Are you teaching 5th grade for the first time this year (or the upcoming school year)? If you are anything like me when I was moved to 5th grade (from 3rd after teaching for only one year), I was a bit overwhelmed by the idea of teaching 5th grade. I remember spending the summer before that year googling all things related to 5th grade in between taking long walks with ... Read More
Browse the archives below for even more great ideas
How I Teach Reading in 5th Grade
Teaching reading in 5th grade is one of the best parts of teaching 5th grade. The standards and text level are more rigorous than in primary grades, but the students are much more independent. The books the students read are much more entertaining and interesting to read as a teacher. The discussions can be quite meaningful and deep as well. I have always taught ... Read More
Reading Centers for Upper Elementary
One of the most frequently asked questions I get from teachers who want to implement guided reading instruction is "What do the other students do while you are teaching guided reading?" This post will share TEN reading centers and activities that you can easily implement in your classroom and that your students will love. Before we dive into these ideas I would like to ... Read More
5th Grade ELA Pacing Guide {Free}
Last year, I shared my 5th grade math pacing guide and several of you requested an ELA one. In this post, I will share a printable download of my 5th Grade ELA pacing guide using the common core state standards and some general information and rationale. This guide includes how I pace reading standards, language standards, and writing standards. Keep in mind as you view ... Read More
End of Year Literacy Activities and Ideas
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
Partner Reading in Upper Elementary
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
Increase Motivation, Engagement, and Mastery with Student Choice (Using Choice Boards)
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
How to Plan and Use Test Prep Centers
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
Using The Gardener to Teach the Influence of Point of View RL.5.6 (Spring Mentor Text)
For my reading instruction, I use a lot of mentor texts to teach key reading skills. This makes the skill authentic and relevant, and it helps students see the connection between the skill and real reading. Also, mentor texts are fun to read, and even my fifth graders love being read to. Today I want to share a Spring mentor text that is always great for teaching the ... Read More
Spring Read Alouds for Upper Elementary
One of the best parts about teaching upper elementary students is taking picture books and using them as mentor texts for reading instruction. I love when my students come to our community area (a giant rug) and we listen to and discuss a short, engaging picture book. Click here to see all of my mentor texts and picture books for 4th and 5th grade. I also love taking ... Read More
Bean Boozled in the Classroom (Jelly Belly Challenge): Engaging Test Prep
I will have to admit it that I was a bit on the fence when I first heard about teachers using Bean Boozled in the classroom. If you are not familiar with this "game", the players spin a spinner to determine which color jelly bean they will eat. The color could be one of two different flavors: a yummy flavor (peach or berry for example) or a disgusting flavor (barf or ... Read More
Speed Answering: Engaging Test Prep Reading Constructed Response
Unfortunately, most of the engaging test prep review activities involve multiple-choice or short answer review questions. A lot of these activities don't lend themselves to the rigor of the constructed response questions that are now on many state assessments. With this in mind, I wanted a test prep review activity that works well with constructed response questions or ... Read More
