Mastering how to clearly explain expectations - and ensuring students actually follow them - is the key to a well-managed classroom, especially during independent work time (the heart of the Daily 5 framework!). However, getting students to stick to expectations without feeling like you're constantly nagging can be tricky. When I incorporated Whole Brain Teaching strategies, everything shifted for the better…
Read MoreWhen I first started teaching, share buckets were used at my school. I was a first year teacher so I went with what the other teachers in my grade level were doing. Share buckets weren’t something I remembered from elementary school. In fact, I remembered having my own personal pencil box. I continued to use share buckets for years and once I moved schools, I noticed my students were even more territorial with their supplies. I even had parents ask why their child’s supplies weren’t separate. So, this year, after teaching virtually all last year, I decided to make the switch to pencil boxes and I’ll never go back to share buckets. Keep reading to find out why pencil box name tags are a game changer for first graders (and kindergartners too!)
Read MoreAs a first grade teacher, I know the importance of practicing the behaviors we want to see every day. Guided reading is no exception and in this blog post, I’m going to share with you why you should review guided reading expectations every day.
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