Elementary School Garden

  How to Review for Eureka Math Squared Topic Quizzes and End of Module Assessments (Without Losing Your Mind!) Let’s be real: reviewing for Topic Quizzes and End of Module Assessments in Eureka Math Squared can feel like a lot. You want your students to feel confident and prepared, but you also don’t want to spend hours reinventing the wheel. That’s why I’m sharing some of my favorite ways to make math review meaningful, manageable, and even fun! 1. Morning Work or Homework Review Sheets Multiple choice and short response worksheets are perfect for sneaking in a little extra review without overwhelming your schedule.  I like to use these as: Morning work to settle students into the day Independent center work during rotations Quick-check homework assignments before a quiz or test They give students targeted practice on specific skills, and the format mirrors what they’ll see on assessments—so there are no surprises when test time comes around. "Plant review seeds daily and yo...

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...

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 ...