The First Week of School Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect | Here’s What Matters Most
There is so much pressure surrounding the first week of school. Pinterest makes every classroom look picture-perfect. Social media is filled with color-coded schedules, beautifully organized centers, and elaborate first-day activities. Meanwhile, you’re standing...
5 Classroom Birthday Ideas for Pre-K and Kindergarten
As teachers, we want classroom birthday ideas to be simple, affordable, and easy to fit into an already busy school day. The good news is that creating meaningful birthday memories doesn’t require cupcakes, expensive goodie bags, or elaborate decorations. In...
15 Best Educational Apps for Kids in 2026 | Teacher Approved
Finding quality screen time can feel overwhelming. With thousands of educational apps, it’s hard to know which ones actually help children learn. As a former kindergarten teacher and mom of two, I’ve tested countless educational apps over the years. The...
How to Set Up a Kindergarten Classroom That Works All Year Long
Setting up a kindergarten classroom can feel overwhelming. Between organizing supplies, planning lessons, creating routines, and preparing centers, it’s easy to focus on making everything look perfect. After nearly 20 years in kindergarten, I learned that the...
Building Sentences Writing Centers for Kindergarten & First Grade
If your writing block ever feels scattered… you’re not alone. Between phonics, sentence structure, handwriting, and engagement, it can feel like you’re pulling from five different places just to teach one skill. That’s exactly why I started using Building...
Free Poetry Notebooks Guide for Kindergarten and 1st Grade | Simple Literacy Routine
Poetry notebooks for kindergarten are one of the simplest ways to build reading fluency, strengthen writing skills, and bring structure to your literacy block—without adding more to your plate. If your lesson planning feels scattered or you’re constantly pulling from...
Kindergarten Writing Centers Made Easy | Literacy Activities Pre-K -1st
If you’re looking for kindergarten writing centers that are simple, engaging, and actually work all year long, you’re in the right place. As a former kindergarten teacher, I know how overwhelming it can feel to plan writing activities that: keep students engaged build...
Kindergarten Teacher Must-Haves | Supplies, Resources, and Time-Saving Tools
Whether you’re a first-year kindergarten teacher or a veteran educator looking to refresh your classroom, there are a few things that can make a huge difference in your day-to-day teaching. It’s easy to get caught up in the cutesy classroom decor trends on...
Easy Family Photo Display Ideas for Your Classroom
When young kids walk into the classroom for the first time, family photo displays can help school feel more familiar, welcoming, and safe. Sending home a parent letter requesting a photo to create a display board is a simple way to build classroom community while...
Classroom Routines for Pre-K and Kindergarten | Tips for First Week of School
The first week of school is about so much more than letters, numbers, and learning centers. Before kids can be successful learners, they need to understand how your classroom works. Whether you teach Pre-K or Kindergarten, your classroom routines will help kids feel...
25 Activities for the First Day of School in Kindergarten | Free Printables
 The night before my very first day of teaching kindergarten, I don’t think I slept much at all. I had my lesson plans printed, every supply labeled, centers prepared, fun snacks planned, and enough activities planned to fill two days. By the end of that first...
Starting Centers in Kindergarten | 5 Easy Tips + Free Printables
Starting centers in kindergarten can feel overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be! With the right setup and structure, learning centers can quickly become your students’ favorite part of the day. Whether you’re a new teacher or just looking to...
Kindergarten I Can Statements | Student-Friendly Learning Goals
Kindergarten I Can Statements are a powerful tool to help young kids understand what they’re working towards in the classroom. Instead of posting standards filled with educational jargon, these kid-friendly learning goals make expectations clear, and help kids...
HOW TO SET UP A TEAR ART CRAFT STATION | Free Printables
If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for ways to make fine motor practice more fun and less… well, worksheet-y. That’s exactly why tear art crafts are a classroom and homeschool favorite. These easy crafts are hands-on, creative,...
Requesting Classroom Snacks | With and without allergies
If you have ever faced the dreaded “Ms Teacher, I’m hungry!” moments, you know the importance of having a well-stocked classroom snack stash. Whether you are managing snack time daily, or just keeping some extras on hand for those little tummies in...
Classroom Management | Tips for Parent Communication
Welcome back to the new Wednesday series about classroom management. Today, we are talking about tips on how to improve parent communication. Effective communication with parents is one of the most important aspects of your classroom management. When you and parents...
33 Call and Responses | Classroom Management Tips
In a classroom full of 15-30 children, getting their attention can often be a little challenging. Whether you’re a new teacher or a veteran teacher looking for new ideas, today’s list of 33 call & responses will help solve this problem. Welcome to my...
21 Fun Friday Activities for Kids
Teachers, we all know the excitement that comes with the end of the week—both for us and the kids! “Fun Friday” is the perfect way to reward your students for a week of hard work while keeping them engaged. Below are 21 fun and easy activities that will...
Smelly Spots | Using Chapstick for Positive Behavior (Video)
If you’re a parent or an elementary teacher you need to know about using chapstick, or smelly spots, for positive behavior.  Positive behavior reinforcement is an essential aspect of promoting good behavior in children. One creative and effective approach to achieve...
All About Me Worksheet & Activities | Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st Grade
Kindergarten All About Me activities are one of the easiest ways to build classroom community during the first weeks of school. These printable All About Me worksheets help kids share about themselves while practicing early writing, drawing, coloring, and fine motor...
How to Integrate Technology With Play-Based Learning
Although controversial, technology is a powerful tool that can transform play-based learning, making it more engaging and interactive for young learners. While traditional play remains crucial for development, integrating technology can enhance educational...Integrating Math Talks into Your Daily Routine
Are you wondering how to find the time to do math talks with kids everyday? Whether you’re a classroom teacher or a homeschool parent, I’ve got tips to help you keep math lessons simple yet impactful. In this post, we’ll explore what Math Talks are,...
Question of the Day | Preschool & Kindergarten Yes or No Questions for Kids
Looking for an easy morning meeting routine your students will actually look forward to each day? Question of the Day is one of my favorite ways to build classroom community, encourage oral language, and start meaningful conversations in Preschool, Pre-K, and...