When I was a brand new teacher, I thought the quality of my teaching was ultimately tied to the quality of my resources, so I spent hours searching for great materials. I believed that if I had quality resources, ones that my students enjoyed and were engaged with, then that would make me a good teacher. Well, I still believe that having quality resources is extremely important, but over the years I've also come to realize that being a good teacher is SO much more than the tools in my toolbox. Everyday has a million moving parts that need our constant attention, focus, knowledge and skills of best practice. So even though I now believe that being a good teacher is more than the quality of my teaching materials, knowing that I have a good variety of kid tested and teacher approved resources at my fingertips allows me the time and energy to focus on other aspects of my teaching day. So today, as a follow-up to my original "favorite resources" post, I want to share with you MORE of my "go-to" resources that I consistently use in my classroom with my students! Build a Sentence I love this resource, and so do my students! This resource gets beginning and intermediate ELs speaking and writing! First, a photograph is posted. Then students generate a word bank by telling what they see in the picture. I ask for one word at a time. No matter the level of my ELs, everyone can come up with at least a word or two. I get additional details by asking about colors and quantities of items they see. Once our word bank is sufficient, they use those words to create varying lengths of sentences. They are asked to create a 3 word sentence, then a four word sentence, then a five word sentence, and so on. I'll ask, "Who thinks they can come up with a 4 word sentence?" My students all start thinking and counting on their fingers, then quickly a hand shoots up, then another. They love it! This activity is heavily scaffolded for beginners. Students orally create the word bank and sentences, but I write the words and sentences on the board using correct spelling and grammar. Then they copy. I am a big believer in modeling for beginners, and I model a LOT! This activity is a definite favorite among my students. They practice their oral language skills as well as their writing skills. I do this with my small groups at least once a month. Writing with English Learners I created this resource to prep my students for the writing portion of the annual language proficiency assessment. In Virginia, where I'm from, ESL students take the WIDA ACCESS each winter. Being that writing is the literacy skill that usually takes the longest to develop, I wanted to explicitly teach the skills students needed to be most successful on this assessment. In my lesson plans, I incorporate a listening, reading, speaking and writing focus each week. For the writing focus, I usually pull from these two resources. Whether I am teaching how to stretch out words, write a story, explain a process or analyze information, this resource allows me to choose the skills my particular groups need to work on. For my intermediate and advanced ELs in grades 3-6, I focus on "language formats" found in writing. Whether they are asked to describe, provide an opinion, analyze or compare and contrast, understanding and applying the language with that format is key. 5 Ws and H - A Writing Resource for Adding Details This resource is a new favorite! It teaches students to add meaningful details to their sentences. I often ask students to "tell me more." This writing activity gets them in the habit of giving more information in their sentences by adding thoughtful details. This resource is designed for gradual release. The first set of activities can be done in a whole group setting. A photograph is projected and students are asked to answer the 5W & H questions about the picture. This information is then used to write two thoughtful sentences. As students become more proficient with adding details to their sentences, the next set of activities can be done in either a small group setting or as an independent activity. The last set of activities are writing prompts that students can independently respond to in their notebooks. Posters are included which add a great visual reference for a classroom display. Restate the Question This is a simple, yet effective, activity that teaches students to restate the question or prompt in their answers, both orally and in writing. As a writing activity, either project a prompt on the whiteboard and have students write their responses in their notebooks, or print out the question and have them glue it into their notebook. This takes modeling the first several times, but afterwards should be a quick independent activity. For a speaking activity, pull out a card and ask the question. Students take turns answering several of the questions. This works great in a small group setting. My students often ask if we can keep on "playing." VIDEOS! VIDEOS! VIDEOS! Incorporating videos into my lessons is a MUST! When I plan a new unit, one of the first things I do is to scour the internet looking for fun and meaningful videos. My go to place is YouTube. There are some real gems out there, but it does take some looking. When I find a goody, it goes into my collection and I use it again and again. Here is a blog post that I wrote about using short films to teach reading comprehension skills. I continue to add to the list as I find new films. Click on the image to see the list! Check out my Short Film Bundle here. Monthly Themed Vocabulary This is an great resource to use with primary learners and beginning ELs. Each month contains 20 vocabulary words. I love this because it's relevant to what's happening around students at the given time of year. Along with the terms, which I use as a monthly word wall, matching cards, writing activities, a vocabulary booklet and BINGO games are included. In closing... As I create my weekly lesson plans, these "tried and true" resources are many of the activities that my students use throughout the school year. Having a collection of reliable and engaging materials available frees up the time I'd otherwise spend searching. I'm sure you have your go-to resources too. Happy teaching!! (Affiliate Link)
My district is one that is implementing Student Learning Objectives...which are basically large-scale goals for each student in class based on their ability levels. Teachers have to set target scores/learning outcomes for lower level learners to higher level learners. That means there has to be some sort of pre-assessment in order to determine the level of the students. I really have struggled in attempting to create pre-assessments for orchestra. It has been hard to wrap my head around giving a test to see what I know students don't know yet...since I haven't taught the skill, yet. Anyway, I am focusing my learning objective on rhythm. I want to be sure my students are fluent note-readers and rhythm readers. For my pre-test, I will use the 'I Got Rhythm' form that I created. This can be used many different ways and can be a useful tool in a variety of rhythm exercises. For my pre-assessment, I will perform the rhythm from one box on each line...and I will have students circle the rhythm that they think I played. This will help me see if students are already recognizing these rhythms. The rhythms get progressively more difficult as you move down the page, so I will be able to set some learning targets for individual students. Eventually of course, students will demonstrate the ability to perform these rhythms on their own - by the end of year 1. I can also use this form as a rhythm exercise...students can perform the rhythms across and down each line. They can cut them up to make flashcards. You can use the different rhythms for warm-ups and scales.
Got a talkative class? Check out these 5 ways to quiet the chatter!
5E model overview
The self-paced classroom benefits students and teachers! We share how to make it a reality in your classroom using the Grid Method.
Classroom modifications for students that struggle with slow processing speed.
Looking for games to play with a classroom? This list of English games in the classroom is exactly what you need to engage students!
Find more education infographics on e-Learning Infographics Lev Vygotsky According to Vygotsky (1978) the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) relates to the difference between what a child can achie…
Inclusive Classrooms ~ "Promote a safe and welcoming classroom school and community where individual differences are valued..."
Figurative language can be tricky to teach, because some students tend to take things so literally! This fun and engaging unit includes figurative language worksheets, posters, activities, and more to help teach and review similes, metaphors, hyperbole, idioms, etc. in an exciting way. Click on the PREVIEW button above to see everything included! Test drive this complete unit with the FREE figurative language worksheet. Click HERE to save 20% by buying the bundle, which includes Figurative Language, Author's Purpose, and Theme in Literature. This fun and engaging resource includes: Figurative Language Posters (color & b/w) Word Wall Headers (color & b/w) Student Notebook Reference Cards (color & b/w) Worksheets Activities Interactive Notebook Foldable Answer Keys Figurative Language Definitions and Examples for: simile metaphor alliteration hyperbole personification onomatopoeia idiom All activities, printables, and worksheets are very easy to use! Simply print and use in your classrooms. I suggest laminating the posters and word wall headers for longer use. This packet is perfect for: Skills Review Skills Mastery Test Prep Sub Plans Small Groups Intervention Early Finishers ELA Centers Homework Morning Work Independent Work Don't forget that leaving feedback earns you points toward FREE TPT purchases. I love that feedback! Also, FOLLOW ME and be notified when new products are uploaded. New products are always 50% off for the first 24 hours they are posted. It pays to follow me! As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions. Thanks! Shelly Rees
I've read about this recent trend called gamification, which seems to involve a lot more than simply "playing games" in the classroom. Can you explain what gamificat
Quick, casual ways to make sure everybody's on board.
Many kids and young adults struggle with executive functioning challenges. Some are easy to spot, such as when a student can't focus on a lesson or comes to class without their entire binder. Other EF challenges are less obvious, though. A learner might take two times as long on homework because th
A set of classroom posters for teaching question types Who, What, Where, Why, When and How. If you like this, check out my When, Who, Why, Where Questions Adapted Books for Students with Autism and Conversation Skills: Visual Supports for students with autism Each poster features the word, a description, sample question and attractive clipart that matches the question type. This listing also includes a chart that can be laminated and referred to when working with individual or small groups of students. Great for Early Childhood Classrooms, Early Intervention and Special Education. ***************************************************************************** I value your feedback greatly as it helps me determine which products are most valuable for your classroom so I can create more for you. ☺ Click here to Follow me and be the first to know about my new discounts, freebies and product launches. *****************************************************************************
Boggle is such a great game for pattern recognition and spelling. You can even get a little math in there with the scoring. Kids (and adults) love it! Here is a template you can use with your class. The color version is for using with your document camera, while the grayscale version is perfect for ... Read More about Boggle Template: Make a New Game Each Time!
Looking for esl task cards to use with your english language learners? Try these picture cards that are perfect for quick and effective language practice!
This post explains how teachers can use an academic version of the highly engaging Spoons game to review concepts. Free games included!
This Conflict Resolution Bundle is jam packed with tools, like community-building lessons, posters, fortune teller craftivities, a choice board intervention, which support students to learn how to resolve conflicts peacefully. What's Included: ✔ An interactive Choice Board / Guide to help students resolve conflicts on their own ✔ 2 Quiz Show style lessons; one on the broader theme of Conflict Resolution, and the other one specific to creating I-Messages ✔ Fortune Tellers (both pre-formatted and DIY) Craft / Game ✔ Conflict Resolution Card Game ✔ Social Skills Game that can be integrated with most store bought games Ways To Use: ✔ Classroom management tools ✔ Social-emotional activities to reinforce SEL curriculum ✔ Individual interventions for students who need additional support with conflict resolution skills. ✔ During mediation ✔ Recess Problem Solving Resources
The series board games should be a funny, playful way to practice vocabulary and grammar orally. The instructions for the teachers are included.If you like this game, you can find more board games here:https://en.islcollective.com/mypage/my-creations?search_key=Board+games&type=printables&option=published&id=5163&grammar=&vocabulary=&materials=&levels=&studentTypes=&skills=&languageExams=&dialect=&functions=&page=1&sorting_type=most_newest&filter_type=filter_all&view_type=list&view_length=12 - ESL worksheets
Kagan strategies are nothing new – if you haven’t been to a conference then surely you know a teacher who has. I was one of those teachers that absorbed all the information teachers could give me about Kagan Learning since I was never lucky enough to attend. While I pushed cooperative learning and being interactive, […]
Vocabulary instruction is so critical in today’s classroom! A vast vocabulary will help students to become better readers and writers. Vocabulary is also essential to their performance on standardized tests. Helping kids to develop their vocabulary is time that is well spent in a busy classroom. I have developed a routine to teach new vocabulary
Save time and energy by using Khan Academy to simplify your day - 7 ways to implement Khan Academy as a resource for students and math teachers.
Challenges with focus and attention can become a huge roadblock to learning for kids and young adults. Simply put, attention is critical to learning. If students can't focus on the lesson, they are going to struggle with understanding the new content. If students can't focus on the directions, they
5 key reasons to teach students to analyze differing perspectives
This is an easy classroom activity to encourage your ESL students to speak in English. All you have to do is cut out these fish with the questions to play.
This is my first year teaching in a Dual Language program and, to be honest, I was a little nervous. With all the “requirements”, student movement and team-teaching it seemed really ov…
Fun and engaging grammar games for your secondary ELA classroom! These grammar games will get your students collaborating, moving, and discussing those critical sentence structure and grammar skills! Bring fun to grammar instruction!
Homophones are confusing for our young learners. This is a great resource for your students to use while writing independently or as a chart hanging in your classroom for easy reference.Click here for 78 Homophone Word Cards. This card can also be found as part of my Student Resource Book.Stay infor...
With the advent of the common-core standards, our thinking about how to support second language learners has become super important. While opting for services like Translation Services London is an excellent way to get one’s work translated, one also has to know more than one language fluently. Our current focus for supportive instruction may be on […]
Working with kids and young adults who are oppositional can be challenging. Being oppositional might mean refusing to do work, breaking rules, and engaging in other challenging behaviors. The truth is, many kids can be oppositional from time to time, so many of these strategies work with all learner
Our free digital escape rooms for kids and adults will keep you busy at home for a long time! It's a great family activity to work as a team!
Basic vocabulary, like knowing prepositions, is necessary for beginning readers. Teach prepositions with this simple game.
Poorly implemented co-teaching practices may be taking the “special” out of special education, say many who train teachers and districts in collaboration.
