SamoEd Adventures

Getting a great photo of Elsa can be tricky, especially when you have a dog full of energy. I recently tried the DIY wrapping paper photoshoot with Elsa and her sister. It was not as easy as it looked. However, the results were totally worth the effort! Here is how I turned our energetic dogs into the star of the joyful holiday and some recommendations on how you can do the same at home.

Creating meaningful gifts that combine creativity and learning can be a challenge, especially for students aiming to impress their parents during the holiday season. One engaging project that meets this goal is designing a personalized calendar featuring original poems and illustrations for each month. This idea not only upgrades the typical calendar assignment but also encourages students to practice writing skills, express their creativity, and produce a heartfelt present t

One of my fondest childhood memories is making ornaments during the holidays. Inspired by that nostalgia, I wanted to create something special for my dog, Elsa, and decided to start a new tradition: making a personalized dog ornament each year. It’s simple, fun, and captures a little piece of your pet’s personality. I used a clear ornament, decorated it with Sharpie markers, and filled it with a bit of Elsa’s fluffy fur.

When I introduced the cultural appreciation unit in language arts, I wanted more than just a typical assignment. I aimed to create a project in which students could actively explore their own cultural backgrounds, connect with their heritage, and express what culture means to them. The results were inspiring. Through research, note-taking, and creative expression, students not only learned about their cultures but also developed strong explanatory writing skills.

When I first introduced Building Thinking Classroom strategies in math, I noticed a clear boost in student engagement and collaboration. What surprised me the most was when my students wanted to apply these same strategies in science. After completing our 5th-grade science lesson on gravity, we extended our learning with a challenge similar to an egg drop. We named it the Save the Duck Challenge while considering air resistance.

This year in Southern California, we have been fortunate with great weather. However, Elsa and I were eagerly anticipating the arrival of the first winter rain. Elsa loves frolicking in the snow, but rain brings a relaxing side to her. She loves taking in the fresh scent while also gazing out the window. Today's narrative explores Elsa's initial refusal to wear a raincoat and her eventual delight in discovering the joy of splashing around in puddles.

Switching to student-led conferences has positively transformed the flow of my parent conferences. Over the past two years, I found the switch to student-led conferences to be more meaningful, efficient, and enjoyable for all. Instead of the usual teacher-led discussions, students take the lead by reflecting on their learning, preparing slides, and setting goals. This shift not only speeds up the flow of conferences in an efficient way, but also encourages the students to tak

hen the weather keeps us stuck inside for indoor recess, it can be a challenge to find activities that burn off their energy. As a teacher, I’ve found that a simple ping pong set is one of the best rainy-day must-haves.