Blog - Your Thrifty Co-Teacher

6 Ways to Get Free Books for Your Students

As teachers, we know that in order to cultivate readers we need to give our students access to books, but how can we do this for each student in our class without breaking the bank? Well, I'm here to tell you that there are at least 6 ways to give kids FREE access to books! 1. THE LIBRARY Whether it's your local public library or your school library, the library has an array of ... Read More about 6 Ways to Get Free Books for Your Students

Classroom Transformation: Courtroom Edition – Opinion Writing

Our state writing test is right around the corner. Nerves are kicking in and some are weary. When motivation seems to be dropping, this is usually an indication that a classroom transformation is in order. Just walking into a "new room" is enough to get students motivated to work their hardest. At this time of the year, I create a courtroom experience for my students where they were able to apply ... Read More about Classroom Transformation: Courtroom Edition – Opinion Writing

Classroom Transformation – Winter Wonderland

Many teachers love the idea of transforming their classrooms, but dismiss the idea because they think it will take too much work, time, and/or money. I'm here to tell you that there is no need to become overwhelmed when thinking of creating an engaging environment for your students. Many classroom transformations can be set up in less than an hour, and materials can be gathered all in one ... Read More about Classroom Transformation – Winter Wonderland

7 Effective Behavior Management Strategies for Upper Elementary Classrooms

Helping students learn is our primary concern as educators, but that can definitely prove to be challenging in a chaotic classroom environment. Therefore, we must do our best to provide a safe and calm environment for our students. So, how can we most effectively accomplish this? First, let me start off by saying that it is near impossible to have a perfect day, everyday, every year, ... Read More about 7 Effective Behavior Management Strategies for Upper Elementary Classrooms

A Writers’ Workshop to Motivate Students During Text-Based Writing

How can we continue to inspire students to give 100% while practicing their text-based writing skills so late in the school year? Why, candy extrinsic motivation of course. Let's be honest. Getting eight, nine, and ten year olds to write a well developed, multiple paragraph essay, after reading and synthesizing multiple nonfiction texts, is no easy task. It takes lots and lots of ... Read More about A Writers’ Workshop to Motivate Students During Text-Based Writing

What is Mindfulness? How can it Benefit Students in My Classroom?

Have you ever wondered: What was I coming into this room to get? What streets did I take to get here? What did he just say? These are scenarios that most of us can relate to. They are all examples of situations where our mind was, well for a lack of a better word, somewhere else. It was not in the present moment. Our mind was full, but not "MINDFUL." What is Mindfulness: Mindfulness ... Read More about What is Mindfulness? How can it Benefit Students in My Classroom?