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Classroom Management

Image of The Daily Think on a Smartboard. Moring work ideas that build thinking skills (not just busy work)

Morning Work Ideas That Build Real Thinking Skills (Not Just Busy Work)

Hey there, Teacher Friend! Transform your morning routine with these fun morning work ideas or bell-ringer activities. Keep reading to learn some engaging, independent work routines and low-prep morning work ideas that build critical thinking, vocabulary, and independence in K–2. Why Morning Work Matters in the Primary Classroom Morning work, Bell Ringers, Bellwork, whatever you call it in your classroom, teachers NEED to start the day with a calm, consistent, independent routines that build our students’ skills! Often though, students rush through worksheets just to get done and then spend their time…wasting time. What we really want are meaningful morning

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How to Use Student Partners to Boost Classroom Collaboration and Increase Achievement

How to Use Student Partners to Boost Classroom Collaboration and Increase Achievement

Sometimes, the best ideas come from the kid sitting next to you. I still remember watching two second graders hunched over a whiteboard, completely engrossed in a spelling challenge. One of them tapped out the sounds slowly while the other scribbled with a dry-erase marker, correcting and cheering along the way. That moment stuck with me—not just because it was adorable (which it absolutely was), but because something important was happening: real, meaningful learning through collaboration. That’s what “thinking partners” are all about. And while I may not be in the classroom anymore, I still think about those partnerships. A

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Image of a pile of papers. Text: From Piles to Smiles: Transformative Tips for Elementary Paper Grading

From Piles to Smiles: Transformative Tips for Elementary Paper Grading

Hey there Teacher Friend! I am so glad you are here. Today, by request, I am talking about paper grading! Such a fun topic right? Here are some ideas for keeping up with paper grading that won’t be overwhelming! *This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you purchase something using this link we will receive a very small portion of the sale. The price of the item purchased remains the same whether you use an affiliate link or not. I will only recommend products and resources that I believe will be of value to you, my readers. By using my

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Text: Classroom Management: Classroom Collaboration without all the drama! Image of a boy and girl lab partners.

Boost Classroom Collaboration with 4 Fun and Simple Ways to Pick Partners

We all know that classroom collaboration is important, but does this happen to you: “Okay, friends, pick a partner and we will get started”. ~Chaos ensues.~ Does this sound like your classroom? I love having students work with a partner or a small group, but the drama involved sometimes puts me over the edge. Here are some fun ways for your students to pick partners without all the drama that worked for me (at least we hope!) Classroom Collaboration There are many benefits to students working collaboratively. Improved interpersonal communication skills, improved social skills, enhanced problem-solving abilities, students are more

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Small Group Instruction hack with Menu Covers! Image of menu cover with a phonics comic, read the punctuation, and word mapping mat.

1 Easy Teacher Hack for Small Group Instruction: Menu Covers!

Ah…Small Group Instruction. It seems so easy, doesn’t it? But, we know better! Here is a fun little hack that will make small-group instruction just a little easier. Menu Covers (yes, the plastic covers that you find in a restaurant with the menu inside) will become your new favorite teaching tool! This post does contain Amazon Affiliate links. If you purchase anything through these links I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks so much! The Power of Small Group Instruction Small group instruction is essential for personalized learning. It allows for targeted instruction, individualized support,

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Image of a teacher and student being silly. Text: Writing Center Refresh: Silly September!

Easy Classroom Writing Center Refresh for a Silly September!

A million years ago when I was a brand new baby larva teacher, I wanted to do all the things! I set up a writing center in my classroom. Then, the students used the heck out of it for 2 weeks, then never looked at it again. I had put everything that I had for writing in that center, and my students lost interest. Wah, wah! I learned that refreshing my writing center every so often piqued my students’ interest again! So, I started doing a monthly writing center refresh! In this first post of my new blog series, I

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Image of a group of students giving a thumbs up. Text: Classroom Management Strategies. Fun and Cheap Classroom Rewards and Incentives.

7 Classroom Management Strategies: Fun and Cheap Rewards and Incentives

Classroom Management can be hard. Rewards and incentives can motivate students to behave positively and help create a positive classroom environment. While I was still in the classroom, it seems that my classroom management changed all the time. What worked with one student today, doesn’t work tomorrow. Each class was different and unique. That being said, the teacher can not do it all. Sometimes it will take parental involvement and administration involvement. Sometimes it will even take the help of another teacher. Here are some fun and cheap classroom rewards and incentives to help keep your students on track. None

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Text: Mini-Books in your classroom writing center. Image of cute little girl looking surprised at her own writing.

Kids LOVE Making Mini-Books! Why You Should Add Them to Your Classroom Writing Center

Do you have a classroom writing center? It was the only “permanent” center that I had in my classroom. It really was the most popular spot in my classroom! I spent time each month finding new and interesting ways to keep it fresh. My students LOVED writing and they LOVED the writing center. By providing fun writing materials my students could let their creativity run wild! Mini-Books are the perfect addition to your classroom writing center! Mini-Books are Fun! Blank Mini books are a great way to engage students in creative writing and storytelling. When you have a mini-book you

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Organizing Your Classroom Library

So, if you have been around here at all, you will know that I am a children’s book addict enthusiast.  My classroom library is more of a library that has a classroom in it.  This year though my classroom library was starting to become a point of stress in my classroom. What do I mean?  Let me show you. It may help you with organizing your classroom library! This post contains an affiliate link to Amazon. Before my Classroom Library Makeover: A lot of my book boxes were stored on these metal cubes.  They worked FANTASTIC for the first few

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Teacher Hack: One SUPER SIMPLE thing that I do everyday to help my teacher sanity!

So, I have to tell you honestly, I almost feel silly writing this post.  But, teaching is HARD and anything that I can do to help make it even a little easier is always a good thing! This teacher hack is really kind of a no-brainer, but I didn’t put it into practice until last year and it has really helped with my teacher sanity!   Read on! Super Simple Teacher Hack! So, here it is!  I won’t go home at the end of my teaching day until my desk is clean!  No matter what is going on, I always make sure

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Organizing reading and writing conferences

Organizing for Reading and Writing Conferences

So, let me start by saying that I am NOT the most organized person on the planet. That being said, this is what works for someone who is organizationally challenged! Let me help you to get organized for Reading and Writing Conferences!     This post contains affiliate links for Amazon. By purchasing an item on the Amazon site using these links, I will receive a small commission on your purchase (with no extra cost to you). For more information about my Disclosure Policy, please visit this link!  I do reading and or writing conferences almost every day! I usually start with small

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