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<p>Something that we teachers have been doing since the start of this pandemic is being accommodating. I think it’s so important to utilize manipulatives that can be available to all students whether we’re in the classroom together or at home. Even if some of us may be virtual, learning can and should still be fun &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/engaging-free-virtual-math-manipulatives/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about Engagi

<p>Seriously, don’t underestimate the value of a simple deck of cards! I love using playing cards to practice addition, subtraction, place value, and number sense skills. One of my favorite games to play with cards is basic War. I love this game because it can be altered to fit any age or ability level! The &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/the-value-of-using-playing-cards-to-teach-math/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about The Val

<p>It’s January! Raise your hand if you’re feeling overwhelmed, angry, anxious, and stressed… ME! My hand is raised! I fully enjoyed my Winter Break.&nbsp; I spent a lot of time indoors with my family and met virtually with the rest of the clan.&nbsp; We started a new tradition this year.&nbsp; I bought a 1000 piece &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/how-to-cope-with-the-stress-of-pandemic-teaching-after-winter-break/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="scre

<p>I thought I was prepared for this past September.&nbsp; Covid quarantine was not too bad for me.&nbsp; My kids thrived doing online learning, and my relationship with my husband seemed to have gotten stronger over that time.&nbsp; My elderly mom caught Covid before quarantine, and recovered pretty quickly, and that was one less worry. I &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/oh-what-a-year-2020-has-been/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text"

<p>I wanted to find a way to easily teach six and seven year old children how to Journal write.&nbsp; We often expect our children to free write in their Journals (or notebook, or writing book or whatever you want to call it).&nbsp; Children often struggle with the expectations of this.&nbsp; Which lines do they write &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/i-wanted-to-find-way-to-easily-teach/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about Introd

<p>Welcome to my blog series on STEAM STORIES CLICK HERE  to get your own copy of this week So this week started off with the children already knowing the book.  They read it to their big buddies on the Friday prior.  I decided to spread out the study of this book over 2 weeks.  The &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/week-2-of-steam-stories-little-red-apple/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about Week 2 of STEAM STORIES &#8211; Little

<p>Welcome to my blog series on STEAM STORIES. CLICK HERE to get your own copy of this week This week we started off the whole lesson series.  This curriculum is designed to be used all year.  It&#8217;s ideal for a Grade 2 curriculum in Canada which is more aligned with a 1st Grade curriculum in &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/welcome-to-my-blog-series-on-steam/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about Week One of STEAM STORIES &#82

<p>Welcome to my blog series on STEAM STORIES.   STEAM STORIES is a great way to teach Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math and English Language Arts.  If you&#8217;ve been afraid to start doing STEM and STEAM lessons in your classroom, you will be pleasantly surprised by how easily the children adapt to a regular routine of &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/steam-stories-how-to-set-up/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about S

<p>This week we went to see a play called &#8220;Salmon Girl&#8221;.  It&#8217;s a story of an Indigenous girl who becomes transformed into a salmon.  It turns out that she is one of the Salmon People who&#8217;s job it is to keep the salmon in the river safe.  The entire play was perfect for Grade 2&#8217;s.  &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/salmon-study/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about How to get your students passionate ab

<p>w This week we did a directed drawing of a Leprechaun.  There was a boy and a girl Leprechaun.  We outlined the drawing with sharpies and used watercolor paint and a few markers to finish it off.    I did my drawing on the Smart Board so I apologize for the grainy quality. First, here&#8217;s &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/how-to-draw-leprechaun/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about How to draw an adorable Leprechaun</span></

<p>If you love unicorns and you are looking for an easy and adorable Mother&#8217;s Day card and gift, then this is the perfect craft for you to do with your class. CLICK HERE to get your own copy. You can make this adorable framed gift. Or this cute card with this cute sentiment. There&#8217;s step-by-step &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/a-unicorn-for-mothers-day/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about A Unicorn your students will

<p>My own personal journey through teaching science with inquiry. This is a 5 part series of posts.</p>

<p>So I found these cute characters at the dollar store and I was totally inspired to create a descriptive writing activity. So what the kids do is they get a character and a sheet of stickers and they add the details to their character.  Below you will find some of their creations.  If you can&#8217;t &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/halloween-descriptive-writing/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about Halloween descriptive writing

<p>I’ve been using STEM and STEAM activities in my classroom for a while now.  And I absolutely LOVE how they work.  In fact I wrote down all the things I love about STEM.  You can find that HERE if you’re interested. I love reading non-fiction and fiction books when I’m teaching a Science concept to &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/integrating-steam-and-ela/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about How you can easily integrate STEAM

<p>I love a coordinated  classroom, don&#8217;t you.  A few years ago my principal told me that every time he came into my room it just seemed so happy.  I was proud of my classroom decor which you can find in this category of my store. CLICK HEREBut, Classroom decorating can be such a time consuming &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/classroom-decorating-and-organization/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about Decor that makes your c

<p>  This post is #5 in a series.  CLICK HERE to go to post #1   Welcome to my fifth installment in this series on Inquiry Based Project Learning. My class and I had a great time with this unit.    This final post is about self-assessment and sharing children’s work.   First I left the kids &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/inquiry-based-learning-step-by-step-5/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about Inquiry Based Learning Step-by-St

<p>    This post is #4 in a series.  CLICK HERE to go to post #1 Welcome back to my blog series about Inquiry Based Learning.  Last week I wrote about doing research with Primary students. This week we’re going to focus on producing a final project.  Inquiry based learning usually ends up with the &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/inquiry-based-learning-step-by-step-4/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about Inquiry Based Learning Ste

<p>    This post is #3 in a series.  CLICK HERE to go to post #1   Welcome back to my blog series about Inquiry Based Learning.  Last week I wrote about ouractivities which helped the kids to come up with an inquiry question.   This week we’re going to focus on research.  Now as &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/inquiry-based-learning-step-by-step-3/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about Inquiry Based Learning Step by Step #3</span>

<p>  This post is #2 in a series. CLICK HERE to go to post #1.   Welcome to my blog series about Inquiry Based Learning.  Last week I wrote about stimulating interest in a topic.  We spent some time going over artifacts to stimulate their ideas and interest.  Once we finished looking through the artifacts, the &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/inquiry-based-learning-step-by-step-2/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about Inquiry Based

<p>This time of year, it&#8217;s always perfect to start teaching about the life cycle of plants. This year I have been really focusing on non-fiction reading and writing with my class and I wanted to come up with a cute way to display their learning to their parents. &nbsp;This is when I came up with &#8230; <a href="https://savvyteachingtips.net/science-write-im-so-excited-about-this/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about SCIENCE WRITE &#8211;