Fun and Low Prep Grandparents Day Celebration Activity for Elementary
If you are celebrating Grandparents Day in your elementary classroom and need a fun, but low-prep activity during your celebration, I've...
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Michelle McDonald
Jul 9
New to Teaching Social Studies? I've Got You Covered!
If this is your first year teaching social studies and you want to get a head start on planning, I've got you covered. Maybe you've...
Michelle McDonald
Jun 11
How to Find Your State Social Studies Standards
Did you know that every U.S. state has outlined its own set of social studies standards? And we're not talking about the Common Core...
Michelle McDonald
May 21
How To Prepare When Teaching A Tough Topic With Your Students
If you are getting ready to teach a sensitive or tough topic with your students, it can be especially helpful to do some prep work. No...
Michelle McDonald
Feb 27
Free Social Studies Lessons Round-Up
Since 2012 I've been sharing social studies resources that I've created either for my own classroom or have been the result of teachers...
Michelle McDonald
Feb 13
Quick and Easy Sub Plans for Your Social Studies Class
I don't know about you, but I was one of those teachers who struggled to take my sick days. Creating lesson plans to leave for a...
Michelle McDonald
Aug 29, 2023
Learn How to Thrive in Your First Year of Teaching with this Framework
Are you a new teacher on a rollercoaster ride of emotions? If that resonates with you, I completely understand! Balancing teaching and...
Michelle McDonald
Aug 8, 2023
4 Back to School Teacher Planning Tips That Get Overlooked
As we get into Back to School season, there are so many things to prep and plan. Maybe this is the year that you will make your lunches...
Michelle McDonald
Jul 4, 2023
Why You Need to Attend the 2023 First Year Teacher Summit
I'm so excited to share that registration is open for the 2023 First Year Teacher Summit! This is the first virtual event of its kind...
Michelle McDonald
May 4, 2023
How Much is Your Teaching Prep Time Worth, Really?
Have you ever considered how much your prep time is really worth (in dollars)? One of my biggest teaching hurdles was figuring out how to...
Michelle McDonald
Apr 18, 2023
How to Make Significant Reading Gains with Social Studies Instruction
You have likely seen the recent headlines about pandemic learning loss, and the impacts of remote learning. The data from the National...
Michelle McDonald
Apr 11, 2023
The Teacher Productivity Hack You Need To Help You Beat Overwhelm
Do you have sticky notes covering your computer screen or all around your desk? Maybe you have a long to-do list that feels overwhelming...
Michelle McDonald
Mar 28, 2023
Grab a Free Collaborative Poster to Create an Easy Bulletin Board Display
If you're looking for a fun and easy bulletin board display, check out this free collaborative poster! If you take your students on my...
Michelle McDonald
Dec 13, 2022
Helpful Tips for Facilitating an Effective Classroom Discussion
Small group discussions are a great concept, but they can quickly get out of hand if we simply release our students without guidance....
Michelle McDonald
Oct 4, 2022
5 Teacher Tips for Keeping Your Personal Life Organized & Efficient
As a teacher, we quickly realize that the work is never done. This means that we have to be intentional with our time because it's super...
Michelle McDonald
Aug 16, 2022
Shopping for Teacher Outfits on a Tight Budget: Shopping with Sustainability in Mind
When I landed my first teaching job, most of my clothing involved jeans, oversized sweatshirts, and tennis shoes that I wore around the...
Michelle McDonald
Aug 9, 2022
Introducing the 5 Themes of Geography at the Beginning of the Year
One of the foundational concepts of a high-quality social studies education is an understanding of geography. When students can make...
Michelle McDonald
Jul 27, 2022
Boost Excitement for Social Studies During the First Week of School with this Activity
If you are looking for a back-to-school activity for your social studies class that is not cheesy or boring, I've got you covered. Set...
Michelle McDonald
Jul 12, 2022
Teacher Communication Workshop: Gain Confidence & The Respect You Deserve
Do you struggle to communicate your needs to your admin, or spend hours trying to draft an email? This was me during my first year of...
Michelle McDonald
Jul 8, 2022
3 Easy to Print and Assemble Collaborative Posters for Back to School
Are you tired of the same back-to-school ice-breakers and activities? Or maybe you're looking for meaningful classroom decor that is...
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