Skip to main content

Ms. Rachel Vincent

A Teaching Blog

Home
Blog
Shop
Start Here

I help new teachers discover how to run an efficient and effective classroom so they can thrive during their first years of teaching.

Get started with the ABC's of Teaching

Align your Focus

Getting the most out of your time and lesson plans

Read More

Build the Foundation

Setting your students up for success in the classroom

Read More

Create the Environment

Keeping the classroom organized and functional

Read More

I can’t really remember a time when I didn’t want to be a teacher, however, reality set in quickly for me, and everything I imagined that teaching was going to be...wasn’t. It was so bad, I almost walked away from teaching. But over 16 years later...I'm thriving in the classroom. And you can too!

Read Rachel's Story

The Latest

New Teacher Advice for Elementary Teachers

Lots of fun fall activities for upper elementary students

Fall Activities for Elementary Students

sub plans title

Sub Plans: 7 Things You Must Include

MS. RACHEL VINCENT © TERMS · PRIVACY POLICY · BRANDING + WEBSITE DESIGN BY LAUGH EAT LEARN

Are you team chocolate or team confection? I’m a

Are you team chocolate or team confection? I’m a chocolate girl for sure! 🍫 I'm so happy I added the digitial version to our our history of candy research project!! I can’t wait to use it with my students this year!! 🍭 🍬

What would you do?! ⁉️ My daily cart has not h

What would you do?! ⁉️ My daily cart has not had the same attention this year! 🙁 It used to hold my copies for each day but since having less papers and being in a hybrid schedule I just haven’t really used it. It’s making me wonder if I should repurpose it is just wait until next year when things hopefully return to normal? 🤔

In love with my new sign from @simplystainedshop T

In love with my new sign from @simplystainedshop They have the cutest wood signs and decor!!! And just for being awesome you can save 15% when you use my code RACHEL15 😍😍😍

Fall has quickly become one of my favorite seasons

Fall has quickly become one of my favorite seasons. If I’m being honest, I never really experienced fall. I lived near the coast of South Carolina my entire life, so fall for us was when the temperature dropped into the 80’s. After 36 years, I moved to the upstate near the mountains and now I know what fall really is and all I can say is I AM IN LOVE!! 🍁🍂 What’s your favorite season?

We started multiplication with area model. When I

We started multiplication with area model. When I first moved to 4th grade, I was so nervouse to teach this because I didn't get it, but now I see the benefits of using strategies like this to teach multiplication. One way I try to engage students in tougher concepts is letting them write on their desks with dry erase markers. It's such a simple engagement trick! What do you do to spice up your tougher lessons?

Just your midweek reminder that...you've got this!

Just your midweek reminder that...you've got this!! You can handle anything that comes your way!!

As we get closer to Halloween...students start to

As we get closer to Halloween...students start to get a little antsy. One thing I like to do around this time of the year is bring out Spookley. He hops around during the day to visit student desks who are showing good behavior. Obviously this year...a stuffed pumpkin isn't going to work...so I found a plastic pumpkin that I can wipe down in between visits!!

We are using our multiples numbers like crazy righ

We are using our multiples numbers like crazy right now since we're learning factors, multplies, prime, & composite! I've uesed these numbers in 2nd-5th grade. In 2nd & 3rd, we just skip counted every day using them, Now we use them to understand deeper math concepts

We’re celebrating another birthday tomorrow. A

We’re celebrating another birthday tomorrow. And birthdays are a BIG DEAL!! It’s important to make sure your students are seen everyday but especially on their birthdays. Students get a little goodie bag. ➡️ Swipe to see! Plus the birthday monster sings and dances for them!

Team building is something I used to only do at th

Team building is something I used to only do at the beginning of the year. Last year I started doing it one a week and it quickly became one of our favorite days!! Don’t worry this pic is from last year. This summer I shared 5 low-prep ideas that your students are sure to love in episode 6 of New Teacher Talk and the best part is you can do these ideas virtually or social distancing!! But I’m always looking for more ideas! What’s your favorite team building activity or game that can be done with social distancing?

Do you use a paper or digital gradebook. I’ve al

Do you use a paper or digital gradebook. I’ve always been digital (technically still am because of PowerSchool) but I was so tired of flipping tabs and windows (even with 2 screens) on top of trying to remember who has turned in what...anybody else feel me?!? So I created this spreadsheet that allows me to check off when it's completed and then record the grades when I'm checking in Google Classroom. It makes keeping up with missing work and transfering grades to our district platform so much easier!! I also shared about it in my story/highlights if you want more details!

What’s your favorite fall emoji?! 🍁🍁🍁 I

What’s your favorite fall emoji?! 🍁🍁🍁 I love combining my two favorite things of fall and poetry!! And I’ve joined several other 4th & 5th grade TPTers to put some of our favorite products on sale half off today. I put both my Fall & Halloween poetry digital & paper pack on sale!! Just search #halfoffsunday for all the amazing deals!!!

So thankful to finally being a little ahead of the

So thankful to finally being a little ahead of the game when it comes to plans!! 🙌🏻 Going into the weekend l with 2 weeks planned!!

Well hello October 🎃 The weather here has been

Well hello October 🎃 The weather here has been amazing! 🍂 Just putting out my October books has made me excited for this month which I honestly haven’t felt that way in awhile!! So yay to that! What are you looking forward to this month?

Oh hey there IG! 👋🏻 It’s been a month sinc

Oh hey there IG! 👋🏻 It’s been a month since I’ve posted! 😳 This school year has been insane to say the least 🤪 But I’m not saying anything you don’t already know. 💁🏻 I had to take a break from #teachergram just because I didn’t have the mental capacity to see all the amazing teaching ideas. 📋 Finally after 6 weeks of school I’m sorta, kinda feeling a small sense of routine. At least for this week...we all know the only routine thing about this year is things will change. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Anyway, just wanted to say hey and I hope you’re having a good week. 😊

Is it just me or did August feel like the longest

Is it just me or did August feel like the longest and shortest month ever!! 🤣 Back to school has always been a crazy whirlwind, but 2020 takes it to a new level! I'm hoping September will bring a rhythm but I'm not holding my breath! 🤷🏻‍♀️ #2020iscrazy

I wish I could tell you that after the first week

I wish I could tell you that after the first week of school, this new way of teaching gets easier. So far...it doesn't. What I can tell you is to take things one week at a time. And if that's too much...take one day at a time. And if that's too much...one hour at a time. Baby steps as we figure this thing out!

After 3 years, I finally put up decor on my back w

After 3 years, I finally put up decor on my back wall! 😂🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m posting this to say...no one has it all together even after 16 years of teaching. And also...you don’t have to have your classroom 100% finished by the first day of school. Prioritize...especially this year. You can still be a great teacher with blank walls that you fill up as you go!

Even recess looks different...my students have bee

Even recess looks different...my students have been amazing and creative at coming up with games to play that keep everyone having fun and 6 feet apart!! #socialdiatancerecess

Normally I give my students a surprise gift at Mee

Normally I give my students a surprise gift at Meet the Teacher that they open on the first day of school. But like everything else this year, I had to do something different. So instead I had these little emoji buttons on their desks. This would be perfect to mail your students if you’re all virtual.