Children and adults both love "Minute to Win It" games and challenges, and they are perfect to incorporate into the classroom for instant excitement and engagement. This post shares the three ways to use "Minute to Win it" games in the classroom and a free PDF with directions for 25 games to use in your classroom. What are "Minute to Win It" Games? "Minute ... Read More
Browse the archives below for even more great ideas
Amazon Prime Day Deals for Teachers
If you are a teacher and love Amazon shopping, keep reading because I'm sharing the best deals for teachers on this page. Prime Day 2022 may be over, but incredible prices and products are still alive! This post contains affiliate links for your convenience (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases- which means if you make a purchase after clicking a ... Read More
Teaching Digital Expectations – Virtual Classroom Management
Every teacher (new or experienced) knows the importance of having strong classroom management. A huge part of successful classroom management is teaching expectations. Setting up a strong virtual classroom management with students you have never met is a definitely more of a challenge than with face-to-face instruction. This post will share steps for teaching digital ... Read More
Teaching Empathy and Perspective in Grades 4-5 (Free Activities)
Empathy is very important for students and adults to have. I strongly believe that empathy is one of the most important "soft skills" that teachers can cultivate and grow in children. The ability to have empathy for others saves a lot of conflict and negative feelings from both sides...the person receiving empathy and the person giving empathy. Because I feel so strongly ... Read More
Free Assignment Checklists for Google Classroom
Keeping your students’ assignments organized each week can be easier said than done. Using these FREE assignment checklists for Google Classroom (with spots for reminders and messages) will hopefully make your life (and your students' and parents' lives) a little easier while teaching in a digital classroom. Using Assignment Checklists in Google Classroom™ Google ... Read More
Having Online Class Discussions with Google Classroom
Online discussion can be motivating and encouraging for many students! Whether it’s one-on-one discussion so students can ask a question privately, or small or large group discussion, you can keep those important academic and social emotional conversations happening outside of the traditional classroom setting. This post shares several ways to have online discussions with ... Read More
Free Daily Check-In Google Forms for Distance Learning
One of the hardest parts about distance learning is not being able to see and talk with our students on a regular basis. Even if you are doing video conferences, it is hard to know how students are doing and if they need help. One option is to have daily check-ins using Google Forms. This post shares free daily check in google forms for distance learning and some tips for ... Read More
Tips and Activities for Teaching Procedures
How you start your year off can really make a difference in the success of your year. Teaching procedures effectively those first few weeks of school is so important (second only to building relationships and setting high expectations for behavior). On this post, I will share lots of tips and activities to help you create and teach your classroom procedures, including ... Read More
Free Back to School Activities for Grades 3-5
Each year, I like to incorporate a few new back to school activities during those first few days of school. However, I do have some tried and true favorites that I pull out year to year (or have on standby if we have extra time). On this post, I will share some of my favorite printable back to school activities (with a link to download them for free!). I "Mustache" ... Read More
Free Back to School Reflection Activity
My favorite back-to-school activities are the ones that get students up and moving and/or have them talking and sharing with others. This post will share a free back-to-school reflection activity that has both of those qualities (depending on how you use it). About the Back to School Reflection Questions This free back to school reflection activity (available to ... Read More
First Day of School Activities for Morning Work (Free Printables)
The first day of school is always an exciting time (and sometimes scary time ;) ). My first principal would always say that we couldn't leave the day before the first day until we had that first day of school activity ready and waiting on the desks for the students. I still remember and follow this advice after ten years of teaching. Having a task for students to do right ... Read More
Spring Fever Classroom Management Ideas
Spring, oh glorious spring! It's filled with warmer weather, sunny days, and…the dreaded spring fever. Even if you have been teaching for a while, I bet you still get that sense of doom when the weather starts getting nicer, and classroom behavior takes a turn for the worse. Whether you’re experiencing your first spring fever or just looking for some new classroom ... Read More