Latest from the Blog

Back of the classroom with an open oval-shaped small group table
Math

Math Workshop Meet With the Teacher Q&A Roundup

Each week this month, I’m taking time to share a collection of the most commonly asked Math Workshop questions I receive. Today, I’m jumping into the second category of questions which are all focused on the Meet with the Teacher Rotation of workshop.  Here’s a refresher on the questions I’ll

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Math

Math Workshop Mini Lesson Q&A Roundup

When sharing my love for Math Workshop over the past several years, I’ve answered more questions than I can count from thoughtful elementary teachers who are excited to implement this framework in their classroom.  I’m taking time this month to share a collection of the most commonly-asked questions I receive.

Read More »
Math

Third Grade Fractions Math & Art Project

When you’re thinking of ways to weave hands-on practice or project based learning into your 3rd grade fractions unit, the first things that come to mind are probably pizzas, cakes, or baking of some sort.  But have you ever considered focusing on flower growth for your fraction unit? Sounds like

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Math

How to Weave Project Based Learning Into Your Math Block

A common question I receive is, “How do you find time to teach your full math curriculum, do Math Workshop, and do project based learning?” In my classroom, these three parts of my math instruction are not separate entities, they are all done together during Math Workshop.  Many teachers have

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A sheet titled "Classroom Volunteer Record" laying on the teacher's desk next to several sign up sheets that have been completed by parents to show their interest in volunteering in the classroom.
Classroom Organization

Classroom Volunteer Organization and Scheduling

Parent and family volunteers are a major asset to any classroom. Here at the start of the year, many afternoons are filled communicating with volunteers about expectations, scheduling and training. When bringing parent volunteering into the classroom, it’s important to dedicate time and effort toward creating routines and expectations for

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Back To School

Four Simple Back to School Parent Communication Tips

Focusing on parent communication during the first week of school can help you build trust in your classroom community. It can also make your entire school year immensely easier because parents will begin to see you as an organized, proactive expert. A strong start in the communication department really helps

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Core Inspiration Camp Array Multiplication Project Laying Next to Math Project File Bin
Classroom Organization

Four Tips for Organizing Math Project Materials In Your Classroom

Helping young learners stay organized during a multi-day project doesn’t have to be a challenge. With a little planning and visualizing, you can easily create organizational structures in your classroom that will help your students stay organized. You no longer have to feel like the project has completely overtaken your

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Core Inspiration's desk elf classroom job card with desk elf checklist and bowl of tidy up tickets sitting on a white table.
Classroom Management

How To Manage Your End-of-Day Classroom Tidy Up Routine

Tidying and organizing your classroom shouldn’t be something that takes much of your teacher time. Your students share the space with you and they should share the responsibility of keeping it clean/getting it ready for learning each day. When your students work with you to keep the space clean, there’s

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Math workshop parent communication cover sheet laying on top of blue weekly work folder next to file bin with weekly student work.
Classroom Organization

Five Tools To Help You Communicate With Parents About Their Child’s Progress During Math Workshop

These five communication tools make it easier for you to consistently share student progress about math understanding with families. If you love using hands-on learning, multi-step projects, and work that students refer to multiple times throughout the unit so they can build on their learning and deepen their understanding, these tools are for you! Each tool is designed to keep parents in the loop with what their child is learning and how they are progressing in your workshop-style classroom.

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Math In Motion Divide and Conquer featured in a math games demo round.
Classroom Management

Three Tips For Making Math Games A Success

I’ll never forget the first time I tried incorporating games into my math block. It was my first year of teaching, and I had all the right intentions, but the execution was a total disaster. Sound familiar? My plan was to teach a math lesson to the whole class, and

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Core Inspiration morning work Number of the Day 3rd Grade Binder page with a whiteboard marker and eraser.

How To Check Morning Work More Efficiently

The key to correcting morning work in a way that’s easy and seamless is to use a format that’s consistent each day so your brain doesn’t have to adjust to a new format as you’re checking student work.  This also makes it easier for your students to complete their morning

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Core Inspiration's telling time project based learning activity page showing clocks where students record a schedule of events and show what time they happen during the day.

A Telling Time Math Project with A Narrative Twist

Your telling time unit is the perfect opportunity to connect math to the real world in a creative way. Rather than having your students complete worksheet after worksheet in an effort to master reading clocks and telling time, bring your math unit to life with an engaging hands-on project!  If

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Math Workshop Hands-On Games Q&A Roundup

We have reached the final week of our Math Workshop Q&A Series. This week I’ve gathered the most commonly-asked questions I receive about the Hands-On Rotation of Math Workshop.  Here’s a refresher on the question categories I’ve shared each week during this blog post series:  Mini Lessons (Week 1) Meet

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Back of the classroom with an open oval-shaped small group table

Math Workshop Meet With the Teacher Q&A Roundup

Each week this month, I’m taking time to share a collection of the most commonly asked Math Workshop questions I receive. Today, I’m jumping into the second category of questions which are all focused on the Meet with the Teacher Rotation of workshop.  Here’s a refresher on the questions I’ll

Read More »

Math Workshop Mini Lesson Q&A Roundup

When sharing my love for Math Workshop over the past several years, I’ve answered more questions than I can count from thoughtful elementary teachers who are excited to implement this framework in their classroom.  I’m taking time this month to share a collection of the most commonly-asked questions I receive.

Read More »

Third Grade Fractions Math & Art Project

When you’re thinking of ways to weave hands-on practice or project based learning into your 3rd grade fractions unit, the first things that come to mind are probably pizzas, cakes, or baking of some sort.  But have you ever considered focusing on flower growth for your fraction unit? Sounds like

Read More »