The 141st Kentucky Derby is in the books, and our 1st Grade Kentucky celebration was a blast. I'll have to admit Derby is one of those topics that as a former intermediate teacher I said - "Really?!" ...
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Guided Math and Math Centers: Spring in 1st Grade
Hello, friends! It's been several weeks since I posted a guided-math update, so I wanted to share some of the learning that has been happening in 1st grade. With our guided-math structure, students ...
Parent Communication: 1st Grade
Our students spend 8 hours a day in our classrooms, and even though I'm not a parent, I can't imagine not knowing what's going on. So from Weebly, to Twitter, to newsletters, to YouTube - I want ...
Reading Street in 1st Grade
A basal?! You use a basal?!? This is one of the most common questions/emails I receive through blogging, and I have to admit it is something I was very nervous about when moving schools. I never ...
1st Grade Writing: Pairing Writing & Reading
Hi friends! Today I wanted to stop by and give you a general writing round-up of what our 1st grade writing looks like. I always love the chance to see what writing looks like in other classrooms, so ...
Stand Up, Hand Up, Pair Up
Happy Sunday, friends! Tonight I want to share with you one of my favorite Kagan structures - Stand Up, Hand Up, Pair Up (SU, HU, PU). Kagan Structures are all about cooperative learning – not group ...
1st Grade How To Writing
Outside of How-To writing being a part of our writing standards, it provides a great practice in logically sequencing events (a tough first grade skill)...to the level at which someone else can follow ...
Resources for the Common Core: Learning your Standards
One of my strengths as a teacher is my love for content and curriculum. I absolutely love planning the just-right learning targets and activities for each of my learning groups, and I am blessed to be ...
Place Value Bootcamp – 1st Grade
Place Value Boot Camp: a place where there is significant amount of whistling, yelling, and push-ups ...all in the name of learning, of course. If you're ready to create a hands-on and memorable ...
Must-Have Resources for Every Classroom (EdExpo 2015)
One of the most rewarding parts of blogging has been the amazing friendships that I have formed via our own cyber-corners of the world. Starting online, it's absolutely wonderful when these friends ...
Resources in Action in My Classroom & A TpT Sale!
With TpT's 28% off sale today, it's a great time to snag resources you'll be using over the next few months. I know I need to finish-up my cart this evening, too. :) If you click on any of the ...
Flocabulary: Using RAP in the Classroom
Well friends, I'm stopping by for a true-teacher-confessions moment.... I'm a rapping teacher. Yep - beat box, darkened classroom, EXPO-marker microphone - that was the 5th grade me. When I turned ...