Welcome to my index blog page, where I share literacy ideas and teaching materials for upper elementary students. I create various resources to help educators teach multiple reading skills to their students.
My blog includes several series, such as “Teaching Types of Conflicts with Movie Trailers,” “Plot Structures,” “Making Connections,” “Story Elements,” and “Figurative Language.” These series make learning engaging and interactive. I also offer resources to teach literacy skills like vocabulary, comprehension, figurative language, and spelling.
Teaching literacy can be challenging, so I give away many free resources that educators can use in the classroom or at home. I want to provide educators with practical, easy-to-use tools to help their students become confident readers.
I hope my index blog page will inspire and motivate educators to use innovative teaching methods and help their students excel in their literacy skills.
Mar 31
Raise your hand if you’ve ever written apart when you meant a part. ✋ You’re not alone! English is full of confusing word pairs, especially the classic “one word or two” troublemakers like maybe vs. may be or someday vs. some day. These tiny differences can trip up even strong writers, which is why teaching …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=3441
Mar 23
Who said teaching vocabulary had to be boring? Not me! If your students groan every time they see a vocab list, it’s time to pull out a strategy that feels more like a puzzle than a worksheet: word wheels. Word wheels are versatile little gems that get students looking at words from different angles, literally. …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=5904
Feb 09
What do Popeye, Casper the Friendly Ghost, and Superman have in common? Besides being Saturday morning legends, they’re all experts at saying it nicely—a.k.a. using euphemisms. Whether it’s Popeye teasing his pals, Casper trying to make friends, or Superman politely saving the day (again), these classic characters show us that sometimes a softer phrase packs …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=29931
Dec 08
If you love teaching vocabulary through movement, mystery, and laughter, this post is for you. I’ve pulled together 85 quirky vocabulary questions you can use in three ready-to-play vocabulary games for the classroom: Jeopardy, Would You Rather, and trail-style board games. Whether you’re reviewing word meanings, exploring etymology, or just sneaking some joy into your …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=933
Dec 06
Some words don’t just change spelling; they flip their meaning entirely. These time‑twisted vocabulary words fascinate students because they reveal how language evolves. Awful once meant “full of awe.” Silly used to mean “blessed.” Nice was an insult. Language evolves, and students love discovering how. That’s why I created a vocabulary game that works with …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=8514
Dec 01
Some vocabulary words just beg to be spoken out loud. They bounce, twist, and tumble off the tongue like characters in a children’s book. Words like skedaddle, borborygmus, and flibbertigibbet aren’t just fun. They’re silly vocabulary words for students that spark joy, curiosity, and classroom giggles. But once you’ve taught those delightful words, what do …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=7328
Oct 27
Students really enjoy puzzles, and when vocabulary practice feels like a game, they’re more likely to get involved, remember what they’ve learned, and even ask for more. This post shares some fun vocabulary activities for grades 4–6 using games, riddles, and brain teasers to build word skills in an engaging way. Plus, there’s a free …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=5909
