Visual Storytelling is amazing! There’s something magical about watching students tell a story through art.Before a single word appears, their colors, shapes, and patterns start to speak — often louder than language ever could. That’s the beauty of arts integration: it helps students express understanding, emotion, and imagination all at once. When we give kids opportunities to show what they ... Read More about The Awesome Power of Visual Storytelling in the Classroom

Halloween is one of those seasons that can be so much fun… and also completely exhausting. Between school parties, costume parades, and sugar highs that seem to last a week, our kids are running on excitement (and candy). That’s why I love using books this time of year to bring everyone back to center. Social-emotional learning (SEL) doesn’t have to mean adding something extra to your plate — ... Read More about 10 SEL Halloween Read-Alouds Every Teacher and Mom Will Love

Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year, but in K–5 classrooms, excitement can quickly tip into distraction. Costumes that are too scary, too uncomfortable, or too complicated can make the day stressful for both kids and teachers. That’s why easy and school-friendly Halloween costumes are the best choice. They’re fun, safe, comfortable, and still creative. Even better, they can ... Read More about 20 Easy and Halloween Costume Ideas for K-5 Classrooms

Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year for kids—but if you’re a teacher and a mom, you know that excitement can quickly turn into overwhelm. Between classroom parties, trick-or-treating, costumes, and candy overload, emotions can run high at school and at home. That’s why adding a few simple Halloween SEL crafts into the season can make all the difference—keeping the fun while ... Read More about 3 Amazingly Easy Halloween Crafts for Busy Teachers and Moms

A calm classroom isn’t just about quiet—it’s about building a community where students feel safe, connected, and ready to learn. Social-emotional learning (SEL) routines give kids the tools they need to manage emotions, support each other, and focus on learning. That’s why I created my 180 Mornings About Me Workbook for Grades 3–6—to make SEL easy, consistent, and quick. In this post, I’ll ... Read More about Feelings Forecast + 4 More Unique SEL Routines For Your Classroom

The first weeks of school are full of excitement, nerves, and possibility. That’s why I love starting strong with SEL practices for elementary classrooms that build belonging and set the tone for learning. When kids feel safe, connected, and seen, everything else begins to click. That’s where social-emotional learning (SEL) makes all the difference. By weaving SEL into your everyday lessons and ... Read More about 5 Powerful SEL Practices to Start the School Year Right

SEL Fun and Engaging Morning Work That Works: Free K–5 Samples to Transform Your Mornings with Engaging Morning Work - Teacher Mommy Life Be honest—how many times have you copied a worksheet at 7:15 AM just so your students had "something to do" while you took attendance? (I've been there too.) Incorporating engaging morning work can make a significant difference in how students start their ... Read More about SEL Fun and Engaging Morning Work That Works: Free K–6 Samples to Transform Your Mornings

Why I Rethought Morning Work As a teacher, I used to rely on morning work as a way to keep the room calm while I handled attendance, notes from home, and last-minute prep. But often, morning work felt more like busywork than anything meaningful. Now, as a school counselor, I see morning routines in a new light. The first ten minutes of the school day are powerful. Students walk into the room ... Read More about Free K–2 Morning Work: 10 SEL Days to Start Right