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.
Aug 15
If you’re looking for vocabulary activities that actually work in the classroom without adding to your grading pile, digital vocabulary games might be your new best friend. These interactive, self-checking games give students instant feedback, making vocabulary practice more meaningful (and way less time-consuming for you). Whether you’re managing centers, supporting small groups, or keeping …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=27277
Jul 14
Let’s face it—getting students to connect deeply with a text can sometimes feel like trying to get them to connect with their math homework on a Friday afternoon. But when they do make those connections? That’s when reading becomes real, personal, and powerful. In this post, I’m sharing three free lessons that help students make …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=4443
Jun 10
Books are powerful tools for helping students step into another person’s shoes, understand different experiences, and embrace compassion. Whether you’re tackling topics like disability, learning differences, or prejudice, stories can create meaningful conversations that stay with students for life. Below is a collection of impactful books grouped by theme, along with classroom discussion ideas and …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=5981
May 19
Discover the magic of words with our exciting prefix activities! Whether you’re aiming to boost your students’ vocabulary or readying them for advanced language skills, teaching prefixes is essential. With these interactive activities, digital tools, and free organizers, you’ll help your 4th, 5th, and 6th graders master prefixes in a fun and unforgettable way. Why …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=5999
May 12
Teaching suffixes doesn’t have to be dull. This post provides hands-on and digital materials, including organizers, puzzles, videos, anchor charts, Google Slides, and PowerPoints. These activities will help your upper elementary students expand their vocabulary, strengthen their decoding skills, and gain confidence when encountering new words. Lesson Handout And don’t forget, there’s a free handout …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=6006
May 05
Understanding root words can unlock the meaning of many unfamiliar words, allowing students to expand their vocabulary confidently. In this post, I’ll share some fun root word activities, including a free organizer and digital resource, to help 4th-6th graders master six important root words: vit/viv/bio, grad/gress, duc/duct, cur/curs/cours, pon/pose/posit, and man/manu. Students will find these …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=8577
Apr 14
Let’s be honest—getting students to truly understand a story can sometimes feel like asking them to explain the plot of a dream. (“There was this dog… and a time machine… and we were at school, but also on the moon?”) That’s where story mapping comes in. This trusty strategy helps students see how a story …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=4018
