I got to experience something really wonderful a few weeks ago that I wanted to share with you. Recently I went to hear Steve Hartman speak. You might know him from the CBS shows On the Road or Kindness 101. He was in Toledo to share a bit about his story and the impact of some of his
People Are Good (and Other Things Steve Hartman Reminded Me) Read More »
I did every classroom job myself for years — attendance, lunch count, even answering the phone. Here’s what changed when I finally handed them over to my fourth graders.
Class Jobs: A Confessed Control Freak Tells How He Lets His Students Run the Classroom Read More »
Long-term planning for 4th grade math is a real challenge — there’s a lot to cover, and much of it takes days or even weeks for students to master. Here’s a full-year roadmap to help you teach it all before your state test.
The 4th Grade Math Sequence of Instruction Read More »
As the only male teacher in my elementary building, year after year I’ve often been given “those kids who need a male influence.” And if you don’t know, that’s kind of code for kids who come with major behavior challenges. Particularly post pandemic it felt like the sheer number of students was behavior problems was
Classroom Management—The Art, the Science, and the Heart Read More »
So, I am about one week away from my Open House/Meet the Teacher night. I’ve already been in my classroom setting up and as all teachers know, I’m always amazed that there’s just so much to do. I thought I would share 5 tips on things that I do to streamline my beginning of the year
5 Tips for Streamlining Your Classroom Set-Up Read More »
When I called this post “Math Fact Fluency (Without Tears)” you probably thought I meant student tears, but really I really meant your tears. Am I right? There is nothing more frustrating as a teacher than when a student does not have a basic foundational skill like fast recall of their math facts. It’s like
Building Math Fact Fluency (Without Tears) Read More »
The second math unit I teach after place value is addition and subtraction of greater numbers. While on the surface this can be a pretty mundane topic, there are lots of fun ways to spice it up for you and your students. I like to use lots of games and fun activities to practice. Here are
9 Fun Games and Activities to Practice Addition and Subtraction of Greater Numbers Read More »
The beginning of a new school year is an exciting time for both teachers and students. As educators, one of our primary goals is to create a positive and inclusive learning environment where students feel safe, supported, and connected. Building a strong classroom community from the very start plays a crucial role in fostering a
Ways to Build Classroom Community at the Start of the Year Read More »
Even as the year winds down, many kids love to finish goals in their subject areas. I’m big on earning badges through the year to mark learning accomplishments. For example, in my math class, we have 30 topics in an online assessment program (Learning Farm) that kids can earn medals as they show mastery. As
How to Wrap Up a School Year with Fun AND Learning Read More »
As of this writing, I have created over 160 Kahoot games for my students. There are lots of reasons to love Kahoot. Not only is it great review and fun for kids, but it is wonderful for get an overview of how well your class understands a skill. Without question, Kahoot is a staple in my
Kahoot Games to Practice 4th Grade Area and Perimeter Read More »