Making The Basics Fun Letter u had two eyes making it look like a smile face

End Of The Day Routines Made Easy In Kindergarten and First-Grade

End Of Day Classroom Routines Graphic

Classroom Routines For The End Of The Day In Kindergarten & First-Grade The end of the day can be chaotic in kindergarten and first-grade. We know our learners thrive on a predictable routine and schedule but they also need an environment that is playful and full of joy. That’s why making the end of the […]

Teaching Bathroom Routines That Kids Will Want To Follow

Teacher using bathroom buddy stuffed animal when teaching bathroom routines

Teaching Bathroom Routines That Kids Will Want To Follow Managing the seemingly endless stream (no pun intended) of kids coming and going from your classroom to use the restroom can be exhausting. You know you have to teach kids the bathroom routines of coming and going to the restroom. You’ve used all the systems. Keep […]

Line Students Up Quickly & Quietly – And Make It Fun

Students are lining up. The teacher is using strategies for getting kids to line up quickly and quietly

Line Students Up Quickly & Quietly – And Make It Fun As a teacher, you know that lining up students quickly and quietly is essential for a well run classroom. But sometimes getting everyone in line can be a gigantic challenge. And making it a routine that’s fun and builds community and learning gives it […]

How To Use Puppets To Teach Classroom Rules

Angie pointing to Max the Puppet

How To Use Puppets To Teach Classroom Rules Teaching With Puppets Using puppets to teach classroom rules can help your students engage, remember and follow directions. Using a puppet is a simple and effective tool especially when you use  it to teach (and reteach) classroom rules.  Puppets Are A Classroom Must Have There’s a reason […]

3 Simple Tricks To Get Student Attention

Attention getters for Kindergarten

3 Simple Tricks To Get Student Attention “Magical” Attention Getters For Kindergarten and First-Grade Getting  student attention requires just a few simple steps. Use these easy “MAGICAL” attention-getting techniques and your students will be hanging on your every word. (See the full YouTube Video at the bottom of this post.) Getting Kindergarten And First-Grade Students’ […]

Early Finisher Problems? Tips and How-Tos For Your K-1 Classroom

ep 22 early Finisher

Setting Up Early Finisher Activities in a Social Distancing and Distance Learning Classroom In Episode 22, of Rockin’ This Teacher Thing…  Early Finisher Activities are a part of every K-1 classroom but with the new requirements brought by social distancing, and distance learning, using early finisher activities from the past might not be usable.  Today […]

Maximize Teacher Talk

Amie ep 17

Using Effective Teacher Language- A Book Review of The Power Of Our Words In Episode 17, of Rockin’ This Teacher Thing… Teachers talk… a lot. But, knowing what to say to get specific results can be trickier than you think.  Today we talk with Amie Trudnowski about a book she read called “The Power Of […]

How To Use Transition Songs In The Classroom

Graphic Title "How To Use Transition Songs in the Classroom" sub title "Turning Chaos Into Compliance" background piano keys

Use Music To Transition Students When music is coupled with routine your transition times are going to be filled with fun and efficiency. No more telling students what to do. “Put your papers away and go back to your seat,- PuT YOUr PAPERs Away and go Back To YOUR SEAT (x50) PUT YOUR PAPERS AWAY […]

4 Easy Ways to Build Relationships with Kindergarten Students

Title: 4 Easy Ways To Build Relationships with Kindergarten and First Grade Students

4 Easy Ways to Build Relationships with Kindergarten Students Overview: Building relationships with students is the cornerstone to good classroom management.  But how do you develop strong relationships with 5-year-olds? Here are 4 easy ways to build relationships with kindergarten students. Happy Classrooms Having excellent classroom management is essential for a happy classroom.   It means […]