Output strategies are where all the real thinking happens. Why is it then, so many teachers have no idea what I am talking about when I ask them, “What output strategies are you using with your interactive notebooks?” It seems when interactive notebooks became all the rage a while back, many missed out on the complete picture. Oh yes, we got the input side of things. Beautiful graphic organizers, fold-ups, and reading passages were glued in. Yes, we did that. BUT what happened to the student thinking piece? That is what output strategies are all about. After you pour information into your stu ..read more

Are you tired of boring math worksheets? Cooperative learning strategies are one of my absolute favorite ways to make boring worksheets an engaging experience! They operate on the principles that all students want to move, talk to their peers, and reach common goals. Why not harness this for success in math? I am a big believer in NOT reinventing the wheel when it comes to making plans for the classroom. Why in the world would you spend your precious time creating something new when someone else has already done that? Instead, I suggest you use math worksheets you already have and integrate th ..read more

Do you use interactive games in math? I absolutely love them and think you and your students will too! Read on for 3 reasons why math games are the best! Math Games Are Versatile When it comes to using games in math, one of the coolest things about them is their versatility! For example, take my favorite interactive game, Stinky Feet. You can use it in so many ways! Stinky Feet can be used as an individual assessment, a partner game, or as a whole class review activity. That means that one single interactive game has three times the impact! Not only that, but when you use interactive games in ..read more

Do you have your students writing in interactive notebooks? You should! It’s no secret that writing across curricula and subjects is a big push in many school districts. Why? Well, writing is one of those activities that allow students to think critically and develop their metacognition, all while reinforcing content vocabulary and communication skills. How many other activities can you think of that cover all these bases? Writing in Interactive Notebooks Makes Connections When we learn new information, we need to make connections between new learning and what we already know, or schema. Fort ..read more

Are you getting ready to teach your geography unit? It is feeling a bit stale? Can your students identify where they are on a map? These are all questions I found myself asking while preparing to plan a geography unit. I was feeling uninspired by the resources I was provided with and did not believe my students would be engaged. Instead of doing the same ol’ thing I had done before, I pulled out all the stops to make that year’s geography a memorable learning experience. Gather Geography Literature After speaking with our school librarian, I collected a whole tub of books on geography. My pla ..read more

Are you aware that Celebrate Freedom Week is law? It sure is! Each student in 3rd grade and above is to participate in Celebrate Freedom Week each year. According to the Department of Education, the purpose of this celebration is to, “Educate students about the sacrifices made for freedom in the founding of this country and the values on which this country was founded.” In order to fulfill the language of the law, there are a few things you need to know. Know the Language of the Law Every state uses slightly different language to describe the law. Here is what the Texas Education Agency has t ..read more

How comfortable are you with teaching map skills? If you are like me, the answer is eh… Read on for ideas that will change that! Let’s be honest. Map skills are one of those things that get pushed to the back burner. I mean, in today’s world we have GPS to get us where we need to go, right? While this may be true, map skills still provide an opportunity for our students to think critically. By refraining from teaching map skills, we are really doing our students a disservice. Map Skills Isn’t Just a Unit in Your Curriculum I am willing to bet if you took a look at your scope and sequence you ..read more

Are you familiar with bell ringers? It’s okay to say no. When I first started teaching I had no idea. As a newbie teacher, I really thought we would have seamless transitions from one subject to the next. Not only that, but I also thought every moment of our day would be filled with engaging, content-rich learning. Imagine my surprise when I was slapped in the face by reality. What Are Your Students Doing When They Enter the Room? Do your students enter the room peacefully and get right to work on the assigned task? If so, tell me all your secrets, please! Many teachers have a hard time es ..read more

Are you worried about planning your first week of U.S. History lessons? Don’t be! In this post, I will walk you through four tips to get started on the most successful year of history yet. During the First Week of U.S. History Establish a Routine It’s no secret that students thrive on routine. I won’t speak for you, but I personally depend on routine in order to get just about anything done. During the first week of U.S. History establish a routine that can carry you through the year. By taking the extra time to build the routine from the start you are setting yourself up for success. One ide ..read more

Do you use warm-ups or bell ringers in your classroom? Check out this post for 5 reasons why you will absolutely love them! First, let’s talk about what a warm-up is. They go by many names including bell ringer, spiral review, introduction activity, and more. Overall, warm-ups are a quick way to get class started and provide a little structure in your day. Warm-ups are useful in any content area and can take on just about any purpose. Warm-Ups Provide Structure Students love routine. Let’s be honest, we all thrive on routine. By beginning your content block with a warm-up, you are providing s ..read more