In this episode of The Education Connection, I’m sharing how I survive the last week of school in first grade while still keeping students engaged, calm, and learning. If you are looking for last week of school tips for elementary teachers, simple end of year classroom ideas, or ways to keep structure during the final week of school, this episode is for you.

I talk about why I keep our classroom schedule as normal as possible during the last week of school, how I use gentle spiral review in reading and math, and how I turn memory books into meaningful reading and writing activities instead of just filler time. We’ll also talk about keeping students emotionally regulated during the excitement of the end of the school year and why teachers do not need Pinterest-perfect plans to make the final week special.

Inside this episode:

• Last week of school tips for elementary teachers
• End of the school year classroom management ideas
• First grade reading and math review ideas
• How to keep structure during the last week of school
• Memory book ideas for elementary classrooms
• Low stress end of year teaching strategies
• Encouragement for tired teachers during the final week of school

If the last week of school feels overwhelming, chaotic, emotional, or exhausting, I hope this episode encourages you and reminds you that calm, connection, and consistency matter more than perfection.

For an End of Year Memory Book, click on the following link.

End of Year Memory Book

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In this episode of The Education Connection, Robin Wilson shares simple and effective ways to teach prefixes and suffixes in first grade without overcomplicating the skill.

If teaching prefix and suffix feels tricky with young learners, this episode breaks it down into clear, manageable steps that help students understand how words change. Robin explains what prefixes and suffixes are in a first grade-friendly way and walks through how to introduce them so students can actually apply the skill.

You’ll also hear 3 easy phonics activities that can be used right away in the classroom or at home:

• Matching base words like happy, jump, and play with new words
• Acting out words to build meaning and engagement
• Sorting words to identify prefixes, suffixes, and base words

These prefix and suffix activities for first grade are designed to build confidence, increase vocabulary, and help students start recognizing patterns in words.

As always, this episode ends with a scripture and prayer to encourage and support teachers in their daily work.

Whether teaching in a classroom, tutoring, or working with children at home, this episode will give practical ideas for teaching first grade phonics in a simple and meaningful way.

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In this episode, I share a classroom system inspired by Robert J. Marzano that focuses on one goal: making sure every student truly learns—not just receives instruction.

I walk through how I introduce new concepts using “I do, we do, you do,” and how I intentionally listen, track understanding, and respond in real time. Instead of moving on when some students don’t get it, I build in time to reteach, revisit, and provide targeted support throughout the week.

From small group reteaching to peer support and ongoing check-ins, this approach creates a classroom where no student falls through the cracks—and where learning is expected, supported, and achieved.

I also reflect on how this process connects to Psalm 1:1, reminding us that true growth comes from returning again and again to what matters.

If you’ve ever wondered how to move from simply teaching content to ensuring real understanding, this episode is for you.

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In this episode of The Education Connection, I’m sharing exactly how I teach contractions in my first grade classroom in a way that actually sticks.

If you’ve ever introduced contractions and realized your students aren’t quite getting it yet, this episode walks you through a simple, step-by-step approach you can use right away. I’ll show you how I scaffold the skill so students move from seeing two separate words to confidently building contractions with understanding.

I’m also sharing three easy, low-prep activities I use in my classroom:

• Contraction Mix and Match for movement and engagement

• Guided whiteboard practice to build understanding step by step

• Quiz, Quiz, Trade to give students meaningful repetition with partners

These strategies work whether you’re in a classroom, small group, tutoring setting, or working with your own child at home.

As always, I’ll wrap up with a scripture and a quick prayer to encourage you in the work you’re doing every day.

If you’re teaching contractions in first grade or looking for engaging phonics activities that actually work, this episode is for you.

(Use words for) only what is helpful for building others up…” — Ephesians 4:29b (NIV)

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When a teacher recommends retention, it can feel overwhelming for everyone involved. Parents may feel worried or unsure, and teachers know this is one of the most important decisions they make all year.

In this episode, we walk through retention from both perspectives. This is not about holding a child back. It is about asking the right question: what will help this child be successful long term?

You will hear:

• What teachers are really looking at before recommending retention

• How age and developmental readiness can impact learning and stamina

• Why some younger students struggle even when they are bright

• When retention may be the right choice and when moving forward may still be appropriate

• Questions parents can ask during conferences

• A simple checklist for teachers to think through before making the decision

This episode is designed to bring clarity, calm, and partnership between home and school. Because the best decisions are made when teachers and parents work together with the same goal in mind.

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In this episode, I’m sharing a simple routine I added to my math block that is making a big difference in what my students actually remember.

I’m still teaching my regular lessons and following my curriculum, but I added just 8 to 10 minutes of review at the beginning of math. I call it “Skittle Review,” and while the Skittles definitely help with engagement, that’s not what’s really making the impact.

Inside this episode, I walk you through exactly what this looks like in my classroom using end-of-unit and back-of-the-book review, how I keep it quick and manageable, and why this small shift is helping me reteach less and build more confidence in my students.

If you feel like your students forget skills as quickly as you teach them, this episode will give you a simple, doable solution you can start right away using materials you already have.

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Are your students able to read sight words… but struggle to spell them in their writing?

Or maybe they can pass a quick sight word check, but don’t recognize those same words in a sentence?

In this episode, we’re talking all about how to teach sight words (or trick words) so students can both read and write them with confidence.

As we head into the final 6 to 8 weeks of the school year, this is not the time to add complicated routines. Instead, I’m sharing a simple, repeatable weekly system that helps build automaticity without overwhelming your students.

You’ll learn:

• Why sight words should not be taught through memorization alone

• How to help students identify the “tricky” parts of words

• A day-by-day routine for teaching sight words Monday through Friday

• How often students should be writing sight words (this is key!)

• A balanced approach to sentence writing that builds confidence without frustration

• How to do a quick, low-pressure Friday check that actually shows what students know

This routine is quick, effective, and easy to stick with during the busy end-of-year season.

If you’re looking for a practical way to strengthen both reading and writing with sight words, this episode will give you something you can use right away in your classroom.

Link for this free resource: Weekly Sight Word Routine

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In this episode of The Education Connection, I’m sharing how I teach one, two, and three syllable words in first grade. You’ll hear a simple explanation of syllables and three easy, hands-on activities that help students hear the beats in words and build stronger phonics skills. If you are teaching first grade syllables and need practical ideas for introducing 1, 2, and 3 syllable words, this episode is for you.

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