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Using Math Assessments to Guide Instruction in 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade

Using Math Assessments to Guide Instruction

Mastering math skills is necessary to lay the foundation for future learning and prepare students for end-of-year testing. Quick math assessments to guide instruction are one way to assess your students’ math skills. To ensure each student receives personalized instruction to succeed on their tests, teachers need an efficient way of quickly assessing each student’s knowledge level. That’s where Math Quick Checks come into play—they allow teachers to evaluate individual performance so they can adjust teaching methods accordingly while at the same time helping students reach mastery by testing day!

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April 5, 2023
3 Ways to Differentiate Reading Instruction

3 Ways to Differentiate Instruction in Reading

With spring comes warmer weather, plants blooming, and excitement from students knowing summer is on the way! However, it also means end of the year testing is soon. Teachers work hard all year to ensure students master the skills they need to succeed in reading. By spring, teachers understand their students’ reading levels and look for ways to differentiate instruction for them. 

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April 4, 2023
Using Reading Assessments to Guide Instruction in 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade

Using Reading Assessments to Guide Instruction

Before testing, teachers set a big goal for their students—mastering reading comprehension skills! Using reading assessments is one way to do this. Honestly, comprehending reading is a massive part of being a successful reader. However, this can put a ton of pressure on teachers as they try to ensure each student receives the individualized instruction they need before end-of-the-year testing. Since every student has a different reading comprehension level, Reading Quick Checks are here to help!

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March 19, 2023
Ideas for Teaching Fables in Upper Elementary

Easy Sub Plans Using Aesop’s Fables

As 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade teachers, finding engaging learning activities can be tough. A high-interest lesson plan that lasts longer than a day is always needed! Look no further than teaching fables! This collection of classic Aesop’s Fables, with often humorous tales, can provide great opportunities to practice literacy skills with your students while also allowing them creative expression through discussion and writing activities. These easy lesson plans focus on learning life lessons through timeless stories while students are still practicing necessary skills

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March 8, 2023
This is a title graphic for a blog post with the title "How to Teach Making Inferences" across the top and a photograph of activity pages for making inferences below the title.

How to Teach Making Inferences

Teaching your students how to make inferences is essential to unlocking their reading potential. This challenging skill requires sharp critical thinking and the ability for readers to understand more than just what’s written on paper. Inferencing is a concept often referred to as “reading between the lines.” If you are having difficulty teaching this important lesson, here are some helpful tips. These 5 steps will take your students from struggling with inferencing skills to becoming masters!

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February 28, 2023
This is a blog post title graphic that says "5 Strategies for Teaching Nonfiction Text Features" with a photograph of a nonfiction text features activity for upper elementary grades.

Teaching Nonfiction Text Features – 5 Strategies That Work!

Nonfiction text features are essential to reading comprehension and help students better understand the topics they’re studying. Teaching nonfiction text features in the classroom is a great way to engage students, build their understanding, and improve their overall literacy skills.

In this blog post, we will explore five simple strategies teachers can use to teach nonfiction text features in the classroom. With these strategies, you will be able to provide your students with the knowledge and skills they need to interact effectively with any nonfiction material they encounter. Let’s get started!

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February 10, 2023
Free Spelling Activities for Upper Elementary

Free Spelling and Vocabulary Activities Students Love

Spell check or no spell check, teaching spelling is an important part of language arts instruction in the elementary classroom. It’s a skill our students will use for the rest of their lives. But teaching spelling can be tough with all the rules and all the exceptions to the rules. That’s why being intentional and having a solid spelling plan are so important.

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January 11, 2023
4 Simple Strategies for Teaching Close Reading

4 Simple Strategies for Teaching Close Reading

Are you looking for a strategic and intentional way to teach those important reading comprehension skills and strategies? I used to teach them one at a time. They seemed so disconnected and independent, and I knew my students weren’t getting all they could. Then I found close reading! As I started researching and learning more about this style of reading instruction, I knew I had found a gem. I began using close reading in my classroom and was amazed at my students’ growth and progress.

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January 2, 2023
5 Quick Wins for Teaching Point of View

5 Quick Wins for Teaching Point of View

Students love to be detectives, right? Well, if you are teaching point of view in the upper elementary classroom, now is the perfect time to get your student’s magnifying glasses out! Here, I will show you some tips on how to engage your students in learning all about point of view.

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February 9, 2022
Strategies for Building Multiplication Fluency

Why You Need Multiplication Fluency in Your Classroom

We hear a lot about fluency in the ELA world. We want our students to be fluent readers and writers in order to be successful. But what about math fluency? It’s just as important as reading fluency. It begins with addition and subtraction facts and continues to multiplication and division. Some students have trouble becoming fluent in mathematical concepts. Let’s talk all about why you need multiplication fluency in your classroom.

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September 15, 2021
Fun September Activities for Upper Elementary Classrooms

Activities for September: 8 Fun Classroom Ideas for Upper Elementary

It’s back to school time! Maybe you’ve already started your year, or maybe you are just gearing up to head back to your classroom. Either way, this time of year is full of transitions and excitement for all. It is bittersweet to end another beautiful summer and begin a new year of adventure. September is filled with opportunities to get to know our students and form lasting relationships. I can’t wait to share some fun September activities for upper elementary classrooms.

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September 2, 2021
Stress Free Back to School Ideas

6 Must-Have Items to Beat the Back to School Stress

Can you believe it’s already that time of year again? It’s always bittersweet to end those carefree days of summer and begin a new school year. There is so much to think about and plan for before going back to school. It can quickly become overwhelming, even for veteran teachers. Not to mention all of the added responsibilities because of the current state of the world. Here are 6 ways to start the new school year stress-free.

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August 29, 2021

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