Fun Activities for Punctuation Practice
Hello there! Take a look around, and you'll see that punctuation is everywhere. Why is punctuation important? Without it, the reader will not know when to stop, pause, or give emphasis to certain parts of the text. Keep reading to find out how to teach punctuation to...
Kids’ Favorite Classroom Activities for Spring
With spring right around the corner, many teachers begin their hunt for the perfect springtime activities to keep students learning, engaged and having fun. Our team worked to compile a list of our favorite classroom activities for spring, to make this season bloom!...
Science of Reading Quick Wins for the Classroom
By now you have heard the words, "Science of Reading" (SoR) uttered a time or two. If you have ever asked yourself, "Just what is SoR, and what are some quick and easy ways to get it into practice in my classroom?", then you are in the right spot! Check out our top...
New and Fun ways to teach data & graphing
At Team Lucky Little Learners, we are always striving to do our best to assist teachers and make teaching easier and fun. One way we do this is through our facebook groups (more like PLC's). If you are new to the Lucky Little Learners universe, run and join the right...
Fun Ways to Teach the 4 Types of Sentences
Are you teaching types of sentences? Look no further than Lucky Little Learners! We have the resources you need to teach the four different types of sentences to your first and second grade students. Keep reading for anchor charts, hands-on activities and centers to...
Springtime Classroom Transformation
It's always a good time to plan a Springtime classroom transformation! Especially since Team Lucky Little Learners has the entire day planned out for you! We call this special day, Garden Day. This post will walk you through ways to make spring in the classroom a...
How to Teach Short Vowel Digraphs
Short vowel digraphs are a phonics skill that takes practice and exposure for students to master. Surely your students have come up with the question, "What's the difference between the words read and read? " The words look the same, but sound different given the...
Teaching Long Vowels
Your students are growing as readers and writers. Introducing long vowel rules and spelling patterns is a natural next step in their reading journey. Keep reading for lessons, activities, and tips to teach long vowels in the second grade classroom. What are long...
3 Secrets to Successful (and Efficient) Team Planning
If you ask teachers, "What's the one thing you'd LOVE to improve when it comes to team planning?" The answer you'll get nine times out of ten is - "More efficient use of time when planning!" Hey, we get it! There's nothing more frustrating than feeling like your team...
Tips for Teaching Inflectional Endings
Inflectional endings may sound like a complex concept, but it's as easy as adding a few letters to the end of the word. When inflectional endings are added to the end of a word, they change the meaning or quality of the word. Let's take a look at how to teach...
Teaching Kids About Consonant Blends and Digraphs
For young readers, blends and digraphs can trip them up while reading. What's up with that jumble of letters at the beginning of a word, anyway? In this post, we will take a closer look at consonant blends and digraphs, and how to teach them to second grade learners....
Quick and Easy Emergency Sub Plans
Coming down with a cold? Need to be out of the classroom for a few days? Even if your absence from the classroom is unexpected, you can still be prepared with a fun and engaging set of substitute teacher plans. Keep reading to find out how to set up a sub folder and...
Tips and Tricks for Teaching Short Vowels
Teaching short vowels is a fundamental early literacy skill that students will continue to build on in second grade. Keep reading for lessons, activities, and tips to teach short vowels in the second grade classroom. What are short vowels? The short vowel sound of...
Classroom Procedures: Managing Unfinished Work, Take Home Folders & Absent Students
Have any of these three scenarios ever happened to you? 👉 One of your little learners constantly does not finish work in class. You want to hold them accountable to teach that the work does need to be done, as it is clear they are capable of finishing. How can you...
Classroom Procedures: Organization Hacks
Most students get excited to go shopping for school supplies. They pick out their favorite color folders and choose the markers they think are just right. School supplies are FUN, but teachers have a school supply issue they must tackle. Where to keep it all? AND can...
Two’s Day Ideas & Activities
We have all heard of the 100th day of school, and maybe even celebrated it in the classroom. However, 2nd graders deserve a special day too! Introducing: Two's Day! The date for Two's Day could be February 2nd or 22nd (2/2 or 2/22). Just a little bonus if either of...
Busy Binders For the Classroom
Have you heard the buzz about "busy binders"? Even though most people may think of binders full of activities to keep little ones busy in the car, did you know busy binders are an amazing resource for the classroom as well? This post will take a look at ideas for what...
Classroom Procedures: Routines for Transition Times During the School Day
Has this ever happened to you? You teach a seemingly flawless lesson, students were engaged. You send them off to begin independent skill work only for the room to erupt in chaos! Transitions can be tricky to manage. This post will tackle those tough to manage times...
The Complete Valentine’s Day Party Plan for 1st & 2nd Grade Classrooms
It is that time of year again....Valentine's Day is right around the corner! To prepare you for this holiday, (and to take another load off your way too full plate), we have planned out your classroom Valentine's Day party for you, down to the decorations! If you used...
How to Make Personal Finance Standards Fun & Kid Friendly
Have you ever looked through your social studies personal finance standards and thought, "Blek! How can I get these kids engaged in learning about economics?!) We've all been there! But, our team has a solution! Unit 4 of our Lucky to Learn Math curriculum has several...
Classroom Procedures: Tips for Increasing Student Participation When Giving Directions
Getting and keeping student attention appears to become more difficult each year! Students are distracted by a wide array of things, so is there a way to get their attention, give clear directions and increase their participation?! We think so! This post will feature...
Tips & Tricks For a January Classroom Reset
The December classroom rush is done. Winter break is over. It is time for students to return to the classroom, and, you might find, time for a January reset. What is the purpose of this mid year reset? Sometimes, and maybe it has happened to you in previous years,...
Classroom Procedures: Lining Up & Walking in the Hallway
Learning how to behave IN the classroom is one thing. Learning the proper procedures when leaving the classroom and walking in the hallway is another story! Read on for tips & tricks for keeping students (and yourself) sane when outside of the classroom. Lining Up...
Science of Reading: Easy At Home Phonics Practice
The Science of Reading (SoR) is THE hot topic in literacy. SoR is not another one of those educational fads that will come in and out. It is years of extensive research that proves which pedagogical methods and practices are effective in teaching students to read. Now...
How to Teach Silent Letters
Do your students know how to read and write silent letter words? There's no doubt that your students will master this fascinating fact of the English Language with these silent letter teaching tips and highlights! This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. What is a...
Ideas for Handling Tattling in the Classroom
Tattling in the classroom is one of the most challenging behaviors to manage. It can be draining, distracting, and downright frustrating! Keep reading for creative and constructive ways to tame the tattling. Why Do Students Tattle? It is essential to create a...
Teaching Commas in 2nd Grade
I always get a chuckle out of the "Punctuation saves lives" memes and signs. They usually go something like this: Let's eat, Grandpa! Let's eat Grandpa. It may seem silly, but it is a great example of why proper use of commas in a sentence can make all the difference!...
Celebrate Winter With a SnowGlobe Classroom Transformation
If you are looking to create a memorable fun day for your students AND you want it completely planned out for you, then you are in the right spot! Read on for winter party ideas galore and to find out how to transform your classroom into a Snow Globe winter...
The Complete Winter Holiday Party Plan for 1st and 2nd Grade
A teacher has been on Pinterest sifting through Christmas party themes for hours, not finding anything easy or affordable to put together. Planning for and coming up with classroom party ideas can be stressful with a capital S! Luckily, team Lucky Little Learners is...
How to Teach an Explicit Phonics Lesson
New and experienced teachers alike are diving deep into explicit phonics instruction. According to one of our Lucky 2nd grade teachers, "I am learning that explicit phonics instruction is important but it's SO much - it's going to take me hours to plan and prepare -...
Teaching Diphthongs
There are few phonics words that will elicit more giggles in the classroom than diphthongs. But what exactly is a diphthong, and why is it important for students to learn? Keep reading for resources and strategies to teach this essential phonics skill. What are...
Teaching Math Through Science and Social Studies Themes
Have you ever looked at your scope and sequence across subjects and thought, "How will I ever have enough time to teach all this?!" With so much knowledge to share, it often seems like there aren't enough hours in the day to teach everything on the list. Our Lucky to...
Using Phonics Ladders in the Classroom
Looking for a new way to introduce or reinforce phonics skills in the classroom? Look no further than our Phonics Ladders. This activity will have students climbing their way to phonics success! What are Phonics Ladders? Also known as word chains or word ladders, they...
5 Collaborative Math Activities to Boost Number Sense
Are your students struggling to engage with math instruction? We've got activities and lessons to encourage math collaboration between students. When students work together to learn a new skill, they are more likely to engage in a lesson overall. Keep reading to find...
New Routines for Number Talks and Math Chats
Number talks, math chats, solve and share. No matter what you call it, this small part of daily math instruction can make a huge difference in students' critical thinking, communication skills, and overall math comprehension. Keep reading to find out some new ideas...
Graphic Organizers to Support Students With Reading Comprehension
2nd grade is a mixed bag when it comes to student reading fluency and comprehension skills. On one hand, you may have students reading and comprehending at or above grade level. On the other hand, there are students that need that extra push to read and comprehend on...
Strategies for a Talkative Class
Our Lucky Little Learners community is a special place. It's a forum where teachers from around the world gather to discuss best practices, look for advice and inspiration, shower praise on their students and colleagues, and sometimes - just vent. One of the most...
How To Create Custom Toothy Mats
Ready to turn student selfies into highly engaging skills practice? Use the Toothy Yourself filter on Facebook & Instagram to create fun and personal mats for your students. Then sit back and watch as the fun of drawing their own teeth gets your students excited...
4 Hispanic Heritage Month Activities For The Classroom
"...But when they see themselves represented, then they are told ... ‘You are important. You are authors. You are scientists. You are explorers. You are special. You are leaders. You are respected. You are the reason we are here.’" -John Leguizamo on the importance of...
Quick Guide to Understanding Reading Levels
With so many different types of reading assessments and leveling systems, it can be hard to keep track of which books are just right for your growing readers. Let's take a look at some of the reading level systems to get a better understanding of each, and how they...
Captivate Your Students During Whole Group Lessons With Toothy
Toothy is a fun way to review different skills across all subjects. It is especially fun to use Toothy as a whole group activity. With just a click of a button, students will be engaged and excited about practicing their math facts, digraphs, nouns, and more! Once you...
Morning Bin Ideas for 1st & 2nd Grade
Are you ready for a change to your morning routine? Discover the buzz about morning tubs, and give these morning bin ideas a try! Morning bins are a popular idea for preschool and kindergarten classrooms. Are you wondering how this routine could be successful in 1st...
The Perfect Routine to Jumpstart Explicit Phonics Lessons
Activating phonological awareness at the beginning of explicit phonics instruction is a SUPER important component of Science of Reading. But this is just 5 minutes out of the day.. What can teachers use that is quick, easy, and always engaging for kids? Read on to...
All About Lucky to Learn Math: 2nd Grade Math Curriculum
Have you heard the word? Team Lucky Little Learners has a new resource, our Lucky to Learn Math curriculum. This post will focus on the most frequently asked questions about Lucky to Learn Math, as well as, walk you through all that is included. Plus, you will find...
11 Patriot Day Books for the Elementary Classroom
On Patriot Day, we honor and remember the people who lost their lives in the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. We also honor the first responders who risked their lives to help others on that day and beyond. This collection of picture book...
Informational Writing Types, Prompts and Projects for 1st & 2nd Grade
We are in an age of endless information. Teaching students how to identify key details in all the swirling information presented to them is no easy task! With practice, learners will be able to use facts, definitions, and examples in their own writing. Let's inform...
Beginning of the Year Writing Mini Lessons
Are you sitting there thinking, "how do I even begin with writing?" For years writing instruction felt like a weakness for me. Maybe it feels like that for you too. If so, let's fix that! In this post, we're talking about simple writing mini lessons that get your...
Level Up Your Reading Instruction With a Digital Sound Wall
If you would have told me a few years ago that a global pandemic would fundamentally change the way I teach my students I would have laughed. Teaching is teaching, right? I would say - kind of. If those challenging months of distance learning taught me anything it's...
Spiral ELA Review Routine Ideas
A great way to review skills is to have them spiral throughout the school year. Team Lucky Little Learners has the perfect resource for this, our Spiral ELA Review. Read on for the why and how on using this resource. Benefits of using Spiral ELA Review As teachers we...
13 Clever Class Gifts
As teachers, we give students the gift of our time and creativity daily. Gifts from the heart are the greatest of all. But sometimes, a little something extra to celebrate or show appreciation for your students and fellow teachers can go a long way! Check out these...
