I used to spend HOURS planning new literacy centers each week: making, laminating, cutting, sorting, labeling, differentiating. . . you know the drill! SO. MUCH. WORK! A few years ago, I started using 5 anchor centers almost every week. These literacy centers were perfect year-round because they provided students with choice while being easy to manage. All I had to… Read More
Chinese New Year Activities
Going to the Chinese New Year parade in New York City had been on my to-do list for years and I finally got the chance to check it off! Last year, my family and I drove to NYC for the parade and we were not disappointed (well, except for the jacked-up parking costs)! We watched from Chatham Square (about the… Read More
25+ Classroom Organization Tips For the New Year
Get your classroom organized! This comprehensive list of tips will help you feel organized in the new year, from your lesson-planning to your classroom, and even to your to-do lists!
How to Use Interactive Read-Alouds in the Classroom
Do you remember your teachers reading to you? I don’t remember much about being a student in first grade, but something I do remember is the feeling I’d get when it was storytime. Mrs. Mayerhofer had a way of engaging us with stories and it seemed magical! Read-alouds are a cornerstone of instruction. We all know the importance and many… Read More
Animals in Winter- Hibernation, Migration, Camouflage, Adaptation
Does science take the back burner in your school? With the focus on literacy and math, it seems there is so little time for it! But we all know science is important! Since there is so little scheduled time for it, I want to make sure my lessons are meaningful and engaging. I make sure they are well-planned, concise and… Read More
Planning a Classroom Holiday Party!
I had a holiday paint party. In my classroom. . . With kids and parents . . . And it wasn’t a disaster! In fact, it was the best holiday party I’ve had in my classroom, ever! I mentioned it earlier this year and a few of you had lots of questions and were curious to know how it went,… Read More
Tips for Parent-Teacher Conferences
It’s almost that time! Getting ready for parent-teacher conferences can be time-consuming or stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are some tips to help your conferences go smoothly. One important thing to keep in mind is to make sure to stay positive and professional at all times. It’s not always easy, but it will benefit everyone! Be sure… Read More
Guided Reading Tools Every Teacher Should Have
These are must-have tools for guided reading in kindergarten and first grade! I keep drawers with my fun tools to keep kids engaged throughout guided reading lessons. Can you guess what’s in the drawers? Read this post to find out some new, exciting ways to use materials you likely already have in your classroom! #tejedastots #guidedreading
Growth Mindset with Rosie’s Glasses
I need to share this book with you because it just has soooo many great lessons, including teaching growth mindset! Don’t you just love a good read-aloud you can use for many skills and strategies? I do! I read this book to my former students a couple of weeks ago. Here is a picture of me and some of the… Read More
How to Keep your Guided Reading Lessons Short
One question that comes up often about guided reading is. . . How do I fit all my groups in? The struggle is real! It’s important to take the time you need with your students (part of teaching is loving on them!), but it’s also important to stay on track, so that you’re able to meet with your students as… Read More