Split class? Combination class? Multi-age class? Whatever you call it, this year I welcomed a new challenge! Transitioning from a 1st grade classroom to a K/1 classroom 5 weeks into the school year, ...
Blog
Building Number Sense with Rekenreks
As math teachers of littles we know our students need hands-on concrete experiences as mathematicians. Being able to quickly solve an addition or subtraction problem only comes after dozens of ...
Using EPIC for Listening to Reading
Research repeatedly says the more words students interact with and are exposed to the better readers they will become. The benefit of using a Daily 5 structure for our reading block is that students ...
Growth Mindset: The Power of Yet
Growth mindset - a phrase that can easily be coined the education fad of 2015-2016. Although I do like to avoid most fads (bleached hair, suntanning oil, and silly bands were all lost on me), why not ...
The Perfect Storage Container
Organization is music to a teacher's soul. When things in our classroom have a designated home, students take better care of the resources, we know exactly where to find them, and it adds a sense of ...
Math Read Alouds
"Do you do any whole-group during your guided math block??" The answer is, "Absolutely, yes." Our math mini-lessons happen every day for 8-12 minutes and help anchor our learning, set the ...
Math Tools You Can Make At Home
Dice, subitizing cards, center tubs, number lines – oh my! Our 1st grade math routines require so many resources and manipulatives. While Donors Choose, Go Fund Me accounts, and school funds are great ...
Guided Math: Must-Have Math Materials
Guided Math is a structure for organizing your math block that involves mini-lessons, targeted small-group instruction, and opportunities for spiral review through math workshop. Like guided reading, ...
Using Photographs for Math Mini-Lessons
When math mini-lessons turn into mega-lessons and your small-groups seem dull, photograph-based stories are the perfect way to 'hook' learners and connect your learning to the real-world! Today I'm ...
Connect 4 as a Math Center
Teaching 1st grade, I feel like I am always looking for simple centers that are easy to differentiate. Using a Guided Math model for instruction, we use A LOT of centers every school year. I love ...
Getting Started on Donors Choose
Scholastic found that in 2014, the average teacher spent $750 a year on his or her classroom during the previous school year. I read this number and laughed. While I am blessed with a pocket of ...
Managing Time in the Classroom
Do you ever feel like there is never enough time in a school day? That you are always behind schedule? <all teachers everywhere raise their hands> Sure choosing to extend an activity or bask in ...
