Main Idea can be difficult to teach, especially in the upper elementary grades where the texts are more complex. It isn't always easy to ascertain what the author is mainly trying to tell the … [Read More...]
New on the Blog
Why Writing Projects are a BIG YES in Upper Elementary!
Why should you be using writing projects with your class? Let's dig into this a bit and see how you can support developing writers and have fun doing it! First of all, what is a writing project? … [Read More...]
Have you heard? ELA Next Generation Learning Standards are Here!
Change is inevitable in education. However, it often seems the changes we want are slow to come and the changes we can do without are numerous and frequent. Am I right? If you're a teacher in New … [Read More...]
5 Ways to Engage Students in the Narrative Writing Process
Graphic Organizers Narrative writing is probably the most fun we have in fifth grade ELA class! Not surprising, right? Kids love to write stories and they are full of imaginative ideas just waiting … [Read More...]
The Great Sticky Note Challenge: Improving reading comprehension, one sticky note at a time!
Engaging with text is a goal of many ELA lessons. The last thing any teacher wants to hear are moans and groans when a new passage is handed out or a new reading assigned. After all, if they are … [Read More...]
Effective Classroom Management Tips for Teachers
Classroom management can make or break you. Yes, I said it! One of the most valuable things I've learned over the years is that the little things matter a lot! Small routines that remain consistent, … [Read More...]
Popular Posts
Building Better Readers Through Writing Instruction
Here's My Take... Walk into any upper elementary classroom—grades 3 through 6—and you’re likely to see students sitting in small groups with a text in front of them, … [Read More...]
The Most Comfortable Teacher Shoes!
Looking for the most comfortable pair of teacher shoes for a full day of teaching? I've got you! If you want to read all about my top picks, you can click here, but I do have … [Read More...]
Donors Choose Works!
Thinking about creating your first project on Donors Choose? Please don't be afraid to jump in and go for it! Submit your first project and you'll see how fun and easy it is! … [Read More...]
Helping Struggling Writers
This past year was particularly challenging. If you are currently in the classroom, you know what I mean! Two areas where my students struggled were grammar and writing … [Read More...]
My 90 Minute ELA Block in 5th Grade
Here’s the true story of what happens during my literacy block. I have a detailed post on this exact topic which I wrote pre-pandemic (2019) and you can read it HERE. Since … [Read More...]
Christmas in the Classroom
If you celebrate Christmas in your classroom, here are two of my favorite resources and my most loved book for those last few weeks before break. Enjoy! A Home for the … [Read More...]
