Why Pencil Box Name Tags are a Game Changer for First Grade

When 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!)

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Get Creative Teaching Writing Using a Class Pet for Engagement

So you’re thinking about getting a class pet?! Congratulations! Your students are going to love having a class pet. If you missed last week’s blog post, I broke down the best classroom pets that are low maintenance. One of the things that held me back for YEARS from getting a class pet was the dreaded feeling of taking care of something else in addition to my long day as an elementary teacher. Once I got over that, I found the joy having a class pet brought my first graders and I’ve never looked back.

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How A Teachers Pay Teachers Product Helped Me Win A Bird Watching Trip

A few years ago my dad encouraged me to set up a bird feeder outside the window of my then kindergarten classroom. The window was ideal because it was at ground level and was easy to open. I agreed and he made a bird feeder for me with a platform that would be easy to feed the birds as well as observe them. I quickly learned my kindergartners were crazy about bird watching!

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How to Teach Handwriting with Limited Time

With so much technology in our student’s hands daily, you might be wondering if handwriting practice serves a purpose anymore. No matter how much technology our students use daily, I’m here to tell you that handwriting is just as important today as it was 50 years ago. In the primary grades, students are practicing fine motor skills when they learn how to hold a pencil and form their letters correctly.

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Valentine’s Day Classroom Activities That Actually Engage Students During Reading Stations

I’m here to tell you Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be your least favorite holiday as a teacher. If you teach at a school where you’re in charge of planning the party (like I do) then keep on reading because I’m going to give you some zero prep ideas that will keep your students engaged during reading stations. You’ll actually be able to get your reading groups done while your students get to have fun and still sprinkle the holiday of love in.

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Teacher Gift Guide for the Holidays

This teacher gift guide is for the teacher who is working in person or online. Maybe you even want to start your own tutoring business!

If so, this is the right gift guide for you!

I’ve included tech tools that I use in my own classroom and tutoring business that I believe to be game changers when it comes to teaching.


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Molly Wheatley