Fun End of the Year Activities for Elementary Students By the time the last week of school arrives, most teachers are juggling two competing goals. First, you want to keep students engaged with end of the year activities. Second, you want to make the end of the year feel meaningful and memorable. However, if we…
How to Teach Word Problems 2nd Grade Teaching word problems in 2nd grade can feel like a completely different subject from teaching computation. Your students can add. They can subtract. They can even regroup. But the second you wrap those skills inside a paragraph with names and actions and extra information? Everything falls apart. So…
After Christmas Break Activities for Elementary Students Let’s be honest – coming back after winter break can feel like you need another break.It’s basically Back to School Part 2 — just colder, darker, and with kids who forgot every routine you taught them in August. Let’s talk about which after winter break activities set you…
How to Teach Money to 2nd Graders Let’s be honest — teaching money can feel like one of those lessons that should be simple… but never quite is. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to teach counting coins in a way that actually sticks, you’re not alone. The truth is, understanding money takes time,…
Teaching Patriot Day: A Meaningful and Kid-Appropriate Approach to September 11th If I’m being honest, teaching about September 11th has always been difficult for me. I lived through it, and I still remember waking up that morning, watching as the TV in my house was on nonstop, showing the towers falling live. It was emotional,…
What to Do in the First Week of School (That is Fun & Easy!) The first week of school in 1st or 2nd grade is such a magical time – but let’s be honest, it’s also exhausting. You’re meeting new students, teaching expectations, organizing supplies, and putting out a hundred fires before lunch. That’s why…
Back to School Science for 1st & 2nd Grade The first week of school is full of routines, read-alouds, and getting-to-know-you games. But when it comes to planning your back to school science block, you might find yourself staring at your planner wondering, What exactly do I teach right now? You’re not alone. Science often…