In our house, reading time often includes classical music, mismatched teacups from Goodwill, and a few sticky fingers reaching for pretend sugar cubes. It’s our version of calm: a cozy tea time that also happens to double as reading practice. No worries if a cup breaks — we thrift them just for this. Recently, I […]

Let’s be real: elementary teachers are basically unicorns in sneakers. We juggle glitter glue explosions, phonics, fractions, and that one kid who insists on calling you “Mom.” Every. Single. Day. So when someone mentions trying something new, like Genius Hour, it might feel like one more plate to spin (or one more Pinterest board to […]

Have you ever witnessed your preschooler’s eyes light up with excitement when they stumble upon something they’re truly curious about? Their natural sense of wonder is a powerful tool waiting to be harnessed in their educational journey. But how can we, as homeschool families, turn that curiosity into meaningful learning experiences? The answer lies in […]

Morning basket planning can be exhausting especially during the winter. With so many subjects and activities to find, looking for resources for your family’s next morning basket theme is not always at the top of the priority list. As a homeschool mama, with twin preschoolers and a kindergartner, planning morning basket time is something I […]

Brainstorming a Project Based Learning unit idea is a challenge for most new PBL facilitators. There are many ways to come up with PBL unit ideas that both tie-in standards rigorously and engage students in a topic that is of interest to them. Seasonal PBL unit ideas can be a great source of inspiration. Whether […]

With a family of 3 kiddos 5 and under, homeschool learning stations in Preschool and Kindergarten have become a must. My homeschooled Kindergartner and my twin Preschoolers love station time and I love the organization that lets me spend the week helping each one individually throughout the day. Below are just 6 tips and tricks […]

What is the difference between PBL and STEAM? As elementary schools all over the world push for their teachers to implement Project Based Learning, there have been some hiccups.  As an online instructional coach, a PBL instructor of over 8 years, and a member of several PBL social media groups, I have noticed a major […]

People often wonder, is Youtube an effective learning tool for my classroom? In today’s classroom, Youtube can be a valuable resource for instructional strategies, lesson resources, and so much more.  The Project Based Learning classroom can utilize many of the traditional YouTubers to help support their PBL units. Here are just a few Youtube channels […]

How can Project Based Learning be effective in teaching Social Studies?  It is no secret that with the push for strong ELA and STEM programs, Social Studies has become the neglected house plant of classroom subjects.  However, through some creative integration in our Project Based Learning units, we are able to shine some sunlight on […]

Morning Basket themes for Preschool and Kindergarten are a blast for our family. Whether it is choosing a topic that my kiddos know nothing about or using a student led interest approach when planning morning basket lessons, themed lessons, and unit studies bring so much joy to our family. Below are some of our favorite […]