Why did you become a teacher? What inspires you and makes you look forward to getting ready for school, day after day? Why do you push yourself to create interesting and motivating lessons? Why do we get first day jitters and work so hard for our classrooms to be welcoming on the first day ofContinue reading “Olympic Relationships: The Importance of Positive Teacher-Student Relationships”
Author Archives: Miss Chantal Cares
Easy, Fast and Free: A Simple Approach to Integrating Flexible Seating in the Elementary Classroom
On Edutopia.com, Ira Socol describes a flexible classroom as an environment that give students a choice in what kind of learning space works best for them, and help them to work collaboratively, communicate, and engage in critical thinking. In my classroom, I provide different types of seating that my students can choose from. From aContinue reading “Easy, Fast and Free: A Simple Approach to Integrating Flexible Seating in the Elementary Classroom”
Let’s Talk (About Mental Health and Children)
In the spirit of the Bell “Let’s Talk” campaign, I have decided to do just that. I know this is a long post, probably the longest I’ve written, but it is honest, true and heartfelt. I am writing this based on my own experience and those I have witnessed in my 13 years as anContinue reading “Let’s Talk (About Mental Health and Children)”
4 Simple Ways Kids Can Learn About Plants in the Classroom
I’m teaching science this year for the first time EVER! It is my thirteenth year teaching, and although I’ve taught many science concepts through language arts and math curriculum, I have never been the science subject teacher. Not only is it my first year, I am teaching it to two groups, in two different grades:Continue reading “4 Simple Ways Kids Can Learn About Plants in the Classroom”
10 Money Saving Tips for an Eco Friendly Back to School
Back to School season is just around the corner, and as all teachers know, this means the wheels in our heads have been turning, thinking about classroom decor, organization and themes we want to use with our kiddos for the upcoming school year since the second week of summer holidays. Here are ten terrific tipsContinue reading “10 Money Saving Tips for an Eco Friendly Back to School”
3 Important Things You Need to Know About Parent-Teacher Conferences
“Before we begin talking about my child, I have some questions about (…) and I would like to discuss something that is really bothering me about the way you do (…).” Uh-oh. This is where the heart palpitations, sweaty palms and eyelash tugging began. This is where I knew that the notes I’d prepared soContinue reading “3 Important Things You Need to Know About Parent-Teacher Conferences”
7 Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day Craft and Gift Ideas
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, there are LOTS of ideas for crafts and gifts that can be made so that kids can show their love for their friends and family members. Being someone who tries to be as green as possible, I went on the hunt for gifts and decorations that students can makeContinue reading “7 Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day Craft and Gift Ideas”
4 Simple Tips to Make Parent Teacher Conferences Less Stressful
Parent teacher conferences are just around the corner. (For my school, they will be taking place this week.) Parent teacher conferences used to make me feel very anxious and stressed, because I didn’t know what to expect. These will be my 21st conferences and after many stressful conferences, I now look forward to getting togetherContinue reading “4 Simple Tips to Make Parent Teacher Conferences Less Stressful”
Welcome to my classroom
Several factors influenced my classroom decor and layout decisions when I moved back to second grade this year. I had to think about functionality, practicality and age-appropriateness. I want for my students to be able to collaborate and help each other in their learning. I want for my students to learn to be organized and becauseContinue reading “Welcome to my classroom”
Simple Eco-friendly Field Trip Organizing
The school year has begun, and so has planning for field trips! In the past, when organizing a field trip, I would draft a consent form. I would include details about the trip and its purpose, as well as a section at the bottom that parents could cut and return to school (hopefully) in aContinue reading “Simple Eco-friendly Field Trip Organizing”
Cares Education 