Hello Darlings! Who knew that giant pile of pacing guides, manuals, and slide decks would actually RUN OUT?! It is exciting as it bookmarks the start of something wonderful…summer! But what do you do in the last few days of school that encourages learning, engages your students, and doesn’t leave your room an entire pit? Check out some of my favorite ideas that hold up! Writing: Some of my favorite activities are writing activities because they are often the ones that make the keepsake box for parents. It is also a joy to see their creativity come to life after you’ve structured their writing with prompts the bulk of the year. ... Read More about When the Curriculum Runs Out – Last Days of School Activities
Blog
Add a Little Mystery and Color to Math with Pixel Art
Hello Darlings! What better way to take a mundane activity and add some color and a little mystery! Pixel art is one of the greatest ways you can engage students in mathematical thinking while holding their focus as they use their creativity and problem solving skills to uncover the mystery underneath. My Digital Hidden Picture Activities for Google Sheets are magical and mysterious! My students love to reveal the missing pieces of the Picture Puzzle every time they answer a question correctly and I absolutely love the self-checking, instant feedback it provides! So how does it work? Assign students the Google Sheet ... Read More about Add a Little Mystery and Color to Math with Pixel Art
Letting the Work Grade Itself – Let’s Talk About Google Forms
Hello Darlings! As educators, we have a TON on our plate. Aside from managing a classroom, fostering positive relationships, instructing, and differentiating…we are constantly finding ourselves assessing. Which also means that we are constantly finding ourselves grading assessments. We stuff them in our bags and carry them home; sometimes more than once because we are simply too tired to tackle them by the time we sit down. We review each question with our favorite flair pen and record a score that provides meaningful feedback to our kids. It is working– but what if we could do it better? Better yet, what if we could stop this ... Read More about Letting the Work Grade Itself – Let’s Talk About Google Forms
Test Your Luck – How to Turn Worksheets into Games!
Hello Darlings! Worksheets. Some of us love them and some of us love to hate them! Our students feel the exact same way. Only here is the challenge…we can’t go without them. Worksheets are fantastic for independent practice, formative assessments, and so much more! So how do we go about adopting them while changing with the times? The answer is actually pretty simple. Games. What kid today doesn’t love games? They all talk about their Ipads and Xboxes as if they are a third limb on their body. In some way, I can’t help but wonder if gaming is just a part of their DNA now (too far?). All this to say that kids LOVE ... Read More about Test Your Luck – How to Turn Worksheets into Games!
It’s the FINAL Countdown…To Summer!
Hello Darlings! The end is in sight! Summer is coming!! via GIPHY A time when you can and should recharge after yet another difficult year in the classroom. Since the start of the pandemic, there is no question that what we do is incredibly beautiful, yet extremely challenging so HUGE kudos to you for all that you are doing (and have done) for your students. As the end of the year approaches, a whole lot is going on in the classroom. You are finishing up your curriculum, testing, grading, planning memorable activities, and so much more! All while managing the classroom. Ah yes, classroom management at the end of the ... Read More about It’s the FINAL Countdown…To Summer!
Combat the End of the Year Slump With CAMP SKEETER!
Hello Darlings! We all find ourselves getting excited about the end of the school year as it approaches! Yet, as that last week rolls around, we find ourselves dreading it a bit. You’ve likely run out of curriculum, your kids are mentally on vacation already, the kids that desire the routine of school are struggling with the transition, and your energy is waning as you balance the circus. You might even feel as though you are dancing on your head to keep them engaged and excited. Sound familiar??? What if I told you that you could improve the last week of school, support student learning, create positive memories, ... Read More about Combat the End of the Year Slump With CAMP SKEETER!
