Spell check or no spell check, teaching spelling is an important part of language arts instruction in the elementary classroom. It’s a skill our students will use for the rest of their lives. But teaching spelling can be tough with all the rules and all the exceptions to the rules. That’s why being intentional and having a solid spelling plan are so important.
Are you looking for a strategic and intentional way to teach those important reading comprehension skills and strategies? I used to teach them one at a time. They seemed so disconnected and independent, and I knew my students weren’t getting all they could. Then I found close reading! As I started researching and learning more about this style of reading instruction, I knew I had found a gem. I began using close reading in my classroom and was amazed at my students’ growth and progress.
Students love to be detectives, right? Well, if you are teaching point of view in the upper elementary classroom, now is the perfect time to get your student’s magnifying glasses out! Here, I will show you some tips on how to engage your students in learning all about point of view.
We hear a lot about fluency in the ELA world. We want our students to be fluent readers and writers in order to be successful. But what about math fluency? It’s just as important as reading fluency. It begins with addition and subtraction facts and continues to multiplication and division. Some students have trouble becoming fluent in mathematical concepts. Let’s talk all about why you need multiplication fluency in your classroom.
It’s back to school time! Maybe you’ve already started your year, or maybe you are just gearing up to head back to your classroom. Either way, this time of year is full of transitions and excitement for all. It is bittersweet to end another beautiful summer and begin a new year of adventure. September is filled with opportunities to get to know our students and form lasting relationships. I can’t wait to share some fun September activities for upper elementary classrooms.
Can you believe it’s already that time of year again? It’s always bittersweet to end those carefree days of summer and begin a new school year. There is so much to think about and plan for before going back to school. It can quickly become overwhelming, even for veteran teachers. Not to mention all of the added responsibilities because of the current state of the world. Here are 6 ways to start the new school year stress-free.
As teachers, we all know our students have the ability to learn, and we are their biggest cheerleaders. But, how do you get your students to believe in themselves? Helping kids develop a growth mindset will help them face challenges with optimism and excitement instead of dread and resistance. Having a growth mindset can have a huge effect on students. Just by helping them change their thinking, you can help them change their lives. I am so excited to share some tips on how to help kids develop a growth mindset!
Mornings in the classroom can be full of chaos and excitement. You might find yourself being pulled in multiple directions. Add to that the morning administrative tasks, and it can be a not so calm start to your day. But . . . they don’t have to be that way. With some morning work ideas that get kids ready for their day, you will be able to find a little extra time to take care of all those morning tasks. Adding morning work to your student’s daily routine takes very little or no prep and helps students develop important independence skills! I am so excited to share how you can set the tone for the day with engaging morning work. With purposeful morning work and a routine you can commit to, you will be well on your way to a successful year with your students.
Have you ever tried to print a PowerPoint slide only to find the background won’t print? Super annoying, right? I want those backgrounds and clipart images to show up just as much as you do. The simple task of printing should not give us this much trouble! I want you to easily print all of your resources, certificates, and classroom decor with no trouble at all. So, here’s how to print the background image in Powerpoint.
Most kids groan at the mention of chores or “jobs” they must do at home. However, the opposite is almost always true in the classroom. Students love taking on responsibility and jobs that help the classroom function well. Classroom jobs are also a great way to help build a positive classroom community. There’s another bonus, too! Students can help do some of the tasks that otherwise would be left to the teacher. But there are many tasks that students can do, and this can save you time. Here are some of my favorite classroom jobs and tips for using them in the classroom.
Can you believe it is already time to start thinking about back to school? Planning for a new school year can be overwhelming. There are so many things you need for your classroom and many lessons to plan. As teachers, we all have tons of Pinterest ideas floating around in our heads that we want to see come to life. It’s important to have a plan and get organized. Here are 20 back-to-school must-haves that will set you up for success!
With most of your waking hours spent in your classroom, you want to be sure the space is welcoming and pleasing to you and your students. Every year you see teachers posting pictures of their beautiful classroom decor and think, “How can they afford it!?” Trust me, those teachers probably aren’t spending as much money as you think they are, and you don’t have to either! I am here to help you get the most bang for your buck with these classroom decor tips and tricks that won’t break the bank.
Shop Our Products!
Find classroom tested and time-saving activities that you can easily implement in your daily lesson plans!
COPYRIGHT © 2023. Kim Miller.
