One of the keys to success with any difficult task or challenge is definitely having the right mindset. And high-stakes testing is definitely a difficult task. I always try to keep my students encouraged and motivated through the test prep review process and through the week(s) of testing. This post shares some test prep videos that you can use for motivation and ... Read More
Free Reading Test Prep Helpers | 4th and 5th Grade Test Prep
It never fails. No matter how many times I spiral review reading skills through homework, reading review, read alouds, or guided reading, I always get those looks during test prep review. You know the ones...the deer in the headlight looks when they get asked to determine the text structure of a text or identify the point of view of a story. I learned long ago not to ... Read More
Free Test Prep Activities — 10 Days of Test Prep Freebies!
Test prep is definitely something that I implement all year through best practices and implementing strategies that translate to testing situations. However, I do spend the month before testing on review and using resources specifically created for test prep. No matter how many test prep resources I have, I still find that I am always on the look out for (or creating) ... Read More
Word Work Activities with Jenga (Free Printables)
Engaging word work activities for upper elementary grades can be hard to find. On this post, I will share three free word work activities to use with Jenga blocks. These are super engaging and can be used in a literacy center or played whole group if you have multiple Jenga blocks. Amazon affiliate links provided if you wish to purchase the Jenga blocks mentioned on this ... Read More
Character Traits Activities
Character traits are one of my favorite reading skills. I love digging in deep and analyzing characters. I also truly believe that learning about different characters, their traits, and what makes them exhibit those traits help students gain perspective and empathy. This post will share some of the ways that I introduce, teach, and/or review character traits with 4th and ... Read More
Free Decimal Word Problems Sort
Word problems are something I incorporate into my instruction all year to best help my students succeed with them. I also like to use a variety of engaging resources and strategies so it doesn't get boring and monotonous. On this post, I will share some general tips for teaching decimal word problems and a free decimal word problems sort. Tips for Teaching Decimal ... Read More
Snow Science Activity | Expanding Snowman
Building snowmen is a popular winter activity for children. But with one simple twist, you can transform snowman building into a fun snow science activity for your students. Your students will have a lot of fun making the expanding snowman science experiment and learning about chemistry at the same time. Free reading activity and printables included so you can up the ... Read More
Winter Science Activity : Creating Frost
Wintertime is the perfect time to implement winter science activities to engage your students (especially when indoor recess is the norm). Your students will love this particular winter science activity that has them creating frost. Even if a child has made frost in a can before, they will love repeating the experiment for the novelty factor. The free printables and ... Read More
Free Rounding Activities | Rounding Whole Numbers & Rounding Decimals
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
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
Decoding Strategies and Prompts for Upper Elementary
Helping readers decode larger words and employ more advanced decoding strategies is forever a goal of mine. As someone who has never taught primary, I don't have a large background in teaching decoding and phonics anyway. Couple that with readers who struggle because of gaps or because their initial instruction just didn't work, and you can see why this is a constant goal ... Read More
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
