Feb 10
Teaching students to summarize text can be one of the most difficult skills you tackle the during this school year. This post offers six summarizing strategies to try. It also contains some general rules for students to follow as well as stem questions to look for on tests.
Be sure to download the free printable resources to teach summarizing strategies. The link can be found at the bottom of the post.
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=751
Feb 03
The animated short Coin Operated spans 70 years in a man’s life in which he never gives up his dream to fly to the moon.
A young boy wearing an astronaut’s helmet and jet pack on his back plays with his toy rocket ship as he and his mother walk down the street. The boy spots a coin operated rocket ship ride in front of the grocery store. The boy’s eyes widen with anticipation. His mother tries to pull him away, but the boy pulls out his own nickel, and his mom relents.
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=1969
Jan 27
Two great activities are provided to help students learn about genres. Genre Flash Cards contains 21 pairs (picture cards with matching fact cards) in a ready-to-use printable format. These are a free download at Teachers Pay Teachers.
Genres, a 40 card deck of interactive task cards from Boom Learning, is sure to be a hit with your students.
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=3976
Jan 20
While watching a series of previews at the theater over the holiday, I thought…”This is based on a children’s book. Another children’s books. Can you believe it? Still another children’s book.” I began to get excited at the thought of so many children’s books becoming movies. So…I went home and did a little investigating. Book lovers are in for a real treat this 2020.
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=8065
Jan 13
Transition words and phrases improve the flow of writing by linking ideas, sentences, and paragraphs. They show relationships which helps readers understand thoughts and concepts. Transitions may connect, contrast, show cause/effect, indicate order, and a number of other relationships. Using transitions helps writing flow. Disconnected ideas are turned into a unified whole. They prepare readers for what is coming next.
Common Core addresses transitional words in the writing standards.
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=4140
Jan 06
The animated short film The Catch is a fable-like story in which a young fisherman who has no luck until an act of kindness changes his fate.
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=1568
Dec 30
With its megastar cast, many students will be talking about the upcoming movie Dolittle on MLK weekend – January 17, 2020. Not only does the film feature Robert Downey Jr. as Dolittle, the animals are voiced by superstars. Just to name a few, Tom Holland will play Dolittle’s dog Jip; Emma Thompson will play the parrot Polynesia; and Selena Gomez will play the giraffe Betsy. Take advantage of this high interest moment by teaching a few skills connected with the film.
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=8048
