Pieces of Pedagogy

SO excited to add this favorite to my game collection at school! I LOVE incorporating games into our routine as much as possible- morning choice, game-based review for testing, indoor recess, etc.! Not only is it just plain fun, but it also reinforces all kinds of social skills. Win! 🙌

Thanks so much to , who donated this game to us! 🥰

Are you a game nerd like me?! Let me know your favorite!

Be still, my heart! 😍

This book is absolutely beautiful, joyous, and inspiring. Encouraging and hopeful, it’s truly filled with all the wishes I have for each of my precious students. ✨

I can’t wait to read it on our last day together... which is ONLY 25 days away! 😱

Thanks for my copy, @

Few things could make me happier on this very last day of 2020 than my sweet puppy, my favorite heating blanket, and a good book. 🥰

What makes your heart smile?? OH- and if you’re looking for a new read, this hilarious, historical rom-com from Martha Waters is a good one to turn to. ✨Thanks for the recommendation, ! 😘

Merry Christmas! 🎄 It’s a beautiful day and the perfect time to remember that Christmas doesn’t come from a store... 🙌

I’m hoping you’re surrounded by family, laughter, and fun today!

Shoutout to for her adorable graphic from ! ✨

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas...” ❄️🎵
.. and the house is a complete wreck, the laundry isn’t done (is it ever?), and I haven’t cooked all week- but this cute little guy is done! 🥰🦌

Are you on break yet?! What has it looked like so far?

WOO-HOO for the LAST school day of 2020! Whew. We made it, friends. 🎉

Oh my goodness- SO much GOOD in here! If you’re looking for some math strategies to increase student engagement, definitely check this blog post out! Thanks so much for compiling all of these genius ideas, ! 😊 So thankful to be a small part of it!

Crazy, right?! But in these last few days before Christmas break, I think it’s important to remember. You don’t have to watch movies all day... kiddos LOVE learning in a fun way. 🎉 My favorite tactic?? Task cards with fun games! Students solve a couple task cards and then get to play! Super simple, super effective, and super FUN! 😏🙌

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PS- sincerely wish there was more of THIS all over the news and social media today and in the coming days. 🙏

Today we learned about with so many fun activities! Students read a passage, watched an adorable Pixar short, completed a color-by-number multiplication sugar skull, and- of course- tried some delicious ! We also used the fabulous book by , which was an awesome kick-off, introductory tool. 🙌

I’d never done a Day of the Dead transformation before, but I LOVED it and am definitely adding this one to my annual list! 🎉

Did you do Day of the Dead activities today??

I love seeing all the amazing ideas you implemented for Halloween! That activity, that engagement, that excitement MEANS something... it means learning and joy! 🙌

Way to go, friends!! 😊

I got some inspiration from this weekend and we had our own little “Freaky Fruit” investigation today!

Students observed four different freaky-looking fruits, made predictions about taste, and talked about the special features and adaptations the fruits have. Then, of course they got to try them out! 🤪 Students then explained what their favorite and least favorite fruits were, using specific details. Aside from cutting these weirdo fruits for 18 kids, it was a blast! 😂

Our featured freaky fruits included: dragon fruit, kiwano melon, kumquat, and rambutan. 😋

5:48 PM
Fuzzy slippers
Fall candle
New book...

This is a after being on vacation all week and going back today. 😂 Whew, I’m thankful I got to see my kiddos today, but I’m definitely more thankful it’s now the weekend and I get a few days to recover! 🙌

What does your Friday night look like?? Are you lounging or are you out and about? 🌙

P.S.- my current read is by and it is IMPOSSIBLE to put down!! 😱

Have you noticed it? Which one do you see most often? What can we do to prevent them?

5:48 PM
Fuzzy slippers
Fall candle
New book...

This is a after being on vacation all week and going back today. 😂 Whew, I’m thankful I got to see my kiddos today, but I’m definitely more thankful it’s now the weekend and I get a few days to recover! 🙌

What does your Friday night look like?? Are you lounging or are you out and about? 🌙

P.S.- my current read is by and it is IMPOSSIBLE to put down!! 😱

Layovers aren’t my favorite. But a cozy cardigan, my favorite coffee, and a NEW season to binge make it a little bit better. 😂🙌

Have y’all watched Schitt’s Creek yet?! I LOVED seasons 1-5, so I can’t wait to get started on this one!

P.S.- these headphones are truly life-changing. They’re all I want to use now! You can use code PIECES15 to save 15% on your own pair!

“Life with you makes perfect sense; you’re my best friend.” ❤️

IT’S OCTOBER!!

Who cares, you ask?? ME!

Why, you ask?? BECAUSE, CANDY CORN! 😂

My husband and I have a serious candy corn addiction. Like, it’s bad. Really bad. So we limit ourselves to only enjoying it from October 1-31 every year. It sucks the other 11 months, but it makes this one OH SO SWEET! 🎃

Are you for or against candy corn?? I feel like people are always really passionate about this. 😂

Hey, you!! Yes, YOU!!

You are brilliant, worthy, loved, cherished, talented, and amazing!

Put simply, you ROCK! 🌟

IT’S OCTOBER!!

Who cares, you ask? ME!

Why, you ask? BECAUSE, CANDY CORN! 😂

My husband and I have a serious candy corn addiction. It’s bad. Really bad. So we limit ourselves to only enjoying it from October 1-31 every year. It sucks the other 11 months, but it makes this one OH SO SWEET! 🎃

Are you for or against candy corn?? I feel like people are always really passionate about it. 😂

Whew, a weekend filled with Girls’ Night with , Alabama Football, and almost-fall weather?! Does it get any better than this?? 🥰

I hope your weekend has been filled with all kinds of joy! 💛 Let me know what you’ve been up to!

We ROCKED out this week in third grade! Our day was SO much fun, but I am definitely thankful the weekend is HERE! 🙌

I’m even more thankful it’s a FOOTBALL WEEKEND! Woo-hoo! 🎉 Are you guys as excited for some college football as I am?! 🏈

I LOVE this quote from the conference. Teaching is SO much more than getting through a certain curriculum. It’s more than checking the boxes. We have the wonderful opportunity to make a huge difference every single day! It’s not always all about the lesson plan. 😘💛

I mean, of course when we read about pita bread I’m going to go snag some! My husband’s friend owns a Mediterranean restaurant down the road from us and was sweet enough to make some stuffed grape leaves and pita bread for my kiddos to try!

My students were SO excited to connect our text with the world and wanted to hear all about the family who own the restaurant and how they got here! 😊

I love connecting text to our world, and I love it even more when it involves food. 😂I think my kiddos would agree!!

Ok, I have a confession...

I had never before used base 10 blocks to teach addition/subtraction. 😱🤦🏻‍♀️

Crazy, right?! I know it’s a great visual and it’s hands-on and all kinds of good things, but being a 4th and 5th grade teacher I just kind of skipped over it.

NOT THIS YEAR!! 😂 We’ve used these blocks almost exclusively for about two weeks. 😉 They have made a HUGE difference in my students’ understanding not only of addition/subtraction, but of place value, too! 🙌 I’m sold!!

Are you a fan of place value blocks, too??

Save your money and GO SHOPPING ON US! 💰🛒 We’re so excited to be able to help one special teacher clear their wishlist at TPT’s Back to School EXTRA Bonus Sale!

All you have to do is:
❤️ Like this photo.
🧡 Tell us the subject/topic you need more resources for in the comments.
💛 Head to and follow the directions on the post.
💚 Follow and everyone is following.

Bonus entries:
💙 Tag more teacher friends in the comments - each new comment counts as an additional entry!
💜 Repost this image on your story or your feed and tag

💕 This giveaway closes Monday, September 14th at 9 PM EST. The winner will be contacted via DM shortly after. 🥳

❤️This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or associated with Instagram. This giveaway is open worldwide. Good luck everyone!

Don’t you just LOVE this quote?! 🙌

Our students need time to imagine, build, problem-solve, and PLAY. Here are some super simple ways to incorporate time for that in your day:
- brain breaks/recess
- projects in place of tests (even just sometimes)
- creative writing
- acting out scenes in a recent read
- using play doh to model
- opportunities to sing/dance (transitions are a good place to do this!)
- STEM projects
- hosting a weekly “genius hour”
- art/free draw time
- improv! (we take turns telling a sentence of a story in our morning meeting)

And SO much more! What is your favorite way to incorporate imagination into your day? 🧠💪

Rock Your School Day is coming up in just TWO short weeks! 🎸 On September 24, I’m planning to rock out with my students in a (COVID-safe) ENGAGING way! I’ll keep you updated on all my plans, but for now you can click the link in my bio to grab some resources for your special day! The great news is, I have a digital breakout that will work for your students whether they are digital or in-person! 🤩

In the meantime, I’m over here planning the day while rocking out to my favorite rock ‘n’ roll songs on my new headphones. Y’all, these headphones are AMAZING! I mean, I’m in my own little world jamming to Journey in these bad boys. I’m bumpin’ to the Beatles; I’m singing with Skynyrd; I’m dancing to Def Leppard, I’m...

Ok, I’m done now. 😂 Grab resources for in my bio. Get these amazing headphones for 15% off using the code PIECES15. And keep rocking, friends! 🌟

Find JOY today, friends! 💛
.. and eat chocolate. 😂