
Social Emotional Learning in Upper Elementary
Learning to navigate upper elementary can be tricky for students. Kids are trying to figure out how to be cool, make friends, and do schoolwork
Learning to navigate upper elementary can be tricky for students. Kids are trying to figure out how to be cool, make friends, and do schoolwork
The beginning of a new school year is always an exciting time, filled with anticipation and new beginnings. Many teachers look forward to Meet the
Every teacher knows the importance of a well-stocked classroom. But, with so many options out there, it can be tough to know where to start.
Cue the confetti! As the back-to-school season draws near, excitement and preparation come with setting up your classroom. Honestly, your classroom becomes your students’ home
Grab your backpacks and sharpen your pencils because it’s back to school time! Are you fully prepped for an awesome school year ahead? While some
As teachers, we always look for ways to encourage good student behavior. Fun yet effective classroom rewards systems are a fantastic way to do this! One of my favorite classroom reward systems is punch cards! You are missing out if you aren’t using punch cards in the classroom! Punch cards will give you an easy-to-use tool to encourage excellent student behavior, goals, rewards, and more. The best part is all you have to do is print and punch! Here are some ideas on using punch cards that you can quickly and easily implement into your classroom reward system.
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.
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.
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.
Communication is key to a successful classroom. It helps to foster and build relationships between both teachers and students and teachers and parents. Healthy relationships build trust and help to set the stage for a successful school year. You probably begin communicating with your class before the first day of school even happens. I bet you send out a cute welcome letter or email telling them all about yourself and the fun that is to come. Let’s talk more about the importance of parent-teacher relationships.
Before we can complete the school year, we have to endure standardized testing. I’m sure you’ve been working hard to prepare your students for the test all year long through your daily lessons and activities. No matter how much we prepare, testing is a nerve-wracking time for both teachers and students. It’s important to take some of that pressure off of our kids and remind them to have a little bit of fun along the way. Throughout the years, I’ve learned several different ways to do this. Let’s jump right in and learn about some fun test prep!
I’m Kim, the founder of A Love of Teaching. My ultimate goal is to empower teachers to reclaim their afternoons and weekends, all while feeling confident in their role as educators. I’m passionate about inspiring teachers with fresh ideas and providing them with time-saving materials.
I’m happy you’re here!
COPYRIGHT © 2025. Kim Miller.