Sometimes I recommend products using affiliate links. If you click through and buy, I may be compensated at no cost to you.Welcome to Day 2 of the 5 Days to a Better School Year Challenge! Every day this week I’m asking you to reflect on something specific from last school year that annoyed/bothered you and help you take action to …
Day 1 – 5 Days to a Better School Year Challenge
Sometimes I recommend products using affiliate links. If you click through and buy, I may be compensated at no cost to you.Welcome to Day 1 of the 5 Days to a Better School Year Challenge! Every day this week I’m asking you to reflect on something specific from last school year that annoyed/bothered you, and then I’ll help you take …
Fun Activities To Keep Students Learning After Testing Is Over
After state testing is over, it can be difficult to keep 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade students engaged. As the weather starts getting nicer, students begin to get spring fever. They know the end of the school year is fast approaching, and student motivation can dwindle. The time after testing, however, is a great time to try some …
A Better Way to Use Venn Diagrams When Comparing and Contrasting
Venn Diagrams are a tool commonly used in 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade classrooms to teach students how to compare and contrast. And while Venn Diagrams worksheets can be useful, they can also be used in a way that promotes lower level thinking instead of higher level thinking. Usually, teachers give students a completely blank Venn Diagram template. …
Black History Month Biographies for Upper Elementary
Black History Month is not the only time to introduce your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students to biographies of famous African Americans and their culture and history. However, it is a great time to celebrate the culture and teach your students about African Americans who have overcome discrimination and other obstacles to help shape American history. Often, teachers stick …
How to Use Task Cards – 8 Fun Ideas for Upper Elementary
If you have taught upper elementary sometime over these past 5 years, chances are you have come across somebody that uses task cards for fun review or extra practice. Or you might use them yourself. You’ve also probably come across somebody that hates task cards. Although some people complain that task cards are glorified worksheets (and they could be right, …
A Must Have Procedure to Pair Up Elementary Students
It’s a no brainer that when you head back to school, you will teach your students procedures for entering the classroom in the morning, going to the bathroom, and dismissal. But are you teaching students a procedure to pair up and find a partner? Although there are a lot of fun ways to group students, having a go-to pairing up …
Using Whiteboards and Dry Erase Markers in the Elementary Classroom
I really don’t know what I would have done if I had to teach in a time before personal whiteboards and dry erase markers. They were essential to my classroom – so essential that they are one of my 11 Must Haves for Upper Elementary Teachers. We didn’t just use them on a daily basis in my classroom – we …
Using “Would You Rather” Questions to Compare and Contrast
“Would You Rather” questions are often used as ice breakers or team builders in the upper elementary classroom. You might have used them to get your kids talking at the during a Christmas party or end of year party. If used thoughtfully, however, “Would You Rather” questions can be used as a fun way to practice comparing and contrasting with …
Teaching Summarizing So Students Actually Understand
Teaching summarizing seems like it should be easy. When 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students summarize, they don’t have to come up with any of their own ideas – all they have to do is briefly tell the most important parts of a book or reading passage that they read. Sounds pretty easy…but it’s not. Teachers have all sorts of …