Tag Archives: Back to school

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”

📚 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”

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”