Blog

Handwashing for Primary Students

We always knew handwashing was an important "hidden curriculum" skill we needed to teach our young students. We didn't know that it would become something that is a HUGELY important skill. Read on to see how I teach handwashing and download some FREEBIES! Teachers have always hoped that students come to them with good handwashing skills. It has been something that I've needed to remind my ... Read More about Handwashing for Primary Students

How to Manage your Planning Period as a Teacher

Teachers have limited time to plan and prep during the school day. Yet, in order to teach all day, they must spend time planning and prepping. So, how do you do both? In my thirteen years experience, I found my prep times hard to manage. Until, I made a weekly planning checklist! When you have been teaching for hours and *finally* get a prep, the last thing you want to do is figure out what ... Read More about How to Manage your Planning Period as a Teacher

Lalilo – FREE Literacy Instruction

As a one to one iPad teacher, I am always looking for great apps and sites for my students to learn while using them. Especially ones that are free! When I came across Lalilo I knew that it would be perfect for my young learners. It is an innovative, visually engaging, standards-aligned literacy software program for K-2 students and teachers. They support literacy learning and instruction through ... Read More about Lalilo – FREE Literacy Instruction

Chapter Book Series for Early Elementary

As a first grade teacher, one of my most important jobs is to foster a love for books. Opinions on how my students enjoy reading, and how they see themselves as a reader are formed so early. It is my obligation to start them out on the right foot with school. That is why I love "hooking" my students onto a chapter book series! My students have at least fifteen minutes to read every ... Read More about Chapter Book Series for Early Elementary

Free iPads in the Classroom Email Course

If you have been following along with me for awhile, you know that I love incorporating iPads into my daily lesson plans. I am lucky that I have been teaching with iPads for seven years and have been 1:1 for five. So, I have had a lot of time to try new things and refine my practice. I am always sharing bits and pieces of what I do - so I decided to sum it all up in one place! Learning ... Read More about Free iPads in the Classroom Email Course

Reading Response Journal – For Independent Reading in Readers Workshop

As a reading workshop teacher, my kids are independently and partner reading for at least 30 minutes during our day. I confer with them weekly and conduct small groups when needed. My kids do a great job of tracking their reading with our tracking sheets. Sometimes they need something else though. Something to keep them accountable and for them to process their thinking. That is where I came up ... Read More about Reading Response Journal – For Independent Reading in Readers Workshop