Tame the Classroom Management BLOB
Welcome back precious teacher friend. Since Halloween is right around the corner, I wanted to talk about something scary, something spooky, something that can be
My Secret Weapon for Nurturing Student Connections
Welcome back my joyful friend. I am so thankful to have you here. I’m just so glad I’m able to be here. If you could
My Secret Weapon to Supercharge Family Connections
Well hi there, my joyful friend. Welcome to the Joyful in Primary community. My name is Toni, and it is my passion and purpose to
Three Gifts I Appreciate Because of the 2022 Flood
Oh my dear sweet friend, I am more joyful than ever to be here in front of this mic speaking to the most incredible teachers
Hack Your Student Hallway Behavior
Well, hi there, and welcome, my joyful teacher friend. Welcome to this week’s topic of hallway behavior. I hope your work isn’t too crazy right
Summer-in-Sight Series: Perseverance
Yay, you’re here for the very bittersweet ending to a very fun series. Hi there, my joyful teacher friend, Toni here. And I’m so glad
Goodies to Fill Your Teacher Easter Basket!
Every year, the Easter bunny dyes and paints eggs, wraps chocolates, and makes all that other Easter candy (I’m lookin’ at you, Peeps and jelly
Summer-in-Sight Series: Passion
Hello there, joyful teacher. Welcome to part two, all about finding and growing your teacher passion. I sincerely believe from the very bottom of my
Summer-in-Sight Series: Purpose
Yay, it is our first official week with our brand new name over on the podcast: Joyful in Primary Podcast. And as I explained in
Embrace These Three Positive Teacher Traits
Well, hello there sweet teacher. Rise and shine, and welcome to another week on the blog. What an honor it is to have you, one
How I DUMPED My PRIZE BOX
Well, hello there, sunshine. I really want to begin this episode by saying this is a no judgment, no negativity zone. We are talking about
Need a Classroom Mute Button?
Well, hello there, my beautiful friend, and welcome back. The reason that you’re here is how to mute your class. Wow, doesn’t that sound dreamy,
When You HATE Your Curriculum
Well, hello there, my dear, sweet teacher friend. And welcome back! I took a quick breather there to make sure Joyful Teacher Academy started as
Introducing… Joyful Teacher Academy!!
Hey there, sweet teacher! I am terribly excited for today’s post way more than I should be. So if I sound a little crazy, just
Burnout Buster Series Part 3: Growth
Welcome back for part three of our burnout buster series! Today, we’re going to use growth to fuel up our jet engines. But first, I
Burnout Buster Series Part 2: Find Your Why
Welcome back my beautiful, wonderful, amazing, incredible teacher friend. Hey, Toni here. So glad to be back with you for part two of our burnout
Burnout Buster Series Part 1: Anchor Thoughts
Well hi there, my beautiful sweet teacher friend. I was gone for just a bit, but I feel rested, relaxed and so ready to pep
Close the TABS in Your Teacher Browser
Hello, sunshine. It is so good to be back with you, dear teacher friend. Right now we are in one of the most hectic times
Spelling Word Practice Students BEG FOR
Well, hi there sweet sunshine. It is 4:00 AM, I have my strongest brew of coffee, but I’m smiling this morning and grateful to be
How to Unlock Seamless Classroom Transitions
Well, hey there, teacher bestie. I am extremely excited to share with you some of my seamless transitions secrets today so that you too can
Be a Tiny Human Tamer
Well howdy there, sunshine. How are you? I’m so excited about today’s topic. It’s just a fun, uplifting thought and something that brings me joy,
My Untold Joyful Teacher Secrets
Hello beautiful, smart, intelligent and wonderful teacher friend. I hope this episode finds you well. I can’t lie. I’m pretty nervous and really excited about
Routine Their Way to Mastery
Well, hello there sunshine! It’s your teacher bestie friend here, Toni. Today, I am going to share some real teacher struggle that I’ve had in
My 2-Step Process to Tackle Teacher Overwhelm
Well, hey there sweet, beautiful teacher. Being a teacher can be super hectic and overwhelming, especially for some reason, in these end of the year,
Halloween Classroom Management, Learning, and FUN
Well hello sunshine! Today we are talking about how to keep our students engaged and on their very best behavior during Halloween. I love Halloween
Classroom Management With a Music Box
Hello, darlin’, and welcome. I’m so happy that you are here. This is a topic I’m excited to talk about. Because man has it made
Free Halloween NO-PREP Activities for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade
Are you looking for fun, NO-PREP and free Halloween Activities for your Kindergarten, First or Second Grade Classroom? Find the free printables your Halloween-loving students
Tidy Classroom Tips
Hello, sunshine! Today’s topic is an area of classroom management that I spend a lot of time and focus on because it is so powerful
Student Loved Sight-Word Strategies
Oh, those long notorious sight word lists. Do they make you nervous? Me too sometimes, but we teachers know that teaching the sight words is
Do Your Students CHEER for Sentence Writing?
Well, hi there, sweet teacher! I’m excited to be a part of your thinking space. Thank you for inviting me in. I really have something
Nurturing Parent Partnerships
Welcome my talented, wonderful teacher friend to part two of our Building and Nurturing Parent Partnership series. If you have landed on this part first,
Building Parent Partnerships
Do you want to know the real secret to a super successful, absolutely epic school year? Well, it’s not perfect lesson planning or perfect activities
5 Clever Ways to Simplify Your Classroom Management
Hello, hello, hello there beautiful teacher friend! I have so much fun with you here, and if you know me classroom management is so fun
My Heart’s Letter to Primary Teachers
Well hi there, teacher friend! If you’re reading in real time it’s back to reality very soon. Our summer slipped right through our fingers, friend,
The Go-Getters Guide to Teaching the Alphabet: Engagement
Well hey there, primary teacher/difference maker/go-getter. Yes, that is right, my friend. I know what kind of teacher you are, because you’re here in this
The Go-Getters Guide to Teaching the Alphabet: Assessment
Well, hi there sweet teacher! I hope if you are listening in real time, you are fully engaged and enjoying your summer break. Girl, you
The Go-Getters Guide to Teaching the Alphabet: Mindset
Well hello there, sunshine! Welcome to another learning series. Today we are jumping right into one of my FAVORITE things to teach, and that is
The Ultimate Guide to SIMPLE Class Rules
Check out this VLOG that corresponds with this content. So, I’m literally psycho about classroom management strategies. As you may have read in some of
How to Create Your BEST SUMMER Ever
Yay, summer break is here. Can I get a hip hip hooray for all of us teachers who survived the craziest year in education ever!
Core Beliefs of the Most Effective Primary Teachers
Hey there, sweet friend. Today, I want to talk about you. I know you so well, because I think about you all the time. Here
Finish With Joy!
Hello, my joyful, awesome, talented, amazing, wonderful, passionate and impactful teacher friend. Whoa, that was a mouthful. How are you? It is so good to
3 Ways to Make Sure Parents Love You
Well, hi there sweet teacher! If you’ve been with me for any amount of time, you know that bringing teachers joy that will help them
End of the Year Teacher Prayer
Hey there, sweet teacher friend! Welcome to a unique week on the blog. Whether you are religious or not, the positive thinking and affirmations that
3 Sure-Fire Ways to Improve Students’ Pride in Their Work
Hey there, wonderful teacher! Has anyone told you today how incredible you are? If not, please give me the honor. You’re doing a fantastic job,
Word Blending Strategies for Struggling Learners
Every year about this time, many teachers ask for advice about the skill of word blending. I’ve also worked with students who have deficiencies in
Spring Classroom Management Cleanup
Teacher, I have waited so long to use the word SPRING!! It’s finally here. Can we throw some confetti?!? We’ve made it through winter, and
Undeniable Signs It’s Time to Quit Teaching
Let me be real with you. Today’s topic is one that isn’t easy for me to deliver. You know that normal Toni is totally encouraging
Getting Smart with SIGHT WORD Intervention
If you’re tuning in as this releases, it’s about the time of year when we have to get real about sight word identification problems we’re
5 Tips for Giving Bad News to Parents
Hi there, Teacher! I’m Toni, and my goal is to help teachers like you be more joyful in your career so you can have your
Sound Hacks to Skyrocket Classroom Management
I have said it before, and I will say it again and again and again: classroom management will either make or break your career as
How to Love Hard-to-Love Students
With Valentine’s Day this month, it’s a great time to talk about love. If you ask any teacher you know if they love their students,
No-Prep Valentine’s Day Literacy Activities
Our kiddos love Valentine’s Day, so let’s hack that enthusiasm! Our primary students’ hearts are so eager for any kind of theme. Themes make learning
Find Your Teacher Cheerleaders
As teachers, we widely feel unsupported. Why are we doing this? Why do we put ourselves through this? We feel that teaching is a very
The Power of Pacing
In the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, did you know there was an exercise room in the bears’ house? Oh yes, and guess
Consistency: The #1 Thing Struggling Readers Need
Hey there, teacher! I’m so excited for today’s topic, because literacy is my THING. Today we’re going to talk about the kiddos who are struggling
3 Teacher Bad Habits to Bust in 2021
Hey there, teacher friend! Welcome to a brand new year! Instead of giving you even more goals to add to the ones you’ve maybe already
5 Ways to Make Your Morning Meeting Epic
I’m so glad to get to share my excitement about morning meetings with you. My friend, Susan Matthews, was kind enough to join us on
Reset Your Primary Classroom for January
Teacher, are you ready for some rest over Christmas break? I know I am! This year hasn’t been as physically demanding as most years, but
The One Word Your Students Crave: Their Name!
Did you know there’s one word that all of your students crave hearing? This one word is so powerful that it has the ability to
How to (Actually) Teach During the Holidays
I hope this week’s post (or PODCAST episode) finds you, like me, napping after a turkey dinner and enjoying a much needed Thanksgiving break with
Gratitude in your Teaching Life – Grow it and Show It
Teacher, I am thankful for you. I don’t want you to read that sentence quickly. Hear each word in your head and feel it in
Dear Tired Teacher
Teacher, I see you in the back row with one hand covering half your downturned face. You’re struggling, exhausted, and wondering how you can keep
26 Virtual Field Trips to Bring the World to Your Students
Teacher, would you like a way to mix things up for your primary classroom? One aspect of learning that students are missing out on this
Self-Care for the Primary Teacher’s Soul
Teacher, you’re in the business of taking care of little people. You’re diligent to meet their needs and make sure they are in the best
Secret Sauce for Phonological Awareness: Learning Style
Post Promise: Literacy is vital to our students’ success, and phonological awareness is crucial to mastery of this skill. Today, I’ll share one big reason
3 Joy-Killing Classroom Management Mistakes
I want teachers to love what they do, because if teachers love what they do, children will love to learn. When I talk to teachers
3 Empowering Reasons to Love Virtual Teaching
Could you use some joy, hope, and peace as a teacher in these strange times? We’re all struggling right now, and since we can’t change
Ten Sight-Word Activities to Vitalize Virtual Classrooms
Is the virtual classroom draining the excitement out of your instruction, especially with sight-words? Well, if teaching were a fall festival, this post would be
Essentials for Student Engagement
Hi there, teacher friend! This time we’re talking about student engagement. This topic is one of my favorites, and I can’t wait to share some
3 Reasons to Try Morning Message NOW!
Post Promise: Today, I’m going to share with you a fantastic strategy that you can incorporate into your daily routine to practice literacy skills in
5 Essential Skills for Phonological Awareness
Get your FREE Phonological Awareness Skills Overview! Send my Reference Sheet! We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime. Post Promise: Phonological awareness is vital for
5 Strategies for Creating Engaging Classroom Video
Teacher friend, hello! Today’s topic is one I wish wasn’t so relevant to this school year. Many of us are going to be using classroom
3 Social Emotional Learning Strategies for Primary Grades
Hello there, teacher friend! This week’s topic was so much fun for me, and I know it will be helpful for you too. We’re going
3 Easy Active Learning Strategies (That Also Work Virtually)
Hello there, teacher friend! Today, I’m going to share three active learning strategies that will engage your learners whether you are in person or teaching
Classroom Cheers: An Active, Motivational Tool for Primary Teachers (54 Free Cheer Cards to Download)
Post Promise: Classroom cheers aren’t only fun, they are an effective tool for teachers. Today, I will share with you the key benefits of using
The Primary Teacher Friends Podcast: An Encouraging & Informative Place for K-2 Educators
Hey there, teacher friend! I’m extra excited to share the news I have for you today. Can I get a drum roll? 🥰 The Primary
How to Build Authentic Relationships in the Virtual Classroom
During this unusual season of uncertainty and unrest, the anticipation and drive with which educators typically get ready to go back to school might feel
What is Phonological Awareness? (v. Phonemic Awareness & Phonics)
Post Promise: Literacy is one of the most vital skills we teach in the primary grades. In this post I’ll help clear up what phonological
5 Game-Changing Tips for Home-School Success with a FREE Home-School Survival Kit
Post Promise: In this post you will find my TOP FIVE tips for how to manage teaching your K-2 child at home. If you haven’t
How to Teach with Flashcards: Flashcard Teacher Secrets for Grades K-2
Post Promise: In this post, I will provide you some helpful tips and resources to help your student(s) master a deck of flashcards- whether these
Virtual Classroom Rewards for K-2: How to Engage Students in Distant Learning
Post Promise: On this page you will find 5 fun classroom incentives that you can use during your distant learning endeavors in grades K-2. With
Teaching Teen Numbers: A FREE Song & Routine your Students will LOVE
Post Promise: Within this post you’ll find a FREE Teen Number writing routine that will help your students master those tricky teen numbers 10 through
3 Sight-Word Strategies (scientifically-proven) to BOOST Engagement in Primary (K-2)
Post Promise: Are you looking to get your K-2 students more engaged in learning sight words? In this article I will share with you three
How to Teach Sentence Writing in Primary (K-2)
Post Promise: Are you fretting over how to get your little learners writing complete sentences? In today’s piece, I’ll give you an easy to
Word Families: A Guide for Teachers
Post Promise: In today’s piece, the focus is on word families: what they are PLUS why, when and how to teach them so you can
Writing CVC Words: 3 strategies to help your students become CVC Word Masters
Post Promise: Within this piece, I will provide you with three strategies that will bridge your students from letter/sound practice to CVC-word writing masters. If
Free 100th Day of School Printable Activities for Primary
Hey there, Teacher friend! Looks like you’re gearing up for your 100th Day Celebration in your Primary classroom. Me too! I don’t know about you,
Classroom Management: Managing Movement in the Primary Classroom (K-2)
Post Promise: If you teach Primary and are having trouble with too much student traffic and/or movement during inappropriate times during the day- this post
Primary Management Tip: A Happy Bag for Hard Times
Post Promise: If you’re a Primary Teacher and you need some extra classroom management MAGIC to get you through a tough-time OR would simply like
How to Increase Letter & Sound Fluency in Kindergarten
Hey there, friend. I hope you happened upon this post with intentions of helping your students to increase their letter and sound fluency- because I’m
Celebrate Learning with an Alphabet Parade!
Are you a Preschool or Kindergarten teacher looking for an exciting way to celebrate your classroom study of the Alphabet? If you’re like me, you’ve
Number Formation Practice: A daily routine that will guide your students to number-writing mastery.
Teaching and practicing number formation in Kindergarten can be a daunting task. If you’ve never had 20+ five-year old students in your care who could
3 TOP-SECRET Classroom Management Tricks for Primary Grades (K-2) with Video Demos
I created a VLOG to go along with this content. You can see it here: Y’all, I’d never brag on myself- it’s truly against my
Create an Effective Classroom Routine in 5 EASY Steps
If you’re a NEW TEACHER who is just beginning your journey or a returning teacher who hasn’t mastered the beauty of classroom routines, I urge
Happy Teachers: What THEY have that YOU may be missing.
I’m proud to assert that I am a “Happy Teacher.” Are you? Are you sure? No matter your answer to my question, I personally challenge