The end of the school year always comes with a mix of excitement and chaos. Between field trips, assemblies, and all the last-minute to-dos, it’s easy for routines to slip. When I was in the classroom, I still wanted my students to stay sharp and feel confident about everything they’d
When I taught 4th grade, I quickly realized that multi-step word problems were one of the biggest challenges for my students. The moment they saw a long problem with multiple steps, many of them would freeze, unsure where to begin. It wasn’t that they didn’t understand the math itself. It
Multiplication facts are one of those essential skills that set the stage for so much of what comes next in math. Let’s be honest. Drilling facts with flashcards over and over isn’t exactly exciting for most kids. I do have good news, though! There are so many engaging ways to
Math fluency is such an essential building block for our students, especially in 2nd grade. Add that to the list of things to teach, right? Sometimes it feels like our schedules are just too packed to fit in anything else. Between fitting in small group lessons, managing centers, and prepping
I thrive on consistency and a structured schedule. Knowing what’s expected of me helps me get into the right mindset each day. As I continue to grow as an effective teacher, I’ve learned that my students also benefit from this. They naturally crave those boundaries, even without directly expressing them.
I always look forward to those couple of weeks off for winter break. To make the transition back to school a little smoother, and so I can enjoy every minute of the break, I prepare activities for the first week in January before we leave in December. This way, returning
