Fall is my favorite season! I love the cooler weather, the changing leaves, and even football season, well maybe just all the snacks. I really love incorporating fall activities into the classroom and especially fall science experiments. This post shares a quick fall science experiment that is perfect for exploring and reviewing the scientific method. Dissolving … [Read more...] about Fall Science Experiment: Dissolving Pumpkins
How to Have an Effective Dismissal
One of the most harried times during the school days can definitely be dismissal. To me, it is very important to have an effective dismissal routine so the students leave on a good note, and so I don't end the school day stressed and overwhelmed. In this post, I will break down how I conduct dismissal in a way that is calm, organized, and very efficient. My dismissal … [Read more...] about How to Have an Effective Dismissal
My Favorite Read Aloud: The Sweetest Fig {Lots of Freebies}
This post contains an Amazon affiliate link if you decide you want to purchase the book mentioned in this post. One of my favorite parts of being a teacher is reading books aloud to my students. Even though I teach fifth grade, my students still love to be read to. I even bring them to the carpet and we read and discuss the book just like a book club. It is definitely … [Read more...] about My Favorite Read Aloud: The Sweetest Fig {Lots of Freebies}
5 Ways to Simplify Homework Management
Homework can be one of the most frustrating parts of being a teacher. I have learned a lot over the years about how to manage homework and make it less of a burden on myself and the students. I have compiled five of the best things I ever did to help with the homework insanity. Some of these may not be possible for you to implement, depending on your class or students. … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Simplify Homework Management
Using Scoot to Assess in Math
One of my favorite ways to review is with a whole class activity called Scoot. To read about another one of my favorite ways to review math, click here. What is SCOOT? Scoot is an activity that requires the students to "scoot" from desk to desk answering questions at each desk. To prepare, all you do is place a task card at each desk. The students will need a … [Read more...] about Using Scoot to Assess in Math
Choice Board Scoring Resources {Freebies}
Over the past year, I have received several questions about how I score the choice boards I use in my classroom. I decided to go ahead and compile my favorite choice board scoring resources and offer them for free. You can use these with choice boards that I create or with any choice boards you have. I have included a variety of different printables that you can choose … [Read more...] about Choice Board Scoring Resources {Freebies}
Math Anchor Charts to Start the Year
Setting expectations and norms for math instruction and math class time is so important to set your class up for success. This post will share my go-to math anchor charts to start the year. These are the math charts that I use to set the tone and introduce a lot of my procedures expectations in math. In fact, these charts are the basis for my math mini-lessons the first … [Read more...] about Math Anchor Charts to Start the Year
Data Tracking Forms {Free}
With the new teacher evaluations in my state becoming more and more rigorous, I knew I needed to create some very specific data tracking forms to show how I was tracking my data and what I was doing with the data in my instruction. I created these forms last year and used them in some form or another throughout the year. Some I used more than others, but I definitely … [Read more...] about Data Tracking Forms {Free}
A Simple Strategy to Stop Arguing and Talking Back
Those first few weeks of school can be rough when you have students who test authority and like to talk back or argue when given a reminder or asked to do a simple task. It is even harder in the beginning because you have not had time to build a mutual relationship of respect. While you are building this relationship, you need something simple but effective to stop any … [Read more...] about A Simple Strategy to Stop Arguing and Talking Back
Solving Multi-Part Word Problems {Freebie Printable Chart}
Solving multi-part math constructed response tasks is such a tricky skill for my students. Not only is the actual solving of the problems tricky, but students often struggle with organizing their responses and their work. This post will share some tips to help students solve multi-part word problems strategically AND ways to scaffold their responses and … [Read more...] about Solving Multi-Part Word Problems {Freebie Printable Chart}
Using Wonder to Teach All the Common Core Literature Standards
The summer of 2014, I read Wonder by R.J. Palacio and fell in love. I immediately knew I wanted this to be my first read aloud of the year. Not only are the messages and themes in this book fabulous for children today, but the book literally allows you to teach all the Common Core Literature Standards with this book! Seriously....Read on to find out how. This post … [Read more...] about Using Wonder to Teach All the Common Core Literature Standards
Constructed Response Freebie {Math is Real Life}
For this month's Math is Real Life, I am writing about a few of our recent trips to the lake. On the way back from the lake, my mom texted me and asked me how much gas we used on one trip. After telling her about 1/4 of a tank and that the tank held 32 gallons, I realized this was a good example of using math in real life. Fast forward to the next trip to the lake when we … [Read more...] about Constructed Response Freebie {Math is Real Life}