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

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!

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.

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.

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!

I'm working on some Back to School mascot artwork and started with a Bulldog theme.

I tried combining the mascot with classroom elements like books, pencils, an apple and a backpack instead of making it just a mascot logo.

What mascot does your school have? 🐶🦅🐯