Elementary School Garden

  Why Eureka Squared Has My Math Teacher Heart Rooted in Joy A Fourth Grade Teacher’s Take on Our Favorite Math Curriculum When our school first rolled out Eureka Squared , I’ll admit...I was a little hesitant to dig in. New curriculum? Again? But after just one year of using it in my fourth grade garden (ahem... classroom ), I’ve become a full-blown Eureka enthusiast. Let me tell you why this program is helping both my students and me grow in all the right ways. Fluency That Spirals and Sticks Eureka Squared starts each lesson with a fast-paced fluency warm-up that feels like a brain stretch and a review all in one. These quick activities bring back prior learning, reinforce key skills, and gently prepare students for the day’s lesson—all without a single worksheet shuffle. It's like compost for their math memory...rich, layered, and totally effective. Real-World Math With Hands-On Fun Eureka’s Concept Development section is where the magic blooms. Each lesson includes rea...

You did it, teacher friend. You survived the field days, the glitter explosions, the mystery puddles, and the 47 questions about whether they really have to keep reading over the summer. And now? The school bags are zipped. The laminator is cooling down. The classroom plants are… well, let’s hope they’re not crispy. It's officially summer break —that magical season where we reclaim our time and rediscover ourselves . So if you’re like me—equal parts exhilarated and exhausted—you’re probably wondering what to do now that you can finally finish a cup of coffee while it’s still warm. 🌞 Well, pour that iced tea, throw on your favorite floppy sunhat, and dig into this list of the Top 10 Things Teachers Should Absolutely Do During the First Week of Summer Break . 1. Sleep Like a Sunflower Face the light, and sleep for 12 hours straight . Teachers are chronically under-rested. No one sets 17 alarms to make it to the beach.  I enjoy extra sleep the first week of summer. Your ...

How to Survive (and Actually Enjoy) the Last Weeks of Fourth Grade Solutions for a Smooth, Meaningful, and Fun Finish Ah, June. The sun is shining, the countdown is on, and your fourth graders’ energy is... through the roof. 😅 Let’s be honest — these last few weeks can be some of the most challenging of the year: Focus flies out the window. Behaviors bubble up. Routines unravel. You still want to finish strong — but how? If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone! I used to dread this time of year until I shifted my approach. Now, I think of it as a chance to celebrate, reflect, and set students up for success — all while maintaining calm and structure. Here’s my go-to game plan to help you survive (and actually ENJOY) the end of fourth grade — without losing your mind. Problem #1: "My students are bouncing off the walls!" Solution: A June Countdown Calendar to Channel Their Excitement Kids are going to be excited — why not build that into your clas...

If you’ve ever looked around your classroom mid-lesson and realized nobody is actually listening, you’re not alone. Students are fidgeting. Chairs are squeaking. At least one child is upside down in their seat. And your beautiful lesson? Floating somewhere in the ether. Yep. I’ve been there. And I found the solution—not in another behavior chart or newfangled app—but in one simple, powerful shift: movement . What if I told you your students don’t need to sit still to learn —they might actually learn better when they move? Let’s dig in. (Garden pun fully intended.) 🌼 🌿 The Root of the Problem: Kids Aren’t Built to Sit All Day Research backs it up: children are more likely to retain information, stay focused, and regulate emotions when their bodies are in motion. According to the CDC, incorporating physical activity during the school day not only improves concentration and behavior, but actually boosts academic performance . Harvard researchers echo this, reporting that mo...

Where ideas bloom, laughter grows, and every teacher is welcome! Hey there, teacher friend! I’m Jennifer Jasewicz , a fourth grade teacher who’s been playing in the dirt—I mean, classroom —for 18 years. I created Elementary School Garden as a space to grow, share, and sprinkle a little sunshine into your teacher life. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or freshly planted, I’m so glad you’ve found your way to this little patch of the internet . I believe teaching is a lot like gardening: 🌱 You plant the seeds of knowledge. 🌦 You water them with encouragement. ☀️ And with a little light (and maybe some classroom chaos), students blossom in ways you never imagined! Here, I’ll be sharing lesson plans, time-saving tips, printable resources, and bursts of inspiration— all rooted in joy and growth. I hope to save you time, spark your creativity, and maybe even make you chuckle after a long day of wrangling wildflowers (also known as 9-year-olds). Some fun facts as we get to know each ...