Opinion Writing is one of my favorite genres to teach. I also think it's one of the easiest! First of all, our students have opinions on just about EVERYTHING!! Right away, they're easily engaged with any assignment that asks for their opinion. Opinion essays also follow a specific format, making it much easier to teach than more open-ended genres like narratives. Over the years, I have found that the best way to teach opinion writing is to break it down for students. I like to use ... [Read More]
Creating a Back to School Binder
Every year when I would prepare for the back to school season, I would find myself flipping through my filing cabinets, searching the files on my computer, and emailing coworkers to find everything that I needed for the first days of school. Sound familiar?? It finally occurred to me that teachers need a place to organize everything they need for back to school. Today I am sharing all about creating a Back to School Binder, where teachers plan, make lists, and organize their ideas and ... [Read More]
Celebrating Students’ Names
As you begin to plan activities for back to school, you definitely should consider spending time learning and celebrating students' names. Students come to us from many different places, cultures, and backgrounds, and their names say a lot about who they are. In this post, I share some books and activities that will encourage students to share and celebrate their names with you and their classmates. This post contains affiliate links to amazon.com. If you make a purchase from amazon.com through ... [Read More]
Using Would You Rather Prompts For Class Discussions
It seems like every conversation I overhear students having starts with, "Would you rather..."! I remember having these same conversations with my friends when I was in school!! So, why not use conversations that students are already having, and apply them to critical thinking, opinion writing, and collaborative discussions!! [Disclaimer: The pictures throughout this post feature printables from my Would You Rather resource. However, you can also come up with your own Would You Rather ... [Read More]
Comparing Fractions to One-Half
Teaching students about comparing fractions is not always easy! Students are often intimidated by fraction concepts, and as teachers we sometimes struggle to find the best approach to teaching students to understand and compare fractions. Over the years, I have found that it takes a good mix of visuals, hands-on activities, and lots of cooperative learning to help students feel successful with fractions. Comparing Fractions to One-Half When teaching students to compare fractions, I usually ... [Read More]
Using Math Exit Slips to Guide Instruction
I have been using some form of Exit Slips for as long as I have been teaching, long before I even knew the term "Exit Slips". I used to cut pieces of notebook paper into thirds and pass them out to my students. Then, I would write two to three math problems on the board, and ask students to work them out on their slip. During recess or lunch, I would go through these slips to see how well the lesson went, what mistakes students were making, and to determine which students were getting it, and ... [Read More]
These are a few of my favorite things…
The TpT Cyber Sale starts today!! So, I thought I would share some of my favorite resources!! Use the numbers to learn more about each one below!! Everything in my shop will be 25% off for the next two days, Monday, Nov. 26th & Tuesday, Nov. 27th!! Use the code: CYBER18 at checkout!! 1. Interactive Math Notebooks: Interactive math notebooks are teaching pages used to introduce and teach new math concepts and skills. Each set of notebook pages includes definitions, explanations, rules, ... [Read More]
Getting Started with Interactive Math Notebooks
I have been using interactive math notebooks in my classroom for as long as I can remember. Math notebooks are a great place for students to take notes, record definitions and sample problems, and practice new skills. They are perfect to use for direct instruction and guided practice, in small groups or as a whole class. But what I love most about them is that my students are able to use them as a reference tool throughout the school year. What to Include in Interactive Math NotebooksYou can ... [Read More]
Reflect and Plan: Routines and Procedures for the School Year
One of my favorite things about teaching is that every year is a fresh start. Whether you are new to teaching, or someone who has been teaching for many years, we all can admit that we have plenty of room to grow. After 13 years of teaching, I am still making changes each year in how I run my classroom. Summer is the perfect time to reflect on the previous school year and to plan and make changes for the next. Every year I spend a lot of time in those first weeks of school establishing routines ... [Read More]
Martin’s BIG Words for BIG Kids!!
Picture books aren't just for little kids!! As an upper grade teacher, I love to incorporate picture books into our literacy block, especially as a way to encourage my students to think, discuss, and reflect. To celebrate the extraordinary life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I love using the book Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport. Martin's words were so powerful and this book weaves them in with a short biography of his life. Along with the beautiful illustrations by Bryan Collier, this ... [Read More]
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