Mar 30
OVERWHELMED…FRUSTRATED…READY TO SIT DOWN AND CRY…These are just a few of the emotions teachers are feeling. With distance learning, teachers don’t have to learn one new program but dozens. To help, I will answer questions I repeatedly see about Distance Learning with Google Apps, including Google Slides, Docs, and Forms. For each question, I will …
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Mar 23
Are you looking for a great novel to read with your students? The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman is a great choice. This heartwarming novel will take you on a journey of hope as you witness the unbreakable bond between siblings. The story follows the adventures of two sisters, Viji and Rukku. They run away from their …
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Mar 16
Are you looking for a great novel to read with your students? Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is a winner. At the end of each school year, I have my students do a survey called The Top Five. Students list their top favorites or dislikes depending on the questions…What are your top favorite projects?… Which activities …
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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 …
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Feb 17
Educational trends change almost yearly. One year ‘this method’ is the best thing ever invented. The following year ‘this method’ has lost its appeal, and a new idea is a must-try. However, the one trend that has remained constant year after year is higher-order thinking skills (HOTS). HOTS encourages learners to go far beyond the …
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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 …
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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 …
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