Back to School

Plan Your Best First Week of School Ever

Hey there, elementary educators! If you’re anything like me, you’re getting pumped up for an amazing school year ahead. And what better way to kick things off than with the best first week ever? Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie teacher, a solid plan will help you start

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15 of the Best Books for Back to School

Back-to-school season is upon us! One of the best parts of planning the first week of school is deciding on which books to read. Today, I’m sharing all of my favorites with you! Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olson Why I love this book: Shannon, the teacher behind

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Place Value Game: How to Play Trash Can Math

Are you ready for THE BEST beginning of the year math game ever?! In this post, I’m going to teach you how to play Trash Can Math–a place value game!  I learned this game two years ago when I was filling in for a teacher on maternity leave.  We got

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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

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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

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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

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9 Free First Day Activities for 1st and 2nd grade

The first day of school is all about finding the perfect balance between setting up routines and procedures and creating a warm, welcoming, and, most importantly, safe classroom environment. For a detailed look at how I plan and schedule my entire first week, check out my First Week Plans. ✨

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