Engaging elementary students during online instruction is challenging. Here are some ideas to keep students actively participating as well as assessing their level of understanding. TIP # 1 THUMBS-UP THUMBS-DOWN Signs Thumbs-Up sign. I LOVE these large thumbs up cards. They are MUCH easier for me to see than the thumbs on their hand. I’ll ask a question to the class, and then ask them, “If you agree, thumbs-up. If you disagree, thumbs down.” You can…
If you had a dime for every minute you spent trying to figure out whose “No Name” paper belonged to, you’d be rich! For years I have been frustrated by this chronic problem too; especially when there is more than one child forgetting. Well, I am going to share my All-Time BEST teacher management tip: I stumbled across this simple, yet amazing idea from Jamie at 2nd Grade Stuff Labeled Clothespins!! Here’s what I did: I…
Use these books to get children hooked on reading! The Kid in the Red Jacket by Barbara Park Any child who has had to adjust to moving to a new school will immediately identify with Howard Jetter. This humorous tale written by Barbara Park deals with the awkwardness of making new friendships. Plus you can’t help but fall in love with six year old Molly Vera Thompson. Despite the differences in age and interests, Howard realizes…
Oh what a treasure I have for you today! This week’s freebie is an assortment of NO PREP printables that you can use with any spelling list. They are perfect for homework or in class practice. Do you have differentiated lists? No problem! The children use their own spelling list. Also, there is flexibility in the number of words; 10, 15, or 20. So let’s take a look at what is inside your Friday Freebie: First…
Printable lessons, word lists, and posters for a variety of character traits.
If you are getting the itch to clean, purge, and reorganize your work spaces, here are some of my favorite tips. CLASSROOM LIBRARY BENCH This clever idea come from Kristin at A Teeny Tiny Teacher. She used IKEA bookshelves (sold here) and turned them sideways. She made bench pads using foam and outdoor fabric for extra durability. To fill in the gap in the corner she placed a table with a lamp. I think this is…
Starting school can be an emotional time for students as well as teachers. Whether you are beginning kindergarten, or having been attending school for years, it is natural to have mixed feelings. Here are some books that can help ease the anxiety and get everyone off to a good start. If you want to know more about these books, CLICK HERE. Looking to ways to extend the story beyond the read aloud time? Here are two…
How can you keep your child’s reading and math skills sharp during the summer? Well, I am excited to share that I have a solution! My latest product is called Summer Review Going Into Grade 2. It is designed for children who have finished First Grade and are preparing for 2nd grade. Each page has math and language arts practice. The fun summer themed graphics to make the pages more appealing to the children. Who…
Reading and discussing novels are popular with adults and students. Doing a novel study allows readers to think deeply about the characters and themes in a story. As a teacher, you want to be intentional about the topics and skills you want to discuss during your small group time. However, it can be a daunting task trying to figure out how to go deeper with a piece of literature that doesn’t come bound inside a textbook…
How do you find books that are appropriate for your child’s reading ability? Finding the right book to match with a child is a lot like buying a pair of shoes. For independent reading time you want a good-fit. In my classroom, I spend a great deal of time getting to know each child and assessing their reading comprehension to figure out what their “size” is. According to researcher Richard Allington (2005) a good-fit book is…
Welcome! I'm Alison Monk, a primary teacher with a passion for creating educational materials that engage kids and teachers love! I hope this blog encourages and inspires you. I'm so glad you are here! Read More
