Do you have your students writing in interactive notebooks? You should! It's no secret that writing across curricula and subjects is a big push in many school districts. Why? Well, writing is one of those activities that allow students to think critically and develop their metacognition, all while reinforcing content vocabulary and … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons Students Should Be Writing in Interactive Notebooks
7 Unexpected Ways to Teach Geography in Upper Elementary
Are you getting ready to teach your geography unit? It is feeling a bit stale? Can your students identify where they are on a map? These are all questions I found myself asking while preparing to plan a geography unit. I was feeling uninspired by the resources I was provided with and did not believe my students would be engaged. Instead … [Read more...] about 7 Unexpected Ways to Teach Geography in Upper Elementary
Everything You Need to Know About Teaching Celebrate Freedom Week
Are you aware that Celebrate Freedom Week is law? It sure is! Each student in 3rd grade and above is to participate in Celebrate Freedom Week each year. According to the Department of Education, the purpose of this celebration is to, "Educate students about the sacrifices made for freedom in the founding of this country and the values on which … [Read more...] about Everything You Need to Know About Teaching Celebrate Freedom Week
6 Things No One Told You About Teaching Map Skills
How comfortable are you with teaching map skills? If you are like me, the answer is eh… Read on for ideas that will change that! Let's be honest. Map skills are one of those things that get pushed to the back burner. I mean, in today's world we have GPS to get us where we need to go, right? While this may be true, map skills still provide an … [Read more...] about 6 Things No One Told You About Teaching Map Skills
Why Are Bell Ringers So Popular Right Now?
Are you familiar with bell ringers? It's okay to say no. When I first started teaching I had no idea. As a newbie teacher, I really thought we would have seamless transitions from one subject to the next. Not only that, but I also thought every moment of our day would be filled with engaging, content-rich learning. Imagine my surprise when I … [Read more...] about Why Are Bell Ringers So Popular Right Now?