The Best Way to Maximize Parent Engagement: Well-Planned Contact Calendar

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In the bustling world of education, effective communication between teachers and parents plays a pivotal role in nurturing a student’s development. Gone are the days when communication was limited to a few notes scribbled in diaries or annual parent-teacher conferences. Today, teachers can utilizing innovative tools to create a seamless bridge of interaction with parents. One such tool that is the Parental Contact Calendar. This is an oldie but goodie. I absolutely love parental contact calendars. So, let’s talk about this invaluable resource, exploring its significance, the forms of parental contact it encompasses, and how teachers make the most of it to foster a strong home-school partnership.

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Best Ways to Improve Sentence Structure with Dinosaur Task Cards

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Roaring into Writing !

The roar of a mighty Tyrannosaurus rex, the gentle hum of a Stegosaurus grazing, and the swoop of a Pterodactyl in flight — dinosaurs have captivated the imaginations of children and adults alike for generations. But what if we could harness this fascination with dinosaurs and use it as a powerful tool to help improve sentence structure? Welcome to my world of Dinosaur-themed Sentence Editing Task Cards where learning meets adventure, and grammar lessons become a prehistoric journey!

In today’s fast-paced educational environment, engaging students in meaningful and fun ways is more important than ever. And, with the rise of short, formed videos on social media sites. Sentence editing is a crucial skill that students need to master for academic success and future career readiness.

However, traditional methods of teaching these skills can sometimes feel dry and uninspiring. So, what’s a teacher to do? Read on. And, we’ll explore the importance of sentence. Get ready to embark on a journey that will make sentence editing as thrilling as a dino dig!

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How to Cope with a Toxic Workplace: Causes, Signs, Coping Strategies, and Transformative Actions

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How do you cope with a toxic workplace? A toxic workplace can be a source of immense stress, anxiety, and even physical illness. The environment in which we spend a significant portion of our lives should ideally be supportive, encouraging, and conducive to growth. Unfortunately, many people find themselves in work environments that are anything but healthy. Trust me. I know. I have had the misfortune of working not just in one toxic work environment, but two. And, if there is one thing that I know. It’s that toxic workplaces can still your joy and make you even hate the job that you thought was going to be your “dream job.” So, let’s explore the causes of toxic workplaces, identify the signs of such environments, provide strategies to cope with them, and suggest ways to transform these workplaces into healthy, nurturing spaces.

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How to Teach Writing to Students in 2nd - 5th Grade

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How do you teach writing to students in 2nd-5th grade? Teaching writing to students in 2nd to 5th grade is an especially challenging yet rewarding task. These formative years are crucial for developing foundational skills in writing, a skill which will serve them throughout their academic and professional lives. In this post I’ll share with you some effective strategies, activities, and tips to foster strong writing abilities in young learners.

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Reflections on the End of the School Year for Teachers

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The end of the school year is a time of mixed emotions for teachers. I know it is for me. Although I spend a lot of that time being thankful that school is finally out, I also spend some of that time looking over the past year and reflecting .

The end of the school year for many of us is a time of reflecting over the journey traveled, celebrating victories, learning from mistakes, and preparing for the year ahead. Reflecting is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. It allows teachers to assess their teaching practices, classroom management strategies, and relationships with students and colleagues. And, for me, many times, I get a chance to stop and think about the activities/class assignments that I want to continue and those that I don’t. I also get to laugh at the good times and the trying times from the school year that is ending. So, in this post, we’ll explore the importance of end-of-year reflection for teachers, ways to engage in reflective practices, and strategies for planning for the upcoming school year.

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How to Effective use Rubrics in Your Classroom: How to Maintain Integrity in Grading

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I sat there staring at a pile of papers. And, I wondered if I’d ever get to the end of the 150 papers that needed grading. By the 30^th essay, I wondered if my eyes were going cross or if I were going insane. If there was one thing that I did know, it was that I wasn’t grading with as much rigor as I was when I began grading over 2 hours earlier. I know there had to be a simpler way. I also knew that I wanted to grade my students papers with integrity. But, I didn’t want to spend my WHOLE weekend reading those essay. So, what’s a teacher to do?

To uphold the integrity of our grading systems and to expedite the amount of time it takes to grade papers, there is one tool that educators should utilize is a rubric. In this article, we’ll delve into what rubrics are, their significance in maintaining integrity, and why educators should use rubrics in their classroom.

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The Ultimate Guide to Summer Nails & Summer Nail Care for Teachers

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As a teacher, summer is a time to relax, rejuvenate, and maybe even indulge in a little self-care. While your focus during the school year might be on lesson plans and grading, summer offers the perfect opportunity to pay attention to your nails. Whether you’re headed to the beach, spending time outdoors, or simply enjoying a staycation, your nails deserve some love too. I know mine do! And, you may want to save some money while being fashionable. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about summer nails and nail care. And, best of all its tailored specifically for teachers.

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11 Best End of the School Year Projects for Middle School Students

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Are you looking for some End of the School Year Projects to do with your middle school students? Are you trying to find meaningful activities that not only keep your students from being bored, but that also keep them engaged and learning?

End of school year projects provide an excellent opportunity for middle schoolers to reflect on their academic and personal growth throughout the year. By incorporating hands-on activities and creative expression, these projects not only reinforce academic skills. They also nurture essential skills such as critical thinking, communication, and self-awareness. In this post, I will cover 11 meaningful projects that will engage your students in reflective activities.

Portfolio Project
Memory Book
Career Exploration Presentation
Time Capsule
TED-Ed Style Talk
STEM Fair Project
Cultural Heritage Project
Podcast Series
Environmental Awareness Project
Entrepreneurship Challenge
Reflective Journaling

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How to Effectively Teaching Math Word Problems: Unlocking a World of Possibilities

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“You have to help teach math,” my principal said as she looked at me. And, my mouth dropped open.

“But, I’m an English teacher. I didn’t go to school to teach math,” I replied. And, I wasn’t lying. I didn’t go to school to teach math. I didn’t go to school to teach elementary education. I just happened to work at an elementary school teaching 5^th and 6^th grade ELA. It wasn’t that I hated math or that I didn’t understand it. In fact, I made “A’s” in math in school. However, math was not my forte. So, I definitely didn’t want to teach it.

“I know. But, you can teach word problems. They are a form of reading,” my principal replied with a smirk and walked away.

And, thus begin my career with math word problems.

Let’s be honest, math word problems can pose a problem for our students. They don’t understand them. And, sometimes, we don’t either .

However, math word problems are a part of our everyday lives. They serve as gateways to real-world applications of mathematical concepts. Math word problems provide students with opportunities to apply their mathematical knowledge to solve practical problems encountered in everyday life and make learning more meaningful. So, stop shaking in your boots, and let’s dive right into how to effectively teach, use, and understand math word problems.

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31 Must-Visit Places in the Mississippi Magnolia State

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Discovering Mississippi’s Hidden Gems

Welcome to the Magnolia State! This great state is a land filled with rich history, diverse culture, and natural beauty. From the bustling cities to the serene countryside, there’s something for every traveler to explore and enjoy. And, I’m about to share with you 31 must-visit places across the Mississippi Magnolia State ranging from some of our iconic landmarks to some hidden gems.

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