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 27
Christopher Booker’s book The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories outlines seven plots. One of these seven is Rags to Riches. In this plot, the main character gains power, wealth, or a mate. At the beginning of the story, the character is clearly at the bottom of the social hierarchy. This character is unhappy but deserves …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=6400
Aug 20
If you have purchased any of my novel studies, you know that I love using index cards to teach vocabulary words. Working with index cards is both fantastic and frustrating. Students often lose a few when notebooks are dropped. I wanted to develop a small/no-cost solution to prevent students from losing their cards. I wondered, …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=7328
Aug 13
Christopher Booker’s book The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories outlines seven plots. One of these seven is Overcoming the Monster. In this plot, the main character sets out to defeat the evil bad guy. This antagonist usually harms others that get in his way. This selfish character sometimes causes a threat to the hero’s homeland. The …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=6390
Aug 06
Several researchers have attempted to categorize basic plot patterns in literature. William Foster-Harris sorts stories into three basic patterns. Ronald B. Tabias theorizes 20 Master Plots. Georges Polti writes about The Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations. Kurt Vonnegut argues that all stories can be outlined into one basic shape. Christopher Booker’s book The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories outlines …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=6360
May 06
When I realized that I have a number of resources on ‘Types of Conflict in Literature,’ but they are scattered throughout my website and blog, I decided to create one post with information plus links to help people find the materials. Definitions In a person vs. supernatural conflict, a character battles that which is beyond nature. …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=7386
Nov 25
Do you want to teach students about empathy? You’ve come to the right place. Just last week, the 317th mass shooting took place this year in the United States. A gunman in California drove through a locked gate. He then shot through the windows of the elementary school killing four people. Teaching students empathy is …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=5981
Oct 26
Using cipher codes is a great way to get reluctant students to write. Present one or more of these cipher codes. Build up the suspense by discussing how spies carried secret assault plans through enemy lines using various codes. Be sure to grab the printable by clicking on this link. Handout Containing Puzzles Cipher Code …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=5914
