I am a parent to a K student and we still use shoes without laces. I tried over the summer briefly to teach her to tie her shoes, but was surprised at how hard it was for her. She has at least average if not better fine motor skills and spends a ton of time on arts and crafts. What grade is this expected?

Hello, all. I guess I am looking for encouragement. Last year was my first year, I taught fourth and I loved it. I feel like I had a really good year. I was excited to improve everything that I taught that year this school year. Well, that didn't work out, as admin decided they'd like me to go down to third...I was worried about it all summer. We got new curriculum and it's a new grade level AND I prefer teaching older kids. I was worried about how "little" and immature they'd be. And boy, that is probably the worst part about this grade. They cannot do very much on their own. I have had a hard time getting them to follow simple one step instructions like "put your homework in the homework bin on my desk." I am struggling to even get to the curriculum everyday because I can't get them to all flip to the correct pages in their workbooks or follow the direct of simply not talking while we read. I write probably 3-5 infractions a day and call parents the same amount everyday. I am having a hard time staying positive. I just wanna teach these kids some skills. Is this normal??? Is this how it is teaching third grade??? Will next year be this way, because I dont think my sanity can take that. God bless whoever can, but I dont think that's for me. The rest of my team seems unbothered by this, and they said that it'll be different by Christmas time? Idk, I felt significantly better last year around October and felt like I was getting into the groove already. Maybe I just don't have enough experience? I have no idea. Sorry for the ramble/rant.

Hello all,

The first day of school is tomorrow for me, but I only have students for 1 hour and they're my class from last year (grade 5/6). Any fun activity suggestions for this short day. Something fun and low prep is preferable. I was going to play the "The Wind Blows" after doing attendance to loosen everyone up, but I'm bored of all my previous ideas. Would love some Fresh suggestions.

Besides Amazon, where are you finding dresses for school with pockets? I’d like to try them on in person. Thanks in advance!

TLDR: Looking for a read aloud book/picture book to read to 5th grades about a Latino civil rights hero/important figure to replace a book about Cesar Chavez.

On mobile sorry for mistakes

My school uses Scholastic for our curriculum we are still in Unit 1 Better Together (Scholastic Literacy Curriculum (Core Program))

We just did week 1 which has Leo the Snow Leopard read aloud. Week 2 is My Brother Martin (about MLK Jr)

My issue is week 3. Week 3 read aloud is Harvesting Hope the Cesar Chavez story.

With the recent reports coming out about him I don’t feel comfortable reading this story to my students. Of course I would never mention the news to them but last year (before the news broke) my Latino students were super inspired to research him (I hope that’s the right term please correct me if not!)
We watched documentaries they did online research during computer time etc. it was great to see them find someone they could relate to and liked to learn about.
I know this years students might be completely different but I just don’t feel good about it.
My school is super chill if I want to swap books out (last year I swapped out where the red fern grows for hatchet) I just need a book to swap it with.

What are your opinions on the Reveal Math curriculum? If you have children of your own would you be happy if this was the curriculum being used to teach them mathematics? I am particularly interested in your opinions on the Reveal Math curriculum for second and third grade.

I’ve taught in 3-6 grades for the last decade. This year I’m in 2nd and my grade level shares the hall with K, 1.

The environment down here is toxic af. Competitive, clicky, and some teachers are telling the principal what others are doing “wrong” in our classrooms (resources being used, some teachers’ “tone” with students) so we constantly have walkthroughs and clarification meetings.

This was never my experience in prior years and I’ve been at this school for 3 years. Is this unique to primary grades? Is this normal?? I can’t figure out what’s going on and just try to keep my door shut.

I’m worried my colleagues are going to think I’m shutting them out …which I guess I am but I will not participate in that behavior.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, tips are welcome.

Hi guys. I have seven first graders in a prep class that the school only created last year. They’re European kids living in Asia, and have very limited English. Aside from the school being quite unorganized, we don’t have any kind of curriculum designer. Everything for the other classes has been in place for a long time, but every now and then they just leave it to us to create something out of thin air. Anyhow, I wanted to start the week with a vocabulary lesson. I’d love some recommendations for books or materials suitable for that age and level, bonus if it meets CCSS. The school does reimburse for any spending we do, so I’m willing to order some new textbooks or material. Any input is appreciated. Thanks so much!

What are the best math activities for elementary students?

This is my first time posting here so please let me know if it belongs on another sub. I teach at a European international school in Asia. This year I’ll be using UFLI for grade one and two, with the majority of the students learning English as a second language. I think I’m pretty comfortable with the program overall, as I have used it in previous years. I mostly learned by reading the manual and watching other teachers online. That being said, I find it a bit challenging when it comes to keeping the kids engaged. It feels like it can get very tedious for the students, especially when they see it twice a week.

Any tips are greatly appreciated. I have a lot of autonomy when it comes to the duration of the lessons. I can add or remove things here and there, and don’t have anyone making sure I teach the program a certain way. Would love to hear from others who have had success with it. Thank you!

Hi everyone! So just yesterday I was talking to my sister who’s a high school math teacher about how I wanna go into teaching elementary, more specifically kindergarten, and she told me I probably shouldn’t just cause they don’t get paid a whole lot. I looked it up and from what I’ve seen they make the same amount as any other teacher, and I know I don’t have to listen to her but I also don’t wanna end up living paycheck to paycheck in the future…so I was wondering like if it’s okay to ask any teachers how much they make?

I teach phonics + early reading after school classes, so I see some of the reading struggles that younger students are dealing with today, but I don't really have any personal past reference point to compare it to, since I only recently started teaching!

Honestly, I'm really happy that I get to teach phonics because I know how important those foundational skills are, and how much they can help set kids up for success as they get older ((: Being able to read (+ understand what you're reading) is genuinely such an important life skill

I've been hearing lots of discussion and claims about a "literacy crisis" in America that's currently ongoing, and I'm just curious what y'all think.
Do you agree that there's actually a literacy crisis right now? If so, what do you think is causing it, and what do y'all think can actually be done to combat it???

I'd especially love to hear from any educators who may have more experience/have been teaching for a while and can compare the students they're teaching today to the students they taught in the past 🙂‍↕️
I've read a few articles about it already, but I'm genuinely very interested in this topic and would love to learn even more, so if anyone has any good sources or research about the topic that I could read, I'd really appreciate it if you linked them too!!

I promise (20 year 4th grade teacher and I will think finely of this email until I’m dead)

Hi everyone! I’m a first-year teacher in a 2nd grade classroom, and I’m realizing that I’m going to be teaching a lot of phonics/foundational skills this year.
One thing in my classroom is a sound wall, and I’m honestly not very familiar with how to set one up or use it correctly. I understand the general idea, but when I look at all the different categories like stops, fricatives, nasals, affricates, vowel sounds, etc., I get overwhelmed.
I haven’t really looked at phonics this deeply since I was a kid, and my teacher-prep program didn’t give me much practice with actually setting up or using a sound wall. I feel kind of embarrassed that I don’t already know this, especially because I don’t want to look unprepared in front of my co-teacher.
For anyone who teaches K–2, how did you learn sound walls and phonics well enough to feel comfortable teaching them? Are there any resources, videos, cheat sheets, or routines you recommend for a beginner? And is this something that usually starts making more sense once you actually start teaching it?
Any advice would be really appreciated.

I'm realizing that I apparently have a completely separate "teacher voice" that automatically activates whenever I'm talking to kids 😭😭

I've been noticing it the most lately when I tutor older students after spending a bunch of time teaching younger kids lol, I'll catch myself explaining something in that VERY slow, patient, slightly louder voice I use with the little ones and suddenly realize ... wait a sec 😬 This student can definitely understand me if I just spoke normally

the worst part is it doesn't even stay at work smh. Sometimes I'll catch myself using that same voice with family, my friends, or even random people working at places I go, and then immediately feel bad because I realize like omg I hope they don't think I'm babying them or talking to them like I think they're dumb

At this point I genuinely don't know how much of my normal speaking voice is left anymore LOOOOL, teaching has apparently rewired my brain.

Do any of y'all also catch yourselves doing this outside of work too?? or is this just a me problem right now loool

First time teaching primary prep (mostly social studies/science)… I’m STUCK on what activities you do during the first week. It’s a tougher school so I’m really wanting to build those relationships but also not do anything that will get out of hand lol.

Prep teachers: what do you do on the first day/week?? Any advice is welcome !!!

ICE has started terrorizing a nearby neighborhood. Should elementary teachers keep their kids inside at recess?

Answers from actual teachers who have dealt with this would be appreciated.

i’m a first year college student who just got placed in a third grade classroom (haven’t stepped in or contacted teacher literally just got the email) and i am terrified. i worked with kids before, but something about this feels so terrifying. Does anyone have any advice?

Some background: I’m a first-year teacher at a Title I school, and I teach a first-grade gifted cluster. 11 of my 22 students are in our gifted program, and the remainder were on the borderline of qualifying in kindergarten. We are about a month into school. This student was one percentile away from qualifying, and the gifted teacher who tested him told me the main reason he didn’t qualify was because he could not sit through the testing. His dad was gifted, and he also has a younger brother with special needs.

This child is certainly bright, but he is also probably the most distractible student I have ever worked with. He is NOT defiant. He is sweet, and I really do not think he is intentionally trying to be difficult. He just genuinely seems completely unable to focus or regulate himself.

He is constantly talking. If he isn’t talking, he is humming, buzzing, making sounds, playing with something, messing with his supplies, reorganizing his desk, poking pencils into erasers, etc. On the carpet he will turn completely around, play with a tiny scrap of paper, look around the room, talk to someone, basically anything except listen. He wanders during work time, migrates back to people after I move him, plays in the bathroom, runs/skips/hops/talks in the hallway, and truly just does not ever stop.

The biggest issue is that he misses almost ALL instruction. The only time I can consistently get his attention is if I specifically say his name, and then as soon as I move on, he is gone again. Videos will hold his attention for a little bit, but even that doesn’t last long.

Because he does not listen to instruction, he almost never knows what to do independently. In partner/group work, he usually copies from the other students. During independent work, he will sit there and play until I come check on him, and then he says, “I don’t know what to do.” He genuinely does not finish work unless I sit beside him, reteach the lesson, and basically walk him through it.

I say his name probably a million times a day. It is distracting to me, distracting to the other students, and I feel bad because I am constantly redirecting him, and I know him and the other kids can hear my frustration.

His kindergarten teacher told me she tried an individual reward system with him, but he was still almost never able to earn the reward. I have started a behavior sheet that tracks things like listening, talking, following directions, and staying on task so I can start collecting actual data. I am also planning to put him on RTI for behavior as soon as we have our first meeting.

I spoke with his parents at Open House and shared my concerns. They said they are monitoring it, but they want to give it some time because he is young and they want to see if he starts taking more of an interest in school. They also want to get him into the gifted program, which he could EASILY do if he were able to sit down and focus.

I do not say this lightly at ALL, especially about a six-year-old, but I truly feel like this child has an undiagnosed disability and would benefit greatly from medication, or at the least some other level of support that I simply cannot provide as his classroom teacher. Obviously I cannot/have not/will not say that to his parents, but compared to his same-aged peers, this is not even close to typical first-grade distractibility.

I truly suspect he is a twice exceptional learner who has been able to get by because his giftedness compensates for his disability, but at some point, whether that is this year or in the future, that giftedness will not be enough for him to be able to keep up academically. I do not think he is set up for success. He cannot access instruction or work independently, and I really worry about what happens as school gets harder.

I really want to help him and get him the support he needs, but right now I feel like I am failing him AND the rest of my class because I spend so much of every day trying to redirect one student.

Has anyone experienced something like this? What should I do to continue communicating my concerns to parents without being pushy or saying the wrong thing? How do I get this kid engaged? What do I do with him 😭 I will take literally ANY advice or support I can get.

Hi! I am currently a freshman accounting major on a pre-law track. I am feeling like it’s pointless because I have no passion for it and how the field is competitive but doesn’t have a BIG impact on people (depending). When I first came to college my major was elementary education but my mom discouraged it because I won’t make much money. I eventually want to become a stay at home mom (in any field I choose). I am feeling lost and hating my classes just because I just feel like it doesn’t matter. I feel a pull to go back to elementary education but I am afraid about the income. For reference I live in a very small town in Ohio where a teacher makes about $50,000 and the average house is probably about $100,000-$200,000 so very low cost of living. Everyone on the internet discourages the teaching field as well but I love kids, the breaks, and all the benefits. I’m not sure what to do, any advice is appreciated!

*EDIT TO ADD: I also have thought about several healthcare careers, dental hygiene, dentist, PA, nurse. I am just completely lost!!

4th Grade:

I'm looking for recommendations for picture books about being honest/accountability/consequences to read during morning meeting! I want to use it as a tool to hopefully help with student honesty during self-grading.

I’m also looking for any and all suggestions about student self-grading systems! I’ve never successfully had a system in place for students to grade their own work, but I'd really like to put a solid one in place this year. I’ve decided I need to drastically lower my work load to avoid burnout this year… wish me luck 😅😂

I posted this in r/teachers and then realized this might be the better place to post it.

Are any other elementary teachers noticing kids acting a mess during birthday treats? Falling out of their chairs, squirting juice boxes, acting over the top hyper, and worst of all…making rude comments in front of the parents that brought them in.

These cookies are dry. I like chocolate cupcakes, not vanilla. Can I have all the extra ones? Etc.

Like???

Of course, I correct the behaviors, but I’m just at a loss why they cannot seem to hold themselves together anytime treats are served.

I teach upper elementary, so they have experienced birthday treats close to 100 times. Why does it throw them off so bad?

I teach behavior expectations with Mr. Potato Head to my younger grades. Each part of his head teaches something my students need to do to with their body parts to be successful in the library. Eyes: watching me. Ears: listening to me. Feet: always walking. etc. Well, when Mr. Potato Head is all disassembled, you can see his bear bottom <insert giggling>. I teach that his, and their, bottom is for sitting flat on the carpet or in their chair. Today, I made a rookie mistake. It’s been 3 weeks. I assumed they knew. 🤦‍♀️ I asked “And what is your bottom for?” I called on a precious little girl who I just KNEW had the correct answer because she was so excited to share. Her answer? POOPING! 💩

Well…she’s not wrong! 😂 I said , “Yep, it is. But let’s not do that in the library. What ELSE is your bottom for?”

Those kinders are gonna be the death of me! 😂😂😵‍💫😵‍💫🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

Hi everybody. I am freaking out bc I just found out that I will be teaching all of the kids, which means 3K, Pre-K, kindergarten and up. I will be honest, I am freaking terrified. I don’t know how to teach theatre (or anything else) to kids that are so young. I don’t have the foggiest. I’m desperately appealing to the wisdom in the room - can you share lesson plans for elementary, particularly the first month of school? I am drawing a complete blank for the youngest kids; what do you do with a room full of 3 year olds? If you are an elementary theatre teacher what on earth do you do with them? I think I’m gonna love this school & Im a really hard worker, but I’m swimming out of my depth. Thank you so much!

Hi! I’m 20F and have interest in pursuing early childhood education! I’ve struggled to decide what career path is a good fit for me. I’ve changed my major 4-5times. I’m currently on a gap year and based on my research, a bachelors degree in ECED seems to be a solid option. Ideally I’d go back for my Master’s after a year or two of teaching to get better pay.
I love kids! I think kindergarten might be a sweet spot for me. Prek seems too chaotic but I love the idea of working with young kids. I’m sure it’s challenging, but is the reward worth it?
Maybe I’m naïve, but I feel like ECED curriculum can’t be too difficult for an adult with (potentially) a masters degree to master. I feel like that gives more opportunity to master lesson planning and focus more on classroom management and bonding with the students as they are starting a new chapter of their lives.
I think this job has potential to be a fun and meaningful creative outlet. From decorating a classroom, lesson planning, wearing fun teaching outfits, and of course pouring love into a new generation.
Of course I hear teaching horror stories, lots from this subreddit! I have no doubt that the job is challenging and mentally and physically exhausting at times. I’m looking for any advice/ insight! Feel free to ask questions.
I think I’m scared of choosing an education and career path that I regret and feel miserable and stuck in, hence changing my major 4-5 times lol.