by Melinda | Nov 2, 2020 | Classroom Management
Do your students get excited when you say it’s time for a game? I love math games and phonics games and spelling games to give students additional practice and master skills — but games to play with a class can also be good for brain breaks and to get kids moving. ... 
by Melinda | Aug 3, 2020 | Classroom Management
In normal times, teaching is stressful. There are all the standards to meet and trying to keep it engaging for your students. There are meetings and assessments and reports. There’s getting the supplies you need. There are the kids who are struggling that you want to... 
by Melinda | Jul 27, 2020 | Classroom Management
Teaching is tough, and it always will be. You need to figure out what each student needs to thrive, keep up with assessments and reports and tracking, fit in all the standards, deal with emotional needs … and then there’s the lesson planning and organizing and... 
by Melinda | Jun 22, 2020 | Classroom Management
Do you ever feel like you can’t take a break in the classroom? The truth is students work hard in class. As teachers, we have a lot to cover so we try to cram a lot into every day. But as learners, we all need breaks to take stuff in, reenergize, and refocus. That’s... 
by Melinda | Jan 13, 2020 | Classroom Management
We’re two weeks into the new year. Are you feeling organized? Planning and organization can make life so much easier. I map out lesson plans (and my life stuff too) using the Top Notch Teaching Lesson Plan Templates. Start with a big picture overview and break your... 
by Melinda | Dec 23, 2019 | Classroom Management
I recently shared some ideas for teacher gifts that a teacher can use for themselves at school or home, but teacher wish lists often contain items for the classroom too. Buying something to be used in the classroom can be a great teacher gift option. Here are some...