The end of the school year is a time when educators and students alike may begin to lose focus. With the anticipation of summer break, both teaching and learning can become a challenge. Eighth-grade teacher Michelle asked the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE! for suggestions on fun activities to engage her class during the last week of school. [...]
You know the importance of teaching students social and emotional skills. Here are a few ideas to help your students learn and develop these critical skills. Have fun incorporating them into your lessons. You’ll reap the rewards of better classroom management as well as engaged and ready-to-learn students! 1. The Power of Systematic Compliments Chris [...]
In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is a holiday to commemorate the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. In the United States, the holiday has become a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. For teachers, this special time of year means two things: warm weather has arrived [...]
School testing season is upon us. Beat the test prep blues with these creative tips and activities that will help make preparing for tests an engaging and productive activity. As an added bonus, many of these activities include downloadable handouts to help minimize prep time. Click the titles below to discover more. 1. Review Jeopardy [...]
Testing season is here and it’s a stressful time for students and teachers alike. Thank goodness for the authors who have tackled this tough topic and provided kids with stories to help them deal with the anxiety they may be feeling about upcoming tests and state exams. Take a look at these ten titles and [...]
Inspired by National Library Week (April 10-16), we’ve compiled a list of 10 books that help children understand their feelings and emotions. Social-emotional learning is critical to student development and their overall well-being. Learning to understand and cope with their feelings will help ensure students achieve their maximum potential in school and beyond. Whether you [...]
In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, engage your students with this delicious and educational activity about soil structure. Students will learn about soil horizons while building an edible soil model that they can enjoy after the lesson. Materials/Ingredients: Clear plastic cups and spoons (one for each student) Chocolate Rock Candy (substitute chocolate chips [...]
Will you be talking about our planet and the challenges it faces with your students? With Earth Month starting on Monday, we thought we’d gather some of the latest books for kids and teens that celebrate nature, environmentalism and the outdoor world. They’re perfect for jumpstarting discussion, research and potentially even activism on the part [...]
Establishing classroom rules. A positive note home to parents. Clear and organized lesson plans. These are a few of the strategies proven to be effective in creating a positive learning environment for you and your students. Whether you’re a new or experienced teacher, these ten classroom management strategies will help you maintain a positive and [...]
Did you know that in the early 1900s peanut butter was considered a delicacy and was generally only enjoyed by the upper classes? Today, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich (PB&J) is a classic lunchbox staple. In fact, it is estimated that the average American will have consumed over 2,000 PB&Js before the age of [...]
