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
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
Free Decimal Activities
It is no secret that I love math centers and small group math (read more here!). And I also love having a variety of math activities to meet the needs of my students and to engage them. This post shares some low-prep (and FREE!) decimal activities that are perfect for decimal review or decimal math centers. Materials Needed: Printable Cube ---> Download at ... Read More
Videos for Teaching and Reviewing Figurative Language
Figurative language is always one of my favorite ELA skills to teach. It lends itself to fun, engaging lessons. This post will share videos for reviewing or teaching figurative language. (As with any videos that I share, I recommend that you watch the videos before showing them to your students.) Figurative Language Explained Running Time: 1:58 This short, ... Read More
Videos for Teaching Plant and Animal Cells
Using videos to explain science concepts and topics is a great way to reinforce what you are teaching and mix up your instruction. This post will share a collection of videos for teaching plant and animal cells. As with all videos, I recommend you preview them before showing them to your students. :) 1. Bill Nye the Science Guy - Cells Running Time: ... Read More
Analyzing Student Work in Math
Sometimes grading assessments can be frustrating, depressing, and a mystery or a combination of all of these. Whether we give quick assessments, exit slips, or lengthy tests, it is so important that we analyze the results and let that drive our instruction. But, that is easier said than done. On this post, I will share the steps I take and the printable I use when ... Read More
Using Jenga in the Classroom (Collection of FREE Jenga Games)
One of my new favorite obsessions is using Jenga in the classroom to review and spiral concepts. Over the past year or so, I have been creating several games that are perfect if you want to incorporate Jenga in your classroom and they are all free! On this post, I will share brief descriptions and links to each one. Amazon affiliate links provided if you wish to ... Read More
Alternatives to Teaching Whole Group Math (That Are Not Math Centers)
Even though I love using guided math centers and use that as my mode of instruction two to three times a week (read more about that here) to meet the needs of my learners, I recognize that there are some teaching styles and classroom setups that may need something different. Today, I want to share with you two alternatives for math instruction that are not traditional ... Read More
How to Get Upper Elementary Students Excited to Read
If you have ever taught 4th or 5th grade, you know that by this grade, students start to form strong opinions about certain school subjects. One of those subjects is reading. Some students love it, some openly resist it, and some are just meh about it. Our job as teachers is to turn those resisters and students who are meh about it into avid readers before they leave us. ... Read More
Reading Notebooks in 4th and 5th Grade
One of the things I do every year that really makes a difference in my students' learning is having them use notebooks to store notes, examples, work, and basically house all of the learning they have done that year. Having these notebooks makes it so easy to spiral content because the students have a ready-made resource to refer back to. On this post, I will share how I ... Read More
Must-Have Guided Math Materials for Upper Elementary
I remember my first year teaching being completely overwhelmed by all of the math stuff shoved in my cabinets. I didn't know what would I would use the most and what I would rarely or never use. I am sure that my first year teaching I did a terrible job utilizing the math resources available to me. To keep that from happening to you, I will share on this post what I ... Read More
Parent-Teacher Conference Tips : Supporting 4th and 5th Graders with Math
Some students certainly have strong opinions about math the older they get, and by the time students are in 4th and 5th grade, you will find such a wide range of ability levels in one classroom. I get asked a lot about how parents can help 4th and 5th graders with math at home, because it is one of those subjects that not only challenges students but may be taught in ... Read More
