Back-to-school season means new supplies, fresh bulletin boards, and a classroom full of students who may not know each other, or you, yet. And let’s be real: upper elementary students can spot cheesys icebreaker from a mile away. They’ve done…
Read More »
Parent-teacher conferences are one of the most important touchpoints between educators and families. It’s a time to connect, build relationships, and provide a clear picture of a student’s academic journey. However, these meetings can sometimes focus too heavily on areas…
Read More »
Back-to-School Night is one of the most important events in the school year for elementary teachers. It’s your chance to connect with parents, share essential information, and set the tone for a successful partnership. With so much to cover and…
Read More »
No matter which grade level I taught, I always found time to read aloud to my students. From 2nd graders up to 8th graders, my students loved listening to stories. I would read a wide array of books to my…
Read More »
Using anchor charts is a great way to get students engaged in their learning and keep essential skills anchored in the classroom throughout the year. Some anchor charts are best made together with students and other anchor charts can be…
Read More »
Managing classroom behaviors is probably one of the toughest parts of being a teacher. I have tried almost every strategy in my classroom and what I have found that works best is being consistent, logical, and understanding with my students…
Read More »
Classroom management and strong teaching go hand in hand. In order to have an effective lesson go off without a hitch, you need to make sure your classroom management is intact. I learned that the hard way when I started…
Read More »
One of the best things I ever taught my students was that it’s okay to struggle. Struggling develops grit and perseverance and leads to success. The way I taught this to my students was by introducing the “Learning Pit.” I…
Read More »
A Bloom Ball is a 3-dimensional project that requires students to complete activities moving them through the levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy. A Bloom Ball project offers students at all levels the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of not only novels…
Read More »
If you’ve subscribed to Tales from a Very Busy Teacher, then you’ve been receiving my monthly kindness calendars. Every month, a new calendar is sent straight to your inbox in hopes that you challenge your students to participate in an…
Read More »
