School and the City

I last saw my students on Thursday (not knowing it would be the last time for a while) and I got into my classroom for a few hours on Friday morning to prepare for distance learning. It was weird to walk out of my classroom not knowing when we’ll return. ⁣ ⁣ This week, I started “teaching” from home. I emailed parents on Monday morning with students’ assignments for the week, and I’m required to be online during my typical contracted hours in order to respond to messages and emails as needed. ⁣ ⁣ It’s going to be weird, y’all, but we’re in this together! The perfectionist in me has had to just take a few deep breaths and realize that we’re just going to have to learn as we go. ⁣ If you're going virtual soon, maybe I can be of some help! Here are a few things I've already learned along the way. 1. Favorite Sites for Distance Learning We'll be using tools that students are already familiar with using in the classroom. This means my kids know how to access...

Valentine's Day falls on a Friday this year - AKA a full school day... on the same week as a full moon... YIKES! Don't worry - I've got some ideas to help keep you sane during those eight SWEET hours! Need a read aloud? Here are a few of my favorites. Click the links below the picture to shop on Amazon. Thank goodness for that 2-day shipping, amIright? Or, check your school library! Make the story work for your current reading skill. Or, use the text to review something generic like summarizing or being kind to others. Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine Love Monster Love From the Crayons The Invisible String Need lesson plans to keep you - and your students - somewhat sane? No problem, friend! I've got you covered. Are you looking for an engaging resource to make Valentine's Day meaningful, academic, yet super-engaging? Want a simple, no-prep resource that you can use ALL DAY long on a crazy holiday? Are you hoping to ...

I'm sure many of you agree with me when I say I have a love/hate relationship with bulletin boards. I don't know about you, but I feel a lot of pressure to make my bulletin boards show work that is attractive yet rigorous! (Tell me I'm not alone!) To gear all of us up for January/February bulletin boards, I've collected a few of my favorites to share with you. PENGUINS Who doesn't love penguins? I typically start my informational writing unit with penguin research reports. We do some shared research and shared writing, then students do their own research on a chosen species of penguins. The end project is adorable. I decided to simplify the process a little bit this year by creating a writing template for the penguin belly, which you can grab for free  in my  VIP Free Resource Library .  The freebie also shows how I make the tracers for the penguin body. (Not yet a VIP? Join  here , and the password will immediately be sent straight to your email i...

You already know how much I love my Teacher Lesson Planner from Erin Condren.  I've become so addicted to the organizational joy that my lesson planner brings me that I've started using Erin Condren planner products at home, too!  I started using a Lifeplanner when I was in grad school and had to write down due dates and such in order to help me juggle all the things. But now that grad school is over and done with, I still use a Lifeplanner each year!  It's an exciting day when this package shows up on your doorstep.  Let me show you what I'm using to get (and stay) organized this year! Pictured: colorful "tropics" dual tip markers , softbound notebook   This year there's a new Lifeplanner: the softbound Lifeplanner ! I love that it doesn't have a big spiral but it still lays open flat, making it less bulky and easier to write in! Plus, it's affordable - only $30 or $35, depending on the style you choose. The ka...

Here’s one of my favorite uses for the clear adhesive pockets from the Target dollar spot - dry erase checklists that students can use daily or as needed! It’s a very simple way that I can provide extra support for students that need it. I don't just use it for writing. Some students have an unpack and pack-up checklist or a work completion checklist... whatever it is that they need to help them be successful! This resource is now available in my  VIP Free Resource Library .  Not yet a VIP? Join  here , and the password will immediately be sent straight to your email inbox so you can download and start using this resource right now.  Pin me!

I’ve been using the “Click or Clunk” intervention with some of my students lately. It helps students self-monitor their comprehension as they read.  Essentially, students start by reading one sentence at a time. If they understand, they "click," but if they don't understand, they "clunk." This strategy teaches students to stop when they get stuck instead of moving on without comprehending.  Eventually, students will move on from sentences and do paragraphs - or even pages - at a time.  Right now I'm using these cards with my students in small group, but eventually, after thorough practice, I will give them their own to use when reading independently.  Read more about the Click or Clunk Intervention here .  I needed visuals - but couldn’t find anything I liked - so I made one, and I’m happy to share this with you! This resource is now available in my VIP Free Resource Library .  Not yet a VIP? Join here , and the ...

It's Worm Week, y'all! We just wrapped up a fun themed week centered all around - yes, you guessed it - worms! This was my ridiculous idea a few years back in an effort to make the SOIL part of our science curriculum a little more exciting, relatable, and meaningful. It worked - My students are now experts on earthworms and the soil they live in! During the science block, we studied soil all week.  Monday began with an observation. Students were given jars of different types of soil to analyze. We talked about the colors, shapes, and textures that they observed. Throughout the week, we used school resources (books, online access, etc) to learn more about the layers of soil and the soil profile. The "Soil" video on Flocabulary was - by far - everyone's favorite and the most memorable!  I brought soil into the literacy block: Soil was our whole theme for the week.  Books We Read (available on Epic!), linked to Amazon: A Slimy Story Ins...