The first day of class is fast approaching which always brings with it that feeling of panic that you need to have your classroom perfectly ready to welcome your students. I have found that while you need certain things ready for the first day, a calm yet enthusiastic welcome is what the students enjoy the most!

​There always seems to be a line of students in front of you when they come in from recess anxious to tell you (tattle) about something that someone did or events that happened. As a teacher, it’s our responsibility to listen to each and every story to determine whether some form of bullying or other serious incident has taken place. This can take away precious teaching minutes from your day.

I was going to title this blog “Report Card Comments Made Easy” but as you know there is nothing easy about writing report card comments.

Reading, writing, oral communication, media, five strands for math, four strands for science, two strands for social studies, physical education, art, health, drama and dance. So many specific expectations, some of which are mandated in certain jurisdictions such as Ontario, that need to be reported on.  Oh!  Don’t forget about the Learning Skills; responsibility, organization, independent work, collaboration, initiative and self-regulation.

Call me old fashioned, but I believe establishing a sound foundation in grammar in the early grades remains important and can be easily integrated into all aspects of a language arts program.

In this blog I will provide an overview of how I plan and teach my grammar program for Grades 2 and 3.

​As you know, preparing a plan and materials for a Sub typically takes longer than writing a plan for yourself, or at least it feels that way when you are under the weather.  For those of you old enough to remember, in the words of Ricky Ricardo, “you got some splainin to do” in order to adequately prepare a Sub.