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
Multiplying Mixed Numbers: Free Printables
When teaching fraction skills, I always try to make it as applicable and real-world as I can. I will admit that when I got ready to teach the skill of multiplying mixed numbers, I was a bit stumped about how to make this relatable. The focus of the first few multiplying mixed numbers lessons that I teach on the computation process and the conceptual process. ... Read More
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
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
Elapsed Time Freebie
For this month's math is real life, I am back to the topic of wedding planning, and I have an elapsed time freebie for you!. Sheesh, who knew planning a wedding required so many decisions and so much math! For this post, I dabbled with a little elapsed time. After booking my photographer and getting package choices with different times that I would have the ... Read More
Word Study in Upper Elementary
Word study and spelling instruction in the upper elementary grades has definitely changed since I was in school. This post will share a basic overview of how I teach Word Study and Spelling in my 5th grade classroom. Word Study: Where Do I Get the Rules, Patterns, Words, ETC.? First, I always begin with a spelling rule or principle. I get my principles from all over, ... Read More
Using Kidblog to Engage {and Assess}
Happy Sunday! I wanted to post and share a resource that I have used in the past but just recently started up with my current group. It is a website that allows you to set up a class blog and interact with the students and allow them to interact. The site I use is called Kidblog and you can sign up and read more about it here. Note: I am editing this post to note that ... Read More
How to Review After a Long Break from School
My break is over, and I officially return to school Monday...sadsville! Other than having to set your alarm, and losing the extra time with family and friends, the other part about going back to work that I dread is the fact that I know some of my kids will have forgotten what we learned or just need a quick review. Last year, I decided to not fight this inevitable fact, ... Read More
FREE Christmas Math Review for 5th Grade
The week or days before Christmas break can be hectic in the classroom. Between school events and the students' excitement, it is difficult to teach new skills during this time. For this reason, I choose to use this week to review all (or most) of the skills that we have learned so far in the year. To make things more interesting, the review has a holiday theme. This post ... Read More
Teaching Math with Coupons Freebie
For this month's Math is Real Life, I am talking about one of my favorite things to do: Cyber Shopping (and sharing a math with coupons free printable!). My husband swears I am addicted but with Amazon prime and all the other conveniences, how can you not just love it? Did anyone do any cyber shopping this weekend or Monday? I picked up a few things online for the ... Read More
Guided Math in Upper Elementary (Free Math Centers Included!)
Each year, I find that I have such a huge divide in my classroom as far as mastering 5th grade math skills: students who get it and could teach it, students who could get it from some quality (and sometimes additional) instruction, and students that need major intervention and cannot focus during whole group because of attention or because of gaps in knowledge and ... Read More
Data Tracking {A Fun & Delicious Way to Track Data}
All year I have been trying to think of a way to make data tracking fun and engaging for my students. My students are a lower group this year, so I needed a tracking system that was super easy and super motivating at the same time. After seeing a cupcake printout in the copy room, I had a great idea to design a tracking system around cupcakes! I worked with my good ... Read More
