Let’s be real: coming back after Thanksgiving break is rough—for everyone. The kids are still in turkey-coma mode, you’re surviving on leftover pie and caffeine, and that Monday morning energy? Yeah, it’s not giving. But instead of jumping straight into assessments or new units, try easing back in with a
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 2026 in the
November always feels like a blink-and-it’s-over kind of month. Between days off, parent-teacher conferences, and Thanksgiving break, it can be tough to keep routines consistent — and even tougher to keep students engaged. What you need are some easy November classroom activities. I love using simple, purposeful activities that make
If I’m being completely honest, teaching how to carry over or regroup wasn’t exactly my favorite math lesson. When I started teaching 2nd grade, the math curriculum we used taught 2-digit addition with regrouping before place value. Seriously? Who does that? Once we rearranged the math curriculum chapters (because obviously,
Ever feel like your students’ brains are full of open tabs, and they keep clicking on the wrong one? Working memory is the secret weapon behind strong readers—it helps them hold onto sounds, blend words, and actually remember what they just read. But here’s the catch: if working memory is
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
Have you ever felt overwhelmed thinking about what activities you can leave for a substitute teacher when you have to be out of the classroom? It’s so stressful trying to come up with hands-off lessons for the sub but still engaging and educational for the students. Well, have I got
The last days of school hold the potential to be the most memorable and enjoyable moments of the year. I love to get my students super excited using a countdown. We pull off one link each day to reveal what the next day’s fun will be! It doubles as a
I don’t know about you, but I’m always looking for ways to be sneaky with learning. If my students have no idea they are working their brains but yet they are fully engaged, I’ve reached my ultimate goal. Memory Games are the answer! Here are 5 ways to use Digital
Let’s talk about quick time-filler activities for the classroom. As teachers, we know that our days are full of unexpected changes, disruptions, and obstacles. No matter how much planning we do, it seems inevitable that we have to pivot. In the words of Marcia Brady, “Something suddenly came up.” Your
