We’ve finally made it to summer! If you're anything like me, this time of the year is bittersweet. You're sad to see your students go, but you're also relieved and ready to take some much need time to rest.  I know that it’s tempting to push all school-related thoughts aside until August rolls back around. After all, our break is well-earned! But I also know that right now—while the school year is still fresh in my mind—is the perfect time for me to reflect on what worked well this year and what could be improved for next. Taking just a little time to reflect now can set up an even smoother and more impactful year ahead.  What Went Well Looking back, I’m proud of several initiatives that made a real difference in student learning and engagement this year: Vertical Whiteboards: Incorporating vertical whiteboards transformed my classroom collaboration. Students engaged in lessons that felt dynamic and accessible, making it easier to visualize concepts and share ideas. U...

  I’m not a huge country music fan. But recently, a song popped into my head that I just couldn’t shake: Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw. In the song, the narrator reflects on a life-changing realization—the idea that we should embrace every moment, appreciate what we have, and live fully, even when we think our time is limited. And during this time of the year, as I watch my students wrap up another school year, that message suddenly feels personal. Teachers often treat the end of the year like a marathon—exhausted, scrambling to check every last box, enforcing rules, making sure everything gets done. But what if we flipped the script? What if we treated these final weeks as if they were our last time teaching? Think about it—if you knew this was your final year in the classroom, how would you teach differently? What moments would you cherish more? Would you ease up on the pressure and let laughter take over? The truth is, we don’t know how many school years we have left....

  As the school year winds down, many elementary teachers face a common challenge—students are eager for summer, testing is over, and curriculum pacing guides have wrapped up. This often leaves teachers scrambling to keep students engaged and focused during their math blocks . One common temptation is introducing next year’s math concepts in an effort to keep students learning. While previewing future content might seem helpful, I’m not a huge fan of this approach . Elementary students already tackle a wide range of math concepts each year, and introducing next year’s material early can feel overwhelming for them and unfair to next year’s teacher. I personally love using inquiry and discovery-based learning to introduce new concepts, and it's difficult to do when students have already been exposed to those skills prematurely. Instead, the final weeks of school present the perfect opportunity to deepen students' understanding of the math concepts they’ve been working on all ...

  We all want our classrooms to be a welcoming space, and crafts are the perfect way to help with that! Many young students love getting to express their creativity through arts and crats. But creating crafts in the classroom doesn’t just have to be a cute activity. Crafts also a unique way for students to show what they have learned in math in a hands-on way. Plus, students get to feel pride in their work by having it displayed in the classroom. Finally, crafts can make abstract math concepts, such as fractions feel more accessible for all learners. Winter crafts are perfect to use during the winter months, bringing warmth and cheer to the chilly season. Incorporating winter crafts in the classroom can be a wonderful way to engage students during the colder months. As the weather turns chilly, bringing creative activities into the learning environment not only brightens the atmosphere but also fosters a sense of community and excitement among students. Below are three winter theme...