Mrs. Trahan's Teaching Treasures

12 Amazon Prime Day Teacher Finds You’ll Want in Your Cart ASAP If you’re a teacher, Amazon Prime Day is basically our unofficial holiday. If you’ve ever added 17 things to your cart at 11:43 p.m. whispering “it’s for the classroom,” you’re not alone. 😉 This year, I’ve rounded up 12 of my favorite Amazon Prime Day finds for teachers —perfect for classroom organization, self-care, and making your teaching life cuter and easier. This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission if you shop through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my teacher hustle! 1. Pink Owala Coffee Tumbler Not only is this super cute, but it is very reliable for all your beverage needs! Easy to clean, keeps the temperature of your coffee you are drinking 2 hours later and more! Voted 4.6/5 stars, this is a gamechanger! 👉 Shop it on Amazon 2. Lightweight Loafers (14 color options) Breathable? CHECK! A pair to match every outfit?? CHECK CHECK! 👉 Grab a ...

If you’re a teacher, you already know that some days you feel less like an educator and more like a human “permission slip.” "Can I go to the bathroom?" "Can I sharpen my pencil?" "Can I get a tissue?" "Can I tell you a story about my dog right in the middle of the math lesson?" Whew. That’s why one of the best classroom management tools I’ve ever adopted is simple, free, and silent: hand signals . What Are Hand Signals? Hand signals are nonverbal gestures students use to communicate basic needs—without interrupting the flow of your lesson or the concentration of the class. Instead of 25 kids blurting out their needs like popcorn, you get quiet, respectful requests that you can quickly acknowledge with a nod or gesture. It’s magical. Why Use Them? Here’s what I noticed before using hand signals: Constant disruptions Kids raising their hands just to ask to sharpen a pencil Losing momentum during instruction ...

Why Every Teacher Needs a Note Catcher Binder (Or: How I Finally Stopped Taking Meeting Notes on the Back of Lunch Menus) Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links or links to my own products on Teachers Pay Teachers. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my teacher business! I don't know about you, but the number of meetings, emails, PD sessions, and unexpected "can-we-chat-quick?" moments in a school year is... a lot. And if I had a dollar for every time I scribbled something important on a sticky note that vanished into the black hole of my teacher bag, well—let’s just say I wouldn’t need to hoard Expo markers anymore. That's why I created something that has truly saved my brain (and my desk): A Teacher Note Catcher Binder What Exactly Is a Note Catcher Binder? It’s not a planner. It’s not a glorified stack of printouts. And it’s definitely not just another binder to c...

How to Set Up a Cool Down Corner in Your Elementary Classroom (That Actually Works) We’ve all been there—someone’s crying under a table, another student is refusing to talk, and your lesson is slowly unraveling while 23 other kids stare at you wide-eyed. Enter: The Cool Down Corner —your classroom's tiny superhero. A cool down corner gives students a safe space to regulate their emotions and return to learning when they’re ready. But how do you actually set one up so it works ? Let’s walk through it together—teacher to teacher. What Is a Cool Down Corner? A cool down corner (or calm corner, peace spot, etc.) is a quiet space in your classroom where students can take a break when they feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or overstimulated. It's not a punishment—it’s a regulation tool. Think of it as emotional first aid. Photo Credit to The Social Emotional Teacher Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no ...

Ah, summer break! While most people picture teachers lounging on the beach with a good book, the reality is often very different. For many of us, summer is the perfect time to start prepping for the upcoming school year—without the daily classroom chaos. Let’s dive into how teachers use their well-deserved break to plan, organize, and refresh for another year of inspiring young minds. This post contains affiliate links that are used to make commission, if you click on the links I will earn a percentage based off of sale. 1. Reflect and Recharge Summer starts with a few deep breaths! Many teachers take the first few weeks to reflect on what worked well last year and what could be improved. A little self-care goes a long way—think quiet mornings, walks in nature, or that vacation you’ve been dreaming about. Even something as simple as drinking coffee and scrolling on your favorite social media site! Reflection helps reset the mindset before jumping into the prep work! 2. Revis...