Organize your classroom library with this checkout system that is free and great for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classrooms.

Rethinking Your Classroom Library: A Checkout System Worth Checking Out

Wanting to organize your classroom library?  Check out the tips below for using a free check out system that will make it easier for you to keep track of all your books. Written by Guest Blogger Kipp Martin As a child I used to enjoy playing library with my sister.  We had our own “classroom” library checkout system.  We would …

Get one week of 3rd grade morning work free - covers 5 different math domains and provides scaffolded daily math practice

2 Weeks Free – 3rd Grade Daily Math Practice

Finding 3rd grade math morning work that students can complete independently is a struggle. Different curriculums practice different skills at a different times. Often, daily math practice or morning work will expect students to have prior knowledge that they don’t have. This is frustrating to both students and teachers! This daily math practice / morning work for 3rd grade is …

Character Trait Games and Centers for 3rd and 4th grade students

Character Trait Games and Centers for Upper Elementary

Finding character trait games and centers that are actually engaging and at the same time challenging for your 3rd or 4th grade students can be hard. Most games or centers involve filling out a graphic organizer or completing a too-easy matching game. Once students reach upper elementary, they usually understand the basics of identifying character traits. What they really need …

25 Teacher Reflection Questions to Make Next Year Easier

If you’re anything like most teachers, then you are in constant catch-up mode.  A teacher’s work is never done – there is always more to do.  And never enough time to do it all.  That’s why taking the time to ask yourself revealing teacher reflection questions is often overlooked. But putting aside a little time to reflect on past school …

Back to School Book Recommendations and Read Alouds for Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade Students

Back to School Books for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders

When looking for good back to school books to read aloud to your upper elementary students, you will likely come across many suggestions that just aren’t that appropriate for a 4th or 5th grader. Many back to school books focus on emotions that are more geared towards younger students. Older students just aren’t as concerned about leaving their parents or …

Two Step Word Problem Freebie cut and paste activity for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade for extra review and practice

Two Step Word Problem / Multi Step Freebie

If you are anything like I was, then you can never have enough resources to help your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students practice word problems – and especially two step and multi step word problems.  No matter how much practice my 3rd grade students got, they still needed more!No Prep Free Math Resource for 3rd, 4th, and 5th GradeThis …

27 questions teachers who are moving to a new school should ask to make the transition easier

Changing Schools as a Teacher – 27 Questions To Ask

There are some teaching principles that are universal and won’t change even as you are changing schools as a teacher.  Practice procedures over and over.  Differentiate.  Build relationships with students and parents. Have clear expectations. Have emergency sub plans on hand. Provide timely feedback.  Et cetera. However, each school has a different culture, a different way of doing things, and …

Games and Centers for Teaching Theme

Teaching theme is hard.  Finding theme games and centers that actually help struggling students practice how to determine the theme of a story is even harder. Most theme practice involves simply reading a passage and answering a multiple choice question about what the theme is.  Not only can this be boring and monotonous for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students, …

End of Year Party Ideas for your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classrooms

End of Year Party Ideas for Upper Elementary

You’ve seen the memes.  “There’s no tired like end of year teacher tired!”  The end of the school year is exhausting. Part of the exhaustion comes from trying to come up with party ideas and planning an end of year party.  Check out the mostly low prep ideas below to help you plan a fun end of year party for …

Pinterest is a treasure trove of end of the year ideas, but who has time to find them all? No need to overwhelm yourself - I've plumbed the depths and come up with 17 of my favorite ways to end the year with upper elementary students. Enjoy!

My Favorite End of the Year Ideas From Pinterest

I love Pinterest, but sometimes it can get overwhelming searching for ideas that actually pertain to you.  Below, I’ve collected some of my favorite ideas for celebrating the end of the year with 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade students.  Hopefully some of them will help you out!”Places We Can Read This Summer” Anchor ChartWhat a great way to …