Education Expeditions

If you've been teaching 5th grade for more than five minutes, you know that unlike denominators is where sweet summer children become math-phobic adults. One day they're confidently adding 2/8 + 3/8, and the next they see 1/3 + 1/4 and their brains short-circuit. Suddenly your capable students are frozen, saying things like "I can't do this" and "Math is too hard." But here's the thing: unlike denominators doesn't have to be the unit that breaks everyone. Let's talk strategy.

Can we be honest for a second? Fractions are THE math unit that makes both teachers and students want to cry into their planners. You've got kids who still don't get equivalence, some who are ready for operations, and that one kiddo who genuinely thinks 1/2 is bigger than 3/4 because "the numbers are bigger." If mid-year data meetings have you sweating about fraction mastery, this post is your lifeline. The Fraction Struggle is Universal (It's Not Just Your Class) Here's some

Welcome back, teacher friend! If you're reading this with one eye open and a cold coffee in hand, I see you. That first week back after winter break hits different, doesn't it? Students have forgotten how to line up. Your carefully organized classroom feels like a foreign land. Somebody asks you what day it is and you honestly have no idea. And somehow—SOMEHOW—you're supposed to start teaching fractions next week because the curriculum calendar says so. Let's talk about survi

We all know that student who tenses up the moment you mention multiplication facts. Maybe they're the one who knew 7 × 8 yesterday but suddenly can't remember it today when you're timing them. Or the one who's brilliant at problem-solving but shuts down during fact practice. Here's the thing: fluency matters. But so does confidence. And sometimes our well-intentioned timed practice can actually work against both. After years of watching students freeze up during multiplicatio

The first week back from winter break is survival mode for everyone. Here's your day-by-day plan: rebuild routines, assess what they remember, fill in gaps, and gently ease back into new content. No curriculum pressure, just what actually works.

Let's be honest: you became a teacher to inspire students, not to spend three hours every Sunday creating differentiated worksheets. Here are 10 time-saving strategies that have literally given me hours back every week—without sacrificing quality instruction.

Planning your math curriculum for the year ahead? Knowing WHEN to teach each concept makes all the difference between a smooth year and constant catch-up mode. Here's your complete month-by-month guide for 4th and 5th grade math—including what to teach when and why timing actually matters.