Teacher Created Materials

Do you want to help unlock the magic of reading? There are MANY students who think reading is boring, or aren’t willing to invest in reading because they haven’t found the right book to ignite that spark of joy in them. Graphic novels have the potential to engage struggling and reluctant readers.

Using primary sources is an effective way to captivate students and get them actively involved in their learning. As a third-grade teacher, I would use documents, maps, and artifacts on a regular basis. Here are some examples and things to keep in mind when using primary sources in your classroom.

The five principles that can be used to help design effective word study instruction are not just based on opinion, they are grounded in research by recognized experts in the field, done in thousands of classrooms nationwide. Learn more about the five principles that can be used to help in designing effective vocabulary instruction.

It seems the term Social Emotional Learning or SEL is everywhere these days. For many educators, this is met with a collective sigh of relief. At long last, we are talking about more than just academics and standardized testing when it comes to providing students with a quality education. To others, however, the buzz about SEL may be cause for concern. Is SEL merely a trend? Is it just the flavor of the month that will soon fade away only to be replaced by the next big idea in education?

There is a lot of research available about attributes that positively affect student achievement.  Most of the research is centered on educational practices and what works best with our students. But I dare say, students will thrive in an environment that’s positive and uplifting where they feel safe to take risks and voice their opinion.

Wordless books can be enjoyed by all levels of emergent readers. They encourage children to apply critical visual literacy skills, which are important for today’s focus on visual images. Wordless books provide scaffolds for storytelling, vocabulary use and fluency, and language learning. Opportunities for creative dialogue and characterization abound when children “read” these stories.