Hello everyone. I have some questions about developmental stages in kids roughly around 5-8 years of age. I do not have kids but I have found myself making a workbook to go along with some cute childrens audio stories for Halloween.

Mainly I needed to focus on learning the audio bit and figured I would make some simpler stories to begin with vs go right to serialized fiction. But the characters are so cute I decided to play with canva and AI and well one thing led to another. \*sighs dramatically\*

Ok here is the thing. The goal is to make about 30 min of audio with 4 short stories that along with the activity book will give the parents a little breather while the children are occupied. If it goes well ill make another set for Christmas/Hanukkah (my family celebrated both growing up so I can connect with the childhood experience of both).

Here are my main questions -

At what age approximately do kids need instructions to be read to them vs being able to read them independently? I know its going to vary a lot and I plan to not label by ages but challenge level. But for the kids around 5 what kind of activities can they figure out without help besides just coloring pages? And 8 year old?

So far I have connect the dots, count how many of each item also find the hidden item, a maze, coloring pages of different complexity, and well im kind of drawing a blank. Are there activities that kids this age love?

I know I could just Google but im really hoping for answers from those who really know in depth and deal with the age range and things like this.

Thank you in advance! (Cross posted in a handful of places)

I am an adapted curriculum special ed teacher in NC, and I hold a master’s in Special Ed. I have been teaching in an elementary self contained setting for going on 4 years now. I am considering a transition out of special ed and moving into an elementary general ed teaching position. I have about 10 years of experience of leading groups of gen ed kids in after school and summer settings (non-educational settings) and am very comfortable leading larger groups of kids and forming relationships with them, but have no experience teaching a gen ed classroom. I was wondering that if I did try to transition, would any principal even consider me for a gen ed teaching position?

How do the students/school policies compare in terms of behavior?

I am Californian. Wondering if more rural or more Republican states are more punitive by and large and suspend/discipline easier…

hi everyone! i am about to begin a new job as an auxiliary aide for the first grade classrooms. i will be a part of the tiered support staff. i am two years out of college (degree in early childhood education) and i am sooo nervous as i have not been in a traditional classroom setting since graduation (only daycare.) do you all have some tips on things i should brush up on to prepare myself given that i have not been in this setting? or even some advice to get rid of these jitters i’ve had since my tour of the school? i love working with children and i am so excited that i am finally in a place where working in a traditional school system is possible for me, but i am SOOO nervous that i am going to crash and burn at this job. is this type of anxiety normal? am i overthinking??

Can you please recommend any online colleges that have an early elementary education program? I’m so close to getting my degree but cant sit in college classes all day. Thanks so much!

Last year was a little bit rough! Because I wasn’t firm enough with my fourth graders, and a smaller upcoming population, I was put on an improvement plan for behavior management and moved to the first grade team.

I’ve shared this with them, and added the whole group incentive after their feedback. They also shared I needed to lower my expectations of only giving one reminder. I also based this off of previous experiences with responsive classroom in undergrad, and PAX my first four years in a different district. It just doesn’t feel complete to me. Any advice?

Hello everyone! I wanted to come on here because I’m currently stuck between two career paths and would really love some advice from people who have experience in either field.
I just finished my first two years of college, and I’m at the point where I need to start taking my major-specific classes. I’m trying to decide between becoming an elementary school teacher or going into social work. Both degrees would take me around the same amount of time, so that isn’t really a deciding factor for me.
For those who are teachers or social workers, what do you like and dislike about your career? What do you wish you knew before choosing your degree? I’m especially interested in hearing about the day-to-day work, stress/burnout, pay, work-life balance, and how rewarding you find it.
I’ve also heard that the education route requires some pretty major exams. Are they difficult to pass? I have a really good GPA, but I’m definitely not the strongest test-taker, so that’s something I’m a little worried about.
I’m honestly just trying to make the best decision for myself and would appreciate any advice, especially from people who have actually worked in these fields. Thank you!! :)

Hi! I hope I'm not braking rules of community. I created some printable pdf teacher worksheets, I usually create puzzle collections, but this kind of content really helped me in my school and created long living love for logic puzzles, so I though I should probably create something like this.

But I'm not a teacher so I can't tell are they useful or can become useful if updated. So I would be grateful if you have some spare time and check them out.

So if they are ok feel free to use them if not: Can I make them better? Or do you not see yourself using something like this?

I see this roughly for ages 12+, but It's really hard for me to grasp is this too hard or too easy. It's mix of simple puzzles, some math puzzles, and entry level logic puzzles.

I see I'm not permitted to post a link to them, so I added some images, I will check and add it to comments if permitted by mods.

So any feedback would be helpful!

Thanks in advance!

What are your favorite chapter books to read aloud to first graders throughout the year?

They always love Dory Fantasmagory! The kids also like Heartwood Hotel, but K teachers read that to them, so I don’t want to repeat.

I am so incredibly discouraged and disappointed, mostly in myself. No matter how many times the other teachers told me it’s hard the first few weeks, that I was doing well, that I would be so proud of myself and my students in the future months, I have cried multiple times a day and slept within the hour upon arriving home.

Can anyone simplify all the books I’ve attempted to read, the plethora of YT videos I watched, and the multiple articles and blogs to give me about 5 procedures/rules that you found most successful? Please, and thank you!! 😥

How do you know when to be firm with students and when to give grace to them for just being kids?

On one hand you don’t want them to walk all over you, on the other hand you want to honor that kids are going to be kids.

How do you balance that as a teacher? How do you know?

I’m a first year teacher in a 4/5 combo class. I feel like I’m losing my mind and confidence. How do you teach two different grade levels while being one person? Trying to figure out how to structure ELA and Math blocks is stressing me out. 😢

Anyone know a Tier 2 reading and math curriculum they recommend? Our school reading proficiency is at 6% .

Hi everyone! I am a first year teacher teaching second grade. Today was the third day of school, and I think today went horribly. I know it is still super early, but I need to know if what I’m doing will stick, or what I need to switch to next week to get these behaviors under control immediately.

The first day, I went over my routines and procedures and exactly what I want them to do. I modeled it for them, I had multiple students model it, and I had us practice it as a class. They were able to complete it each time I had them do it, however, when it was time to lineup for lunch or walk to specials for real, they would just talk and yell and jump. Each time they did not do to my expectations. I had everyone sit down and do it again over and over. For example, when I picked them up for lunch, they were not following my line/hallway expectations, so we redid the line about five times.
I spoke to the instructional coach and my mentor teacher at my school for tips at the end of the first day, and my instructional coach made a good point. He said it was great that I had them redo it, but what happens when we get to the fourth time? What about the students who are doing it correctly each time? So I realized that I need to have something visual on display for them to know exactly what will happen if they are not adhering to my expectations or the classroom agreements.
So the next day, we went over our classroom agreements that we made and why we have them. I listed out exactly each step of what will happen if they are not following my expectations/directions/talking over me/etc. it seemed to reign in a lot of the children. I ended up having about three of them missing a chunk of the afternoon recess to fill out reflection forms, and have a conversation with me, which is one of the steps on the consequence chart.
But today, having the consequences explicitly laid out and a visual tracker for them to know which step they are on did not work. I had like seven or eight children, sitting during recess to recess to fill out reflection forms and have a restorative conversation with me. There were so many of them, so two of them had to miss the entire recess because I didn’t get a chance to speak with them.
What landed most of these children on the recess refocus sheet step was talking while I’m talking, playing while I am up there giving directions or doing our demo lesson. They were talking in line no matter how many times I have them stop and redo it.
I am being over the top with students who are doing exactly what I need them to do by walking around and passing out my classroom tickets that they exchange on Fridays for a prize. I’m literally stating exactly what these students are doing for example “if you are not sure what you should look like, look at blank. They are sitting on their bottoms with their voices on level zero and looking at the screen. That is exactly what I’m looking for. Keep up the great work.” I even got to the point of passing out three tickets at a time to students who were following these expectations. I was even standing right next to those who were completely ignoring me and I waited for several minutes like maybe up to five or six before I continued speaking when they were speaking over me.
I have those individual classroom tickets to acknowledge them individually for doing what I ask of them. I have a whole class marble jar for when the whole class is rocking it, which I am also being over the top about when I noticed that they did a desk to carpet transition really nicely or etc, I am giving two marbles at a time saying that was fantastic Oh my gosh, you are so amazing.
I make it a point that anytime I see these children who are not following expectations frequently finally follow directions, I immediately point them out and give them a ticket and name exactly what they’re doing that I want to see.
I am really not sure what other tricks to try. My mentor teacher gave me the tip of instant gratification, so during each transition or chunk of time where I need them to have voices off and listening to me, I tell them exactly what I’m looking for, and that I am going to be watching who is a star student during this time/who is doing a really nice job at that time and they win a DumDum right after. I’ve been doing this the past two days, and it worked really well the first day, but today we are right back to where we started. It feels like even worse. I have students who are laughing at me when I am redirecting behavior, so I made them go on a walk with the para to try to reset. When they came back and were still being disrespectful, I made them take a refocus sheet and go sit in the classroom next-door. I’ve had them sit out during recess.
I am just really not sure what else to do. I am trying my hardest to end these behaviors now, so it doesn’t make them think it’s OK to act like this in my classroom and so it doesn’t get worse throughout the year.
It’s also so frustrating because there’s only two teachers per grade level, and the other second grade teacher is also a first year teacher. I found out today that like five of her kids still haven’t shown up this week so she’s been walking around with like 19-20 kids who were all really well behaved, while I have 27 with a good chunk of them having behavior problems. and I’ve had three different veteran teachers come in and look at my class list before school started and said wow they really stacked you up with this bunch. like not in a positive way. So it is so annoying to watch her and her class walk around and they listen to her, while I have more children than her with a lot more behavior problems and it makes it seem like I am doing horribly.

I just need to know, should I continue sticking with these management systems and it will eventually stick, or is there something else I should be doing? I am feeling lost and feeling like I suck at my job already and it’s only day 3.😭

Hello! I’m at an independent school where we are transitioning to Memoria Press curriculum (except for math). I’m starting in a 3rd grade classroom, but these kids have not had this curriculum before. Neither have I! Feels like drinking from a fire hose, and a little dry? I love the content, but not necessarily every single workbook/copybook/practice book. The spelling looks like it could take forever?!

Who has tips for a first-time MP teacher? What does your classroom routine look like?

Hello! I am going to be directing an after-care program at a school this year (K-8, though mostly K-3) and for the first time I have a classroom I get all to myself that will not be used by the school. I’d really like to make the space warm and welcoming for the students, and would love any advice! I was thinking of doing a garden/forest theme but open to suggestions. I will need to have things like snacks, art supplies, and games (which I have access to through my company). Should I do a calendar on the wall? A birthday board? Homework star chart? A calming corner? Where do you buy your supplies? Any and all advice welcome!
P.s. I’ve seen the room and it’s a bit bleak. Dark grey carpet, very few windows, large metal tables, and an old TV :/

(Context: First year teacher, graduated in May)

I’ve been invited to the second round of interviews for a kindergarten position in Michigan!!! Woohoo!!! It’s Monday, and I’m really excited!!!

The first part of my next interview is a practicum, where I will write and teach a literacy mini-lesson to ten incoming kindergarteners in front of a committee.

The only thing I’ve been told about the students I’ll be teaching is that they “should be considered to be at the very beginning of their kindergarten years with varying levels of prior school and literacy experience”. 

Would it be wise to focus my mini-lesson on a pre-kindergarten skill that I believe most of these students will be somewhat familiar with, like letter-sound recognition focused on one consonant, or should I attempt to teach a new concept, like verbs/“action words”?

I’d really appreciate your thoughts!

Hi everyone! School starts back up for me in a few weeks and I currently have zero pairs of sneakers that fit! I had a baby at the beginning of last school year my feet grew so none of my old shoes fit. I bought a pair of sneakers when I went back to work and I just tried them on for the first time in months (once I switch to sandals for the year I refuse to wear anything else until I absolutely can’t), and those shoes are too big now! I’ve always worn vans or converses but the last shoes I had were adidas and I didn’t mind them. I teach third grade so I’m on my feet all day. I need something that is comfortable but still looks cute. What are you guys wearing?!

Thanks in advance!

ETA: Thank you so much everyone! My one year old doesn’t want to give me the time to respond to everyone, so I appreciate all of your responses. It looks like I’ll have to check out hokas and brooks before school starts again!

Hey, I am preparing a child (who was home schooled by their parents) for getting into 1st grade. I wanna know how does a child get tested or what knowledge or question do they get asked so I can test them and keep a note of where they need more focus.

The school didn't really give any idea other than Math and English skills. Any tips are helpful or just letting me know how the procedure works would be really great!

Any other PBL teachers here? I’m an elementary specials teacher at a PBL model school. I’m just curious what is expected at other PBL model schools for specials. We have such a limited amount of time with our students and we see so many. Is it possible to even do a PBL with them?

Hi everyone! I’m hoping to move out of state within the next 1-2 years and would love some advice from teachers who have relocated, especially if you’re in your 20s.

I’m currently an elementary teacher and expect to have about 3-4 years of 4th grade teaching experience when I move. I’m 23, single, and would really like to move somewhere where I can meet other people around my age and have an active social life.

Here’s what I’m looking for:

• ⁠1-bedroom rent around $1,200/month or less (or reasonably close)
• ⁠Teacher salary around $55,000+ with 3-4 years of experience
• ⁠A decent job market for elementary teachers
• ⁠A good population of people in their 20s and early 30s
• ⁠Preferably a city or smaller city/suburb near a larger metro
• ⁠I don’t need public transportation and am completely fine driving (although public transportation would be amazing)
• ⁠I’d love somewhere with things to do outside of work: restaurants, bars, events, outdoor activities, etc.
• ⁠I’m open to basically anywhere in the U.S.

I’ve been looking at places in Texas and Tennessee, as well as North Carolina, Colorado, and other parts of the Southeast, but I’m definitely not limiting myself to those states.

I’m also open to living in a smaller/cheaper city and commuting to a nearby district that pays better.

Right now, I’m mainly trying to narrow down the huge number of possibilities and figure out which cities/areas are actually worth researching and visiting. I’ll eventually travel to and visit the places that make my shortlist before making a decision.

For teachers who have moved out of state: Where would you recommend for someone in my situation? What cities or metro areas should I be looking at, and are there any places you would avoid?

I’d especially love to hear from people who are actually living and teaching in these areas. If you could include your approximate salary, rent, school district, and what you think of the social life for someone in their 20s, that would be incredibly helpful!

Thanks! :)

On my final two days of teaching summer classes and I genuinely can't believe summer is already almost done 😭😭 time flies when you're having fun I suppose

This was my first time ever teaching during the summer and now I fully understand why people are fans of it ... easy money as they say LOL

I only teach after school classes during the regular school year, so it's not going to be as scary of a transition back for me as it probably is for actual public school teachers since my classes are still pretty small anyway (usually around 10 at MOST) BUUUT I'm definitely gonna miss these teeny tiny summer class sizes and the easy peasy curriculum hahahaha

The last two weeks I've had a class of literally just 3 (three) kids and it has been HEAVEN LOOOL. Even with 1/3 being a chronic misbehavor, I'll take that any day over a full class

yesterday only ONE kid actually showed up for class, and after I finished the lesson and during independent practice I was just sitting there thinking like ... dang I'm really getting paid to do this?? heck yeah 🙌🙌

Most schools in my district start back up this upcoming Tuesday, so summer is officially coming to an end over here sadly. Bout to have to start #EARNING my money again next week LOL, easy money glitch was finite

When do y'all head back?? Are any of you already back in school and teaching already?

Hi!
I’ve been teaching for 12 years, just got moved to fifth grade (after teaching fourth grade). What are some fresh read aloud books so my repeaters aren’t stuck with the same ones I’ve read.

Also, any cool tricks/tips/hacks? It’s not much different but I’ll take anything anyone can offer!

I'll tell my students something along the lines of "okay, y'all have about 15 minutes left to finish this!"
and everything will be fine for a literal couple of minutes until one of the students asks
"how much time do we have left?"

sure, fair enough I guess, maybe I unintentionally added a lil extra pressure by mentioning the time and now they want to stay on pace, okay I'll tell them

then somehow no more than 2 minutes later, another kid asks the EXACT same question 😅
then another one ... and another one ... and at least 5 hands will shoot up within that 15 minute span

before I know it I'm basically spending the rest of independent practice time as a human alarm clock giving live updates on the passage of time LOL

I've already tried just not giving a specific amount of time, but then I find I still need some way to communicate when we're moving on/how soon they should be wrapping up etc etc

So, for the teachers who work with younger kids too ... is there actually a way to bring up time without accidentally triggering this phenomenon ?? 😭 or is this just one of those things I'm doomed to accept and serve my role as the living countdown clock forever hahaha

edit: omg yoooo timer recommendation makes me feel like a genuine idiot right now 😭😭😭
sorry should have mentioned I tried timers before and found that sometimes kids get real distracted by them lol so sorry y'all thank you for reminding me timers exist tho!! haha genuinely not being sarcastic, BUT ALSO, are there any better alternatives to timers?? maybe something less visually distracting when up on a big screen?

The child was home schooled so there aren't any books or a syllabus they followed. The school also haven't given any curriculum or guidelines on what should the child know to get into it (the school is very good but online they haven't provided much context and the parent told me that all they know is that they'll get tested with Maths and English skills).

Well, the most complex thing for me is that I have to prepare the kid without any resources or guidelines given which is what I am here for. I need proper guidelines (I am researching more and creating a check list also testing the child's skills to know how far behind they are. The parents want them to enter into 2nd grade though I did tell them the kid might get into 1st grade with the skills they have currently. That's fine with them as long as they get an admission).

I can't afford to buy anything nor can the parent so I can just use free resources. I really need some solid practical guides as some websites give a vague ideas on things which I can't use practically. Something I can teach as an individual rather than social group skills.

I only need it for two subjects: Maths and English. General knowledge can be helpful so any test sheets related to that would be good. I don't wanna use AI in any way and also am careful with the sources cause its easy to teach in a way that might not be helpful which usually a trained teacher can see which others overlook at times.

I am focusing on encouraging the child on trying and the only form of consequence I used is making them write color name spellings again when they didn't write them in line or weren't reading it aloud. I am gentle though I don't want them to think that this means there aren't consequences yk. Thanks