Teachers WE MADE IT! If you don't have the summer off, I am sorry. You can still keep reading because let's face it, we all need to budget in today's world.  Summer is a time for relaxation, exploration, and fun, but it doesn't have to be expensive. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can enjoy a memorable summer without breaking the bank. Here are five budget-friendly ways to make the most of your summer. **1. Embrace the Great Outdoors** Nature offers endless opportunities for enjoyment, and many of them are free or low-cost. Here are a few ideas: - **Hiking and Biking:** E ..read more

Student birthdays are special milestones that offer a wonderful opportunity to create a sense of community and make each student feel valued and appreciated. Recognizing and celebrating birthdays in the classroom can boost students' self-esteem, foster positive relationships, and add a bit of joy to the school day. Here are some creative and meaningful ways to celebrate student birthdays in your classroom. #1. Birthday Bulletin Board Create a colorful and vibrant birthday bulletin board in your classroom. Use it to display the names and birthdates of all your students. Decorate the board w ..read more

As teachers, we understand the importance of setting a positive and productive tone for the school day right from the start. One effective way to achieve this is through structured morning work activities. Today, I want to share how our ELA Morning Work/Bell Work BUNDLE PACK can be a game-changer in your classroom. What is ELA Morning Work? ELA (English Language Arts) Morning Work is a set of engaging and educational activities designed to be completed by students at the beginning of the school day. This particular bundle includes a full year's worth of themed morning work, covering 4 ..read more

As the current school year comes to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on our experiences and plan for an even better year ahead. Whether you had a fantastic year or faced some challenges, there are always opportunities to grow and improve. Here are some strategies to make the next school year your best one yet. #1. Reflect on the Past Year Before diving into planning for the new year, take some time to reflect on what worked well and what could be improved. Consider the following questions: - What were the highlights of the year? - What strategies and activities were most effectiv ..read more

As educators, we are not just responsible for imparting academic knowledge; we also play a crucial role in shaping the social and emotional development of our students. One of the most important values we can teach and promote in the classroom is kindness. Cultivating a culture of kindness not only creates a positive and inclusive learning environment but also helps students develop empathy, compassion, and respect for others. **Why Teaching Kindness Matters** 1. **Enhances Classroom Environment:** A kind classroom is a safe and welcoming space where students feel valued and respected. This ..read more

Hi Friends,  I wanted to write about what I am doing to prep for school. Here in Connecticut, we don't start school until late August, but my mind is already spinning with school thoughts. When I went into school this week, some of my friends already have their rooms 100% ready to go! Me, it is in boxes. Tomorrow I am heading in (with my 9 & 11 year old) to rearrange and set up my welcoming door.  This year I used my cricut on Print and Cut to create a fun door decoration. My daughter was avocado obsessed this summer, most days making her own version of avocado toast for breakfa ..read more

Hi Friends,  It's been so long since I've blogged, but I am trying to bring my blog back and update my TPT store. I changed subjects AGAIN, so you will see more Math resources as well as Science and ELA (hopefully from Robyn). Together, we can cover it all. Our school has been going under major renovations and someday, when it is finished, it should look really nice. Right now, I am still getting used to it with the ever changing cohorts and plans. Tuesday, I am welcoming cohorts A and B into the classroom. It will be basically like a first day of school with 21 in class and 4 online unt ..read more

Do you teach science? If so, they you probably stumbled by our blog and realized I (Theresa) teach science and love it. Robyn teaches ELA and couldn't imagine teaching any other subject. I love being departmentalized in school and focusing on one subject matter. I am able to bring clarity to my students because focusing on planning one class (taught three times a day) is much easier than teaching every subject, every day. Props to you elementary school teachers who teach it all, I don't know how you do it. Anyways, we have an amazing online science curriculum that I love, called StemScopes. W ..read more

Good morning! If you liked the cute editable name tags I created yesterday, you should check out this free welcome banner. I love hanging welcome banners above my classroom door. It's a great place to set the tone for your classroom before your students even enter. My friend hangs a welcome banner on her bulletin board and takes student pictures below the banner on the first day of school. They always come out adorable and the parents really enjoy them. However you decide to use this, I'm sure it will be great. If you like it, let me know! Enjoy ..read more

Hello Friends, It's been quite a while since I've blogged, but I'm excited to have a minute to do so now. So guess what? Our school is getting renovated! Basically torn down to the studs, and built back up again. I won't have a new classroom this year, but next fall (2020) I'll have an amazingly clean room with AC! I am thinking ahead and excited about what's to come. Check out the pictures we received in an update today. We are starting school right after Labor Day, so a lot has to happen before it is safe for students. We do however have to teach and work through a year of crazy renovations ..read more