Sustainable Classroom Swaps

I'm always working on finding new sustainable swaps for different parts of my life, and that applies to my classroom too. I want to make sure my students are aware of alternatives they can choose from, as well as ways to repurpose and reuse everyday items. 


Here are some of my favorite swaps that I use in my classroom. 

K-1 Opinion Writing: 3 Books Guaranteed to Make Them Laugh...and Write!

Are you looking for books to motivate reluctant writers? These 3 Jon Klassen stories are bound to get your students talking about their opinions!


Once my students are comfortable with the idea of opinion writing, I like to move onto more open-ended books. The types of books that force them to think about what really happened at the end of the story and form their own reasons for it.


K-1 Opinion Writing: 5 Books to Inspire Early Writers

I have always enjoyed teaching opinion writing to K-1 students. Opinion writing is more motivating, as we all know they have opinions they love sharing!

However, getting K-1 students to include a reason for their opinion can be tricky. 

Over the past eight years, I have used these books to launch our opinion writing unit. They have helped my students understand why their opinion need a reason in an engaging way!

Easy Phonics Centers for K-1 with Print and Play Games

Games are an engaging way to help students review key skills daily. They enjoy the repetition and predictability of the game, while increasing their ability to decode new words.


As a teacher, I know that low prep are always a favorite of mine. All you need to do is print these games and then your job is done!


short vowel print and play games

Sustainable Oral Care Swaps

For the past 5 years I have been swapping out wasteful items in my life, and switching over to more sustainable items. I wanted to start sharing some of my favorites with you!

Sustainable Swaps Oral Care Edition