You can start your math stations any time you want! In this episode from my Facebook Group, I walk you through the steps to starting your math workshop using classroom procedures, time management, what stations to use and what activities you can use in your math block. Check out my Math Workshop resources mentioned in this episode HERE. Connect with Me! TPT Store YouTube Channel Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Blog Cross-Curricular Connections Membership Support the show Thank you s...

Join me in my Cross-Curricular Fun for October Webinar from my Facebook Group! Some topics I share are: Pumpkins, Owls, Bats, Spiders, Charlotte's Web, Halloween, and much more! These resources include lesson plans, suggested mentor texts, interactive notebooks, anchor charts, and writing craftivities! Plus... science experiments and investigations that your students will LOVE!!! All October TPT Resources Mentioned in this episode! Connect with Me! TPT Store YouTube Channel ...

As a teacher, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is this: when students are given the freedom to write their own stories, their own genres, and their own ideas, their writing blossoms in ways no daily prompt could ever capture. I used to think prompts were the way to go. After all, they seemed to keep everyone “on task” and gave me control over what students were producing. But over time, I realized that prompts often produced the same kind of writing over and over again—surface-level, f...

Join me in this episode as I share how I use the Science of Reading blended with Guided Reading to ensure that ALL of my students are getting the reading instruction they need during my reading groups! Check out the Show Notes with pictures! Connect with Me! TPT Store YouTube Channel Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Blog Cross-Curricular Connections Membership Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Let's take your classroom to the next level!

This is the webinar I gave in my Facebook Group all about Cross-Curricular Connections for September! It includes topics such as: Apples, Johnny Appleseed, Properties, Making 10, Community Helpers, Career Day, Grandparents Day, and much more! Watch my webinar HERE on my YouTube channel! Connect with Me! TPT Store YouTube Channel Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Blog Cross-Curricular Connections Membership Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Let's take your classro...

Meet the Teacher Night can be a nerve-wracking experience. But with careful preparation, planning, and experience, it becomes easier each year. Here are some things that you need to consider before you start planning for that special night. Remember, you only get one chance to make a good first impression. So, dress nice, put on a smile, and have fun! Oh, and don’t forget to brush your teeth or chew a lifesaver! I hope that your Meet the Teacher night goes great! If you’ve never had one befor...

Are you ready to plan month by month, rather than minute by minute? Cross-Curricular Connections is more than a resource library—it’s a complete support system to help you balance engaging literature with rigor and relevance, so your students see how every subject connects. Inside, you’ll unlock a growing bank of ready-to-use TPT resources, monthly coaching calls that meet you where you are, exclusive podcast episodes to keep you inspired, and three PD-credit courses to deepen your prac...

Hey Teachers! Welcome to “Countdown to the Classroom: Back to School Q&A!” I’m here to answer the real questions from real teachers — just like you! Whether you’re prepping your classroom, planning your first week, or tackling routines, I’ve got your back. If you have a burning question for me to answer, you can record your question on Voxer, which is a free app. Simply hit the walkie-talkie button at the bottom of your screen, record your question, and send it to Kara Rickman (krickm791)...

Hey Teachers! Welcome to “Countdown to the Classroom: Back to School Q&A!” I’m here to answer the real questions from real teachers — just like you! Whether you’re prepping your classroom, planning your first week, or tackling routines, I’ve got your back. If you have a burning question for me to answer, you can record your question on Voxer, which is a free app. Simply hit the walkie-talkie button at the bottom of your screen, record your question, and send it to Kara Rickman (krickm791)...

Hey Teachers! Welcome to “Countdown to the Classroom: Back to School Q&A!” I’m here to answer the real questions from real teachers — just like you! Whether you’re prepping your classroom, planning your first week, or tackling routines, I’ve got your back. If you have a burning question for me to answer, you can record your question on Voxer, which is a free app. Simply hit the walkie-talkie button at the bottom of your screen, record your question, and send it to Kara Rickman (krickm791)...

In this shorty episode, you'll learn how my star student helps me manage my classroom into a well-oiled machine. If you’ve ever wanted to include a Star Student of the Week and weren’t sure how to go about it… You’re in the right place! I’m going to share with you 6 ways that I utilize a Star Student every week for the whole year with my first graders. These are easy and fun ways to implement to help you streamline your classroom into something you're proud of! Give it a listen! C...

I’ve taught for 25 years and am a mentor and trainer in my school district. If you need summer PD credit, this might interest you! Click HERE to check it out! I’m giving a back-to-school Bootcamp in July for K-2 teachers and would LOVE for you to be a part of it! You will get lesson plans with objectives, suggested mentor texts, anchor charts, differentiated interactive notebooks, and how to teach the “I Do, We Do and You Do”. You can earn up to 9 CPE hours of credit from 9 differ...

A lot of teachers struggle with their elementary dismissal procedures, but I’m here to help you out and give you an easy way to implement a fresh idea with less stress and no mess! And the best part is??? It’s all up to the students and not you to clean your classroom! If you put the responsibilities back on them, they will do a better job for you! Today, I’m going to help you implement 4 easy steps: 1. Classroom Jobs 2. Use a Timer and Sing a Song 3. Pack ‘n Stack Rules 4. Reward the cleanes...

This is the webinar I gave in my Facebook Group all about Cross-Curricular Connections for May. Topics I shared were: Fairy Tales, Reader's Theater, Financial Literacy, Rocks & Fossils, Mother's Day, Ocean & Sea Life and, End of Year activities! Download my Webinar Here with clickable links! Connect with Me! TPT Store YouTube Channel Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Blog Cross-Curricular Connections Membership Need summer PD credit? I’m giving a back-to-school Bootcamp...

If you ever wanted to teach Fairy Tale writing but didn't know where to start, check out my latest episode, which is all about how I teach it! I'll go step by step on how I introduce the writing, how I use Reader's Theater, and how I host a Fairy Tale Ball at the end of the year! Check the show notes for pictures! Show Notes with Pictures! Connect with Me! TPT Store YouTube Channel Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Blog Cross-Curricular Connections Membership Need summer PD credit? I’...

Need summer PD credit? I’m giving a back-to-school Bootcamp in July for K-2 teachers and would LOVE for you to be a part of it! You will get lesson plans with objectives, suggested mentor texts, anchor charts, differentiated interactive notebooks, and how to teach the “I Do, We Do, and You Do”. You can earn up to 9 CPE hours of credit because I’m CPE certified! This training includes videos that walk you step by step to get your class started for the first 10 days of reading, writing, math, s...

This is the FREE webinar I hosted inside my Facebook Group: Create Your Balance with Literacy. I shared all the topics that I teach for April, including: Easter Earth Day Rainforests Insects Life Cycles Persuasive Writing Endangered Animal Research Eric Carle & Patricia Polacco Author Study Here is the FREE WEBINAR to download and it has clickable links to all the resources! Connect with Me! TPT Store YouTube Channel Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Blog Cross-C...

Did you know you can have 4 Fun Friday Activities with your students and still have purposeful lessons? Fun Friday doesn’t have to be daunting. It can be something that you can do consistently each Friday, and it’s something that your students can look forward to! I know that some principals might not allow you to have Fun Friday if your Fun Friday consists of extra recess, play-do, games, and such, so here’s my Fun Friday schedule that is purposeful, and all of these activities follow your s...

This is the FREE webinar that I hosted inside of my Facebook Group: Create Your Balance with Literacy. I shared all the topics that I teach for March, including: Texas Symbols Texas Animals Research and Writing St. Patrick's Day 120th Day Dr. Seuss Gail Gibbons and much more! Here is the FREE Webinar to download and it has clickable links to all the resources! Connect with Me! TPT Store YouTube Channel Facebook Group Instagram Pinterest Blog Cross-Curricular Connecti...

Whether you’re a first-year teacher or a seasoned educator seeking fresh inspiration, the Writer’s Workshop Reboot is the perfect place to recharge your passion and refine your teaching craft. This episode details what lesson #5 is all about and how to visualize and create a "Magic Movie" using the book Sky Color by Peter Reynolds. Also included are tips for behavior management, rigor, relevance, and how I keep my students engaged. This lesson plan includes an objective card, suggested mento...