Each September, at the end of our unit on the five senses, my team has “Apple Day” where we use apples to help investigate our five senses. I love science and STEM, so I’d like to do something in those areas. I usually have students investigate if apples sink or float, but I’d like to change things up this year. Any ideas?

My new school is looking for ways that related arts (music, art, and PE) can integrate math into their lessons easily. Any ideas or research that you’ve found that helps this work? We are doing this Kinder through 5th grade.

Stories don’t just live in books—they live in us. In this episode, we explore how movement and storytelling come together to boost comprehension, engagement, and expression. No dance skills required—just imagination and a willingness to move. Check out my latest podcast on this: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2019640/episodes/18003242

How could dancing a story bring literacy to life in your classroom?

Do you use Science Notebooks with your students? I have used composition notebooks for years with my kindergarten students for science notebooks and have dabbled a little in using digital science notebooks. I am curious to know how you have used them and what you think is important to include in them.

What are strategies you use to keep advanced 1st graders challenged that don’t require another teacher or teaching assistant?

Innovative instructional strategies:
What are some of your favorite instructional strategies?
One of my absolute favorite strategies for reading fluency - and even oral language development - is utilizing silly voices! I have created over 200 voices for educators and families to use! Teachers and families can take advantage of early literacy reader's theater scripts and implement repeated readings using a variety of these voices. It is SO much (more) fun to read or speak in a silly voice!
Voices provide skill development in prosody, inflection, word attack, and so much more!
Check out these FREE resources at: https://www.ginapepin.com/apps-1/teaching-resources