Last spring, my students took the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) for the first time. To prepare my students for this rigorous assessment I researched any and...
Interactive read alouds are an important component of a balanced literacy classroom. Research proves the value of reading aloud to students of all ages, and shows that...
I don’t know about you, but, for me, classroom management has always been the hardest part of teaching. In my attempts to improve classroom management, I have read books,...
As I have mentioned in several posts last month, one of my favorite genres to use with my students is historical fiction. There are many interesting yet informative picture...
The month of March not only welcomes changing temperatures, spring break vacations, and college basketball tournaments, but also St. Patrick's Day! Inspired by St. Patrick's...
In January, I began what will be an ongoing monthly post describing a 'thinking routine' from the book Making Thinking Visible: How to Promote Engagement, Understanding and...
If your students haven't read the Divergent book series, then they've seen the movies! The best-selling books turned movie blockbusters not only tell an incredible story, but...
This Critical Thinking Interactive Read Aloud of Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown provides the thought-provoking questions, essential to every...
There are many reasons to get to together with family and friends throughout the year. Whether you like to host people at your home or you like to visit, it is always...
Take the time to celebrate learning and provide awards and recognition for students so that they become exhilarated about their increasing lexicons! The Power of Praise Some...
The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin is a great book to use with upper elementary grade-level students. The main character, Pacy, is trying to "find herself." She wants to figure...
Teaching both tenth and twelfth grade presents its rewards and challenges. It is rewarding because I get to see so much growth and maturity in twelfth graders. It can be...