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Classroom Management

Image of a fun writing station classroom writing center. Text: Why every k-2 classroom needs a writing station. and how to make it awesome

Why Every K-2 Classroom Needs a Writing Station (And How to Make It Awesome)

Okay, friends. Picture this. You’ve got 20 minutes of center time, and half your class is wandering around like they’ve never seen a classroom before. Sound familiar? In my 23 years of teaching primary grades, one thing stayed constant no matter what else I changed: my writing station. It was the one center I kept up all year long. And honestly? It was usually the most popular spot in the room. So let’s talk about why every K-2 classroom needs a writing center—and what to put in it. Hey, just a heads up! This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. That

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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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Reading Conference Forms Writing Conference Forms

Conferring with your students for reading and writing just got a little easier!

Looking for a quick way to help manage your Reading and Writing Conferences with your students?   Look no further! I will admit, I LOVE doing individual conferences with my kiddos for reading and writing! I will also admit, that sometimes I am at a loss for what to say, or what to teach next. I needed a way to help me focus!       So, I created these Reading/ Writing Conference Labels, Forms, and Rubrics. They help keep me focused on what I am looking for, plus give me space to take a note or two. When I sit down

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Positive Classroom Management Idea

Positive Classroom Management: Behavior Buddies

I am always looking for ways to promote good behavior in my classroom!  This is a fun, inexpensive way to help kiddos see and understand when they are doing the right thing!BEHAVIOR BUDDIES! I LOVE “catching” my kiddos doing the right thing, and so do our Behavior Buddies!Meet R2, Dwight, and Stormy! Here’s how Behavior Buddies work in my classroom:Each day I choose a Behavior Buddy to pass around our classroom during the day.He gets passed around during our morning meeting so we know who’s turn it is to talk.If I see someone doing the right thing without being asked,

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Pic of happy child and the text Positive Classroom Management Idea: Shout-Out Stickers

Fun Positive Classroom Management Idea

This classroom management 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! Positive Classroom Management Idea I have to admit, I LOVE stickers! I always have. I had quite a collection when I was a student. I stored my stickers in a photo album with self-stick pages I got from Walgreens. I really wish that I still had it! I was going to put in an Amazon

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Fostering Independence in the Classroom

Let Them Do it! Fostering Independence in the Classroom!

We all want our students to be independent.  We want them to figure out a solution to the problem, to get their work done, to make sure that they put their things away, and not lose their homework.  Check out some ways that I am fostering independence in the classroom! So, I figured out the other day that I have been teaching for 17 years.  Sheesh, that seems like such a long time, but it has really flown by! One of the things that I have always had some trouble with is being a control freak, perfectionist,  little reluctant to relinquish

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best classroom seating arrangement

Best Classroom Seating Arrangement?

  What is the best classroom seating arrangement? Today I wanted to talk about seating.  I have seen TONS of blog posts, Instagram pics, and Facebook Posts about flexible seating in the classroom!  It is all a buzz in the teaching world! So, what is the best classroom seating arrangement? Whatever works for you! Here is what is going on in my classroom. I have wanted to try flexible seating in my classroom for years! The problem? 1.  Storage.  There was no place in our schoolhouse to store all of the desks that I didn’t want. 2. We have recently

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