Category: Aids for Teachers

Welcome to my aids for teachers index page, where I help upper elementary teachers find new and innovative ways to engage their students. This page links to various blog posts on multiple topics, from teaching strategies and classroom tips to student learning methods.

I offer free resources in my blog posts to help teachers get started and implement new techniques in their classrooms. You can find posts on Four Corners, Concept Webs, Semantic Maps, and Learning Logs, which are effective teaching techniques for upper elementary students. I also share classroom tips on creating anchor charts, designing engaging classroom displays, and more.

I also provide methods to help students learn, such as a growth mindset and memorization techniques.

I give sample handouts, such as the Parent Connection Newsletter Series, which you can edit to fit your classroom needs. These resources help you save time and effort in creating your classroom materials.

I hope this index blog page inspires you to try new teaching strategies and techniques in your classroom. Let’s learn and grow together as educators for our students’ benefit.

Parent Connection Newsletter 3

Parent Connection Newsletter 3

All parents want their children to become better readers. The Connection Newsletter provides parents with ideas and links to resources to help their children learn to read more fluently. This post contains Issue #3. This button link goes to the Google Slide version of the newsletter in both color and black and white versions. The …

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Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=2722

Learning Log – A Teaching Strategy

Learning Log

A learning log is a specialized type of journal. Unlike typical journals, students record responses to the educational material they are learning. This type of journal helps students reflect more deeply on their learning material. Learning logs may include: Concept Webs Semantic Maps Semantic Feature Analysis Lists of Unanswered Questions Students Have Observations for Experiments …

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Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=5794

Reintroducing Classroom Collaboration

Collaboration in the Classroom

Teaching students classroom collaboration is such an important part of teaching. It doesn’t matter if teachers are trying to prepare students for today’s workplace or just how to get along with others; students need to be proficient collaborators. Educators recognize this skill as so important that the Common Core State Standards has a category under …

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Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=7640

Essay Test Taking Strategies

Essay Test Taking Strategies

Essay tests are a great way to evaluate student knowledge through all levels of thinking skills, from What is…? to Interpret this. or Criticize that. Students will practice essay test-taking strategies using Boom Learning.  Like all test types, essay questions have advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that students are less likely to guess. Another …

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Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=7634

Fill-in-the-Blanks Test Taking Tips

Fill-in-the-Blanks Test Taking Strategies

Teaching Fill-in-the-Blanks Test-Taking Tips can improve student performance on quizzes. Giving Completion or Fill-in-the-Blanks tests is a great way to test knowledge level questions, including recalling details. This test question is especially helpful for testing the content of who, what, where, and when. Another advantage is that the completion of test questions minimizes guessing. Students …

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Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=3448

Matching Test Taking Strategies

Matching Test Taking Strategies

Matching tests are extremely popular. Matching questions work well for terms and definitions, phrases with other phrases, causes with effects, parts with larger units, and problems with solutions. Teaching students about matching test-taking strategies can greatly improve their performance on these tests. One advantage of matching test items is that students can show their knowledge …

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Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=3011

True-False Test Taking Strategies

True-False Test Taking Strategies

Teaching students true-false test-taking Strategies can greatly improve their performance on quizzes and even standardized tests. True-false tests are popular, easy for teachers to create, and even found on standardized tests. Although many students prefer this type of test, questions can be tricky. Learning what to look for can improve students’ abilities to achieve higher …

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Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=791