Why Every Classroom Needs a Safe Space for Students Over the last several years, schools have increasingly recognized the importance of social-emotional learning. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which people understand and manage their emotions, achieve goals, feel empathy for others, maintain positive relationships, and make responsible choices. These factors all contribute to a positive school climate where…
Read More
Summer Writing Activities for Students: Not sure how you’re going to keep your students (or your own children) on the up and up with their writing over the summer? A summer writing challenge is your answer! Fill their writing time with summer writing prompts that are engaging and fun! The idea here is for students to take on a 30-day…
Read More
Whether you’re a parent or a teacher, you know that misbehavior is challenging. We all have days that end in frustration and exhaustion because of disruptive students or warring siblings. And we all have days that end with regret for how we responded to these situations. We might lose our cool and then feel guilty for snapping, or we might…
Read More
ABC Countdown Activities for Upper Grades: Are you looking for engaging activities for your upper-grade students for the final weeks of school? You’ve probably seen primary level teachers use ABC countdown activities to close out the year but may not have found activities that are appropriate for upper grades. Not only are these activities appropriate, but they also continue to…
Read More
As teachers, we understand that learning doesn’t occur in a vacuum. Students arrive in our classrooms with problems, challenges, and trauma we may know nothing about. For children with a difficult or unstable home life, walking into class and focusing on academics is extremely challenging. Asking children to learn math, write paragraphs, and follow the rules without addressing their internal…
Read More
The end of the school year is a big transition for students (and teachers). Don’t just let the year fizzle to a close—end your year with memorable, meaningful, and reflective activities. Celebrate the experiences you shared, highlight what’s special about every child in your classroom, and leave students with a sense of accomplishment and belonging. Sounds like a tall order,…
Read More