If I were to choose one thing that helped me keep my sanity when I went through busy, challenging times as a parent, that would be independent play. It might seem like an insignificant thing,

Photo Source: fun-n-first.blogspot.com We hit the mother load of pirate writing prompts while perusing Crazy for First Grade and had to pass them along! If you're looking for a way to spark your little writers' imaginations, these great prompts from Anna should certainly get you on the right track! If I Were A Pirate... My Journey on a Pirate Ship My Treasure Chest What Do You Think About Dressing Like A Pirate? The best part is Anna provides fun printables to go along with these writing prompts - for FREE! - over at her blog! Featuring quirky pirate graphics and places for both writing and illustrations, we know your kinders will have a blast completing these creative writing prompts! For the prompt printables, be sure to head on over to Crazy for First Grade!

Want to start a reselling business? As a former full time reseller, here are my best tips and how I'm starting over!

Free Things to do in Porto with kids! There are so many free activities for the kids, but we are sure everyone in the family will love it!

This is your go-to Costa Rica itinerary, with awesome 7-day, 2-week, and 1-month plans. Plus where to stay & more!

I started my TeachersPayTeachers store all the way back in 2009... yup, 2009. It wasn't until I was on mat leave with my first kiddo several years later that

Many of you know Julie B Booth as being my Roy G Biv partner. Have I ever mentioned that we're old friends from my days in Virginia? That I really and truly know Julie? Have I mentioned that she is a book author as well? Her first book, Fabric Printing at Home, was recently published. To kick off its release, Julie is celebrating with a blog tour of 13 artists whose work appears in the gallery as well as daily give aways. Fabric Printing at Home is filled with ideas and step-by-step instructions of how to print on fabric using normal kitchen objects. With chapters about Kitchen Textures and Found Object Printing, Beyond the Potato Print, Wrap It Up! Wraps and Foil, Recycled and Repurposed and Irresistible: Fabric Resists Using Kitchen Ingredients, Julie offers something for everyone. The piece that I contributed to the gallery falls under the found object printing category. When Julie first asked me to participate, I pondered what to use. My collection of wine corks seemed fitting. Now, I think Julie pictured a pattern of dots created by stamping the end of the cork, but I inserted toothpicks in the cork ends, rolled it through my inks and paints and then printed on paper. The cracks in the corks make varied and interesting marks. Once enough papers were printed, I cut and tore, assembled and reassembled, stitched and repeated steps 1 thru 5 Cloud Paper Water 1, Jennifer Coyne Qudeen until there were 7 pamphlet stitched books. The set is entitled Cloud Paper Water 1, based on Thich Nhat Hanh's Clouds in Each Paper which Sandra Brownlee so intuitively read to me during her Tactile Notebooks and the Written Word workshop at Big Cat Textiles in August 2013. Cloud Paper Water 1, Jennifer Coyne Qudeen Each book contains a word from the poem so cleverly hidden that even I can't find them now and, well, I wrote the words. The cover above appears in the gallery of Fabric Printing at Home. Julie is having a daily give away to celebrate. Stroll on over to her blog and leave a comment for a chance to win. I'm joining in the celebration as well by giving away a copy of Fabric Printing at Home. For a chance to win, just leave a comment on this post by midnight New York city time on February 13. The winner will be announced on Valentine's Day. I'm curious...what's the most unusual object you've used to print with? -------------- Be sure to visit all the stops on the Tour: February 2: Lisa Chin February 3: Lynn Krawczyk February 4: Jane Davila February 5: Carol R. EatonFebruary 6: Judy Gula February 7: Susan Purney Mark February 8: Teri Lucas February 9: Jennifer Coyne Qudeen February 10: Deborah Boschert February 11: Lynda Heines February 12: Cheryl Sleboda February 13: Terri Stegmiller February 14: Jackie Lams

Tips for a first year kindergarten teacher - for newbies and teachers new to kindergarten. Let's break it down and keep it simple. You can do this!

make a kaleidoscope with items you have at home

Blogging is a full-time job. And sometimes we're lacking the motivation to blog when we really need to get our work done! Here are 8 things to try out when that happens.

Each classroom is likely utilizing the art form of Madeline Hunter’s ITIP in some way. If you’re a new teacher, then you may not know what I’m talking about specifically – and maybe I’m showing

We spent 3 days in Niagara Falls, but we should have spent 5. There are so many things to do in Niagara Falls with kids and great food. Here are our tops.

Tips on using circle maps in your special education classroom. Download a free circle map to use today.

What is happiness? And can it be taught? This lesson on happiness is also a fun team building activity for 1st and 2nd grade kids. Come see!

Managing Make-up Work in the Middle School Classroom If there is one thing that we can count on as educators, it is that not every student will be in your classroom, every day, for the entire year. So, how do you manage the work students miss while they were gone? Have you ever had a student come to you and ask, "Did I miss anything when I was gone?" Or, even worse... "Did I miss anything important when I was gone?" These are my LEAST favorite student questions! However, I love that my middle school students understand my sarcasm...well, most of them do! So, sometimes I joke around with them and tell them that we couldn't possibly go on without them, or we just sat around and cried because we missed them so much! It usually gets a laugh, but then, they really want to know what they missed. What then? Explain every missed assignment to each individual student while the rest of your class waits patiently?! Or, get the rest of your class started on an activity while you explain the work they missed? Then the student who was absent is falling even more behind because they are missing the work their classmates are currently doing! I teach 7th grade and spend a lot of time encouraging and providing opportunities for my students to practice what I call, owning their learning. For me, that means taking responsibility for themselves and their education. It looks like making good choices on where you sit, who you sit with, who you choose to be in groups with, how you conduct yourself in the classroom, how you manage your time, etc. It took me a couple of years to find a system for dealing with absent or makeup work that really fit with my personality and my classroom philosophy. The "What did I miss?" system not only encourages independence but models planning and organization, an area in which most middle school students need support. The "What did I miss?" calendar: The "What did I miss?" calendar is posted at the front of my classroom. I keep the current month and the previous month posted at all times. Each day, I, or a student helper update the calendar with the activity(ies) we completed AND where to find them. The "What did I miss?" crate: The "What did I miss?" crate sits below the calendar and is home to any hard copy assignments we do. The crate is set up with a folder for each day of the month and the folders are set up in date order. The "What did I miss?" paper: The "What did I miss?" paper is a handy way to summarize a list of assignments a student missed. I use this if I know a student will be gone for a lengthy period of time, if a parent contacts me to request work, and as an accommodation for students who may struggle to manage the system alone. The "What did I miss" system is definitely not full proof. Like any other system, it may work well for some and not for others. I would love to hear about the systems that work in your classroom. Leave a comment below! See my Teachers Pay Teachers store for the products mentioned in this post.

Want some ideas on how to teaching students how to integrate quotes and textual evidence in to writing? I've got you.

Een blog over naaien, stofjes, kinderkleding, styling.

So, you've finished the first draft of your novel. Congratulations! With a completed draft under your belt, it can be tempting to dive straight into edits, revising all of those pesky plot holes and other weaknesses you created along the way. This, however, would likely be a big mistake. Revising

What hidden gems in Italy are worth adding to your travel itinerary? Find your inspiration here. Discover Italy off the beaten path

Knowing how and why to store your sourdough starter in the fridge is essential to avoiding sourdough overwhelm! A starter left out on the counter needs to be fed at least once per day. Before you know it a week has gone by and you have a whole lot of sourdough to use up…perhaps too […]

I always thought the positions of button and buttonhole are pretty self-explanatory. But more than one occasion, I have seen buttons that were placed a bit too close to the edge of a garment. I haven’t seen anyone discussing the topic in a blog post, so I thought I could contribute a little to the […]

I'm curing my chalkboard! A chalkboard needs to be cured to avoid engraving permanent marks but if you're anything like me you probably thought chalkboards were…

Guest Blogger James Robinson

As teachers, we're always on the hunt for easy ways to build positive relationships with students. That's because a strong connection with student can greatly increase their success in our classrooms. I'm sharing 15 ways to build relationships with students. I'm sure you already do so many of them....so I hope you find a new idea or two. Don't worry! I've put together all of these ideas in a printable set of cards. You can download all the ideas for FREE HERE. Make it a practice to send out a set number of postcards (or even emails) a week celebrating students that made positive contributions to class. TIP: Be sure to record your mailings in a communication log. Give a job that requires trust and responsibility to students that might be a bit more challenging. By doing so and explaining to them why you think they is the right one for the job, you’ll instill a sense of trust. TIP: Many students benefit from the feeling that you see them as responsible. One of the most effective ways to compliment a student is to do it when they are not there. For instance, when a student is absent or leaves the room, make a comment about something you really like about them. Other students in the room will totally tell the student what you said later in the day, and it models genuine love for your students in front of the rest of the class. On day one of a new school year, you will most likely get a sense of who might be a more challenging student in your classroom. So, if that more difficult student had a pretty good day, call home that night. Note specific things they did right in your classroom. By establishing positive contact right away, you make a bit of a deposit in the child’s “bank account.” Then, if something goes wrong on another day, you’ve already established a positive relationship. DOWNLOAD the CARDS HERE. Avoid embarrassing or making an example of a student at all costs. Be positive – always. Instead of “Bob get your packet out,” try complimenting the student next to Bob, “George, thanks for getting your packet out.” Highlight what you want to happen instead of embarrassing a student. Make a connection with your most challenging students. Find a way to genuinely compliment them in your class each day. Write kind notes on their paper. Make an effort to reach out to their parents with positive news (it’s like a bank deposit – fill the bank with as much good news as possible so that when you have to make a withdrawal your contact will be primarily positive). Be excited to see the student each school day. TIP: Even if you have to fake it, loving the hardest kid to love is so important. Sometimes you’ll make a wrong call. Sometimes you’ll overreact. Sometimes you’ll make a kid sad. When you make a mistake, say you’re sorry – publicly – in front of the whole class. Explain what happened, what you did wrong, how you’ll make amends (with an action), and how you’ll try to improve in the future. If this is what we expect from our students when they make mistakes, then it makes sense to model it for everyone to see. Students don’t want you to be perfect. They want you to be consistent, fair, and when you’re not those things, they’d love to hear you say sorry. Say a friendly hello and create a quick connection with students every day by standing at your door. This little gesture reminds them that you are there for them. It shows them that you are excited and engaged as well. TIP: Say goodbye to each of them, by name, at the end of each day, too. Some teachers successfully give nicknames to students. However, many students resent the nicknames that teachers give them. While they may accept it (because what else can they do?), many times the nickname embarrasses them or highlights something different about them. As you know, being different is often not a good feeling as a kid. That’s why it’s important to ask what a student would like to be called and stick with it. It’s human nature to connect with some people more than others. That’s true with students as well. However, it’s important to never pick favorites! If you’re the basketball coach don’t just engage with your athletes. If you tend to like the girls in the classroom more than the boys, don’t show favoritism. Kids struggle with teachers that play favorites. As humans, there will be students we just like more. Make a concerted effort to highlight and connect with those students that you’re not necessarily drawn too. One of the easiest ways to positively connect with students is by being consistent and fair. Students want to feel safe in their classrooms. They want to know that you have systems in place to help all students be successful. Stay consistent in your classroom management so that students can thrive in your loving, fun, and supportive classroom. Reflect on your own school experience growing up. Who was your favorite teacher? Why? (Does it have something to do with how that teacher made you feel?) TIP: Emulate your favorite teacher in your own classroom. Build connections with your students as they build connections with their peers. Intentionally plan activities that encourage students to get to know their classmates. While activities like positive pennant posters and team building games may seem to take away from instruction, they are actually powerful tools for creating a positive learning environment. Have you ever heard that the easiest way to get children to listen is to whisper your message within earshot of someone else? The same principle applies to students. They love to eavesdrop. So, why not brag about individual students to a colleague within earshot of them? Spreading the word about the great things kids are doing (in a whisper) is super powerful! Create homework and classwork with students’ names in the assignments. Make sure their names are associated with positive things and connected to activities and hobbies they care about. TIP: Personalizing assignments is not hard to do, but it helps students connect with you and their learning. Grab your set of cards here. _______________________________________ Thanks so much for checking out these ideas. I hope you've found at least one new way to connect with students. Talk soon, Mary Beth P.S. If you'd like a set of FREE positive notes to give to students, download them here.

"Today, we're going to write an autobiography in class. Okay, I want you to take ten minutes and brainstorm as much as you can about your life then write a one page paper. You will start with an introduction, and the body of your paper will be in chronological order, beginning with your earlier childhood and evolving into who you are, and who you want to become. You must have a catchy ending as well. Got it? Good! You may begin." (As I stare upon overwhelmed, confused, and stressed fifth graders...) Hmm... What did I do wrong? What I said made COMPLETE sense to me! Let's take a step back and evaluate my approach. Do you think that this approach will produce amazing autobiographies? Or will it be a jumbled mess? I'm opting for the second. Why? BECAUSE I saw it happen! I have been teaching since 2007...not including my subbing time, and time spent in college. I have come to find, like many of us do, that the success in a lesson can single-handedly depend upon our approach and introduction to a topic. No, I didn't start my lesson on writing autobiographies like this. :) I may have done these things in bits and pieces, but they were spread out and with explanations and examples. I start with reading an autobiography. We started with our basal reader, and the story of William Joyce Scrapbook. This story is all about this author/illustrator and how his life evolved into one that celebrates creativity, as well as how he gets inspired for new projects. To do something well, it helps for our students to SEE and/or LISTEN to a finished product. I always provide a visual aid and classroom discussion on how to approach the task. I LOVE anchor charts! Here's the one that I created for this project: I love to make my anchor charts bright and fun to look at. I believe that it engages my students, and almost lures them into reading them top to bottom. I also provide a structure. I like something tangible that they can write on. I gave my students this print out to engage their thoughts. The size of the blocks allowed them to focus on the most important details. You can grab a copy of this worksheet HERE. Don't get me wrong, we love to do messy brainstorming sessions, where we spend a great deal of time making notes, organizing our thoughts, and creating webs that guide our work. They are a wonderfully messy, yet organized way of pulling details out of us. Oxymoron?...maybe...but that works, too! This works really well for introductions and conclusions. If your students are anything like mine, this is where they struggle. I get the same, "Hi! My name is John Doe. I am writing about myself, so sit back, relax, and learn all about me!" BORING. I have a bulletin board that is dedicated to "Bold Beginnings," "Mighty Middles," and "Exciting Endings." I'm sure you've seen them...they look like this: I put these babies to work! They really ARE great conversation starters. I think it's SO important to SHARE what we have created with one another. We provide constructive criticism on what we liked, or ways that we could improve something that we hear. It's a form of friendly competition in my classroom. Who can create the boldest beginning, or the most exciting ending? I'm also the type of teacher that says..."Eh...not exactly what I'm looking for here. Let's try this!" I tell my kiddos that it takes great practice and care in creating a perfect paper. The first copy, the second copy, and possibly even the third, fourth, and fifth copy may need to be tweaked a bit. I stress that we... And that it's okay! ************************************************************ I want to take a minute to talk about the actual assignment I gave to my students. I LOVE a good at-home project to get our parents to sit down with their kiddos to work on something together. This works for the most part. I know...I know...there are students who just don't have a great home life. I'm blessed with students this year, who even in a broken home, have someone that is willing to pitch in and make the most of what it is that they are to do. You use common sense and assign these assignments based on the needs of your students. So, I started with a letter describing that we were reading an autobiography in class and that the students were working on writing their very own. I sent that home, along with a skin-colored piece of construction paper and directions for making a crafty student model to accompany their writings. I'm never quite sure how these assignments will turn out, but I was pleasantly surprised with the results! I loved seeing how students viewed themselves. Have a look! These are just a couple that came back. Have a look at our hallway... So cute! Overall, this lesson was a great success! I would be lying if I said that our grammar was 100% perfect, but that's certainly something that we're working on...and that's OKAY! The point is that we are writing. We are working through the writing process and becoming more alert of our mistakes, as well as recognizing when we should celebrate our creativity! What about you?? What have you done lately in your classroom to help promote the writing process? I'd love to hear how you make your students better writers! Let's talk in the comments below! Take a peek at what else I'm up to... Bloglovin' Facebook Pinterest TpT My Blog

Learn how to deal with a difficult or angry client with these 10 tips that help you manage challenging client situations.

I love encouraging my students to explore a variety of genres, but sometimes that means I need to explicitly teach them about the genres first! These free genre posters are the perfect way to do just that!

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Hey, all! I hope you’re doing well! Summer has officially started in the Petty family, and we’re well, basically not doing anything differently than we were during self-isolation. If we’re able to safely have in-person classes this fall (fingers crossed!) I’ll need to retrain my teacher bladder and grow accustomed to NOT taking an afternoon ... Read More about MUST-HAVE Chrome Extension

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