School and the City

Ideas and Resources for Your Elementary Classroom

The Fruit Salad Friend

Maria Dismondy has done it again! Her newest release, The Fruit Salad Friend, is just as adorable and touching as the rest of her books. (Trust me - I own them all!) All of Maria's books aim to teach children lifelong lessons. This one in particular shows kids how to appropriately handle things that may go wrong in a friendship, and how to find "the recipe" for a lasting friendship. Maria ... Read More about The Fruit Salad Friend

Setting Goals With Students

Hey teacher friends! I am so excited to show you my new tool for goal setting and data tracking in my classroom. But first, let's rewind to August. During the first week of school, students filled out these goal sheets. They wrote in one goal for each category. It made for a gorgeous, colorful, and meaningful bulletin board for the first half of the year!  A few weeks ago, I pulled ... Read More about Setting Goals With Students

Flat Stanley’s Christmas Adventure

I teach in a great area of Metro Atlanta that is a true melting pot. The diversity in my classroom is truly amazing. I have learned so much about other cultures and languages from my students.  That being said, I can't do Christmas in my classroom anymore, so I thought I'd share an activity that I did a few years ago.  After Thanksgiving break, I chose Flat Stanley's Christmas ... Read More about Flat Stanley’s Christmas Adventure

Spelling Bins for Word Work

As you may know, I was "promoted" to third grade this year. Because of that, I'm not using Words Their Way anymore (GASP - shocker, I know!). My students have a new spelling list each week, and after a few weeks, I realized I HAD to do something to make spelling practice more engaging for them. I decided to shop with Oriental Trading because they offer a TON of fun alphabet things! I was ... Read More about Spelling Bins for Word Work

Make Your Own Alphabet

Yes, even you, upper elementary teachers! Earlier this month, my third graders took the ITBS. Before the testing week began, I had to completely cover or take down anything "academic" in my classroom that students could possibly glean answers from... even my alphabet. I decided that since I was taking down the alphabet anyways, it'd be the perfect opportunity for my students to make their own ... Read More about Make Your Own Alphabet

Chalkboard Makeover

I have been SO VERY BUSY lately (hello testing, conferences, and report cards) but I am SO VERY EXCTIED about this that I just can't hold it in anymore! So, I don't have whiteboards. I have two very large, very black chalkboards. They're magnetic (whooo) but other than that, they annoy me to no end. I don't like writing with chalk. It's messy! Chalk markers are EXPENSIVE and dry out so ... Read More about Chalkboard Makeover