I usually encourage students to learn something practical such as learning how to do laundry, the dishes, helping cook meals, etc.

I have always enjoyed inviting families to class to share about their holiday traditions and how they celebrate!

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief!

Opposing forces with levitating trains!

Virtual Natives: How a New Generation is Revolutionizing the Future of Work, Play, and Culture By Catherine D. Henry and Leslie Shannon. While it’s not an education book, it’s as provided so much insight into the generation I am currently teaching. It has compelled changed how I view my students and how I need to adjust my teaching.

Khanmigo is incredible. If you already have a Khan Academy account you already have access to Khan’s version of AI! It is incredibly robust and on par with Magic School if not better.

One thing I will be focusing on is agreeing to disagree. I think in schools we unconsciously promote that students have to agree which is certainly not the case. How do we effectively disagree respectfully and coexist in the classroom? A big part of this is listening and considering what the other person is saying rather than waiting for your turn to talk.

Cross-curricular teaching! Incorporating science and social studies is incredibly engaging and the motivation helps push students literacy skills.

Working with your school team as well. Chances are if there is trouble in your room it is see. In other rooms as well. Having other teachers also contact parents really helps take the pressure of of one person and helps parents understand not only the unity of the school but it’s not an isolated incident.

Our district uses Bridges, however our school uses Math in Focus which I find to be much better organized and put together.

In addition to these I would add Lalilo for the basics!

We talk about the Indigenous perspective in relation to the land and what a responsibility it is to respect it.

I have students answer Would You Rather questions in their journals and then discuss it with a peer when they’ve finished.

Colorado required the same Science of Reading classes. It took forever and we were not compensated outside of being able to continue our employment.

Prodigy! It’s gamified learning and an adult can assigned specific skills and receive reports. Additionally if the students needs fact fluency practice, Reflex is my go to. It does have a cost but highly worth it.

I always work on changing my 1st graders’ mentality when it comes to the various tests we have to take. We have a long conversation about how tests will be a part of our life regardless of what career paths we choose. I try to pump them up by reminding them it is an opportunity for them to show how incredible they are. Cheesy as it sounds, they now cheer for assessments rather than groan. I hope this mentality sticks with them as they become old enough for standardized testing.

Perhaps setting up a table for parents to sign up to share their STEM related professions with a class of the school? Also, a sign up in classrooms to host a STEM activity in class.

I love Augmented Reality books! I always read them through and then again to let students engage in the AR. One of my favorites is “The Bravest Worrier”.

I ask women (moms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, community members) to come in and talk about their professions!

I focus heavily on oral storytelling in class to honor Indigenous traditions and people. I will often make it a family project to get personal stories from students.

I will usually contact parents on day two to see how their student is doing and based on our conversation will send work home if needed.

We don’t get any time! I mainly incorporate it through math and literacy.

If you are ever looking for a calm brain break we love OK Go videos!

Digital tools have been highly helpful in my class as well. Google classroom and Showbie have been particularly helpful. I also don’t use the storage parts of desks as many things become lost in there. I use folders in rolling carts instead.

If you have or create an account through Donors Choose, there is an option to fund professional development!

I concur with Kristen! For 1st and 2nd grade I would often send students a bingo card they could complete with or without an adult. Some were practical, like learning to bake something new, or fun, such as building a snowman. I found this was reassuring to parents that students would not be in front of a screen all day. Of course if your district requires time online, morning meetings and social emotional lessons are a great way to connect “face-to-face”.