Teaching with Jennifer Findley
Upper Elementary Teaching Blog
Last year, I shared my 5th grade math pacing guide and several requested an ELA one. On this post, I will share a printable download of my 5th Grade ELA pacing guide using the common core state standards. The post will also include some general information and rationale behind my specific pacing decisions. This guide includes how I pace reading standards, language … [Read more...] about 5th Grade ELA Pacing Guide {Free}
Any experienced teacher knows that the summer slide is a definite reality for many students. I personally like for my own children to take a break over the summer and be kids; however, I know the importance of ensuring they maintain their reading level and math skills for the next grade level. I want to share with you five ways that you can help prevent summer slide with … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Prevent Summer Slide in Upper Elementary
Each year, I like to spend the last month of school preparing students for the next grade level and getting them excited about the next year. A lot of times, students tend to "check out" after state testing is over. To combat this, I like to mix things up and incorporate some activities that help prepare them for their next grade and also engage them. For more end of the … [Read more...] about End of Year Activities to Prepare Students for the Next Grade Level
One of the toughest parts about the end of the year is keeping students engaged in all subjects up into the very end. I have found that it is often the most difficult to keep students engaged in normal literacy activities. They often have more energy and are more talkative at this point in the year. Since I have always taught literacy at the end of the day, and this makes … [Read more...] about End of Year Literacy Activities and Ideas
This is a guest post written by a representative from Front Row. Some of the features shared in the post are part of the paid version. When I first chatted with Jennifer last year, I felt immediately inspired by the incredible resources she’s brought to teachers all over the country. I know Jennifer to be a passionate, innovative teacher who has helped her students … [Read more...] about Front Row: Free Math + ELA Practice for Your Students!
Let's keep it real. The end of the year can be rough. Students are excited and ready for summer (with all kinds of energy!). Teachers are often worn out and tired from months of strenuous teaching and prepping. To keep things engaging and content aligned, I like to have my students complete a variety of math activities and projects the last couple months of school. These … [Read more...] about End of Year Math Activities and Ideas
If you have been following my blog this year, you know that I love engaging test prep review games. I think review is definitely necessary at the end of the year or a longer unit, but it doesn't have to be tedious or boring. I love using high interest games in the classroom to engage my students and get them excited about reviewing. Recently, we played Pie Face Game and … [Read more...] about Playing Pie Face Game in the Classroom {Engaging Test Prep}
I spent my first four years of teaching in an inner city, rough area. The students I taught had dealt with and experienced things that young children (or anyone for that matter) should never experience. With that type of environment often comes major discipline problems. I have never had a problem with classroom management over all, but there were definitely times when I … [Read more...] about The Behavior Management Strategy that Saved My Sanity
I have been using partner reading in my classroom since my first year of teaching. I find that it is really motivating for my more reluctant readers, as well as highly engaging for all of my readers. Today I want to share what I am currently doing for partner reading in my reading intervention classroom. These ideas are very low maintenance on the part of the teacher … [Read more...] about Partner Reading in Upper Elementary
This year, I have been experimenting with alternative seating in the classroom. I still have all of my traditional desks and seating options for whole group instruction, however I have purchased several different types of seats for the students to use during station work or independent work. A lot of the blog posts and articles about alternative seating in classrooms deal … [Read more...] about Alternative Seating in the Classroom
One of the most powerful ways to increase student motivation, engagement, and mastery is through choice. Many of the activities and assessments that students complete on a daily basis are mandatory and non-negotiable. Keeping this in mind, I try to offer my students choice as much as possible throughout all subjects. Choice can be very powerful for students. For some … [Read more...] about Increase Motivation, Engagement, and Mastery with Student Choice (Using Choice Boards)
One thing I heave learned over the years is that a variety of review is key for many students to be successful or feel successful on their end of year test. Some students thrive with engaging review and competition like games. Others need small group instruction to review or practice previously learned skills. Over the last 7 years, I have been using test prep centers … [Read more...] about How to Plan and Use Test Prep Centers
