The Core Coaches

Classroom Shout-Outs

We all know that students react far better to positive reinforcement than negative interactions. With this in mind, I created SHOUT-OUTS as a way to acknowledge the positive behavior and academic achievements of the students in my classroom. When my students are cheering each other on, it … [Read More...] about Classroom Shout-Outs

Why is Morning Meeting Magical?

Morning meeting is an engaging way to start each day and an easy way to build a strong classroom community. Teachers and students sit in a circle for an organized start-of-day activity. A morning meeting consists of 5 components: message, greeting, reading, sharing, and an activity. Preferably, … [Read More...] about Why is Morning Meeting Magical?

5 Interactive Read-Alouds for Building Character

5 Upper-grade read-aloud stories with a focus on building character in the classroom! Our first bundle of upper grade read aloud lesson plans strategically align with book titles to help students build character while also focusing on ELA standards. We've selected five stories that are … [Read More...] about 5 Interactive Read-Alouds for Building Character

Student Led Morning Meeting

Do you teach morning meeting in your classroom? A morning meeting consists of 5 components: message, greeting, reading, sharing, and activity. It's a time set aside to have conversations with the class that you otherwise wouldn't have time for. It also allows for a time in the day … [Read More...] about Student Led Morning Meeting

Peanut Butter and Cupcake Interactive Read-Aloud about Building Friendship

Peanut Butter and Cupcake interactive read-aloud and lesson plans about building friendship. Peanut Butter and Cupcake is a great book for building classroom community at the beginning of the year. I chose it because it has a simple plot that is easy to for kids to comprehend and practice … [Read More...] about Peanut Butter and Cupcake Interactive Read-Aloud about Building Friendship

K-1 Read-alouds for Back to School

Books to Build Classroom Community These lesson plans and activities are perfect for the beginning of the school year. We are thrilled to introduce our new line of read-alouds. We have enjoyed using interactive read-alouds in our classrooms so much, we decided to extend our read-aloud … [Read More...] about K-1 Read-alouds for Back to School

6 Must-Read Back to School Read-Alouds to Build Classroom Community

6 Back-to-School Read-Alouds that Build Classroom Community These lesson plans will get your class discussing friendship, bullying, manners, kindness, self-assurance, perseverance, and growth mindset at the beginning of the year. We chose our first set of books for our read-aloud mini-lessons … [Read More...] about 6 Must-Read Back to School Read-Alouds to Build Classroom Community

Discussion Strategies and Accountable Talk in the Classroom

Discussion Strategies that Increase Student Engagement Expressive and receptive language skills are arguably some of the most important skills that students will need in the real world. Every relationship and job requires strong communication skills involving speaking and listening, however, we … [Read More...] about Discussion Strategies and Accountable Talk in the Classroom

Morning Greetings: Hug, Handshake, High-Five, or Fistbump

Morning Greeting Morning Greetings: Hug, Handshake, High-Five, Wave, or Fistbump A great way to build classroom community When I was a classroom teacher, I moved from Utah to Virginia. In our first back to school meeting my new principal asked all teachers to greet students at the … [Read More...] about Morning Greetings: Hug, Handshake, High-Five, or Fistbump

5 Upper-grade read-aloud stories with a focus on building character in the classroom! Our first bundle of upper grade read aloud lesson plans strategically align with book titles to help … [Read More...] about 5 Interactive Read-Alouds for Building Character

Student Led Morning Meeting

Peanut Butter and Cupcake Interactive Read-Aloud about Building Friendship

Peanut Butter and Cupcake interactive read-aloud and lesson plans about building friendship. Peanut Butter and Cupcake is a great book for building classroom community at the beginning of the … [Read More...] about Peanut Butter and Cupcake Interactive Read-Aloud about Building Friendship

K-1 Read-alouds for Back to School

Books to Build Classroom Community These lesson plans and activities are perfect for the beginning of the school year. We are thrilled to introduce our new line of read-alouds. We have enjoyed … [Read More...] about K-1 Read-alouds for Back to School

6 Must-Read Back to School Read-Alouds to Build Classroom Community

6 Back-to-School Read-Alouds that Build Classroom Community These lesson plans will get your class discussing friendship, bullying, manners, kindness, self-assurance, perseverance, and growth mindset … [Read More...] about 6 Must-Read Back to School Read-Alouds to Build Classroom Community

Discussion Strategies and Accountable Talk in the Classroom

Discussion Strategies that Increase Student Engagement Expressive and receptive language skills are arguably some of the most important skills that students will need in the real world. Every … [Read More...] about Discussion Strategies and Accountable Talk in the Classroom

Morning Greetings: Hug, Handshake, High-Five, or Fistbump

Morning Greeting Morning Greetings: Hug, Handshake, High-Five, Wave, or Fistbump A great way to build classroom community When I was a classroom teacher, I moved from Utah to Virginia. In … [Read More...] about Morning Greetings: Hug, Handshake, High-Five, or Fistbump