I love to incorporate playdough into our classroom learning time because it is such a fun and engaging way for students to practice academic skills while also working on their fine motor skills. Playdough mats are the perfect way to blend fun and learning for your students. Any time I
Working with your students in small groups to practice and hit their differentiated learning standards is an important part of our day in the primary classroom. However, sometimes getting students started in their small group while also making sure the rest of the class gets situated with their activities can
Have you ever worked with a student who could count to 100 but couldn’t tell you whether 14 or 41 was bigger? Or maybe you’ve watched a child confidently recite numbers while still struggling to connect those numbers to actual quantities. These are some of the most common challenges we
Have you ever heard of Bat Week? It is an international event celebrated every year from October 24th to 31st. It is the perfect time of year to honor these spooky creatures that may go bump in the night. Bat Week is an annual celebration that happens to celebrate and
Hands-on learning is so important for all students, but especially younger ones. Students are able to explore new concepts in all kinds of different ways. Hands-on learning also helps to engage the brain to create and expand new ideas. It is our job as teachers to find new and exciting
Every fall, teachers are looking for fresh ways to keep students engaged while still covering important science, literacy, and vocabulary skills. Between changing routines, seasonal excitement, and packed lesson plans, it can be challenging to find activities that are both hands-on and meaningful. The good news? Fall is full of
Do you love teaching about Community Helpers but feel overwhelmed at the thought of planning out your unit? I totally get it! There is SO much to cover in this theme. That’s why I’ve put together this roundup of 7 ideas that will help cut through the clutter and simplify
There’s no denying that guided reading in small groups is a game-changer when it comes to mastering phonics skills. But. . . when it comes to organizing your groups and planning activities, it can feel a little overwhelming. Especially when it comes to planning a warm-up that works for every
For the first few weeks of school, we always focus on the basics such as how to be a friend, sharing, walking in a line, sitting on the carpet, writing our name, how to use our materials, and of course… LETTERS! Many students do not enter Kindergarten with a strong
And just like that. . . science lessons get pushed out to Friday, again! Kindergarten science is one of my favorite things to teach, but it never seems that we have enough time in our schedule to really dive in. Because of this, I’ve had to learn to embrace lessons