Tag: elementary
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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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Teaching with Red and Lulu – December Book Activities
Red & Lulu is a holiday favorite picture book for many reasons. This book captures everything there is to love about New York City during the Christmas season. I highly recommend sharing this wonderful story with children at home and with students in the classroom. Red and Lulu are a happy pair of cardinals living…
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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 3rd Grade
Third grade is such a huge transitional year in reading. Students are making the jump from learning to read to reading to learn. Incorporating these fantastic picture books into your reading lessons during the month of December is the best way to bring in a little holiday magic without stepping away from the heavy standards…
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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…
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Engage Students with Multimodal Learning – See, Say, Hear, and Do
A successful lesson is one that reaches each and every child. The tricky part is that children have a wide variety of learning styles. How do you plan a lesson that is effective for such a diverse group of learners? Another consideration is that most learners don’t fit just one specific learning style. Students need…
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Teaching Students about Veterans Day with Rags: Hero Dog of WWI
My students and I observed Veterans Day by reading Rags Hero Dog of WWI by Margot Theis Raven. This is such a heartwarming story of the beautiful friendship between Private Donovan and his adopted dog, Rags. What better way to lead into a conversation about Veterans Day than with this powerful true story of a…
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Noisy Class? Try This One Simple Strategy that Works
You’ve probably tried all the commonly recommended ways to quiet a chatty class, only to be left frustrated by the lack of results. If you’re anything like me, you’ve tried everything from blurt beans to quiet signals and noise level posters. It can be so defeating to feel like you’ve tried it all, and nothing…
The Pedagogical Planner 