Novel studies are a great way to teach reading in the upper elementary grades. However, they can also make or break a reader. If you, as the teacher, build engagement and enthusiasm amongst your students, a novel study can be an amazing experience. Here are a few tips to making the ... Read More
Graduation Gift
I had a high-school graduation party to go to over the weekend. It was a special one for me. I started baby-sitting this young man about 15 years ago. Fast-forward a few years and he is now my nephew! My husband is the youngest in his family (by a lot!) so I inherited 12 ... Read More
Moving Up Grade Levels?
When I taught second grade, my previous students would always ask me if I would ever change grade levels. I would tell them no, because second graders were the only kids in the school shorter than me. Fifth graders are too tall! Totally not the reason, but they got a kick out of ... Read More
Spirit Day Ideas
It's around that time of year when everyone needs a pick-me-up! What better way to do it than with a Spirit Week at school? My students get a kick out of this every year and we try to switch it up so that we have a variety of themes. 1. Crazy Sock Day 2. Dress Like a Book Character ... Read More
Walking Club
Are you ready to get all your students really moving at recess? At our school, we have Walking Club. They receive a punch card, to keep track of the miles that they walk. Then, at recess time, the students walk laps around the field in our play area. We have a parent ... Read More
Indoor Recess Program
I don't know about where you are, but here in New England, our winters are cold and snowy. This means that we often have indoor recess or, if we do go outside, it's not terribly fun. Our PTF (parent-teacher forum) came up with the idea of a Recess Program. Students are given a list of a ... Read More