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Teach and Thrive Learning

Nurturing Young Minds Together

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When Connor was born, I started a journal just for

When Connor was born, I started a journal just for him.
Now, with three kids, I have three journals — one for each of them. 💛📓

I write when I can — sometimes just a quick paragraph, other times a long catch-up of all the chaos, joy, and sweetness life brings. It’s not every day. Sometimes not even every month. But it’s enough.

Today, Connor found his journal and sat reading it out loud to his little sister — laughing at old entries about pee on the wall, food thrown at the dog, and all the funny, messy moments I had nearly forgotten. Watching them giggle together over memories I had tucked away? That’s the magic.

I hope these journals grow with them — so one day, they’ll hold their childhood in their hands and know just how loved they were in every ordinary moment. ✨

If you’ve ever thought about starting a journal for your kids — it’s not too late. Even one sentence here and there matters.

My hubby is not much for handwriting but he keeps his own digital journal to give them each one day. I’ll occasionally convince him to add a short entry to my journals…and he does because he is a gem of a man. ❤️

#JournalingForMyKids #MemoryKeeping #MotherhoodMoments #ParentingTraditions #MessyBeautifulLife #DearFutureYou #FamilyJournals #IntentionalParenting #ModernMotherhood #KeepsakeJournals #ChildhoodMemories #MomOfThree #SentimentalMama #LoveNotesToMyKids #GentleParenting #ReelParenting #SlowDownMoments #MomLifeUnfiltered #ParentingWithHeart #LittleThingsBigLove #teachandthrivelearning

The water table was filled with grimy water… So

The water table was filled with grimy water…
So I drained it, added dish soap + water, and turned it into a full-blown bubble bath + toy wash station 🫧💦
Are they playing?
Cleaning?
Soaking themselves?
Yes. All of the above.

Honestly… that’s a parenting win in my book 🙌

Clean toys ✅
Bubbles ✅
Sensory play ✅
Entertained kids ✅
Grimy water? Fixed.
No notes.

#MomHack #WaterTablePlay #SensoryWin #SummerWithKids #BubblePlay #BackyardFun #MomLifeUnfiltered #GrimyWaterGlowUp #ParentingWin #CreativePlay #LetThemPlay #LowKeyGenius #ToddlerApproved #RealLifeParenting #OutdoorPlayIdeas #ReelParenting #ThisIsMotherhood #ReelLifeWithKids #FunAndFunctional #MessyPlayMatters #teachandthrivelearning

It hit 92° today, so we needed some water while b

It hit 92° today, so we needed some water while burning off energy outside! Griffin was running around with an ice cream bucket on his head, and Connor kept calling him King Bucket 👑🪣😂 Their giggles were totally contagious.
Also—anyone else save ice cream buckets and trail mix containers like it’s a personality trait? 🙋‍♀️

#kingbucket #summergiggles #momlifeunfiltered #waterplayfun #hotdayactivities #creativekidsplay #icecreambucketfun #reuseandplay #siblinglaughs #kidreels #boymomlife #92degrees #outdoorfunforkids #playoutside #momhumor #summermemories

My kids have never loved water in their faces 😅

The Sea Screamer in Panama City Beach did not disa

The Sea Screamer in Panama City Beach did not disappoint! 🛥️🐬 We saw dolphins and sea turtles, had a water fight with another tour boat (the kids were in heaven!), got tattoos, drove the boat, and even held crabs thanks to the awesome cocaptain. Ellie was brave—Connor… ran for his life 😂 Such a kid-friendly, memory-making kind of day. Highly recommend if you’re in PCB! 🌊🦀☀️

#SeaScreamerPCB #PanamaCityBeach #FamilyVacation #KidFriendlyFun #DolphinWatching #BeachWithKids #FloridaAdventures #FamilyMemories #BoatDayVibes #TravelWithKids #BeachTripBliss #EllieTheBrave #ConnorTheRunner

Ahoy, matey! ⚓️ We had an absolute blast at th

Ahoy, matey! ⚓️ We had an absolute blast at the Pirate Voyage show in Panama City Beach! Such a fun adventure to do while visiting my parents in Florida. The kids were all in—cheering, laughing, and totally captivated. 10/10 recommend if you’re ever in the area! 🏴‍☠️🌴🌊

#PirateVoyagePCB #PanamaCityBeach #FamilyVacationFun #FloridaFamilyTrip #BeachAdventures #KidApproved #TravelWithKids #PirateShow #VacationVibes #PCBWithKids #TravelRecommendations #FamilyTimeWellSpent

Reading Dog Man with Griffin while he babbles righ

Reading Dog Man with Griffin while he babbles right along with big brother—nonsense words, big smiles, and the kind of bond that melts me every time.
#ReadingTogether #DogManTime #LittleReaderBigImagination #SiblingBonding #BrotherGoals #ReadToThem #RaisingReaders #ToddlerTalk #AlmostWords #NonsenseButCute #FamilyReadingTime #KidsWhoRead #StorytimeMagic #BuildingBonds #ParentingJoy #TeachandThriveLearning

Chasing dragons and sunshine in the hayfield—jus

Chasing dragons and sunshine in the hayfield—just a perfect day to be a kid.”
#DragonKiteAdventures #HayfieldFun #BackyardMagic #ChildhoodUnplugged #LetThemPlay #FamilyMoments #CountryKids #SimpleJoys #KiteFlyingJoy #MakingMemories #GetOutsideAndPlay #CostcoFind #TeachandThriveLearning

After indoor recess ALL day, we needed a full rese

After indoor recess ALL day, we needed a full reset.

I grabbed a mindfulness game card — this one was “Quiet Body.”

We practiced sitting still and noticing how it feels to have a calm, quiet body before jumping back into learning.

Such a simple way to bring the energy down and reset as a class.

I pull these cards out all the time — love having an easy go-to like this.

Comment “mindful” to get yours!

#MindfulClassroom #TeacherRoutine #SELinTheClassroom #IndoorRecess #ClassroomReset #MindfulnessForKids #3rdGradeTeacher #TeacherTok #TeacherWellness #CalmClassroom #TeachersOfInstagram #ElementaryTeacherLife #TeacherTips #TeachingTools #ClassroomVibes #TeachandThriveLearning

Starting the day with calm + purpose makes such a

Starting the day with calm + purpose makes such a difference.

We do a mindfulness card, a growth mindset share, and a quick comprehension warm-up while I take attendance.
I made the cards + daily sheets — they’re in my Etsy if you want to try them (link in bio).

We also use this mindfulness game I LOVE!

Comment “routine” and I’ll send these your way!

What’s your go-to morning routine? Drop it in the comments — I’m always looking for new ideas!

#TeacherLife #3rdGradeTeacher #MorningRoutine #TeacherRoutines #MorningMeeting #ClassroomCommunity #MindfulClassroom #GrowthMindsetKids #TeachersOfInstagram #TeacherWellness #EtsyTeacher #TPTResources #SmallShopSupport #ElementaryTeacher #TeacherInspo #teachandthrivelearning

Running a little sale this week and next for Teach

Running a little sale this week and next for Teacher Appreciation.
If you’ve had your eye on a shirt, now’s a good time!
Link’s in my bio. Thanks for supporting a teacher making teacher things. ❤️

#TeacherAppreciationWeek #TeacherTee #EtsyTeacher #TeacherShirts #SupportATeacher #SmallShopSupport #TeacherStyle #ThirdGradeTeacher #TeacherCreator #TeacherMade #ComfyCuteTeaching TeachandThriveLearning

I put a ton of heart into this CKLA Unit 8 narrati

I put a ton of heart into this CKLA Unit 8 narrative writing project. It’s got everything I use to walk my students through writing their own stories about First Nations characters — plus a fun triorama project to bring it all to life.

It includes:
• Simple, ready-to-use lesson plans
• Graphic organizers
• A rubric
• Triorama templates (students LOVE these)

If you’re teaching CKLA Unit 8, or just want a meaningful writing project, I hope this saves you time and stress!

Find it now in my Etsy shop or comment “Triorama” to get yours!

#3rdGradeTeacher #CKLAUnit8 #NarrativeWritingProject #RealLifeTeaching #TeacherCreators #EtsyTeacher #WritingIn3rdGrade #TrioramaFun #TeachersSupportingTeachers #UpperElementaryELA #TeachThriveLearn #TeachingNativeAmericanHistory #FirstNationsTeaching #HandsOnWriting #teachandthrivelearning

I’ve never really shared this part of my story p

I’ve never really shared this part of my story publicly — only the people closest to me have known.
But after reflecting during National Infertility Awareness Week, I’ve felt a pull to say it out loud.
After having Connor and Ellie, we faced years of secondary infertility — four miscarriages, surgeries that took two fallopian tubes and an ovary, a failed IVF cycle that left me sobbing and ready to give up.
The pain of those years is something I mostly keep tucked away… but some weeks, like this one, it comes rushing back.
I look at Griffin — our miracle after so much heartbreak — and I hold him, and all of my babies, a little tighter.
I am beyond grateful for the family I get to hold in my arms, and I will always carry the ones I can only hold in my heart.
Motherhood didn’t come the way I expected. It came through loss, grief, waiting, hope, and miracles.
If you’re still in the middle of your story — if you’re grieving or hoping or wondering if it will ever happen — you’re not alone. You are seen. You are loved.

#NationalInfertilityAwarenessWeek #NIAW2025 #InfertilityAwareness #SecondaryInfertility #MiscarriageAwareness #AngelBabies #IVFJourney #HopeAfterLoss #InfertilityWarrior #YouAreNotAlone #GratitudeAndGrief #MiracleBaby #FamilyAfterInfertility #MotherhoodJourney

Hands-on fractions for the win! Getting fractions $Hands-on fractions for the win! Getting fractions off the page and onto the number line makes such a difference. Third graders need to see it, build it, and move it to truly understand. Save this idea for your next math lesson! #thirdgrademath #fractionfun #mathcenters #handsonmath #elementaryteacher #thirdgrade #teacherlife #iteachthird #mathactivities #mathworkshop #teachandthrivelearning$

We’re hosting Easter this year, so I made these

We’re hosting Easter this year, so I made these activity placemats to keep Connor, Ellie, and Griffin entertained at the table while we eat.
There’s a toddler version, a little kid version, and one for the big kids—each with simple, screen-free activities to keep them busy and happy while the grown-ups enjoy a meal.
If you grab them from my Etsy shop (link in bio), you can choose between printing on standard 8.5x11 or larger 11x17 paper. I went with 11x17 for ours, and they turned out super cute!
#easterforkids #easteractivities #easterplacemats #holidaywithkids #screenfreefun #busykids #momlife #toddlermom #kidfriendlyeaster #printablesforkids #easterprintables #easterideasforkids #easterhosting #etsyfinds #holidayprintables #momhack #teachandthrivelearning

Loving these knock-off magnet tiles for teaching a

Loving these knock-off magnet tiles for teaching area and perimeter!
They’re hollow, so we can easily label the squares for area—especially helpful for those still getting the concept.
And because they’re a bit bigger than the 1-inch squares that come with the curriculum, it’s so much easier for the whole class to follow along as we count the linear edges for perimeter.
They’ve been a total win for teaching rectilinear area!

Hands-on math for the win!

#areaandperimeter #handsonmath #magnettiles #rectilineararea #iteachmath #elementarymath #3rdgrademath #mathcenters #teacherhack #mathisfun #stemlearning #mathmanipulatives #teachingtools #teachersofinstagram #iteachthird #teachandthrivelearning

Free Easter reading activity! This includes 5 comp

Free Easter reading activity!
This includes 5 comprehension questions, a writing prompt, and early finisher fun like a word search and “finish the picture.”
Perfect for the week before Easter!
Just comment Easter and I’ll DM it to you! (Make sure you’re following me so I can send it—if not, you may need to DM me first!)

#teacherfreebie #easterfreebie #teachersoftiktok #3rdgrade #readingcomprehension #teacherresources #iteach3rd #elementaryteacher #freeforkids #classroomfun #easteractivities #readingfun #tptfreebie #teachandthrivelearning

Adam and Ellie were playing Taco Cat Goat Cheese P

Adam and Ellie were playing Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, and Griffin was repeating every word—unexpected speech practice for the toddler! Who knew this silly game could turn into a language lesson? Cutest little echo ever. Just another reason to love this game. 🥰

#ToddlerTalk #SpeechPractice #TacoCatGoatCheesePizza #SiblingMoments #LearningThroughPlay #ToddlerSpeech #BigKidLittleKid #FamilyFun #ToddlerDevelopment #SpeechMilestones #MomLifeUnfiltered #CutestThingEver #teachandthrivelearning

If you haven’t checked out the free resources fr

If you haven’t checked out the free resources from UFLI Foundations yet, you’re missing out! I’ve been loving their decodable passages—perfect for kindergarten, and they have sets for 1st and 2nd grade too. Everything is based on the Science of Reading and totally free on their site. These are amazing for extra reading practice at home, intervention, tutoring, or homeschooling. You don’t even need the manual to get started. Plus, they offer tons of interactive whiteboard tools for teachers. Go explore! Just Google UFLI teacher toolbox and enjoy the freebies!

#UFLIFoundations #ScienceOfReading #FreePrintable #Decodables #KindergartenReading #1stGradeReading #2ndGradeReading #ReadingIntervention #HomeschoolReading #TutoringResources #LiteracySupport #TeachReading #ReadingTeacher #EarlyLiteracy #SoRAligned #FreeTeachingResources #PhonicsPractice #teachandthrivelearning

I took 25 minutes a video 😅. If you all want to

I took 25 minutes a video 😅. If you all want to see different examples I’m happy to come through it! Here is just one example of how I used the magnet tiles to help explain how shapes can have the same area but different perimeter as well as how they can be used to visualize ways to solve for rectilinear area.

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