Samantha Pottie
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Standing With Alberta Teachers: Simple At-Home Learning Plans for Strike Days
A note of support To Alberta’s teachers: thank you. Strikes are never easy, and the decision to walk out is about the long-term health of public education—class sizes, resources, and the conditions students learn in every day. As of Monday, October 6, 2025, teachers across Alberta began a province-wide strike, and many divisions have suspended Read more
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Teaching The Lottery by Shirley Jackson: A Short Story Lesson Bundle That Sparks Real Conversations
When I first read The Lottery by Shirley Jackson in high school, I remember the shock of that ending hitting me like a ton of bricks (or maybe stones?). It was one of those stories that stuck with me—not just for the twist, but for how subtly and powerfully it made me think about society, Read more
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No-Tech Activities for Fast Finishers That Won’t Drive You Crazy
Let’s face it—there’s always that one student (or five) who wraps up their work with time to spare… while the rest of the class is still deep in concentration. So what do you do when the early birds are starting to fidget, and you’re not ready to transition just yet? You don’t need flashy tech, Read more
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Classroom Jobs That Actually Help (and Ones That Don’t!)
Are your classroom jobs more hassle than help? You’re not alone. Many teachers love the idea of classroom jobs—building responsibility, encouraging ownership, and giving students a role to play in their community. But in reality? Some jobs just collect dust (looking at you, “Line Leader of the Day”). Let’s break down the classroom jobs that Read more
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Building a Daily Writing Habit Just Got Easier with the Quick-Write Journal Jar
After a summer of reflection and creativity, I’m back with a brand-new resource that’s perfect for easing into the school year, managing transitions, and encouraging meaningful writing—without the stress. Introducing the Quick-Write Journal Jar—a low-prep, high-impact tool designed to help you build a consistent writing routine in your classroom. Why I Created This As a Read more
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Creating a Weekly Teacher Routine to Stay Sane (Yes, It’s Possible!)
Let’s be real — teaching is magical… but also chaotic, overwhelming, and just a smidge exhausting. Between lesson planning, emails, parent communication, staff meetings, behavior charts, photocopying, and oh yes — actually teaching — it’s no wonder so many teachers end up running on caffeine and pure survival instincts by Thursday afternoon. But what if Read more
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Recharge Complete: Creative Resources Are Back in Session
I’m Back — and Ready to Make This School Year Awesome!Welcome to a brand-new season of creative, helpful resources from The Pottie Spot! Hey there, teacher friends, homeschoolers, and amazing parents!After taking some much-needed time away this summer to rest, reset, and recharge, I’m so excited to say… I’m back — and better than ever. Read more
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Shifting the Focus: Why Positive Rewards Deserve More Space in the Classroom
Let’s be honest—classroom management can feel like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. One issue pops up, you handle it, and another springs to life. So often, our focus is on correcting behavior, preventing disruptions, and maintaining order. But what if we flipped the script? What if, instead of spending so much time managing negative behaviors, Read more
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Solve the Mystery: The Case of the Altered Invitation
If you’re looking for an engaging and imaginative way to teach inference, text evidence, and character analysis, I’ve created a resource that will get your students talking, thinking, and collaborating—without even realizing how much academic work they’re doing. Introducing: The Case of the Altered InvitationThis isn’t your average worksheet. It’s a fully immersive, interactive mystery Read more
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10 ELA Games for Review Days (That Aren’t Kahoot)
Let’s be honest: Kahoot is fun… the first few times. But once the novelty wears off (and your Wi-Fi drops mid-question), it’s time to freshen up your review game—literally. Whether you’re preparing for a quiz, wrapping up a novel study, or filling a weird schedule day, these ELA review games bring the energy without the Read more
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Learning Without Limits: A Homeschooler’s Guide to a Meaningful Summer
For many families, summer means a full stop on learning—packed away workbooks, closed-up desks, and a break from routine. But for homeschoolers, the rhythm of learning doesn’t always follow the school district calendar. And that’s a beautiful thing. Homeschooling gives us the gift of flexibility—the freedom to learn on our own terms, chase passions, explore Read more
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Online Professional Development Ideas for Teachers: Free & Paid Options to Level Up Your Skills
As teachers, we’re constantly learning—whether it’s through classroom experiences, student interactions, or keeping up with the latest strategies and tools. But with busy schedules and limited budgets, finding the right professional development (PD) can be tough. The good news? There are tons of online PD options that can fit your time, interests, and even your Read more
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Why Do We Celebrate Canada Day? (A Kid-Friendly Look at July 1st)
July 1st is a day filled with fireworks, parades, red-and-white clothes, and maple leaf everything… but have you ever wondered why we celebrate Canada Day? Let’s take a fun and easy look at what makes July 1st so special! — What Is Canada Day? Canada Day is kind of like Canada’s birthday! It’s the day Read more
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Take Control of Your Classroom: New Teacher Planner Sections Are Here (and Coming Soon!)
If you’ve been following along with our Ultimate Teacher Planner journey, you know that we’re all about making planning practical, colorful, and organized. I’m so excited to share that two new sections have been added to the mix — one available now and one launching very soon! Grading & Assessment Tools – Now Available! Tired Read more
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Be Sub-Ready All Year with This Printable Substitute Teacher Binder
Whether you’re planning a personal day or hit with a surprise morning illness, there’s nothing more stressful than trying to pull together sub plans at the last minute. That’s exactly why I created this easy-to-use, fully editable Substitute Teacher Binder—so you can take time off without the chaos. What Is It? The Substitute Teacher Binder Read more
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Taming the Tornado: Teacher Reset Routines That Actually Stick
The end of the school year can feel like being swept up in a whirlwind—papers flying, students buzzing, and to-do lists multiplying like rabbits. Whether you’re packing up your classroom or just trying to make it to the final bell with your sanity intact, it’s easy to feel like everything is spiraling. That’s why having Read more
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End the School Year with Storytelling & Celebration!
As the final weeks of school roll in, we’re all looking for meaningful, low-prep ways to keep students engaged, reflect on the year, and have a little fun before summer. That’s why I created a special end-of-year bundle that combines two of my favorite activities: My Year as a Character+Classroom Awards Ceremony Together, they’re the Read more
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Classroom Packing Tips That Save Time Next Year
As the final bell rings and the school year winds down, many teachers find themselves staring at the chaos of their classroom wondering… where do I even begin? Before you start tossing things into boxes just to be done with it, let’s slow down for a minute. A little bit of strategy now can save Read more
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Plan with Purpose: Your Go-To Lesson Planning Pack is Here
If you’re anything like most teachers, lesson planning is a never-ending to-do—but having the right tools can make a world of difference. That’s why I’m excited to launch the Lesson Planning Pack, the first installment in The Pottie Spot Ultimate Teacher Planner series! This printable and editable resource is designed to take the pressure out Read more
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Pass the Prompt: The Collaborative Writing Game Your Students Will Love
Let’s be honest—sometimes we just need a low-prep activity that’s still meaningful, fun, and keeps students engaged without draining our energy or requiring a stack of materials. That’s where my latest classroom favorite comes in: Pass the Prompt – a collaborative writing game that brings creativity, laughter, and teamwork into your ELA block! Whether you’re Read more
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10 Low-Energy ELA Activities to Wrap Up the Year
Simple, engaging, and just enough effort to make it to summer. By the time May hits, most teachers are running on caffeine, countdowns, and classroom fans that barely work. The students are checked out. You’re checked out. But somehow, there are still days left. The good news? You don’t need to overthink it. These 10 Read more
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Coming Soon: The Ultimate Teacher Planner to Keep You Organized, Inspired, and Sane
If you’re anything like me, the end of the school year is the perfect time to start dreaming about a fresh start—and that includes planning ahead. That’s why I’m so excited to share a sneak peek of something I’ve been working on behind the scenes: The Pottie Spot’s Ultimate Teacher Planner is coming soon to Read more
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Desert Island Survival: The End-of-Year ELA Activity Your Students Will Actually Love
The final weeks of school are always a bit… chaotic. Between classroom cleanup, year-end assessments, and students who are already mentally on summer vacation, it can be tough to find lessons that keep them learning and engaged. That’s exactly why I created my Desert Island Survival: ELA Edition — a low-prep, high-engagement activity that gets Read more
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The Final Stretch: Sanity-Saving Tips for Surviving the Last Weeks of School
Welcome to the end-of-year twilight zone: that mysterious time when classroom supplies vanish, student attention spans evaporate, and teachers everywhere are just trying to cross the finish line with their dignity (and maybe one working Expo marker) intact. If you’re staring down the final few weeks of school and wondering how you’ll survive with your Read more
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Grammar Gauntlet Game Show
An End-of-Year Grammar Review Game That Students Actually Love The final weeks of the school year can feel like a whirlwind—between assemblies, field trips, and general summer brain, it can be hard to keep students engaged… especially in ELA. That’s exactly why I created the Grammar Gauntlet—a Jeopardy-style grammar review game show that turns your Read more
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Escape the Ordinary with Dr. Wordplay’s Lab of Language!
Are your students ready to embark on an exciting language adventure? Unlock creativity, critical thinking, and figurative language mastery with the brand-new Dr. Wordplay’s Lab of Language Escape Room—now available at The Pottie Spot on Teachers Pay Teachers! Step into Dr. Wordplay’s whimsical lab, where students become language explorers tasked with unraveling playful puzzles packed Read more
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Free Figurative Language Mini Escape Room for Grades 5–8 (ELA Fun!)
Welcome to The Pottie Spot — where ELA meets creativity, and learning is anything but boring! To celebrate the launch of my Teachers Pay Teachers store, I’m offering a free Figurative Language Mini Escape Room designed for grades 5–8. Whether you’re planning a fun review activity, prepping for standardized testing, or just want something engaging Read more
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