Teaching with Jennifer Findley
Upper Elementary Teaching Blog
Have you seen those puzzles floating around social media where you have to determine the value of different images and then solve a final equation? Those are super addictive and I always stop my scroll and solve them. Most of the time, the fifth grade teacher in me gets them correct. However, I have been tricked a time or two. ;) After solving my fifteenth one this past … [Read more...] about FREE Thanksgiving Puzzles | Math Logic Puzzles
Holidays are the perfect time to engage your students in experiments and activities that are a nice break from the normal curriculum, but still valuable learning opportunities. On this post, I will share a Thanksgiving science activity involving bending turkey bones! This is more of a demonstration than an activity and will take a few days (2-3) so make sure you … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving Science Activity | Bending Bones
If you are familiar with my blog or my resources, then you know I love seasonal and holiday resources and activities. I love taking the students' excitement and channeling it into productive, engaging work. My favorite activities to do each year are Thanksgiving writing activities involving pie tasting. Materials Needed At least two different types of pies - I … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving Writing Activities | Pie Tasting
Science experiments are such an important part of students’ learning. However, sometimes I felt that my science standards didn’t lend themselves to the kind of experiments that my students really needed. Implementing seasonal themed science experiments was a great way to incorporate engaging science experiments that I felt really benefited my students. This post shares … [Read more...] about Apple Oxidation Science Experiment with FREE Science Reading Activity
Engineering activities are the perfect supplement to any curriculum. They build creative thinking, allow students to explore in safe spaces, teach teamwork, and so much more! However, I know that finding the time to fit STEM or engineering activities into your already packed schedule can be difficult. For this reason, I like to use holidays and seasonal times of the … [Read more...] about Fall Engineering Activities and Challenges for Upper Elementary
One of the most frequently asked questions I get for math instruction is: I have read your blog posts. But, how does it all fit together? On this post, I will break down how I teach math in 5th grade (easily applicable to 4th grade) and what math instruction looks like on a weekly and daily basis. Before diving in to what the days look like, I want to make it clear … [Read more...] about How I Teach Math in 5th Grade
Over my near decade of teaching fifth grade, I have found that whole group instruction is still very much needed. The skills and meaty concepts that the fifth graders have to master makes it virtually impossible to cover in a mini-lesson or even in small group math. My students (and me and my pacing guide) still really need that whole group instruction time. With that … [Read more...] about Whole Group Instruction and Activities for Math
Ever since I became a teacher, I wanted to do the Halloween Mystery Box idea where the students feel the "yucky" things that are supposed to be scary/creepy things. Last year, when I wanted an engaging Halloween activity that doubled as a writing activity, I knew I had to finally give this a try. I put my own spin on it and did it as "easy and low prep" as possible. Keep … [Read more...] about Halloween Activity | Halloween Party Idea for the Classroom
Partner games are definitely one of my favorite ways to have my students practice math skills. This post will share all the details about my favorite math partner games, a link to get 30+ free partner games, and how to get even more if you love them as much as me. Using Math Partner Games Partner games are perfect for practicing math skills. Because there are only … [Read more...] about FREE Math Partner Games for Multiplication and Division Facts
Point of view can be tricky for students but with a lot of practice, discussion, and the right point of view mentor texts, your students will not only master point of view but they will enjoy it. On this post, I will share my favorite read alouds to teach point of view. These point of view mentor texts range from identifying point of view to comparing and contrasting … [Read more...] about Read Alouds for Teaching Point of View | Mentor Texts for Reading
Growth mindset is such an important mindset for teachers, students, and parents to know and understand. When I researched mindsets, I realized how much work I needed to do on myself before teaching growth mindset to my students and my own children. Once I realized the importance of introducing growth mindset to my students, I knew I need a purposeful plan to continue … [Read more...] about Promoting and Teaching Growth Mindset All Year Through Portfolios
Teaching theme is something I really enjoy. I think it helps build character and an enjoyment of reading, in addition to being a key reading skill. When students realize that they are learning life lessons from the books they read, it often increases their enjoyment and engagement. In this post, let’s take a look at some of my favorite theme mentor texts or read-alouds … [Read more...] about Read Alouds for Teaching Theme | Mentor Texts for Theme
