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Literacy

Reading Lesson: Comparing & Contrasting Firsthand & Secondhand Texts, Grades 4–5

As a literacy specialist, I believe one of the most important things I can do for my students is to teach them a myriad of strategies to interpret...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Residue

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Disney Songs Close Reading Lesson for Grades 1–4

Asking students to read a text a second or third time can be a daunting task. Many of your struggling readers probably did not want to read the text...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

8 Ways to Integrate Greek/Latin Roots into Vocabulary Routines

I often get asked about how best to teach Greek and Latin Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes. In this article, I'm going to share eight ways I integrate...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Premeditated

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Grammar

Creative Ways to Teach Parts of Speech in Middle School and High School

In this article, you'll find tips for reviewing or teaching parts of speech in middle school and high school. Plus, download five creative printables...

Tiffany Rehbein

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Equitable

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

6 Things to Include in a Substitute Teacher Binder

One of the hardest things a teacher has to do is plan for a substitute. Likewise, one of the hardest jobs a person can have is to be a substitute...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

8 Strategies for Teaching ELL Students Vocabulary Words

I have been friends with each of the three English Language Learner (ELL) teachers that have served my district since I began teaching, but I...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Cozen

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Vocabulary Assessment and Inventory Worksheets for Educators

One of the most important aspects of vocabulary instruction is vocabulary assessment. Without knowing how many words your students already know, and to...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

How To Teach Reading Comprehension Strategies In Your School [Free Worksheets]

Education is a field that seems to be constantly changing and progressing through advances in technology, professional publications, and research...

Erin Lynch

Literacy

Teaching Students How To Choose A Just-Right Book

To foster reading independence, students need to be exposed to various reading strategies and tools to boost their confidence. This includes teaching...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Sullen

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Grammar

Back-To-School Writing Prompts [Includes Printable Worksheets]

Use simple back-to-school writing prompts to assess writing skills and learn important information about each student in your room!

Tiffany Rehbein

Vocabulary

15 Free Back-to-School Printables for Teachers

Although I have been working all summer long, the inevitable school year start date suddenly looms up before me, scary and overwhelming. To honor...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Waggish

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

6 Fun Classroom Icebreakers for Elementary Students [Free Printables]

During the first few weeks of school, dissipate feelings of nervousness and begin to foster new relationships with fun classroom icebreakers! In this...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

Back-to-School Activities for Middle School

It is always difficult to know exactly what to do during the first days of school, but I do know that I want to establish a great classroom community....

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

6th Grade Vocabulary Worksheets, Games, and Resources

Are you an educator in need of 6th grade vocabulary worksheets and printables that will make the word building process more exciting for students?...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Pulverize

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

Interactive Read Aloud Strategies—23 Lessons to Get You Started!

Research demonstrates the value of reading aloud to students of all ages; it also shows that students benefit from being read to several times...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

5th Grade Vocabulary Worksheets, Games, and Resources

Are you an educator in need of 5th grade vocabulary worksheets and printables that will make the word building process more exciting for students?...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Retrogress

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

4th Grade Vocabulary Worksheets, Games, and Resources

In this article you'll find 4th grade vocabulary worksheets and printables that will make the word building process more exciting for students! Whether...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

Elements of a Literacy-Rich 21st Century Classroom

Do you want to bring a 21st century classroom design into your classroom? This article will assist you in setting up a literacy-rich environment in a...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Seethe

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

3rd Grade Vocabulary Worksheets, Games, and Resources

Today I'm sharing 3rd grade vocabulary worksheets and printables that will make the word building process more exciting for students! Whether you are...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

Components of Balanced Literacy and Strategies for the Classroom

The methodology that I use to teach reading is "Balanced Literacy." Many of my blog posts refer to "Balanced Literacy" as I share units, lessons, and...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Douse

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

Using the Six Signposts from Notice and Note in Your Classroom

In this article, I'm sharing resources for introducing or reviewing the Notice & Note signposts in the classroom. Although I now use the close reading...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

2nd Grade Vocabulary Worksheets, Games, and Resources

Here are 2nd grade vocabulary worksheets and printables that will make the word building process more exciting for students! Whether you are preparing...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Cubicle

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Grammar

How to Teach Grammar Effectively in Schools and Across Disciplines [5 Free Printables]

Recently, I had a hallway conversation with colleague who asked me, "Does grammar even matter anymore?" My initial reaction was, "Of course, grammar...

Tiffany Rehbein

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Stark

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

The Principal's Role in Effective Literacy Instruction

Principals are the pillars of schools. Teachers, students, parents, custodians, paraprofessionals, and the lunch staff turn to principals for guidance...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

Summer Vocabulary Games for Learners and Caregivers

Summer is long, and learners need to practice their vocabulary or they lose much of the knowledge they’ve gained during the school year. A great way to...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Venial

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

7 Fun Summer Vocabulary Worksheets for Students

I wanted to highlight a few ways students can continuing engaging with words during summer break. The summer vocabulary worksheets included in this...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

Summer Professional Growth Plan for Teachers and Principals

The summer is a great time to enhance skills, improve units and add to professional knowledge. During the school year, teachers and principals are...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Infallible

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

7 Fun Professional Development Ideas for Teachers

During summer break, teachers should take advantage of their slower schedules to complete professional development hours. In this article, we'll...

Vocab Gal

Grammar

10 Summer Learning Activities That Will Keep Students Writing [Free Printables]

While summer is filled with outdoor activities that often keep young people active, it should also include summer learning activities that keep...

Tiffany Rehbein

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Brevity

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

Summer Reading Strategies Bookmark for Elementary Students, Grades 2–5

I am a huge fan of bookmarks because they can be a great tool for students to use during independent reading. Every June, I share a special bookmark...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

QUICK Vocabulary Review & Practice Activities for Students (Handouts Included)

As I prepare my students for their semester exam that will include 80-100 vocabulary words, I feel the need to insert little vocabulary activities to...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Infraction

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Text-Dependent Questions for Close Reading of Paired Texts – 5 Day Lesson Plan

In close reading, it is important to compare texts with similar purpose, point of view, or other specific aspects. The more specific the comparison...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

Last Week of School Activity– 5 Pieces of Advice Using Vocabulary Words

So often we teachers impart advice to students, but they often do not get to do the same. Give your budding sages the opportunity to impart their...

Vocab Gal

Grammar

Teaching Persuasive Writing in the Classroom [Free Kit for Grades 3–12]

This article focuses on persuasive writing and how educators can help students use it to improve their critical writing and thinking skills. The...

Tiffany Rehbein

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Benefactor

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

Printable Reading Comprehension Lesson Plans for Grades 3–6

Reading comprehension skills and strategies help students stay engaged and think about what they are reading. By explicitly teaching reading...

Erin Lynch

Grammar

Run-on Sentence Practice Activity for Students, Grades 3–8

Run-on sentences is one the most common errors students make in their writing. In this article, you'll find a printable run-on sentence practice...

Tiffany Rehbein

Vocabulary

Vocabulary Scavenger Hunt Activity, Grades 1–12 (FREE Worksheets Included)

Send your students off on a scavenger hunt to discover vocabulary words with my free worksheets. The Vocabulary Scavenger Hunt Activity challenges...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

How Principals and Specialists Can Get Feedback from Teachers

This post explores what effective feedback in education looks like and why principals and specialists should seek it out rather than be afraid of...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Opinionated

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

Memorial Day Worksheets for the K–5 Classroom

The week before Memorial Day, I always spend some time discussing this symbolic holiday with my students. My mini Memorial Day lesson is simple and yet...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

The BIG THREE of Teacher Feedback

In this article, you'll learn how teachers can seek out feedback from their three primary groups of stakeholders: students,...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Vulnerable

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Dice-Inspired Vocabulary Games for High School

Today I’m sharing two printable vocabulary games for high school that you will want to add to your vocabulary resources; a newly created vocabulary game

Vocab Gal

Literacy

Printable End of Year Activities for Elementary Students!

As the school year comes to a close, it is important to honor our students' hard work and accomplishments. Here are a few of the end of year activities...

Erin Lynch

Grammar

Mother's Day Revision Lesson, Grades 3–5

Teaching revision is crucial to the development of all students’ writing abilities. Revision is the stage in which students grow as writers, readers,...

Tiffany Rehbein

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Breach

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Grammar

A Fun Proofreading Activity for Students in Grades 3–5

We all have had those moments. We have just hit the Send button on our email, and we see that one word. That one that is misspelled. That one that...

Tiffany Rehbein

Vocabulary

Wacky Word Toss — A Vocabulary Review Activity Students Will Love

My children love to toss water balloons, and I couldn’t help but think that combining a favorite pastime with word learning would make for an awesome...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

Teaching Point of View; An Overview for Grades 3–5

Most state standards for English Language Arts require that students analyze the impact the point of view has on a text. Download a Point of View ...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Dissonant

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Grammar

Diary of Anne Frank Activities That Will Strengthen Descriptive Writing, Grades 3–8

“When I write I can shake off all my cares. My sorrow disappears, my spirits are revived!” Anne Frank wrote those words in her work: The Diary of a...

Tiffany Rehbein

Literacy

Mother's Day-Inspired Compare and Contrast Lesson, Grades 3–5

Review reading comprehension strategies with my Mother's Day-inspired compare and contrast lesson. Although this compare and contrast lesson was...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

Shakespeare Lesson Plan: Create Thine Own Vocabulary Insult, Grades 6–12

In honor of Shakespeare’s birthday on April 23rd have students create Shakespeare-like insults*, but with vocabulary words! This silly Shakespeare...

Vocab Gal

Grammar

4 FREE Shakespeare Activities for High School Students

Every year during second semester, tenth grade teachers at my school begin to teach William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Recently, a...

Tiffany Rehbein

Literacy

Learning Transformed: 8 Keys to a NEW 21st Century School Design [Free Graphic Organizer]

Learning Transformed: 8 Keys to Designing Tomorrow's Schools Today by Eric C. Sheninger and Thomas C. Murray is a MUST READ for educators. In this...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

ACT/SAT Test-Taking Strategies: Pre-assess & Differentiate Vocabulary Learning

After 13+ years teaching high school English, I've concluded that ACT and SAT test-taking strategies are more successful when educators make...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Talisman

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

A Guide to Reviewing Vocabulary Terms Before High-Stakes Testing

In this article, you'll explore the benefits and rationale for teaching and reviewing vocabulary strategies as part of high-stakes test preparation!...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

Writing a Short Story Lesson Plan for Elementary Students –National Tell A Story Day

National Tell a Story Day is celebrated on April 27th. This is a day for people to get together to tell all kinds of different stories. These stories...

Erin Lynch

Grammar

3 Printable Earth Day Writing Activities, Grades 1–12

April 22 is Earth Day, and this provides teachers with an opportunity to encourage students to get involved in persevering their own communities! With...

Tiffany Rehbein

Literacy

How to Use Text-Dependent Questions to Engage Students in Close Reading, Grades 2–5

In this article, you'll discover how to use text-dependent questions to engage students in close reading. I share text-dependent questions and passage...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Shoddy

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Fun Vocabulary Activities for End of the School Year

As the school year comes to a close, I find myself on the struggle bus right alongside my students. While they are anxious for summer, I am anxious to...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

Reading Practice Prompts for the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

Like many of you, my students will be taking the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) for the first time this spring. In my reading and...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Leeway

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

3 Test-Taking Strategies for Elementary Students (Includes 10+ Printables)

Recently I've had a lot of teachers come to me asking about standardized test preparation. While I hope the majority of my instruction prepares my kids...

Erin Lynch

Grammar

Baseball Parts of Speech Grammar Game, Grades 2–12

The use of sports in the classroom is a great way to engage young people in learning! One of my favorite days of the year is baseball’s Opening Day. I...

Tiffany Rehbein

Vocabulary

April Poetry Month – Fun Poetry Activities & Resources for Teachers

These fun poetry activities will make it easy to celebrate April’s National Poetry Month in your classroom. All month, students and teachers across the...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Barrage

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Grammar

5 Fun Grammar Worksheets to Use This Spring!

Spring brings with it both pleasant weather and the interesting dynamic of nearing the end of the school year – which can be exhausting – as well as...

Tiffany Rehbein

Literacy

Note-Taking Strategies for Elementary Students— Texts and Multimedia Formats

Teaching students how to take notes is extremely important, and it needs to be taught across all grades. Most students do not know how to take...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

Using Prezi in the Classroom to Teach Vocabulary, Grades 6–12

One of my favorite vocabulary activities is Present Vocabulary with Prezi. I quickly learned that combining technology with vocabulary instruction...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Parry

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Simple Direct Vocabulary Instruction Strategies that Work (Proven Tips/Techniques by Vocab Gal)

In this post, readers will form a true understanding of how to successfully integrate all of the important aspects of direct vocabulary instruction...

Vocab Gal

Grammar

Celebrity Tweets Worksheet for Revising and Editing Practice, Grades 7–12

Social media has become a powerful tool for teaching and learning. Wouldn’t it be fun to edit spelling, grammar, and punctuation in a relevant and...

Tiffany Rehbein

Literacy

Leprechaun Activities to Improve Students' Writing, Grades 1–5

Over the years I have created and acquired many St. Patrick's Day lessons and activities. Today I am sharing some of my favorite leprechaun activities...

Erin Lynch

Literacy

Women's History Month Research Activity, Grades 3–8

Every March, I make it a point to celebrate Women's History Month with my students. Instead of assigning a typical biography report, I make it a point...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Maul

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Misnomer

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Vocabulary Lesson Plan: March Madness Competition, Grades 2–12

Have students fill out brackets for vocabulary words and let them decide the "ultimate vocabulary word" in the categories of nouns, verbs, and...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

Classroom Debate Lesson Plan Inspired by March Madness, Grades 5+

Debates are a fun activity that demand students use a variety of literacy skills. Today I'm sharing a classroom debate lesson plan that is inspired by...

Erin Lynch

Vocabulary

How Word Parts and Context Clues Strategies Can Help Students Become Better Test Takers

So often, teachers tell students to figure out what a word means based on its word parts or on surrounding context clues, but I rarely know how to...

Vocab Gal

Vocabulary

Power Word of the Week: Radiant

Vocabulary development is a vital component of learning across all subject areas. It doesn't matter if a student is learning a new grammar rule or...

Vocab Gal

Literacy

Printable Reading Activities for Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, I wanted to highlight previous posts and printable reading activities that you may want to try with your students.

Erin Lynch

Grammar

Informative/Explanatory Writing in the Classroom, Grades 3–12

Lets explore the importance of teaching informative/explanatory writing in the classroom. Students need to have the ability to clearly convey concepts...

Tiffany Rehbein