In the classroom, one of my favorite ways to maintain communication between home and school was through Friday Letters. Friday Letters put the students in the driver seat of sharing what is important to them. By using their own words to share what was challenging and uplifting to them we can learn more about our students and have a more open line … [Read more...] about Why Friday Letters Are the BEST Communication Tool
What You DON’T Know About Interactive Notebooks
Have you been wondering about using interactive notebooks in social studies? Check out this post all about how to incorporate INBs into your classroom without losing your mind. You might have seen interactive notebooks and thought, yeah, they look great, but they seem like a whole lot of paper and a whole lot of work. AND you would be right, … [Read more...] about What You DON’T Know About Interactive Notebooks
The First Week of Texas History
Are you wondering what to do with your 4th grade students during the first week of Texas History? You came to the right place! If you are a 4th grade Texas History teacher, or soon to be, I'd like to share with you how I started the school year. Though I taught a 4th grade self-contained classroom, meaning I taught all subjects each day, I … [Read more...] about The First Week of Texas History
Guided Math in Upper Elementary
Guided math is another way of saying math workshop. If you are familiar with the workshop model often used with literacy then you are well on your way! Just like a literacy workshop, guided math is organized into blocks of time dedicated to activities that will further students' understanding of math concepts through practice. Thinking About … [Read more...] about Guided Math in Upper Elementary
Using Sketch Notes with Interactive Notebooks – 5 Things to Try
I used interactive notebooks in my classroom for many years, but it wasn't until my last few years in the classroom that I was introduced to sketch notes. Sketch notes, sometimes known as doodle notes, are a way of using student-produced sketches and drawings. These sketching strategies are used to help students retain the information they have … [Read more...] about Using Sketch Notes with Interactive Notebooks – 5 Things to Try