February is just around the corner, and for educators that means Black History Month is too. Below you’ll find a quick reference guide for several figures in American history (who I think are inspiring!) as well as a list of kid-friendly resources for Black History Month. This list is not comprehensive but provides some ideas […]
Snowman Says, “Welcome!”
Winter can be a dreary time of year. Sometimes you feel sluggish after Christmas vacation. The students come back, and you feel like you are starting from square one. What better way to brighten up your classroom than with a cleverly decorated door! This year I saw a really great winter door decoration on Pinterest. […]
Birthday “Crackers”
Each year our students celebrate their birthdays at school. Over the years, I have done some different things to make the day special for them. This year I came across an idea in Stephanie’s blog Third Grade Thoughts. She makes birthday crackers for each student. These aren’t the kind of crackers that you eat but […]
Building Up Good Behavior
December and January can be challenging months for children to focus and stay on task. Let’s face it, with all the thoughts of presents and days off from school, there’s not much room for math facts and spelling words! To help keep my students motivated, I encourage them to “build up good behavior!” Each student […]
Writing to Persuade
Chapter six of our English textbook covers the concept of writing an essay to persuade. We grade one writing project per quarter, but this essay is one of the writing projects that we choose not to grade, making it a bit more relaxed for the students. First, we write a class essay together. This is […]
Bring on the New Year’s Resolutions!
It’s a new year, which means a fresh start, new opportunities, and . . . New Year’s resolutions. Have you made any resolutions yet? Maybe this year you’re determined to exercise more, spend more time with your family, or start a new hobby. Wanting to do those things is wonderful, and I encourage you to […]
Two Expressions of Love
Ten years ago, as a junior in college, I had the opportunity to see love in action—on both ends of the marriage spectrum. My brother got married that summer, and I witnessed him and his bride, deeply “in love,” pledge their lives to each other. I heard them talk excitedly about their plans for their […]