Are your students disinterested and tired of the traditional ways of learning characterization? Have you been searching for a really fun, student-centered, interactive way to eliminate their boredom? Well, look no further! I present to you a wonderful student-collaboration activity that will get your students involved and excited for a character analysis for any novel, […]
I so remember my first year as a new teacher! I wondered why I was even hired! (Did they not know that I didn't have a clue how to do ‘this teacher thing'?!) Yes, I had graduated with a degree, a teaching certificate, and had an idealistic philosophy of education (that had no basis in research […]
Love podcasts? Check out this post in the form of a podcast episode on The Classroom Commute
The Unfair Game is a totally unfair twist on Jeopardy that your students will LOVE to hate! Learn how to play and find sample game boards in this post.
How do you stop students from blurting out in the classroom? Do you have some processes in place to curb blurting, but they're just not working for you
I am obsessed with escape rooms! They are so much fun! I wish that I could do one every day. On my spring break trip to Atlanta I was able to do three in one day and it was super exhilarating! Before my state test I decided that I wanted to do a fun review game for my kids and decided to try my hand at an escape room. It took a lot of trial and error, but it was a MASSIVE success. I decided to share my escape room plans with you as best as I can in case you want to try something similar in your classroom. Step 1: The days leading up to the escape room I rolled a suitcase around with me (You will see why) Step 2: I broke the students into four groups Step 3: I created a newspaper article that informed students that I was taking over the world and handed one out to each group. Newspaper Generator Step four: I hid a card in my miniature file cabinet that said, "Don't just stand there in limbo, take a look in the classroom window." Step five: The first set of clues to decipher that opened the Word Lock was hidden behind a book in the window. Figurative Language Word Lock Clues Step six: Inside of Lock #1was the POV clues POV Directional Lock Step seven: Inside of Lock #2 was a set of UV flashlights and 4 pieces of seemingly blank paper. Once the UV lights were turned on students will find a number on each of their pieces of paper. This opened the lockbox. Step eight: Inside the lock box was four ziplock bags with puzzle pieces and a short story for each of the groups. The students need to read the short story and then put together their puzzle. One of the puzzles will have the correct symbol answer written in UV pen, the other three will be distractors with penalties. Symbolism Door Lock Clues Step nine: Each group will get a reading passage with multiple choice questions. Once they finish the passages, if they answered the questions correctly they will get their groups number to contribute to the final lock box. Reading Passages Lock Box Step ten: Students open the suitcase and thwart my takeover! Some pictures of my students completing the tasks Supplies I used (Click on the pictures) (3 boxes)
Whether you're new to teaching or a veteran, this list has you covered for 4th grade.
Every English language arts teacher needs a variety of successful, student led discussion strategies that will provide opportunities for student learning.
This introduction to poetry gives teachers ideas on teaching poetry minlessons that make a difference in how your students think about poems.
Happy Monday!! I hope you all had a fantastic homecoming week!! I LOVED seeing all the Pioneer Pride throughout the week and Friday was...
To make plans (or even just discuss about what you did over the weekend) with Deaf friends, you need to know how to sign time of day, as well as days or weeks.
I’ve been spending some serious amounts of time this summer leading conversations around the country focused on the integration of social studies and literacy. And for the last few years, I…
Punctuation. Does it bemuse and bewilder your students? Display our colourful poster to help them out. Clear, easy-to-read explanations of 10 of the most common punctuation marks are supported by attention-grabbing examples. Question marks in the context of Love Island? Semicolons and sweets? Colons and rap lyrics? Enhanced by a colourful, stylish design, this is a punctuation guide like no other! Quality guaranteed. Our punctuation poster is printed in Yorkshire on durable 260gsm paper with a great finish. We're so sure you'll love it that we offer a no-quibble returns policy.
Sometimes it feels crazy overwhelming to keep assessing students and know exactly what they do/don’t understand. That’s where these quick and easy formative assessment ideas comes in! M…
Basic visual aid for learning to tell time in English.Illustrates analogue and digital time as well as am and pm.Illustrates to and past in describing time as well as differences in speaking analogue and digital times.Handy reference sheet for students to use in time based language activities. - ESL worksheets
One of the most important elements of teaching is providing students with plenty of opportunities to actively engage in learning with their peers. This blog post covers my favorite cooperative learning strategies that I have used in my classroom. These activities can be used across all subjects and several grade levels (3-6+). Bonus: I created […]
How has your summer vacation been going? Mine has been both relaxing and busy at the same time. I have been working like a busy bee planning for my mid-August nuptials! If you follow me on Instagram, then you’re definitely up to date on all things wedding! I’ve also been making more of an effort...
Everything you need to know about teaching 5th grade categorized and organized by topic for easy reference.
Do you hate to teach poetry? Do you want your students to learn and enjoy poetry? Try these simple ways to learn how to teach poetry...
iMOM shares some would you rather questions for kids to get conversation started. You'll learn some interesting things about your children.
Help! My students don’t remember the parts of speech! Yep, we’ve all been there. You start a grammar lesson, only to realize that your students don’t remember the basics. It’s not that they don’t understand grammar and syntax; they just forgot the technical terms (nouns, verbs, adjective, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions, conjunctions, interjections) that they need […]
This FREE parallel lines cut by a transversal coloring activity doubles as a colorful reference poster or student notebook reference. Now includes a link to an interactive GOOGLE Slides version for online learning and teaching.
Want to know what your kids are really thinking? These Conversation Starters for Kids will help you find out.
I jumped on the "close reading" bandwagon pretty early on, so I've had a lot of time to try it and reflect back on my complete and utter failures using it. And there have been failures, trust me. In
Check out these fun teaching materials for teaching comma rules to upper elementary including an anchor chart, videos, and graphic organizer.
As a teacher, I am always on the hunt for the perfect tools at the cheapest prices for my ELA classroom. Taking care of our students and keeping our learning
Students come to us on all different levels, which can be a challenge- 3 great ideas on how to teach a mutli-level class.
Many upper elementary science teachers start the year teaching their students about science process skills and scientific practices like: working safely in the lab using science tools asking questions planning and carrying out investigations analyzing and interpreting data constructing explanations with claims, evidence, and reasoning Here are some resources and ideas that can help make ... Read more
Teachers like starting the school year feeling well-prepared and confident. Read about 5 Strategies for a Solid Start to Your School Year
Novel Quick Write Anchor Chart
Encourage your children to 'dig deep' for detailed sentences! See the full image at http://t.co/uHvrre5CWY
A blog full of tips, lessons, and ideas to use in the upper elementary classroom.
Student engagement is my number one goal in the classroom. None of the academic goals can be achieved without student engagement. It is essential! My biggest advice to you is to decrease teacher talk and the time students spend in their desks.I want to share some more specific ways that I keep my students engaged
Whether your little one is a new reader or into their own chapter books, starting your own book club for kids is easy with these tips and tricks!
Whether your students are lethargic or super-charged, adding movement to your lesson plans will help to solve both issues. Not only is it healthy to move throughout the day, but it can also help students focus and become more engaged with the content they are trying to master. Due to the nature of English classes, ELA ... Read More about 10 Ways to Add Movement in the ELA Classroom
You know that collective sigh, the one that choruses around the room when you enthusiastically announce, "Class, the next unit we'll be entering into is poetry!" If poetry is taught the right way, st
