The big question in education is how can we keep students in one room, engaging our learners, and still allowing them to be well... KIDS?! Every school and every district will have different needs, but one thing I am sure that will be the same is this: no contact. So let's dive into how we can still make and manage no contact centers in Kindergarten. What Do I Call Centers? Every teacher, … [Read more...]
Reward & Motivate Learners in Digital Learning
Managing a classroom in a classroom is one skill set, but what about managing a digital classroom? Lets talk about some fun and unique ways to reward and motive learners in a digital learning environment. Before Digital Learning My classroom uses the free site Class Dojo to manage communication, portfolios, and to reward students for the good choices they make. You can see how we do this … [Read more...]
How My Class Reads to Dogs
I have a fun and engaging idea for reading motivation for elementary students that I can't wait to share with you. This year my class started reading to dogs. You read that right. We meet at a shelter or rescue and we read to dogs. I can't wait to share with you how we organized this activity, got the parents and students excited, and make this volunteering an experience to remember. Reading … [Read more...]
How to Make and Use a Star Chart
Let me show you how to make and use a star chart in your classroom. I need to start by saying I didn't invent idea, but I saw this in a neighboring classroom and decided to make it my own. This was created 13 full school years ago and it works just as awesome today as it did the first year. Here is how to make a star chart and how to use one in your classroom. Step 1: What you will Need -1 large … [Read more...]
A Student Worth Fighting For
My job as an educator is to be a servant to others; my students, their families, fellow staff members, and the community. Sometimes we get a student who needs to be loved. And sometimes we get a student we have to fight for. Let me share with you this story, the story of a student worth fighting for. Because one day, you may have a student you have to fight for. A Student Worth Fighting For … [Read more...]
The Pros and Cons of Flexible Seating
Lets talk about the pros and cons of flexible seating. Flexible seating can look like a fun but the real question should really be "Is flexible seating the right environment for my classroom?" There are pros and cons of flexible seating for every teacher so you really have to examine your classroom, your students, and your students' needs to decide if flexible seating is the classroom environment … [Read more...]
Save Your Sanity! How to Use Class Dojo to Redeem Points
Guess what I don't have? Time to waste in the classroom tracking everyone's behavior and to be constantly rewarding those who are on track doing the wrong thing! Nor do I have time to constantly be correcting behaviors we don't want to see. Time is the enemy and I think I show you how Class Dojo can be your BFF. Class Dojo is an free app many teachers use to assist build and maintain a … [Read more...]
Going From One to 1:1 in Kindergarten: Part 3
Going to One to 1:1: Part 3 is the third installment of my technology journey. At this stage, I have implemented small groups of iPads into regular instruction and students are using devices for a few minutes every single day.To catch up, you can read about Part 1 here. You can read about Part 2 here. My students and I were really getting the hang of apps and technology integration. I was rocking … [Read more...]
Going From One to 1:1 in Kindergarten: Part 2
Going to One to 1:1: Part 2 is the second installment of my technology journey. At this stage, I am sitting pretty with a few iPads for my classroom. Things are going smoothly, but there is still so much to learn and management issues to solve. (You can read about Part 1 here.) Adding to Technology I was able to add my first school funded device with Teacher of the Year funds. This is a humorous … [Read more...]
Going From One to 1:1 in Kindergarten: Part 1
Every teacher travels a different road when it comes to their technology journey. I am going to share with my technology journey that started with one iPad and grew to 1:1 devices this school year. This is the first part of my journey. I got my first iPad several years ago as a gift from my spouse as an expensive back to school gift. I was blown away by it and what opportunities it held. Yes, I … [Read more...]
Start of the Year Wall Decor
What should each and every Kindergarten teacher know about start of the year wall decor? More so, what wall decor remains on the wall all year long? Also, what wall decor remain on the wall year after year? Here are some Start of the Year Wall Decor Ideas. Alphabet First, you must have an Alphabet that connects to phonics skills. You will refer to it everyday, multiple times a day. Place this … [Read more...]
Classroom Help! What To Do?
Classroom Help! What to do? Guys. I NEED your help. I need your creative minds. I need your years of problem solving and out of the box thinking. I Need Help! Look at the panoramic view of my NEW classroom. I am SO SO SO excited to get a beautiful, bare, clean slate to start to transform. I am beyond blessed to dive into this space and make it my dream classroom. BUT. {Isn't there always … [Read more...]
