Blog

One of the most difficult questions I get in my Facebook Group is "How can I keep my students engaged in their centers while working independently?" This one is a little tricky, because it cannot be answered with just one suggestion.  Having the 100% engagement can be achieved, but only with the perfect mix of classroom management, culture, and strategy ...
Read More

Do you find that making time for fluency is almost impossible? We have so many demands that are placed on us, and by the end of the day we just. don't. have. time. How am I supposed to monitor every one of my students and make sure they are I felt the same way until I implemented a Daily Fluency ...
Read More

Managing everything that goes into your reading block can be quite the daunting task.  We have so much going on, it's easy to let the important stuff slip by the wayside.  I am here to tell you that you are not alone in your frustration. I get it...it's not easy...so today, we are going to talk about some hacks to ...
Read More

If you are anything like me, you thrive on some good organization.  One of the hardest things to organize is all the materials that go into your well-planned centers. For me, it's SUPER important to be able to use and access any center with ease. SO much preparation goes into them, and I just feel like we have to be ...
Read More

If you have ever wondered... 🤔 How will I ever make sense of my literacy centers? 🤔 Will I ever feel like I have a handle on my reading block? 🤔 How do I plan week’s worth of differentiated activities?” 🤔 How do I stay on top of my center activities?” 🤔 How do I get my students to complete ...
Read More

We know character education is so important in the primary grades.  Without a good foundation in character education, it can become very difficult to teach the core subjects. So many school districts fail to put an emphasis on character education, when it should be a #1 priority.  Our schedules get too busy, and other mandates get in the way of ...
Read More

Man...we did it again! 10 AMAZING Literacy Centers to start your month on the right foot! Check out our 2nd Grade Literacy Centers Scope and Sequence to see what we already have included. [2nd Grade Literacy Centers Bundle] The Root of it All: Students will be analyzing root words and coming up with new words that are related.  They will be ...
Read More

Our February Centers are here and ready to be printed! You will find many different engaging activities that incorporate so many skills through literacy. Here's what teachers have been saying... "It is really comprehensive and tremendous teaching resource. It provides a huge varieties of learning stuff with so many kinds of teaching ideas. It is worth having this resource even ...
Read More

As the 100th Day of School approaches, we wanted to help you decide which teacher tee you will wear this year! You can't beat Amazon's two day shipping.  If you are last minute like me, they save the day more times than we'd like to think! So here you have it...15 Teacher Tees for the 100th Day of School!  Click ...
Read More

I'll admit it...when I was first told that I have to implement STEM in my classroom, I was so afraid. It wasn't until I jumped in to really figure out what I needed to do in order for my students to understand the Engineering Design Process. Complete the challenge before your students.  When you do a STEM Challenge, one of the ...
Read More

One of the most frequent questions I get from teachers is, "How do you teach and manage The Writing Process?!" Ah...writing. I have a love/hate relationship with writing. Maybe you can relate... I didn't always love teaching writing like I do now... I used to breeze over it, hoping that my students' writing would improve with the random strategies I would gather ...
Read More

2nd Grade Literacy Centers for January are HERE! Here’s what will be inside once you open the January folder of the Growing Bundle! Vowel Teams Baseball: Hit a grand slam with our vowel teams baseball center! Students will be working on their phonics by sorting vowel sound patterns. Syllable Puzzles: Students will see the break down of words with these interactive ...
Read More

2nd Grade Literacy Centers for December are HERE! Here's what will be inside once you open the December folder of the Growing Bundle! Suffix Word Building:This is great for vocabulary and understanding the meaning of root words along with their suffixes. Students will be making new meaning of words by adding suffixes and recording the meaning. Compound Word Ice Cream Cones: A ...
Read More

The chaos from all the Halloween festivities are subsiding, but we know The Holidays are right around the corner. Here are 6 tips I have to make it a smooth November... 1. Stick to your schedule. Do not stray from your schedule. I know sometimes our schedules can be interrupted, but keep things as normal as you can. I keep ...
Read More

Good habits are essential to living a healthy fulfilling life.  Making a conscious effort to create good habits can be extremely beneficial.  As teachers, it is imperative to develop good habits.  Doing this will not only allow you to be a highly effective teacher, but will also help to create balance in your personal life as well. The Education to ...
Read More

Education to the Core just added TEN 2nd Grade Literacy Centers for the month of November! You will find a variety of phonics, language, vocabulary, and listening & speaking activities with these November centers.  These centers will be beneficial to any second grade classroom! [Click here to learn more about our 2nd Grade Literacy Centers Bundle] Hard and Soft C ...
Read More

Making the life long commitment to be a teacher is no easy task. From the outside, it may seem like a dream. When you are in the thick of everything, it's anything but a walk in the park. See, teachers have two jobs.  The one that is teaching kids, and the one that is everything else. And the one that ...
Read More

Implementing Literacy Centers in 1st Grade can be quite daunting.  It takes years of practice to come up with systems that work. Education to the Core polled the Fearless First Grade Teacher Group on their very best center hacks to share! >>>Click here to join our 1st Grade Facebook Group!<<< First, I'd like to share my top center hacks! Keep ...
Read More

Amazon has come to my rescue more than once when a great idea comes to mind!  When it comes to the classroom, Amazon is my go-to to get everything that we need to complete us!  I compiled a list of my Amazon MUST-HAVES that every teacher needs!   Can you imagine the possibilities with this MAGNETIC CURTAIN ROD!?!  I use this ...
Read More

If you have ever been hesitant on teaching the engineering design process along with the stem challenges you do in your classroom, you need this. You need this because you have not yet made the decision to truly immerse your classroom in the engineering design process, but you like the idea. You just don't have the time to wrap this ...
Read More

Planning and implementing literacy stations can seem so daunting when the possibilities are virtually endless. When I first started literacy stations, I was drowning! I didn't know where to start. It's SO hard when you are needing to differentiate and track progress on 5 different groups all at the same time. If you are struggling with planning and implementing your ...
Read More

If you stumbled across this post, something about having a story with your Stem Challenges excited you! I can't wait to share a free stem story with you! First, I want to share a little bit about once upon a STEM. [Scroll down for free Stem Story Challenge] Once Upon a STEM features TEN challenges you can do with your class? I ...
Read More

Organization is key to starting the year off on the right foot.  It can be such a struggle to get all the ducks in a row.  There's nothing worse than having all the extra stuff on your plate with no strategy to get it all done.  I want to help you fix that! Here are 5 helpful tips to keep ...
Read More

Start your year out right with 10 STEM Challenges for your 1st or 2nd Grade classroom! We have listed 10 inexpensive challenges you can try with your students right off the bat! Scroll down to see all the wonderful STEM Challenges we have in store! The following STEM Challenges are available with Stem Stories, Journals, and Suggested books in my ...
Read More

First Grade Literacy Centers for AUGUST are here! Kick-start your year with meaningful, intentional centers to get your students engaged right off the bat! Beginning Sound Hunt: Students will identify all the objects that have the same sound. CVC Puzzles: Students will be saying and writing all the sounds in the object on each CVC Puzzle. Ask a Partner: Students ...
Read More

I am in LOVE with the new centers we have for you this July.  I was sure to include a variety of Literacy Centers you can use with your firsties whether July is the beginning of the year or the end of the year.  Keep scrolling to see what's in store for this month! I have some center ideas that ...
Read More

Scroll below to reserve your copy of "Practically 1st Grade" Reading Comprehension Passages! ...
Read More

If you teach first grade, this is the magical time where many of your students are making the shift of “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” If you are like me, you try to stretch their learning as much as possible to get the most out of the foundation you laid throughout the year. I have some center ideas ...
Read More

The school year is winding down, and all the little things, like creating a slide show are creeping up fast! Finding the perfect songs for your end of the year slideshow can be quite the task.  I want to make it easier for you by giving you a comprehensive list so you can choose the ones that will fit the ...
Read More

May is almost here! If you teach first grade, this is the magical time where many of your students are making the shift of "learning to read" to "reading to learn." If you are like me, you try to stretch their learning as much as possible to get the most out of the foundation you laid throughout the year. I ...
Read More

Seriously...you are missing out if you're not married to a teacher.  We have been discussing all the great reasons to be married to a teacher in the Fearless First Grade Teachers Group, and it's been a RIOT!!! Whether it's having an unlimited amount of patience, or being able to figure out how to help kids on that math homework, there's ...
Read More

10 More First Grade Literacy Centers await you! I can't wait to share what I've had up my sleeve this month! Each month I release will contain a variety of phonics, language, vocabulary, and listening & speaking centers. These centers contain a great review of essential kindergarten skills, first grade skills, and a few little glimpses into second and third grade skills ...
Read More

Have you ever wondered how you can get all your students motivated to practice fluency every day?  How you can get them to make their own goals for their fluency? I would LOVE to teach you how you can do this in just 3-5 minutes each day! Transform your students' reading abilities by incorporating DAILY fluency practice, with my FREE ...
Read More

I can’t be more excited to share my March Centers with you! You will find a variety of phonics, language, vocabulary, and listening & speaking activities with these March centers. I provided a great review of essential kindergarten skills, first grade skills, and a few little glimpses into second and third grade skills. These centers will be beneficial to any ...
Read More

If you are a Winter Games buff like I am, you don't want to miss a second of coverage, even if you are in your classroom!  I wish the universe would declare a mandatory 2 week break during the Winter Games! Anybody with me? #wishfulthinking But HEY...if you can't stay home to see the games, why not bring them right ...
Read More

Needing some inspiration for the 100th Day of School? You have come to the right place! I have been paying attention to the things you have been asking for about when it comes to 100th Day activities... Based off all the wonderful things I have been hearing from our teachers, I made an EPIC 100th Day Resource! For real though...I hope you are ...
Read More

We can’t be more excited to share our February Centers with you! You will find a variety of phonics, language, vocabulary, and listening & speaking activities with these February centers.  We provided a great review of essential kindergarten skills, a solid start to first grade skills, and a preview to second grade skills.  These centers will be beneficial to any ...
Read More

Fact: Center Organization can be a nightmare. Consider this scenario: You find the perfect centers, print, laminate, cut and use them for the week.  Your kids love them and you are quite proud of your students' gains. If you're lucky, you can use that center for another couple weeks.  Although, sometimes centers have to be "filed away." Filed away in ...
Read More

One of the most frequent questions I get from teachers is, "How do you teach and manage The Writing Process?!" Ah...writing. I have a love/hate relationship with writing. Maybe you can relate... I didn't always love teaching writing like I do now... I used to breeze over it, hoping that my students' writing would improve with the random strategies I would gather ...
Read More

We can’t be more excited to share our January Centers with you! You will find a variety of phonics, language, vocabulary, and listening & speaking activities with these January centers.  We provided a great review of essential kindergarten skills, a solid start to first grade skills, and a preview to second grade skills.  These centers will be beneficial to any ...
Read More

Let's chat about what happens in December as a teacher. Your students are excited because there's a lot of excitement going on in their lives. I mean...Santa. Need I say more? On the other hand, you are overwhelmed because you also have a lot going on at home and at school. You might feel like classroom management goes out the ...
Read More

I wanted to take a minute to offer you a very special freebie. It's one that is near and dear to my heart because it focuses on gratitude, family, and the things we already have. As we head into the holiday season, it's easy to get wrapped up in our to-do's, and lose sight of what's really important. Children observe ...
Read More

We can’t be more excited to share our December Centers with you! You will find a variety of phonics, language, vocabulary, and listening & speaking activities with these December centers.  We provided a great review of essential kindergarten skills, a solid start to first grade skills, and a preview to second grade skills.  These centers will be beneficial to any ...
Read More

First Grade Literacy Centers for November are ready for you! We can’t be more excited to share our November Centers with you! You will find a variety of phonics, language, vocabulary, and listening & speaking activities with these November centers.  We provided a great review of essential kindergarten skills, a solid start to first grade skills, and a preview to ...
Read More

I am so excited to announce that my Practically First, First, Second, and Third Grade Monthly Fluency Passages for the ENTIRE year are COMPLETE!!! Click here to learn more about our Reading Comprehension Passages Bundle!  Each month of these passages include: 10 Reading Comprehension Passages Comprehension Questions for each Passage Text Dependent and Higher Level Questions in each Comprehension Sheet ...
Read More

First grade teachers know how important it can be to have visual cues in a classroom full of emergent readers.  I created these because I wanted something that was versatile, adaptable, and student-friendly. So I created Phonics Posters! Each of these posters can be printed as full pages, half pages, or quarter pages.  You use these as a sound wall, ...
Read More

We have just added TEN MORE First Grade Literacy Centers for the month of October! We can’t be more excited to share our October Centers with you! You will find a variety of phonics, language, vocabulary, and listening & speaking activities with these September centers.  We provided a great review of essential kindergarten skills, and a solid start to first grade skills ...
Read More

We can't be more excited to share our September Centers with you! You will find a variety of phonics, language, vocabulary, and listening & speaking activities with these September centers.  We provided a great review of essential kindergarten skills, and a solid start to first grade skills.  These centers will be beneficial to any first grade classroom! Clip a Syllable ...
Read More

Finding the right chapter book series today, especially for young first graders, can be challenging! There are so many more choices out there which can make it tough to determine which series are really worthy of sharing with your students. That’s why I have explored and researched all the appropriate chapter book series for your first graders and come up ...
Read More

Chances are you stumbled across this post because you are either moving to first grade, or you are a new teacher assigned to first grade.  Congratulations! You are about to teach the BEST grade ever! You will see many of your students coming in as kindergarten graduates just beginning to read, and they will leave your room reading like rockstars! Since ...
Read More

If you do Monthly Passages in your classroom, here is a quick idea on how to organize them! Use folders, binders, a stapler, or make your own monthly fluency books like I did below using a coil binding machine! (affiliate link) I wrote all about how I organize my fluency here, so be sure to head over and grab my fluency tracking ...
Read More

Spring has sprung!!  And with spring comes fresh flowers, warmer weather, and let's not forget about Spring Break!  All very enjoyable things! But Spring also means…BUGS!  When the warm weather hits, all those creepy crawlers that were hidden away during the winter months come out of hiding in full force! And while some of us might not love the all ...
Read More

For the longest time, I kept hearing all this buzz about ‘accountable talk’…but I was never quite sure what it was exactly. I knew that allowing my students to talk with each other about their ideas and the work they were doing was good teaching practice. Not to mention, fundamental to their learning. But I also knew that not all ...
Read More

First off, if you are asking yourself, "What is a Grammar Wall?" or if you are interested in learning more about Grammar Walls, you are in the right place! If you have any hesitation about starting a Grammar Wall in your classroom, be sure to save this article! Consider this your crash course! What in the world is a Grammar ...
Read More

So let's just start out by establishing that there is nothing wrong with getting teaching ideas from Pinterest.  This post is here for those of you who need a little bit of reassurance that you still live in the real world and you are normal. If you are more of a teacher who uses Pinterest to fuel your teacher fire, be ...
Read More

Grammar walls have been all the hype lately.  But what's the big deal?  Well, it's time to stop wondering! Here are 10 reasons why your classroom will benefit from having a grammar wall. 1.  Color coded parts of speech help students to understand parts of speech and sentence structure. When you associate a part of speech with a color, it ...
Read More

Teacher burnout is real.  I know that I’ve experienced it several times and I’m guessing that you have too. None of us are immune to teacher burnout – it doesn’t matter if this is your first or fifteenth year in the classroom – we’re all susceptible. Teaching is actually ranked as one of the top ten most stressful careers in ...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

Reading is a fundamental skill that we all use every single day. We read newspapers, books, directions, text messages, recipes, emails, safety warnings…Reading is everywhere! It’s no secret that developing proficient reading skills from a young age is essential not only for academic success, but for success in all areas and stages of life! However, reading can be a challenging ...
Read More

I remember being in elementary school and viewing my teachers as these other-worldly beings; almost super-human like creatures who didn’t really exist outside of school hours. Back then, in my inexperienced mind, my teachers simply didn’t have a life outside of school. Plus, they were never wrong, they were always fair, honest, and all-around saint-like individuals. I assumed all of ...
Read More

While many adults begin counting down the days till Christmas as early as July, unable to postpone their excitement for the season that promises streets lined with twinkly lights and cozy family gatherings spent by the fire, no one anticipates the magic of Christmas quite like a child does. And as December 25th grows near, a tangible energy seems to ...
Read More

As a teacher, I am fairly certain that I could easily come up with an extensive list of reasons that all educators should get a raise for every single month of the school year. However, since October is my favorite month and, to me, always signifies change – changing seasons, changing colors on the trees, changing time with daylight savings ...
Read More

What's up Type B teachers? I am betting you stumbled across this article looking for ways (or things) to enhance your life! Look no further...I have some great suggestions for you.  I figured I would give you some ideas for items to make your life a little easier while also giving you a daily dose of Type B teacher humor.  Since most ...
Read More

If you visit my site often, you might recall a story about my first year teaching second grade.  I had a student in my classroom who could decode any multi-syllabic word I put in front of her.  I was tending to routines and procedures the first week of school, but by the second week, we were well into content that ...
Read More

Finding a morning work routine that works for you and your students in the morning can take a while to figure out depending on what type of class you have. Having a morning routine is so important, as it sets the tone for the whole day.  Sometimes it helps to get a variety of suggestions can be helpful, because you ...
Read More

I am just going to put this out there...as you learn to teach reading, you transform into an extraordinary human being.  There are many "things" we can do that others can not.  I polled the Primary Teaching Group and the Elementary Literacy and Reading Teacher Group  to see what we could come up with.  I will admit...some of these made ...
Read More

When I first started teaching I could not deal with the lack of meaningful phonics activities provided by the adopted programs. I disliked wasting so much paper knowing that only 4-5 application problems were on each side with no interaction from the students. I did not like that my kids had absolutely no variety, and the structure of these worksheets were the exact same, day after day, week after week ...
Read More

Welcome first-year teachers! My guess is that you are more than excited to start your first year of teaching.  This year is going to be great.  You are going to learn more this year than your entire four years of college combined.  Before you begin to set up your classroom, organize your lesson plans, and come up with your procedures, take a few ...
Read More

Manageable Ways to Track and Monitor Reading Fluency Let's talk fluency tracking and monitoring.  It's something that must be done, yet so many of us have a hard time keeping things together and organized.  I have a few ways in which you can make it more manageable in your classroom.  Here are some simple, efficient, and strategic ways I track and monitor ...
Read More

If you are a teacher in the teaching world, there are just some photos that non-teachers will never understand.  Here are 45 photos that won't make sense to non-teachers.  1. When People Say Teaching is an Easy Job 2. And summer...when teachers can emerge from the darkness. 3.  The unwritten rule that we are expected to fund our own classrooms. 4 ...
Read More

For many of us, our reading block lasts anywhere from 90-120 minutes every day.  That time is extremely important because it is the one time during the day that is protected and uninterrupted.  However, our reading block can seem like a huge chunk of time to keep students engaged.  For me, the time goes by so fast because I make sure my students ...
Read More

As a primary teacher, it can be very difficult fitting in grammar instruction into your day.  I also have a little secret you might not know about me.  I used to loathe teaching grammar.  Can any of you relate?  It's so difficult to even WANT to teach grammar when we have so many other things we could be doing with ...
Read More

It's finally that time, teachers!  Late nights, chaos, and bittersweet emotions bring out some of the best (and funniest) memes that lighten up the mood, and give us a little chuckle.  I thought it would be fun to have a little corner of the web with some end of the year teacher memes.  So sit back and enjoy...but try not ...
Read More

If you are a teacher, you probably have heard of the website, Teachers Pay Teachers.  I absolutely love how it's transformed how I share my resources with other teachers.  TPT has probably changed the way you teach and/or implement lessons.  It is finally dawning on me that - the more I TPT, the more I TPT.  Which is why  I am presenting ...
Read More

Primary teachers are some of the most amazing people to walk this planet.  In fact, I consider primary teachers to have rockstar status.  Don't get me wrong, I am not forgetting the fabulous middle and secondary teachers. I could seriously write a whole new post about how great ya'll are!   But today, I am focusing on primary teachers because that's where my experience ...
Read More

Happy Spring, everybody!!!  The weather is warming up, the sun is starting to shine brighter, and I don't know about you, but I am EXCITED for the beautiful weather that is about to come. Hopefully, you will be taking your class for some outside learning very soon.  Are you going to be doing any insect activities for your primary students? We ...
Read More

Guest Article by Amna from Teach Two Reach Classrooms today are more diverse than ever. Different backgrounds, cultures, and religions are interwoven into the average American class. However, not all students that come from various diverse backgrounds feel included or accepted. In a day and age where the political climate has started shifting into a mindset of not accepting those who are ...
Read More

Do you want to incorporate technology into your student’s learning but don’t have a 1:1 classroom? Not sure where to start? I am here to help! Guest Article by Ashley from Teach Create Motivate I only have have five iPads in my classroom, and I started out this year with two (one was my old personal one).  I am so grateful for what ...
Read More

As a primary teacher, it can be tough teaching about weather depending on where you live.  For example, a teacher in Florida might have a hard time describing a "dry climate." A teacher in Phoenix, Arizona would have a hard time describing "snow."  As teachers, we have to be very creative when it comes to connecting the concepts of weather with our students ...
Read More

If you are a special education teacher working with students with autism (like me), you have probably seen and used Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) methodology quite often. Here’s the quick and dirty on ABA: the foundation of this methodology is reinforcement. Behavior will increase when it is reinforced. You tell a joke to a group of people because their laughter ...
Read More

araurviving a field trip to the zoo should be a college preparation course for all teaching candidates.  Seriously...if you have not yet taken your class to the zoo, and you are about to, this post from the experienced teachers in our Facebook Group is going to SAVE your trip!  When you are finished reading, be sure to request to join the group so you ...
Read More

Guest Article by Stefany from Interactive Learning with Miss Stefany You’ve heard it said, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I’m here today to talk about a related truth, “it takes a tribe to educate a student.” Yes, students of all ages and backgrounds thrive as part of a learning tribe. What is a learning tribe? And, what are the challenges ...
Read More

Are you a bad teacher if you don’t want your weekend to end? Do you feel guilty when you take a weekend to your self to recharge and do nothing teaching related? I’m here to tell you that it’s perfectly ok to love your weekends and to be a bit sad when they end. It doesn’t make you a bad ...
Read More

Hello Education to the Core Readers! It's Kristy from 2 Peas and a Dog Teaching Blog. I teach 8th grade at a K-8 school in Canada. I am guest blogging today and sharing some tools my teaching colleagues and I have used to make our classrooms more engaging for our students. Technology has changed the way we teach and how students ...
Read More

 Technology has changed the way we teach. It has given students the opportunity to collaborate with other their peers within their school district, as well as across the globe. Teachers can now find materials to support their classroom lessons with a quick Google search. An important aspect of classroom life that can be enhanced with technology is parent communication. Guest ...
Read More

Guest Article by Ashley Schroeder from “Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd” Do you have stacks upon stacks of task cards in your classroom? Have you accumulated a pile of task cards for nearly every standard that you teach, yet you’re not sure about the BEST ways to use them with your students in your classroom? There are 7 practical and engaging ways that you ...
Read More

Are you a teacher?  Are you on Instagram?  If you are both of these, you are in the right spot.  Before we start, let's connect on Instagram.  Be sure to search me on your phone or mobile device at @educationtothecore. I would love for you to reach out by commenting or using the hashtag #educationtothecore on your teaching pictures so I can ...
Read More

Whether you’re playing a whole class game, small group game, or individual game, games in the classroom provide great learning opportunities for students. A former principal of mine constantly reminded the staff that we were not there to entertain students, but to educate them. He saw fun activities as a waste of valuable learning time. Pish posh! Boredom is not ...
Read More

Building fluent readers is crucial to reading success in the early years.  Back in the day, "Popcorn Reading" or "Round Robin Reading" were popular strategies used to engage students (usually one at a time) to practice reading fluency.  Since then, research has shown, these strategies are not as effective as some would have thought.  This strategy did not benefit all students, and it isolated and revealed the ...
Read More

I have very few rules in my classroom.  BUT...I loved Dan Morris's "36 Rules of Dinner" featured on Finding Joy's Website, and thought it would be fun to highlight a day in the life of a teacher through a list of underground rules that will never get posted on our classroom walls.  Enjoy this fun collection. 1.  Arrive on time, every day. 2.  Come ...
Read More

Building fluent readers is crucial to reading success in the early years.  Back in the day, "Popcorn Reading" or "Round Robin Reading" were popular strategies used to engage students (usually one at a time) to practice reading fluency.  Since then, research has shown, these strategies are not as effective as some would have thought.  This strategy did not benefit all students, and it isolated and revealed the ...
Read More

In order to help our students learn their letters and sounds, it is important to have multiple strategies for teaching letters and sounds.  We also need to understand the misconceptions and the challenges students face when having to learn and remember their letters and sounds. I would like to address a few things before we get into the core of what students ...
Read More

Guest Post by Jacque Miller from "For the Love of the Children" 5 Ways to Remove Stress from Learning A few weeks ago, I found out that my class sizes would go from 24ish to about 30 after winter break. My boss had to find a way to provide additional support during the school day for students who were on the ...
Read More

Guest Post from Susan Berkowitz, SLP from Kidz Learn Language Literacy As an Attainable Goal for Severely Disabled Students I work as a speech-language pathologist with students who have significant disabilities.  Up until recently, literacy skills for students with severe disabilities didn’t get a lot of attention. We all agree that literacy skills are important for academic, social, and workplace ...
Read More

I can’t have any more children. The ability to birth children was taken from me when doctors had to extract my womb from my body. The one miraculous baby girl that the Lord gave me is the only biological child I will have. My Sweet Girl: Photo by Jacque Miller Photography  Guest Post by Jacqueline from For the Love of the ...
Read More

I have always loved being a teacher in December.  I loved being around kids during this month, because they help to keep the spirit of Christmas and the Holidays alive! However, with great excitement, comes much thought, and preparation, and it eventually leads to exhaustion.  Now, if I am bursting your bubble for even mentioning the word "raise" and "teachers" ...
Read More

Incremental Rehearsal for Intervention Guest post by Tanya from First Grade is Fantabulous Across the grade levels we’ve all been faced with the challenge of providing intervention for students who struggle with tasks such as: letter naming, letter sounds, number recognition, sight word recognition, and math fact fluency. Different schools and districts have different names for the committee that meets ...
Read More

Guest post by Tiffany from RemaINspired.com 4 Foolproof Strategies for Disruptive Behavior We've all experienced it. You are trying to teach a great lesson or do an awesome activity in your classroom that you have spent so much time preparing for, and then IT happens. Your lesson is interrupted one or more times by - you guessed it – disruptive behavior! ...
Read More

Guest Post by Sharon Fabian from Classroom in the Middle Close Reading: Unlocking the Layers of Text Just like a picture created in Photoshop, a story or article can have layers, too. In an image, the first layer is the background. With a text, the first layer is the basics – the main idea and the details. Close reading is ...
Read More

5 Ways to Infuse the Arts with Learning Guest post by Jeanine from Third Grade Giggles Do you want to motivate and engage your students while sparking their curiosity for learning? Of course you do, that is the mission of every teacher! Infusing the arts within content area lessons is a great way to accomplish this. Being a classroom teacher in ...
Read More

What exactly does a school psychologist do? I’m sure this is a question many educators might have, since the role of a school psychologist can be rather vast depending on states, districts, and schools. school psychologists can fill a number roles; however, they are most commonly and traditionally viewed as the professional who “tests” kids for special education.   This, however, is ...
Read More

Guest post by Pam from Mrs. P’s Specialties Creating a Yearlong Scrapbook with your Students Are you looking to create meaningful writing opportunities in your classroom? Want a meaningful way to document all of the amazing activities and learning going on in your classroom? Here you will find tips on how to start scrapbooking with your students. Creating a yearlong ...
Read More

  Guest post by Rachael from The Classroom Game Nook Blog. 4 Games to Help Kids Think Critically about Vocabulary We all want our students to build a strong vocabulary, right? We are diligent about introducing new words, along with their definitions, at the beginning of a lesson, chapter, or new unit. We require our students to write these new words ...
Read More

5 Ways to Use Sticky Notes in Your Classroom Guest Post by Jen from Sparkling in Second Grade Hi, my name is Jen and I'm a sticky note addict. Sticky notes are a staple in most classrooms. I have hoards of them all around my classroom. I have drawers and shelves full of them. I buy them every time I'm ...
Read More

Terrific Apps for the Primary Classroom Overwhelmed by all of the apps to choose from that you can use with your students? And did downloading a great app seem promising until you realized there were a bunch of things you needed to do to get it ready for your students? There are a ton of apps out there, but honestly, ...
Read More

Are you looking for fun ways to teach grammar in your classroom? Grammar can be a beast of its own.  I don't want to say it's the ugly stepsister of teaching, but it can be if it's not implemented in a fun and meaningful way.  For our students, learning grammar can be an amazing experience, or it can be a monotonous ...
Read More

Guest Post by Kayse Morris from Teaching on Less Tips for Taking Interactive Notebooks Outside Isn't it time you walked outside and smelled the fresh air? Students are eager to get away from the classroom, so why aren't you? It's so important that we engage our students in all different types of environments. My favorite place to do this is to go ...
Read More

Guest Post by Sarah Wu from Speech is Beautiful 5 steps a teacher can take to refer a student for speech Now that the school year is underway, teachers are reaching out to me and sharing students' names that may have speech problems. My school has set up a standard procedure to process speech referrals from teachers. I've worked in many several ...
Read More

Guest Post by Cheryl and Wendy from Get Caught Engineering Wouldn’t history class be more fascinating if we could use a time machine to explore events of the past? Just as the fictional Ms. Frizzle and her school bus provides her students with amazing adventures to understand scientific concepts, with our own time machine we could provide inspiring visions for cultural accomplishments. Although, ...
Read More

Do you use iPods in your classroom?  This is how iPods saved my sanity. After my third year of teaching, I almost stopped using a listening station in my classroom. GASP! Maybe you can relate why I reached this decision. I was tired of: Never-ending sea of headphone tangles. Taking stock in Ziploc baggies. CD's being used as amateur DJ'ing ...
Read More

Let's have some real teacher talk about those school fundraisers.  {Many} school fundraisers are annoying.  I am so disgusted with all of it:  The prizes, the competition, the hype.  I understand schools need fundraisers in order to  purchase things they need that are not covered by the budget.  However, that will never change the fact that I can not stand the approach utilized ...
Read More

Do you have a student with autism in your classroom this year? Whether you are a veteran teacher or just starting out, you may be wondering how to help your student be successful in your classroom.  Here you will find 12 inclusion tips for your classroom. I would like to thank Emily, from Education to the Core for the wonderful ...
Read More

If you need tips for juggling the busy teacher life, you have come to the right place! Here are some strategies for juggling it all! Guest Post by Stephanie from Mrs. D's Corner Life. Oh life, how you get in the way of my teaching some days. Teaching. Oh teaching, how you get in the way of my life some ...
Read More

If you are like me, you could look at bulletin board ideas for teachers all day long!  I have a love-hate relationship with bulletin boards, because although they can be a pain, they can make a classroom so inviting for students.  I recently asked the teachers in the Education to the Core Facebook Group to share their bulletin boards, and the pictures ...
Read More

We got spirit, yes we do! We got spirit, how about you?   Find tips and tricks for school pep rallies right here!   Guest Post by Katie Lyon from Teaching: The Art of Possibility Creating school spirit is often one of the most undervalued uses of teachers’ time. However, for those who do take the time to do it, the ...
Read More

Guest Post by Vera from The Tutu Teacher Discussing identity with kindergarten students is a vital piece to social and emotional growth and well being.  Today, we are going to cover how you can foster identity in your classroom and how to get your kindergarten students talking about themselves in positive and thoughtful ways. I've done a very special activity with my students ...
Read More

We all have interruptions in our classroom, so here you will find 5 creative ways to save a derailed lesson.  I'm super excited to be here and share ideas about how I like to try to save a lesson that goes off the rails.  I hope you'll be able to use a few of the ideas yourself!  Guest Post by Mary Beth from ...
Read More

Use this sign to photograph your firsties on their first day of school! Three options are included: White background with colored letters (two styles) Black chalkboard colored letters Update: Kinder, Second, and Third have been added. DOWNLOAD IT HERE FOR FREE ...
Read More

Six ways to integrate art into the classroom on a B-U-D-G-E-T. Guest Post by Jenny Knappenberger from Art with Jenny K. We all know teachers have a full plate which may make it seem as if there is little room to take on any extras like teaching the arts. Luckily art is one of those subjects that is simply everywhere and can ...
Read More

Establishing and maintaining parent partnerships can be tricky at times.  Today, we are going to talk about how proactive communication is the key to establishing and maintaining parent partnerships. Guest Post by Victoria Moller from Teach with a Smile Let’s talk about the reasons why you want to maintain clear lines of communication with your parents. 1.  It shows you are accessible! Parents ...
Read More

As teachers, we know the value of having good attention getters to calm a noisy classroom.  I have always wanted a comprehensive list of all of the best attention getters in one spot.  So, I decided to poll the Education to the Core Community to see what we could come up with.  If you are in need of some great attention ...
Read More

Half-Day Kindergarten. Is there really such a thing anymore? Even with Common Core standards being implemented across the country and talks of rigor in the classroom I can assure you, it still happens. I live it every day and I am here today to help you organize your half-day schedule! Guest Post by Heather Langley from Learning with Mrs. Langley SO ...
Read More

As teachers, we have all heard the funny things students say.  Sometimes, if I write it down, I remember.  But most of the time, I am caught in the moment, and I easily forget everything.  I had a teacher who once wrote down everything funny that happened in class.  That was such a good idea, and I wish I would ...
Read More

  Guest Post by Keri from Enchanted Kinder Garden Hey friends! It's Keri from Enchanted Kinder Garden, and I am super excited to bring you THREE really simple ideas about differentiating interactive notebooks.  Here's just a tidbit about me: I am a kindergarten teacher. This is my 8th year teaching. I taught one year in 1st grade and knew immediately that ...
Read More

Disengaged students. We all have them. More interested in what is going on outside the window, or tugging at that loose piece of thread hanging on their neighbor’s shirt. They are in every classroom. These are capable students who just haven’t been “hooked” yet. I’d like to share with you 5 ways for reaching disengaged students.  Guest post by Erin Beattie ...
Read More

Do you use a Daily Math Board in your classroom? I am here to tell you how I use Daily Math Boards in my classroom!  When I taught Kindergarten, we started each day with a Calendar routine that practiced days of the week, the months, patterning, and other basic skills. When I moved up to teach higher grades, I created a Daily ...
Read More

We All Compete It is human nature to compete.  I always thought when I became a teacher in a school, I would be amongst colleagues who had a sense of respect and camaraderie.  Although we do have a sense of respect for one another, there is a lingering sense of competition, sabotage, and jealousy that occurs within a community of educators.  I ...
Read More

I was asked by the wonderful Susan from Sonoran Living Live to come in for a segment to give helpful tips to parents to get their kids ready for back to school.  The segment will air on Wednesday, August 5th.  If you are a parent reading this, you will find fabulous tips to get your children in back to school mode! If ...
Read More

I always knew I wanted to be a teacher.  I would look at teacher books of my aunt's and I would pretend I was teaching my dolls and stuffed animals.  I would always have the "subjects" sitting in a row.  They behaved very well:)  We all know it takes more than just having your students quietly working at their desks.  We ...
Read More

Novel Study Activities Kids Will Love When doing a novel study, you want the novel itself to be the main focus, not the worksheets and tests. But still, there need to be some activities to ensure that students do the close reading necessary to get the most out of the book. Stations and partner or group projects all work well; ...
Read More

Do you use whiteboards in your classroom?  I use mine all the time!  Why whiteboards you might ask?  Kids love them and when you put a whiteboard and marker in their hand you are very likely going to have their attention from the get go.   If you don't use whiteboards already, it's definitely something to consider!  Read on to ...
Read More

As a teacher, Pinterest can be such a valuable resource.  If you are a first grade or elementary teacher, these pinners are just for you!  If you need first grade teachers to follow on Pinterest, scroll through this list and you will be sure to find the best resources out there! 1. Education to the Core Favorite board: "Education to the Core" ...
Read More

If you are a first grade teacher, you have come to the right place!  I have compiled a list of my favorite first grade teachers that I follow on Facebook.  I have found that these teachers post a variety of articles, humor, and blog posts.  They also post questions, and there is a strong sense of community.  If you love following ...
Read More

Do you know you can follow teachers on Instagram to find the latest ideas, flash deals, and educational news?  If you are a first grade teacher looking to follow some teachers with great content on Pinterest,  scroll on to find some of the most interactive first grade teachers to follow on Instagram. @educationtothecore @cleverclassroom @teachinginhighheels @firstgradefairytales @fluttering1st @brownbagteacher @snippetsbysarah @luckytobeinfirst ...
Read More

Your mini lesson ran long. Now, you can either scrap your centers, or you can rush through them, which doesn’t really do them or your students justice - and you’d put so much time into getting them ready…  Guest Post by Elizabeth Clarke from The Big Kids Hall This doesn’t happen in a flipped classroom, because your lesson happens at home. Kids ...
Read More

So you lost control of your classroom.  You thought you had your classroom management and procedures all down.  You have been reading blogs and pinning the best content on Pinterest, but you must have missed something.  What could it have been?  Where did you go wrong?  How did you lose control of your classroom? Good news...you are not alone! So many teachers have had ...
Read More

Do you enjoy following teachers on Facebook?  What is it about that page that makes you love it?  For me, I like a variety of content when I first scroll through a page's recent posts.  If I see that a page posts educational content fits my style, I will "like" the page.  I have composed a list of fifteen teacher pages ...
Read More

I remember when I first heard about the job of “speech pathologist,” I didn’t know they worked in the schools. They are commonly referred to as "speech paths."  I assumed that speech pathologists only worked in clinics or hospitals. Now that I’m entering my tenth year as a bilingual school-based speech path, I want to share what speech paths like ...
Read More

If you need some amazing teachers to follow on Pinterest, you have come to the right place.  Pinterest is so helpful when it comes to getting new teaching ideas and inspiration.  I have been on Pinterest for about four years now, and I love it all.  I have found a few teachers I like to follow because of the quality of ...
Read More

We polled the Education to the Core Community, and these are some of the best "Back to School" tips from real teachers all around the world! Whether you are a new teacher, or you are looking to brush up on your back to school procedures, there are takeaways for everybody!  Be sure to comment if you have anything you would like ...
Read More

45 Memes That Nail What It's Like to Be a Teacher If you are a teacher in the teaching world, there are some memes that nail what it's like to be a teacher.  1. When People Say Teaching is an Easy Job 2. And summer...when teachers can emerge from the darkness. 3.  The unwritten rule that we are expected to fund ...
Read More

Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, Jennifer from Simply Kinder and I have listed several things everyone can relate to from both sides!  Below, you will see I have provided a list of ten things you need to know about introverted teachers.  Be sure to head over to Simply Kinder to see the the Ten Things Only Extroverted Teachers ...
Read More

Homework Folders. Can't live without them but you can create a system you can live with!  My first year teaching I knew I needed a homework folder but I wasn't prepared for the reality of this necessary evil element of classroom organization. My naïveté led me to Office Depot where I spent who knows how much ($8) on plastic pencil pouches for each of my 30 students ...
Read More

If you read my blog, you might notice I am more of a Type-B person.  One of my good friends, Karri from One Sassy Teacher is more on the Type-A side.  I can tell you this because we have worked together for about six years.  She has been there from the start of my career, as she was my mentor teacher during my ...
Read More

It seems as if interactive notebooks are all the rage right now.  Other related buzz words might include interactive journals, INB's, flip flaps, flippables...all pretty much the same thing.  An interactive notebook is a student-created notebook that involves activities that allow the child to interact with the skill, paper, and peers.  They can be an amazing instructional tool to help teach ...
Read More

One of the worst things about being a teacher, is letting your students go on the very last day.  It is such a bittersweet thing.  Part of me can't wait, but part of me knows saying goodbye can be very emotional.  It's like there is an elephant in the room the entire day.  The kids ask if they are going to see ...
Read More

If you are like me, you are always looking for new strategies to practice sight words.  If you are looking for different ideas on how to practice sight words with your kids, you have come to the right place.  I have teamed up with Emma from Clever Classroom, and Jennifer from Simply Kinder, to bring to you all sorts of ...
Read More

According to CoreStandards.org, Common Core State Standards provide teachers the “opportunity to collaborate with teachers across the country as they develop curricula, materials, and assessments linked to high quality standards.” Guest Post by Marine Freibrun from Tales from a Very Busy Teacher  Using Common Core State Standards is something that is very exciting for me! I am very excited about all of ...
Read More

“So, what are they doing here,” a visiting teacher recently asked me as she observed my kids scanning QR codes to reveal a math story. She watched as the kids, uninterrupted by the five new adults in the room, worked scanning the QR codes with their individual iPads. They wrote down the numbers from the math story they read and ...
Read More

To all my former teachers: Thank you.  Thank you for all your time, compassion, and love you pour into this profession.  As I finish my fifth year teaching, I realized how much you sacrificed for us.  I can only hope that one day, I have half the patience and understanding you had for me. In honor of Teacher Appreciation week, ...
Read More

As a teacher, you know there are students who have the natural ability to write, or they don’t. You may also realize there are teachers who either love to teach writing, or they don’t. I am one of those teachers who love to teach writing.  I love showing my kids that their ideas are important, and that there is a process ...
Read More

Mother's Day is coming soon!  If you need ideas for Mother's Day gifts for your students, you have come to the right place!  Be sure to scroll down to see all 29 of the most fabulous Mother's Day Gift Ideas from some very creative teachers and moms all over the world!  Be sure to pin your favorite images below so you can go ...
Read More

How many times a day do you hear, “We need to do what’s best for kids.”   I don’t know about you, but I have heard this phrase overused for many different reasons. Sometimes, what’s best for kids really isn’t best for kids at all. I have heard it used for educational mandates and policies, testing, instructional design, and even for ...
Read More

Since I decided I wanted to be a teacher, I have heard about all the ways you can get "teacher loan forgiveness" and "grants."  I thought this was such a great incentive for young adults to want to enter the profession of teaching.  It sounds wonderful on paper, but you have to completely understand what you are getting into.  I would highly ...
Read More

Dear "That Kid," When I first saw you placed on my class roster, my heart skipped a beat.  And in that moment, I couldn't breathe.  My face turned white, and all I could hear was ringing in my ears.  Please forgive me for the way I reacted.  In my heart, I knew you were on my roster for a reason ...
Read More

Just wanted to address some common misconceptions about teachers and the world of education, while providing you some light humor.    Enjoy! 1.  We are done with work by 3:00. No....no, no, and no. We have staff and IEP meetings, after school clubs and committees.  After all that, we go home and plan or enter grades. 2.  We have the summers ...
Read More

In education, there are things the administration will do that sort of tick teachers off.  And inevitably, it leaves us teachers frustrated, jealous, and angry towards the other teachers.  So below, you are going to find all the things an administration can do that might possibly turn teachers against each other. #1  Don't give credit where credit is due.  All teachers have been through ...
Read More

I have found many teachers are always seeking ways to improve their community, classroom management, teaching strategies, and relationships with kids.  I always strive to give valuable tips for classroom management, classroom community, and teaching strategies.  Those invaluable skills teachers must have are the glue that hold everything else together. One strategy I have found to be remarkably powerful is the use of the word "yes" ...
Read More

I have big plans for my Neon Glitter Play Dough this Spring!  I will be using the play dough to teach 3-D shapes, letter formation, and a little sensory play.  I got the recipe from instructables.com, so if you need a great Play Dough recipe, I recommend this one!  It is absolutely fabulous.  I think the cream of tartar really does ...
Read More

Last week, we had so much fun with our plant absorption experiment.  This science lesson was inspired by a post Paging Fun Mum's.  Be sure to follow the link to her post to learn more about the materials you will need to prepare this lesson-How Plants Absorb Water. I used a box of 6 mason jars, and they were the perfect ...
Read More

Alphabet Flip Books! These were made so your students can practice letter fluency and sounds.  They also have 6 wonderful pictures and words to accompany the picture.  At the end, there is a place where your students can practice writing their letters! All in printer-friendly black and white! These were actually very simple to make.  I just made each letter ...
Read More

Classroom Community is important!  If you do not establish a safe community from day 1, your year will be headed for trouble.  To ensure you have a fabulous year, I have composed five ways you can build the community in your classroom. 1.  Instill trust.  This is my #1 technique to building community in the classroom.  Here is the rhyme to ...
Read More

As the holiday season is upon us, I felt the need to let my students make a gift for their parents or caregivers.  Many times, children are not given the opportunity to give their parents a gift.  Their only opportunity to give a gift is when someone helps them with it.  Most children love snow globes, so I thought this ...
Read More

Prior to graduation, prospective teachers are told they will have one of the most stressful, but rewarding jobs out there.  Teaching is tough work...we all know that.  Well, most of us know that.  This is my list of things they didn't tell me in college.  If you are thinking of becoming a teacher, keep this list in mind.  You may ...
Read More

Just wanted to show you a few ways we are using my "December Math and Literacy Centers" in my classroom this holiday season.  I have always been one to try to keep things academic in the classroom, even in the month of December when the excitement is at it's highest. This packet contains 10 different centers that are jam packed with ...
Read More

I’m joining in with a few of my friends to bring you a collection of holiday themed books and some inspired crafts and activities! December is always an exciting time of year, full of joy and wonder for young children.  To capture this, I recently read the pop-up book "Christmas Around the World" to my first graders! "Christmas Around the ...
Read More

As teachers, we know that if we are not consistent, we will pay the consequences later on.  Students will constantly test us to see what they can get away with.  If we aren't fair, we loose credibility with the other students in our class.  So what happens when a time-out doesn't work for some kids?  What do you do? For me, there are ...
Read More

Here you have it! November Centers for Math and Literacy.  Keep things academic during this very special month by having all your centers mapped out.  This product is great for kindergarten and first grade.  Be sure to click on any of my pictures or the link to my store to find out more! If you would like to try a ...
Read More

Hello, and welcome to the October Bright Ideas Link-Up! If this is your first time on my website, welcome!  I am so glad you stopped by! My Bright Idea is fairly simple, and something I was able to implement into my classroom very easily.  I recently discovered printable magnetic paper. Because most teachers already have lots of printable resources, I ...
Read More

The curriculum is mapped out, your standards are printed, your lessons are made, your materials are prepped.  Now if your students would only be as enthusiastic as you are about the content it would be a perfect world right?  Cultivating a culture of success does come with time and experience, but if you need some quick tips on how to ...
Read More

Let's be honest, we have to maintain a pretty good filter during the school day.  But we have so many things that we are thinking that we wish we could say out loud.  That is why I made a list of all the things Teachers Wish We Could Say.  Now, of course mine are all in good fun, and believe ...
Read More

Thinking of fun and engaging centers can be hard sometimes!  I have surfed the internet, and it is hard to find great DIY centers.  That is why I rounded up some of the ideas from fabulous sites in this post so you can create fun centers in your classroom or at home with your kids.  Be sure to click on ...
Read More

Hi there!  Just wanted to let you all know what my class will be doing for centers during the month of October!  I have created my "October Centers for Math and Literacy" to save you some time with your October centers.  Be sure to click on any of the pictures, or the link to my store to learn more about ...
Read More

Dear Policymakers and Administrators:    It's time we face it, things are changing in the world of education.  Whether you are on board or not, there is no denying that the boat has been rocked.   Since 2010, teacher turnover has been reported at 20%.  Perhaps you think it is a good thing, because you are weeding out all the ...
Read More

...
Read More

Hello and welcome to my blog!  This month's Bright Ideas post will find you a few quick tips for producing quality "How To" writing from your students.  Be sure to check the linky directory below to read over 100 other "Bright Ideas" from other fantastic teacher bloggers! "How To" writing can be very challenging for children if they are not ...
Read More

Here is a perfect scenario for you: 1.  You teach a lesson. 2.  The kids listen carefully and soak up every detail. 3.  The kids are excited to apply their new learning 4.  Each kid aces the test!  It's a victory! We all know that almost never happens.  At least with me.  Checking for understanding has to be constant.  It ...
Read More

Just wanted to share something I use with my kids in my classroom.  I tend to keep things simple, and I have narrowed down my reading strategies to several I think that stick with kids in the primary grades. The strategies I use for not being able to read a word are: Sound it out. Look for a base word ...
Read More

Let me just start out my saying that my kids had a phenomenal week learning about communities and community helpers.  I used my Community Helper's Unit this week, and it was an absolute blessing to have so much into one unit.  My firsties were able to read (with a little help) about all the community workers at their level.  They ...
Read More

Whether you are a veteran, or a new teacher, conferences are something all teachers have to do at some point.  After my first year, I started to figure out strategies to  make conferences less stressful for me and the parent involved.  I have pinpointed a few "Tricks of the Trade" for you all. First off, I always start with a ...
Read More

Hello there!  I hope you are all having a great Sunday.  In my classroom this week, our focus was on maps.  My kids loved having the chance to get their hands on real maps, and different texts featuring maps.  Since a map is such an abstract concept to a child, I thought I might try Angie Neal's Me on the ...
Read More

Do you have a morning routine in your classroom?  Do you often wonder how you can make it more impactful and meaningful for your students?  I remember thinking, "I wish I had really strong academic activities to use as a spiral review for my students." Until one day, I sat down, and made the plans to create just that.  If ...
Read More

Kids naturally love discovering the life cycle of anything! This week, we explored the life cycle of an apple.   My students had so much fun investigating the Apple Life Cycle Unit. I was able to completely integrate reading, math, science, and writing! I used many components of my Apple Life Cycle Unit that I have completely revamped, tested, and revised ...
Read More

Hello and welcome to the August Bright Ideas Link-Up.  This month, I have decided to share an easy idea on how to get your emergency sub kit going without taking any more time, money, or energy out of your day!  I don't like to add more things to my plate, and I am always looking for ways to be more ...
Read More

Just wanted to share a little creation I made for my classroom.  A FREE Daily Five Rotation Wheel for Centers! I have always been looking for an efficient way to let my kids know which rotation they are on and which rotation they are going to next.  This has been such a great little tool in my classroom.  If you are interested ...
Read More

Hi there!  Just wanted to let you all know that I will be linking up with Cyndie from Chalk One Up for the Teacher each week reflect on all the great things happening in my classroom.  (And quite probably the things that didn't work out quite well.)  Be sure to bookmark my site to stay posted each week on weekly ...
Read More

Just wanted to share this little tip and freebie that I use at the beginning of the year for dismissal.  FREE Going Home Tags for Backpack! At meet the teacher, have these out so the parents can fill them out theirselves. This is nice for two reasons: #1 you don't have to do it. #2 if they mess up it's ...
Read More

I am finally done with my room! You know the feeling...where you can finally sleep at night!?!?  And I did it all on a budget!   Disclaimer:  I do everything on a strict budget, so if you like to spend lots of money on your room, stop reading now! I like things to look nice, especially if it is a ...
Read More

 Hello and welcome to the July Bright Ideas Link-Up.  This month, I have decided to do a simple post on something that I end up wasting time on every year...bulletin boards!  For me, they are the greatest thing to see and the absolute most annoying task in a classroom.  So, I would like to introduce you to a simple strategy ...
Read More

Here it is! Morning Work for the whole year! My little summer project is finally finished.  I will have to admit, it is bitter sweet! 180 days of Morning Work Bundled into one discounted product!  Supplement your teaching with a daily Math and ELA skill review.  This is something that works for my kids, so click on the link to ...
Read More

I hope you are all enjoying your summer break! I sure am.  We just got back from Costa Rica, so I am definitely out of teacher mode.  But I am going to attempt to get back into it for a moment, and hopefully you can too! I am so glad to be a part of the Bright Ideas Blog Linky ...
Read More

If you are like me, you are working hard to get everything together for the end of the year.  This freebie is great for each of your students to take home at the end of the year and it costs you nothing! These free memory book for primary grades will help them to enjoy while learn. Click on any of ...
Read More

So glad you stopped by the Bright Ideas Blog Hop! I am always so excited to share an idea happening in my classroom.  For this post, I have decided to share a little glimpse of what is happening with all the data I collect during my reading groups.  Normally, I just assign each student a file folder with all the ...
Read More

Hello and Welcome to the Bright Ideas Link Up! This is the ultimate Link-Up for the best ideas in your classroom.  Be sure to click on more links below after reading my post! I just wanted to capture some of the things I do in my classroom to keep things running smoothly.  Some of these ideas might be what you ...
Read More

Happy Spring everyone! I put this Butterfly Unit together this winter in excitement for our long awaited springtime! If you are teaching Butterflies this year with your little ones, this is a must have.  My class LOVED doing all the activities and they sure learned a lot along the way.  Click on any of the pictures to find this in ...
Read More

 Needing some quick and easy Spring Printables?  You are in luck!  I have created this packet and Earth Day Freebie just for teachers like you that have little time to plan, but still want to keep things academic and engaging.  You fill find each and every one of these activities engaging and fun for kids!  Click any of the pictures ...
Read More

If you are looking to integrate writing into your reading block, you will find an easy and efficient way to make this possible in your classroom.  In this post, I am going to quickly take you through a week of instruction.  You will see how you can easily keep writing tied to your reading standards and keep your kids interested ...
Read More

Add some spice to your weather unit, and incorporate this amazing Weather Activity Pack at a great price! Included in this Weather Unit, you will find: Writing Activities: KWL, Seasonal Writing, Story Emulation Writing Vocabulary Activities: Crossword, Word Search, Vocabulary recording sheet Vocabulary Cards: Display on wall, or use as a matching game. one set includes word and related picture, ...
Read More

I needed to spruce up my office, so I designed this free printable! Visit my TeachersPayTeachers Store and be sure to download this freebie! Click on any of the pictures or the link to download now! Happy Teaching;)  I hope you enjoyed this blog post! If you would like more ideas from me, be sure to follow me on Teachers Pay Teachers, Pinterest, ...
Read More

I love the month of February! There is so much content that can be covered, especially since it is Black History Month.  Since close reads are becoming so popular, I have created this Black History Unit with close reads included.  Click on any picture or the link to my store to find out more!   Whatever you decide to do ...
Read More

Valentine's Day is right around the corner! Do you have your printables ready to go?  If you are like me, you need something fast and fun for this special day.  Scroll down to find a special freebie from my Valentine's Day Unit. Valentine's Day Freebie! Last year, I had my kids use glitter glue to add a special touch to ...
Read More

Just in time for President's Day! A supplement for your President's Day Unit! Let your kids assemble a 3-D Pop-Up Book and write about the President they researched! Click on any of the pics or the link to my store to find out more!   Don't forget to grab my George Washington Freebie Reader! Click the picture or the link ...
Read More

You've heard it before.  You need a balance...you need to make time for you and or your family...you need to prioritize your tasks at work...if you just gave yourself 20 minutes... This all sounds fabulous and very realistic...when you are not teaching.  During the year, we tend to put our needs and our families needs on the back burner.   ...
Read More

Just wanted to let you all know that I have revised my Inventors Unit Pop-Up Books! Create meaningful writing and memories that last forever with these DIY Pop-Up Books.  Click the link to my store or any of the pictures to find out more! Let your kids pick out their pictures for their writing.  Two small pictures go on the ...
Read More

These are the posters I use to go with to supplement my Touch Point Math.   If you want a super easy way to teach 1-to-1 correspondence and number recognition, check out these motions to go with Touch Point Math.  I had such great success with Touch Point Math, so I had make posters to go with it.  Click the link ...
Read More

Celebrate Black History all month long with "Black History Pop-Up Books! Let your students choose and research a Black Historian.  They can apply the research in a culminating writing activity they designed.  Click any of the pictures or the link to my store to find out more! Be sure to grab my Free Black History Graphic Organizers as a tool ...
Read More

If you use Marzano's framework, you will love this set of posters I made just for you!  I am going to be using these in my first grade classroom as a general reference to Marzano's learning scales.  My intention is to always write the learning goal above the scale so I do not have to tailor each scale to every ...
Read More

There is always that time of the year when you have to reflect on all that you have done, all that you should have done, and where you need to go with your class.  There is a lot that goes into the dynamic of a classroom.  You have to stick with your academic plan, meet the needs of your diverse learners, ...
Read More

Are you planning anything for President's Day?  How about a Mini-Book/Close Read Unit to keep things academic?  That is exactly why I created this unit!  I love bringing literacy into anything I teach, so I wrote these books at the level for my primary kiddos. Click on any picture or the link to my store to find out more! Books/Close ...
Read More

Just wanted to let you all know that I revised my 100th Day Pop-Up Book!  This project is super fun for your kids because they will get to create their own Pop-Up Book, and then write a story about their 100th Day of school!  Click on any of the pictures, or the link to my store to find out more! ...
Read More

Just wanted to let you all know that I have been working hard to make sure these 1st grade assessments get out before I go back to school! I always assess the language section of the Common Core because that is the one thing that is easy to overlook when planning lessons.  That is why I made my First Grade ...
Read More

I am so excited to present my newest unit to you all!  I find that teachers like substance, and so do your students.  Students want content, and they want something to read, and not just a worksheet to fill out.  Kids need more than just background knowledge to fill in the blanks! They need new information to be exposed to!  This ...
Read More

Let your students write functional text on how to make a Gingerbread cookie or Gingerbread house! Click the link to my Facebook Fan Page and like it to get this awesome freebie! Click on any of the pictures for the link:) I am going to have my kids make gingerbread houses and then write about it! I am so excited ...
Read More

Just finished updating my Holidays/Christmas around the World Unit! Here is a little peek! If you follow my blog and TPT Store, you know that I always tie tons of information and reading into my lessons.  I do not like tons of fluffy stuff because I feel like kids miss out so much when they are spending time doing the ...
Read More

When I was a new teacher, the last thing I thought I would need help with with classroom management and discipline.  I figured my lessons would be so engaging and I would be so interactive and entertaining, that discipline would just take care of itself.  You are probably smiling right now if you thought the same thing.   I am ...
Read More

Hope you all had a great October season! I would love to hear how you celebrated this year:) ...
Read More

If you love teaching The First Thanksgiving, you will love using this mini-book with your kiddos!  I love using these mini-books as close reads.  Be sure to allow your kids to reflect on their learning at the end with the learning reflection page.  Click any of the pictures or the link to download this freebie from my store.  Low on ...
Read More

One great way to assess the class is through a quick survey or a reflection.  These posters help you to understand the students' thinking by looking at their responses.  I made this because allowing the students to give us a chance to show what they know is vital to the learning process.  This download comes with easy instructions with pictures ...
Read More

If you are going to be decorating your door for Red Ribbon Week, this is a really great way to get a creative and cute door without going through the extra work to cut letters and decorate it with all your own materials.  Everything you need to decorate your door is included in this freebie! Of course, you will need ...
Read More

If you have been reading my blog long enough, you know that I always tie in academics no matter what time of year.  I keep things fun, but I will not use something without revving up the activity to make it a great learning experience.  This October, we will be learning about bats and spiders.  You will find several activities ...
Read More

When I first started teaching, classroom transitions were probably the single most difficult thing, and I avoided them at all costs.  I would cringe when I forgot to tell my kids to grab something at their desk, and I would dread having my kids move to another area.  I avoided transitions because I just didn't have much in my bag ...
Read More

If you are a festive teacher like me, you love celebrating the season, yet you try to keep things academic.  We will be doing a unit on bats and spiders, so that is why I made this reader so my kids could be as excited about learning about spiders as I get excited teaching about spiders.  We will be integrating ...
Read More

If you are a festive teacher like me, you love celebrating the season, yet you try to keep things academic.  We will be doing a unit on bats and spiders, so that is why I made this reader so my kids could be as excited about learning bats as I get excited teaching about bats.  We will be integrating many ...
Read More

Since I started teaching, I have always looked for the most efficient way to do things without compromising the learning of students.  I have taught many programs, and I never do exactly what the manual says.  I put my own twist on things while maintaining high expectations for my students.  When I was introduced to the Daily 5 this year, ...
Read More

I use these for some of my kiddos that need to have a visual right in front of them.  I let them pick their favorite color paperclip and I put it on the laminated desk plate.  That way, when their choices result in moving up or down, they can manipulate it and it gives your students ownership of their behavior ...
Read More

Find fun and engaging activities to teach kids about fire safety.  It is important children know basic precautions when dealing with fire prevention! 1.  Be sure all smoke detectors are tested and have batteries. 2.  If there is a fire, do not stay inside.  Find the nearest exit or window to safely get outside. 3.  Let an adult handle matches, ...
Read More

The more I become experienced in my craft, the more I realize that most teachers are thrown a manual and told to teach.  For me, there have been big Aha's and I actually have realized why the reading programs are putting these components into their program.  I would like to express that I am not the know-all expert in reading ...
Read More

Another Freebie just for you! Use these words to differentiate the range of sight word learners.  I use these with my kids and I tell them what level they are on.  I have different kids in different levels, and they love moving to the next level.  This system is a great way to motivate the kids to get to the ...
Read More

Here is a creation just for you! This will help your kids as you Educate to the Core in Math this year:) Click on any of the pics or click the link to my store to download! One of my colleagues (who happens to be fabulous and should have her own blog) printed out the posters and posted the student ...
Read More

If you are planning on doing a Pumpkin Life Cycle Unit in October, we have the resources you need to make this a memorable learning experience.  Integrate Science, Literacy and Writing by reading about the Pumpkin Life Cycle.  This unit includes vocabulary activities, graphic organizers, an interactive pumpkin book, and a mini book.  I have also included two Interactive Notebook Pieces ...
Read More

Happy September! As you probably know, we rarely have time for Science and Writing gets pushed to the back burner all the time.  So why not integrate it?  That is why I have designed the Apple Life Cycle Writing Pack! This includes graphic organizers and vocabulary cards to build background knowledge.  I have also included writing paper in case you ...
Read More

These days, it seems like everyone has an opinion about something in the education field.  Why does the majority of the population feel they are so knowledgable on a profession in which they have no experience? I am guessing it is because they went to school.  Which seems ridiculous to me.  I have been to a medical center, but I don't automatically know ...
Read More

I hold the belief that there is no other way to teach the English Language Arts without diving right into writing.  In my classroom, we jump right into the writing process on the first day of school.  Each quarter, I take a grade for each standard using the rubrics included in the product.   Each writing prompt comes with a ...
Read More

A unit on our presidents!  Three emergent readers featuring George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Barack Obama! Integrate Social Studies into your Reading block while teaching the Common Core skills.  Click the link to find this product in my store, or click on any of the pictures! Printables and Mini-Books included! Compare and Contrast Graphic Organizers Timelines Cause and Effect Graphic ...
Read More

A Barack Obama Biography and printables! Celebrate our President Barack Obama by learning about important events in his life! Simultaneously practice fluency, accuracy, and comprehension while incorporating Social Studies and Common Core English Language Arts Standards.  Find it here in my store, or click any of the pictures to follow the link ...
Read More

A George Washington Biography and printables! Celebrate our President George Washington by learning about important events in his life! Simultaneously practice fluency, accuracy, and comprehension while incorporating Social Studies and Common Core English Language Arts Standards.  Find it here in my store, or click any of the pictures to follow the link.    ...
Read More

An Abraham Lincoln Biography and printables! Celebrate our President Abraham Lincoln by learning about important events in his life! Simultaneously practice fluency, accuracy and comprehension while incorporating Social Studies and Common Core English Language Arts Standards.  Find it here in my store, or click on any of the pictures to follow the link ...
Read More

A complete set of writing process posters to organize your writing time! Here is a way I use these in my classroom.  Instead of having the kids have to ask me for everything they need, I make it accessible to them.  When they are Finished with one step, start the next step, and they can really internalize the writing process ...
Read More

If you are looking to crank up your teaching strategies, look no further! Below you fill find are six effective teaching strategies I use every lesson, every day.  1. Scan the room constantly.  Make sure you are catching those kids who are not on task.  Do not correct the behavior publicly.  Be sure to have your biggest challenges up front by ...
Read More

If I could tell myself 10 things as a first year teacher, this would be it!  As I embark on a new year in a new grade level at a new school, I keep thinking how grateful I am and how lucky I am to have the experiences I went through in just three fast years.  Rewind three years in ...
Read More

If you read my blog often, you will see pictures of my table cards on the desks.  This year, I have revised the table card I use, and I have offered it for FREE just for you:)  Use this card for tables of four. If you have desks, put them together and put the card in the middle. This card ...
Read More

This is one of my ideas I thought of when implementing my behavior procedures in my class.  I always give each student their own plate to put on their desk or in their mailbox.  Because some students do not always respond well to public reinforcement, they can manipulate their own behavior charts.  That way, other students are not staring at ...
Read More

Just wanted to share a little creation I made.  I use these posters throughout the year to hold my students accountable when they are sharing and listening to their partner.  As I learn more about the listening and speaking Common Core standards, I find it more and more important to provide my students with the expectation for their partner talk ...
Read More

One way to get students to remember common misspelled words is during their writing time.  This product is also great for building vocabulary! Each page includes a letter, a tab, a picture, and space to write words and pictures.  I will be using these for my kids in Reading, Writing, Science, and Social Studies.  Check them out in my store, or ...
Read More

Want a great and inexpensive way to show appreciation on Mother's Day?!  Send your kids home with a Pop-Up Card they assembled and wrote themselves! Click on any of the pictures, or check it out in my store! Be sure to check out my Mother's Day freebie just for you! Have your students take home a book for mom, grandma, aunt, ...
Read More

Freebie just for you from me:) Strategies have always been a wonderful way to teach kids reading skills! Use these posters and graphic organizers to remind your students what a good summary needs.  Check it out out in my store to find out more! I hope you enjoyed this blog post! If you would like more ideas from me, be ...
Read More

Finally finished my Earth Day Unit!  We have had so much fun working on this unit in class, and my kids really loved the painting activity that went with it.  I got the recipe for Puffy Paint from Michelle over at Crafty Morning if you would like to see the recipe. My kids started out by reading a little on ...
Read More

Thank you for choosing my FREE 1st Grade Fluency Passage Sampler! Be sure to check your inbox for your freebie! ...
Read More

Inventors Pop-Up Books will help students to internalize what they learned during their American Inventors Unit.  This can also be used to write a creative letter to take home to parents. How you use the book is entirely up to you! Students can write about a famous American Inventor, or they can just write different words they know that relate ...
Read More

President's Day is our long-awaited February Holiday and it is right around the corner.  Engage your class with these fun mini-books (biographies) and activities! Next up, I have a Mini-Unit to share for your 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms.  Build fluency, clarifying strategies, and background knowledge using the mini-books in your classroom while teaching about President's that influenced the growth ...
Read More

In my classroom, it's all about responsibility and accountability.  I found a way to maintain positive communication with parents while still holding the student accountable in the classroom.  I put library card holders (Dollar Tree) in their mailboxes so it is not a center focus in my classroom. For me at this point in the year, I rarely have to ...
Read More

...
Read More

Using team points is a great way to encourage positive behavior. I have done tallies on the board with different table colors as headers. I decided to try something new this year and it doesn't cost a thing. At the end of the week, each team tallies up their points, and the best part is that they all have a ...
Read More

I have to share an amazing system for those students that need a little incentive for their behavior that works like a video game.  The student knows exactly what to expect, and there are no surprises with this system.  It works great for students who need routine and structure, and nothing else works. Here are the main ideas, and you ...
Read More

I have some freebies! I use this goal-setting document during conferences. I love it because I can fill it in as I go while I am giving the conference. I ask the child and parent to take it home and finish filling it out.  When I get it back with signatures, I keep the original for my conference binder, and ...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

...
Read More

Thank you for choosing our 1st Grade Passages Freebie! Now check your inbox for an email from me! ...
Read More

Congratulations! You will now be notified as soon as my 100th Day resource releases! P.S This resource will be 50% off for the first 72 hours. Be sure to keep an eye on that email ...
Read More

Types of Sentences Grammar Interactive Notebook Freebie ...
Read More