The purpose of writing instruction is to help students become competent, confident writers in both school and work settings – and also throughout life. There are many...
Commas, commas everywhere. But where should they really be? Comma placement can be confusing for students. This tip sheet explains the top three comma rules in simple,...
As an English teacher, I love punctuation jokes. A common joke follows: Let’s eat Grandma! Commas matter. Let’s eat, Grandma. Another favorite is the picture of a group of...
One of my favorite games growing up was “Mother, May I?” where participants took turns asking the “Mother” if s/he could step forward in a certain style (ballet twirl, giant...
Today's grammar worksheets focus on key CCSS Language Standards L.9-10.1.A Visuals are a great way to engage student thinking. Below is a simple grammar exercise to teach...
School is back in session! At the beginning of the school year it’s easy to let yourself get overwhelmed with all the planning and prep. You’ve spent countless hours this...
As I have said in a previous post, I love meeting new people. It makes sense that one of my favorite parts of a new school year is getting to know my students. When I begin...
Last month, in my article about using the DOK and Bloom's Taxonomy within Balanced Literacy, I tried to provide the technical terms and explanations of each framework. Today...
Humor is a wonderful element in any classroom. Misplaced pronouns are a common error, and albeit humorous, misplaced pronouns can lead to ambiguity and confusion in writing....
I love word walls for the simple fact that they are amazing teaching tools. With them, both my students and I have a permanent reminder of vocabulary words each day. They...
Teachers are not alone in the time of the CCSS! The Common Core State Standards are a set of educational goals with a synergistic approach. Standards provide a common...
Are you looking for a fun AND educational back-to-school icebreaker? With a few minor tweaks, Puzzle Together Your Vocabulary Words makes a great icebreaker activity. ...