I've never really been a fan of teaching writing, but I always really dreaded when it was time to teach informative writing.  Even as a student, research projects were the worst!  As a teacher, I especially hated when it was time for research projects to begin.   For me, the topic was always too big and I didn't know where to start.  I had a hard time staying on topic.  I never really knew when it was time to be done researching and time to begin writing.  I found that a lot of my students were having the same issues and knew there needed to be a better way. ...

If your students are anything like mine, they don't mind writing until we get to the revising and editing part.  So many times, once they get their ideas on paper, they think they are done.  Just like everything else, the more you practice a skill, they better you get!  Here are some tips on how to improve editing in your classroom. Change Their Mindset A lot of students are reluctant to revise and edit their work because they feel like they are having to go back to "fix mistakes".  Instead of thinking of editing as righting all of the wrongs, it is important to make it clear that revising and editing turn good writing pieces into  great  writing pieces.  Something I need to continue to work on is changing my own language from "let's fix our writing pieces" to "let's make our writing pieces better". ...

December is one of my favorite months because there is something electric in the air.  Kids are excited for the upcoming holidays.  And, there are cookies.  So many cookies! Here are a couple of ways that I add Christmas to my classroom.  Stick around to the end because I have a FREEBIE gift tag to go along with an inexpensive and easy gift idea for your students, friends, and neighbors. Christmas Math You can find a bunch of Christmas-themed math resources in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  The resource below is a fun division review and coloring activity.  You can also find some partner activities and math scoot fun to add a little Christmas cheer to your lessons!   *This post may contain affiliate links.  Using an affiliate link does not cost you any additional money but I will make a small commission from Amazon. ...

I cannot believe that another school year is winding down!  It seems like each school year goes by more and more quickly!  With summer right around the corner, I wanted to share a few end-of-year activities that I have done in my classroom. I think almost everybody does some type of memory activity with their class.  I have found that many of my kids are bored with the usual memory books and activities.  A few years ago, I thought of a way to put a new twist on the old end-of-year activities.   ...

Snow days!   Students.  Teachers.  We all love them!  I signed up for school cancelation text messages years ago but will still wake up and check the news every half hour starting at 3am.  Who sleeps the night before a predicted snow day, anyway?   Sometimes, I need to check multiple sources just to make sure it isn't too good to be true.  And there is no better feeling than being able to snuggle back into your warm bed without having to write sub plans.  Am I right? Now, imagine that excitement...MULTIPLIED!  Oh, yes! A Top Secret Mission  can make anything more exciting!   When you notice that the weather is starting to turn, it is a great time to introduce your Snow Day Top Secret Mission envelopes!  I've used half-sheet manilla envelopes and regular business envelopes.  Once you have a class set of sealed Secret Mission envelopes, let your students in on the secret!  Tell them to keep th......

A few months ago, I was thinking about going back to work and wondering how I am going to manage doing so many things at once.  Right now, I am parenting, exercising, cleaning, and TpTing and feel like I can hardly handle everything.  Starting in September I will be doing all of that PLUS teaching full time!  I don't know how some of you do it, but I guess I will find out in a few months. ...