If you’re a first grade teacher using Illustrative Mathematics, you already know Unit 7 can be a tough one for little learners. Geometry and time are two big concepts that often feel abstract and tricky for students. But what if you had a resource that made these ideas stick—in a […]
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Summer Math Practice Doesn’t Have to Be Boring—Try These 3 Fun and Easy Resources
Summer is here—and while we all love the break, we also know how quickly those hard-earned skills can slip away. But here’s the good news: keeping learning going doesn’t have to be boring, stressful, or involve a single 50-page packet. With just a few simple, low-prep resources, you can help […]
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Goodbye, Homework: Exciting Ways to Wrap Up the End of School Year with a Splash!
Let’s Be Honest—End of School Year Is a Whole Mood Let me guess. Your calendar is full of field trips, talent shows, random half-days, and you haven’t seen your stapler in three weeks. You’ve got glitter in your hair and permanent marker on your elbow. And your students? They’re halfway […]
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Math Made Easy: End of Year Review with Illustrative Mathematics
Let’s Talk About the End of the Year Oh, boy. The end of the year. You’re juggling field day, assemblies, assessments, pizza parties, classroom clean-up, and somewhere in there, you’re supposed to still be teaching. Teaching math? In May? That feels… ambitious. But here’s the thing—those kids still need review. […]
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Exploring the Miracle of the Walls of Jericho in Sunday School
Teaching Bible stories to kids can sometimes feel like a challenge, especially when you’re trying to make ancient stories come alive for young hearts. But what if I told you there’s a way to make one of the most powerful Old Testament stories fun, interactive, and memorable? That’s where the […]
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God Speaks, But Do We Listen? The Powerful Story of Samuel & Eli
Teaching Kids to Listen for God’s Voice Have you ever had a child ask, “How do I hear God?” It’s one of the most beautiful questions a young heart can ask, and the story of Samuel and Eli is the perfect way to help kids understand that God speaks to […]
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Kindergarten Math Made Easy: Subitizing Worksheets and Activities
A Fun & Hands-On Way to Build Number Sense! Let’s be honest—kindergarten math should be fun, engaging, and hands-on! When little learners enjoy what they’re doing, they absorb concepts so much faster. That’s exactly why I created this spring-themed subitizing resource—to help young mathematicians recognize numbers without counting one by […]
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I made math fun for my 1st graders with this one simple trick!
Let’s face it—some students need a little extra support when it comes to math. Maybe they struggle with addition and subtraction, or they get overwhelmed by the rigorous early units in IM Grade 1 Math™. I’ve been there, and I know how frustrating it can be to watch a student […]
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Writing and Learning on the 100th Day of School
Can you believe we’re already at the 100th day of school? It’s such an exciting milestone, and I know we all want to make it a celebration that’s not just fun, but also meaningful! 🎉 Here at It Takes a Village Learning Center, I love finding ways to make every […]
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10 Engaging No-Prep Winter Math Activities Your 1st To 3rd Graders Will Love!
Winter is here, and you know what that means—it’s time to add a little extra magic to your math lessons! Between the snowflakes, hot cocoa, and cozy vibes, winter is the perfect season to keep your students engaged while reinforcing their math skills. But let’s be honest, as teachers, this […]
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