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Units of Study Using Rich Picture Books
I’ve shared before about my love of project-based learning as one way to make learning more engaging and authentic. Teaching with units of study based on beautiful picture books is another one of my engagement hacks! My husband might also…
Academic Competitions That Build Connections
Academic competitions can be exciting and rewarding additions to your school club options. In fact, my own daughter recently wrote in an “About Me” section that one of her hobbies is entering academic competitions! For upper elementary and middle school…
How To Use Student Assessment Data: Practical Tips for Differentiation and Growth
We’ve all been there, staring at our stack of data from recent assessments and wondering how to make the most out of it. Score breakdowns, performance bands, growth indicators, percentiles, etc.… there’s so much information, but the hardest part is…
Test-Taking Tips for Morale and Motivation
It may not be a popular opinion, but standardized tests play an important role in measuring growth for students, informing instruction for teachers, and guiding decisions for schools and districts. But the testing season and necessary test prep can, admittedly,…
The Best Test Prep Tips, Strategies, and Resources for Upper Elementary
The standardized testing season is an opportunity for students to showcase all of the incredible knowledge they’ve gained throughout the year. As educators, we take pride in helping our students feel confident and successful. With the right preparation and encouragement,…
The BEST Test-Taking Strategies
State testing season is just around the corner, and we know the pressure it brings… not just for students but for you as their guide and biggest cheerleader. To help make test prep a little easier, we’re sharing the BEST test-taking…
Women’s history month activities for upper elementary
March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor the incredible contributions of women throughout history. It’s also an opportunity to encourage thinking about the value these women have brought to our world and the impact they’ve made through discussions…
Gifted and High-Achieving Students: How to Identify and Support These Students
Identifying the differences between gifted and high-achieving students is a conundrum I encounter often in my role as the gifted facilitator at our school. In my current position, I work closely with our primary (grades K-3) gifted students through a…
15 Unexpected Traits of Gifted Students
Supporting gifted students starts with understanding their unique blend of strengths and challenges. While their exceptional academic ability might give the impression that they are “easy” to teach, the reality is far more complex. Gifted students often grapple with unexpected…
Reading Lessons Made Easy
The depth and complexity of reading standards in upper elementary can be daunting. In the upper grades, teachers are tasked with reviewing foundational comprehension skills from earlier grades, extending what students have already learned, and introducing brand-new concepts that require…
The Best Real-World Fraction Lessons
Working with fractions almost always feels like a daunting task, for both students and educators! But I’m here to share the good news… when we step away from worksheets and abstract numbers and allow students to explore fractions through hands-on…
8 Types of Smart Classroom Purchases
As classroom teachers, we’re used to working with small budgets. That’s why we get so excited when we receive community grant money, an opportunity to put together an Amazon wishlist, PTO wishlist items, or general spending money from the school…
Giggles and Grammar | Upper Elementary Grammar Program