Teacher Tips & Tricks -

5 Quick Tips for Selling on TeachersPayTeachers!

Many teachers that I talk to share their interest in starting their own shop on TeachersPayTeachers to sell their resources, but many times, they have no idea where to start! My TPT store has honestly changed my life, so I am happy to share my journey! Here are my tips for sellers that are just starting out! Collect Unique Ideas! Throughout the school year, I keep a list of ideas for TPT products on my phone. Whenever I think of a resource that I need and just can’t seem to find, I write it down. Then, when I have time…

Not Just Another Worksheet – Easy Digital Activities Your Students Will Love!

With copy limits, limited time, and absent students, printed paper copies of assignments can truly be a hassle! During Covid, a lot of teachers were forced to use digital practice activities, and many have continued to make them a constant in their classrooms due to the many benefits of digital activities! Benefits of Digital Practice Activities Declutters your classroom by not having a mess of papers everywhere! Students (and teachers) can't lose assignments! Absent students can access them from afar! Teaches digital literacy skills! Can be self-correcting, which helps students get real-time feedback! Easier to monitor through programs like GoGuardian…

Tips & Tricks for Stress-Free Parent Communication

Depending on your past experience, some teachers find parent communication one of the most daunting parts of the job! Here are my tips for making parent communication more enjoyable and less daunting! Start Early & Be Proactive I make it a goal to reach out to each family during the first two weeks of school with a quick email. I like to introduce myself, share my contact information, and share a specific, positive thing that I’ve noticed about their child and that I am looking forward to a great year with them. This starts the year on the right foot…

$3 Quick Ways to Get Students Talking in Math Class!$

3 Quick Ways to Get Students Talking in Math Class!

Sometimes, my math classroom can feel like it’s all teacher-directed instruction. I’m guilty of being the main talker in my classroom - I have so much content to get through and so little time! Plus, I don't want my students talking about math strategies incorrectly, and many of my students want to sit quietly and let someone else do the talking. Sound familiar? But one thing my old teaching professors would say keeps popping up in my mind - “the person doing the talking is doing the learning”? Well, I want that to be my students, not me! So, I've…

How to Prepare for End-of-Year State Testing: Tips & Tricks for Teachers

April and May bring many things - flowers, warmer weather, field trips, and fresh air. However, they also bring the dreaded end of the year state tests. For students and teachers alike, high-stakes state testing is draining and disheartening. However, you can take steps to help your students feel more prepared for these unavoidable assessments. Practice Common Types of Test Questions Obviously, with each grade level, the questions on the state test will increase in difficulty. However, many times, the question types remain similar. Taking time to teach, model, and practice each of the common testing question types will help…

Building a Strong Team: Tips for Setting Your Teacher Assistants Up for Success

As a special education teacher, having a teacher assistant can be a lifesaver! Maybe your school calls them paraprofessionals, teacher aides, instructional assistants, or something else! At my current school, every teacher has a designated teacher assistant - I know, I am SO lucky! My previous school only had a few Instructional Assistants who were designated support for tough students, so the support I had in my classroom wasn’t consistent. I’m so incredibly thankful for my teacher assistants every day and I’ve worked hard to create a positive relationship with them. Here are my tips for setting your teacher assistants…

Resuming the Classroom Routine: Essential Activities for an Easy Return After Winter Break

Returning from Winter Break can feel almost more difficult than the beginning of the school year. In August, you feel rested from the summer off and excited to meet your new students. In January, after the holidays, this excitement may have dwindled and to be honest, you are probably in need of another week off! When returning to school starts to creep up on me, I feel such intense “Sunday Scaries” - and I know I’m not alone. Here’s what I do start the second semester strong! Reteach & Review Class Expectations & Procedures. After any break, it’s so important…

Add a Dash of Holiday Spirit to Your Math Class: Easy Tips & Effortless Ideas

As soon as the first snowflake falls here in Michigan, my students are thinking about winter break. This makes it really hard to hold their concentration and motivate them to do their best on school work for weeks in December! I’m sure my class is not the only one that feels like we are hanging on by a thread! Here are my favorite ways to engage students with popular math topics with a fun holiday twist! A quick note: In order to include all of my students, I try to focus on general winter themes in my classroom, like snowmen…

5 Quick Tips for Setting Up Your Classroom

Setting up a classroom, especially the first classroom that is all your own, is overwhelming! It’s tough to know where to start, and many teachers feel the need to create a Pinterest-worthy classroom before the first day of school - but that’s just not true! Your focus should be on making your classroom functional and comfortable, for both your students and yourself! Here are some tips to get you headed in the right direction! Setting up your classroom is actually not the first thing you should do to prepare for the school year! Your classroom should be set up around…

An Attitude of Gratitude: 3 Quick & Easy Classroom Activities for Thankfulness

Thanksgiving is a great time of year to focus on class routines around thankfulness, but that doesn’t mean it is the only time to practice showing appreciation! Incorporating academic activities that focus on thankfulness throughout the year can help students develop a sense of gratitude and encourage positive attitudes and appreciation. Plus, they can be a fun change of pace! Here are a few of my favorite low-prep and quick academic activities around gratitude and thankfulness! Thank You Cards I am an avid thrift shopper. When I find thank you cards on sale, I snag them! I keep these cards…