Are you on the lookout for some new back to school books?! In today’s blog post, I wanted to share 3 of my favorite books to use at the beginning of the year for back to school. A new school year can bring many different emotions as students’ schedules change and their summer rhythm and […]

I love playing, “Would You Rather?” in the classroom at many different times throughout the year! At the beginning of the year, it’s such a fun ice-breaker as students giggle and answer the goofy, kid-friendly questions.   I compiled a little video sharing some of the ways and times I play this game in my […]

At the beginning of the year, I like to have my students begin working together right away! The sooner they learn to cooperate and learn that we are all going to be a team this year, the better! During that first week of school, something I like to use is cooperative puzzles. This easy-to-prep activity […]

My, oh my! The first week of first grade is OVER!   I swear, 5 years later and I still forget just how little and “new” to school 1st graders are. The growth is just so amazing and HUGE in first grade that all I can do is picture last year’s class at the end […]

My first day of school is in less than one month. 29 more days. The countdown is on. It is not as exciting as the countdown that happens at the end of the year, but I know a new school year is just around the corner, so I might as well start getting excited! (No […]

DATA! Data. Data. Data.  I love data. That’s probably really nerdy, but it’s true. I like to assess and re-assess my students. I like pre-tests, post-tests, formative assessments and summative assessments. I like making charts, keeping track, moving students from group to group and tier to tier. I like to SEE it all in front […]