Teaching Context Clues: 5 Quick and Easy Steps
How many of your students totally dread each vocabulary test? Let me guess: too many to count! Memorizing vocabulary words is one way to increase
September 20, 2023
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Category: Reading
A Teacher’s Guide to Teaching Genres in Upper Elementary
Reading teachers are always looking for ways to make their students life-long readers. However, each year, we see students who struggle to enjoy reading. Some
September 6, 2023
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First Week of School Activities for Upper Elementary
Are you ready for the first week of school? Ready or not, a brand new class of students is coming, and they will be eager
August 22, 2023
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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.
April 4, 2023
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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
March 8, 2023
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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!
February 28, 2023
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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!
February 10, 2023
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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.
January 2, 2023
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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.
February 9, 2022
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Activities for September: 8 Fun 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.
September 2, 2021
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Fun Test Prep: 5 Ways to Make it Happen!
Before we can complete the school year, we have to endure standardized testing. I’m sure you’ve been working hard to prepare your students for the test all year long through your daily lessons and activities. No matter how much we prepare, testing is a nerve-wracking time for both teachers and students. It’s important to take some of that pressure off of our kids and remind them to have a little bit of fun along the way. Throughout the years, I’ve learned several different ways to do this. Let’s jump right in and learn about some fun test prep!
May 16, 2021
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May Activities for Upper Elementary
May is an exciting time in the classroom! There is tons of energy in the air as students and teachers anticipate the sweet arrival of
May 1, 2021
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Teaching Figurative Language
Does the thought of teaching figurative language make you feel as sick as a dog? Teaching figurative language like idioms, adages, and proverbs can be daunting if you don’t have a plan in place before you get started. Using figurative language in everyday conversations is something we as adults take for granted, but our young learners haven’t acquired the skills necessary to use idioms, adages, and proverbs correctly just yet. We all know the proverb, “A friend in need is a friend indeed!”, and I’m here for you my friends! I am so excited to share my tips and tricks for teaching figurative language with you.
April 25, 2021
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My #1 Tip for Teaching Poetry in an Exciting Way!
Do you dread teaching poetry? I get it! I’ve been there! The concepts of poetry are oftentimes difficult for children to understand and that makes it challenging to teach. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. After years of teaching and practice, I’ve nailed down a few strategies for teaching poetry effectively in the classroom. They say practice makes perfect, right?
April 13, 2021
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April Activities For Upper Elementary
Aaaahhhh! It’s almost April and you know what that means. The snow has melted and the soft, refreshing rains of spring are upon us. Soon we will see flowers popping up everywhere after a long, dreary winter. In addition to the changes in the weather, April is filled with some fun holidays too! With April Fools Day, Earth Day, and Easter all wrapped up in one month, there are lots of engaging themes to bring into the classroom. I have a lot of fun April activities to help you finish strong.
March 30, 2021
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WELCOME!
I’m Kim, the founder of A Love of Teaching. My ultimate goal is to empower teachers to reclaim their afternoons and weekends, all while feeling confident in their role as educators. I’m passionate about inspiring teachers with fresh ideas and providing them with time-saving materials.
I’m happy you’re here!