Are you stuck trying to think of new and exciting ways to keep your fast finishers engaged? It can often feel like a never-ending challenge when students complete their work quickly but still need something valuable to do. Not to worry - I have created 24 engaging activities that are sure to keep your early finishers engaged and motivated! These activities will offer new ideas to keep your students excited to work even after completing their required assignments! This resource includes 24 ... [Read More]

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, it’s you might want to start thinking about spring picture books for your upper elementary classroom. Picture books are great for teaching lessons on a range of topics, from growth and change to perseverance and hope. This post contains affiliate links to amazon.com. If you make a purchase from amazon.com through the links on this page, CreateTeachShare will receive a small commission. This helps to support the blog, and allows me to ... [Read More]

Do you use Picture Books for those first days Back to School?! Those first days of school are all about getting to know everyone and building a classroom community. Picture books are perfect for making connections, establishing expectations, and building a community. I thought I would share some of my favorites! This post contains affiliate links to amazon.com. If you make a purchase from amazon.com through the links on this page, CreateTeachShare will receive a small commission. This helps ... [Read More]

Google Jamboard is a Digital Whiteboard where students can collaborate in real-time. Much like other Google apps, like Docs or Slides, teachers can share "Jams" with students to use individually or as a group. Students can use these Jams to add sticky notes, text, drawings, shapes, or images. Jamboard is a great tool to use in the classroom because it allows students to interact, share, and collaborate. Today I am sharing 5 ways that you can start using Google Jamboard in the classroom right ... [Read More]

We have all heard the adage, "A picture is worth a thousand words." This could not be more true when using photos to teach and reinforce key language arts skills. When I was teaching 4th grade, I would teach with photos mostly by using them as writing prompts. I would project a photo up on the board and give students the chance to free-write. I quickly noticed how much more my students were able to pull from just one photograph. I would hear them using descriptive adjectives and verbs, as well ... [Read More]

My experience with Exit Slips started long before I knew what they were. I remember cutting scratch paper into thirds, passing them out to my students, and then putting some type of math problem or science question on the board to see what students learned from a lesson. I usually did this right before recess, lunch, or the end of the day, as students were about to leave the classroom, hence the term "exit slip". Sound familiar?? Over the years, I realized that there were so many different ways ... [Read More]

World Read Aloud Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate reading in the classroom. This day was established 14 years ago by a non-profit organization called LitWorld. According to LitWorld, this amazing day of reading was created "to celebrate the power of reading aloud to create community and amplify new stories, and to advocate for literacy as a foundational human right." As someone who has always valued the power of sharing reading with others, I was thrilled to learn that there was an ... [Read More]

Building a classroom community is more important than ever! It hasn't been easy for students to adjust to life and learning during a pandemic. As students head back into classrooms, or even if they're still online, classroom discussions are a great way to help students feel like they belong in their classroom environments. Ten to twenty minutes a day, is all it takes to give students time to chat and engage in meaningful discussions. Whether it's during morning meeting, or after lunch, spend ... [Read More]

Status of the Class is a classroom tool that can be used to track students’ independent reading, while also providing positive reinforcement and feedback regarding their reading habits. This digital version allows you to track students’ reading habits in Google Slides or PowerPoint, in the classroom or through distance learning. Use this tool during students’ independent reading time. Easy to Prep: Choose the month you want to use. Optional: Add the school dates for the month. Make a ... [Read More]