Blog
World Kindness Day, celebrated on November 13th, is a beautiful reminder to spread kindness and compassion in our daily lives. It's an opportunity to encourage students to think about what it means to be kind, show empathy, and make the world a better place. Here are some creative ways to bring the spirit of kindness...
Writing involves multiple steps. Each step is important and helps you become a better writer. Don't rush—take your time to think, create, and revise. Writing is a skill that improves with practice, so keep at it and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Every writer goes through these steps, and with each draft, you'll get...
Writing instruction should be a priority in education because it is a fundamental skill that impacts students' academic success, personal development, and future career opportunities. Why does writing take a back seat in the classroom? Don’t put baby writing in the corner! Here are several reasons why we should Make Writing Instruction a Priority! 1....
As a writer, content creator, or professional, maintaining clear, error-free writing is crucial. Grammarly, a powerful writing assistant, helps ensure your work is polished and professional. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to use Grammarly to enhance your writing. Getting Started with Grammarly 1. Sign Up and Install Visit Grammarly's website and sign up for...
It changed my world! Whether crafting an email, creating educational materials, composing a report, or posting on social media, how you express yourself can significantly impact you. That's where Grammarly comes in and saves me time! Here are just a few reasons why I chose Grammarly: Catch Costly Mistakes: We've all been there sending an...
Peer editing is an essential part of the writing process for several reasons. That is why I use it as a step in the writing process and include it in all of my Step-by-Step Writing® units. I call it peer reflections, where children offer advice and find positive things to say! Keep reading to discover…
Have you ever wondered why we need to pay attention to both academic growth and personal development? Well, it turns out they’re like two peas in a pod! When we nurture our students’ emotional well-being, we’re setting them up for success in all areas of their lives. Take those nail-biting exam moments, for instance. Research…
Many people ask me the difference between my trademarked Step-by-Step Writing® and Rockstar Writers®. It is a simple explanation! Step-by-Step Writing is a writing program, whereas Rockstar Writers is a three-component system that includes the Step-by-Step Writing program and so much more to ROCK YOUR WRITING INSTRUCTION. Let’s break it down.
USING TASK CARDS Task cards are versatile tools that can be used in various ways to enhance learning in the classroom. Here’s how you can effectively use task cards: 1. Skill Practice: Use task cards to allow students to practice specific skills or concepts. Each card can contain a question, problem, or activity related to…
Read Across America Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate reading and inspire a love for literature among students. Here are some teacher ideas to make the week engaging and memorable:
Women’s History Month provides an excellent opportunity to explore and celebrate the achievements and contributions of women throughout history. Here are 10 Teaching Activities for Women’s History Month:[/vc_column_text]Remember to adapt these ideas based on your student’s grade level and interests. Making Women’s History Month an engaging and interactive experience can help students gain a deeper…
In an argumentative essay, a rebuttal is a counterargument or response to an opposing viewpoint. It is a crucial part of the essay's structure because it allows you to address and refute the arguments made by those who disagree with your position or claim. A well-constructed rebuttal strengthens your overall argument by showing that you've...
In an argumentative essay, a warrant is the underlying assumption that connects the claim and evidence. It explains how or why the evidence is relevant to the claim and persuades the reader to accept the argument as valid. Essentially, the warrant provides the reasoning and logic that links the claim (the central argument or thesis)...
A credible source for argumentative writing provides accurate, reliable, and verifiable information. Here are some characteristics of credible sources: Authors Are they experts in their field? Have they written more than one article on the topic? Has anyone else referenced them? Are there any reviews on them? Can you find them on social media platforms?...
From the previous blog post, you learned the eight reasons why it is important to teach Greek and Latin root words and affixes. This list shows A MASSIVE LIST OF GREEK AND LATIN PREFIXES, ROOT WORDS, AND SUFFIXES. And guess what? All of these are included in our Greek and Latin Units! Imagine filling your...
Teaching Greek and Latin words is essential for several reasons. Believe it or not, it isn't just for building a robust vocabulary! Read on to find the 8 SURPRISING REASONS TO TEACH GREEK AND LATIN ROOTS AND AFFIXES. 1. Enhanced Vocabulary: Greek and Latin are the roots of many English words. By teaching these roots,...
In argumentative writing, different types of claims serve specific purposes and require distinct approaches to persuade the audience effectively. Here's an explanation of five common types of claims used in argumentative essays: Fact Claims Purpose: Fact claims aim to establish something as objectively true or false based on verifiable evidence. These claims are about presenting...
In an argumentative essay, a claim is the central point or thesis statement you are making and attempting to persuade your readers to accept. You are advocating the main argument or position throughout the essay. A strong and well-defined claim is essential for a compelling argumentative essay. Here are some key characteristics of a claim...
Children learn and express themselves differently. So how can we ensure they get the best writing instruction to become effective writers? The following list has the TOP TIPS TO DIFFERENTIATE YOUR WRITING INSTRUCTION. ROCKSTAR WRITERS® provides these suggestions in each writing program for Grades 1-8 and tips for differentiation in specific lessons.
Did you say anxious moments? So many times teachers and students alike experience stress in at school and home. Thankfully, there are proven ways to relax and stay calm. Read HELPING STUDENTS WITH ANXIOUS MOMENTS to start using them today! I have so much to do! My eye is starting to twitch. Let me practice...
HOW CAN YOU USE THE CASEL FRAMEWORK FOR SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING? With all the chaos of these past three years, aren’t we all still trying to adjust and regain some sense of normalcy? Many schools realize the importance of implementing a curriculum for social-emotional learning. That’s why this year, it’s SO important to consider the benefits...
Long vocabulary lists can appear daunting and unlearnable at first glance, but they don’t have to be perceived in such a way. Here we have engaging and entertaining activities, games, and strategies to help your students master their vocab lists with ease. Learning is made fun with the right tools, tips, and tricks, like these...
The censorship of ideas and beliefs is nothing new to the 21st Century. Since at least 213 BCE, books have been challenged, banned, and destroyed whenever they were considered to contain information, stories, or themes that were considered to oppose the religion, morality, and politics of the given time period and undermine its societal “norms”….
Most students some kind of stressful situation throughout the school year. One may be dealing with their parents' divorce, another may have social issues, yet another might have anxiety over academics. These are just a few of the multitude of issues they may experience. Students cannot always connect their experience to their actual feelings going...
WOW! A lot has happened in our American History! There’s so much to cover in each era! With such a large amount of content, it can be overwhelming and let’s be honest…boring! That is why I’m breaking down the best (and easiest) way to teach American History! I’ve put together several comprehensive social studies units…
The first week back after a holiday break can feel like the first week back after summer vacation. Having lesson plans prepped and ready will make the transition easier for you. Check out Language Arts Lesson Plans for January! You will find generalized plans for any grade as well as specific plans I used in…
In most schools, January indicates a new semester with half of the school year completed. This is a perfect time to recharge, reorganize, and get excited for the months to come. Read on for 5 Classroom Tips to Rock the New Year!
Similes are an important literary element used to add color and spark to one’s writing. This type of figurative language compares two apparently dissimilar objects or concepts by using the words “like” or “as” to link together the objects for comparison. Meant to evoke a typically unlikely association between two subjects, similes are an interesting…
Rubrics are wonderful tools for specific assessments. They are easily customizable, offer a chance for student reflection, and have sliding scales that let your students see clear areas for growth and areas of strength. Rubrics are particularly vital for writing, as it is one of the most complex and subjective areas we teach. Are you…
Do you LOVE horror movies? Romances? Action flicks? For every genre you love, there is someone in your circle of friends or colleagues who HATES it. You and your friends could sit through a movie and have widely differing opinions and reactions to it. Why? Because you reacted to the film based on your personal…
With the excitement of a new school year on the horizon, I think it’s safe to say that all teachers can relate to the joy and dread that comes with the rush to buy new tools and supplies for the classroom come August. Worries about long-running lists of purchases and receipts can be daunting and…
Trauma-informed teaching is a necessary part of your toolkit, but what exactly is trauma-informed teaching? Trauma-informed teaching focuses on awareness of student trauma. This includes awareness of how trauma may impact student learning, performance, and behavior.Sources: https://www.banyanmentalhealth.com/2020/05/12/effects-of-trauma-on-the-brain https://resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/trauma-informed-teaching-tips/
Summer is just around the corner—so close you can almost taste it! BUT you must finish the school year, and you might as well finish it off like a ROCKSTAR! I have lots of ideas for you; some are fun, some are academic, and most are both! Grab some TEACHER TIPS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE…
Are you looking for ways to teach similes like a Rockstar? You’ve come to the right place! Students will be engaged while they learn about figurative language. It will also help you when you are discussing word choice in writing and author’s craft in reading! Read on to learn about similes!
Cause-and-effect sequences can be a fun learning experience for you and your readers, especially if you have some exciting stories to supplement the definitions of causes and effects. These 12 books cover a wide variety of non-fiction and fictional topics, ranging from the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to weather phenomena, bullying, immigration, and more. Check...
Looking to celebrate Earth Day in your classroom this year? I did a little research for you and now you can share some facts along with a free download activity in the free album – What is Earth Day? We all know Aesop’s fable, The Ants & the Grasshopper, where a family of ants bustles…
Teaching onomatopoeias just got more fun with these mentor texts that feature a variety of human-made and natural sounds. From city streets to nature scenes, students will be entertained by this writing element that involves both visual and auditory senses. Read on for 10 SIZZLING MENTOR TEXTS FOR TEACHING ONOMATOPOEIAS plus some BOOMING teacher tips!
Don’t inflate the cow? What??? Idioms are just one of many types of figurative language that grab attention and engage readers or listeners. In fact, similes, metaphors, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, and onomatopoeia are also fun ways to make literature pop! So what does that idiom mean? In early Northwest China, townspeople inflated cowhides for use…
An empty lantern provides no light. Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly.- Author Unknown Oh teachers, haven’t these past few years been rough? I mean really rough? Between wearing masks, teaching remotely, navigating Zoom breakout rooms, and now working to fill the Covid learning gaps, aren’t you just spent? Normally,...
In addition to Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day takes place each year on March 8. This holiday has been celebrated since March 8, 1911 and honors the social and political successes of women. Several countries around the world celebrate the holiday every year. In 1975, the United Nations also began to observe and sponsor…
Get lucky with these 10 St. Patrick’s Day texts that can be used to explain the meaning of the green-themed holiday, as well as introduce young students to Irish culture and traditions. This list offers mentor texts of history, fantasy, folklore, and more, to bring the spirit of the holiday into the classroom. Check out…
Top o’ the mornin’ to ya’! Not morning? Well, then, ‘top o’ the evenin’ to ya’. No matter the time, who doesn’t want to have a wee bit of Irish fun on St. Patrick’s Day? As the harsh winter winds give way to all things green (and maybe even some gold, red, orange, purple, and…
A READING RESPONSE JOURNAL is a journal where students are asked to record their interactions with reading. This can be simple fact-finding or a personal reflection and connection to the text. Reading response journals can be a wonderful and meaningful way to track authentic growth as a reader—so why aren’t more teachers using them? Read…
Are you looking for information on George Washington to a Revolutionary War unit or President’s Day? I did a little research for you and now you can share some facts along with a free timeline download on – Who was George Washington? George Washington (1732-1799) was the first president of the United States. He also…
Celebrating President’s Day? Or maybe you’re teaching the character trait of honesty? Don’t forget to give your kiddos details on Abe Lincoln! I did a little research for you and now you can share some facts along with a free timeline download on – Who was Abe Lincoln? Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809-April 15, 1865)…
I did a little research for you and now you can share some facts along with a free download activity on – What is Valentine’s Day?
Do you want your students to learn about hyperbole? They embellish reality in a fun and exciting way to engage students while they learn. This literary element will help with your students’ creative writing and you can use it when discussing the author’s craft in their reading. Read on for How to Teach Hyperbole and…
Oftentimes, we mistake Valentine’s Day for a holiday to express romantic interest in others when it is truly about much more than that! Although crushes are fun and exciting, it’s important to teach young minds about the significance of platonic love for friends and family who love and support us through it all. Here are…
We all have inner drama queens and kings inside us that pop up from time to time as we sigh, “This is the worst day ever!” or “It’s taken forever to drive to grandma’s house!” These exaggerated statements fall under the classification of hyperbole, a literary element that is used to deliberately exaggerate things. Hyperboles…
When teaching about people in our history, I like to give students an overview of their accomplishments and look at a timeline of their lives. I hope this helps with your instruction! I also have Martin Luther King, Jr. resources to use in the classroom if you are interested. I share details about it after…
With the New Year around the corner, it’s natural for many of us to begin the process of setting new goals and wishes for the coming year. However, it doesn’t have to be a new calendar year for one to start dreaming up ways to improve one’s life! This list of mentor texts highlights themes…
Although we all have our unique traditions that are special to our own culture and religious backgrounds, there are so many other ways to celebrate themes of family, love, and gratitude that are central to many holidays that can be found around the world. Listed here are 20 mentor texts that feature international holidays, as…
A legend is a form of story told in the oral tradition that narrates events rooted in historic and realistic settings with characters that mimic real humans. Listed below is a combination of Christmas and non-Christmas legends to help teach young readers about the elements of legendary literature! (No pun intended.) I love to have...
Cereal Box Biographies are the perfect book reports to assign when studying biographies or autobiographies. This activity combines knowledge from the book students read about that person with their own creativity to develop a cereal title and incorporate this title to advertise both the cereal and person. Here are directions on how to write a…
There are so many different genres to choose from, which means there is something out there for everyone. No matter if you prefer aliens over humans, short readings over long, or the imagined over reality, there’s a genre for it. Literary genres are defined as categories of works that share similarities in form, style, content…
With the holidays fast approaching, there’s no better time to bring up the importance of gratitude! There’s so much to give and receive over the next two months, and the excitement of the holidays often causes children to overlook the little things that bring them joy every day, 365 days a year. These 18...
Rooted in ancient tradition and storytelling practices, myths make for a fantastic addition to any classroom interested in culturally and educationally rich literature! Myths are symbolic stories that use supernatural characters or qualities to teach a lesson of some sort, serving as metaphoric explanations for natural or social phenomena such as the creation of Earth...
I love the quote from Rick Riordan, the author of The Mark of Athena. He says, “Being a hero doesn’t mean you’re invincible. It just means that you’re brave enough to stand up and do what’s needed.” When I think of Greek mythology, I think of heroes. Below you will find 10 mentor texts and…
The children’s mystery genre has always seemed to be the unofficial antidote for any student’s allergy to reading. Suspense, thrills, action, and adventure! Mystery books can draw in even the most reluctant readers, making them wonderful additions to elementary or middle school classrooms. Below is a shortlist of popular mystery novels and series that would…
A mystery unit is perfect for a classroom of curious kids! There’s excitement in the suspense, significance in every detail…. and spooky thrills to keep students engaged throughout the class’ mystery literature studies. Mystery units can work in amazing ways by integrating problem-solving and close-reading skills in a painless and fun way. Below is a…
Have you ever felt like there’s a tornado of thoughts, emotions, and ideas whipping around in your head and you can’t seem to figure out which way is up, down, left, or right? The brain can experience, think, and feel many different things at once, and this can either be a blessing or a curse!…
Hey Rockstars! Do you LOVE writing? I do! We’ve been talking about the three different types of writing: Narrative, Opinion, and Informative. In this post, we’re focusing on informative writing. What is informative writing? What is Informative Writing? Informative writing is actually exactly what it sounds like! It is when you share FACTS and INFORMATION. This…
If you’re here, you’re probably wondering, “What is narrative writing?” You’re just in luck, because I LOVE writing! Writing is my jam! In most elementary curricula, you will find the THREE basic types of writing: Narrative, Opinion, and Informative. This post will focus on NARRATIVE writing. We will cover WHAT NARRATIVE WRITING IS AND HOW TO TEACH IT! What is NARRATIVE…
3-2-1! HAPPY NEW SCHOOL YEAR! Yes, it’s already here. Can you believe it? Summer flew by, but we’re so excited to ROCK this year with you! I spent my summer creating ways to help you kick off the school year. In this post, I’m going to show you an easy, exciting, and affordable way to…
Organization plays an integral part in helping to keep busy classrooms on track with lesson plans, due dates, and life! If you’ve found yourself swimming in a pile of papers, losing your mind trying to find materials for lessons, or just becoming frustrated with your current classroom set up, then you’re in luck! Listed below...
The countdown is on! Teachers, it’s almost time for you and your students to go BACK TO SCHOOL! Are you ready for a fresh crop of young minds? The beginning of each year is always exciting. In order to get the BEST out of your students, it’s important to start the year off RIGHT! I thought…
In order to compose a clear and concise paper, a writer greatly benefits by jump-starting their process with questions! By asking themselves some questions about the intent and purpose of the paper the writer can correctly choose an appropriate writing style for their piece. Here’s a short list of example questions! -Who is my audience...
In terms of writing, this may be where many parents find themselves really butting heads with their students. Many kids don’t see the point of writing outside of school, or they have a very narrow writing lens. Widen their horizons with some of our fun activities based on various types of LEARNING STYLES, which will…
When most people hear the term summer slide, their heads probably fill with images of water parks or lazy days at the playground. The term conjures up far more stressful images if you’re a teacher or a parent. To parents and teachers, the summer slide refers to the “backslide” in a student’s retained knowledge and…
There’s a beautiful and vast amount of human diversity on this planet, but not everyone understands how to recognize differences and similarities in a kind way. Within these texts, students will gain tools of compassion to inspire their personal growth in becoming inclusive individuals who encourage and celebrate diversity. Whether in the classroom or on...
Make new friends, But keep the old, One is silver and the other gold. In the 1970s, thousands of Girl Scouts and Brownies would link arms, stand in friendship circles and sing these lyrics. These words were actually part of a poem written by Joseph Parry who was born in 1841. 1841! Here we are…
“You do not find the happy life. YOU MAKE IT.” – Camilla Eyring Kimball Deadlines, bills, relationships, work, and loss are only a few of the common stressors that we all face in our day-to-day lives. Bustling through our fast-paced culture, we often find ourselves so busy with trying to “fix” external problems that all…
Google ‘The gangs fight in the street, West Side Story’ and you’ll see 7 ‘gangsters’ dancing their way into battle. With their nice sweaters and gym shoes, they do twists off the curb and fling their arms while performing their own version of ‘spirit fingers’. West Side Story, the movie, was released in 1961. Now,…
Have you decided to focus on academic vocabulary instruction? Let us convince you with “3 Reasons Why You Should Teach Academic Vocabulary.” Teaching it might seem daunting, but fret not! We have five easy and effective ideas to help you master it, whether you have a few minutes or a chunk of time to spare….
Everybody clap your hands…clap, clap, clap, clap. Have you ever tried a lyric to get your students’ attention? Developing rules and routines is one thing. Finding ways to implement them is a whole different ball game. Many teachers struggle finding creative ways to keep students from being squirrely. What’s a teacher to do? Use lyrics! Not…
Vocabulary instruction is something that many teachers struggle to include in their busy schedules. Best practices require many repetitions and exposures to new words to actually acquire them as part of students’ knowledge. As teachers strive to find time for high-frequency and content-specific words, academic vocabulary may get pushed to the side. This may hurt…
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you… Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do… Don’t these lyrics by Pharrell Williams just make you want to get up and dance? It’s like…
Earth Day, April 22—- NOT canceled! Just because we’ve been socially distancing from each other this past year doesn’t mean we should do that when it comes to the Earth. Earth Day 2021 is still on! In fact, the theme, Restore Our Earth, is more relevant than ever. Can you imagine being stuck in your…
“Keep A Poem In Your Pocket” In her first two stanzas, Beatrice Schenk de Regniers writes: Keep a poem in your pocket And a picture in your head And you’ll never feel lonely At night when you’re in bed. The little poem will sing to you The little picture bring to you A dozen dreams…
Taking tests is anxiety-provoking for many people including our students. Standardized tests or state assessments seem to increase the stress around a situation with which some students (and teachers) already struggle. As with many things that are anxiety-producing, the keys seem to be preparation, practice, and perspective. Discover the best ways to prepare students for...
“The work of today is the history of tomorrow and we are its makers.” Juliette Gordon Low ——– ‘No’ was a word Amelia Earhart wouldn’t accept. In fact, after hearing ‘No’ at the 1904 World’s Fair when wanting to ride a rollercoaster, Amelia took matters into her own hands. With the help of her sister,…
O Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore art thou Romeo? Well… perhaps Romeo, Romeo isn’t thy cup of tea-omeo! Maybe you’re more of an Amanda Gorman kind of poetry enthusiast. With her rhythmic and inspiring delivery of “The Hill We Climb” at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration, you light up hearing well-crafted words filled with hope and awe. As…
“A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes.” What comes to mind when you read these magical words? A pumpkin transformed into a carriage? A servant girl’s small foot fitting perfectly into a delicate glass slipper? That same girl being morphed into a beautiful princess as her jealous and wicked stepsisters look on with contempt? …
Let’s Eat Grandma! What??! So, so sorry, dear reader. Please pardon my mistake. I wasn’t actually suggesting we eat kind, loveable, sweet grandma! I just meant to say that it was dinnertime. Let’s eat, Grandma! Just the other day, the same kind of thing happened. As I passed the grocery store, I saw a sign…
Teaching character traits and character development is so much easier using mentor text! In rich literature, authors craft their stories so we can feel like we know the characters. They create personalities and emotions within the characters. In turn, we develop feelings for them. Using these well-crafted stories, teachers can point out the different character…
Mentor texts have made my life as a teacher so much easier! They provide skillful, nuanced examples for students to emulate. Mentor texts are valuable tools and they can fit into your curriculum, no matter what age or subject you teach! Learn how to effectively use mentor texts in the classroom. What is a Mentor…
Teaching students how to use Word Choice in their writing can be difficult. Often times they use simple words in their writing. Guide students to use more vibrant words by pointing them out in a rich mentor text. It is a powerful teaching tool! Do you need vibrant mentor text to teach word choice? Read…
Do you know what fraction of people keep their New Year’s resolutions? According to various studies, it’s less than 8% of people! Perhaps the goals are too rigid, or perhaps the goals simply aren’t “smart.” No, we’re not talking about a truly foolish goal like eating your body-weight in salad every day, but a goal…
While I was writing a post about PRINCIPALS- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SCHOOL MORALE, I thought of an idea. I should do a survey on my social media to get other teachers to chime in and I am glad I did. The collection from my social media truly makes my heart smile to…
Administrators, do you want your school rockin’? Take a moment to think about your school morale. Does it have a happy vibe? Kids make up the majority of your school, but how kids feel about being there depends on the climate and interaction of the people within the school. Teachers are the tone-setters who can…
Have you ever called on students and they look at you like a deer in headlights? It is getting more and more difficult to keep students on task. Then throw distance learning or teaching with devices into the mix. It’s so tempting to explore technology and open another tab while they’re supposed to be focusing…
Having a holiday party with your class might be looking a little challenging right now. Perhaps you’ve already exhausted a store of ideas as unexpected virtual learning has continued. If you’re tempted to just stream a kid-friendly movie, we hear you! However, here are some more ways to add holiday fun into a virtual classroom….
In the previous two parts of this series, we talked about getting to know your students as individuals and exploring their different learning styles. Today in What You NEED to Know About Student Learning (Part Three), we will focus on independent versus collaborative learners. Why focus on independent versus collaborative learning? We all know that…
Knowing your students is a large part of establishing how you can best teach them. In PART ONE of What You NEED to Know About Student Learning series, we discussed how you can be a more effective and engaging teacher if you understand their backgrounds, emotional states, and what motivates them. Beyond that, it is…
Although being a master of your subject area is crucial for effective teaching, knowing how your students learn is equally important. The belief that any student can be taught any subject is a meritorious one, but if you want students to truly retain and absorb knowledge, you must teach in a way that they can…
Google Classroom is an awesome teaching tool that can help you deliver remote or in-person instruction effectively. The service is free, though there are various paid tiers and extras that hundreds of districts and private schools utilize. Regardless what tier you have, here are five tips to make teaching easier with Google Classroom! 1. Record…
Are you nervous about the direction digital or remote learning is going? Perhaps it’s because you don’t feel that confident about using a new digital platform, such as the wildly popular Google Classroom. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this online world. In this post you’ll find everything you need to set up…
In this fast-paced age, it’s hard for students to take time to do anything. Reading material closely is often far down on the list of student-preferred activities. When modern technology provides search results that “seem” to have the answers your students need, they think…what is the purpose of close reading? Close reading means to read…
Greek and Latin roots and affixes are the “building blocks” of the English language. Incorporating them into your instruction or curriculum not only provides students with word meanings, but helps them with spelling conventions as well. Students will learn how to break down larger words in their reading. Studying Greek and Latin roots and affixes...
Revise or Edit? Potayto, Potahto? “You like potayto, I like potahto; you like tomayto, I like tomahto; potayto, potahto, tomayto, tomahto, let’s call the whole thing off!” Well, we can’t do that- especially when it comes to teaching students the difference between editing and revising during the writing process. But how are they different? Perhaps…
Some teachers find writing a difficult subject to teach. Now throw digital learning into the mix. Don’t panic! You don’t have to be at your wit’s end! This post will give you ideas on how to teach writing remotely! Prior to Teaching Writing Gather your curriculum materials. If you need a quality writing program made…
You’ve Got E-Mail! Now that school has moved online for the foreseeable future, it is important to teach students how to craft appropriate and effective e-mails. Unlike ‘snail mail’ letters, student e-mails arrive immediately. Plus, not having the benefit of being in class to see expressions, strategies used and emotions, it may be difficult to…
Students today are experiencing higher rates of anxiety and stress than any other generation. There is more emphasis on high-stakes testing, less time to relax, and there are more tasks to complete in order to prepare kids to “compete” in a fast-paced world. That is in addition to distance learning we are experiencing now! Maybe…
I’m not going to lie. I am no expert. There are many people out there who have a world of knowledge on how to support the Black Lives Matter movement. It isn’t me. However, I do know I want to make a difference. I am an educator and I will do what I do best,…
This blog post is more than suggestions for how to teach long-distance, which is fast becoming everyone’s forte! It’s about things every teacher needs to know before, during, and after they’ve started helping their students with distance learning. 1. Make a Plan Many of us know how our daily classroom routine rolls. If you’re a…
Have you ever had the feeling that you just don't want to teach a writing lesson? Maybe you lack the confidence in teaching writing or you just can't muster up excitement over teaching writing. I FEEL YOUR PAIN. You are scrambling. You want to guide your students to write in complete sentences, create juicy paragraphs,...
With distance learning and 1:1 technology, teachers and homeschool parents are scrambling to find ways to help children learn with the materials they currently own or use. Most of my resources are in PDF format and my #1 question from my customers is, “How can my students write on the PDF?” Well good news peeps!…
There are so many amazing educational resources that are in PDF format, not in Google or PowerPoint. Although I offer some resources in all formats, the majority of my resources are PDF. My number one question from teachers: “How can my students write on a PDF?” In distance learning or schools with 1:1 technology, being…
Say you have a large PDF and you don’t want to send the whole document to your students. You only want to send a few pages at a time. No problem! This post will show you how! You will find directions for a basic Adobe Reader, Acrobat Pro DC, and a solution if this doesn’t…
Whether you’re looking to be more tech-savvy in your regular classroom because your students love to explore technology or you’re scrambling to navigate the virtual world because of a sudden need to teach remotely, there are many ways you can add digital learning to your repertoire. This blog post will give you tips on how…
Whether your children are taking a part-time online class or they are full-time homeschool students, an efficient workspace is needed to get in the right mindset for learning. This post will show you how to make the most useful workspace for homeschool. A QUIET SPACE If there is too much background noise, it can distract…
With many school districts offering online classes, the Coronavirus and flu forcing students to stay home, and homeschool becoming more and more popular, Rockin’ Resources wants to make sure teachers and homeschools can still stick to the standards and have what they need to be successful. This post will show how to support digital learning…
In this blog post, we’ll look at how to effectively scaffold your instruction and help students build increasingly sophisticated skills. We’ll also look at how you can help foster growth and independence through scaffolding. Scaffolding and Differentiating The methodology behind scaffolding is multi-faceted. Scaffolding can mean providing support and then removing it slowly. It…
Learning is lifelong and students need support as they gather knowledge and skills. This can be done through scaffolding instruction. There were times in my earlier years of teaching that I didn’t use scaffolding in my instruction. I struggled to make sure all of my students were learning and understanding specific concepts and skills in…
Differentiation may seem like a lot of work, which initially scares some teachers away from implementing it in their classrooms. They may think they don’t have the time or that there’s no need. What happens when you don’t differentiate? This post will explore the benefits of differentiating instruction as well as what may happen if…
I don’t know about you, but I was always looking for ways to keep my students’ motivated, yet keep up the rigor of our curriculum. There certainly needs to be a balance and a plan. So what was my plan for the month of February? Let me start with my favorite unit ever! Delicious CHOCOLATE-related…
Have you ever blurted out song lyrics related to something in your classroom? You are not alone! I thought I would share 25 songs that will support your instruction! Whenever my students would say something or do something and a lyric came to mind, I started singing! My students quickly caught on and by the…
What are reading comprehension passages with step-by-step questions? They are high-interest differentiated passages developed with two sets of questions. Both sets of questions are text-dependent with one set being easier than the other. And what is the best news? All reading skills are covered! Read on to learn more about the resource and how you…
Differentiation is a hot topic in the current teaching environment. Many teachers feel stressed at the mere thought of taking one lesson and creating several ways to assess and deliver the material. Most teachers are determined to meet the diverse needs of their students, but they may struggle to streamline their differentiation. You will find…
Work/life balance has become a hot topic for every profession. It seems adults are losing their ability to leave work at the office and relax. The age of endless email, constant notifications, and being “wired in” is leaving the majority of employees feeling stressed and unable to strike a healthy work/life balance. With the increasing…
Are you looking for ways to ROCK your writing instruction? You’ve found the right person to help! Pam knows what she is talking about when it comes to the writing process. Writing is her jam! She figured out what truly helps educators and homeschool parents teach writing to even the most reluctant writers! Pam was…
Are you looking for great literature to introduce your upper elementary students to mysteries? I’ve used many of these books in my classes during our mystery genre study. Although I loved to read mysteries in October around Halloween, these mysteries can be read any time of the year! Check them out for a quick summary…
You decide to skip over writing instruction. You squeeze in some writing prompts or writing responses here and there and call it a day. So what happens when you don’t teach writing? I know first-hand what happens and it isn’t pretty. I worked with a group of high school students writing college entrance essays. Most…
An effective teacher is someone who makes a positive impact on his or her students. These students will carry the strategies they learned through the rest of their education and into their adult lives. It then becomes a part of their lifelong learning strategies. From elementary school to college professors, an effective educator will leave…
It is no secret that you (teachers) are in one of the most caring professions in the world. Each day, you try to educate, encourage, and care for dozens of children who you often come to love like your own. In speaking to a teacher friend with 29 years in the classroom, she told me…
Are you ready to rock your teaching? You are in the right place! I am going to share the 7 POWERFUL STEPS TO BE AN OUTSTANDING TEACHER! If you are familiar with Rockin Resources, you know that my key values are to MOTIVATE, EDUCATE, DIFFERENTIATE. I love to share ideas to help teachers and homeschool…
If you are looking for 5 ways to motivate your students in the classroom, you are in the right place! I’m going to share engaging ideas to help students comprehend tough concepts and skills. Whenever I would mix things up and use something outside of the box to help my students learn, they ALWAYS remembered…
UNDERSTANDING DYSLEXIA Myth- Letter reversals is the main sign of dyslexia. Truth- Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. Dyslexia can refer to an array of symptoms, which result in people of all ages having difficulties with specific reading, writing, and spelling skills (1). There are various misconceptions about the learning disability, which make it…
If you are like me, I wanted to be a ROCKSTAR in my first years of teaching but got immediately overwhelmed. I wish I knew half of the teaching tips, advice, and strategies that I do now. I fumbled A LOT, yet learned from every trial and error. Through my 26 years in the classroom,…
Checklists are used for many academic tasks, and writing is a common one. Are they really effective? Absolutely! This post will explore why checklists are used, research results, and how to use writing checklists to improve student writing in the classroom. Why Are Writing Checklists Used in the Classroom? When children have the opportunity to…
Do you need ideas for teaching colonization? Here you will find book suggestions, comprehension ideas, projects, crafts, activities, and more. These lessons are also included in one of my best-selling social studies units! Mentor Text When I am teaching a social studies unit, I love to recommend some great books for my students to read…
Are you looking for an effective way to conduct parent-teacher conferences? Why not have your students be in charge? Student-led conferences will not only strengthen open communication between home and school, but the positive vibe will have everyone smiling. What will students gain from student-led conferences? Students will: gain ownership of their work. become accountable...
Are you looking for ways to build character in the classroom? Bringing character education into your classroom will give children a sense of community and teach them core values. It will help children identify and demonstrate positive ways of handling themselves and treating others. When a whole school focuses on character education, it brings an even larger...
Step-by-Step Reading is a series of effective reading units used in thousands of classrooms. It is full of engaging lessons and resources. A scaffolding approach helps students understand what they are reading. Research shows that building from a basic reading skill to a more complex one not only develops, but strengthens reading comprehension. Do your student(s) need…
This STEP-BY-STEP WRITING® IS A COMPLETE WRITER’S WORKSHOP PROGRAM with all the tools needed for the entire year. It is filled with standard-based engaging lessons (scripted), anchor charts, modeling, mentor text, interactive notebook pages, practice, and all the forms, graphic organizers, checklists, and rubrics necessary to teach and assess writing. It has been proven to…
When setting up a classroom or homeschool writing center, there are FIVE things that I found useful for writing success. These items provide your students with the necessary tools to get ready to write effectively throughout the year. Below, I’ve put together 5 essential things every writing center needs! 1. Supplies First, you’ll want to…
Are your students having trouble identifying theme within a story? This step-by-step process scaffolds through several reading comprehension skills to help students get a thorough understanding of theme. Students will be able to determine the theme of a story, poem, or drama from details in the text by first learning basic knowledge of story elements,…
Are you looking for ways to help students analyze poetry effectively? This post will share step-by-step ideas to help your students with poetry analysis. When you are finished, they will be analyzing poetry like rock stars! 1. Choose a Poem Have students read and choose meaningful poetry. Classic poets like Emily Dickenson and Robert Frost…
Honesty is one of the most important character traits that children should learn and be able to grasp at an early age. Although any time is a good time to teach honesty, Presidents' Day is a perfect opportunity since Abe Lincoln is best known for being an honest man. Abe lived his life by practicing...
Are you looking for ideas to help your students become successful writers? This post outlines the table of contents for 30+ writing mini lessons that has proven to help students write effectively. It will provide you with creative ideas to teach students sentence structure, paragraph writing, and narrative writing. It will walk you through the…
Although any time is a good time to teach children how to persevere, I think of this character trait at the beginning of The New Year. Character education can be taught alongside New Year’s resolutions so children can form a deeper meaning of their goals. This post will delve into the definition of PERSEVERANCE, setting…
Language arts is one of the most critical components in any youngster’s educational training. It encompasses the various ways that people communicate including speaking, writing, and reading. Although having many different facets, language arts is a holistic way of being able to effectively listen, communicate, and comprehend messages, which people send and receive. The goal…
Are you lacking the creative skills to draw your own anchor charts? Don’t stress over having a perfectly drawn, colorful anchor chart. This post will show you how to take a PDF anchor chart and make it poster size! It is easy and just as effective! STEPS TO MAKING A POSTER-SIZE ANCHOR CHART 1. Make…
The holiday season is a time when people reflect on gratitude and giving. In November, many teachers introduce the character trait of thankfulness in their character education curriculum. Do you need ideas to help your students brainstorm ways to be thankful? You are in the right place! This post provides 17 ways to be thankful. Sometimes, children don’t realize they…
Every generation has its own idea about how to educate children and prepare them for the future. The newest trend in educational theory is something called STEM. STEM is a response to the changing needs of the workforce regarding technology. An entire reorganization of the way that children are instructed, it integrates learning with real-life…
Are your students ready to write a final copy? It is the step following peer reflections in the writing process. This writing mini lesson is part of a series of lessons designed for instructional scaffolding in writer’s workshop. Read on for ideas for the last step in the writing process! What do students need for…
Do your students particpate in peer reflections? Peer reflection is a step in writing process after revising and editing a rough draft and before the final copy. It is one more way to give writers encouragement and advice to better their stories. This writing mini lesson is part of a series of lessons designed for instructional…
Are you looking for teaching ideas for proofreading spelling? Students should edit their rough drafts using CUPS (Capitalization, Usage, Punctuation, Spelling) and this lesson focuses on the S for spelling. It is part of a writing mini lesson series for writing workshop and works well with any writing curriculum. Read on for spelling rules and…
Are you looking for ideas to teach PUNCTUATION to your students? This post will review basic punctuation rules needed for an upper elementary curriculum, provide ideas for teaching them, and symbols when proofreading. The writing mini lesson is part of a series of lessons designed for instructional scaffolding in writer’s workshop. It is part of…
Do your students need help learning rules for capitalization and symbols for proofreading in their writing? This post will review basic capitalization rules needed for an upper elementary curriculum, provide ideas for teaching them, and symbols when proofreading. The writing mini lesson is part of a series of lessons designed for instructional scaffolding in writer’s…
Building good character in the classroom is essential in today’s society. Many parents are teaching their children how to be good citizens, but educators have to step in for those students who don’t have the parental support. Bringing character education into your classroom will also give the children a sense of community. How do you…
Do your standards cover mythological allusions? If so, this is the right place for you! I will show you the steps to take to help you and your students develop a deep understanding of the Common Core Standard RL.4.4. It states: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including…
With the Common Core Standards in place, students are being asked more and more to use critical thinking skills to analyze literary and informational text. Inference is a prime example of a critical thinking skill used in classrooms today. Students are asked to read text and analyze it by thinking deeper—way beyond the visual text….
Are you looking for oodles of writing prompts for the month of May? You came to the right place! This extensive list of prompts are divided into categories to help you in your search. They include Narrative, Opinion, Informative, Descriptive, Persuasive, and How-To. If the writing prompt is highlighted, there is a link to a…
Many states have adopted a TDA (Text Dependent Analysis) style assessment for the writing component of their state test. This type of writing style requires students to read a text or passage and use actual text to support their answers, citing specific evidence directly from the text. Text-dependent analysis writing instructs students to provide specific…
Are you looking for some writing prompts that are related to an April theme? You’ve come to the right place! This extensive list of prompts are divided into categories to help you in your search. They include Narrative, Opinion, Informative, Descriptive, Persuasive, and How-To. If the writing prompt is highlighted, there is a link to…
Dear Teachers, although the following writing activities for March are resources in my store, I welcome you to use the ideas in your classroom by DIY without a purchase. However, if you would like them prepped for your instead of doing it yourself, the writing resources come with everything you need. Read on to get…
Reading Response skills and strategies are important for students to have a better understanding of their reading. Whether you are reading a chapter book together, assigning book groups, or allowing for independent reading for your students, responding to the text is crucial to a deeper comprehension of the text. Students should not only respond to…
Are you looking for an effective way to organize your students’ interactive writing notebooks and folders? I’ve used writing notebooks for several years and have made changes along the way to find the best possible way to use them. In this post, I will show you how to set up your student notebooks, writing portfolios,…
Are you looking for great literature to introduce to your students in the month of October? You will find some of my favorite October books for upper elementary students. Read on for a summary and why they are my favorites! Happy Haunted Reading! CLICK ON EACH BOOK PICTURE TO FIND IT ON AMAZON! 1. Bunnicula…
Are you looking for ways to teach cause and effect? I love to think outside the box and find ways to teach reading skills in a variety of ways to meet the needs of all learners. I hope you find some ways that are helpful to your students! Offer an anchor chart. Both fiction and…
Do you want your students writing more? These three ways will get your students writing! 1. Morning Work Place a daily prompt on your white board using a projector or smart board. Students should use writing journals to write to the prompt. Supply engaging prompts with a variety of types of writing. This PAPERLESS strategy…
When it comes to organizing and planning a classroom, every teacher has a few items they couldn’t possibly ever go without! It might be that favorite stapler, the perfect book, or an amazing resource! I know, I know. I just posted about Supplies I Can’t Live Without but I wanted to join my peeps from…
These supplies have saved my day over and over again in my classroom. Although I’m not in the classroom anymore, I still find myself in the supply section of Target and searching on Amazon. I don’t think it is ever anything I will shake off! How can you resist colorful pens? I’m sure I…
Are you looking for a classroom library system that works? It can be so tough to keep everything organized in your classroom, especially the library area. To help give you some relief of this stressful task, I wanted to share what has worked for me in my classroom. The solution is simple and I hope...
If you came to this site, you either purchased the time capsule activity and are looking for directions, or want ideas for your own time capsules. These are so much fun to do with students of all ages! Enjoy! This Time Capsule Activity is great to use at the beginning of the school year! For…
If you’re looking for ideas on how to teach deeper meaning in content areas, then you’re in the right place! Think about social studies, science, or health topics. How can you provide lessons for students to develop a deeper meaning to the topic? I’ve found the following ideas truly help students understand the concepts or…
Are you teaching the Civil War? This Civil War timeline is in chronological order that summarizes 33 events that will help you organize your lessons! Events Leading Up to War 1828- Tariffs: The south refused to pay the taxes that were placed on imports. The north didn’t need as many imports. This was the first…
How do you know if the students are actually reading each night? For years, I simply had students record their minutes and hope they or their parents were being truthful. So what did I do to know for sure? Keep reading! I decided that students should be accountable for their reading, so I assigned reading…
Are your students having trouble finding answers and citing evidence in their reading? This STEP-BY-STEP process scaffolds through reading strategies to help your students be successful! Students will learn the acronyms for ACE, RACE, and RAP to provide them with the proper tools for citing evidence effectively along with tips to keep them engaged! ...
Do you want cute ideas for February to use in your literacy centers? Keep reading for 12 February Ideas for Literacy Centers! Although I have all of these items in my store, I am going to explain how to do each of them without a purchase! If you would rather have the work done for…
Are your students struggling in writing? Do you want to transform your reluctant writers into ROCKSTAR WRITERS? This easy and painless way of teaching writing will have you doing the happy dance. You will have students BEGGING to write and see them ROCK the standardized writing test! So let’s learn how my students passed the…
Students will be coming back from holiday break and ready to learn! Start planning different types of writing into your instruction this month that will get your students excited to write! This blog post will give you 8 ENGAGING WRITING ACTIVITIES FOR JANUARY. I hope you find something that works for your kiddos! 1. …
Are you looking for ways to help your students with USAGE in their sentence writing? This post was designed to give you ideas when teaching a lesson When using the acronym CUPS (Capitalization, Usage, Punctuation, Spelling) for editing, this post will focus on the U for USAGE. It will cover subject-verb agreement, double negatives, complete…
WELCOME! Enjoy the Christmas Around the World Webquest! Teachers and Parents: Please check each of the websites prior to using them with students. Over time, websites may change, have a broken link, or contain advertisements. If you come across something needed changed, email me and I will replace it! STUDENTS: 1. Pick a country to…
If you are looking for ideas in the editing step of the writing process, you are in the right place! This post will provide ways to teach and break down different editing techniques. Although it is part of a series of 30+ writing mini lessons on narrative writing, it can also be used in other…
Do you need a few more activities to finish off the year? Let’s embrace the children’s excitement with educational, yet fun activities! In the 12 TEACHING IDEAS FOR THE HOLIDAYS, you will find language arts ideas to help keep your students engaged and learning through the excitement! You can also grab a freebie below, so…
What is not to love this time of year? Cool weather, colorful leaves, and the excitement of Halloween! My favorite story for October is Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe. I could read it a million times and still find something funny that I may have missed the time before. Harold, the narrator of the…
Now that your students have finished writing a rough draft and made revisions to their narrative writing, it is time to craft an amazing title for the story! This post is part of a series of writing workshop mini lessons scaffolded for parents and teachers who are looking for ideas to teach students how to…
Do you need help teaching your students how to revise the end of a narrative story? This post will give you ideas for a jammin’ conclusion! It is part of a revising step of the writing process in most writing curriculums. In DARE to revise, students are exchanging the old conclusion for a jammin’ one!…
Do your students use a monotonous tone in their writing? “He did…. He has…. He then did….” Blah blah blah. Variety of Sentences is another important writing mini lesson for DARE to Revise- Exchange. This post will give you ideas when teaching students how to use a variety of sentences in writer’s workshop. It is…
Do your students struggle using strong word choice in their writing? This post is geared towards the upper elementary or middle school and uses the term MILLION DOLLAR WORDS when referring to word choice. It is part of the revising stage of the writing process. This post is part of a series of writing mini-lessons…
***THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!*** Can I get a woo woo? Upper Elementary Snapshots is on fire! We have come together for a HUGE giveaway just in time for Back to School! What a great treat for all the hard work you do each and every day with our future generation! You deserve it so don’t…
Are you looking for ways to help your students write a good lead to their narrative essay? This post will give you ideas to teach what I call ROCKIN’ BEGINNINGS. It is one revision lesson from the series of writing mini lessons for DARE to REVISE. It is part of over 30 lessons for scaffolding…
Are you looking for teaching ideas for revising in writer’s workshop? This lesson is one of several posts on DARE to Revise (Delete, Add, Rearrange, Exchange) and will focus on R– for Rearranging! It is also in a series of writing mini lessons that scaffold through the writing process ideal for most writing curriculums. Rearranging is…
Are you looking for ways to help your students revise their narrative essay? This post is one of several mini lessons on using the acronym D.A.R.E. (Delete, Add, Rearrange, Exchange) to revise and will focus on the A- ADD more details and ADD transition words in narrative writing. It is also a part of a…
Use a weekly writing guide for students to use when writing on their own. They will need a graphic organizer, rough draft paper, colored pens, a checklist, and final copy paper. It divides the steps up for each day. It works well for homework and classwork. On Fridays, students can share their work. MONDAY Fill…
Are you looking for ways to help your students revise a narrative essay? This lesson will focus on the first letter of DARE (Delete, Add, Rearrange, Exchange) where D stands for DELETE. You will learn ways to show your students how to delete unnecessary information in their writing. The post is also a part of a…
Did you know that students should encounter a word up to 70 times before is is mastered? NO LIE! That is why teachers need to provide practice, practice, practice for words they want students to learn! Check out the EFFECTIVE WAYS TO TEACH GREEK AND LATIN ROOTS AND VOCABULARY! Day 1 If you are using…
Students are finished with their rough drafts and what do they want to do? Immediately write a final copy. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! This post will provide ideas for your writer’s workshop when teaching your students how to REVISE a narrrative essay. It is also a part of a series of writing mini lessons that scaffold through the writing…
Did your students follow the other writer’s workshop lessons to organize a narrative essay? If so, students’ graphic organizers are completed and it is time to write! Woo woo! This lesson will share teaching tips for writing rough drafts. It is STEP 2 of the writing process. These ideas are part of a scaffolding approach to…
10 STEPS TO MAKING CHOCOLATE Prep: Send out notice to parents for ingredients. I like to use www.signupgenius.com. I will add a list of ingredients! (I recommend 1 bag of chocolate per 3 students) The morning of making the chocolate, bring a crockpot, spatula, wooden spoon, and serving spoon. Melt the chocolate chips on low….
Do you need ideas for writing a conclusion for a narrative story? This post will cover the meaning of a conclusion, teaching tips for brainstorming ideas to include in a conclusion, mentor text, examples, and effective teaching steps for your writing lesson plans. These ideas are ideal for any writing curriculum and are a part…
Are you looking for ideas to teach students how to write dialogue in a narrative essay? This blog has creative ideas to show your students the right amount of dialogue to use in a story and activities to motivate and educate! These ideas are ideal for any writing curriculum and are a part of a series…
Are your students writing stories that are blah? Show them how to build suspense and climax in their narrative writing stories! This post will review plot, show an effective mentor text, and give ideas and activities for building suspense and climax! These ideas are ideal for any writing curriculum and are a part of a…
Do your students need help developing the body section of a narrative essay? This post provides ideas for creating a strong body using the power of 3. It is an effective approach to building up the body of a story. These ideas are ideal for any writing curriculum and are a part of a series…
If you are looking for ways to teach students how to write an introduction in a narrative story, you are in the right place! An introduction is the beginning of the story so it should introduce a character or two as well as establish the setting and plot! These ideas are ideal for any writing…
Do you need ideas for teaching plot to a narrative story? A plot is the events that organize and make up a story. When planning a plot for a story, consider the narrative elements of characters, setting, problem of the story, character development, suspense, climax, and solution. Crafting a plot takes planning! These ideas are ideal…
Do you need help with ideas for teaching students how to develop characters in their narrative essays? This post will share an effective way to teach character traits and focus on developing characters in a narrative essay. These ideas are ideal for any writing curriculum and are part of a series of mini lessons for...
Rock and Write! Rockin Resources is well known for our writing products. Pam always liked to write and teach writing. She has used numerous writing programs over her 26 years of teaching, but was never satisfied. This led her to create her own writing program. It is now in the hands of thousands of teachers…
Test Prep Tips and Strategies I’ve been fortunate to be a part of two upper elementary groups of amazingly talented teachers. I’ve written a post on each site to go along with Test Prep. You will find several posts on Test Prep with Upper Grade Memoirs. My post is called Test Prep Ideas- Rockin the…
Now that the prompt has been introduced and students brainstormed ideas for the prompt, it is time for Writing Mini Lesson #14- Graphic Organizers for Narrative Writing. This mini lesson is ideal for any writing curriculum and is a part of a series of mini lessons for writer’s workshop designed for scaffolding through the writing…
Before moving on in the writing process, it is a great place to have students create a writing goal. This post will explain writing goals, how to choose a writing goal, provide ideas for creating writing goals, and a free writing goal template! These ideas are ideal for any writing curriculum and are a part of…
This post will give teachers and homeschool parents ideas to help students understand the task at hand, the purpose for students’ writing, and the audience who will be reading their stories (task, purpose, audience). These ideas are ideal for any writing curriculum and are a part of a series of mini lessons for writer’s workshop designed…
Are you ready to give your students a narrative writing prompt but don’t know where to start? The first step of the writing process is prewriting. This post will focus on ideas to use in your writing class to encourage prewriting in a narrative essay. This writing mini lesson along with several posts following it…
Are you getting ready to teach narrative writing? This post will give you 3 steps to prepare for narrative writing and is ideal for any writing curriculum that includes narrative writing. These teaching ideas are a part of a series of mini lessons for writer’s workshop designed for scaffolding through the writing process. Read about…
Coming off of Thanksgiving break and knowing that Christmas is all around us, it is often difficult to keep my little elves motivated to learn. I like to find interesting project-based activities to keep their attention! This week, we will be doing a Christmas Around the World project! Last year, my students LOVED this! I…
What is the writing process? The writing process is a way to promote successful writers. It provides steps for students to use when writing. Every writing program out there will stress the importance of encouraging students to use steps in a writing process. This post shares the steps I found useful and ideas that help…
Are you looking for ideas for a table of contents for interactive writing notebooks? These ideas are ideal for any writing curriculum and are a part of a series of mini lessons for writer’s workshop designed for scaffolding through the writing process. What should you include on the table of contents? List the skills and…
Do your students need help finishing a paragraph? This post will not only show you how to teach CLOSING SENTENCES, it will also show you ways to help your students be creative with their closing sentences by writing CLINCHERS. It is part of a STEP-BY-STEP WRITING® series of mini-lessons for writer's workshop designed to scaffold...
I am so stinking excited to teach Secret Garden this year. I took my old version of the unit activities and completely did a facelift! You won’t even recognize it! This extensive unit is based on the story, Secret Garden, by Frances Hudgson Burnett and is a aligned to COMMON CORE standards with oodles of…
Do you need ideas for teaching students about RELEVANT DETAILS? This writing mini-lesson will provide ideas for teaching students about writing relevant details in a paragraph including TRANSITION WORDS to help the paragraph flow smoothly. It is part of a STEP-BY-STEP WRITING® series of mini lessons for writer’s workshop designed to scaffold through the writing…
If you are looking for ideas to teach PARAGRAPH WRITING, you are in the right place! It is part of a STEP-BY-STEP WRITING® series of mini-lessons for writer’s workshop designed to scaffold through the writing process. Paragraph writing will extend through three posts (lessons 5 topic sentences, 6 relevant details, and 7 closing sentences). Now…
Are your students writing run-on sentences? This lesson will focus on how to correct them. These ideas are ideal for any writing curriculum and are a part of a series of mini lessons for writer’s workshop designed for scaffolding through sentence structure, paragraph writing, and the writing process. Learn ways to help students properly write…
Are your students writing in fragments? Often times students will write an incomplete sentence and it will cause confusion to the reader and disrupt the flow of the paragraph. These ideas are ideal for any writing curriculum and are a part of a series of mini lessons for writer’s workshop designed for scaffolding through sentence structure,…
This lesson will focus on writing COMPLETE SENTENCES using subjects and predicates. Writing in complete sentences is the first basic writing lesson every student should learn. Sentence structure is important to help students write in journals, responses to reading, paragraphs, essays, book reports and so much more. It will lay the foundation for good writing…
Are you looking for ideas to help your students become successful writers? This post begins a series 30+ writing mini lessons that has proven to help students write effectively. It will provide you with creative ideas to teach students sentence structure, paragraph writing, and narrative writing. It will walk you through the writing process in…
Techniques for Teaching Writing In order to have an effective writing program, it is important to use a variety of teaching techniques. Modeled Writing Use the think-aloud strategy- Talk aloud as you are writing so students can hear your thought process. Link to their prior knowledge. Use the resources around the room. Shared Work with the students on…
Every morning, before your students walk into your classroom, they pass through the hallways of your building. What do the walls look like? If you’re looking for a way to spruce up the walls with a hall display to last through the year…keep reading! One year when I was teaching, my grade level was trying to…
Although I’ve been teaching for a bajillion years, I still find that the littlest organizing tip goes a long way! I am going to mix a few of my all time favorites with some of my new found treasures. This is going to make my classroom run as smooth as silk! 1. Class Mailboxes…
This STEP-BY-STEP INTERACTIVE WRITING NOTEBOOK is a complete Step-By-Step WRITER’S WORKSHOP program with engaging lessons, anchor charts, modeling, mentor text, interactive notebook pages, practice and all the tools necessary to teach and assess writing. Scaffolding through the writing process has proved to be an effective and successful approach to teach writing. Feedback from a teaching…
DIY- Super Easy Classroom Curtains- I am not kidding when I tell you it took me 5 minutes to do this! 1. I bought one 84″ long curtain from Target for $19.99. 2. I cut it in half length-wise. 3. I put the rod by the cut end. 4. I hot glued the cut end…
Prepare Your Classroom 1. Writing Process with clothespins 2. Million Dollar Word Bulletin Board- I put up the FAAVS (Figurative Language, Adjectives, Adverbs, Verbs, and Sense Words) As students use these in their writing, I post them on the bulletin board and we celebrate their accomplishment. 3. Have an area in the room for bins…
Click HERE for an updated post!
Are you ready for writing this year? This post will take you through ten steps to prepare your classroom for writing workshop. If your room or writing center is ready and you show enthusiasm towards writing time, your reluctant writers will be curious and excited about your writing class! I LOOOOVVVVEEEE writing and hope…
Are you looking for a great way to encourage a critical thinking conversation? This activity works well on the smart board for class discussion or printed off for group discussion. You will be amazed at how much students will notice, think, and wonder about one illustration! Notice, Think, Wonder – Critical Thinking 1. What do…
So much has happened since my last day of school a week ago! Where do I even start? You would think I would have all the time in the world to sit down and blog but not a second! I am going to go back to the end of the school year to share something…
Who loves chocolate? Me me me me me me!!!!!! Did I say me? Believe it or not but I am sitting in the dentist office with my daughter and what better way to distract myself than to think about delicious creamy chocolate! I usually like to do a longer unit but ran out of time….
Do you have trouble keeping students’ attention during book report presentations? Are your students ever so excited to present that it takes every ounce of energy from YOU to keep them calm? Do they get squirmy, talkative, want to use the restroom? Do they want to know when it is their turn? I have had…
We had so much fun today! We all needed to get up and moving around, so why not get the students engaged? Studying and reviewing can get very boring. I decided on this activity last minute, because I had planned on playing the Jeopardy game I made to take the kids through all of our…
Here is a cute way to have your students practice parts of speech around Valentine’s Day! There are 68 words to sort into nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adjectives. One of the girls on my team requested this, so here ya go Brantley! There are 17 of each. I’m going to have students work in groups…
Since we were gone for two weeks and it is a new year, I wanted to put up a new bulletin board. I thought I would put up a Martin Luther King Jr. board. That way I can keep it up for the rest of January and it will tie into Black History Month. I…
Click HERE for an updated Prewriting blog post!
I am so excited to see my post on Rachel Lynette’s site! Go to Rachel’s website: Minds In Bloom to learn more about high-level thinking activities and freebies!!!!!!
Click here for an updated post on TOPIC SENTENCES! Click here for an updated post on RELEVANT DETAILS!
Click here for an updated post on FRAGMENTS! Click here for an updated post on RUN-ONS!
Before I tell you about this motivating project, I have to tell you about the amazing woman who planned this activity for our fourth graders. Yes, our one and only Erin Few! She loves to dress up and got the perfect outfit for the dig! Here she is! Cute, huh? Love it!!!!!! I am trying…
Click here for an updated post: WRITING PROCESS!
This STEP-BY-STEP WRITING® PROGRAM IS A COMPLETE WRITER’S WORKSHOP PROGRAM with engaging lessons (scripted), anchor charts, modeling, mentor text, interactive notebook pages, practice and all the tools necessary to teach and assess writing. Scaffolding through the writing process continues to be an effective and successful approach to teach writing. Every lesson builds upon the previous skill…
Hello! I am still here! I had to take a little hiatus and have a big ole shindig for my daughter graduating from high school! I know I know, I don’t look old enough to have a daughter that old…hehehehe. I wish! Any who, we had a wonderful time celebrating with family and friends most…
I have been working on a unit because I want to reteach prefixes, suffixes, and stem words next week before our state exam. I introduce them throughout the year and use a week to revisit, study, and test. I spend about an hour a day so if you don’t have that much time to…
Do your students struggle with the concept of finding words on the same page as the guide words? When I have my students write a list of words in ABC order, I am pleased with their progress. However, when I ask them to circle the word on the same page as the given guide words,…
This is the perfect time of year to teach limericks! Leprechauns and St. Patty fun! Speaking of fun, I have to share my wonderful time in DC! I got to see some great family and friends for my actual birthday. I know I celebrate Pamuary but this was the actual day! My brother even had…
Do you need a new reading log? Half-way through last quarter I got tired (or worn slap out as they say in the south) of my sameo sameo reading log. I created this so my students would have to read and respond to both fiction and nonfiction each week. NOW that is Common Core! I…
I can’t believe Christmas is right around the corner! It is the most exciting time of the year for my little elves and for me! I love the ho ho holidays! With that being said, enjoy a gift of similes! Click below for the freebie! I am going to post freebies throughout the holiday season…
My students love mysteries! After my fourth graders picked a good mystery book and read it from cover to cover, we created Mystery Book Reports. This is included in my Book Reports That Motivate! 1. Decorate a title page. 2. Write a summary with suspense all the way up until "who did it." ...
These were so stinkin fun! I started off by telling my fourth graders they were going to read some Nursery Rhymes and they all looked at me like I was off my rocker. Then I looked at them and said, “Oh, I thought I was in a Kindergarden class! I think we should do them…