As educators and parents, we know how powerful playful, hands-on learning experiences can be. In my Grade 1 classroom, these experiences support the Saskatchewan Mathematics curriculum outcomes, especially in the Shape and Space strand. When young children explore three-dimensional (3-D) shapes with their hands — touching, building, sorting — they
Marian Small reminds us that number sense is at the heart of mathematical understanding. She states it’s more than just knowing how to count or memorize facts — it’s about thinking flexibly about numbers, recognizing patterns, and choosing strategies that make sense. When our students develop number sense, they begin
Science in a primary classroom should be curious, hands-on, and full of wonder—not filled with worksheets. When I shifted the way I approached teaching life science in my Grade 1 and 2 classroom, I discovered that my students became more engaged, more thoughtful, and more connected to the world around
For a long time, I struggled to find the right way to teach Science, Social Studies, and Health in my busy Grade 1 classroom. The solution for me were Discussion Slides! Like many primary teachers, my focus was often pulled toward literacy and numeracy. These subject areas felt harder to
If you’re curious about playful learning but not sure how to get started, you’re not alone. One of the best ways to ease into this approach is by setting up simple, purposeful learning invitations. These open-ended, hands-on spaces invite exploration, curiosity, and meaningful learning—without needing a complete classroom overhaul. In
If you’re a primary teacher who wants to include more playful learning in your classroom but feels unsure or even a little fearful—you’re not alone. Many of us were not trained with this approach.. We were taught to have children busy at their desks, completing booklets and worksheets. But what
I love setting up a playful classroom. This school year brings a new adventure: I’ve moved into a new school, and I’ll be teaching a Grade 1/2 combination class. My journey with playful learning began in Kindergarten, grew deeper in Grade 1, and now continues in this multi-age setting. The
In our Grade 1 classroom, we’ve been diving into the world of Mo Willems for an author study. His stories have sparked laughter, curiosity, and wonderful conversations—and they’ve become a powerful tool for my growing readers and writers. This author study has focused on three of his incredible book series:🟣
As the school year comes to a close, I find myself doing two things at once—celebrating the growth I’ve seen in my students and beginning to dream about the year ahead. June is a beautiful mix of finishing off the current year and then reflecting and planning for the next
Here are a couple of my favouite “don’t books” to use near the start of the school year.
I share teaching tips, strategies, lesson experiences and classroom snapshots to support your 3 to 6 year old learners.