Although your students are always near, on your minds and in your hearts, the truth is that you do have lives beyond the classroom. This truth resonated with us here at Teacher Created Materials when reading each of your submissions to our Teacher Appreciation story contest. We salute you, dear teachers, and we thank you.

Schools have been attempting to cram more and more content into a typical teaching day, and asking children to learn overwhelming content at younger and younger ages, without taking the time to build the foundational skills needed for learning or behavioral success. Let’s consider a different approach.

In order to meaningfully implement the Standards for Mathematical Practice, teachers need a reasonable and manageable place to begin. We suggest concept games! Mathematics games link the Standards for Mathematical Practice with research-based instructional strategies and conceptual understanding.

What is writing? So asks Kiley Smith, a fifth grader with a voice all her own and a perspective worth sharing. Here’s why writing matters, by Kiley Smith.

In honor of Mother’s Day, here are some wonderful books to celebrate moms and their kids. Read some with your students and suggest some for them to read with their moms. Then, let them make their own Mom and Me picture books!

Earth Day is around the corner and is an excellent opportunity to dig into word roots! Here’s an example of how you can use Latin and Greek word roots to celebrate Earth Day while building students’ vocabulary.