Would you like a list of all of the lessons that your students will need this year during writing? This free guide is packed with specific lesson ideas for narrative, opinion and informational writing.
Writing workshop is my jam! Teaching writing shouldn’t feel like a chore. In these articles, you will find helpful strategies for mini lessons, writing conferences, editing, grading, and so much more.
Differentiation is a difficult concept for many teachers. However, it’s actually easier than many people think - and are probably already doing. According to ASCD, teachers can modify four elements to differentiate instruction: content, process, product, and...
Are you Team Textbook or Team Passages? Often, teachers are solidly in one camp or the other. There are solid reasons for using either one and also reasons to not use them. Let’s examine the pros and cons of each.TextbooksAt one point I was solidly anti-textbook and...
Have you ever planned a lesson you were completely excited about and then other people told you it was a bad idea? Or it just flat-out bombed? Sometimes, I think we come out with ideas that sound great on paper, but, in reality, they don’t work or we forget elements...
Differentiation is a difficult concept for many teachers. However, it’s actually easier than many people think and are probably already doing.
Are you Team Textbook or Team Passages? There are solid reasons for using either one and also reasons to not use them. Let’s examine the pros and cons of each.
From my experience, I know things I have done that made my lessons less accessible, but I wanted to get ideas from students, too. (Luckily, I have access to students through my kids.)
Teachers should stop reviewing for the test and use strategies to ensure students master skills and concepts.
I have “Best Practices” based on the experiences of students and children. Here are strategies for using novels effectively in your classroom
While I like a party day, I always found it difficult to “give up a day” in the name of fun. Instead, I used Valentine’s Day to my advantage.
Did you know explicit Greek and Latin morphological instruction is the most effective way to improve students’ English vocabulary?
Teaching with paired texts or passages can be daunting at first, but it really isn’t as hard as it seems – it just takes time.
As teachers know, one of the first things many students ask is, “Why do I need to know this? When will I ever use it?” Integrated learning shows students why.
I see teachers beginning to set healthy boundaries as they redefine their values. I have some suggestions that may help you.
New Year’s is often seen as a new beginning or a fresh start. So how can you start fresh in your classroom?
Students always want to know why they need to learn something (especially if it is difficult.) and showing them math “in the wild” is the perfect way to teach them.
What can we do in our classroom that isn’t another animated film or “filler”? I found that boring activities led to behavior problems in the classroom.
Although teachers always look for new books to read with their students, many of us have a shortlist of favorites they pull out year after year. Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson is on the must-read list of many middle school teachers.
I’m sharing gift ideas that won’t break your bank and don’t take a lot of time and energy. Keep your sanity intact with these easy gift ideas!
