“Do you have paper bags?” “Can I have a plate?” Yes, to both questions—I have all kinds of things in my closet and desk! Over the years of teaching, I’ve found a number of items that are important to stock in my classroom, and...

I was returning workbooks to my students, and to save a few steps, I gently tossed some books onto desks. One of the children chided me, saying, “You really shouldn’t make a practice of that!” You’re right, Ryan, I really...

Remember. Memory. Memorial. We have a memorial service to remember someone, and come away from it thinking of that person and their impact on us. Joshua built a pile of stones to remember how God had led the Israelites across the...

This is the first time I can remember that I've felt like maybe I can't go on, maybe I won't make it, and I'm not sure I want to try! I don’t know what else to do with some of these students. …feeling like my work and myself do...

Riley was lying across his desk today, on top of his teddy bear, with his head and feet completely off the floor. He was in kind of a V shape. He stayed like that for quite a while. I just ignored it. Conner raised his hand and...

After I read an article in which a teacher discussed relating to different groups of students, I commented to a friend that I think “my kind” of students are the ADHD children. My friend agreed, “Yes, you do well with them.” This...

Giving Caleb handed me a tiny scrap as he walked past. I wondered why he was giving me this trash. He muttered, “Look inside.” I unfolded it to find a note he had written, “I luve you.” Not trash after all, but a treasure! Today...

“It seems like no one cares about me! No one wants to play with me.” This was the perception Brenda shared. I assured her that we do care about her, and tried to gently help her to see that if she is being mean to other children...

In this long stretch from beginning of the school year to Thanksgiving, the “honeymoon” is over. Here are some tools or ideas that can equip you to keep going. It’s not fair! “That’s not fair! Joel got two marshmallows!” One of...

Being consistent makes me tired! And I am tired of trying to be consistent! I know consistency is important, but it would be easier to just let some things go. I also know I will be glad later on that I kept up with it now. I was...

“Thank you for entrusting your children to me this year. It is a responsibility I take very seriously. Please pray for us that we may have a good year and that we will glorify God in our class.” This is the closing of the letter...

I just read a devotional titled “Feeling Underappreciated?” There are times I feel like I don’t matter, or what I do doesn’t really affect anyone, and it would be nice for someone to acknowledge this or that area of my work. I...

“Refreshments will be served.” Sometimes we hear this announced in regards to a meeting or event. Refreshments are not something I’m very good at. I don’t always think ahead, or I wonder, “What can I do quickly?” Serving...

Education has many acronyms such as ELL, ADHD, ESSA, and CCSS (English Language Learner, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Every Student Succeeds Act, Common Core State Standards). Here is a new acronym, and one that should...

My first-graders enjoyed hosting a Reading Café where, instead of serving food, we served stories! This was a fun culmination to our reading classes. Each first-grader was to choose three stories that they could read to our...