Carpet Rug Alternative

 In all of my career, I have been a big proponent of a classroom carpet/rug. I can't imagine not having kids right in front of me while I teach. It helps me to ensure all kids are engaged, on-task and of course, learning! This year, I am moving to 4th grade. 4th graders are bigger so I wasn't sure how I was going to get them all to fit on the carpet...but I was definitely going to try! I was searching through Amazon and discovered these 7 inch carpet dots! They are velcro circles that stick right on your classroom carpet. I like them because I can space them out and design them however I want this year. I am thinking of semi-circles, groups, etc. It will be so much fun to change it up! Take a look below! 

A Culture of Kindness

Something that I like to focus on in my classroom is teaching missing skills. When kids don't know how to add-- we teach them. When they don't know how to write-- we teach them. However, when it comes to behavior and they don't know how to "behave" or act in a certain situation, what do we do? Do we punish? Give consequences? Call home? Maybe. But something that I have to remember is that I am the teacher, so let me teach them. 

I created this kindness card for some students that were struggling with using kind words toward their peers. Anytime they said or did something unkind, they completed a kindness card to replace hurtful language with kind words instead. These cards can be used for anything! Whether it is teaching kind words or simply just doing something kind for someone, kindness cards can help! You can download this FREEBIE from my TPT Store today! 

Wall Hanging Hack!

What would we do without TikTok! I have seen this viral hack multiple times the last few weeks and finally got to try it out for myself. It worked like a charm! 

1. Line up the letters on the straight end of a desk. 

2. Apply painters tape on top to ensure they are straight. 

3. Stick the painters tape to the letters.

4. Put it on the wall.

5. Gently peel

VIOLA! I am amazed. Where has this been the last decade?! I have hung this wall decor the last two years in my other classrooms, and it always took FOREVER. I am so excited to now have this hack in my teacher toolbox!