I know it's hard to believe, but back-to-school season is here again. My social media feeds are full of teachers setting up their classrooms, and while I don't head back for another week, I'm already thinking through my own setup. Over the years, I've developed a process that helps me stay organized, avoid feeling overwhelmed, and make sure my classroom is ready for students—not just decorated for the first day.

Teachers are busy, YOU are busy. We have so many little things to keep up with on a daily basis. The word wall was creating a struggle, but it would be worth it if I felt it was the ideal solution to support my students. My goal is to create a system that is easy to maintain, supports my students, and isn’t too visually overwhelming.

Geometry isn’t hard, understanding the question is. Learn how the RULES Framework helps students, especially English Language Learners, analyze geometry problems with confidence.

If you've ever had a student who was perfectly capable of doing the math, but struggled to understand questions and explain their thinking, then you've seen firsthand how language can be a barrier in math classes. For English Language Learners and struggling learners, math isn't just about numbers. It's about vocabulary, sentence structures, and confidence. That's where word walls can help. When used intentionally, they can be one of the most powerful tools for supporting ELL