Blog - School and the City

Sticky Notes Saved My Sanity

As we approach a new school year, I'm here to remind you that your sanity is important! Last year, I had a particularly chatty class. I was able to manage them pretty well until spring break hit. At that point in the year, they were always excited and roaring with energy that they couldn't seem to contain. I do give my kids plenty of time to talk via brain breaks and think-pair-share, which ... Read More about Sticky Notes Saved My Sanity

Don’t Forget Dad: Father’s Day Project

If you are still in school... Yikes! And I'M SO SORRY! But you'll still be kicked back and relaxed while the rest of us are scrambling at the beginning of August... I have more good news for you: This Father's Day project is quick, and easy. It requires almost no prep and the fathers of your students will truly treasure it forever. There are many newspaper writing projects in my Teachers Pay ... Read More about Don’t Forget Dad: Father’s Day Project

How to Make a Reusable, Interactive, “Math About Me” Anchor Chart

**This post contains Amazon affiliate links. By purchasing an item from Amazon using these links, I will receive a small commission on your purchase.** I made this SUPER CUTE interactive "Math About Me" anchor chart for the beginning of the year last year: I had to make a new one for this fall since my name is changing (EEEK) and I decided to kick it up a notch. Making these ... Read More about How to Make a Reusable, Interactive, “Math About Me” Anchor Chart

“Out of Office” Automatic Emails for Teachers

Step away from that email, sista. It's summer, and you deserve a break the constant *dings* of emails entering your school email inbox. My school actually encouraged us teachers to set up an “out of office” automatic response that will be sent each time we receive an email during the summer. I love that they are okay with me ignoring rarely checking my email for two whole months. I couldn’t ... Read More about “Out of Office” Automatic Emails for Teachers

Words Their Way, MY Way: Part 2

I'm baaaack! My original blog post about running Words Their Way, called Words Their Way: MY Way, is my most-visited and most-pinned blog post EVER. First of all, I'm totally flattered that anyone wants to read anything I have to say. Second of all, I GET IT! Words Their Way is the monster under the bed that makes you decide that, well, you'd rather stay safely in your bed than risk getting ... Read More about Words Their Way, MY Way: Part 2

The Pencil Trick That Almost Worked

I HATE pencils. Really. But pens aren't always practical. Sometimes I think to myself that I should quit my job and invent a pencil that doesn't require sharpening, and then I remember that mechanical pencils are a thing. Sigh. I guess I'll stick with my day job. Honestly, though, where do all of the pencils go? Are they hoarding them in desks and backpacks? Do they take them home and ... Read More about The Pencil Trick That Almost Worked