure to physical money (thanks to credit cards!). While some students may be acquainted with the names and
The BEST Ways to Test Prep in Elementary
Testing season is upon us. And while we might not want to do it, spending time prepping students mentally and emotionally is necessary for their success. It’s easy to get caught up in TDAs and test prep packets but it’s also important to balance test prep with more engaging and
