I think this might be my first official 4th grade post! We are learning about the regions of California in our social studies curriculum. Lessons
Another freebie - a slideshow to help teach point of view to your 3rd or 4th graders! Both nonfiction (opposing viewpoints) and fiction (multiple points of view) examples are included!
Thinking about implementing a Daily Three reading structure for reading rotations? Check out this post for details and example activities for each roation.
Looking to learn about the great white north, eh? You will love this free printable Canada for Kids reader to color, read, and learn!
Help your students understand how nonrenewable resources do not last with this hands-on science activity that is perfect for any elementary teacher!
Ready to learn about the second largest country in the world? Grab these printable Canada Coloring Pages to learn about Canadian wildlife, Mounties,hockey, and more!
Kids will have fun learning about other countries, famous landmarks, and geography with this France for Kids FREE Printable Mini Book.
Integrating art and content in the ELA classroom. Tips and resources.
One of the things I do every year that really makes a difference in my students' learning is having them use notebooks to store notes, examples, work, and
Having trouble finding main idea activities your students can complete successfully on their own? Look no further! Here are 3 main idea games that work perfectly as centers and will give your students critical practice on this tricky skill.
Learn about Venezuela for Kids with these FREE Venezuela Mini Books. Color, read, and learn Venezuelan facts and information for kids of all ages.
Go down under as you learn about Australia for Kids with these free printable books filled with information to read, color, andl learn!
Learn about Japan for Kids with this printable book to read, color, and learn about Mt Fiji, charming gardens, and sushi without leaving home!
The 9 fun and low prep classroom team building games are the perfect addition to your class and will have your students asking for more!
Learn how to provide math intervention that will make an impact in your classroom while making your life easier!
Do you dread having early finishers in your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade classroom? Every classroom has them. Grab some free challenges in this post!
Free numeracy resources for classrooms, teachers and parents. Included will be printable games and activities.
Pencils - how do I loathe thee? Let me count the ways! If pencils are the bane of your existence too, you'll relate to the 6 pencil horror stories in this post! Then read on to find out how to tackle the pencil problem once and for all!
*NOW GOOGLE SLIDES!*Use these to give your students power to do what they want to during the free time they have!- Editable for as many tasks as you need- Students, or yourself, can drag their names to whatever activity they choose...
I love to start the year building classroom community with Peter H. Reynold’s books like The Dot and Ish. They are great read aloud books to begin a growth mindset activity. Both books are great for teaching kids that it is okay to take risks and make mistakes. Those books also go very well […]
Teaching how to solve word problems is a challenge. These strategies show you the most efficient way to teach how to solve word problems.
MATH Higher-Order Thinking Questions for Students! Questions for students to ask EACH OTHER! *These open-ended questions are great to get your students to think deeper about math concepts and word …
Today I'm sharing my love of math manipulatives with you. Having a variety of manipulatives for math "at the ready" in my 4th grade and 5th grade classroom is critical for inspiring ideas for hands-on math games and activities . Different manipulatives give me the opportunity t
Lots of EPIC Simple Machine Projects for students to make using things around the house! Learn about simple machines for kids - levers, plleys, inclinned plane, wheel & axel, wedges, and screw.
Have you been looking for the perfect project based learning curriculum? If you've been on the lookout for a game-changing approach to captivate your upper elementary students and ignite a passion for learning, you're in for a treat! Buckle up as we dive into the world of project-based learning (PBL) – the secret sauce to turning mundane lessons into exciting adventures.
Learn about Switzerland, a beautiful country in the Swiss Alps with these FREE Printable Switzerland Coloring Pages for kids.
**4th Grade TEKS ALIGNED**Your students will love these activities as an extension or part of independent practice/centers. Engaging activities that allow students to create and think deeper to demonstrate what they really know about Map Skills. The 4th grade Texas History choice boards are writte...
Every year I give my students a questionnaire to complete on the first day of school. Later that night, when I have finally recovered from the excitement of the first day, I sit down with my stack of questionnaires to read all about my new students. My students' responses are such an important piece in getting to know each and every one of them. While there is a whole list of get-to-know-you questions for students to respond to, there are five questions that I make sure to pay extra close attention to: What do you like to be called? This question might seem like an obvious one, but I speak from personal experience when I tell you that this question can make such a big difference for certain students. My name is Rebecca, but as a kid I ONLY went by Becky. Every year, when my teachers would call my name during attendance on the first day, I would simply respond with "HERE", instead of letting them know that I preferred to be called Becky. I was painfully shy as a child and too afraid to speak up. Often it was not until Back to School Night, or even conference time, when teachers would meet my parents and learn that I preferred to be called Becky. It may seem like a small thing, but it was a HUGE deal to me as a child! On this same note, it is just as important to students that we know how to PRONOUNCE their names. It is definitely worth the extra effort to make that connection with students, and make them feel valued in our classrooms. What is something that makes you feel proud? This question is the one that allows me to make connections with my students. This is where they share what they're good at in or out of school. It gives them a chance to reflect on what makes them feel good about themselves. For me, it helps me to start conversations with students, recommend books they might like, or encourage other interests or activities that may be related to what makes them proud. What is something that is challenging for you? This next one is an obvious one, but still an important one. Those things that challenge our students are the very things that might lead to anxiety or discomfort in the classroom. The responses to this question are ones that I like to keep in the back of my mind as I am preparing lessons for new and challenging content. It gives me a chance to think of ways to help students overcome those challenges, or to simply shift their mindset when it comes to challenges. What is something you wish I knew? I used to ask the question, "What is the MOST important thing you want me to know about YOU?" While I got some great responses to this question, I would also get things like "I am really good at baseball" or "I like math". Of course these things are important, but we cover interests and favorite subjects with other questions. I want to hear the one thing (or more) that my students need me to know about them, in order for me to be the best teacher I can possibly be for them. A few years ago, a teacher named Kyle Schwartz posed this question for her students. She shared some of the responses on social media, highlighting the need for teachers everywhere to truly get to know their students and what they might need. Needless to say, this question is now asked on my questionnaire. What is something you expect from me as your teacher? We discuss so many expectations that we have for our students during the first week of school. I also think that it's important to see what our students expect from us. I am always surprised by my students responses to this question. They are often honest and specific about what they need. I have had students share that they like to have fun, but that they need structure. I have also had students share that they expect me to listen to them. Leave it to our students to remind us what it takes to make us better teachers! Believe it or not, students' responses to these questions stick out in my mind throughout the year. I always keep their responses in the back of my mind as I am interacting with my students, planning lessons, or even dealing with challenges. A student questionnaire is a great jumping off point for getting to know your students. You can download this questionnaire for FREE by clicking HERE or on the pic below. This questionnaire is just one of the get-to-know-you activities from my Back to School resource. If you're looking for more activities for those first days of school, click HERE or on the pic below to take a closer look. This resource now includes digital pages for distance learning. It's never too early to start thinking about the next school year. I hope that you will keep these questions in mind when getting to know your students this upcoming year.
Teaching POV soon? These mini lessons will make a great addition to any lesson plan! Spoiler alert: includes a commercial that will get your students thinking.
Are you looking for early finisher activities to keep your students engaged and productive when they complete their work early? Look no further! Here are 20 early finisher activities that your students will love. From creative projects to physical activities, there’s something here for everyone! These early finisher activities will help keep your students motivated and on task while also having a little fun. So grab the supplies, turn up the music, and let's get started with these awesome early finisher activities today! (Some links below are Amazon affiliate links. . .no extra charge for you, but it helps support
Hi, I'm Magy. I love reading and writing, and I love to teach reading and writing. Currently, I'm a K-8 Reading Specialist, but I've also taught in High
Set up a learning environment that will support student thinking and math discussions during number talks.
Looking for new and fun ideas to help teach making inferences? I've got 5 engaging mini-lesson ideas for you to try in your elementary classroom!
Massive list of classroom jobs for elementary students in preschool, kindergarten, first grade, or second grade - such great ideas for classroom jobs!
Have you ever tried to flip your classroom.
If you're teaching main idea in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade then you need to try this hands-on sorting activity! This main idea and details sentence sort activity is a great way to get students thinking about HOW details support a main idea. Using a main idea and details graphic organizer, students will sort the sentences and they will use higher-order thinking skills as they justify their answer.
Are you teaching 3rd grade rounding numbers? In this blog post, I'll go over the easiest way to introduce this skill to your students by using a number line.
For second-grade students looking to strengthen their understanding of main idea, worksheets can be a valuable tool. Designed to enhance comprehension skills, these worksheets provide targeted practice in identifying the central theme or topic of a passage or text. With engaging exercises and clear instructions, these worksheets offer a structured approach to help young learners grasp the concept of main idea and develop their reading and critical thinking abilities.
Unlock a world of creativity in your upper elementary classroom with these 12 engaging Project-Based Learning examples! From create a planet to design a haunted house to historical time capsules, these hands-on PBL activities foster critical thinking and collaboration. Perfect ideas for project based learning activities and ideas for homeschool, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, and middle school. Includes a FREE printable lemonade stand project that uses math and language arts skills!
Click on the image above for these free passages! These free reading comprehension passages are summer themed but can be used any time of the year. The nonfiction passages are a fun and easy way to get students settled at the beginning of class! They can also be used for homework or in a reading center. Enjoy! Christina
