Tag: Classroom
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Best Read Alouds for Women’s History Month
With March just a few days away, there’s no better time to gather your favorite books to celebrate Women’s History Month. In the classroom, we honor strong female leaders who have shaped history. Below are a few top picks from our 3rd and 4th grade teams. The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps I…
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4th Grade Books for February
Best upper elementary read alouds for February. Celebrate Black History Month, and promote kindness without taking away from rigorous fourth grade standards!
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4th Grade Winter Read Alouds for January
Keeping fourth grade students engaged during the winter months can be challenging. The best way to keep your reading lessons purposeful, yet fun and engaging is through winter read alouds. What kinds of books should I read aloud to my fourth graders? Read alouds should be SHORT. Please don’t fall for the misconception that fourth…
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Gifts of the Heart Elementary Book Activities
Gifts of the Heart by Patricia Polacco is one of my favorite books to read aloud with my class during the Christmas season. Like many other Patricia Polacco books, this story is rich in theme and vocabulary. Plus, the lesson opportunities for character analysis of Richie are too great to pass up! The Story Trisha’s…
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Borrow FREE Digitized Books at Open Library
Many teachers and parents use Epic to access hundreds of books at little to no cost. Many others use sources such as Storyline Online or Youtube Channels to access read alouds. What surprises me is that few parents and teachers are aware of Open Library. At Open Library, you can access thousands of digitized books…
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Easy Classroom Elf on the Shelf Ideas
It’s almost December, which means it’s time for all the elves to make their way from the North Pole into homes and classrooms. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with our elves, Sprinkles and Gilbert. Remembering to come up with fun, exciting stunts and activities every single day totally stresses me out, but…
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FREE Winter Book Review Bulletin Board
During this week of Thanksgiving, I have been especially reflective of all I have to be thankful for, from immediate blessings of my family, friends, students and coworkers to the support I’ve received during my first month as a new educational content creator. I truly LOVE being an educator just as I LOVE seeing other…
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Best December Read Alouds for 2nd Grade
With December right around the corner, it’s time to start planning and preparing your classroom. Don’t stress! We’ve compiled the perfect list of holiday mentor texts to bring in the Christmas magic, while also helping you teach important 2nd grade grade reading skills. Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray Christmas Farm is a beautiful story…
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December Read Alouds for 4th Grade
Fourth grade is a pivotal year in reading, which is why I am always surprised to hear the misconception that fourth graders are too young for picture books. The benefits of interactive read alouds are immense, even in the upper elementary grades. If you haven’t already, there is no better time to incorporate picture books…
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A Plump and Perky Turkey Thanksgiving Craft and Book Activities
My students are having a blast with the turkey picture books that we have been reading aloud in the classroom this week as we get ready for Thanksgiving break. One of their favorite Thanksgiving picture books that we’ve read so far is A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman. Not only is this book…
The Pedagogical Planner 