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SEL, or Social-Emotional Learning, is an important piece of a child’s development that was left out of school curricula for far too long. SEL helps students learn how to process their feelings, both positive and negative, in order to react...

Science, technology, engineering, and math, collectively known as STEM, are four subjects that are essential for students to learn to be successful in the modern world. STEM activities build critical thinking skills, relate classroom lessons to the real world, and...

A school carnival is a great way to get students and parents involved, pump up the school spirit, and make school fun! When planning your school carnival, it’s important to include booths with games, activities, and prizes the students will...

A classroom library is a great way to get books in front of your students and inspire their love of reading. Reading is such a vital skill for students to master, as proficient readers have more confidence, better social skills,...

It’s understandable that kids can get a little squirmy in the classroom sometimes. The days can feel long and it’s often hard to sit still and pay attention. As a teacher, that can pose a challenge with presenting lessons and...

Writing is an invaluable skill that all students need to learn to realize their maximum potential in life. Writing should be a focus of their studies from an early grade, as it has been proven to improve cognitive and thinking...

Keeping things moving, both figuratively and literally, in the classroom is key to a smooth day. Kids get tired, struggle to keep their focus and sometimes boredom sets in, so as every teacher knows, they must continually come up with...

Hands-on learning is both well-known and well-loved as a way to engage the senses when teaching new concepts. Students often learn best while “doing” as it boosts retention, problem solving and critical thinking skills. Putting your hands to work while...

Reading can be so much fun and so rewarding for kids: it can transport you to another place and time, it can build vocabulary and communication skills, it can expand the imagination and creativity, and it can be an excellent...

Leadership is a life-long skill that can be transformative, and believe it or not, it can be taught and learned from the earliest age. When you believe in the perspective that everyone is born to be a leader, in one...

Starting a school store is about more than just selling merch and school supplies. A school store is a unique opportunity to teach students a variety of useful life skills, like entrepreneurship, financial management, customer service, time management, team building,...

Book fairs are a great way to get students interested in reading and put some much-needed cash in the school budget…plus they’re just fun! Students love getting a little time off from class to go browse through the tables and...

Kindness is a vital life skill that all children need to learn and develop as they go through their teenage years into adulthood. Learning and practicing kindness in the formative years has been shown to increase academic performance and improve...

We can all use motivation from time to time. Students in middle school will agree. After all, these years between elementary and high school are challenging. Not only does the coursework become more challenging and more demanding, but the growth...

Learning to read is crucial for setting the foundation for future academic success. And phonemic awareness is a major component in making it happen. After all, there is no denying that those students who struggle with phonemic awareness tend to...

Learning to read can be scary, exciting and lots of fun all at once – both for kids and teachers. It’s a process that starts slowly and builds upon itself over time, and with the right approach, can turn into...

A love of learning comes naturally for some students. They are eager to get up and go to school each day, because it is a true joy for them. But for some students, this is not the case and learning...

Is it even really school unless you have all the cute supplies? That’s how many students may feel these days, as cute and trendy school supplies have become a prerequisite. And with all the fun options available, it can be...

Preschoolers are generally a fun-loving bunch, and since lesson planning at this age can often be a bit more laid back, it presents a great opportunity for teachers to weave in some class parties from time to time. Whether to...

We’ve all heard the expression, “reading is fundamental,” but why is it so important for students? The ability to read, along with the ability to write, is what’s referred to as literacy. And without literacy, students can face lifelong challenges...

It feels good to see the excited smiles of students as they receive and reward or prize. School can be tough and challenging, but getting something from the goodie bag or treasure chest allows you to boost their motivation and...

Do you have a reward system in your classroom?  While pizza parties and candies are always a welcome treat for students, your everyday classroom reward system needs to be a little more feasible, using small goodies that will keep kids...

It’s easy to think of the corporate world when you hear about team-building exercises. After all, many companies use them to develop relationships, build teamwork skills, open lines of communication, and elevate company morale.  But team building isn’t just for...

When kids start learning to read, they require encouragement and support to keep going — especially those who are struggling. But with the right amount of dedication, early readers can set a solid foundation for not only academic success but...

Some children love reading. Others, not so much. Yet, every educator knows how powerful time spent reading can be.  Strengthens literacy  Improves vocabulary  Increases knowledge Helps with language development Reduces stress Enhances the imagination Trains focus and concentration The list...

If the book fair is one of your favorite school events, you’re not alone. Kids and adults alike love to browse through the book fair selections, oohing and aahing at the cool pens, wacky pencils, and fun toys. Here at...

Reading is one of the most important things a student can learn to do. From a solid foundation in reading, all other subjects and topics can blossom. Reading has been proven to build and expand a student’s critical thinking and...

Some students like math while others enjoy reading, but have no doubt…all students love a class party or contest! Parties and contests are great ways to engage students on a common goal, foster collaboration, and allow students to learn through...

Kindergarten is a time to laugh and play! Research has proven time and again that play is the best and most natural way for children to learn, or as Dee Ray, professor of early childhood education and director of the...

Group learning can make a significant difference in a student’s understanding of topics, especially those that require a higher level of thinking or have multiple possible interpretations. According to the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning at the University...