Can we be real about something for a minute? My first year teaching, I rarely did word problems. As a first year teacher, I wanted my students to succeed in math. But, I didn't really feel confident about what to do when they struggled with a problem. So, yes, we did word problems, but they were not a huge or integral part of my daily instruction. Thankfully, for my … [Read more...] about Using Word Problems in Interactive Math Notebooks (Regularly Incorporate Word Problems Into Your Math Instruction)
Easy Ways to Have Students Share Their Reading with Others
The social aspect of reading is one of my favorite things about being a teacher and a reader. I recently participated in a book study where we read Reading the Wild by Donalyn Miller. A "sequel" to Book Whisperer, this book is a must if you teach reading. Read my other recommended books for teaching reading here. Among other valuable teaching tips and strategies, the … [Read more...] about Easy Ways to Have Students Share Their Reading with Others
Reader’s Response Letters {Rigorous CCSS Aligned Checklists}
I am very excited about using this resource this upcoming year. I love having the students respond to their reading. It really makes me feel like I am having reading conversations with the students that you just don't have time to do on a regular basis. It also gives teachers that much needed accountability piece. I have been using reader's response letters since my first … [Read more...] about Reader’s Response Letters {Rigorous CCSS Aligned Checklists}
Math is Real Life – Plan a Trip: Freebies!
For my Math is Real Life post, I did a little math for our upcoming trip to Disney World. We knew we wanted to drive, but the teacher in me wanted to know just how much we were really saving by driving. 10 hours is a long time to sit in a car, and I wanted to make sure it was really worth it! So, I gathered my information.... Then I used my information to do some … [Read more...] about Math is Real Life – Plan a Trip: Freebies!
Measurement Activities and Questions to Ask
I recently read Chapter 5 of Good Questions for Math Teaching Grades K-6 and I wanted to share some of my takeaways with you. This chapter focused specifically on t measurement and good questions to ask when teaching measurement. Click here to read my post that reviews the chapter on teaching data and chance. I LOVED this chapter because it provided actual … [Read more...] about Measurement Activities and Questions to Ask
Math is Real Life – Wedding Planning Math
I am still super busy after the wedding last weekend, so this Math is Real Life post will be super short, to the point, and all about wedding planning math. I have been doing so much math with my wedding planning, and this month I just want to share a quick peak into how I used math to create an itinerary for my wedding day. Here is the breakdown of the timeline. … [Read more...] about Math is Real Life – Wedding Planning Math
Test Prep Centers {Rock the Test!}
Whew! State testing is officially over! Well, for now... Retakes for the students who didn't pass math and reading still have to happen once the scores are back. But for now, a huge sigh of relief! I have been meaning to write a post showing my test prep centers that I made this year. I used Rock and Roll graphics to create a Math Set for 4th and 5th Grade (9 centers … [Read more...] about Test Prep Centers {Rock the Test!}
Carnival Math Freebie { Real Life Math }
I am a huge fan of using real life math in the classroom. If you follow my blog, you know that I share several freebies that feature real life math. For this post, I want to share a fun carnival math freebie with you that was inspired by my real life experience. This past weekend, my family and I went to the a small carnival set up in our town. I wanted to share a set of … [Read more...] about Carnival Math Freebie { Real Life Math }
Active Engagement Strategies
I wanted to share with you two of my go to active engagement strategies that I think make the biggest impact on my instruction but are also very simple to execute and implement. This post has me thinking all the way back to my student teaching college days. If you had a similar experience as me, you had some semesters where you taught only 2-3 lessons to the … [Read more...] about Active Engagement Strategies
Multiplying Mixed Numbers: Free Printables
When teaching fraction skills, I always try to make them as applicable and relevant to the real world for my students as I can. I will admit that when I was getting ready to teach the skill of multiplying mixed numbers, I was a bit stumped about how to make this skill relatable. The first few lessons I teach on multiplying mixed numbers focus on ensuring that students … [Read more...] about Multiplying Mixed Numbers: Free Printables
Common Core Reading Review Homework
My first few years teaching I went back and forth on reading homework to give my students. I teach in inner city, title 1 schools so the majority (if not all) of my students to not have access to good books to read at home. So, I knew I needed to give my students something to read and respond to, but I wanted it to be purposeful and meaningful homework, and a plus if it … [Read more...] about Common Core Reading Review Homework
Quick and Easy Social Studies Ideas
I am writing a quick post today to share two of my recent favorite "activities" for social studies that are quick and easy to implement. 1. Social Studies "Head" Organizer I don't know about your social studies standards, but we have what feels like a hundred different people to learn about and remember. Geesh, sometimes I even get some of the people mixed up in my … [Read more...] about Quick and Easy Social Studies Ideas