educationemporium

Teaching Vocabulary

One important area that can really affect a students reading ability is vocabulary development. It is so important for reading comprehension that children are given explicit teaching and repetitive use of new vocabulary. Without vocabulary knowledge, readers can struggle to understand what it is they are decoding, and as they move onto more complicated texts,Continue reading “Teaching Vocabulary”

The First Day in 4th Class

I know for a lot of new teachers and even teachers just getting back into school after the summer holidays, the first few days back can seem daunting. So I am going to take you through how I am going to spend the first day with 4th class. The children in our class start backContinue reading “The First Day in 4th Class”

8 Irish Games to use in your Gaeilge Lesson

1. Feicim le mo shúilín beag Feicim le mo shúilín beag is one of my favourite games to use to practice both vocabulary and phonics. I use this game either at the beginning of a Gaeilge lesson as a warm up game and to get them thinking as Gaeilge, or in stations to review newContinue reading “8 Irish Games to use in your Gaeilge Lesson”

5 Whole School Ideas for Seachtain na Gaeilge

Seachtain na Gaeilge is celebrated in schools around the country during the first couple of weeks of March in the lead up to Paddy’s Day. In this blog post I have listed a few different ways that you can create a buzz around your school about it and get the whole school involved in activitiesContinue reading “5 Whole School Ideas for Seachtain na Gaeilge”

Second Day of Second Class

The first few days back are always tricky because you don’t have the usual timetabled day. It is important to use this time to set up the expectations and procedures that you will be using each day in the class. Getting these right in September will set you up for success for the rest ofContinue reading “Second Day of Second Class”

First Day Back in Second Class

For many the first days back in school or indeed the first days in a new school can be incredibly daunting, even for seasoned teachers, there’s something about coming to back to school time that convinces you that you have forgotten everything about being in a classroom. I can’t tell you how many times IContinue reading “First Day Back in Second Class”

My Morning Routines in the Classroom

As we get ready to head back to school, I want to share with you how I begin every morning in my own classroom and why this works for me. Of course it is different for everyone and every class will be different but for me I choose a soft start of play for theContinue reading “My Morning Routines in the Classroom”

Reasons to use affirmations in the classroom

What are affirmations? Affirmations are positive phrases or statements that you repeat to yourself, either out loud or in your head such as I am enough, exactly as I am, I am smart, I am creative, I can do difficult things. Affirmations are usually spoken in the present tense, often using statement like I amContinue reading “Reasons to use affirmations in the classroom”

5 Fun Ideas for Back to School

For everyone else, like myself, who feels like they have forgotten how to be a teacher over the summer holidays, I have some ideas for activities for the first day back in the classroom. Leave a comment below telling me your go to activity for the first day back! 1. Lego Challenge The first thingContinue reading “5 Fun Ideas for Back to School”