Social emotional learning is a crucial component not just in the classroom, but in life in general. CASEL, or the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning, defines SEL learning in a way that drives home just how important it is. “Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge,… Read More
Represent Us All
Take A Walk With Me Imagine being a six year old on your first day of first grade. You are full of excitement mixed with a tad bit nervousness, wondering what friends will be in your class. You get in class and EVERYONE, with the exception of one kid, looks like you. Read aloud time begins to be your favorite… Read More
Why Use Snowball Fights in the Classroom
Want to know an awesome game that can be adapted to ANY skill that comes with INSTANT engagement? Well I’m ready to share! Insert the snowballs because it’s about to go down! It’s a snowball fight! But without the cold, wet mess of course. We are in a classroom after all. So…. how do we pull this off? It’s easy!… Read More
100th Day of School: COVID EDITION
Let’s face it. We’re coming up on one of the HARDEST first 100 days of the school year. Schools trying to find their way after going completely remote, hybrid, or setting up social distanced classrooms has been challenging to say the least. But of course as educators we have adapted and totally rocked whatever format we’ve been given. We know… Read More
Primary Writing Checklists – Helping Little Writers Gain Independence
When I think about writing in a first grade classroom, I brace myself for ALL the struggles. We all know them. Very little stamina, struggling to follow the writing process correctly, stating they are “done” when they are absolutely not done, or the timeless saying, “I don’t have anything to write about!”. And then after we jump all of those… Read More
The Subtraction Learning Path
Have you heard of Learning Paths yet? They are a MUST HAVE for distance learning! They will take your students from the mini lesson stage all the way to mastery of a skill. If you would like to learn more specifically about what they are, you can read The Learning Path – Mini Lesson to Mastery blog post HERE! If… Read More