The Blog
Tips for Teaching Multiplication Facts
Multiplication Facts. They are the backbone of so many skills beyond third grade, and yet, students continue to struggle with them well into 4th and 5th grade. We teach students ways to show multiplication, we show them all the strategies,…
Teaching the Presidential Election
I have a bit of a confession. During the 2016 election, I was teaching 4th grade. Even though government was one of our standards that year, I avoided teaching the presidential election at all costs. I was worried. Worried about…
FREE Place Value Activity!
Most schools are in session now (whether virtually or in-person), and I know that year after year, the first thing that most teachers teach in math is place value! Whether or not your curriculum and standards are full of place…
My Three Must-Dos for Setting High Expectations in the Classroom
As most schools head back to in-person learning soon, I want to share several essentials for how I start my school year. We all know how very important it is to build strong relationships, routines, and procedures, which in turn…
Literacy | Anchor Charts | Back to School | Literacy Anchor Charts | Reading Skills | Seasonal | Using Pictures to Teach
Teaching the Difference Between Literal and Inferential Observations
Teaching students the difference between literal and inferential thinking is one of my must-do lessons at the beginning of every single school year. No matter which elementary grade I’m teaching. I have talked about this so many times. So, I…
Ice Breakers and Team Building for Social Distancing or the Virtual Classroom
Back to School 2020 is sure to be one for the history books. Desks 6 feet apart, plexiglass dividers, classes split into 2 rotations, in-person and online classes. What is a teacher to do when it comes to building a…
Making Morning Meeting Work in your Upper Grades Classroom
Morning Meeting. It isn’t just for the primary kids! I was lucky enough to get my very first job at a school that very much believed in the power of Morning Meeting. We were given the Morning Meeting Book from…
Incorporating the Outdoors into Your Classroom Instruction
Incorporating the outdoors into your classroom can be a fun way for kids to learn, and this year it will prove to be especially important. Studies show that getting into nature has a calming effect on children, improves sensory skills,…
Back to School | Building Community | Building Community | Classroom | Classroom Management | Seasonal | Teacher Ideas
Incorporating Classroom Traditions to Build Classroom Community
Every year that I walk into a classroom, I have the same goal. To build our class into a warm, welcoming community that functions like a great, big extended family. The goal is to take 20 to 30 people who…
Back to School | Classroom | Classroom Management | Classroom Organization | Seasonal | Teacher Ideas
The Pros and Cons of Departmentalizing Elementary Schools
Recently, a teacher asked about the pros and cons of departmentalizing in upper elementary. The discussion that followed was amazing and included a ton of great thoughts, tips and ideas. The whole discussion had me reflecting on the pros and…
Making the Leap: Moving from Primary to Upper Elementary
A question that often comes up in my Facebook Group, Inspired in Upper Elementary, is: “Help! I’ve always been a primary grades teacher, and now I’m moving to the upper elementary grades. What do I need to know?” When I…
How I Spent My Summer Vacation: Teacher Edition
Before I even attempt to write this post, I want to be 1000% clear that I don’t believe any teacher anywhere needs to work on schoolwork or preparations during the summer. However, I know that at some point in the middle of…
