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 gotContinueContinue reading “đź“š Back-to-School: 5 Fresh Ideas to Energize Your Elementary Classroom”
Category Archives: Seasonal
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,ContinueContinue reading “Back-to-School Classroom Activities to Build Critical Thinking and Community”
🎒 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,ContinueContinue reading “🎒 Kick Off the School Year with the Brown Bag Biography: A Unique Student Intro Activity”
Favorite Children’s Christmas Books
I have been reading Christmas books- thinking ahead for you and your classrooms. Love all my readers! Here are three of my favorites.
10 Ways to Prevent the Summer Slump
The summer slump refers to learning regression that happens in the summer when kids aren’t actively learning. I provide 10 ways for parents to help encourage and support their child’s reading habits to prevent that reading regression.I also provide a free summer bucket list that provides diverse experiences to build up background knowledge, which will help with reading comprehension.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Watercress and Other Read Alouds
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and it’s an excellent opportunity to celebrate the contributions and experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our classroom. As educators, it’s essential to help our students understand the diversity and richness of different cultures, and one way to do that is through literature. One particularly fittingContinueContinue reading “Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Watercress and Other Read Alouds”
Fun and Creative End of Year Awards for Celebrating Elementary Students Success
In this article, I will discuss the benefits of end-of-the-year awards for students, types of year-end student awards, and ideas for end-of the-year celebrations.
Unlocking the Power of Poetry: Writing Haiku, Shape Poetry, Diamanté, and Acrostic
8. Did you know that April is National Poetry Month? What better time to introduce your elementary students to the joys of poetry! My latest blog post provides step-by-step guides for teaching Haiku, Shape Poems, Diamanté, and Acrostics
April Is National Poetry Month: Enhance Elementary Students’ Skills by Teaching Poetry
Six Benefits of Teaching Poetry to Elementary Students
Marching into Learning: Fun and Engaging Lesson Ideas for Elementary Educators!
As an elementary educator, teaching in March can be both exciting and challenging. With spring break on the horizon, students may be more eager to spend time outside or daydreaming about upcoming vacations. However, March also presents opportunities to explore important themes like Women’s History Month, National Nutrition Month, and Read Across America Day. ByContinueContinue reading “Marching into Learning: Fun and Engaging Lesson Ideas for Elementary Educators!”
