Dramatic play centers are a great way to foster language development, imagination and creativity. Creating dramatic play centers can be simple or elaborate. It all depends on how much time effort and money you want to put into it. No matter what you create, the outcome is worth it. The grocery store dramatic play center is a classroom favorite. To create, I used some simple play food items, the grocery store set from Melissa and Doug and created some labels and signs for the center. I also added a cash register and some shopping lists. How to Set Up a Dramatic Play Center   Designi ..read more

Celebrating student success in the classroom is an important way to recognize and reinforce positive behaviors and achievements. Here are some ideas on how to celebrate student success in the classroom. Verbal praise: One of the simplest ways to celebrate student success is to give verbal praise. This can be as simple as saying "well done" or "good job" when a student has completed a task or answered a question correctly. Positive Notes or Certificates: Write a personalized note or certificate congratulating a student on their success. This can be a powerful way to acknowledge their ha ..read more

What is the Science of Reading? The Science of Reading refers to a body of research that focuses on how people learn to read and issues related to reading and writing.  This interdisciplinary research spans several decades and includes findings from fields such as cognitive psychology, neuroscience, education, and linguistics. The Science of Reading provides evidence-based insights into the processes involved in reading development, the causes of reading difficulties, and the most effective methods for teaching reading. 5 Key components of the Science of Reading include: 1. Phon ..read more

Fine motor skills are crucial for children's overall development, influencing their ability to perform everyday tasks such as writing, buttoning clothes, and using utensils. Fostering fine motor skills is a cornerstone of development for preschool and kindergarten students. By integrating engaging tools and activities into the classroom, educators can enhance motor proficiency while making learning enjoyable.  In this blog post, we'll explore 5 creative ways to implement fine motor skills in the classroom. 5 Fine Motor Tools to Use in the Classroom 1. Tongs Tongs are versatile tools th ..read more

Welcome to the exciting world of student-teaching partnerships! As a mentor teacher, fostering a positive and effective relationship is key to creating a dynamic learning environment. Discover essential tips to enhance the student-teacher experience, promoting growth and success for both parties involved. Getting Started Before the first day, meet with the student teacher. Give them a tour of the school. introduce them to all of the people they may need to work with, such as your grade-level teammates, the office staff, the principal, the custodian, and the librarian. Show them where the ..read more

Fostering active participation is a crucial aspect of effective teaching. However, as teachers, we often encounter situations where young learners hesitate to raise their hands. There are several reasons as to why a student may not want to participate. Shyness and Social Anxiety Language Development Challenges Fear of Making Mistakes Lack of Understanding Overstimulation or distractions Shyness and Social Anxiety For many children, kindergarten is the beginning of a child's formal education journey, and for many, it's their first exposure to a structured classroom setting. Shyness and soc ..read more

English Language Development (ELD) is a crucial aspect of early education, and story-retelling activities provide a rich and effective avenue for fostering language skills among young learners.  Whether you are working with students who are learning English as a second language or native English speakers, story retelling can be a very powerful tool. It is a dynamic strategy that promotes language development on various fronts: Below are six important benefits to incorporating story-retelling into the classroom and creative activities that not only make learning enjoyable but also e ..read more

The winter break is a joyous time for our little ones filled with festivities, family, and fun. However, as the break concludes, the return to the classroom can be both exciting and challenging for young learners. Here are a few key strategies and activities to make the transition back to school after winter break a seamless and enjoyable experience. Ease into Routine with Fun Activities: Gently reintroduce daily routines by incorporating engaging and enjoyable activities. Whether it's a circle time sing-along or a creative arts and crafts session, these activities help little learners ease ..read more

Spread some kindness in your classroom this holiday season with the 12 Days of Kindness. The holiday season is here, and we have a great idea to bring kindness and positivity into your classroom. using the "12 Days of Kindness"! These activities are planned to help your students develop compassion, teamwork, and joy. These daily kindness prompts can have a meaningful impact in your classroom, and in your school and create lasting memories for you and your students. This kindness activity is a December favorite in my classroom. It is simple to prep and requires very little set-up time. How to ..read more

October can be a super crazy month. The weather is changing and kids are excited about Halloween. Make October fun and engaging with science, math, writing, and art activities.  Pumpkin Exploration Ask families to donate pumpkins, and let students explore the pumpkins using math manipulatives. Then cut them open for students to experience the insides of a pumpkin. Halloween Themed Centers Add some engaging Halloween-themed centers. With just a few Halloween decorations your centers become magical. Grab some fruit snacks and the Free Fruit Snack Sorting Activity. Halloween Ar ..read more