“Kids, what is 5×4?” *blank stares* “Seriously, you definitely covered this last year! Doesn’t anyone know?” *more blank stares* Summer slide. It’s sooooo real, and teachers are always playing catch-up for the first month or so of school. Help your teacher and hire a tutor this summer!
Jump Start Your Schoolwork Declutter
It’s in there again… A GIANT roll of completed work from my daughter’s school. It’s got to be at least 50 individual pages of worksheets. Yes, most of them are tracing or coloring pages, because she is three and in preschool. And I can’t just throw them away immediately because she would know. For older […]
8 Class Supplies Teachers Always Need
Teachers, always asking for those pesky school supplies! And with good reason, too. After all, kids use things up quickly. Just look at your own at-home stash of stickers and crayons. It’s like elves come and steal them away in the night. Or the children actually eat the craft supplies. If you want to get […]
Back to School Reading Blues: 5 Ways to Keep Your Kids Reading
Whomp, whomp. Summer is over. And with it goes the fancy summer reading programs at libraries. Now, reading isn’t just for fun, it’s for learning.
A Little Inspiration for the First Day of School
In case you are not already excited enough to welcome new students to your room, new souls to the education experience, let me remind you about a remarkable educator: Donovan Livingston
Go Meet the Teacher!
At this stage in the game, almost ever single elementary school (or at least the ones that I have taught in) have “Meet the Teacher Day” right before Back to School. Go.
Get Set for School
AHHHH! It’s August! When did this happen? And where did summer go?
Best School Day Morning Routine: Parents Edition
Getting the kids dressed, fed, and out the door in a reasonable time can be tough, especially when you and your spouse also need to prep for the work day. However, there are definitely ways to optimize your morning routine.
Find out how with my best school day morning routine, parents edition!
Why You Should Volunteer at Your Kid's School
Time is tight for everyone, but especially for busy parents. I know, I am one! But we should all try to make an effort to be involved with your child’s school and classroom as often as possible. Why? Well, let me tell you all about it!
Just Stay Home!
Your kid: a)puked last night, b)puked this morning, c)had the runs in the last 24 hours, d)has pink eye, e)is running a fever over 100ºF, or f)has a serious case of the sniffles, a sore throat, or a crazy cough.
Gosh! Don’t they know they don’t have time to be sick! You’ve got stuff do to!
How Teachers Manage
There are as many classroom management techniques out there as there are teachers.
Ok, so this might be a bit of an overstatement, but it is pretty close. Every teacher has her own particular style of classroom management. Sure, there are a few major types, but each teacher makes it his or her own.
Learning in a Digital Age
Kids are curious creatures. They like to test the boundaries and see what they can find out and get away with.
Sorting all the junk your kid brings home
By now, you have been inundated with the endless papers that your child brings home. From soccer signups to classroom newsletters to homework, there are dozens of things that need your eyes.
To the Teachers: An appeal for paper sanity
Teachers, dear teachers, we send home papers. We send them home daily. Homework, tests, classwork, permission slips, sports sign-ups, and the other reams of notifications that “must” go home. They overwhelm parents with lists, and bullets, and due dates. May I make an appeal?
10 Ways to Tell Your Teacher is Awesome!
Every student wants to be in her class, and every teacher wants to actually be her, complete with pet iguana and magic bus.