I'll never forget the most important lesson I learned in college as an educator. It had a HUGE impact on me, and I still think about it every year as I get my new group of students. I was a double major - elementary and special education. At my particular university, this meant I took 13 credits more than than someone pursuing a an elementary education degree. What it really meant - more sped classes. No biggie. So I took my special … [Read more...] about The Most Important Educator Lesson
Search Results for: label/Social Studies
Using Online Textbooks
I am pretty excited about today's guest speaker - my husband Andrew! He teaches junior high and high school Social Studies at the same school district I work for. We've been here three full years now, and he LOVES that they have fully embraced technology by going with 1:1 ipads at his end of the building. (Yes, you read that correctly - our entire K-12 is in one building...well, most of them. We have two elementary schools.) Anyway, he's going to … [Read more...] about Using Online Textbooks
Social Studies Review in the Upper Elementary Classroom
A challenge many teachers face as we get closer to the end of the school year is keeping kids focused and engaged. I decided to shake things up for my kids and to start the final exam review process (because August/September were a LONG time ago from my 6th graders' perspectives), was to put my students in charge of the daily bell-ringer/warm-up. This great social studies review can be used at ANY time in the school year. Each student … [Read more...] about Social Studies Review in the Upper Elementary Classroom
Social Emotional Learning in the Elementary Classroom
If you had told me a decade ago that I would have have been writing about social emotional learning in the elementary classroom, I would have had two main thoughts - And then I had kids of my own. I really started to pay attention to how they "ticked". I saw that my methods of parenting were ok, but not great. I knew there had to be better ways of reaching my own children. So I started researching, and I started trying new things. And … [Read more...] about Social Emotional Learning in the Elementary Classroom
EDITABLE Florida Puzzle for Social Studies, Math, ELA, or OTHER Activities
Let your students practice various skills with this fun EDITABLE Florida Shaped Puzzle. These are a great way to engage students on various tasks. Use this puzzle when you are working on 50 states and capitals or anything about Florida! This puzzle will have students match 17 different problems together by correctly putting the 14 piece Florida puzzle together. You need to create the puzzle, so it will fit the needs of YOUR students! Teachers … [Read more...] about EDITABLE Florida Puzzle for Social Studies, Math, ELA, or OTHER Activities
Departmentalizing Across Grade Levels
This past year our elementary school did something different. We decided to try departmentalizing across grade levels. Why, you ask? Because we only have one section of each grade, yet we felt our upper elementary students needed to rotate teachers to prepare them for junior high. That, and the three teachers each had a specialty. Our fourth grade teacher is excellent at teaching math and extremely qualified. I love reading and have … [Read more...] about Departmentalizing Across Grade Levels
Social Media Etiquette for Teachers
With technology at an all time high and not going anywhere in the future, it's important to think about your digital imprint. What information are you putting out there for others to read? What does a search for your name show? Teachers need to be especially aware of this since they work with youth. That's why today's post features social media etiquette for teachers. 1. Know Your School or District's Rules Many schools have a technology … [Read more...] about Social Media Etiquette for Teachers
Handling the Departmentalized Classroom
Education is demanding. There is so much going on. Sometimes schools look at departmentalizing as an option for their elementary teachers. As someone who taught in such a position in two different districts and then was an administrator for a departmentalized school as well, I want to share some tips for handling the departmentalized classroom. 1. Determine What You're Teaching This one probably seems obvious, but you need to know what you're … [Read more...] about Handling the Departmentalized Classroom
Social Distancing Classroom
We all know the upcoming school year is going to look different. Teachers and educators around the world are already wondering what this new "normal" means for their students and themselves. Whether you are in the social distancing classroom, doing remote learning, or partaking in some type of hybrid between the two - this post is for you! My friend Amy and I have started an Instagram and Facebook page to keep a safe conversation for teachers and … [Read more...] about Social Distancing Classroom
