Data has become a central theme in classrooms today. We have formative assessments, summative assessments, reading level assessments, MAP testing, STAAR tests, other standardized tests, istation, the list can go on forever. The last thing we need as teachers is another thing to grade or another assessment! We do need to check in with our … Continue reading Exit Slips and Assessing Student Understanding
I started Science Concept Characters back in 2009 and they were such a hit that I kept the activity ready to go for any time I needed something extra. Students can pick a science word/concept, or you can assign a science word/concept to each student. Students will create a character for a science word or … Continue reading Making Learning Fun with Science Concept Character
I ditched behavior charts long, long ago, and I have never regretted it! (Don’t miss the FREE behavior toolkit download below!!) AND, I have had fewer behavior problems!! 😎 Not only was it more work to keep up with and more rewards to provide… I saw how it damaged a child’s view of themself and … Continue reading Ditching Behavior Charts for Better Behavior in the Classroom
Us teachers know: the weeks before a break are nearly impossible to keep students engaged and learning. We are just trying to keep everyone alive and maybe entertained. Am I right?! The week or two after break can be just as challenging. We have to get our students readjusted to classroom procedures and learning. I … Continue reading 4 Ways To Get Engagement Back After Break
13 Writing Prompts for Fall with Crafts You need this new writing activity for making writing fun! I’m amazed to see my most reluctant writers jump into action with these writing activities!! 2 options are provided for each prompt to make the journal page work for each of your days and ability levels. 1. Writing … Continue reading Fall Writing Prompts with Crafts or Coloring Pages
My favorite place to look for new classroom goodies is the Target Dollar Spot. The prices are usually so much lower than education stores and Amazon. Here is a quick little video of what I’ve found so far this summer. I’m sure my ideas will change as I get settled into the classroom this Fall, … Continue reading June Summer Dollar Spot Finds
I LOVE to have a stocked bookshelf in my science classroom. Not only does it give a great selection for curious kiddos to explore when they have some extra time, but it makes a great resource for filling extra class time with a valuable read aloud or reading activity. I keep seeing the question asked, … Continue reading My Top 20 Favorite Books For Your Science Classroom
We all know that the couple of weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas/Winter Break can be rough on teacher energy levels and student behavior. And then, the weeks after Winter Break are tough, too. In December, we are all just waiting for that next break, and the kids more or less mentally check out. In January, its … Continue reading STEM and Literacy Activities for Surviving Christmas and Winter in the Classroom
Lapbooks had been showing up in my Pinterest feed more and more, and I wanted to find the best way to use them in a science classroom. All the lapbooks I come across look fun and interactive, and I know students would enjoy creating and using them. Thinking over the many uses of a lapbook in a … Continue reading How to Create Lapbooks for the Interactive Science Notebook
Hi teacher friends! Since school is starting back up, I want to share my secret to keeping my sanity while teaching. I am a planner, and I figured out very quickly that teaching was a job that needed serious time management. At first, I spent nights and weekends grading papers. It took me four hours on … Continue reading How to get your work done during the school day (and leave on time)
