Over my 10 years of teaching middle school, I’ve tried just about every classroom reward imaginable to motivate my students. Famously, middle schoolers are not the most motivated subsection of the population, and I’ve spent far too much time (and money) trying to figure out what will get my students to put forth their best […]
The Best Free Classroom Rewards for Middle School Read More »
My students LOVE earning prizes in my classroom, but so many prize options can add up quickly! So, I wanted to share my favorite free prize options that my students actually love! I use these daily in my classroom, and they have the middle school stamp of approval! Simply print and cut, or use the
$0 Prize Passes for Students – Printable, Editable, & Free Prize Options! Read More »
Ever feel like your students are always asking, “Wait… what were we supposed to do again?” You’re not alone. For many kids, especially those with learning or attention challenges, holding onto information long enough to use it can be tough. That’s where working memory comes in. It helps students remember directions, solve problems, and stay
5 Quick & Fun Working Memory Games for the Classroom Read More »
I love using quick games to help my students strengthen their working memory! This free printable includes an overview of 5 working memory focused games, and detailed instructions and ideas for each of them. It’s perfect to print and keep handy at your teacher desk, or to leave for a subsitute teacher as a quick
5 Working Memory Games Printable Instructions & Examples Read More »
It can be difficult to tell if a student has truly used AI on an assignment, and you don’t want to accuse them of it without proof. Here are some signs that a student may have used AI to complete their work: 1. They use an em dash. An em dash is a long dash
4 Warning Signs a Student May Have Used AI and How to Handle It Read More »
When setting up your classroom for the new school year, it’s easy to get caught up in desk arrangements, bulletin boards, or the logistics of where students will turn in their assignments. But one of the most important decisions you can make—especially in a middle school setting—is how your students will organize and store their
Binders vs. Interactive Notebooks in the Classroom: What Really Works? Read More »
If your students are like mine, they’ve heard about AI. They may even be experimenting with it already – asking ChatGPT to help with homework, trying to write essays, or seeing what it can “get away with.” AI is everywhere, and if we don’t guide our students toward responsible use, they’ll develop poor habits fast.
I love using math binders in my 7th grade resource math classes! To help figure out who’s binder is whose, I have students decorate these math binder covers at the start of the year. It makes for a great ice breaker, and they turn out so great! Enjoy!
Math Binder or Interactive Notebook Cover Freebie Read More »
Imagine a day in your students’ lives, going from class to class, teacher to teacher, and rule set to rule set like it’s a bizarre game of “Guess Who?” but with expectations. Can you chew gum here? Can you go to the bathroom without a signed scroll and a security escort? Is talking during group
Community Expectations – A Better Approach to Classroom Rules & Social Contracts Read More »
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had one of those “Where did I put that?” moments approximately… five times a day. Teaching special education in middle school means juggling IEPs, paperwork, copies, behavior plans, and the copies I swear I literally just saw! So when I found a system that actually helped me stay
Classroom Organization 101 – Simple Systems to Save Your Sanity! Read More »
