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.
Oct 14
Teaching compare and contrast is a fundamental skill in helping students understand both literature and film. Engaging resources, like animated shorts, can make the learning process enjoyable and memorable. This lesson plan focuses on how to teach compare and contrast using the animated short The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. Compare and Contrast …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=5604
Aug 19
Let’s talk sound devices. You know—the pop, buzz, and bam that make language come alive. If you’re like me, you’ve probably tried to explain onomatopoeia or alliteration while students stare blankly… until someone blurts out, “Wait—isn’t that like in Batman when it says KAPOW?” Exactly. I decided to go for it and put together some …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=944
Aug 12
Teaching students to understand proverbs and adages improves reading comprehension. These sayings have meanings beyond what can be understood in their individual words. What Are These Sayings Anyway? Adages and proverbs are both forms of traditional sayings that offer wisdom or advice based on common sense or experience. While they are similar, there are subtle …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=6329
Jun 29
Looking to jazz up your main idea and supporting details lessons? Consider adding animated shorts and task cards to your teaching toolkit! These dynamic methods grab students’ attention and make abstract concepts more tangible and understandable. Lesson Handout To further support your students, download the free lesson handout, which includes examples, definitions, and printable organizers …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=5613
Jun 17
Understanding humor devices enhances students’ writing skills, strengthens comprehension, and even helps them navigate social situations more effectively. Definitions This lesson focuses on three humor devices: Understatement – Presenting something with restraint or modesty to create a subtle or ironic effect. Hyperbole – An obvious and deliberate exaggeration meant for effect, not to be …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=3099
Jun 03
Have you ever noticed how some students race through a story without stopping to think about what might happen next? Strong readers don’t simply move from page to page. They constantly predict outcomes. They notice clues, connect new information to what they already know, and adjust their thinking as the story unfolds. Prediction is much …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=7244
May 27
For upper elementary students, understanding poetry can be both exciting and challenging. One powerful strategy for uncovering meaning in poetry is using context clues. This post features six engaging activities that help students build vocabulary, strengthen reading comprehension, and develop critical thinking—all while enjoying the richness of poetry. All six activities are included in a …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=1024
