As the school year winds down and summer approaches, educators often find themselves faced with the challenge of summer regression. Summer regression, or the loss of academic skills and knowledge over the summer break, is a common phenomenon that can significantly impact students' learning progress. However, as teachers, we have the power to help combat this regression by providing students and their families with resources and strategies to keep their minds engaged during the summer months. Here are five tips for teachers to support continuous learning over the summer and help prevent summer regression: 1. Summer Reading ... Read More
Behavior Around the School
We as teachers rely so heavily on behavior in our classrooms, but what are you doing to ensure your student’s success around the school? While we might not want to admit it, our students’ behavior around other areas of the school is often a reflection of us as well. You've worked hard on the behavior in your classroom, now let’s look into ways that we can make sure our expectations continue even when your students are out of your classroom. Students should have the understanding that all teachers around the school should be respected. So what does this look like? Well, it is having honest conversations with your students about why this is ... Read More
Behavior Expectations at Home and School
It isn’t uncommon that students are showing different behaviors at school compared to home. Whether it be students behaving badly at home compared to school or vice versa there can definitely be a disconnect. Having clear and consistent behavior expectations at home and school can make such a positive impact in both areas. The disconnect students have actually makes a lot of sense. Students are often found having different expectations in different areas. For them, this can be very hard to try to get those to meld together in a way that makes sense. Here are some ways that I think can help alleviate that confusion and let there be a better ... Read More
Tips for Managing Active Lessons
Okay, so you want to do fun and engaging and active lessons but you are worried about managing it. You know you have the best intentions but it always happens: your students start getting too excited, they start to get louder, they no longer are listening to what your next instructions are, and now someone just spilled the glitter all over the carpet. Crap, the janitor is gonna love ya for that one and you’ll be finding glitter pieces for the next 4 years. We have all been there, but I truly hate the thought of missing out on some fun because of what could possibly happen. Truth be told, the fun lessons are the most memorable ones. Here ... Read More
A Morning Routine in Kindergarten
The bell rings and you hear it, the rumble of kindergarten students rushing to their classrooms ready to start their morning routine. After a few of the quickest minutes ever, your class is full and it is time to start the day. If only it were that easy. One student is trying to hand you their signed behavior chart, another is saying that their parents want to come in and meet with you, another is trying to tell you what they ate for breakfast, you need to make sure another student has their work packet in their backpack because their parents are picking them up early today, AND you still need to take attendance. Goodness. I get tired ... Read More
Tips for teaching Manners
Working on social skills such as manners is a great way to readjust some behaviors in your classroom that you might be struggling with. Taking the time out for teaching manners will give you the shift you might need and here are 5 tips and resources for teaching manners! Manners in School Book Having this book on hand is a great tool to use when needed. It is an easy read with simple statements such as "Johana is listening to her friends when they are speaking. Johana is using good manners." With a whole line of using manners around the school, it makes it easy for quick references. It is easy to keep conversations going with your students. ... Read More