The Problem:  Papers that go back and forth from home to school have really taken a beating this year.  It is not that students are being careless, the problem seems to be that the folders are not quite fitting in those backpacks – especially those smaller backpacks in the lower grades.  No matter how you
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The Problem:  Your hall and bathroom passes have become germ central.  Between the colds and sicknesses that have been running rampant in the classroom and the less-than-stellar hygiene of some students, those passes are a mess.  No matter what you try – laminated cards, sticks, or bracelets – keeping them clean and stopping the spread
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Idea by Heather, 3rd Grade Teacher, Stonington, IL Instead of allowing my students to sharpen broken pencils, I created a Pencil Swap Station.

by Elizabeth Supan, Monthly Columnist I’ve always thought of teaching as a multi-career. I’m sure you know exactly what I mean. I’m a teacher, a mother, a nurse, a therapist, a counselor, a referee, a coach, and more. How do we possibly get to the “teaching” part of our jobs with all of the other
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by Steve Reifman, Monthly Columnist At the beginning of each school year, it is important for teachers to address the following four priorities. Giving these critical areas the time and emphasis they deserve will pay big dividends for you, your students, and their families.  

by Elizabeth Supan, Monthly Columnist Just the phrase itself sends shivers. Doesn’t it? I still get so nervous and excited on the night before the first day back that I have a hard time sleeping. I think the reason I am a bundle of nerves is because I want to make sure that I cover
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by Cara Carroll, Monthly Columnist Visions of newly sharpened pencils, crisp folders, untainted glue bottles, and fresh crayons are swirling in my head right now. It’s time to go back to school! Even after spending 10 years in the classroom, I still get butterflies in my stomach to this day just thinking about the first
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Have you been struggling with Classroom Management or perhaps just need a few new tricks?  #TeachChat on June 27, 2012 was filled with great ideas from teachers across the country.  Scroll down to the bottom and read UP to get some wonderful advice from experienced teachers.

by Melinda Huff, Guest Blogger One of the best feelings in the world is being understood and not being forced to do something that I don’t want to do. Please know that there are things that I know that I HAVE to do, not necessarily want to do. I know that school isn’t a place
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  by Christina Aronen, Guest Blogger  Teachers can save time for learning experiences and train students to manage many of the everyday classroom tasks for themselves. Here are a few ideas for just how to do that!