You just survived your first parent conference of the year. That lesson plan? Finished ahead of schedule. That struggling student finally mastered a tricky skill? Nailed it. These are small wins—and they deserve a celebration! Focusing on big goals—tests, curriculum benchmarks, end-of-year projects—is important, but it’s the little victories that can strengthen classroom community, improve studentContinue reading “The Secret to Transform Student Behavior and Classroom Culture”
Author Archives: Got to be LIT
The Power of a Teacher Check-In Buddy: How to Stay Motivated and Have Fun Doing It 🎯💌
We all know teaching can be exhausting, overwhelming, and sometimes downright chaotic. But what if there was a fun, simple way to stay motivated, celebrate wins, and keep up with self-care—without adding more to your to-do list? Enter the check-in buddy system. Having a buddy isn’t just about accountability—it’s about friendship, laughter, and a little friendlyContinue reading “The Power of a Teacher Check-In Buddy: How to Stay Motivated and Have Fun Doing It 🎯💌”
🍂 Fun Fall-Themed Literacy Activities for October
October is one of my favorite times in the classroom—the excitement of a new school year hasn’t worn off yet, the weather is starting to cool (at least a little), and fall just begs to be celebrated. Why not sprinkle in some seasonal fun while also building strong reading and writing skills? Here are someContinue reading “🍂 Fun Fall-Themed Literacy Activities for October”
12 Fun and Engaging Literacy Activities for Your Classroom
We all know the struggle—keeping students engaged during reading and writing can sometimes feel like an uphill climb. But here’s the good news: when learning is fun, kids actually retain more. Fun activities spark curiosity, build positive emotions, and make reading and writing stick in a way that worksheets alone never could. In other words, whenContinue reading “12 Fun and Engaging Literacy Activities for Your Classroom”
Reading Practice Hiding in Plain Sight
What Skills Are Hiding Inside Your Reading Escape Room? You know that magical teaching moment when your students are so engaged, they don’t even realize how much they’re learning? That’s the sweet spot—and it’s exactly what reading escape rooms were made for. But beyond the fun, these classroom games are packed with real, standards-aligned reading practice. InContinue reading “Reading Practice Hiding in Plain Sight”
📚 Back-to-School: 5 Fresh Ideas to Energize Your Elementary Classroom
Intro: There’s nothing quite like the first week of school—the fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and the hum of nervous excitement (from both kids and teachers!). But let’s be honest: that first week sets the tone for everything that follows. If you’re ready to go beyond rules and routines and spark something special from Day 1, I’ve gotContinue reading “📚 Back-to-School: 5 Fresh Ideas to Energize Your Elementary Classroom”
🧩 How to Run a Reading Escape Room Without Losing Your Mind
Classroom-Friendly Tips for a Smooth and Successful Experience If you’ve ever wanted to try a reading escape room but felt overwhelmed by the logistics, you’re not alone. The idea of turning your classroom into a mini mystery-solving adventure sounds amazing—but managing groups, papers, and time? That can feel like a lot. Here’s the good news:Continue reading “🧩 How to Run a Reading Escape Room Without Losing Your Mind”
Back-to-School Classroom Activities to Build Critical Thinking and Community
The start of a new school year is buzzing with excitement — and maybe a little nervousness, too! It’s the perfect time to set the stage for a year filled with learning, laughter, and lots of “aha!” moments. One of the best ways to do that? Building a classroom community where students feel safe, connected,Continue reading “Back-to-School Classroom Activities to Build Critical Thinking and Community”
📚 Why Reading Escape Rooms Work in the Elementary Classroom
If your students groan when it’s time for another reading worksheet, it might be time to shake things up—without sacrificing learning. Enter: the Reading Escape Room. These literacy-based adventures are popping up in classrooms everywhere, and for good reason. Reading escape rooms combine engagement, standards-based instruction, and critical thinking in a format that students beg to repeat. So, what makesContinue reading “📚 Why Reading Escape Rooms Work in the Elementary Classroom”
🎒 Kick Off the School Year with the Brown Bag Biography: A Unique Student Intro Activity
The first week of school is more than setting up routines and reviewing rules—it’s about building a classroom community where students feel safe, seen, and celebrated. One of my favorite ways to do that? The Brown Bag Biography, or the All About Me Bag. This low-prep, high-impact activity helps students introduce themselves in a way that’s fun, creative,Continue reading “🎒 Kick Off the School Year with the Brown Bag Biography: A Unique Student Intro Activity”
