Hello darlings! My teacher bestie and I are so similar when it comes to our passion for teaching and our love for our students! But we are so different when it comes to planning and how we organize things. LOL! I am a paper and digital hybrid. She is all digital and I wish I could be like her because my life would be so much easier! How I Plan I create one template that I love, in Google Slides. For a few weeks, I type my lessons in the beautiful template and print it out because I like to hang it on my bulletin board right by my desk. It looks so gorgeous and organized. As the weeks go ... Read More about Using Google Slides as your Teacher Planner
Blog
Creating a Class Promise Instead of Classroom Rules
Hello darlings! I don't have a list of rules posted in my room. Instead, I have a class promise that my students "made" and we recite it each morning. You would not believe how much it has changed the climate of my classroom! Students have a sense of ownership and they call each other out when someone isn't following the promise. I hear thinks like, "Jane, I asked you to stop, and in our Promise it says that when someone asks you to stop, we stop." Or when we do compliment circles for morning meeting, I will hear things like "I like how you always stay focused and work hard." How We Want Our Class to ... Read More about Creating a Class Promise Instead of Classroom Rules
6 Steps to Creating a Curriculum Map Pacing Guide for your Year
Hello darlings! Can I let you in on a little secret? I hate planning. I love creating and making engaging lesson plans, but trying to fit in all my standards for every subject for the entire year isn't something I enjoy. It's especially hard if you aren't already given a pacing guide by your district or by your curriculum company. But, guys, once you do it, it is so WORTH IT! Luckily, my team and I worked on this together a few years ago and now all I have to do is tweak it for changing standards or new curriculum adoptions. Otherwise, I just change the dates each year, and I am golden. I ... Read More about 6 Steps to Creating a Curriculum Map Pacing Guide for your Year
Diverse Books to Have in Your Classroom Library
Hello darlings! We all like to think that we are just one little person and we really can't do anything to affect change. As a teacher, that can't be further from the truth. I believe teachers have immense power in their classrooms. I think of my third grade teacher who embarrassed me in front of my class saying I couldn't even cut straight with scissors. That still affects me as an adult. LOL! I think about my fourth grade teacher who introduced me to my first book series and got me to start to love reading when I hated it before. One simple thing we do in our classroom can stay with a ... Read More about Diverse Books to Have in Your Classroom Library
Preparing for Back to School with COVID
Hello darlings! School just ended for me here in Missouri, but like you, I am already thinking ahead to next year and how on earth school is going to look during this COVID-19 Pandemic. My mind is spinning and I'm seeing all kinds of crazy pictures and recommendations on social media. States are trying to decide what school will even look like. Will we go back inside the classroom? Will will stay home? Will it be a hybrid of at school learning and distance learning? Will students go on an A/B schedule with some students attending in the morning and some in the afternoon? Will some students ... Read More about Preparing for Back to School with COVID
End of the Year Ideas for Virtual Teaching
Hello darlings! Trying to end the year of virtual teaching definitely has be an emotional roller-coaster. While I am glad to be finished with this computer based typed teaching, I am going to miss my students. I hate not being able to give them a hug! To end my year, I hosted a Virtual Class Party on Zoom. You can do the same on Google Meets. I created gift bags for my kiddos and then delivered them to their homes the day before our meeting. I just set them on the front porch or by their door. I told them not to open it until our meeting. Party Bags For each bag, I created a ... Read More about End of the Year Ideas for Virtual Teaching
