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 17
Oxymorons are wonderfully weird. They pair opposites, such as jumbo shrimp or deafening silence, to create phrases that are both playful and profound. In this free mini-lesson, upper elementary students explore the definition of oxymoron, examine real-world examples, and dive into creative activities that stretch their vocabulary and imagination. Whether you’re teaching 4th, 5th, or 6th grade, this …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=8425
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
Apr 20
How do I get my students novels during this social distancing time? The challenges of distance learning are immense. As teachers dive into many new computer programs and resources that haven’t been tried in the past, frustration builds. One question that repeatedly arises is how do I get novels for distance learning? Students can’t run …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=8319
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
Dec 30
With its megastar cast, many students will discuss the movie Dolittle. Not only does the film feature Robert Downey Jr. as Dolittle, but superstars also voice the animals. To name a few, Tom Holland plays Dolittle’s dog Jip; Emma Thompson plays the parrot Polynesia, and Selena Gomez plays the giraffe, Betsy. Take advantage of this …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=8048
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
