Creating an environment where students thrive goes beyond traditional teaching methods. You want to create a classroom where students feel accepted, loved, cared for, and, for the most part, behave appropriately. Enter the world of Positive Behavior Classroom Rewards. A dynamic approach that acknowledges and celebrates our young learners’ positive choices and efforts. In this…
Recognizing and managing emotions is a critical skill that lays the foundation for a positive and successful educational journey. As primary-level teachers, we must ensure our students understand that their emotions are as important to us as learning addition or how to read. This is where social-emotional learning, restorative justice, PBIS, problem resolution, calm down corners,…
The journey of teaching kindergarten students the fundamentals of phonics can be both rewarding and challenging. As teachers, we understand the importance of laying a solid foundation for early literacy skills. There are a variety of engaging phonics activities for your kindergarten class, from a kindergarten phonics worksheet to hands-on sensory bins. You’ll walk away…
Creating a positive and productive learning environment is essential for young students’ academic success and social development. In a kindergarten classroom, teachers often encounter a wide range of behaviors, from positive and appropriate to challenging and problematic. Teachers must have a toolkit of effective strategies to deal with these behaviors. Let’s explore the behavior intervention…
The kindergarten journey is an important time in a child’s development, especially when it comes to writing skills. Encouraging them to embrace words, letters, and creativity from the get-go sets the stage for a lifetime of enjoyable learning. I’ve used a range of activities inside my classroom that make writing fun and enhance fine motor…
In the vibrant world of kindergarten, every day is an adventure filled with laughter, learning, and exploration. One of the keys to successful kindergarten daily routines is keeping things engaging and interactive for our young learners. And what better way to do that than by incorporating technology? Google Slides has become my trusty sidekick when…
It seems like the school year just ended, and stores like Walmart and Target are already getting their school year displays up and ready. I love sending home my school supply list to my new kindergarteners because, many times, this is their first time purchasing things for a classroom! The first few days in a…
The first week of school is an important time for setting the tone and establishing a positive learning environment. As a kindergarten teacher, it’s important to plan engaging and purposeful activities that support routines and struggles and incorporate movement (because, hello! We all know kindergarteners 😉). I want to explore strategies and ideas to make…
On my first day of kindergarten as a new teacher, I admit I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The school supplies were neatly away, I had my iced coffee, and I anxiously awaited the arrival of my students. I had spent countless hours meticulously planning engaging activities to welcome my little learners. We…
Congratulations, new kindergarten teachers! As you start this exciting journey, I know there’s a lot of stuff going on in that brain of yours! There is so much to get done before the year starts, and it can be challenging to figure out exactly where to start. I’m gonna help guide you through setting up…
Hello, kindergarten teachers-to-be and veteran teachers! Are you ready for an amazing first year or 5th, 10th, or 20th in the kindergarten classroom? I’ve got some fun and helpful tips for a first year kindergarten teacher or even teachers who may need a little refresher. These tips for a first year kindergarten teacher will get…
Today, I’ve decided I wanted to dive into a topic that I realize is often talked about but can still be one of the hardest parts of teaching kindergarten. That topic is behavior management. Picture this: a classroom where students confidently navigate tasks with ease and a classroom where you are not repeating directions and…
Outdoor recess can sometimes be the most challenging time of the day. The freedom that outdoor recess gives students can often be too much, and disagreements, bad behavior, and other things start to happen. Some teachers only need to deal with it when the weather is warm enough, and others have to deal with outdoor…
I’m very jealous of some of you. Do you want to know why? You live in a climate that is warm all year round. Sadly where I live, I have days where the temperature doesn’t get about 6 degrees, and we are not only wearing coats but a sweatshirt, long sleeve shirts, and even long…
If students are off the wall when you come back from a school break or long weekend, or if students just need a little reminder. It may be time to go over your kindergarten classroom rules again! Teachers know how important rules and expectations are in the classroom. Right from the first day of school,…
Empowering teachers with the tools and strategies to help primary students understand expectations and foster a caring classroom community. Sign up for my free 5 day classroom management email series! discover ways to ditch the stress: effective classroom management saving your sanity as a teacher building a classroom community Meet the author Hi, I’m Diana…
Back to school season has arrived! Have you begun setting up your classroom yet? I have three classroom decorating tips for you today that will make classroom set up a little easier this year! Keep it Simple When you are setting up a classroom, it can be tempting to fill each wall with posters, shelving,…
There are so many procedures to teach at the beginning of the year. Having a classroom that runs smoothly means teaching those procedures early and often! Bathroom breaks are one of many routines you have to teach in kindergarten. Students may have never taken bathroom breaks at a school before. The expectation for using a…
I spend a lot of time on this blog discussing the importance of procedures. I firmly believe that procedures and routines can make or break a school year! But how do you teach procedures in kindergarten? I have the answers you need! Make a List In order to teach procedures effectively, you must know what…
Are you preparing for a year of teaching kindergarten, and you aren’t sure where to begin? Does the thought of getting your classroom ready overwhelm you? You are in the right place! Today, I have three tips for how to plan the first week of kindergarten! These tips will ensure you start your year on…
During the summer, looking ahead to the next year of kindergarten can feel daunting. It is exciting to think about a new group of students. But, there is so much to do, and it can be difficult to know where to start. Feeling overwhelmed is totally normal! Today, I have some tips on which resources…
The holidays are over, and we are all settling into a long winter. I love celebrating winter with my students! It’s so fun to read and write about hot cocoa, snowmen, and more. Plus, it’s always great to hope for a snow day (or two) throughout the winter months. Today, I have a round-up of…
Coming back from Winter Break is difficult for everyone: students and teachers alike. Everyone in the room is out of practice, tired, and lacking stamina. But the return from a long break does not have to be difficult. In fact, it can be simple! Today, I have some tips to share with you about how…
Let me see if any of this sounds familiar to you. You feel a little overwhelmed by kindergarten. You’ve tried Facebook groups. You’ve tried coworkers. You had a mentor. Or, even worse, you’ve been all alone. Nothing has worked. Not the way you want it to. You still have chaotic parts of your Kindergarten day…
