Let’s face it, many students today wish they could spend every minute on the computer playing games. As educators, we can use their natural interest in the computer to create interest in doing other things. Beyond that, using techology is a critical skill all students need to know to be successful in our world today. The websites below are free…
Simple and Fun Ideas To Teach Your Child Their Letters
You may be a classroom teacher, homeschooling mom or a parent who wants to give your child some meaningful activities at home. Mastering the basics of creating letters and being able to recognize them is key for ensuring reading success letter on! These ideas are fun, low-prep and great practice to help your child learn their letters. 8 Active Ways…
A Perfectly Simple Valentine’s Day Party
Looking for ideas for your Valentine party this year? Here are several great ideas that you can do with almost any age group. 1. Candy Heart Patterns Print these free candy heart patterns and have students use real candy hearts to continue the pattern. You can focus on colors using these pattern cards or you could focus on words if…
3 Activities to Practice Kindness In the Classroom
Kindness is a very important concept to teach and practice with your students. Before looking at three great activities to practice kindness, you should discuss what kindness looks and sounds like and why it is actually important. You can use the demonstrations below to help students of any age to visualize kindness in a concrete way. Teach About Why Kindness…
Massive List of SEL Books for Teaching Social Skills and Emotions
SEL involves teaching students about their emotions and what to do with them. It also involves purposefully teaching important social skills such as problem-solving, taking turns, being responsible and expressing their ideas. 3 Benefits of teaching SEL in the classroom: Students can know and manage themselves. Students understand the perspectives of others and relate effectively with them. Students are able…
How to Stop Behavior Problems Before They Start
90% of the behavior problems you have in your class can be eliminated by changing your routines and environment! 1.Establish clear expectations. Let’s use the example of getting in line. I want to take a minute to close your eyes and imagine how you would LIKE a classroom of students to get in line. Imagine the noise level, how quickly…
Ways to Support SEL in the Classroom
1. Class Meetings Set a time(s) each week (perhaps a few mornings during homeroom, or right after lunch) for whole class meetings. This is an ideal time for learners to share about themselves. It can build awareness and trust with classmates. The teacher asks a question. Learners reflect and share their thoughts and opinions openly while listening respectfully to others.…
How to Help Teachers to Reflect on Their Teaching
As an administrator, I conduct formal observations on all the teachers in our building. After the observation, I hold a meeting with the teacher to go over what I observed and ways they can grow for next time. I always ask the same question when I begin these meetings “Tell me what you think went well in the lesson and…
Simple Ways to Check for Understanding
We all know that it’s important to assess students. Assessment shouldn’t just come at the end of the unit or topic thought. Ongoing assessment, or formative assessment, should take place throughout the unit. Each day I like to do a quick and simple check-in on my specific objective for that day. I use the results to help me plan for…
Massive List of Free STEM task cards
STEM task cards are cards that students complete to focus on a specific skill or concept. What makes them different from other learning activities is that each card focuses on one activity or problem. Students grab a card, complete the activity, and then start on another card. Some task cards can be completed quickly and students will work through an…