Many children are determined to become big kids by practicing to get their shoes on independently. Most kids don't care if they are on the proper side. They just that they get the shoes on successfully! Here are some tips to help you on their journey to success. Mark the Insides of the shoes. If they have trouble remembering which side goes on which foot, add a little dot or stickers to ... View Post
Chicks In Our Classroom!
We started the idea of having chicks in our classroom from a friend who has done this several years in her classroom. She had an incubator that wasn't in use and we decided to give it a try. We got the eggs in the middle of May. Having chicks requires 21 dedicated days to rotate the eggs three times a day, and if you can get the participation of your custodial to help out for an early flip ... View Post
Reading Objects to Teach 1:1 Correspondence
Being able to read with 1:1 correspondence is a developmental progression which I always teach through play. Quick and easy. I am sure you have many tricks up your sleeve about how to teach 1:1 correspondence (also known as tracking) but I thought I would share what I have found to be very effective in my classroom! The Basics Children must know that one object is one thing before they ... View Post
Movement & Dance Song List
Young children need movement, and a lot of it! Dance is great to burn off extra energy and to help them focus. We use dance as a transition activity to help accommodate slower students and motivate them to finish an activity quickly to join in on the fun! Our Favorite Dancing Songs! {In no particular order} A Pirate You Shall Be We had a pirate inquiry and this song engaged our students ... View Post
Our Interactive Learning Pit: Developing a Growth Mindset
The concept of the Learning Pit is something that many elementary children find difficult to comprehend without simple visuals. The concept of the learning pit was developed by Carol Dweck, a world renowned researcher on motivation, and it supports growth mindset learning. (To learn a bit more about her research click here). This visual need inspired us to use an interactive learning pit which ... View Post
Communicating With Parents: Remind
I have found that the best form of communication with parents in my classroom has been the app called Remind. It is simple, easy and secure. This is especially important for me as most of my children are bused and I do not have the chance to communicate with parents before and after school like I have been able to do at previous schools. Why use it? Children in young grades have ... View Post
