Primary School


Feature Writer: Megan Sheakoski
writer portrait, A. Sheakoski

Welcome to Primary School! The first stop for parents or educators seeking information on teaching, parenting and learning about children in grades PreK-6.

Join us for expert advice and information on lesson planning, teaching strategies, classroom management, curriculum and supplies, parent-teacher communication, field trip planning, tutoring, summer school, technology and much more.

Keep up-to-date with our primary school articles and blogs focusing on all things elementary!

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Megan Sheakoski

May 7, 2008

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

In: Primary School (general)

Easy, inexpensive, and thoughtful teacher gifts perfect for Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Day, or the last day of school. Includes four gifts kids can make at home. more...

May 1, 2008

Parent-Teacher Conferences

In: Primary School Culture

A parent-teacher conference guide explaining how to schedule and prepare for a parent conference, create a parent folder, and what to do during and after the conference. more...

Apr 22, 2008

Language Experience Approach

In: Primary School Curriculum

How to use the Language Experience Approach reading strategy, or LEA, with beginning readers to increase elementary students' ability to decode and comprehend text. more...

Apr 15, 2008

Ocean Unit Lesson Plans

In: Primary School Lesson Plans

Teach elementary school students about sea turtles, starfish or sea stars, and other ocean life using these hands-on science, art, movement and music lessons. more...

Apr 14, 2008

The Rainbow Fish Lesson Plan

In: Primary School Lesson Plans

Use The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister to teach students to share, make and revise story predictions and follow a math color pattern in this Reading and Math lesson. more...

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Megan Sheakoski

May 14, 2008

End of School Year Class Reward

How to use an ice cream party as a class reward system to increase classroom management during the last weeks of school.
The last week of school can be tough on classroom management. The weather is warmer, the schedule is crazy, and elementary students and teachers can only think of one thing- summer vacation. The management plan and reward system that has been effective all year may not be successful now.

Use the steps below to add an element of summer fun to the classroom by having the students earn an ice cream sundae party.



Set Up the Parameters

  • Decide when the party will take place.
  • Choose what types of behaviors will be rewarded.
  • Develop a plan for how you will handle individual misbehavior.
Create the Materials

  • Devote a classroom bulletin board to the ice cream party.
  • Draw and cut out all of the parts of an ice cream party. You will need a napkin, a bowl, a spoon, some scoops of ice cream, individual toppings, a cup, and a drink.
  • Display the individual parts of the party the class needs to earn around the outer edges of the bulletin board.
Explain the Plan to the Students

  • Show the students the bulletin board and talk about what they can potentially have at the party.
  • Give them specific examples of behaviors you will reward.
  • Discuss what will happen if one student continues to disrupt the class.
Now all that’s left to do is put your plan into place and get ready to enjoy all the ice cream fun!

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