If you’ve spent more than five minutes teaching upper-elementary or middle school, you already know something scientists later confirmed: kids learn better when they move. Their brains fire faster, they remember longer, and—maybe most importantly for our sanity—the classroom feels lighter, calmer, and more joyful. Movement isn’t a “break” from learning.Movement is learning. And the … Continue reading Why Movement Matters: Helping Students Learn Better All Year Long
Author: kilesclassroom
The Routine That Changed My Classroom
I’ll be honest—classroom management was never about keeping kids quiet for me. It was about helping them feel safe, successful, and focused so the learning could stick. I’ve always believed kids do best when they don’t have to guess what’s expected. That’s why I lean on explicit instruction and clear routines every single day. In … Continue reading The Routine That Changed My Classroom
Meet the Teacher Behind Kile’s Classroom
Idiom Day- A super fun way to celebrate a figurative language unit. Talk Like a Pirate Day! Let me guess. You’ve walked into your classroom, looked around at 28 sets of eyeballs staring back at you, and thought, “Okay… how do I survive this without losing my mind?” If that sounds familiar, pull up a … Continue reading Meet the Teacher Behind Kile’s Classroom
A Simple Vocabulary Routine That Actually Sticks
I used to think vocabulary was supposed to be fancy. Colorful posters. Elaborate games that took longer to explain than to play. Then I watched a teacher introduce vocabulary with a clear, predictable routine that made sense. After more research into the best practices for what words to teach and how to teach them, my … Continue reading A Simple Vocabulary Routine That Actually Sticks
Guided Notes That Guide Learning
A Complete Guide to Guided Notes So You Can Implement Them Tomorrow! What are guided notes? You know that moment when you are teaching your heart out and a few students look lost while others are writing so fast their pencil starts to smoke. Guided notes are my favorite way to bring everyone into the … Continue reading Guided Notes That Guide Learning
Mini Blog: Fun Stuff to Know!
Did You Know? The 100th Day of 5th Grade is Extra Special! The 100th day of school is a big milestone for students, but did you know that for a fifth grader, it’s an even bigger deal? If your school follows a 180-day calendar, the 100th day of their fifth-grade year marks their 1,000th day … Continue reading Mini Blog: Fun Stuff to Know!
The Transformative Power of Daily Read-Aloud Time in the Classroom
Imagine a classroom where students are captivated by the rhythm of a story, their imaginations ignited with every word. Reading aloud does more than entertain; it builds critical language skills and fosters a lifelong love of learning. Using classroom time for read-alouds is not just beneficial but essential, as it provides students with unique opportunities … Continue reading The Transformative Power of Daily Read-Aloud Time in the Classroom
Creating Memories That Matter: Should School Be Fun? I think YES!
Think back to your own school days. Do you remember every worksheet you filled out? Probably not. But I bet you remember the time your class went on a field trip, made paper mâché volcanoes, or learned to bake cookies in home ec. These moments stuck with you, and for good reason—they were fun, engaging, … Continue reading Creating Memories That Matter: Should School Be Fun? I think YES!
Building Knowledge: The Secret Ingredient to Supercharging Reading Comprehension
When we talk about helping our students become strong readers, it’s easy to zero in on phonics and decoding skills. And while these foundational skills are crucial, they’re only half of the story. The other half? Building knowledge. If you’ve been diving into the latest Science of Reading research, you know that students need more … Continue reading Building Knowledge: The Secret Ingredient to Supercharging Reading Comprehension
The Power of Movement: Boosting Learning and Memory Through Action
As educators, we’re always searching for ways to help our students not just learn, but truly remember what they’ve learned. One of the most exciting and effective strategies for this? Incorporating movement into lessons. Research has shown that when students engage their bodies in learning activities, it supercharges the brain's ability to store new information … Continue reading The Power of Movement: Boosting Learning and Memory Through Action
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