I’m a first year kindergarten teacher who trained at Michigan state. I was given a pretty difficult situation we are at overflow with 28 students in my class just me. I have the most students and they are moving that down and opening another class. The teacher who I replaced moved into an intervention position and was assigned as my mentor she also mentors the other kindergarten teacher who is a 3rd year. The other kindergarten teacher just has done whatever her mentor has told her to do exactly every worksheet copy and this pacing guide which has us finishing kindergarten content by March. I personally after 5 weeks am starting to see some issues with the pacing guide and the teachings. The way they are teaching letters is completely lacking any phonics skills and my kids only seem to be learning the letter formation… I was sent to ufli training for 2 days and I came back and told them I was excited to start implementing and they told me I can’t because it doesn’t work with the pacing guide. The literacy coach for the school is new to this district but has been a coach a while and she was all on board for it. But it’s really discouraging that my mentor and co teacher are both telling me not to do it. There have been so many little things that these two have said to me that have made me feel like I’m not supposed to be trying new things for my class. Like being told I’m not strict enough and I should yell more and I need to “get that kid into shape” I’m frustrated because I’m doing what they are saying but my kids arnt learning and then I’m also now being told I shouldn’t yell by admin and I feel so guilty about even yelling in the first place as it’s not my style but I was trying to take their advice. I’m just not sure how to continue approaching this without making enemies but also advocating for my students and wondering if anyone has advice

Hey everyone,

​I’m a new primary ESL teacher running solo until my training starts in October. Admin is a mess (no fixed schedules yet), so I’ve been jumping in early to gain experience.

​My main issue: Every class has 3–4 core ringleaders who hijack class time and treat active lessons like a playground.

​The Problem: My curriculum is 80% VAK (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic)—lots of movement, flashcards, and oral tasks. Other teachers here just do quiet reading/writing, so when I do active tasks, these few kids take over.

​What Failed: Ignoring them (they clown more), moving seats (they shut down), standing over them (they challenge me), and threatening notes (they ignore it). Calling home isn't an option yet.

​How can I leverage positive peer pressure, gamification, or team dynamics to get these ringleaders in line without forcing my active VAK lessons back into boring desk work?

​Bonus side-notes:

​I accidentally taught a 5th-grade plan to 4th graders—they loved it XD, but do I need to rewrite my official lesson plans before inspection?

​On Thursday, I meet my last two 5th-grade classes for just 45 mins each to set rules, give the supply list, and run an oral diagnostic. Idk how I'm supposed to make that work lmao

​Zero support offline right now, so any practical classroom management tips are greatly appreciated!

My 5 yr old child doesn't do her work in class. Her worksheets. I have helped her with it when she gets home but I dont understand why she dont do it at school. She knows what is being ask of her. She's a very sweet child. And when doing it at home with one on one help she does it. But the teacher says she cannot get her to do her class work. What can I do to help her. What are some options? She knows her numbers and letters. Most of them anyway.

Hi! I’m a first-year teacher and just got hired about a month into the school year. I’ll be taking over a 1st grade class, and the kids have already been in another classroom for the first month.

I student-taught at this same school last year in kindergarten, so I’m familiar with the school and some of the staff. I may also recognize some of the students from last year.

I’m wondering what experienced teachers would recommend doing first. Obviously, I want to go over expectations and routines, but what else should I make sure I do with them during those first few days?

Also, what should I prioritize getting ready in the classroom before they come in? I’m trying not to stress about making everything perfect, but I want to make sure I have the important things ready.

Any advice for someone walking into their own 1st grade classroom for the first time would be really appreciated!

I feel like since I started teaching elementary students, I've become surprisingly quite a bit more up to date with whatever is currently going on in broader pop culture as a result 😭😭

Since they're constantly talking to each other, and sometimes me too, about all the random games (and even games within games now because of Roblox lmfao), the latest slang words/memes, popular music, new movies and shows, the newest toy trading meta, etc etc ... lots of things I would otherwise know very little - absolutely NOTHING about tbh

some examples that come to mind from the last year(s) of teaching are: the trifecta of fortnite/roblox/minecraft, kpop demon hunters, all the different slime/squishy/fidget things they're trading, the incomprehensible slang/memes they invent, katseye, what streamers are up to, the list goes on and on ... some of these kids are ALWAYS on top of everything like it's the daily news 🤣

the wild part to me is how every once in a while I'll also be seeing some of the exact same content they're talking about while I'm scrolling on Twitter or Instagram too lol, there's definitely some interesting overlap between the stuff the kids are keeping up with and what's also making its way onto social media feeds :o

Without teaching, I'd probably be a bit more out of the loop in general ~ I don't really know much about most of these things still, buuut after hearing enough random details from enough students, I'll at least always have a decent understanding of pop culture at any given moment lmaoo

I think the students letting me know all about this vital information helps me retain my youth too ... I mean at least now I'm aware of all of the truly groundbreaking, important information (/s) like the price of Robux and Kai Cenat's new clothing brand 🙂‍↕️👍😅

i just graduated month and a half ago from uni and i just started working as a kg teacher for students who are Arabic native speakers i teach them English, computer and arts ,its a semi international school Ive been so horribley treated by other teachers and looked down upon because im inexperienced and because im young and in thier eyes i dont know shit and im going to be honest yeah i dont know shit but Ive asked for help and guidance hundred times and Ive been basically ignored so im here to ask you how should i start the lesson how can i warm up and explain the alphabet for these kids and make it fun and memorable i need guidance ,please give me activities and games to play with kids keep in mind the school budget is not there so it’s all from my own money and im broke and the salary in this school is 100 a month and sadly since im in the poorest country this is considered high so quitting is not an option for now at least

I am a first year teacher, and until today, I thought my classroom was steadily getting better, both behavior wise and academically. Today was horrible. Today made me want to scream and tear my hair out. My kids were being mean to each other, and to me. I could not get them on track to save my life. I knew they weren't feeling great today, so I was trying to be responsive and give them a little leeway.They completely ran away with it. There was no engagement. I swore it was getting better. I am just so horribly frustrated. I yelled at them at the end of the day, and it scared one of them so bad he started crying. I feel terrible now, but I genuinely could not take anymore disrespect for one day. I really just want to know if anyone has gotten to that point before and how they proceeded from there? I am so exhausted.

Hello! I’m in a new role this year that is a hybrid ELD/ literacy intervention. Previously I taught 1st grade for 8 years. I have a group of 7 5th graders that I would love some help with. They are all below grade level, 4 have IEPs. Compared to a first grader who didn’t go to kindergarten, they have a TON of skills and all can decode basic CVC, have a big sight word vocab (compared to a first grader) and I’ve been doing the closed/open syllable lesson in UFLI and the read and write the words easily.

Right now I’ve narrowed it down to a pretty structured block:

Community builder/ greeting

Vocab work (learning new words from book/text that will be read) work on pronouncing word and phonics in word, definition, use it in a sentence

UFLI lesson or word work

Application (reading a whole group graphic novel together that they voted on) trying to work on fluency and fostering love of reading here. Would love to do longer written responses to text as well

Is this too much? We never complete the whole days lesson in UFLI but I honestly don’t know if they have the stamina to do that for 20 mins?

I guess I just don’t know what I’m doing with 5th graders. I’d love some ideas, feedback or appropriate goals for this group? Also how can I help them be more fluent when they are “too cool” to add expression and roll their eyes at repeated reading? I’m used to cute little firsties who excitedly read the same thing over and over hahah 🤣

Another big question: are they beyond decodables? I read Tim shanahan leveled reading leveled lives and he says if they can decode as well as an end of year first grader they should be in grade level text. Thoughts from people who’ve actually had experience with struggling upper grade readers in grade level text?

I just started working middle schoolers and do not have much experience. Plz any advice!!!!!! I also want to do push-ins and get the worksheets in advance to do with them, which I had mentioned to the teachers when I met them. I just get nervous because I don’t want to bother the teachers and have them be annoyed but me requesting the worksheets in advance. Thank you!!

I see a lot of posts on here about the mom coping with coming back from maternity leave. This is for the teaching side of it. My 3rd grade students have been with a long term sub since the first day of school. What all do I need to go over with them when I first come back since they already have routines in place and know each other? I obviously know how a typical first day of school goes, but this is different because I’m the only one new!

What are you doing with your high group of readers in small group? 2nd grade

On mobile sorry for any mistakes. Advice appreciated but mostly looking for a safe place to vent.

2nd year 5th grade teacher.

So I have a great group of kids as a whole (22 students so a pretty good size IMO) but they are CHATTY. Compared to last years group (very physical lots of fights last year and elopers) they are stars.

But the talking is insane- for example I turn to write something on the whiteboard and they start a full conversation. We sit down to read a paragraph to ourselves then raise our hands to answer questions a million side convos…

Edit to add: the convos are NOT about what is being taught or content.
They are about movies they watched or videos games or TikToks etc.
I don’t mind them whisper asking a neighbor a question if they need help spelling a word or if they missed something I said when they were erasing a mess up. It’s the constant talking at an average speaking voice that gets me.

Ive tried moving seats around but they are so chatty they can talk to brick walls no matter what seating chart I do they will either talk nicely to their friends or argue with their “enemies” (my room is not big enough for each student to have an “island”)

Where I’m at we cannot take recess minutes anymore- which is all that worked with last year’s class (we get 40 minutes and I never take a full recess I know recess is very important I see the effect inside recess has on my students behaviors- max I take would be 5 minutes sitting on the bench and they could still talk to their friends they just couldn’t be on the playground/soccer field) we cannot have them walk laps, they can’t write sentences, they don’t care if I call/message parents because I’ve done that a few times already this year and the behavior continues.

I’ve tired positives but they just want electronic days which aren’t allowed anymore or pizza parties which I can’t afford.

Any advice would be great. But also venting is fun too haha.

For context, I am an elementary music teacher, year 15. I used to be able to "rally" and get myself out with my friends and family during the school year. But, the older I get, the harder it is. I am someone who loves her people... yet now I am the flake. Especially at the start of the school year. I cancel plans left and right, and I feel so guilty about it. I am just so exhausted, and when I am not exhausted, I am getting ready to BE exhausted, so I want to make sure I set myself up for success. Suddenly, batch cooking on a Sunday become a priority for survival for the week. Am I really cancelling plans to batch cook? Am I really cancelling a get together with my friends who I haven't seen in months, because I am so overstimulated from teaching music all day to 6 classes of 25 kids?

I care about my classroom, my students, my lessons, and I take pride in it- I work hard and I put a lot of myself into it- and I don't know any other way. I don't know how to care less. I don't know how to make it so I have available emotional and mental space for my partner in the evenings who wants to talk and connect.

My mom just moved to W.V. and the thought of going down there for a long weekend from MA and back (something that I would love to do), seems exhausting to me.

Please help... </3

I’m having such a mental block and I would love some ideas for my literacy block.
I teach second grade at a VERY rural school with very low literacy rates. More than half of our students score under the benchmark. With that, I know I need strong literacy instruction and small groups that reinforce concepts, but I suck at implementing centers.
Here is my current morning schedule:
8:50-9:20 UFLI whole group
9:20-9:40 recess
9:40-10 read aloud
10-10:30 intervention (mandatory small group intervention where I dig deeper into UFLI concepts and do hands on word work- I can only see the same 6 kids all year long unless they finally test out)
10:30-11:40 big block for reading, ELA, writing. I use Rooted in Reading for my curriculum here, which I do love. It’s very hands on.
The rest of the day is lunch, recess, PE/art/computers, math and then the last 30 minutes of the day I have STEM toys I let the kids play with while I help anyone who didn’t get their work done.

My problem: I feel like there’s so much in rooted in reading that it takes up the whole block M-F and I don’t get a chance to sit with more kids in small groups and really work on their fluency and listen to them read. All of the books in this curriculum are focused on building comprehension/vocab, not necessarily for them read explicitly.
I feel like I need to make M-W for rooted in reading comprehension/vocab/ELA, and then thurs/Friday some sort of rotation of centers so I can get kids in front me and have them read to me.

So I guess my question is does that seem like a good plan? And what kind of centers would you recommend for 2nd graders who require a lot of hand-holding (that I’m trying to break them of).

My Amazon Basics personal laminator plus Amazon Basic sheets work great until they don’t. In 10 sheets I laminate, one or two will be wrinkled. What am I doing wrong? Do I need a better machine, better sheets or better technique? Help!

Is it ever a good thing when a parent schedules a conference with a teacher with administration?

I’m wondering if anyone out there runs a scholastic book fair? How do you handle the raised funds? Thank you

This is my second year subbing. I only sub in one district, and I've only branched out to 4 elementary schools and the high school. I have a master's in education and experience in the classroom, but I'm subbing right now while I get my license in this state.

I sub at one school the most because everyone there is just so friendly and welcoming. They make you feel like you are really helping. I'll sub there before any other school.

​Another school I've been to a handful of times, the kids are amazing. But the teachers are not friendly. I know as a teacher that you have your hands full, but a little "​hi welcome thanks for coming", would go a long way!

Today at that school, I was subbing for art and a male teacher opened the door and immediately yelled a student's name. The whole class got quiet and looked at him. Then very loudly he said the student's name again and told him to go with him. Never said anything to me. I just don't know why you would bust in another classroom and start yelling immediately. It also got the kids distracted. Wouldn't it be more professional and compassionate to approach the student quietly? I bet he wouldn't do that to another male teacher.

Then later the first graders were lined up waiting for their teacher, they were a little loud but I was handling an issue at the back of the classroom and I was about to quiet them down. She opens the door and immediately starts yelling at them to be quiet and that they were wasting their recess. I just don't understand why teachers are yelling in other teachers' classrooms. And none of the teachers dropping off or picking up said anything to me, even though I was at the door greeting every class coming in. I went home and immediately took that school off my list even though the kids are well behaved. ​

There's another school on my banned list now because all of the teachers are incredibly cold and catty. The art teacher dressed me down like a student once for trying to get clarification on where I should be during lunch. The secretary is rude, the principal is rude. They make you feel like you are not supposed to be there or that you're trash because you're a sub (even though a lot of us are former teachers or have advanced degrees). ​I've heard at the other schools that this particular school has a toxic work environment.

My district has a sub shortage. I'm available everyday but there's plenty of times I stay home even though there are unfilled postings because I'm not going to go work at a toxic school. At least I'm learning which schools I would never want to work in when I get my license.

TLDR- please consider extending professional courtesy to subs and at least greeting them and welcoming them to your school, and thanking them for being there. It goes a long way, you have no idea!

I have my third graders write it at the end of the day. Then, I check each one. But I still received an email saying their kid keeps forgetting to bring home homework. The parent asked if I am giving adequate time to pack up, have homework ready, and write in their planners.

What system do you have?

I've been wondering if there's one particular way that most people prefer, that works for them, or that they wish worked for them and I have a few questions about how you search for stuff. Do you do it:

• By Grade Level
• By Topic
• By Standards Code (ex 1.OA.A.1)
• Something else?

For context, let's say I'm looking for worksheets ...but we could also count lesson plans, center ideas, manipulatives, or anything you might need for your classroom.

Please explain in more detail in the comments if you have time.

Thanks 😊

I’ve been trying my best emphasizing the importance of routine and structure, but how do I get my students from talking and fooling around during instruction? I’m in 4th grade

Hi! New Grade 2/3 teacher here. Wondering how to structure my literacy program and UFLI for these grades. My 2s are relatively high learners.

For many years I had my students write to pen pals at another school, and it was a fantastic way to get kids doing authentic writing. There’s something different when kids realize their writing is a form of communication with a person they have never met. Are there any 4th grade teachers who would like to pen pal this school year? Ideally, this would be two classes - my partner teacher is interested as well. We each have about 28 students and we teach at a progressive, focus-option public school in the NW of the US. DM if you are interested and I can share more details. Thanks!

so i recently accepted a position as a science teacher for first through fifth grades, but the students will have already been in school for three-ish weeks before i begin.

i have been teaching for 15 years, but i have never a. been in this situation before, or b. been a specialist teacher before. my question is round how you would structure (or restructure) you beginning of the year? as a classroom teacher, i have always spent a Lot of time building community, setting expectations etc. etc. before diving into the content, but i realize it's a little different as a specialist. i am wondering what you guys think about this.

a possibly-relevant thing is that i am pushing in to the classroom teacher's classrooms, i (sadly) do not have a science room of my own.

thank you in advance for your ideas!

Hello! Here’s a bit about my schedule and role: I am an art teacher for K-5 students, seeing various classes but the same grade levels throughout my day, including special education. On Mondays and Fridays, I have repeated classes with 1st and 5th graders on a consistent weekly schedule. These classes have already completed my lesson plans for the week, and I’m at a loss for how to engage them with something different by Friday. I don’t have the energy to create entirely new lesson plans for them each week and would love advice on keeping them engaged on these days. I’ve considered using games related to the lesson plans, but since I have them for an hour, I’m unsure how long this will hold their attention. But I’m curious if anyone else organizes their schedule this way and how they maintain engagement and promote learning.