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 03
Malapropisms are language bloopers that make us laugh and learn. Whether it’s a student saying “I think I have ammonia” when they mean pneumonia, or a famous figure mixing up “statue” and “stature,” these slip-ups are more than funny; they’re teachable moments. This malapropism lesson helps upper elementary students recognize and correct humorous word mix-ups …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=7200
Feb 20
Allusions are the secret handshakes of language. They quietly connect stories, history, and culture, often in just a few words. Whether it’s a reference to Achilles’ heel or Uncle Sam, teaching allusions helps students unlock deeper meaning in literature and everyday conversation. This free mini-lesson introduces 4th–6th graders to mythical, biblical, literary, and historical allusions …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=8165
Jan 27
Raise your hand if you’ve ever asked a student what genre they’re reading and gotten a confident: “Umm… chapter book?” Yep. Been there. That’s why I like to start the year by teaching genres. It gives students the vocabulary and framework to actually talk about books. Genres are more than just labels. They help kids …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=3976
Jul 08
Teaching vocabulary with index cards is a fun yet effective method. Here’s how: Step #1 On one side of the index card, students write the vocabulary word in large letters so that it may be used as a response card. For daily practice, students spread their index cards with the words facing up on their …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=78
Apr 29
Are you looking for some great materials and ideas to teach text features? You’ve come to the right place. This “Text Features” blog post contains several anchor charts that will provide inspiration for ones you can make for your classroom. You will find anchor charts for text features and parts of a book. You’ll also …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=7378
Nov 12
Let’s face it—plot patterns can sometimes feel like the grammar of storytelling: necessary, but not always thrilling. But what if you could teach plot development in a way that grabs your students’ attention before the rising action even begins? Cue the commercials. No, really. In this post, you’ll find two hands-on activities that make teaching …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=6461
Oct 29
Not every hero begins their journey as someone we admire—and that’s what makes the Rebirth plot so interesting! This story structure follows a character who faces challenges, whether due to personal struggles or outside influences. As time goes on, through moments of self-reflection, the support of loved ones, or even some supernatural help, the hero …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=6403
