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
5 Powerful SEL Practices to Start the School Year Right
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–6 Samples to Transform Your Mornings
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
Free K–2 Morning Work: 10 SEL Days to Start Right
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
How to Make Morning Work SEL More Meaningful in the Classroom
Meaningful Mornings of SEL Let’s be real — most teachers believe in SEL. We know our students need it. But between the fire drills, the testing schedules, and just trying to teach actual content, SEL often ends up as “one more thing” on the to-do list. The truth is, a lot of SEL instruction feels disconnected. You stop everything for a lesson on emotions… and then jump right back into ... Read More about How to Make Morning Work SEL More Meaningful in the Classroom
How to Help Students Stay Calm and Focused During Test Prep – 5 SEL Strategies That Actually Work
TeTesting season can bring a lot of stress—for students and teachers alike. The pressure to perform can quickly shift a calm classroom into a chaotic one. That’s why blending test prep with effective SEL strategies is essential. These tools not only help students stay focused, but also build the emotional resilience they need to tackle tests with confidence. But it doesn’t have to be this way. ... Read More about How to Help Students Stay Calm and Focused During Test Prep – 5 SEL Strategies That Actually Work
Five Fun and Effective Ways To Help Kids’ Worries Now
Children have some big worries sometimes! While it is important to acknowledge their worries and concerns, it is also important to provide coping strategies are kid friendly, engaging, and even fun to learn. The skill of self-awareness happens as children get older... They cannot always process why their feelings are happing and giving them kid friendly resources and strategies can help them ... Read More about Five Fun and Effective Ways To Help Kids’ Worries Now
3 Insights I Gained from Creating My First AI Lesson
Making my first AI Lesson with Canva's Magic Media app provided a wealth of insights, and humor. The lesson, designed for kindergarteners, focused on personal space and safety. My challenge was to create engaging content that not only appealed to young students but also simplified the complex concepts I needed to convey. What I learned was surprising and insightful to say the least. 1. My ... Read More about 3 Insights I Gained from Creating My First AI Lesson
3 Types Of Amazing School Sensory Spaces For All Budgets…part 3
School sensory spaces are amazing ways to help students to self-regulate. The unfortunate thing is that a lot of school sensory spaces require a substantial budget. If you are fortunate to have a decent size grant, you can make an amazing sensory space, just like in my previous post. Sometimes you have a budget of a couple hundred dollars. If so, you can make a classroom sensory space, just ... Read More about 3 Types Of Amazing School Sensory Spaces For All Budgets…part 3
Amazing School Sensory Spaces For All Budgets…part 2
Amazing School sensory spaces can provide amazing opportunities for students to self-regulate and manage feelings. I recently created a post on creating a school wide sensory space for students. In this post, I will share some budget friendly sensory spaces in classroom and how to create them under $160. Here are the top 2 things to consider when creating a space in your classroom. ... Read More about Amazing School Sensory Spaces For All Budgets…part 2