If you’re looking for a way to present poetry in the classroom, free-verse poems are a great place to start. Unlike standard poetry, you’ll find that free-verse poem examples break rules and don’t have to rhyme or follow any specific meter. Since themes of nature, love, and life are often represented, free-verse poems provide plenty of opportunities to teach students how to analyze poetry. Check out our list of the best free-verse poems for the classroom below! (Note: Every classroom is different, so please be sure to review these poems before sharing them with students to ensure they align with…

You want students to read, but students aren’t interested in cracking a spine. The fix: book talks. A book talk is a sales pitch for a book. They sell students on a character, plot, or theme and encourage them to pick up a new title or check out a new author. Here’s everything you need to know about this fun strategy. What is a book talk? A book talk is a short presentation about a book that focuses on convincing others to read it. It’s not a formal book report or review. And it’s more persuasive than expository—think sales and…

Learning new words is like adding to your writing toolbox. The more tools available, the more interesting and engaging your writing becomes. Check out these fun and engaging vocabulary activities for kids in grades K-12, and supply your students with the tools they need to build their wordsmith skills. Lucky Little Learners 1. Write vocabulary stories Using vocabulary words in writing shows mastery. Challenge your students to use all of their vocabulary words in an original short story. Allow students to pair up and share their stories with a partner. Learn more: Vocab Short Story  2. Put your students in…

Ikea has something for everyone, and teachers are no exception! Does your classroom need a refresh? You can use Ikea items as they were intended or take inspiration from amazing Ikea hacks. Get organized and set up the play area or reading nook of your students’ dreams. Get your hands on an affordable toy kitchen, then use it as-is or transform it into a vet clinic! Create a LEGO table from a few base plates and an affordable side table from Ikea. Use an Ikea storage unit or shelf to display books, then add some cute egg chairs or tiny…

Dear We Are Teachers, I’ve put off getting a dog throughout college and my first few years of teaching because I wanted to wait until I could provide it with a happy life. I do live alone and have a 30-minute commute to school. But now that I’m financially stable, have summers off, have a more manageable schedule, and live in an apartment with a dog run, I think I could be a great dog owner. I paid a deposit to get an English springer spaniel puppy just as school is letting out so I’ll have time to train her.…

There was a time when Americans didn’t fully appreciate the game of soccer, but those days are over. Soccer is the world’s most popular sport for a reason. One of the best things about soccer is that all you really need to get better is a ball! In order to succeed, players need good footwork, passing, dribbling, and shooting skills. Teams also need to have good communication. Get your touches in with our favorite soccer drills to improve your young athletes’ game! Soccer Passing Drills 1. Pass and Move This drill encourages the oh-so important skill of moving after you…

One of my current favorite YouTube rabbit holes has been watching videos of high school students from the 1990s and early 2000s. There’s a lot of nostalgia there as someone who lived my formative young adult years during that time. But there is something else that I see when I look at these videos. Check out this one from June 1998, which has nearly a million views. The students in the ’90s video seem very different from students of today: They are more confident and open. They seem more relaxed. There is significantly less tension. People are actually smiling in these videos—I don’t see nearly…

Whether you’re a basketball coach, P.E. teacher, or parent of a budding player, having a set of basketball drills at your fingertips is a must. Good drills fine-tune the basketball fundamentals of dribbling, passing, and shooting. While most people are familiar with the classics like Horse and Knockout, they certainly aren’t the only drills to add to your rotation. In addition to perfecting your players’ shooting or dribbling technique, you’ll also want to work on teamwork and communication. Check out our list of the best basketball drills to try today. They’re equal parts fun and skill-building! Basketball Shooting Drills 1.…

Fifth grade art students are starting to master more advanced skills and techniques, and the work they create is really something to be proud of. These project ideas will expose them to new artists and concepts and help them find the creative artist within! In Art We Trust 1. Illustrate your name This is a perfect project to kick off the school year. Kids illustrate their names with items that fit their style and personality. It will help you get to know them and assess their art skills at the same time. Learn more: Fifth Grade Name Illustrations Elements of…

Dear We Are Teachers, I’m leaving my 3rd grade position at the end of the year on good terms with my principal and school. My principal asked if I’d be willing to sit in as part of a panel for interviews for my replacement. I said yes at first, thinking it might be helpful for me to provide feedback on the position. But the more I think about it, I don’t really know what I could contribute. Other teachers at our school and my partner teacher will all be on the panel and can provide any relevant information. Will it look…