Teaching Phonics Looking back I’m not sure how this happened, but somehow I got through college without actually learning phonics rules. Hold on, hold on! I know how to read and I know letter sounds but as far as actual “rules” that I could tell my students…I was lost. And I know I’m not the…
Hopefully the honeymoon period isn’t over yet with your new students, but in case you need a dose of teacher humor, here it is : )
Have you been noticing colorful spools of tape on the end caps at your craft store? And the name on it…Washi tape? What in the world?!? I like to think of Washi tape as the more refined version of colorful/patterned duct tape. I decided to “Washify” a set of plain glass canisters. These canisters would…
Problem: Getting a good, solid literacy block up and running seems so complex, I don’t even know where to start. Solution: It doesn’t magically happen on the first day of school. It’s a process that takes the students and the teacher several weeks to ease into. Here’s a basic structure that I have found works…
Today I’m linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It! I’m always on the look out for kids’ art projects that actually look artsy and interesting (you know, more than just crayon or marker on paper). I found some great inspiration from Kimberly at The Learning Tree and tried a print making technique. You…
Teaching with Play Doh If you don’t have a class set of Play Doh cups, you may want to consider purchasing some. (Or even asking for parent donations.) Play Doh can be used for a wide variety of activities and it’s very motivating for students. Nobody wants to be the kid that gets…
Decorating your classroom isn’t one of your most critical duties as a teacher but if I’m going to spend 40-60 hours a week in my classroom, I want it to be a colorful, attractive environment! Here is what I’ve done with my classroom: I feel very lucky to have windows! I know not everybody does.…
If Not the Algorithm, Then What? The summer before my school was implementing Common Core math standards, we all attended a 3-day training. In 2nd grade we tackle “regrouping” (or borrowing and carrying) in addition and subtraction. It’s a big deal for us, it’s our thing, and we’re proud to teach this critical skill. I…
Sometimes the best way to survive the challenges of teaching is to laugh! I hope you have a full-time janitor at your school but I once worked at a school where the janitor left at 2:00 pm every day…and that is the inspiration for this meme: If you’re a brand new teacher, you probably don’t…
Today I’m linking up with Miss V’s Busy Bees to talk about assessment! Have you had this experience during math: “Everybody tell me what the answer to the problem is..” “Seventeen!” You think: Wow! My kids are doing great with solving math facts. Then you go to test them only to find out that some…