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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Winter break is over, and it’s time for students to return—and maybe for a January classroom reset. After the break, routines often need a refresh. This post shares tips for resetting while keeping the winter fun alive! This post contains Amazon Affiliate links....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
If you are looking for winter party ideas for your class 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 wonderland! Get This...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Our Lucky Little Learners community is a special place where teachers from around the world gather to discuss best practices and share advice and inspiration. One of the most popular topics that comes up year after year is how to manage a talkative class. How can you...
“…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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Have you heard the word? Team Lucky Little Learners has a 2nd grade math curriculum called Lucky to Learn Math! Think EVERYTHING you need to effectively teach your math block all year long! Learn all about why this curriculum is different than others and get answers...
On Patriot’s 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...
Overwhelmed about starting writing instruction? You’re not alone. I felt the same too, especially when writing seemed like my weak spot. But once I tried using mini lessons that were simple and purposeful, everything changed. Let me share some of my favorite writing...
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...
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. What is Spiral ELA? Check out this video below for...
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...
Have you heard the amazing news?! Team Lucky Little Learners has been working hard on creating a full year math curriculum! This 2nd grade math curriculum, called Lucky to Learn Math, is standards-based, engaging and easy to teach! This post will serve as a...
Teaching 2nd grade writing is SO rewarding because you get to see great writers emerge throughout the year. At the beginning of the year, you’re going to find that your students are all over the ability map. Some may still be mastering letter formation while...
If you’ve been in any PD lately you’ve heard the term “explicit instruction” thrown around a lot. With the big push for Science of Reading (SOR)-aligned curriculum explicit instruction is getting a lot of buzz lately. For good reason, too. It’s an...
Knock, Knock! Who’s there? Teachers. Teachers who? Teachers who use jokes in the classroom to up student engagement! Now that you are done rolling on the floor with laughter, you can focus on this post on humor in the classroom. How can teachers use a joke of...
Wise teachers know this saying to be true – “You only get one first day of school.” Luckily, we’ve sourced some of the best first day of school activities from experienced and enthusiastic teachers across the country. Make the first day of the...
If you’re a new teacher and you’re staring at those blank bulletin boards thinking, “What in the world do I put on these??” Don’t stress. Bulletin boards are all about what is helpful for you and your students. They can serve as academic...
The average teacher spends close to 1,500 hours in the classroom each year. With so much time spent here, the classroom should be a place you and your students can all enjoy! An organized classroom brings a sense of calm, purpose, and efficiency to the everyday...
Have you ever gotten the itch? Almost every school year, whether it is the beginning of the year, or the mid year I need a change now season, I get the itch to switch up my classroom desk or table arrangement. Like me, most teachers have a blast decorating their...
Your second grade students have been singing their ABCs since they were toddlers. Now that they are growing readers and writers, teaching ABC order is an important literacy and life skill. Did you know that when kids can alphabetize words, they not only improve...
The English language is filled with some delightful sounding words. Melody. Precipitation. Choreography. Surprise – these words originated from other languages! Many of the words in our contemporary English language are influenced by centuries of oral and...
Here’s the thing about classroom bulletin boards… some people LOVE making them and some totally despise them. I’ve always been a bit of a mixture. Putting them up is fun but taking them down is something I have to force myself to do. No matter what...
If you’re reading this while thinking, “How do I even begin planning for 1st or 2nd grade?” or “What I did last year didn’t work and I need to try out something new!” this is the post for you! Let’s start by going over the...
Hey teacher friends! It is time for our next installment in our grammar blog post series. This post focuses on multiple meaning words: What are they? Why teach them? How to teach them? Read on for tips, tricks and resources that will help cement this skill with your...
Believe it or not, the beginning of the school year is right around the corner! The start of the school year is the prime time to cement routines, procedures and foundational academic skills. This post dives into the top 5 beginning of the year skills for 2nd grade,...
Are you looking for a unique, memorable activity for your 2nd grade class? Look no further than this list of must-do 2nd grade events and activities! The teachers in our amazing Lucky 2nd Grade Teachers Facebook Group shared their favorite, student-friendly events and...
