Spring, oh glorious spring! It's filled with warmer weather, sunny days, and…the dreaded spring fever. Even if you have been teaching for a while, I bet you still get that sense of doom when the weather starts getting nicer, and classroom behavior takes a turn for the worse. Whether you’re experiencing your first spring fever or just looking for some new classroom … [Read more...] about Spring Fever Classroom Management Ideas
Test Taking Strategies (Free Resources!)
Purposeful test taking strategies can build confidence and help students show what they know on standardized tests. This post shares tips for teaching test taking strategies, the difference between test prep strategies and best practices, and free resources for the specific strategies I teach my students. Note: I did not create the catchy sayings for the strategies. I … [Read more...] about Test Taking Strategies (Free Resources!)
April Fools’ Day Ideas for the Classroom
When April Fools' Day falls during a school week, it is the perfect time for teachers to pull a harmless April Fools' Day prank on their students. This post will share my favorite April Fools' Day jokes and pranks for teachers. And if you don't want to prank your students, I have TWO engaging educational activities that will allow you to still bring in some April Fools' … [Read more...] about April Fools’ Day Ideas for the Classroom
Spring Science Experiments with Free Reading Activities
Spring is one of my favorite seasons in and out of the classroom. I love incorporating and celebrating the season in the classroom with spring science experiments. Implementing more science experiments during this time of the year keeps my students engaged and motivated. To keep us learning and preparing for upcoming tests, I created reading extensions to supplement and … [Read more...] about Spring Science Experiments with Free Reading Activities
Test Prep Videos for Motivation and Encouragement
One of the keys to success with any difficult task or challenge is definitely having the right mindset. And high-stakes testing is definitely a difficult task. I always try to keep my students encouraged and motivated through the test prep review process and through the week(s) of testing. This post shares some test prep videos that you can use for motivation and … [Read more...] about Test Prep Videos for Motivation and Encouragement
Free Reading Test Prep Helpers | 4th and 5th Grade Test Prep
It never fails. No matter how many times I spiral review reading skills through homework, reading review, read alouds, or guided reading, I always get those looks during test prep review. You know the ones...the deer in the headlight looks when they get asked to determine the text structure of a text or identify the point of view of a story. I learned long ago not to … [Read more...] about Free Reading Test Prep Helpers | 4th and 5th Grade Test Prep
Free Test Prep Activities — 10 Days of Test Prep Freebies!
Test prep is definitely something that I implement all year through best practices and implementing strategies that translate to testing situations. However, I do spend the month before testing on review and using resources specifically created for test prep. No matter how many test prep resources I have, I still find that I am always on the look out for (or creating) … [Read more...] about Free Test Prep Activities — 10 Days of Test Prep Freebies!
Word Work Activities with Jenga (Free Printables)
Engaging word work activities for upper elementary grades can be hard to find. On this post, I will share three free word work activities to use with Jenga blocks. These are super engaging and can be used in a literacy center or played whole group if you have multiple Jenga blocks. Amazon affiliate links provided if you wish to purchase the Jenga blocks mentioned on this … [Read more...] about Word Work Activities with Jenga (Free Printables)
Character Traits Activities
Character traits are one of my favorite reading skills. I love digging in deep and analyzing characters. I also truly believe that learning about different characters, their traits, and what makes them exhibit those traits help students gain perspective and empathy. This post will share some of the ways that I introduce, teach, and/or review character traits with 4th and … [Read more...] about Character Traits Activities
Free Decimal Word Problems Sort
Word problems are something I incorporate into my instruction all year to best help my students succeed with them. I also like to use a variety of engaging resources and strategies so it doesn't get boring and monotonous. On this post, I will share some general tips for teaching decimal word problems and a free decimal word problems sort. Tips for Teaching Decimal … [Read more...] about Free Decimal Word Problems Sort
Snow Science Activity | Expanding Snowman
Building snowmen is a popular winter activity for children. But with one simple twist, you can transform snowman building into a fun snow science activity for your students. Your students will have a lot of fun making the expanding snowman science experiment and learning about chemistry at the same time. Free reading activity and printables included so you can up the … [Read more...] about Snow Science Activity | Expanding Snowman
Winter Science Activity : Creating Frost
Wintertime is the perfect time to implement winter science activities to engage your students (especially when indoor recess is the norm). Your students will love this particular winter science activity that has them creating frost. Even if a child has made frost in a can before, they will love repeating the experiment for the novelty factor. The free printables and … [Read more...] about Winter Science Activity : Creating Frost