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/library
Happy National Library Week! (A little late) And one other thing…
In honor of National Library Week, our elementary librarian hosted a little contest. She gave all of the students and staff at our elementary school the opportunity to guess how many books were in the library. I got the "privilege" of helping her count the votes. Thank goodness I was able to look at votes in my pajamas!! Here's how she set it up. The jar below was pretty simple, but totally effective. There was an example sheet … [Read more...] about Happy National Library Week! (A little late) And one other thing…
Interactive Poetry Ideas
Hello! I am Jill from Coffman's Creative Classroom. First of all, I want to thank Heather for the opportunity to share my ideas with you. I am excited to share what we do in our classroom to create an interactive and engaging poetry unit. April is the perfect time to teach about poetry because it is National Poetry Month. We are getting close to the end of the school year and we are all getting a little restless. Poetry is a nice change of pace … [Read more...] about Interactive Poetry Ideas
Helpful Hints & Tips for New Teachers
Congratulations! You got through student teaching, found a teaching position, and you're ready to get started. YEA! It's an exciting time! Today I want to share some helpful hints and tips for new teachers. Your brain is probably in overdrive right now. You're trying to remember everything you learned during your years of college, while student teaching, and all the helpful information gathered from veteran teachers. But I know from experience … [Read more...] about Helpful Hints & Tips for New Teachers
Kindergarten Reading and Writing Centers
Here's how I taught Kindergarten Reading and Writing Centers. No, I am not teaching Kindergarten this year, but I wanted to let you know how I ran my Kindergarten centers when I was teaching them. Everyone runs theirs differently, but I always like reading what other people do. Sometimes I hear about something and it's like, "Whoa! Why hadn't I thought of that?!" So here is what I did, as well as links to as many of the resources as I could … [Read more...] about Kindergarten Reading and Writing Centers
Santa Activities & Books for Kids
For many kids, Christmas Eve is the most magical night of the year. That’s because they know that on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus loads up his big, beautiful sleigh and dons his red suit and Santa hat. Then he heads out for his big trip around the world, bringing presents to all the good boys and girls - and eating way too many cookies in the process! If you are bringing Christmas into your elementary school classroom, these Santa activities for … [Read more...] about Santa Activities & Books for Kids
Owl Activities for Kids
Most kids think owls are awesome - and they are right! Truly, is there any bird as cool as the owl? These birds are so spooky and mysterious, the way they fly silently around hunting in the dark. Then they snatch their prey up in those giant talons. Not only that, they can turn their heads almost completely around! So if you’re looking for some great Owl Activities for Kids so you can incorporate those awesome owls in your fall or Halloween … [Read more...] about Owl Activities for Kids
Bat Activities for Kids
I’m sure it will come as no surprise to you when I say this. Kids love bats. They love to learn about them, draw them, and write about them. So when you can find a way to incorporate bats into your lesson plans, everyone wins. If you are looking for some great bat activities for kids in your elementary or homeschool classroom, you’ve come to the right place! Did you know there are over 1000 different species of bats? The smallest ones … [Read more...] about Bat Activities for Kids
Reading “Musical” Chairs
Do your students read the same genre over and over? Have you tried to get them to read different types of books, but they just keep going back to the first one? Are you looking for a way to get them hooked on something new? Then this just might be the strategy for you! Reading Musical Chairs This year I decided to try "Reading 'Musical' Chairs". (I know I've heard of other teachers doing this, but here I share my take on it with you.) Just … [Read more...] about Reading “Musical” Chairs
