The Blog
No Homework Policy: One Year Later
.Last school year was a really big year in my classroom. We started flexible seating (you can read more about that adventure HERE), we implemented a Bring Your Own Device program, and we did away with homework. Like I said– BIG year!…
Teaching Students to Dissect Responding to Reading Prompts
I have a list a mile long of activities and concepts that I want and need to blog about, but I just HAD to take a few minutes today to share this one. It truly is a game-changer for those…
Going Digital with Student-Led Conferences
Happy spring! I can’t believe how quickly this year is flying by. Before we know it, we’ll be prepping for the end of the year. It seems like just yesterday we were gearing up for the beginning of the year. Isn’t that always…
Using Topple Blocks with Task Cards
Remember back in September when I bought several sets of Topple Blocks for my students? THIS post might jog your memory! Since then, we have used the Topple Blocks to increase engagement time and time again. They never seem to…
Additions to our Fraction Unit!
I’m popping in quickly to share a few additions I’ve made to our fraction unit this year that have really brought some added depth to student learning. Before (or after) you browse here, make sure you stop by my original…
Flexible Seating Reflections
Starting the new year in August, we were implementing some massive changes! We were the first grade level piloting BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), we stopped assigning homework, we were gearing up for our IB Reauthorization Visit, and the biggest…
Using Pictures to Teach Reading and Writing Skills
For years, I have witnessed, over and over again, the value of using pictures to teach reading skills in my classroom. I always use them to introduce reading skills like inference, story elements, cause and effect, compare and contrast, etc. I…
MORE Multiplication Resources and Ideas
It’s that time of year for us– we have begun diving head first into multiplication. Since I teach 4th grade, that means reviewing the basics of multiplication that they learned last year AND teaching them multi-digit multiplication. It’s always a…
Easiest Partner Math Fact Practice Ever
Yet another game that the wonderful Hope from Elementary Shenanigans adapted for her classroom was Headbandz! If you’ve ever played the game, you know how ridiculously silly and playful it is, and kids LOVE ridiculous and silly! 😉 I knew…
Elapsed Time Amazing Race
Can you tell we have been hard at work mastering our elapsed time skills? This is something that can get pretty boring pretty quickly because of how much practice you HAVE to do. I started searching for more ideas to make it…
Elapsed Time Game!
A few weeks ago, I had the great privilege of attending a two day training at The Ron Clark Academy. They are all about high student engagement and adding a little bit of extra magic to a rigorous curriculum. One…
Coordinating Conjunctions and Compound Sentences
One of my big goals this year is to make writing as FUN and ENGAGING as I possibly can. So many students equate writing with boring skill practice and monotonous prompts, and I want to change that! We are very lucky to…
