Teacher Tools

Back to school always sneaks up on me. I know it’s coming and yet I’m never ready for it! If you can relate, this is for you! I’m sharing my first week of school lesson plans to help you be prepared without having to give up precious beach time. (Actually, it’s my plans for the […]

Do you struggle with how to organize missed work for absent student? Do you have piles of extra papers sitting on your desk, or stuffed in student desks? Are you tired of hearing “What did I miss”? I’ve been there! Over my years teaching grades 4 to 6, I’ve tried a few different systems and

If you’re anything like me, you realize at the last minute that a holiday, or the end of the year, is fast approaching and you still need to get your gifts for students. Whether it’s Valentines Day, Christmas or the last day of school that is just around the corner, this list of inexpensive gifts

There are a number of first year teacher must haves that belong on an essential teacher supplies list. But there are plenty of money-sucking items that you really don’t need, at least not right away. I remember when I first got my teaching job (many moons ago…). I excitedly ran out and spent way too

Setting up effective classroom morning routines in elementary just might be the most important thing you do for a successful year. Hyperbole? I’m not so sure… The most engaging, wonderful lessons won’t reach your students if you haven’t set up the calm, organized, positive learning environment your students need to be able to focus on

Have you been hearing about task cards lately but are wondering what are task cards? Maybe you know what they are but are looking for new ideas for how to use task cards in the classroom. You’re in the right place! So What Are Task Cards? Task cards are essentially a more engaging, broken-up worksheet.

The end of the school year is getting so close, I can almost smell it! While this is an exciting time of year, it is also one of the most challenging. Final assessments, report card writing and classroom cleaning all need to be squeezed into the final month or two of school. Meanwhile, students are