Congratulations! You got through student teaching, found a teaching position, and you're ready to get started. YEA! It's an exciting time! Today I want to share some helpful hints and tips for new teachers. Your brain is probably in overdrive right now. You're trying to remember everything you learned during your years of college, while student teaching, and all the helpful information gathered from veteran teachers. But I know from experience … [Read more...] about Helpful Hints & Tips for New Teachers
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Getting Parents On Your Side As An Educator
Getting parents on your side can sometimes be a challenge for teachers, but it doesn't have to be that way! I've taught in a variety of schools over the years, and I've never really struggled with parent/guardian interactions. Instead, I've implemented the strategies below. If you do the same, you can get parents on your side right from the first day of school! - 1. Start the School Year Off Right I don't care what grade level you teach, there … [Read more...] about Getting Parents On Your Side As An Educator
8 Ways to Increase Student Engagement
"My students are so bored. They never listen to me; instead they do their own thing." Have you ever heard a colleague or new teacher say something like this? Or maybe this is you? Regardless, there are ways to increase student engagement and get more student buy in. Today I want to share nine different ideas with you. 1. CARE! When students know you care about them they're more likely to have buy in. This doesn't mean you need to be their … [Read more...] about 8 Ways to Increase Student Engagement
Five Tips for Finding an Excellent Math Tutor
Bryan always succeeded easily in math class; however, this year marked the beginning of his pre-algebra course. Now, Bryan struggles with challenging homework problems and can't seem to connect what his teacher discussed in class to what he is practicing for homework. Bryan's parents feel challenged by the methods shown in his notes. Procedures and strategies have changed so much over the years! An experienced math tutor may be the perfect … [Read more...] about Five Tips for Finding an Excellent Math Tutor
End of Year Candy Ball FUN
Here's an activity I did last year with my 6th graders. It was a LOT of fun! A Candy Ball!! Anyway, here's how I did it --- Get some candy. Anything will do! Keep in mind your students' allergies. Take one piece of candy and put plastic wrap around it. Continue to put 1-3 pieces of candy inside each layer of plastic wrap. Just for fun, throw in a layer of packaging tape every so often. :) There's really no right or … [Read more...] about End of Year Candy Ball FUN
Classbuilding Activity: Think Fast!
Hello everyone. My website for teachers, engagedbyplay.com, is all about providing engaging games and activities for elementary school teachers. On it you will find morning meeting activities and ways to excite your students in their learning. The following is a great activity to get your day started in morning meeting called, “Think Fast.” This is a game that gets kids warmed up for the day and that they clamor to play again and again. One … [Read more...] about Classbuilding Activity: Think Fast!
Every Student Teacher MUST Read This!
Whether you call it student teaching, pre-service teaching, teaching practicum, or something else - you must read this blog post! Here I will share the tips, tricks, and ideas that I experienced in college that helped make me the teacher I am today. 1. ASK QUESTIONS! If you don't read another word of this post, make sure to ask questions. Ask the principal if you can practice an interview with him/her. Ask your cooperating teacher how to … [Read more...] about Every Student Teacher MUST Read This!
9 Best Zoom Games to Play with Students
While virtual teaching may not be ideal, it is our reality right now. Fortunately, tools like Zoom allow us to reach our students even though they're not sitting right in front of us in the classroom. Being well-versed in all the features and functions of Zoom can help you best meet the needs of your students and provide them with quality instruction. That's why we have guest blogger Emily Ross here to help us better understand the best Zoom … [Read more...] about 9 Best Zoom Games to Play with Students
Students Missing School – Part 1 {Talking to the Student’s Family}
Throughout my teaching career, I've had parents and guardians approach me to ask what their child can do when they have to miss a day (or more) of school. Here is the first part of a two part series on how I handle students missing school. (You can catch post #2 - giving alternate assignments - here!) First, I ask parents - is this a legitimate reason to miss school? We all get sick, and that is understandable. However, if your child … [Read more...] about Students Missing School – Part 1 {Talking to the Student’s Family}
