The Blog
ZERO Prep (and FREE!) Creative and Critical Thinking Games
I am always looking for quick and fun ways to keep students engaged in learning AND stretch their thinking. As a gifted and talented facilitator, I regularly add critical thinking games and tasks that challenge students to think outside the…
Advice to New Homeschool Parents from a Veteran Teacher (And former Homeschool Mom!)
Deciding to homeschool your child can be both exciting and overwhelming. I’ll never forget the moment we decided to make the leap, albeit only for a year. There’s so much to consider… Is it the right choice for your family?…
What To Teach On The First Day of School: FREE First Day of School Lesson Plans
The first day of school is one of the most important days of the year. It sets the tone for the weeks (and months!) ahead, so having a smooth start is super important. As a mentor teacher, the biggest tip…
Brush Up on Your Teacher Skills: Must-Read Professional Development Books for Teachers (and More!)
Summer break is right around the corner. After a school year full of early mornings, lesson plans, and seemingly endless to-do lists, we’ve all earned some well-deserved rest and relaxation! I’m picturing a lot of family time, slower mornings, and…
6 Creative Ways to Build Community Connections Beyond the Classroom
Building a strong sense of community within our classroom is something we all strive to do as teachers. Shared experiences, teamwork, and mutual support create the foundation for a year of success as a classroom family. But what happens when…
Practical Advice for New Teachers, Straight From Our Community
Starting your teaching career comes with a mix of excitement, nerves, joys, challenges, and a million memorable “firsts” throughout the year. From figuring out how to set up your classroom to classroom management to writing engaging lesson plans, there’s so…
5 End-of-the-Year Teacher Tips for August Success
We know the final school year bell hasn’t rung yet, but I’ve found that now is actually the perfect time to start setting your classroom up for a successful back-to-school season! A few years ago, I booked a trip that…
How to Prevent Summer Slide in Upper Elementary
If you’ve been in education for any length of time, you’re probably aware (and scared) of the summer slide. If you’re a parent, you’ve probably landed on this page in an attempt to prevent summer slide in your own student….
Book Recommendations | Homeschool | Literacy | Math | Novels & Picture Books | Picture Books | Projects
Units of Study Using Rich Picture Books
I’ve shared before about my love of project-based learning as one way to make learning more engaging and authentic. Teaching with units of study based on beautiful picture books is another one of my engagement hacks! My husband might also…
Academic Competitions That Build Connections
Academic competitions can be exciting and rewarding additions to your school club options. In fact, my own daughter recently wrote in an “About Me” section that one of her hobbies is entering academic competitions! For upper elementary and middle school…
How To Use Student Assessment Data: Practical Tips for Differentiation and Growth
We’ve all been there, staring at our stack of data from recent assessments and wondering how to make the most out of it. Score breakdowns, performance bands, growth indicators, percentiles, etc.… there’s so much information, but the hardest part is…
Test-Taking Tips for Morale and Motivation
It may not be a popular opinion, but standardized tests play an important role in measuring growth for students, informing instruction for teachers, and guiding decisions for schools and districts. But the testing season and necessary test prep can, admittedly,…
