Have you heard about the Kindness Rocks Project? The trend started several years ago with the simple mission of "one message at just the right moment can change someone's entire day, outlook, life." This mission spoke to me and I wanted to bring it to life in my classroom. The project started ... READ the POST
5 Chapter Books to Read Aloud This Year
Read-aloud time is my favorite part of the day. We come together as a class to listen and discuss books. The conversation is important because it helps us grow. There are many ways to choose read-aloud books. I look for books that will spark conversations. I also like to use the first book in a ... READ the POST
Instagram Worthy Classroom Activities
My friend Luke teaches history at the secondary level. He just shared a great blog post about "insta-worthy" teaching activities that are great for any level! The title refers to museums catering their exhibits to Instagram. Because people love documenting their experiences on social media, museums ... READ the POST
STEM Challenges with Classroom Buddies
Have you ever considered starting a buddy program? I did and I loved it! Older students act as mentors to younger students and both groups gain from the experience. Younger students get the opportunity to learn and grow with an older peer model while older students develop important skills like ... READ the POST
Fun February Activities for the Upper Elementary Classroom
The month of February lends itself easily to holiday-themed activities and projects. Groundhog Day, the 100th Day of School, and Valentine's Day are all perfect for school. I don't celebrate Groundhog Day, but I do like to incorporate some holiday fun for my fifth graders because let's face it ... READ the POST
How to Keep Elementary Students Engaged in December
It's the most wonderful time of the year. Or is it? It's only the beginning of December, but students everywhere are counting down the days until the holiday break. Let's face it - some teachers are, too. Finding activities to keep students engaged at this time of year can be a challenge. Here are ... READ the POST
Digital Math Centers for Upper Elementary
Math stations or centers are an important component of Math Workshop. My students rotate through four centers each day: Math Facts & More, At Your Pace (independent work), Teacher's Choice, and Hands-on. The Hand's On station is my digital station. Digital centers are perfect for the ... READ the POST
Student-Led Conferences
Parent conferences can be stressful for teachers, parents, and students. The purpose of a conference is to discuss student learning, but planning and organizing conferences can be time-consuming. What if I told you that I found a system that works? I realized that students should take part in ... READ the POST
Tips for Teaching Volume
Volume can be a difficult concept for students. Fifth-grade students are expected to understand the concept of volume, calculate volume by counting cubes and by using a formula, and understand that volume is additive. Here are my tried and true tips for teaching volume. 1. Review Area ... READ the POST
How to Get Started with Google Classroom
Are you using Google Classroom? I started using it a few years ago and I LOVE it! Fun fact: Youdon’t need to be a 1:1 school to use it! I have access to a shared Chromebook cart and use GoogleClassroom every day. I have embraced the power of digital learning in my classroom and you can, too.The ... READ the POST
