This month we learned all about the secret and exciting world of spies! Students practiced different types of codes, learned to disguise themselves and even solved a mystery. Here are ideas for your own Spy unit or Spy party! Secret Codes The most important aspect of any good Spy unit is codes! There are lots of different types of codes…
Are you looking for some great STEM ideas to use this November? Here are my favorites! You can download a free poster of each of these challenges at the bottom of the page. 1. Create a turkey trap Before beginning this project, I love to read the book How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton. This…
It’s November, and most schools started back to school a couple of months ago. About this time teachers everywhere are beginning to feel overwhelmed by student behavior (or should I say misbehavior). The excitement and newness of the beginning of the school year has worn off and students are all showing their full colors! If you are struggling with a…
Every teacher knows who I’m talking about! That kid who never.. stops.. moving. The one who is always tapping his pencil, turning around in his chair or building a tower with his crayons. What if I told you that wiggly student might just be learning the best way he can? There are three types of learners out there: Visual Learners:…
Classrooms around the world are becoming more and more diverse. The way in which we connect and present information to students from different backgrounds, cultures and races can effect the way they learn. Nikki Rucker says: “Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) attempts to bridge the gap between teacher and student by helping the teacher understand the cultural nuances that may cause…
We just finished a unit all about the human body. Since I work with younger students (Kindergarten- 2nd grade) I wanted to make the unit very hands-on and engaging. I didn’t want to try and dive too deep in a lot of technical anatomy. I just wanted them to understand the basic function of our main body parts. Here’s what…
1. Put Letters In Alphabetical Order. Dump out letters A-Z on the floor or a table and have your child line the letters up in the correct order. If they don’t know the whole alphabet yet they can practice with just the beginning half or the first few and add more letters later. 2. Match Uppercase and Lowercase Letters. Write…
Active learning is when learners engage in the learning process and with learning materials rather than just sit and take in information. In many modern classrooms active learning is the norm so sometimes we forget how important it is. Here are five reasons active learning is important for your classroom: 1. Creates meaning and connections. Active learning strategies often incorporate…
With schools starting back up around the globe educators are looking for fun games that can help students run and getting their “wiggles” out while still maintaining social distance. Most districts are still recommending that students: Keep 6 feet apart Do not touch others Do not share equipment Here are some games I’ve been playing all summer with students. Some…
Differentiating instruction isn’t just about giving students more or less work than others. Students who have mastered a topic or skill don’t need to be forced to do double the math problems than everyone else. They have already mastered the concept. Instead, higher level students should be directed to move beyond what the class is doing. To try something more…
