Rounding whole numbers and rounding decimals (if taught correctly using visuals and not tricks) is one of those skills that I love to teach. It is fairly easy for all of my students to master it and find success. So, I always enjoy using this skill to push and challenge their thinking further. This post will share two simple but higher-level rounding activities that will … [Read more...] about Free Rounding Activities | Rounding Whole Numbers & Rounding Decimals
Fraction Word Problems | Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
Word problems + fractions = a lot of struggle for many students. Especially when you throw in new concepts like multiplying and dividing fractions. Those fraction word problems are always pretty tricky for my students. The first year that I taught multiplying and dividing fractions, I really had to spend some time breaking down the concepts myself in order to best help my … [Read more...] about Fraction Word Problems | Multiplying and Dividing Fractions
Prefix and Suffix Review with Jenga | Free Printables
Prefixes and suffixes are one of those skills that students need lots of practice and repetition with (in addition to seeing words with affixes while they are reading). This post shares an engaging prefix and suffix review that the students "play" with Jenga colored blocks. Amazon affiliate links provided if you wish to purchase the Jenga blocks mentioned on this … [Read more...] about Prefix and Suffix Review with Jenga | Free Printables
Free 4th Grade Fractions Pre-Assessment and Checklist
Teaching 4th grade fractions is one of my favorite math skills to teach, but it can get tricky. In my opinion, the 4th grade fraction skills are pivotal for students' success in later grades with more advanced fraction skills. Unfortunately, many 4th grade fraction skills can be taught with tricks that don't build necessarily conceptual understanding, which can really … [Read more...] about Free 4th Grade Fractions Pre-Assessment and Checklist
Word Problem Strategies : Analyzing Word Problems with Free Organizers/Mats
Word problems used to be the bane of my existence as a new teacher. Thankfully, I learned new strategies and resources to help me implement and teach word problem strategies all year. To be honest, teaching word problems all year was the ONE thing that I did that had the greatest impact (if you are interested in more information about word problems and how I teach them, … [Read more...] about Word Problem Strategies : Analyzing Word Problems with Free Organizers/Mats
4 Ways to Teach Students to Make Common Denominators
Teaching students to add and subtract fractions can get very tiresome quickly. All of the little opportunities for errors with making equivalent fractions, adding/subtracting, and just when they think they are done...boom...they may have to convert or simplify the answer. It can definitely get tedious quickly. One area that I have almost perfected (because nothing is … [Read more...] about 4 Ways to Teach Students to Make Common Denominators
Read Alouds for Teaching Figurative Language | Mentor Texts for Reading
Teaching figurative language is one of my favorite literacy skills to teach and my students always love learning about the different types. On this post, I will share my favorite read alouds for teaching the types of figurative language (similes, metaphors, hyperbole, and personification) and then my favorite read alouds that use figurative language naturally and … [Read more...] about Read Alouds for Teaching Figurative Language | Mentor Texts for Reading
Engaging Persuasive Writing Prompts (Free Download)
Persuasive writing is one of my favorite writing genres to teach. The students get so excited about the different topics and love debating and supporting their arguments and claims. On this post, I will share some of my students' favorite persuasive writing prompts with a free download of a printable list and task card version of the writing prompts. Student-Approved … [Read more...] about Engaging Persuasive Writing Prompts (Free Download)
Free Book Recommendation Templates
One of my favorite parts of being a reader is sharing books that I love with others and reading book recommendations and book reviews online. And I love bringing this type of activity into the classroom with my own students. On this post, I will share some of my new favorite book recommendation templates that get students excited to recommend books and read … [Read more...] about Free Book Recommendation Templates
Free Reading Exit Slips for 4th and 5th Grade
Since I prefer to teach using a reader's workshop model (read more about how I teach reading in 5th grade here), I do a lot of assessing my students on their reading strategies and behaviors authentically. However, assessing them on specific reading skills and standards I have taught has proved tricky in the past. That was before I started using reading exit slips. … [Read more...] about Free Reading Exit Slips for 4th and 5th Grade
Free Fraction Activities
Fractions are one of those math topics that my students consistently need practice in. I try to mix up the fraction activities and printables my students complete to keep them engaged and working hard. This post will share some free fraction math printables that are perfect for extra practice and math centers. (Click here to read more about how I teach math here and how I … [Read more...] about Free Fraction Activities
Free Geometry Activities
Geometry, specifically 2-D shapes, is one of those skills that my students need to practice a lot to remember the definitions and characteristics of the different shapes. To mix up my practice, I like to use these free geometry activities that are super low-prep but still engaging for the students. Materials Needed: Printable Cube ---> Download at the end of … [Read more...] about Free Geometry Activities