Dec 06
Some words don’t just change spelling; they flip their meaning entirely. These time‑twisted vocabulary words fascinate students because they reveal how language evolves. Awful once meant “full of awe.” Silly used to mean “blessed.” Nice was an insult. Language evolves, and students love discovering how. That’s why I created a vocabulary game that works with …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=8514
Dec 01
Some vocabulary words just beg to be spoken out loud. They bounce, twist, and tumble off the tongue like characters in a children’s book. Words like skedaddle, borborygmus, and flibbertigibbet aren’t just fun. They’re silly vocabulary words for students that spark joy, curiosity, and classroom giggles. But once you’ve taught those delightful words, what do …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=7328
Dec 01
The animated short Broken: Rock, Scissors, Paper takes the classic game and reimagines it with three fantasy‑style characters in a lush, magical forest. What starts as a whimsical take quickly becomes a moving tale of courage, sacrifice, and unexpected friendship. In under five minutes, this wordless film opens the door to deep discussions about character …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=1614
Nov 17
Both Coin Operated (Nicholas Arioli) and One Small Step (Taiko Studios) feature children with dreams of space travel and the long paths they take to reach them, but their journeys are wildly different in tone, logic, and genre. One leans into whimsical fantasy, the other into emotional realism. If you’re looking to teach summary writing …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=1969
Nov 10
Short films are like teacher gold. They’re packed with emotion, story arcs, and teachable moments, all in under five minutes. Around the holidays, nothing beats using Christmas animated shorts for teaching writing skills that spark empathy, creativity, and deep thinking. This set of six Christmas short films gives students rich visuals and heartfelt stories to …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=5623
Oct 30
The animated short Crow: The Legend is an incredible storytelling tool for teaching upper elementary students about theme, character development, and plot structure. With a powerful message, stunning animation, and a strong cultural foundation, it provides many opportunities for skill-based learning—plus, students love it. This post includes a free handout pack with printable and digital …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=2459
Oct 27
Students really enjoy puzzles, and when vocabulary practice feels like a game, they’re more likely to get involved, remember what they’ve learned, and even ask for more. This post shares some fun vocabulary activities for grades 4–6 using games, riddles, and brain teasers to build word skills in an engaging way. Plus, there’s a free …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=5909
