Inside: Even our best and brightest students can transform into squirrels as the end of the year approaches. That leaves us at the end of our patience just when we need it the most. In order to succeed, teachers need to plan end of school year activities that keep students motivated to participate. You’ll find my favorite smiley ideas below. … View Post
Inside: Picture books are not just for preschoolers, they are for everyone! Find the power in using mentor texts to model foundational concepts. Small books, big impact! Amazon Affiliate links have been added for your convenience. They don’t cost you anything, but I earn a few pennies if you purchase resources through them. Why Mentor Texts Work: Marketing experts have… View Post
Inside: If you’re looking for innovative ways to celebrate National Poetry Month, look no further! You’ll find strategies, poems, and heart-to-heart advice from a whole bunch of people who love poetry. These #secondaryelateachers want you to make National Poetry Month matter in your classroom. Full Disclosure: The outgoing links are provided for your convenience to help you find our products… View Post
Inside: I’ve gathered together a one-stop list of creative poems for high school students! Not only will you find interesting poems, but also a candid discussion about why poetry is a challenge for so many students, and what to do about that. Better yet, sign up for my mailing list and get a free formatted copy of all the poems. Amazon… View Post
Inside: Any education major understands the value of having a reflective teaching practice – I mean, they keep those adorable reflections journals to turn in for a grade. However, full-time teachers will tell you that it’s near impossible to find time for meaningful reflection. And it is… unless you find a rhythm that meshes with what you’ve already got going… View Post
Inside: The brain that does the reading does the learning. All too often teachers are unknowingly doing the bulk of heavy thinking for our students. It’s time to empower our students to do the analysis. Below you will find middle school poetry activities that put the learning and thinking in the students’ hands. This post contains Amazon affiliate links for… View Post
Inside: Reading is for dreamers – for people who want to lose themselves in other worlds. In order to dream, every child needs the chance to flip through pages and see every personality, ethnicity, and culture staring back up at them. Below you’ll find ideas of how to make multicultural books part of your classroom routine and a list of brave… View Post
Inside: Looking for a dynamic way to launch your poetry unit? This differentiated poetry lesson plan is what you a. It provides formative data about your students’ prior knowledge, while asking them to engage in critical writing. First Impressions and Education Nothing has a weighty reputation like making a good first impression, which always brings me back to the first… View Post
Inside: Having difficulties finding attention catching middle school poetry? Keep reading for a list of interesting poems for middle school students, and suggestions on how you might use them. The Middle School Poetry Battle Begins “Today we begin our poetry unit.” Every year I proclaim these words while imagining myself standing on a desk, like Robin Williams in Dead Poet’s… View Post
Inside: Between the acronyms and code words, it’s tough to keep teacher vocabulary straight. This potential language difference can create a barrier between educators and parents, but a child’s ability to read is too important. This reading and writing vocabulary list will help bridge the gap between parents and teachers. I spent the majority of my childhood misspelling the word… View Post