I’d like to preface this blog post with a friendly reminder: I am NOT a morning person. I am a bleary-eyed, coffee-clutching, stumbling fool before about 9:00 am. Yet… MY SCHOOL STARTS AT 7:30.…

Happy Friday, friends! I’m so glad that spring is finally here and the weather is slowly, but surely, improving in our corner of the world. Today I want to share with you a step…

I can’t believe that winter break is here already! This year is flying by, and I can definitely tell that it’s time for a break. My students are moody. Chatty. Cranky. AND sick of…

Ah, beginning of the year writing samples. They are the best, aren’t they? {eye roll} It’s clear that most kids have not picked up a pencil all summer long, let alone written words, and…

Every August, I take a poll in my 5th grade classroom. Everyone gets to vote for their favorite subject. Each year, hands wave for reading, science, writing and social studies. But, inevitably, math is…

One of the best things about 5th graders is their ability to adapt to a new situation and make it theirs in a heartbeat. AND I love using that to my advantage when it…

I am not a huge fan of Field Day. There. I said it. I know I’m probably in the minority here, but it is not one of my favorite days. Yes, the kids have…

If you know me, you know that a good sort is one of my favorite instructional strategies. I actually think my grade level colleagues get sick of me saying, “Let’s use a sort to…

Whether you are a teacher, parent, or student, Christmas can be a tough time of year when you are looking for that perfect gift. Here are a few fun ideas for that special teacher…

Has this ever happened to you? You teach a lesson, let’s say, about adding fractions. As you’re walking around the classroom, lots of kids have correct answers – even a few that you wouldn’t…