Blog

Reading

Math

Writing

Classroom Management

Book Lists

Shop

Category: teacher tips

Kindness is so important, but doesn't come easily to everyone. Sometimes we need to explicitly teach and model this trait for our students just as we would for academic skills. Here are some easy ways to encourage kindness in the classroom.

Ways to Encourage Kindness in the Classroom

Kindness is so important, but doesn't come easily to everyone. Sometimes we need to explicitly teach and model this trait for our students just as we would for academic skills. Here are some easy ways to encourage kindness in the classroom.
Read More
Whether you're a brand new teacher, a veteran, or somewhere in between, you've probably encountered a challenging student or two in the classroom. I know I have. It's important to create an environment that is welcoming, but also one where learning can take place. Here are some classroom management tips to help you maintain that balance.

Classroom Management Tips

Whether you're a brand new teacher, a veteran, or somewhere in between, you've probably encountered a challenging student or two in the classroom. I know I have. It's important to create an environment that is welcoming, but also one where learning can take place. Here are some classroom management tips to help you maintain that balance.
Read More

Hundreds Chart Activities

Hundreds charts are a valuable tool for helping kids master counting skills, developing number sense, recognizing patterns, and more. Here are some of my favorite hundreds chart activities and games to try in the classroom or at home.
Read More
Birthdays, holidays, and milestone celebrations happen all year round. Looking for the perfect gift? Here are 10 reasons why books make great gifts.

Reasons Why Books Make Great Gifts

Birthdays, holidays, and milestone celebrations happen all year round. Looking for the perfect gift? Here are 10 reasons why books make great gifts.
Read More

Benefits of Nonfiction Texts in the Primary Classroom

If you've been around for awhile, you know how much I love to share picture books and chapter books with kids. There's something so exciting about getting caught up in the characters and storyline. But I also know how important it is to share nonfiction texts with students. Here are several reasons why children need nonfiction in the primary classroom.
Read More

3 Ways to Foster Gratitude in the Classroom

If you want your students to switch their mindset from one of entitlement to one of gratitude, you need to model and instill a community in your classroom that values that trait. Here are three 3 ways to foster gratitude in the classroom.
Read More

Read Aloud Tips

Reading aloud to children of all ages is so important. Some teachers and families don't make time for read aloud because of busy schedules, lack of books, or because their kids can already read independently. If that sounds familiar, here are some read aloud tips to make this time work in the classroom or at home.
Read More
Are you ready to try goal setting with your students this year, but not sure how to start? Grab an inspiring picture book to help set the tone! Here are some picture books for goal setting that might just inspire your students to dream big!

Picture Books for Goal Setting

Are you ready to try goal setting with your students this year, but not sure how to start? Grab an inspiring picture book to help set the tone! Here are some picture books for goal setting that might just inspire your students to dream big!
Read More

Library Organization App

Over the years, my children's book collection has continued to grow.  Since technology is just about everywhere, it only made sense to have a digital database for all of my books. I finally found a library organization app to help me keep track of my books and I want to share more about it with you. This app will not only help me keep track of what I already own, but I can also use it to know exactly where a book is located in my house or who has borrowed it.
Read More
Thinking Games for Kids

Games That Build Thinking Skills

My family loves playing games. Now that my kids are getting older, the variety of games we can play has quickly expanded to include games that build thinking skills. Here are some of our favorite logic, strategy, and critical thinking games. A few of these games could easily be adapted for classroom use, too!
Read More

Ideas for Spelling and Sight Word Practice

Are you looking for new ways to practice spelling and sight words? Here are several activities you can try in the classroom or at home with your kids. Your kids will have so much fun practicing their words!
Read More

Dice and Card Games Your Kids Will Love

One of our favorite things to do as a family is play games. Playing games is not only fun, but games can be educational, too. Kids can work on math skills, strategic thinking, taking turns, sportsmanship, and more! Here are some of our family's favorite dice and card games that I think your kids will love! Who knows, you might even find a new favorite for the classroom, too.
Read More
Are you struggling to get your reluctant readers excited about the books available to them? Are your students losing interest in reading in favor of daydreaming about warmer weather? Here are some of my favorite ways to get my students excited about books throughout the school year!

Ways to Get Your Students Excited About Books

Are you struggling to get your reluctant readers excited about the books available to them? Are your students losing interest in reading in favor of daydreaming about warmer weather? Here are some of my favorite ways to get my students excited about books throughout the school year!
Read More
Math manipulatives keep students engaged and provide hands-on opportunities to make learning more concrete. Here are my favorite math manipulatives for the primary classroom.

Best Math Manipulatives for the Primary Classroom

Math manipulatives keep students engaged and provide hands-on opportunities to make learning more concrete. Here are my favorite math manipulatives for the primary classroom along with a few tips to help you manage these materials.
Read More
Have you thought about using novels with small groups, but aren't sure where to start? It is definitely possible to do so in the primary grades! Here's how I got started using chapter books with my second graders during my small group time.

Using Novels with Small Groups

Have you thought about using novels with small groups, but aren't sure where to start? It is definitely possible to do so in the primary grades! Here's how I got started using chapter books with my second graders during my small group time.
Read More