Unwanted talking is near the top of the list of teacher frustrations. In this article, learn the actual strategies to finally get rid of it for good.

It wasn’t until I was sitting at a knit night, that I first heard about “blocking” knitwear. It randomly came into the conversation, and was like “WTF is that?”

I’ve been using a Word Wall with my high school students for 9 years now, and the results have been incredible. How: I have 90-minute classes, so I’m able to give my students 8-10 minutes of free reading time each day. I put this time at the BEGINNING of the class for several reasons. 1. ... Read More about How and Why to Use Word Walls with Older Students

What is fascia and why is it an important part of your yoga practice? “How tuning into your body’s connective tissue when you practice yoga can help you reap ALL of yoga’s benefits.” The w...

When a student elopes, it’s one of those behaviors we generally cannot ignore. Here are 3 ways to support students when this happens.

Many people mistake canker sores for cold sores. They are definitely not the same. But why do you get canker sores? And how do you heal them naturally?

Today, I’m sharing my experience doing a 3-day water fast! Don’t worry, it wasn’t for fun - I love to eat - but there are actually many benefits to fasting,

Process art vs. product art in early childhood education: Discover the role of each approach and explore photo examples.

this blog contains affiliate links take me to the exercises, please. Below is a group of categorized exercises for primitive reflexes, but if you are looking for more information on what primitive reflexes are, whether primitive reflexes are normal to have, how these exercises help, and why

Maybe it should have been a question. “branding for church?” Isn’t branding for businesses, not churches? The church is not a business! Right, I couldn’t

Watch this video tutorial that will show you step by step how to crochet an invisible decrease for Amigurumi. Visit my blog for more free Amigurumi patterns and tutorials you will love!

Learn how to properly clean, wash, and store mussels with this simple step-by-step guide!

Learn why one-pagers are one of my go-to activities for breaking down complex topics and texts. Understand what they are, why you and your students will love them, and how to implement them in your ELA classroom. I even have the advice to help you tackle the biggest obstacle you’ll encounter with this activity.

The ability to ask for and receive your students’ attention is crucial. It’s crucial because it saves precious learning time. It improves listening and performance. It allows you to give instruction anytime you need to and know that it will be heard and understood. ... Read more

Can this 4,000-year-old adaptogenic herb really help with weight loss, hypothyroidism, adrenal problems, and low sex drive? I'm going to make the case (through a combination of scientific studies and personal experience) that Ashwagandha can/may

Tired of your classroom consequences not working? Discover the power of logical consequences in decreasing disruptive behavior.

Feeling like an overpaid teacher’s assistant in your new role as a special education teacher in a co-taught class? It’s not just you; co-teaching is taking the difficult task of teaching to a whole new level. It took me years to come out from the teacher’s assistant shadow even though I’ve always been proficient when ...

Are you a Viking or Dancer fascia type? Discover the different fascia body types, how to identify yours, and the benefits for yoga practitioners.

In this article, learn about how a sneaky and insidious snake in the grass is keeping you from calmly, decisively, and consistently following your classroom management plan.

How to build a capsule wardrobe and why? I woke up today and when I looked into my closet I discovered a few things. First, I've spent a lot of money on pieces that I

Shin splints can be debilitating. But before you swear off exercise, find out why shin splits happen and how to get rid of shin splints.

Maybe it should have been a question. “branding for church?” Isn’t branding for businesses, not churches? The church is not a business! Right, I couldn’t

Learning how to perform lymphatic drainage massage on yourself is one of the best methods of self-care you can do! It’s not hard, and will make you feel great.

Interactive Notebooks allows the students to document their own learning and reading experiences. Check out this reading interactive notebooks templates

Everyone can learn to write effective copy! Get 3 easy to follow exercises to help you become a successful copywriter. Refine your skills and learn a fun copywriting game you can play anywhere!

How to cook tofu 101 for beginners. Learn how to season tofu, why there are different types of tofu, pressing tofu and how to make it crispy.

Most steak lovers will agree that the Ribeye is one of the most delicious cuts of beef. The rich flavor and succulent texture come from the fat marbling found within the meat fibers. Marbling also helps the steak stay moist and is why it is the perfect steak for grilling, pan-frying, and baking.This recipe for Pan-Seared Ribeye uses garlic butter to enhance the natural flavors and adds moisture to the meat.For this recipe, you'll need a cast-iron skillet. To get a nice sear on your steak, you will need a pan that can withstand high heat.

Rapallo, Italy travel guide. Why it's the best base on the Italian Riviera, things to do in Rapallo and the coast, where to eat, and more.

This episode has been all about using technical fabrics with the first challenge sewing a lined swimsuit

Why use math sorts? Discussions Differentiation Aligned to the standards No-prep FUN! 1. Discussions We constantly tell students to show their work or explain their thinking. Using math sorts weekly will give students practice in putting their thinking into words. Your students will use math vocabulary as they explain how they sorted their cards. They […]

Most people have something they say they’d run back into a burning house for. For some, it’s photos or mementos. For others, it’s something of great monetary value.

Learning Greek and Latin Roots Many words in the English language have Greek or Latin roots. When you start delving into STEM fields, that number only increases. If your students are interested in pursuing careers in a STEM field, knowledge of root words can only increase their understanding and fluency of terminology in the field. Those aren't the only benefits of studying root words, however. Why Learn Greek and Latin Roots? Even if you don't love language, there are so many reasons to get familiar with Greek and Latin root words. As students move into increasingly technical textbooks and fields of study, the terminology itself can feel overwhelming. When you are able recognize at least a portion of a new word, it helps to ease the mind a bit. This is especially important for students choosing a STEM career path. Every STEM field has words with Greek and Latin roots. Even the names of the fields themselves draw from these languages: biology: the study of life (Greek "bio") mathematics: learning, mental discipline (Greek "máthēma") science: from the Latin scire, "to know" engineering: from the Latin ingenium, "cleverness" and ingeniare, "to contrive, devise" (from Wikipedia) architecture: Greek, meaning "chief builder" astronomy: the study of stars, space (Greek ástron, "star") Greek and Latin Roots for Standardized Testing Preparation In order for students to get into college or graduate school, they will need to take standardized tests. Even though I'm not the biggest fan of standardized testing, it's still a requirement for applications of most major universities. Knowing Greek and Latin roots strengthens vocabulary and can be used to help decipher unfamiliar words in reading passages. Even if the precise meaning of the word is still a mystery, students can still make an educated guess on the meaning. Introduce Greek and Latin Roots with a Collaborative Pennant Activity Have each student choose a root (or assign them) and have students doodle images that represent the root, or write words with the root on the pennant. Display the pennant so that students can refer to them. You can create your own or use the templates I have created. Improve Retention by Playing Root Word Games Greek and Latin Roots Pair Stare I have created several root word games and a collaborative pennant activity so that root words can be put on display in your classroom. Try root words BINGO, root words pair stare, or both! Games are my favorite way to encourage my kids to learn - usually they are having so much fun they don't even realize they are actually learning something! Learn and use over 60 root words by getting the complete bundle here. You will get the pennant templates, printables to explore the root words, and two games each of pair stare and BINGO. More Sources for Learning Root Words Some websites I have found useful when learning about root words: Membean Wikipedia Online Etymology Dictionary Macroevolution Online Games to learn roots: It's Greek to Me game on Scholastic Root word memory Various root word skills Pin these ideas for later:

The Fasting Mimicking Diet is a short-term fast that gets outstanding results. This meal plan specifically targets belly fat and is an easy menu to follow.

This edited article contains information that I have researched about the toxins lurking in commercial deodorants and antiperspirants—even many so-called “natural” ones. Read and decide for yourself whether you think using deodorants & antiperspirants is safe. I have included my basic effect

Have you ever heard the term phonemic awareness and wondered what it is? I get a lot of emails from parents who are ready to teach their child how to

Are you wondering what is crochet blocking and why block knitting projects? In this tutorial I tell you all about what blocking means, why you should do it and how to block your projects.

What is a thyroid belly? It’s the characteristic distention of the abdomen that appears to be unique to thyroid patients and its severity can range from mild to severe. In the most mild cases, it

Theme is such an important concept when teaching reading. Students are asked to determine the theme of a text over and over again. However, many students struggle with how to identify the theme. That's why I'm sharing some of my favorite ways to teach theme. You'll find theme lesson ideas, theme activities, and theme passage suggestions to help your students finally figure out how to find theme! Sometimes when thinking about theme it is easiest to think about what it is not. Theme is NOT the subject of the text. The subject would be a single word like "childhood" or "friendship." It is NOT a summary. A summary would be several sentences describing the text. Instead, it is the underlying idea of a text. It is what the writer wishes to convey about the subject. Therefore, it is usually written in a phrase or clause. When teaching theme, I find that it's best to introduce the critical components of theme through notes and a class discussion. My favorite kind of notes are theme doodle notes, of course. Since doodles are more engaging, they're a great way to get students focused as you begin teaching about theme. Once students have a general understanding of theme, you might want to have a discussion with students. During the discussion ask students to think of texts that have a theme like "Be careful what you wish for" or "Never give up on your dreams." Then, have students discuss the theme of fairytales or fables like "Beauty and Beast" and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." The notes and discussion will drive home the idea that the theme is not a single word subject, nor is it a multi-sentence summary. Students will realize that the theme is a truth about life revealed in a phrase or clause. A work's theme can apply to multiple texts. When you teach about theme you'll want to help students realize that themes need to be general enough to apply to many different texts. Take the theme "Be careful what you wish for." That theme can apply to "The Little Mermaid," "Jack and the Beanstalk," and even "Macbeth." It's important for students to realize that themes are universal. You'll also want to expose students to different genres of writing so that students understand that themes are evident in all writing including fiction, nonfiction, prose, and poetry. I've compiled different genres in this theme unit. Since poems are short and compressed, I love using poems to help students develop an understanding of theme. Take a poem like, "Life Doesn't Frighten Me" by Maya Angelou. In Angelou's poem, the speaker is a child. Angelou's message and the poem's theme is to "be brave when faced with your fears." You might share poems like this or some of my other favorites to help students read several texts and practice determining universal themes. The theme is the message that the writer wishes to reveal about its subject. It's what the reader is supposed to learn about life after reading the text. Therefore, it is usually not directly stated in the work. Instead, students will need to think about the plot, conflict, characters, and setting and then make an inference or educated guess. When students consider all the elements of the text, they'll need to infer the theme. One way to help students understand that the story is built around the theme is to have them develop their own stories with a theme in mind. At first, you can have students do this by providing them with themes that they will need to portray in a comic strip or skit. For instance, you might have students doodle a comic for the theme "Two heads are better than one." Or, you could have students work in small groups to come up with a skit that has the theme "Friends always show up when you need them." By writing their own texts, students will begin to see how the theme is infused throughout the work. As students determine the theme of a passage, they'll need to consider a text's plot, characters, conflict, and tone. In other words, they need to think about the entire writing piece and reflect on its message about life. That can be challenging for students. That's why I like to give students many opportunities to practice finding the theme. Task cards and mini-passages work especially great for this. I've taken the idea of theme task cards even further with Learning Take Out activities. Students read fiction and nonfiction passages that they grab from take out containers. The passages are the perfect way for students to develop the ability to identify a text's theme. ------------------------------------------------- As you can tell, there are many ways to teach theme. I think the more chances we can give students to develop their reading skills, the better! If you're looking for some ready-to-teach resources, grab these THEME resources: ⭐--- FINDING THE THEME MINI-UNIT - Doodle Notes and Activities ⭐--- THEME UNIT - 3-Day Theme Unit ⭐--- LEARNING TAKE OUT - Theme Task Cards Thanks for stopping by! Mary Beth P.S. Here's my latest resource for teaching theme!

Learn why balloons and balloon releases are bad for the environment, and then discover the best eco-friendly alternatives to balloons.

Free digital notebook with more than 200 stickers, completely customizable: select a different cover, rename the tabs, add more pages, change colors and add or delete tabs.

Have you ever been in an interview for a job and the interviewer asks you something that sounds simple and