How do you build community in a new school setting as a new teacher? It seems like other teachers have already formed their own groups.
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Who are some lesser known scientists that you share with your students? What are their names and contributions to science?
Do you reach out to past or present students mid summer? If so what do you include?
How do you best support students who are below grade level in math? How do you meet their needs, without holding back the rest of the class?
March is reading month! This year our reading month theme is - board games! What theme is your school using for reading month? And do you have a family night - if so, what type of evening do you plan with your families?
I am setting up an Amazon wishlist for families to purchase items (optionally!) for our classroom. What are items I should include on that wishlist?
How do you structure your prep time to get through all of your tasks?
This is a chart we use in our building when students come for support - during support time. They put it in one of those clear pockets (heavy duty) and write on it with a dry erase marker. We call it What I Need time
What are some engaging ways to introduce the topic of space exploration to students with varying levels of interest in science?
Introducing essays to 3rd graders can be a rewarding experience when broken down into manageable steps. I’ve found that starting with personal narratives works best since kids are more comfortable writing about their own lives. Using tools like graphic organizers to help them structure their ideas, and modeling the writing process as a class, are key ways to ease them into it.
For example, teaching them the basic structure of an essay (introduction, body, conclusion) is crucial, but I focus on just a few sentences at first so they don’t feel overwhelmed. Sentence starters like “One time I…” or “In my opinion…” also help students get over the hurdle of that first blank page.
Peer review sessions are another great way to make writing feel like a shared experience instead of a solo task. This also gives students a chance to see how others express their ideas and can encourage growth in their own writing.
What strategies have you found most effective for getting students excited about writing?
I was having so much trouble with finding some pattern block task cards to help students who are struggling with geometry skills that I decided to make my own! Attached you will find 16 task cards and all you need is some pattern blocks! What other activities do you do with student to help understand geometry standards?
How do you prepare for Open House? What do you have students share or leave out for their families? What is the overall structure of your Open House? Do families stay for length of time or do they come and go?
How do you keep parents informed about their child's progress in school? I make sure that I keep my grades current so that my parents can see how their child is doing in our portal.
How do you know when to and how to refer a student to a study team?
What are some common accommodations & modifications you make in your classroom?
What are your favorite items to include in a science notebook (paper or digital)?
“Children don’t learn from people they don’t feel connected to.” – Rita Pierson
As educators, it can sometimes feel like there’s no room for social-emotional learning (SEL) in our already-packed days. But here’s the thing: SEL isn’t an added extra, it’s part of the foundation. When students feel safe and connected, they’re not only emotionally supported but ready to focus, behave, and perform better academically.
The best part? SEL doesn’t require hours of extra work. A quick morning check-in, an “emotion of the day,” or modeling empathy can have a lasting impact. Research even shows that students in SEL programs tend to perform 11% better on standardized tests because when you teach the heart, the mind follows.
What challenges do you face while making room for SEL in your day? Share your thoughts in the comment. Let’s learn from each other!
