Why Movement Matters: Helping Students Learn Better All Year Long

If youโ€™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, andโ€”maybe most importantly for our sanityโ€”the classroom feels lighter, calmer, and more joyful. Movement isnโ€™t a โ€œbreakโ€ from learning.Movement is learning. And the … Continue reading Why Movement Matters: Helping Students Learn Better All Year Long

The Routine That Changed My Classroom

Iโ€™ll be honestโ€”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. Iโ€™ve always believed kids do best when they donโ€™t have to guess whatโ€™s expected. Thatโ€™s why I lean on explicit instruction and clear routines every single day. In … Continue reading The Routine That Changed My Classroom

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, itโ€™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!

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 mรขchรฉ volcanoes, or learned to bake cookies in home ec. These moments stuck with you, and for good reasonโ€”they were fun, engaging, … Continue reading Creating Memories That Matter: Should School Be Fun? I think YES!

Teacher, You’re Talking TOO MUCH!: Managing a Chatty Classroom with Simple, Effective Redirection

If you've ever found yourself talking over your students in an attempt to quiet them down, you're not alone. Itโ€™s easy to fall into the trap of repeating yourself, explaining expectations, and pleading for silence when your class gets chatty. But sometimes, the more you talk, the less they listen. A powerful shift in classroom … Continue reading Teacher, You’re Talking TOO MUCH!: Managing a Chatty Classroom with Simple, Effective Redirection