These teacher hacks are brilliant ideas for your classroom that'll make your life so much easier this year. Number nine will change your life!
Goal Setting - This 4th grade teacher uses post it notes to remind children of their goals upon entering the classroom. I love that her method to this has
Amazing classroom decoration ideas including how to add a class fireplace, a beautiful teacher space, a classroom fridge and more!
It's the end of the year! Keep your 2nd and 3rd grade students learning with these theme week celebration ideas.
Discover new classroom ideas for classroom management, decor, organization, storage, desk layouts, fun ideas and more!
Discover new classroom ideas for classroom management, decor, organization, storage, desk layouts, fun ideas and more!
These teacher hacks are brilliant ideas for your classroom that'll make your life so much easier this year. Number nine will change your life!
The best classroom management ideas for online learning, your daily routine, helping kids manage emotions and setting classroom expectations. Plus, fun new ideas for rewards!
At the beginning of the year I was getting the above question about a million times a day. I had explained to my students that they always had the option of reading, finishing morning work or practicing their spelling words. Well, those options worked for a while but then the question came back and I knew something needed to change. I took to good ol' Pinterest to get some ideas on brain breaks or activities for fast finishers. After I found a few great things, I used a combination of those ideas and came up with my own system. Introducing the "Sticks Center" Now, when my students are finished and are sitting there with nothing to do, they have the option to read, finish their morning work or "do the sticks." Simple system that works like this. 1. Draw a stick 2. Do what it says Simple right? :) Here is a closer look at the sticks in the can: These are all of their options. The rule I have is they can't look when they draw a stick and whatever they get, they have to do or they go back to their seat and read.("If you're gonna do the sticks, you do 'em right" I say that a lot) If they draw the same stick in a day they don't have to do it twice, they can redraw. Been doing this for about four months and it has been great so far, they enjoy it and are great at completing the activities. Very little work on my part and they don't ask me the dreaded question anymore! Here are short explanations of each stick. Flash Cards: There are two sets of multiplication flashcards (about 20 cards each) they take them back to their seat and go through the cards twice. Word Problems: The students gets to be the teacher and they write me two word problems. I have to solve it by the end of the day. The only rule is, they have to know the answer to the problem! Sometimes I solve it wrong to see if they can catch my mistake... they have no idea and get so proud of themselves when they catch my mistake! Spelling ABC Order: Write that week's spelling words in alphabetical order. Wrap-Ups: Subtraction and multiplication manipulatives. Buy here. Spin Multiplication: Fun interactive multiplication flashcards. Thanks to the teacher who had my room before me! Random Worksheet: This folder is full of random challenging worksheets. They have to draw a random one without looking. There are all kinds of things in there like crosswords, riddles, math challenges, word searches. Book Report: Students get a piece of notebook paper and write a short summary of a book they read recently. Just for Fun Book: I have a tub full of lower-level children's books. I still think those are fun to read so why wouldn't fourth graders? Spelling Story: Students write a story containing all of their spelling words. Rhyming Words: Students pick a word and write as many words that rhyme with it as possible. Write a Short Story: Students write a story no longer that a page about anything they want! Math Challenge Number: I created a worksheet with a different number at the top. They pick one and each worksheet has them adding 15 to the number, subtracting 25, writing the number with words, dividing by 3, and multiplying by 13. Really makes them think! Write Cursive Letters: I don't make my students write in cursive very often but they still need to practice. For this stick they simply have to write their cursive alphabet. Spelling Pictures: Students draw a picture to go along with each spelling word. Spelling 2x Whiteboard: Students grab a whiteboard and write their spelling words two times each. Dictionary Hunt: I love this one! Students use a dictionary to find 3 words they don't know. They write the word, the definition and draw a picture to go with it. Write 20 Verbs: Pretty self explanatory. Write 20 adjectives: Ditto! Alphabet List: Students write their alphabet, then try to come up with a word for each letter. Bonus if they use past vocab or spelling words. Boggle: My kids are OBSESSED with this one right now. I printed out some pre-made boggle lists with 20 letters. They are all trying to beat each other for who can come up with the most words. One of my students has a list of 112 going right now.. she won't quit! I LOVE it! ABC Order Challenge: In one of the trays I have multiple worksheets that have lists of words that start with the same letter and need to be put in alphabetical order. They are tricky and my kiddos like the challenge. Addition Challenge has been replaced with Division Challenge: A large sheet of division problems with remainders. My kids love to do these and see if they can get them all right in one try! This truly has been great for my classroom! It makes my kiddos use their brains all day long, no sitting doing nothing and a lot less getting into trouble in between activities! Try it, you'll like it!
Because taking care of your classroom community is a job for everyone!
A collaborative blog where two friends share great ideas, activities, and resources about teaching, coaching, and tutoring in the primary grades!
These teacher hacks are brilliant ideas for your classroom that'll make your life so much easier this year. Number nine will change your life!
Get Back To School Ideas and Enter To Win Astrobrights Papers
My first year of teaching, I created an all done jar for my fast finishers and it was seriously amazing! I always had students who finished their work quickly.
Check out our great display ideas for KS2 classrooms.
Amazing classroom decoration ideas including how to add a class fireplace, a beautiful teacher space, a classroom fridge and more!
Soft start, #classroombookaday, and Secret Stories were some of my favorite newer additions. Reading a book a day and our morning tubs helped build an authentic classroom community, and The Secret Stories really helped carry phonics instruction from the lesson to application.
One of my favorite things I like to do is browse other teachers’ classrooms! In person, or online, it’s all the same to me! I just love to do it! I’m linking up with Ashley and Angie for #2getherwearebetter and with Blog Hoppin’ for a classroom reveal- Melonheadz style! Last year I went with a ... Read More about Classroom Tour {2015-2016}
These games are excellent fillers and even better for those early finishers who need a challenge! How about some good old fashioned Boggl...
A strong classroom community is integral to students' success.
Amazon teacher favorites! If you are looking for some new classroom finds, gere are some to add to your wishlist.
voice level chart for the classroom
After 10 years of experience in first grade, here is my list of things you just can't live without in your first grade classroom from a minimalist's perspective!
Amazon is a teacher's best friend! Each year my list of must haves for the classroom grows so I'm here to share more of my Amazon classroom finds!
The best ideas in classroom organization including organizing bookshelves, creating a teacher cart, plus create the perfect teacher space!
Build social responsibility and encourage good behavior by creating a classroom contract. Helpful anchor chart idea and FREE printable included!
This gorgeous reading display is perhaps one of the best things I’ve added to my classroom in ages. And not just because I get to play Carly Ray Jepson songs in class… I cannot claim the idea is mine. But I do adore how it turned out! Here’s how I went about it and how […]
Amazon is a teacher's best friend! Each year my list of must haves for the classroom grows so I'm here to share more of my Amazon classroom finds!
Get inspired by the best classroom themes that you'll want to try this year. Plus, ideas for decor, organization and more to fit your theme!
The best classroom setup ideas to get your class ready for back to school including the best classroom layout and desk arrangements.
use these phrases to get your students attention and re-focus them during your lessons.
Get new growth mindset lesson ideas, activitiy ideas, and more for your Middle School students.
It’s no secret that I am a MAJOR fan of class jobs – I mean…many hands make light work, right? Aside from having 20 or so helpers around the classroom, there’s a whole bunch of other reasons I think class jobs are super important: Helps build a sense of community…this is OUR classroom Gives students ... Read more
Do you have helpers in your classroom? Many teachers have asked over the years about how classroom helpers work in our classes. Here...
