Why ‘Which One Doesn’t Belong?’ Is the Smartest 5-Minute Routine in My Classroom

Every once in a while, you stumble on an activity that just clicks with your students. And for me, that’s Which One Doesn’t Belong? These quick little slides spark so much conversation, curiosity, and deep thinking in my classroom. The best part? There’s no single right answer. My first graders love sharing their thinking, spotting patterns I never would’ve noticed, and backing up their ideas with evidence. It’s critical thinking wrapped in fun and it’s become a daily favorite activity.

Why WODB Works

What makes these slides so powerful? They foster a growth mindset, invite deeper thinking, and value every student's voice. There isn't just one correct answer. Kids quickly learn that math is about noticing patterns and making connections not just getting the ‘right’ answer. It’s also a built-in formative assessment tool: I can instantly see who’s applying the skills taught so far this year.

Here are a few of my students’ actual explanations.

Using Them in My Classroom

I use WODB slides for morning work, number talks, mini-lessons, or literacy warm-ups. They’re perfect for partners, centers, early finishers, independent work or even sub plans. The black-and-white printables make it easy to send home or slip into journals. Have a few minutes?  These are a perfect quick activity with a big payoff! 

Give WODB a Try for Free

What Others Are Saying

I'm not the only one who loves using them in my classroom!  Take a look at what other's have said about using my Which One Doesn't Belong Slides:

If you’re looking for an easy way to boost math talks, build reasoning skills, and sneak in some formative assessment without it feeling like “work,” give Which One Doesn’t Belong? a try this month.

Have you used WODB in your classroom?  Does your class love them as much as mine?  Let me know!

How I Taught One Teacher to Love Poetry

About 10 years ago, a new teacher walked into my room and looked at the poem up on my projector. She rolled her eyes.  "I HATE poetry!" 

😖Hate poetry?  Eek!

Then she explained. "My Second Grade teacher made us memorize about 30 poems a year."

Ohhhhhh. Now I got it.

I’d probably hate poetry too if I’d been forced to memorize poem after poem!

Over the next few months, I started sharing my poems, philosophy, and favorite poetry activities with her. Little by little, something changed. She began using poems to support her readers and connect to other parts of the curriculum. And soon, she loved the poetry binders her students couldn’t get enough of.

And the best part? I learned from her, too. Her feedback and fresh perspective gave me new ideas I hadn’t thought of before.

A New Way to See Poetry

In my classroom, we use poems almost every day but not in the drill-and-kill kind of way. Here’s what I learned early on:

Don’t dissect every poem or turn every poem into a lesson.

When poetry becomes “work, work, work,” students lose the joy.
Instead, we read poems for many reasons but mostly to enjoy them.
To soak in the rhythm, rhyme, wordplay, and imagery.

Sometimes I teach from a poem, but usually it’s because of what students notice and wonder about on their own. And believe me, there are soooo many noticings that happen in a first grade classroom!

Why I Make Time for Poetry (Even When There’s No Time)

Like you, I have limited minutes in my day.

So I’m always looking for lessons that can double, triple, or even quadruple dip into other curriculum areas and poetry is it!

Poems can build:

• Fluency

• Phonics and vocabulary

• Comprehension

• Writing inspiration

• Social-emotional connections

And best of all, they invite students to play with language. That's something every young learner needs more of.

Here are a few examples of the students' "noticings" that led to a short mini-lesson.

By the end of the year, about 90% of my students say their Poetry Binders were their favorite part of first grade.

I think it’s because they get to Buddy Read the poems, revisit old favorites, and enjoy them anytime throughout the day.

Those binders build reading confidence. That’s why, year after year, my little ones name our poems as one of their favorite memories and classroom activities.

Every teacher uses poems in different ways.  Here are all the ways I have used them throughout the year.  Some of these I use all of the time. Others? Maybe it just fit my needs once or twice.

I've sold thousands of my poetry packets and bundles. They have a proven track record.

Still not convinced poems fit into your day or vision for your classroom?  Try this set for FREE!

If you end of loving what it adds to your classroom, you may want to invest in the BUNDLE of Monthly Poems.  A great value especially knowing that you can use the poems (PDF or Google Slides) over and over again.

If you haven’t tried poetry in your classroom yet, start with just one poem. See what your students notice, what they laugh at, what they remember. Then come back and tell me how it goes. I’d love to hear all about it!💛

A Simple Trick for Learning Students’ Names

Learning every student’s name, and pronouncing it correctly, is one of the simplest but most powerful ways to build community in the classroom. On the first day of school (which was just 2 days ago) I always use a little trick to help me get it right every time and it will help you, too.

Why Names Matter

Names are more than labels. They’re part of our identity. When we pronounce a child’s name correctly, it shows respect, builds trust, and communicates that they belong in our classroom. Even the youngest students notice when we get their names right and families deeply appreciate the effort.

My Go-To Trick

On the first day of school, I ask each student to say their name while I record it on my phone. Later, I take the recordings home and practice. Hearing the names directly from my students helps me master pronunciations quickly and confidently.  (I admit to still writing down a few names phonetically based on how THEY pronounced it on the video to help me the next day!)  I tape everyone even though it's only about 5-6 student names that I need help with. A quick 30 second total video is all that's needed!

The Payoff

This small routine makes a big impact. Students smile when they hear their names spoken correctly, and it sets a positive tone for the year. It helps establish strong relationships and a sense of community and belonging from the start.

Try It Yourself

If you struggle with names or teach a large group of students, give this simple trick a try. A few minutes of listening and practicing can make all the difference in helping your students feel valued and seen.

NOTE:  Earlier on in my career, I would say the child's name on the first day and they'd tell me it's correct when it wasn't.  Many don't want to contradict a teacher. I'd find out later that I wasn't saying it properly and would feel terrible.

I hope your year is off to a good start.  I've only had two days but I'm already feeling a sense of community.  Sweet kids!  I have 20 this year.  How about you? 

✨ Put a Little Magic in the First Day of School (Right After Lunch!)

The first day of school can feel like a whirlwind. By the time lunch is over, everyone’s minds and bodies have been working hard. That’s why I love to build in a little magic moment after lunch to re-energize my students without overwhelming them.

Enter… Magic Play Clay or Play-Doh.  (Download for FREE!)

Make Your Own

How It Works

Before students return from lunch, place a small ball of white clay (can be store-bought but I make my own) on each desk. Tell them this is no ordinary clay. It’s magic clay that will change color when they make a First Grade Wish once they squish, roll, and stretch it.(In the baggie at first until mixed!)

As they begin working the clay in their baggie, the hidden color inside will start to appear. The transformation is quick, fun, and totally mesmerizing! (The secret: hide a little food coloring in the middle of each clay ball before class.)

Keep in baggie UNTIL all mixed well.  This way, won't stain anything. They must get my verbal OK before they can take out of bag.

Why It’s Perfect for After Lunch

• Calms the energy after recess and the bustle of the cafeteria.

• Gives students a shared, fun and giggly experience in the middle of a big day.

• Sparks conversation without the pressure of a formal activity.

Add a Creative Twist

Once the color has fully appeared, I let them take it our of the baggie and challenge students to shape their clay into something:

• Spell their name or initials with it

• An object that starts with the first letter of their name

• Make an animal out of it

• Free play! Let them do what they want with it

Let them share with a partner or small group. It’s a fun way to build community and get everyone talking again.

It’s simple. It’s magical. And it gives your first day the perfect dose of wonder… right when your students need it most.

Full directions, poems and a class book you can use as well linked above.  Enjoy! 

10 September Essentials Every First & Second Grade Teacher Needs (and They’re on SALE!)

September is almost here and if you’re anything like me, you’re looking for easy, ready-to-go resources to keep your days smooth and your students engaged.

So I’ve rounded up my 10 September Essentials...the things I reach for year after year.

And here’s the best part…

💸 They’re all going to be an extra 25% off during the TpT sitewide sale!
Grab them now, and you’re set for the whole month (and beyond). All of these for only 17.63 today! That's saving $24!

🍎 My Top 10 September Must-Haves

1. Morning Meeting Slides – Start the day calm, connected, building community and ready to learn.

2. Fall-Themed Math Number Sense Centers – Hands-on and no-prep for instant engagement. Use any time of the year.

3. Writing Pick-a-Prompt – Perfect for early finishers or writing stations. After I model a few for them, they can do these early on! Trust the process.  (I allow pictures only if they want and then they orally share.)

4. September Goals and Craft – SIMPLE craft, instant Bulletin Board. Can you or not use goal. Up to you!

5. The Power of Yet Bulletin Board – Mine stays up all year. Read about it here.

6. September Class Books – Several books included. Differentiated. They go in class library and we divide them up at the end of the year.

7. September Open-Ended Math Questions – I LOVE these! Perfect easier ones to start the year off right with deep thinking skills.

8. September Crowns – I've included so many options! Fun! 

9. Which One Doesn't Belong? – A favorite class activity! 

10. Editable Slideshow – For Back-to-School Night, Open House...ANY slideshow you need!

and although free, I've included my 20 September Poems and Songs so they are all in one place. 

💡 Why These Work

• They save time – Less planning, more teaching.

• They keep kids engaged – Seasonal themes = instant buy-in.

• They’re flexible – Use whole group, small group, or independently.

✨ Don’t Miss the Sale

If you’ve had any of these on your wishlist, now’s the time. During the sale, you’ll save big plus they’re already budget-friendly to start with!

I'm off to buy some clip art at the TpT sale...

The Only Way to Learn Math? Do the Math!

There’s a quote I recently turned into a poster for our classroom:

“Math is not a spectator sport. The only way to learn math is to do math.”

And let me tell you, it’s so true in first grade.

You can have the cutest anchor charts, the brightest manipulatives, and the cleverest chants and songs...But until kids are actually solving problems by thinking, trying, struggling, doing, they're not really learning math.

Math is often messy! That's a good thing!

Click pic to download. 

🎯 What “Doing Math” Looks Like in First Grade

“Doing math” doesn’t mean sitting quietly and getting everything right. It looks like:

• Kids talking through a strategy with a partner

• Hands-on manipulatives: using counters, fingers, ten frames, etc., and then talking through strategies

• Getting an answer wrong, but being able to explain their thinking

• Drawing several different versions of the same story problem until it clicks

• Hearing “This is hard!” followed by “Ohhh wait, I got it!”

• Working with partners via "games" and learning how to be an ENGAGED partner

• reworking problems over and over again until success

• GRIT

These moments matter more than a perfect worksheet.

My Real-Life Math Moments

Highs:

• When a student who’s been unsure suddenly explains a strategy to a classmate and lights up like a firework

• When math journals are messy—but FULL of thinking

• When they make up their own word problems and giggle at their wild scenarios (I’ve had unicorns eating 7 cupcakes and flying away with 2...)

Lows (but still learning):

• When kids erase their work because it “looks wrong”

• When they give up too quickly and say “I don’t get it!” without even trying

• When a fast finisher calls out the answer and others stop thinking

That’s where I come back to:

“The only way to learn math is to do math.”

I remind my class: Mistakes are part of the process. We don’t watch math. We do math.

 Ideas to Get Kids Doing the Math

Here are some easy, go-to strategies I love:

• Math Journals with open-ended prompts: “Show me 3 ways to make 10.” I'm all about the open-ended questions!

• Partner problem-solving with mini-whiteboards

• Story-based word problems with drawings and labels

• Math talks where kids explain “how they know” even if their answer is wrong. 

• Hands-on games that require thinking, not just speed

• Infusing math into Morning Meeting (I use Which One Doesn't Belong as my activity once a week.)

• Providing kids with "Math Refresher Baggies" so they have other options besides "read a book" when they have a few extra minutes here and there.

None of these are fancy. But they work because kids are engaged.

🪄 Final Thoughts

First grade math shouldn’t feel like a race to get the “right” answer. It should feel like a puzzle to figure out.

If we want our students to truly understand numbers, patterns, and problem-solving… we have to let them wrestle with it, play with it, do it.

So here’s your reminder (and mine!):
Math is not a spectator sport. Let’s give them the time and space to get in the game.

Make Morning Meetings the Best Part of Your Day (And Save Tons of Time!)

LET'S BE REAL: There’s a lot on your plate at the start of a new school year. Between prepping supplies, organizing your classroom, and learning a whole new batch of personalities, it’s easy to let routines like Morning Meeting slide to the bottom of the to-do list. This is especially true if YOU need to come up with your own components. All. Year. Long.

But what if I told you that Morning Meeting could actually make your days smoother, your classroom community stronger, and your lesson planning easier?

Let me show you how easier your Back-to-School season can be! 

🌟 What is Morning Meeting and Why Does It Matter?

Morning Meeting is a simple but powerful daily routine that sets the tone for learning. It helps students feel seen, safe, and connected and when kids feel connected and part of a community, everything runs more smoothly.

Each Morning Meeting lasts around 15 minutes and includes:

• A Greeting to build connections

• A Share to build confidence and communication skills

• An Activity to promote teamwork and laughter

• A Message to set expectations and/or spark conversation

I’ve written in-depth posts on each of the four components, so if you're looking for ideas or inspiration, you can dive deeper here:

• All About Morning Meeting Greetings

• Meaningful Share Prompts for Morning Meeting

• Quick & Easy Morning Meeting Activities

• How to Write a Morning Message That Matters

⏱️ Save HOURS with These Ready-to-Use Slides

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel every morning! 

My Monthly Morning Meeting resources give you 25 complete days of slides you can project or print. All are aligned with social-emotional learning and perfect for Kindergarten, First and Second Grade. (Each month is DIFFERENT with about 5 repeat activities/greetings that are favorites. When they pop up, the kids get very excited!)

So no more scrambling ten minutes before school starts each day. Just click and project.  Here is a closer look at some of my September Slides.

🗓️ Use It How YOU Want

Teachers have told me they use these slides:

• As part of a Responsive Classroom model (But if not RC, they still are perfect for MM!)

• During Afternoon Meeting/Closing Circle, Circle Time, or SEL blocks

• For sub plans (They’re that easy! I print out one of each and leave for Sub.)

• As a reference tool. Some display only the message but still use everything else in the meeting...just not projected.)

And because there are some slides that are editable, you can add a greeting, share or activity to fit your class needs.

💸 HUGE Back-to-School Discount Coming!

Next week during the sitewide sale, this BUNDLED resource will be an additional 25% off! The bundle is already discounted everyday from $60 to $48 and next week, the bundle will be on sale for $36.

The sale will start on Tuesday, August 5, at 12:01am ET and end on Wednesday, August 6. Use the promo code BTS25.

👉Still not convinced this can make your life easier?  Want to Try Before You Buy? Grab the Free Week of Morning Meetings to see how simple and powerful these can be! 

Whether you’re new to Morning Meeting or just want to start fresh this year, this is the best time to jump in.

✨ Final Thought

Morning Meeting doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, when it’s simple, consistent, and meaningful, it becomes one of the best parts of the day.

Let this be the year you jump in and take the plunge. Less planning. More connecting. That’s a win-win!

Happy teaching,