Hey, everyone! Can you believe the holidays are so close? December is a fun, crazy, busy time of year, but there are so many ways to make things exciting in your classroom. Maximize your time by teaching reading with Christmas favorites. I like to have fun with my kids but I also want to make the most of every educational opportunity. One way I do this is by reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas with my class. Reading poetry can be a tough skill for 3rd graders and I use this unit and my ... Read More about Teaching Reading with Christmas Favorites
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Why You Should Use Lapbook Templates
Have you ever looked for supplemental activities for a story but couldn't find what you were looking for? This happens to me a lot! You should use templates to make your own lapbook. It's easy! Lapbooks can be a fun way to add excitement to your curriculum any time of year. Why Use Lapbook Templates? The folded notes used in the lapbook are easy for students to make on their own. My third graders always picked up on this skill quickly. However, I like to use the templates to save on time ... Read More about Why You Should Use Lapbook Templates
Use Trash to Create a Fun Craft
You can turn trash into a treasure! Really...?! No, but you can use trash to create a fun craft your students will love and it's cheap! Do you remember Shrinky Dinks from the good ole days? You can still find them in stores but they can be too expensive to buy for a whole class. I have a cheaper alternative that will have you dumpster diving like a pro. You'll need: clean transparent plastic containersscissorshole puncherpermanent markersan oven I have made this craft in my classroom ... Read More about Use Trash to Create a Fun Craft
Trashketball – An Exciting and Easy Way to Review
Have you ever finished a lesson early and wondered what to do with the class for the rest of the period? I usually have the opposite problem. I’m usually working my tail off trying to fit everything in. However, the Earth must have tilted on its axis the other day because I unexpectedly ended up with an extra 15 minutes of class time. Now what?? It took my students all of 2 seconds to suggest trashketball. They know I love it as much as they do. Many math reviews are painful, tedious, and slow. ... Read More about Trashketball – An Exciting and Easy Way to Review
Rounding Made Easy: Teaching Rounding with Number Lines
Have you ever wondered why textbooks show rounding with number lines? For some kids, rounding numbers is tricky and confusing. This can be hard for us to understand because rounding makes sense to us. Because of this, teachers have over-relied on tricks and chants to teach this skill. However, rounding with number lines is easy. I'll admit that in the beginning, I was that teacher. However, I have since discovered that kids catch on to rounding much faster when using number lines. I'm not ... Read More about Rounding Made Easy: Teaching Rounding with Number Lines