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Latest from the Blog

TEACHING GRATITUDE: 7 IDEAS, A GIVEAWAY, AND A BLOG HOP

Teaching gratitude becomes a focus of my instruction as soon as November’s golden leaves signal the onset of Thanksgiving. One of the most valuable ways of teaching gratitude is through sharing. This year, I am thrilled to collaborate with 16 devoted teachers who share the mission of nurturing gratitude and

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Engaging Alternative Halloween Activities Your Kids Will Love

Not all kids celebrate Halloween; therefore, I plan several engaging alternative Halloween activities during the month of October. As teachers, it’s our responsibility to offer a variety of learning experiences all our kiddos can enjoy, regardless of their background or beliefs. In this blog post, I share some exciting activities

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BRAIN SCIENCE FOR KIDS: TEN ENGAGING LESSONS STUDENTS LOVE

If you’ve ever observed a child’s sense of wonder, you’d know just how incredibly eager they are to discover the world around them. From the moment they take their first steps, children embark on a journey of constant learning and exploration. And what’s at the heart of all this curiosity?

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Teaching Adjectives – Propel Student Writing From Good to Great

We often overlook the power of teaching adjectives as part of writing instruction. But adjectives can turn boring sentences into captivating stories. For students in grades 3-5, mastering adjectives is critical for effective writing. Descriptive words help young writers create interesting stories and express their ideas clearly. Let’s explore why

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Work-Life Balance for Teachers: Myths, Facts, & Practical Advice

Achieving a healthy work-life balance is more than just a trendy buzzword – it’s a necessity. Teaching is not just a job – it’s a passion, a calling. Between shaping young minds, planning lessons, grading assignments, communicating with parents, and fulfilling administrative duties, it can feel like a 24/7 commitment.

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Summer Break: 6 Practical Ways Teachers Can Stay Curious

Summer Break is a time for teachers to rest and rejuvenate. It’s an opportunity to take a pause from the day-to-day challenges of the classroom, lesson planning, and endless grading. And rightly so, as we pour so much of ourselves into our students throughout the school year. However, as a

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10 Inspiring Picture Books About Inventors Your Class Will Love

Sharing picture books about inventors is a great way to provide elementary kids with real-life examples of perseverance and creative problem-solving. By immersing students in imaginative stories about inventors, we can ignite their passion for creating and problem-solving. Let’s explore what I consider some of the best books on inventions

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How To Use Haiku Activities To Boost Student Creativity

Haiku Activities are the perfect addition to your Spring Lesson Plans as April is National Poetry Month! It is so important to introduce students to different forms of poetry! My favorite? Haiku! Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry that has been around for centuries and has a unique

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8 More Things Gifted Students Wish You Knew- Part 2

As educators, we often assume that gifted students will excel on their own without requiring much support from us. However, it’s important to remember that gifted learners have unique needs that may not be immediately apparent. In my last blog post, I shared what gifted students wish their teachers knew

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8 Surprising Things Gifted Students Wish You Knew- Part 1

When teachers have gifted students in their class, they often breathe a sigh of relief. “Whew, I don’t have to worry about that student!” they might think to themselves. And while gifted learners do have special talents and abilities that set them apart from others, they have needs you might

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Differentiate math instruction with low floor high ceiling math tasks your students will love.

How to Use Low Floor High Ceiling Math Tasks

All classroom math teachers struggle with the same issue- “How do I reach my struggling students and push my high-achieving students at the same time?” If you understand this struggle, let me share a concept that will help you- Low Floor High Ceiling Math Tasks! This type of math task

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