Classroom Ideas

5 New Year’s Activities for Ringing in 2025

Although we might not quite be ready for that first school day of the new year, it’ll be here before we know it. So, while I’m sorta, kinda dreading it (sorry, not sorry), I’m napping… I mean, prepping. Here are 5 New Year’s activities for ringing in 2025 in the

Read More »

Tech Tools to Try This Year

One of the really wonderful things to come from 2020 was the urgency it created to learn new things. I’m sure we all learned some new tricks out of necessity. Here are some tech tools I will continue to use and encourage you to try this year! I’ve always considered

Read More »

Easy Holiday Classroom Activities for Teaching in December

December is here, and the holiday spirit is in full swing! With all the excitement buzzing in your classroom, it’s the perfect time to blend learning and celebration. Whether you’re looking for ways to keep your students focused or just want to sprinkle some holiday magic into your lessons, these

Read More »

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

Read More »

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

Read More »

One Thing You Should Always Keep in Your Classroom

There are so many classroom tools out there–technology, gadgets, manipulatives, and hands-on activities. It can be overwhelming to choose which is most effective! But, there is ONE thing I always keep in my classroom and it’s never failed me yet. No matter how amazing the lesson plan is, the inevitable

Read More »

3 Powerful Classroom Engagement Strategies for This December

It’s December! Busy, chilly, stressful, fun, frantic, fabulous December. Your students’ excitement is building while you are just trying to cross off your gift to-do list (what do I get my parents?!) while still maintaining some sense of classroom normalcy. Keeping the engagement level high during December can be difficult.

Read More »

5 Easy Ways to Practice Classmates Names

The beginning of the school year is overwhelming. There are so many things to prep, plan for and teach. It’s easy to forget the “little things.” Having your students learn their classmates’ names is so important. In my first year of teaching, I was SO proud of how quickly I

Read More »

Back to School Lesson Plans (with FREE activities)

Last week was full of classroom prep and professional development (some good, some not so good). Now it’s time to get excited for a new school year! I finished my back to school plans about a month ago…although some things have been tweaked and changed. Today, I’m sharing everything I

Read More »

Easy and Fun First Week Back to School Activities

Get ready for the new school year! Teachers will be starting tomorrow, and our first day with students is coming up on Monday. I can’t wait to show you my awesome first week lesson plans and the resources I’ll be using for the first week. Let’s make this school year

Read More »