3rd grade teacher Deanna shares how she saves time and works more efficiently.
10 ESOL Teacher Must Haves. Check out these items to make your teaching job easier.2
Keep your classroom organized, your sanity intact, and your social media channels popping.
The ultimate list of teacher must haves to make your classroom run smoothly. From organization, paper products, and more...
How to use the TPR teaching method in the classroom. Educational and instructional TPR helps students understand what the teacher is saying.
Learn the importance of the 6 Simple Machines in engineering and physics plus innovative STEM Project ideas exploring these devices in action
Learn about my favorite resources and wishlist items for teaching remotely and learning at home during distance learning this school year.
Rule #1: Be kind.
10 ESOL Teacher Must Haves. Check out these items to make your teaching job easier.2
Teaching kids situational awareness is probably easier than teaching adults the same skill. Kids come from a place of curiosity and wonder about the world
Frustrated with teaching your child to read an analog clock? Ready to throw in the towel and embrace the digital age instead? Find out why most math curriculums teach telling time BACKWARDS! And one crucial tip to making it much easier for your kid to learn to read an analog clock!
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!
Teaching time skills in your classroom? Telling time comes easier to students when it is practiced in authentic situations. Help your students learn telling time skills by building this into your everyday classroom routine. Check out the anchor display ideas in this post!
This so actually do creative and cute✨🥰🎥Credit : mrs mcgrady_1stgrade 🍎✏️ Like our page Be Happy Teachers for more teaching ideas and methods. A team of teachers sharing the highs, lows and honest...
3rd grade teacher Deanna shares how she saves time and works more efficiently.
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!
Tick-tock, it's time for fun learning! Dive into engaging ways to make teaching time a blast for your students!
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!
Telling time past the hour can be challenging for primary kids but it doesn’t have to be a struggle for you or your students. Learn simple ways and effective strategies to make telling time easier for primary kids.
Technology came front and center this past spring as teachers everywhere suddenly turned into remote learning specialists managing the ups and downs of all things digital. While eLearning did have a learning curve, the sudden thrust does have many teachers bringing their digital distance teaching knowledge back into the classroom… whenever that will be. ... Read more
Three starting points for developing fun, engaging ESL lesson plans for college and adult students.
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!
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!
Raise your hand if you feel overwhelmed by virtual teaching. I see you! (Well, mostly I see your posts in my Facebook groups. It would be creepy if I could actually see you right this very moment.) I know that you feel like you are drowning with all of the new technology, strategies, and concerns
Even if you're not a naturally organized person, you can overcome! These organizing tips from a vet are brilliant and time-saving!
These 25 quick and easy tips for new teachers will help you create a positive, engaging, and effective learning environment for your students.
How can sound be waves? It is a hard concept for kids. Try these 7 science experiments for kids to SEE sound. Learn the 5 senses with STEM activities.
Ah, the wonderful world of Amazon! Click to check out my favorite Amazon teacher must haves that can be delivered right to your doorstep!
Do you struggle to plan P.E. games for your students? Here are a few resources that elementary teachers might find useful when planning P.E.
Personal skills language teachers can use to engage students and make teaching easier. Useful skills to develop and draw on, in and out of the classroom.
Differentiating your instruction can be overwhelming. I get it. When you hear the word "differentiation" do you automatica...
Find out how we are using reflex integration therapy to treat ADHD. My kids are gaining more control over their emotions and improving their focus.
Free On-Demand Webinars Build up your teacher toolbox for classroom management, help your students be successful with centers, and gain confidence teaching Preschool-Kindergarten with our FREE on-demand webinars! Have you ever attended teacher trainings that were not really designed for early childhood, and weren’t all that helpful? You won’t find that here! Each webinar is […]
In this article, discover a little-known but effective teaching strategy that is very likely opposite of what you're now currently doing. It's a strategy that has a unique way of engendering confidence in your students that no matter what you teach, they can learn.
Multiplication can be challenging for kids to learn and for teachers to teach! Here are a few tips to make teaching multiplication easier.
Looking to make your paper grading more efficient? Check out these grading paper tips for Elementary Teachers. Let's get a handle on that stack!
Have you ever had one of those days/weeks/months where you just feel like you are not the teacher you always dreamed you'd be? Maybe you just had an evaluation and received less than desired scores? Maybe your students just took benchmarks and didn't make the growth you hoped for or expected and feel like its your fault? Maybe there's been a big change in your personal life and you aren't giving as much time or energy to teaching like you used to? Maybe your class is full of wild children, who despite being great one on one and your usually awesome classroom management....are a total hot mess when under the same roof? If any of these situations are ringing some bells, first, I want you to stop and think about these next few words carefully. I have so been there...in EVERY one of those situations at some point in my career. Whether you are a first year teacher struggling to live out your dream job, or a veteran teacher who just can't get into the swing of things one day (or lots of days), know you are not alone. Teachers with all different years of experience and expertise have times when they feel this way. In fact, if you were to poll your staff, I'd bet at least a few hands would go up at every meeting. Maybe there's a team mate you are close with and could confide in? Chances are, they would open up with you too. It's nice having someone to talk to who understands. If you don't feel comfortable talking to someone at school (and your family may just not get it), I have also found that there are some Facebook groups online dedicated to teachers. Try searching your grade level or specialty area to see what shows up and request joining. I promise, it's not creepy to ask to join- that's why they are there! Being able to relate to so many people helps to make the process not feel so lonely and overwhelming. Plus, you may find that you are even able to offer up advice from your own experiences. Okay, so wanting to go home and cry everyday, or feeling so frustrated you want to quit really doesn't feel like a good thing or normal, believe me, I know! But if you can try to get to the root of the feelings, it may be helpful in the end and a good thing overall. The feeling that you can and should do more for your students is one that every teacher feels. The fact that our teacher brains never turn off is often just part of the job. Our love for our students, our hopes for their success, and the pressure put on us is unmeasurable, especially for those not in the classroom trenches with us. The fact that you are brought to tears over how much you want to do better, is often a sign of your commitment to the job and your students. You belong there. This is what you were meant to do. Whenever I have a teaching breakdown I try to learn from it. Sometimes all I need is a little fix like to take better care of myself so I am not so tired/hungry/cranky the next day and life magically feels a whole lot better. Sometimes venting to someone really helps. Other times, I need a much bigger fix. If you are feeling like you just can't get into the routine of things, ask your instructional coach to come spend some time in your classroom or to model a lesson. Ask your administration if you could go observe another teacher who seems to be excelling in a particular area. NOTE, when you do this, try not to get in your own feelings. Asking for help does not mean you CAN'T do it yourself, it just means you might find a different way of trying that could help. I'll be honest, asking for help is not my specialty. I pride myself on being the one people go to, but I ALWAYS get something good out of it when I do "cave" and ask. It's worth a try. Plus, when you request the help it looks better than it being forced on you, in my opinion anyways. (And if it is forced on you, see what you can learn from it and try to have faith that someone in your school sees your potential and wants to help you learn). My usual answer to any problem or question I am having is "Google it!" For real though, google it! Search for tips online, products that may help, or blog posts from teachers who get it. Their advice could set you on the right track and help you make a plan. Maybe you just need to set aside extra time to critically look at your data and reflect on it. Have faith that you have the skills to analyze the situation and make improvements when you dig deep and be honest with yourself. What does it show you? How could you implement a few skill groups or small groups to reach those kids? Is reworking your schedule or routines (even mid year) going to help? Could you partner with another teacher for some lessons? Sometimes, you just get to the point where you know what's happening.... just isn't going to work for you anymore. You have talked to others, you've made changes, you've reflected....and it's still not working. When I got to this point (after a year plus of feeling awful), I decided to leave my school and change counties. My change was a drastic one but I knew it was right for me. It may or may not be right for you, either way you have to remember that your own well being is important and it's ok to follow your heart. All of the feelings of betraying my staff and former students flooded me with teacher guilt, the worst kind, but I had to get over them. Is the grass always greener somewhere else? Nope! But thankfully for me, the change is exactly what I needed. I had learned from my past experiences about what exactly I needed in a new school, specifically an admin that would be in the classrooms and was knowledgeable about curriculum, a supportive team with a family feel throughout the school, and opportunities to grow as an educator. Now, I am NOT saying that when you have a bad day or even a few weeks, you should uproot everything and move. Like I said, teaching certainly isn't going to always be easier or better somewhere else. The job is hard! Even at my new school I still have breakdowns, but at least now I have a supportive administration and incredible team to help me get through the tough times. In fact, last year was my most challenging class yet and I constantly questioned things. However, I vented, reflected, asked for help, and made small changes to help get through the year. So what kind of change could you make? Maybe the small changes to your classroom routines, venting to other teachers who understand, asking for help, and/or getting some Professional Development are exactly what you need to get back on track! Perfect! This is the ideal situation. But if you are looking for a bigger change (and want to stay in the profession), Maybe job sharing is an option if you are just really called to spend more time elsewhere? Maybe try switching grade levels but staying at the same school? Maybe try switching schools? Maybe trying moving somewhere else? Maybe try going back to school to add certifications like Special Ed, Reading Specialist, or something else if that's where you are lead? However you decide to move forward, most importantly, I want you to know that you are not alone! EVERY teacher has felt less than perfect at some point in their career. Hang in there and know your commitment to your students is making a difference. If I can do anything to help, I would love to be here to support you! Leave a comment or email me at [email protected] if you just need a listening ear. Pin for later:
Teaching addition to kindergarten students is one of those building blocks of math that begins after students have developed number sense. In this post, I am going to share 5 steps to teach students addition to make sure they retain their learning. Step 1: explicit teaching & number sense knowledge Kindergarten students shouldn’t work on […]
If we know what works to motivate students, why are so many students still unmotivated? These five questions will help you determine if your practice is really in line with research.
Make differentiating literacy instruction a breeze with the help of these apps and websites, Classkick, Newsela, and Epic. Meet all students' needs--easily!
Unlock the secrets to perfect scissor grip for preschoolers! Explore innovative strategies and engaging activities to help kids with holding scissors correctly. Elevate their fine motor skills with
My rule #1 in a series about bringing out the best behavior in middle school students, Helpful tips for managing adolescents effectively.
Behavior issues can sink a lesson (and a teacher) faster than about anything. Check out this post and learn 15 ways to get that control back!
It's only the second day of school and I'm wiped out! Currently, I'm procrastinating on grading phonemic awareness assessments, DIBELS and math samples. My little guys have a HUGE range of abilities this year. Looks like I'll be teaching the alphabet and numbers to one group, and long vowels and double-digit addition/subtraction to another group. And my last little genius boy will be learning social stories for reading time because he's 5 years old and read 175 words per minute already!!! So I'm using reading for an entirely different purpose for him.That's my homework tonight... to find a way to make a reading curriculum of social stories. It's an experiment. I seem to do a lot of those in my room. Special education seems to be famous for "make it up as you go" to meet the needs of amazing kids. Ok, so today my class made perfectly clear some of their sensory needs. One kid couldn't stop making noises with his mouth, another kept covering his ears, and another accidentally wet his pants and almost cried when he told me because he said "I feel terrible that I let you down!!" as tears welled up in his eyes. There was no way I could be mad at that point. This got me thinking about all the different ways I meet those needs in my room. I know many of my followers are general ed teachers, but you may have kids with autism or Asperger's in your classroom. I thought I'd show you some super easy solutions to these problems and others. UPDATE: Here is video I made to cover some of these topics! I'll try to add to this list as I think of more things I use. Feel free to bookmark it or "Pin It" and it will be work in progress for sensory strategies. If you like, I can also make a direct link at the top of my page for it. Oral Stimulation Options (Solves problems with mouth noises): Gum! I can't tell you how much the "no gum in class" rule seems ridiculous to me now. Teach the kids to chew quietly and throw it away properly and the annoying mouth noises stop. I've had at least a dozen different noises I've stopped with this including whistling, squeaking, and sucking sounds. Rubber necklaces to chew on. This works with some kids, but not all. I actually like gum better. And less germs! Water bottle with rubber sucking straw Auditory Over Stimulation (covering ears): Noise reducing headphones. They don't stop sound, just muffle it. Mine are red and hang on my wall using 3M Command cord hanging hooks. I'll post a pic of them on my wall tomorrow, no time for pics at school today. My new ones are red and block a bit more sound, but I my old ones that just broke were like the pic below and I liked that they folded up small. Quiet music, sounds counter productive, but it actually keeps the kids from talking as much and the student is no longer over stimulated by all the conversations Bathroom troubles: I remind the kids to go to the bathroom during quiet work time. I realize this breaks many teacher bathroom rules, but I can remind my special little guys 800 times until I lose my voice, but that does not mean they will actually remember to go during recess. I have a bathroom in my classroom a whopping 2 feet from our work table, so it doesn't waste too much time and is significantly faster than me having to change a student's pants later. Wiggly kids: Sensory cushions. These can be official wedges as you can find below, or you can also use exercise balance cushion. Figits- I have squishy stars the school had made for a conference booth Let the student stand at their desk instead of sit. I usually put this child on the side or in the back of the class where they won't block other students view of important teaching materials Let the student lay on their tummy on the floor with a clipboard Use a weighted vest during work time Let the student kick their feet on an exercise band tied to their chair legs Agitated Student: A designated quiet place to sit without having to ask permission when too upset to talk. I have a stairwell in my classroom that EVERY SINGLE KID uses when they get upset. I've never once assigned it, yet somehow the kids always run straight there when they get upset. I think it's quiet, no one can see them, and the walls are completely bare so there's no additional stimulation A weighted lap pad. I had a boy last year tell me it was like the blanket pushed the extra energy out of him. And it was only for about 5-10 minutes at a time, it didn't take too long. I only have one and it has been there for at least 3+ years. Mine actually has velcro so I've wrapped it around the student's chair before to cover their lap when their legs had too much energy. (The student liked it and it was never a "trap" or forced on him. SAFETY NOTE: Check for laws in your school, state or district, as well as get parent permission before using! Fine Motor Struggles: Tracing Cutting Picking beads/Cheerios up with tweezers Legos Bead lacing Pencil grippers A rubber band to hold the pencil/crayon properly Twist rubber band around pencil and put it on the student's wrist (not too tight!!) Let the students type assignments instead of hand-write. I've had several students that can type at least 2 or 3 times faster than they can write with a pencil. I also have AlphaSmart so the kids can type, but there is no way for them to play games when you walk away. It only types words like a typewriter, then I plug it into my laptop to print. Use special scissors such as the Goldilocks Scissor from Pocket Full of Therapy
This is an ultimate list of the BEST teacher hacks and tips you didn’t know you needed. Check out all the ways to make teacher life EASIER!
