Exit Slips and Assessing Student Understanding

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

Making Learning Fun with Science Concept Character

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

Ditching Behavior Charts for Better Behavior in the Classroom

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

10 Effective Differentiation Strategies for a Variety of Learners

1. Varied challenge levels This is a super simple, but effective differentiation strategy for any teacher. Think about the level of learning you want each student to achieve and start there. You may be asking one student to identify elements of a story, looking for main idea and details. But, another student may need deeper … Continue reading 10 Effective Differentiation Strategies for a Variety of Learners

4 Ways To Get Engagement Back After Break

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

STEM and Literacy Activities for Surviving Christmas and Winter in the 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

How to Build an Amazing Science Program at your School- Part 3 #lessongoals

The last post in this series covered #planninggoals. I talked about how to plan a scope and sequence for your school year. A mandatory prerequisite to lesson planning 🙂 What makes an outstanding Science program that supports the teachers in your school? Calling all teachers, specialists, and principals! Its not a daunting task. I am here … Continue reading How to Build an Amazing Science Program at your School- Part 3 #lessongoals

How to Build an Amazing Science Program at your School- Part 2 #planninggoals

Last week we started off this series with #learninggoals. I listed some must have's for learning goals. What makes an outstanding Science program that supports the teachers in your school? Calling all teachers, specialists, and principals! Its not a daunting task. I am here to help! Do you wish your current science program included engaging … Continue reading How to Build an Amazing Science Program at your School- Part 2 #planninggoals