Though I have never been a "textbook teacher", I can definitely see the benefit of using a common text with the students, particularly in science and social studies. I typically use only a textbook or common text for social studies, occasionally for science, and never for ELA or math because my district does not have a mandated textbook for either of these subjects. … [Read more...] about Textbook Reading Tips {How to Make Textbooks Engaging and Comprehensible!}
Reading
My Favorite Read Aloud: The Sweetest Fig {Lots of Freebies}
This post contains an Amazon affiliate link if you decide you want to purchase the book mentioned in this post. One of my favorite parts of being a teacher is reading books aloud to my students. Even though I teach fifth grade, my students still love to be read to. I even bring them to the carpet and we read and discuss the book just like a book club. It is definitely … [Read more...] about My Favorite Read Aloud: The Sweetest Fig {Lots of Freebies}
Common Core Gradebook {Free!}
Grading, grading, and more grading! Honestly, that may be the thing I like the least about teaching. Which is odd because that is what I did the most when I played school as a child. I am not missing the irony there! Last year, I created a CCSS aligned grade book in an attempt to simplify the process of recording and accessing grades. After using it all year and … [Read more...] about Common Core Gradebook {Free!}
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}
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
Give Them Choice with Reading Choice Boards
Happy Weekend! Tomorrow my sweet Brody turns 10. Yikes! He is getting so old! I wanted to pop in real fast to share some new resources that I created over the summer for reading and math. I don't know about your kids, but my kids LOVE choice! Even if it is all still the same kind of work and still the same skill, just something about being able to choose is so awesome to … [Read more...] about Give Them Choice with Reading Choice Boards
Close Reading Resources {Mega Kit}
Is everyone out for summer by now? I hope so! This summer one of my projects was to tackle close reading. I have done variations of close reading for awhile. But I really wanted something rigorous and aligned to the common core. So this was born: Close Reading Mega Kit for for Grades 4-6 and 3rd Grade. To read about how I use this close reading kit during a specific read … [Read more...] about Close Reading Resources {Mega Kit}
Common Core Reading: Teaching Story Elements
I am back with post #3 for the Reading Literature Standards Chapter of my book club! This post will discuss Key Ideas and Details Standard 3 (RL.3.3, RL.4.3, RL.5.3) which focuses on teaching story elements. The post about Standard 1 can be found here and Standard 2 can be found here. Make sure you head over to those to grab the free printables for those … [Read more...] about Common Core Reading: Teaching Story Elements
Teaching Theme & Summarizing : FREE Reading Graphic Organizers
When the common core standards first hit my state, I knew I needed to do some research and studying to fully understand the reading standards and how to teach them. One way that I did this was by joining a book club and reading Teaching with the Common Core Standards for ELA. This post will share some of my thoughts and a few free graphic organizers specific to teaching … [Read more...] about Teaching Theme & Summarizing : FREE Reading Graphic Organizers
Hands On Test Prep for Upper Grades
Testing is starting Monday! My students have been working so hard to prepare and practice their skills. I still have a few hands on test prep ideas to share with you for keeping your students engaged during test prep and making it fun! This activity is similar to the sentence surgery idea that has been spotted floating around Pinterest. Click on the image to see the … [Read more...] about Hands On Test Prep for Upper Grades
Test Taking Tips for Reading
I don't know about you guys, but I am beginning to feel the pressure of standardized tests! We have been working hard all year on comprehension strategies that really make the students think about a story. You can read about that here and here. Now, I am trying to be much more deliberate about teaching the students some specific strategies and test taking tips to help … [Read more...] about Test Taking Tips for Reading