Homework in elementary school: Many teachers, parents, and students feel very strongly about homework. Should you assign homework in elementary school? And, if so, how much? Here’s why I’ve decided I’ll never assign homework again. Period. Homework in Elementary School: Everyone is Doing It Although I’m currently teaching as a reading interventionist, when I was a classroom teacher, I did…
Brain breaks are a great way to keep students fresh and engaged between lessons. We know students need movement, and with less time for recess, well timed brain break activities can offer just that. It can also keep students focused and motivate them to get their work finished. Here are 4 simple and fun brain break ideas that your elementary…
Helping students to decode can feel overwhelming. What do you do when older students, say 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders, are struggling to decode words that should come easily? It can feel like a conundrum. You don’t want to give them “baby” practice, but it’s important to review foundational ideas and skills that will give them the tools they need.…
STEM activities are fantastic for teaching students critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity. Maker spaces and guided STEM activities are such a great way to encourage these skill in your students, but getting quality STEM resources can be hard for a teacher on a budget. Here are two fantastic,STEM tools that can be again and again. I’d like to thank Steps…
Summarizing is such an important reading skill that is often really tricky for students. As a teacher, I find that my students struggle with writing summaries because they either want to tell me way too much or way too little. I’ve also found that the longer the story, the harder it is for them to summarize. I felt like I…