About the store
Hi there! I’m so glad you found your way to my Teachers Pay Teachers store. My name is Nikki, and I’ve been in the classroom long enough to know that teaching goes beyond just the academics.
For many years, I was a 2nd grade teacher. During that time, I started weaving Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and character-building lessons into my daily routine. It wasn’t just about reading, writing, and math anymore. I noticed a huge shift in my students' behavior and academic performance as they began to take responsibility for their own actions, thoughts, and feelings. It was incredible to see how the foundation of SEL made such a difference in their overall success, both in and out of the classroom.
Now, as a 4th grade SEL teacher, I teach over 700 students a week—yes, 700! It’s amazing to see how these lessons continue to empower kids to build positive relationships, grow their self-awareness, and handle challenges with resilience. I’ve seen firsthand how SEL can transform the classroom dynamic, and I’m passionate about helping other teachers bring these strategies into their own classrooms.
Through Grace Over Grades, I share the resources, lesson plans, and tools that have worked in my own classroom. My goal is to help you foster an environment where your students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I know the challenges of being a teacher—there’s always something new to juggle—but I believe that when we invest in our students’ emotional growth, the academic success follows.
I’m here to make your teaching life a little easier and a lot more impactful. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you find something that will make your classroom a place where both you and your students can flourish!
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Social Filter - Think it or Say it - SEL Activity
Comment Filtering - Think it or Say it SEL Activity Tired of classroom chatter that's out of control? Want to help your students learn the importance of thinking before they speak? Look no further! This fun and engaging resource is packed with everything you need to teach your elementary students how to filter their comments and improve classroom behavior. That means minimal prep for the teacher! This SEL unit has it all! PowerPoint slides with everything you need to say to guide your students
2nd - 4th
School Counseling, Social Emotional Learning
Honesty & Integrity - Social Skills SEL Lesson
Honesty & Integrity - Social Skills SEL Lesson Unlock a world of character development for your elementary students with this fun & engaging resource focused on honesty and integrity! Instilling these values early in life is crucial, and this lesson makes it easy for young minds to understand the importance of honesty and integrity in building trust and forming lasting relationships. Elementary students are at a critical stage of moral development. By explicitly teaching social skills, we empo
1st - 4th
Character Education, School Counseling, Social Emotional Learning
Active Listening - SEL Lesson
Active Listening “Make sure you’re being a good listener” ... “You need to listen carefully” How many teachers repeat this phrase daily in their classrooms without the “good listening” they’re asking for in return? It’s frustrating, but I know why it’s happening! Believe it or not, your students aren’t listening because you haven’t taught them the difference between LISTENING and HEARING. Honestly, there are even adults that don’t know the difference! When kids say “I was listening” they oft
1st - 3rd
School Counseling, Social Emotional Learning
Also included in: Behavior Management & Behavior Interventions BUNDLE
New Year's Resolution - One Word - Activity Pages
New Year’s Activities & CraftsJanuary is a great time to reset your classroom community with resolutions, mindset & a little fun! This New Year’s Activity and Craft resource has it all! Included: ✅ slides to teach about resolutions ✅resolution activity ✅New Year’s crowns ✅ “One Word” Activity ✅writing activity ✅ making words activity ✅ word scramble ✅ word find ✅ ABC order ✅ coloring sheets Get Unlimited Access to the entire store HERE!Related Resources:Identifying Emotions & FeelingsSEL
1st - 4th
Character Education, Social Emotional Learning
Bossy Behavior - Social Skills - Circle of Control
Bossy Behavior - Social Skills - Circle of ControlEvery classroom has at least one “bossy” student. The other kids avoid working and playing with them. It seems like no matter how many times we try to explain how it’s affecting their relationships, they just won’t stop. This resource can help! Typically, kids don’t WANT to be bossy. They want to create friendships, not lose them. There are many factors that can cause them to act this way. Bossiness is a natural way for humans to try to control t
1st - 3rd
Social Emotional Learning
Also included in: Behavior Management & Behavior Interventions BUNDLE
2D Shapes Unit & 3D Shapes Unit - BUNDLE
2D Shapes Unit & 3D Shapes Unit - 1st Grade / 2nd GradeStop piecing your math lessons together one day at a time! These units contain everything you need to teach 2D & 3D shapes in your 1st grade or 2nd grade classroom. This unit takes you from introducing the topics all the way to the assessment. You'll just have to pull up the slides and print off the activity & game pages. It's that easy to use! Lesson Topics:- Polygons - Sides & Vertices - Quadrilaterals - Making New Shapes - Right An
1st - 2nd
Geometry, Math
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
1.G.A.1
, 1.G.A.2
, 2.G.A.1
+13
Behavior Management & Behavior Interventions BUNDLE
Behavior Management & Behavior Interventions - BUNDLEAre you ready to take control of classroom behaviors and finally create the calm, positive community of your dreams? I'm here to help! These resources include various behavior interventions and classroom management strategies that work! Included:✅ Bye Bye Blurting ✅ All About Respect ✅ How to Use Self-Control ✅ Make Decisions with S.T.A.R. ✅ Restorative Classroom Management ✅ Size of the Problem ✅ Super Hero Themed Positive Reinforcement Cards
1st - 4th
Classroom Community, Social Emotional Learning
2d shapes unit - worksheets, lessons, slides and activities
2d shapes unit - worksheets, lessons, slides and activitiesStop piecing your math lessons together one day at a time! This unit contains everything you need to teach about 2D shapes from introducing the topic all the way to the assessment. You'll just have to pull up the slides and print off the activity pages. Done! Lessons:Polygons Sides & Vertices Quadrilaterals Making New Shapes Right Angles Included:✅ full lesson plans for each day ✅ slides for each day ✅ activity pages for each day ✅ pr
1st - 2nd
Geometry, Math
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
1.G.A.1
, 1.G.A.2
, 2.G.A.1
+11
Also included in: 2D Shapes Unit & 3D Shapes Unit - BUNDLE
Problem Solving Strategy - STAR
This Resource: Problem Solving using STARDo you notice your students tend to react to problems out of emotion? Are you looking for a strategy that can help them to solve problems calmly? S.T.A.R. is your answer! In this lesson, your students will learn the 4 easy steps in the S.T.A.R. problem solving framework. You can print the first slide as a poster to keep in your classroom that you can reference when problems arise. There is also a student activity that can be taken home and posted for furt
1st - 4th
School Counseling, Social Emotional Learning
Also included in: Behavior Management & Behavior Interventions BUNDLE
Leadership - Become a Leader
This Resource: Are you noticing that they students in your class tend to be followers? Do they struggle with making appropriate choice and being a role model for others? Use this leadership resource to empower your students! They'll learn that leaders aren't just adults, instead each one of them can be a leader. They'll learn about how to be a leader not just in the classroom, but other places too! Lesson Includes:✅ Detailed Lesson Plan ✅ Interactive PowerPoint Slides ✅ Coloring Sheets with Lead
1st - 4th
School Counseling, Social Emotional Learning
Calming Strategies & Calming Corner
Calming Strategies & Calming CornersCreate a calmer classroom with students who self-regulate so you can focus on teaching your lessons! This resource focuses on teaching your students how to use Calming Strategies & a Calming Corner. After using this activity, your students will have the tools to begin manage big emotions on their own. This = fewer emotional fires for you to put out! Students will work on important SEL skills like self management, relationship skills and responsible decision
1st - 4th
Social Emotional Learning
Identifying Emotions - Identifying Feelings - SEL Curriculum
Identifying Emotions for Kids: Kids who can identify their emotions are better equipped to handle them in a productive way. Support your SEL curriculum by introducing this important building block of identifying feelings and emotions. This Resource: Identifying Your EmotionsThe focus of this resource is identifying feelings and emotions that elementary and upper elementary students face. After using this activity, your students will have the tools to use their body cues to name feelings emotion
1st - 4th
Social Emotional Learning
Size of the Problem activities - SEL Curriculum
End tattling in your classroom by teaching students how to handle small problems vs big problems! These social emotional learning activities will teaching about identifying the size of the problem and how to respond in a way that improves student relationships. This Resource: Size of the Problem and ReactionThe focus of this resource is size of the problems that elementary and upper elementary students face. After using this activity, your students will have the tools to identify and handle a b
1st - 4th
Social Emotional Learning
Also included in: Behavior Management & Behavior Interventions BUNDLE
Classroom Rewards Systems - Student Awards / Certificates
Certificates / Awards to Students – Cactus StyleIf you’re looking for a way to celebrate students in your classroom, look no further! Using awards and certificates to students throughout the year – not just year end classroom awards – is a powerful way to show your students that you SEE them and their effort all year long! This resource includes many awards for students – funny and encouraging certificates. Your class will be so excited when they earn a new award as just as encouragement to kee
1st - 4th
Classroom Community, Social Emotional Learning
Also included in: Classroom Awards - Student Certificates - BUNDLE (1 SET FREE!!)
Classroom Awards Systems - Writing Awards / Certificates
Writing Awards to Students – Cactus StyleIf you’re looking for a way to celebrate students in your classroom, look no further! Using certificates and awards to students throughout the year – not just year end classroom awards – is a powerful way to show your students that you SEE them and their effort all year long! This resource includes many awards for students – funny and encouraging certificates. Your class will be so excited when they earn a new writing award at the end of each unit or ju
1st - 4th
Classroom Community, Social Emotional Learning
Also included in: Classroom Awards - Student Certificates - BUNDLE (1 SET FREE!!)
Classroom Rewards Systems - Reading Awards / Certificates
Reading Awards to Students – Cactus StyleIf you’re looking for a way to celebrate students in your classroom, look no further! Using certificates and awards to students throughout the year – not just year end classroom awards – is a powerful way to show your students that you SEE them and their effort all year long! This resource includes many certificates / awards for students – funny and encouraging certificates. Your class will be so excited when they earn a new reading award at the end of
1st - 4th
Classroom Community, Social Emotional Learning
Also included in: Classroom Awards - Student Certificates - BUNDLE (1 SET FREE!!)
Classroom Rewards Systems - Math Awards / Certificates
Math Certificates / Awards to Students – Cactus StyleIf you’re looking for a way to celebrate students in your classroom, look no further! Using awards and certificates to students throughout the year – not just year end classroom awards – is a powerful way to show your students that you SEE them and their effort all year long! This resource includes many awards for students – funny and encouraging certificates. Your class will be so excited when they earn a new math certificate at the end of
1st - 4th
Classroom Community, Social Emotional Learning
Also included in: Classroom Awards - Student Certificates - BUNDLE (1 SET FREE!!)
Meet the Teacher PowerPoint Slides - FREE
Up your Meet the Teacher game with this bright and colorful PowerPoint quiz. Your new students and families will love playing the game and getting to know you at the same time. Each slide is an editable template so you can add your own questions, information and photos. I hope these ideas for Meet the Teacher night add some fun to your event! Here's how you can personalize it: Download 2 fonts: PBPeppermintCakePop & PBDunnObsessed (I LOVE these fonts!)Notice that the teacher's name is in 2 layer
Not Specific
Meet the Teacher / Open House - template editable
Meet the Teacher / Open House - "Sweet" ThemeGrades K - 5If you're looking for ideas for Meet the Teacher night, look no further. This package has EVERYTHING you'll need for a smooth and successful meet the teacher event! The editable templates allow you to make it your own. Plus, your classroom will look super SWEET with coordinating and simple to create bulletin boards, banners, door decorations and more! I hope all of these ideas for Meet the Teacher night help your event to be organized,
K - 5th
Space Themed Tags - Math
What are Brag Tags?Brag tags are a great way to intrinsically motivate your students! No more handing out candy or using a toy chest as rewards! (or at least use those less often) Help you students feel proud of their learning and accomplishments by collecting brag tags throughout the year. What’s included?This set includes 31 different brag tags. There are editable name tags & 30 tags that are focused on math accomplishments. These brag tags include 2nd grade Math Common Core Standards. (If
1st - 3rd
Math
CCSS
2.MD.A.1
, 2.MD.A.2
, 2.MD.A.3
+32
Showing 1-20 of 27 results
About the store
Experience
Hi there! I’m so glad you found your way to my Teachers Pay Teachers store. My name is Nikki, and I’ve been in the classroom long enough to know that teaching goes beyond just the academics.
For many years, I was a 2nd grade teacher. During that time, I started weaving Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and character-building lessons into my daily routine. It wasn’t just about reading, writing, and math anymore. I noticed a huge shift in my students' behavior and academic performance as they began to take responsibility for their own actions, thoughts, and feelings. It was incredible to see how the foundation of SEL made such a difference in their overall success, both in and out of the classroom.
Now, as a 4th grade SEL teacher, I teach over 700 students a week—yes, 700! It’s amazing to see how these lessons continue to empower kids to build positive relationships, grow their self-awareness, and handle challenges with resilience. I’ve seen firsthand how SEL can transform the classroom dynamic, and I’m passionate about helping other teachers bring these strategies into their own classrooms.
Through Grace Over Grades, I share the resources, lesson plans, and tools that have worked in my own classroom. My goal is to help you foster an environment where your students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I know the challenges of being a teacher—there’s always something new to juggle—but I believe that when we invest in our students’ emotional growth, the academic success follows.
I’m here to make your teaching life a little easier and a lot more impactful. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you find something that will make your classroom a place where both you and your students can flourish!
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