Category Archives : FREE LESSONS


Free Thesis Writing Poster

Description

As any English teacher can tell you, the thesis statement is the most important part of the essay. It defines the arguments and orients the reader. Unfortunately, many students have difficulty with the thesis statement. This is why I have created the “7 Steps to Writing an Effective Thesis Statement” poster.

The poster is a step by step guide on how to write the thesis starting with selecting a topic the student understands and walks them through the process until the end.

I am making the poster available in different formats for the facility of use in the classroom:

❒ The first format measures 70 cm (27.6 inches) (easy printing) PDF

❒ The second format measure 97 cm (38.2) – information can be more easily read from further away (easy printing) PDF

❒ One smaller poster PDF

❒ An image format JPEG

You may also be interested in the following products:

Creative Writing Bundle

Essay Writing Flip Book

Free Thesis Writing Activity

Inference Cheat Sheet

Teaching the Essay Package

Thesis Writing Activity

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
4 different formats of posters
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


February 2021 Teacher Talk

Posted by Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern 

Welcome to our February Teacher Talk.  All of us from the Teacher Talk collaborative would like wish you a Happy February.  We have so many fab tips this month from Math, ELA and reading ideas, to High interest learning and our featured author for the month, you don’t want to miss reading these blog posts from some awesome educators.

If you’re interested in joining this unique group of teacher entrepreneurs, blogging buddies and/or our blog linky, sign up here….The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative. If you decide to join, “Feel free to email me at deann.marin@gmail.com for any questions you might have.”
***********************************
 
Chaos at the Capitol, How Do You Talk to Your Students About It?

You’re a middle school teacher, you and your 11 year old have just turned on the television to watch the news. What you see in front of you nearly blows you away, you rub your eyes, no, you’re not imagining it, there’s a riot at the United States Capitol.

***********************************
 
Small Moment Stories

Small moment stories and a Faith Ringgold author study for “March is Reading Month”.

***********************************
 
Tried & True Fraction Freebies

What are you teaching in math right now? We are exploring fractions but doing this virtually has needed some thinking outside the box! Here are some of my tried & true activities and websites to use.

***********************************
 
5 Tips to Changing the Atmosphere in your Classroom
Learn 6 easy tips to help you improve the reading skills of your most reluctant readers.

**********************************

See You Later Alligator

By Vicky A. Rauch of Scipi

How do you teach your students how to use the greater than and less than symbol without having alligators in your lesson?

***********************************
 
How to Unstruggle Struggling Readers

Now that the first semester is over, have you recognized your struggling readers? Teachers are very busy teaching, teaching, teaching…but is everyone learning and retaining?
***********************************

Five Capitalization Hints
Here are 5 capitalization hints that will help your students write correctly.

***********************************

 
Cool Google Slides Tips and Tricks

CUE Los Angeles just had their CUE Palooza today and my mind is blown ? by everything I did not know about Google slides. I’m going to give you a few of the tips and tricks I learned today.
***********************************

 
Easy Tips to Sneak in Test Prep Activities

Learn easy tips for sneaking engaging test prep into your upper elementary or middle school classroom.

***********************************
 

Michelle Webb – Teacher Talk’s Featured Author

By Victoria Leone of The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs

Michelle Webb of “Teaching Ideas For Those Who Love Teaching” is Teacher Talk’s Featured Author. Learn more about this National Board Certified Teacher. Your students will enjoy her free product, Paul Bunyan Reading Lesson on Hyperbole and Pop Up Book!
***********************************

My Rule #5 for Teaching Middle School
My rule #5 in a series of how to bring out the best behavior in middle school students. Includes ideas of high-interest topics you can use for reading and writing activities.

***********************************

 
 

 

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


Free: Group and Skit Evaluation Rubric

Description

Group work is always tricky to evaluate because there is so much going on. In addition, as educators, we are required to give detailed feedback on students’ performances.

I created this FREE document to make the teacher’s job easier, and to allow students to be responsible for their success as well.

Self-evaluation grids are a great way to guide students in their evaluations. Students will know exactly what is expected of them and will be made responsible for their success. This package can also easily be changed to be used as peer evaluations.

This self-evaluation grid will help students as well as teachers to assess students’ group work. When students use this grid to assess their work, there are no surprises when they receive their final mark. This grid, in particular, allows the students to become organized and responsible for their individual parts.

These self-evaluation grids are also very helpful to teachers:

❒ Helps the teacher justify the final mark;

❒ Helps to identify students’ weaknesses and strengths;

❒ Helps parents and students better understand the task required;

❒ Helps teachers create rubrics for the final evaluation.

Because of formatting issues, this package was created in a PDF document, but I can easily email you a Word file to be easily modified and changed according to the individual teacher’s needs.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Creating a Board Game Assessment Tool

ELA Report Card Comments

I Have, Who Has? Game for Teaching Figurative Language & Poetry

Opinion Piece Bundle

Rubrics: Self-Evaluation Bundle

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
2 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


Free: Creating a board Game Assessment Tool

Description

Assess your students’ knowledge of literature with this fun and creative evaluation. Not only will your students learn by creating a game, but other will learn as well by playing it.

This is a self-evaluation (and teacher assessment) rubric to guide students and teachers in the evaluation process.)

This rubric was created to help students understand exactly what is expected of them for this evaluation. It is also an excellent tool to assess students’ progress and final product.

This self-assessment rubric is part of the bundle as well.

Self-evaluation grids are a great way to guide students in their evaluations. Students will know exactly what is expected of them and will be made responsible for their own success. This package can also easily be changed to be used as peer-evaluations.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Group Work Assessment Tool

Figurative Language & Poetic Devices Jeopardy Game

I Have, Who Has? Game for Teaching Figurative Language & Poetry
Rubrics: Self-Evaluation Bundle

Thesis Writing Activity

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
3 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


Free Exploring the Elements of Fiction in Creative Writing

Description

As an introduction to story writing and the creative writing process, these visual notes are a great way for students to understand what that process is and what it is not.

Note sheet includes the following topics:

❒ What makes a story good?

❒ What about the plot?

❒ Narrative unity

❒ Building suspense

❒ Includes practical examples as explanations

The resource also includes a chart to help students think about the important elements in their own stories.

Please see the preview for more details.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Building Suspense in Creative Writing

Creating Characters in Creative Writing

Creative Writing Activity

Creative Writing Bundle

Introduction to Creative Writing

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
2 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


Free Poster: Developing Themes in Literature

Description

This is a nice visual to help students remember the process of developing themes.

Free Poster to help students remember the steps to take when developing themes in literature.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Analyze This!

English Grammar Cheat Sheet

Inference Cheat Sheet

Superhero Themed Parts of Speech Posters

Thesis Writing Poster

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
1 page
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


Free Inference Cheat Sheet

Description

Do your students insert examples and quotes into their texts without properly analyzing them? Without proper analysis, an essay can sound like a long, drawn-out list written in complete sentences. We teach students to infer and to analyze, but they sometimes forget to incorporate this into their texts and essays.

I have created an “Inference Cheat Sheet” with key inferencing words and phrases to remind students that after inserting a piece of evidence, they need to explain its relevance.

Included are:

❒ Two different styles of the at-a-glance “Cheat Sheet.”

❒ An inference poster (8.5×11) – as seen on the cover.

❒ Two different styles of letters for an inference bulletin board.

❒ A copy of ALL the phrases used on the Cheat Sheet to create a bulletin board in class.

I hope that this resource will be helpful to students in your classes.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Analyze This!

English Grammar Cheat Sheet

Essay Writing Flip Book

Parts of Speech Grammar Circles

Poster: Developing Themes in Literature

Teaching the Essay Package

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
24 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


Free Poetry Lesson on Metaphors

Description

This FREE lesson is a sample from one of my complete units on poetry. See the links below for more information.

❒ Lesson 4 (from the Thematic Poetry Unit) : Fun with metaphors – This lesson includes a journal prompt, a “Fun with Metaphors” worksheet to help students further understand metaphors, students will analyze William Blake’s “A Poison Tree,” and will complete the worksheet on the poem.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

An editable version the Thematic Poetry Unit can also be purchased using this link: ***EDITABLE Thematic Poetry Unit

Click here for a non-editable version of the unit Thematic Poetry Unit

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Description of the Thematic Poetry Unit – Summary of lessons included:

❒ Lesson 1: Introduction to poetry – Includes a journal prompt, notes on how to approach poetry, an activity to familiarize students with poetry further, and a review on figurative language (with notes.)

❒ Lesson 2: Figurative Language Review – The lesson includes a journal prompt (a creative poetry activity), students will play Figurative Language Jeopardy (PPT) to review figurative language.

❒ Lesson 3: Introduction to analysis – The lesson includes a journal prompt, students will learn to analyze poetry using Walt Whitman’s “When I heard the Learn’d Astronomer” and “The Quiet Patient Spider.”

❒ Lesson 4: Fun with metaphors – This lesson includes a journal prompt, a “Fun with Metaphors” worksheet to help students further understand metaphors, students will analyze William Blake’s “A Poison Tree,” and will complete the worksheet on the poem.

❒ Lesson 5: Fun with allusions – This lesson begins with a journal prompt, a “Fun with Allusions” worksheet, students analyze Simon and Garfunkel’s song “The Sound of Silence.” (poem not included) However, a blank (editable) page is included in the document to paste the lyrics from the internet. This will help you create a more cohesive looking unit.

❒ Lesson 6: Tone and Attitude – Students will do a video (or song version) comparison analysis by completing the “Video Comparison” worksheet.

❒ Lesson 7: Symbolism – Students will complete the “Fun with Idioms” worksheet, will analyze Robert Frost’s poems “The Road not Taken” and “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” they will complete the worksheets for both poems, and learn how to write a PEEL paragraph using the notes provided.

❒ Lesson 8: Writing about poetry – This is a writing clinic of sorts where students will learn to identify strong topic sentences and well-developed paragraphs. An example of a well-developed paragraph is included.

❒ Lesson 9: Historical allusions: This lesson begins with a journal prompt, students will analyze Cara Dillon’s song “There were Roses” and complete the accompanying worksheet. (Please note that this poem is not included.)

❒ Lesson 10: Thematic connections – Students will work in collaborative groups on the “Thematic Connections” worksheet, which compares two of the poems studied in the unit. *An optional activity is included: Students will write a comparative paragraph comparing one similar theme in both poems. An example of a paragraph is included.

❒ Lesson 11: Allusions and analysis – this lesson begins with a journal prompt, The study of Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave” by watching a Ted Talk, analyzing Mumford and Son’s song “The Cave,” and completing the worksheet. (Please note that the song lyrics are not included.)

❒ Lesson 12: Connections – students will learn to make important connections in poetry by completing the worksheets of the “Battle of the Pronouns” and “Cave vs. Cave” to further develop the themes in Mumford and Son’s song “The Cave.”

❒ Lesson 13: Theme review – Students will refine and review how to develop a theme in a poem (which applies to any work of literature) by completing the worksheet “The Cave – Themes and Meanings,” students will then write a theme in paragraph form.

❒ Lesson 14: Evaluation (test) – editable with answer key and comment sheet to facilitate marking

You may also be interested in the following products:

Free Thesis Writing Activity

Poetry Lesson: Analyzing Poetry

Poetry Unit for Senior Students

Teaching the Essay Package

The Yellow Wallpaper No Prep Mini-Unit

Much Ado About Nothing No Prep Unit

❒Brave New World Student Notebook

Essay Writing Flip Book

Frankenstein Bundle

Hamlet Bundle

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
7 pages
Answer Key
Included
Teaching Duration
55 minutes


December 2020 Teacher Talk

Posted by Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

It’s December and time for our holiday version of Teacher Talk. Getting ready for the holiday festivities or just looking for some great ideas. You don’t want to miss what these creative educators are doing this month.
If you’re interested in joining this unique group of teacher entrepreneurs, blogging buddies and/or our blog linky, sign up here….The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative.  If you decide to join, “Feel free to email me at deann.marin@gmail.com if you have any questions”
*********************************************

An Amazing Holiday Values Lesson To Use Right Now!

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

I woke up this morning, December 20, 2020 and thought about how much things have changed since the pandemic, staying away from those we love, prejudice against those who are different, a separation of so many people in this country, bullying, and distance learning. This has been a very sad and stressful time in our lives.*********************************************

Hope is Just AheadBy Retta London of Rainbow City Learning

Adding hope to a New Years goal setting activity.
*********************************************

Virtual Math Games to Engage Student Learning

By Kathie Yonemura of Tried and True Teaching Tools

One of my struggles during distance learning has been how to keep students engaged during math. Breakout rooms have been the perfect solution! I digitized a few of the games I used to print out and laminate. They are no-prep and ready to use!
*********************************************

When was the last time you took time for YOU?

By Renee Heiss of All-American Teacher Tools

You’ve been creating virtual lessons, implementing virtual rewards and discipline procedures, and possibly keeping up with in-class separation shenanigans, as well. It’s overwhelming and not what you signed up for, right? Here are some ideas to help you relax and enjoy a small part of your day or week so you tell yourself that you are special (channeling Mr. Rogers here!)*********************************************

My Rule #3 for Teaching Middle School

By Katie Auer of Loving Language Arts

 #3 in a series of tips for Teaching Middle School*********************************************

Civility in the Classroom

By Charlene Tess of Charlene Tess

Teaching civility in the classroom is a must.

*********************************************

The Gift of No Homework

By Gini Musmanno of Reading Spotlight

Why not try giving students the gift of NO HOMEWORK this holiday season? For a week? For a month? For EVER?

*********************************************

3 Easy Tips to Increase Engagement and Learning During Grammar Lessons

By Marcy Howe of It’s a Teacher Thing

Learn easy tips for increasing engagement and learning during your grammar lessons.
*********************************************


Make sure you take a look at all the tips from our extraordinary educators.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


Free: Inference Cheat Sheet

Description

Do your students insert examples and quotes into their texts without properly analyzing them? Without proper analysis, an essay can sound like a long, drawn-out list written in complete sentences. We teach students to infer and to analyze, but they sometimes forget to incorporate this into their texts and essays.

I have created an “Inference Cheat Sheet” with key inferencing words and phrases to remind students that after inserting a piece of evidence, they need to explain its relevance.

Included are:

❒ Two different styles of the at-a-glance “Cheat Sheet.”

❒ An inference poster (8.5×11) – as seen on the cover.

❒ Two different styles of letters for an inference bulletin board.

❒ A copy of ALL the phrases used on the Cheat Sheet to create a bulletin board in class.

I hope that this resource will be helpful to students in your classes.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Analyze This!

English Grammar Cheat Sheet

Essay Writing Flip Book

Parts of Speech Grammar Circles

Poster: Developing Themes in Literature

Teaching the Essay Package

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
24 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


Free: Thesis Writing Poster

Description

As any English teacher can tell you, the thesis statement is the most important part of the essay. It defines the arguments and orients the reader. Unfortunately, many students have difficulty with the thesis statement. This is why I have created the “7 Steps to Writing an Effective Thesis Statement” poster.

The poster is a step by step guide on how to write the thesis starting with selecting a topic the student understands and walks them through the process until the end.

I am making the poster available in different formats for the facility of use in the classroom:

❒ The first format measures 70 cm (27.6 inches) (easy printing) PDF

❒ The second format measure 97 cm (38.2) – information can be more easily read from further away (easy printing) PDF

❒ One smaller poster PDF

❒ An image format JPEG

You may also be interested in the following products:

Creative Writing Bundle

Essay Writing Flip Book

Free Thesis Writing Activity

Inference Cheat Sheet

Teaching the Essay Package

Thesis Writing Activity

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
4 different formats of posters
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


Teacher Talk November 2020

 Posted by Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

It’s November Teacher Talk Time…..Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. Time sure flies.  We have so many great tips andideas for you from awesome educators. Be sure to take a look at what everyone has to say.If you’re interested in joining this unique group of teacher entrepreneurs, blogging buddies and/or our blog link-up, sign up here….The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative. If you decide to join, “Feel free to email me at deann.marin@gmail.com if you have any questions”
*********************************************

Holiday Indulgence

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

The holidays are fast approaching and if you’re anything like me, you will indulge in the things you love to eat and drink. Of course, I’d rather eat than drink, but there are some delicious cocktails that I can’t resist. It’s tough when you have to get up the next morning feeling physically and mentally unfit to do anything.
*********************************************

Telling Our Stories

By Retta London of Rainbow City Learning

Easing into personal narrative writing for catharsis as well as instruction.

*********************************************

It’s Up To You!

By Gini Musmanno of Reading Spotlight

Yes, teachers, it IS up to you! The 2020 election brought different kinds of fears and tears to most, for different reasons. But one glaring term stood out: “uneducated.” I have something to say about that.
*********************************************

Using FREE Milk Lid Jug Lids for Hands-On Math Activities

By Vicky Rauch of Scipi Products

Start saving milk jug lids because there are countless hands-on math activities you can do in your classroom using this free manipulative. In my latest blog post, I give you four ideas that can be used with a whole group, small groups or as math center activities.
*********************************************

Help with the Active and Passive Voice of Verbs

By Charlene Tess of Charlene Tess

Using the Active Voice will make your writing more efficient and compelling.
*********************************************

How to Teach Grammar Skills So Kids Remember

By Marcy Howe of It’s a Teacher Thing

Learn 3 easy tips to make your grammar lessons meaningful and fun. Increase student engagement and learning by adding simple grammar activities to enhance your grammar lessons.
******************************************

When was the last time you took time for YOU?

By Renee Heiss of All American Teacher Tools

You’ve been creating virtual lessons, implementing virtual rewards and discipline procedures, and possibly keeping up with in-class separation shenanigans, as well. It’s overwhelming and not what you signed up for, right? Here are some ideas to help you relax and enjoy a small part of your day or week so you tell yourself that you are special (channeling Mr. Rogers here!)
******************************************

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


Free: Inference Cheat Sheet

Description

Do your students insert examples and quotes into their texts without properly analyzing them? Without proper analysis, an essay can sound like a long, drawn-out list written in complete sentences. We teach students to infer and to analyze, but they sometimes forget to incorporate this into their texts and essays.

I have created an “Inference Cheat Sheet” with key inferencing words and phrases to remind students that after inserting a piece of evidence, they need to explain its relevance.

Included are:

❒ Two different styles of the at-a-glance “Cheat Sheet.”

❒ An inference poster (8.5×11) – as seen on the cover.

❒ Two different styles of letters for an inference bulletin board.

❒ A copy of ALL the phrases used on the Cheat Sheet to create a bulletin board in class.

I hope that this resource will be helpful to students in your classes.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Analyze This!

English Grammar Cheat Sheet

Essay Writing Flip Book

Parts of Speech Grammar Circles

Poster: Developing Themes in Literature

Teaching the Essay Package

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
24 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


Free Poetry Lesson on Metaphors

Description

This FREE lesson is a sample from one of my complete units on poetry. See the links below for more information.

❒ Lesson 4 (from the Thematic Poetry Unit) : Fun with metaphors – This lesson includes a journal prompt, a “Fun with Metaphors” worksheet to help students further understand metaphors, students will analyze William Blake’s “A Poison Tree,” and will complete the worksheet on the poem.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

An editable version the Thematic Poetry Unit can also be purchased using this link: ***EDITABLE Thematic Poetry Unit

Click here for a non-editable version of the unit Thematic Poetry Unit


You may also be interested in the following products:

Free Thesis Writing Activity

Poetry Lesson: Analyzing Poetry

Poetry Unit for Senior Students

Teaching the Essay Package

The Yellow Wallpaper No Prep Mini-Unit

Much Ado About Nothing No Prep Unit

❒Brave New World Student Notebook

Essay Writing Flip Book

Frankenstein Bundle

Hamlet Bundle

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
7 pages
Answer Key
Included
Teaching Duration
55 minutes


FREE MATH LESSON – Geometry – The Pythagorean Theorem – Distances and Lengths of Line Segments

Includes:

1. Guided Practice

2. Your Turn (student) examples

3. Practice Exercise

4. Answer Key

This is another way to look at the distance between two points or the length of the line segment in Geometry. Graph the two points on an x-y-coordinate plane. Sketch a right triangle with the line segment as the hypotenuse of the right triangle. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the segment or the distance between the points.

Other Geometry Products:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Geometry-Lesson-Plans-Bundled-Products-5459867

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Rectangles-Rhombuses-and-Squares-in-Geometry-5689431

Mr. D Math Class


FREE Frankenstein Debate

Description

The Frankenstein Debate Package includes topics for students, a Procedure Sheet to help teachers take notes during the debate, as well as an evaluation sheet.

This free activity is part of a larger unit:

Frankenstein No Prep Unit

I hope you enjoy this resource.

You may also be interested in the following products:


Frankenstein Activity

Frankenstein Bundle

Frankenstein Workbook

Paragraph Writing Activity (Frankenstein)

The Yellow Wallpaper No Prep Mini-Unit

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
4 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


October Teacher Talk 2020

Posted by Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

It’s October Teacher Talk Time…..Well, the first month of school is over and it’s BOO-tober, time for Halloween fun, Columbus Day, Stop Bullying Month and beautiful fall weather. We have so many great tips and ideas for you from awesome educators. Be sure to take a look at what everyone has to say.
If you’re interested in joining this unique group of teacher entrepreneurs, blogging buddies and/or our blog linky, sign up here….The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative. If you decide to join, be sure to mention one of our names.


????????????????????
Searching for Our Future Selves

By Retta London of Rainbow City Learning

Adding futuristic thinking to your reading and writing practice.


????????????????????


A Peek Into Learning

By Kathie Yonemura of Tried and True Teaching Tools

For all the grumbling about distance learning (and there is a lot of grumbling!), there are also some perks! I have a love-hate relationship with classroom bulletin boards. They are such a pain to put up, then you have to change them frequently and other than during Open House, no one actually looks at them! Anyone else?


????????????????????


Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

For my teacher friends who are torn about going back to school physically, or teaching using a hybrid model, these times are challenging.  If you are someone who HAS to go into your classroom, you are literally risking your life and possibly those around you. You probably stay up many nights tossing and turning over what you should do.  While those of you who teach through distance learning have to acquire new skills, and let’s face it, not all of us are tech savvy. It’s hard enough doing what you all love to do but Covid19 is making it difficult if not impossible for you. So how do you function when feeling emotionally drained and stressed out. In some of my other posts, I’ve mentioned Qigong as a way to relieve stress, there are also homeopathic remedies that may help. 

????????????????????


Using Glyphs to Gather Information, Interpret Data and Follow Directions By Vicky Rauch of Scipi

A glyph is a non-standard way of graphing information to tell a story. It is a flexible data representation tool that uses symbols to represent different data. Glyphs are an innovative instrument that shows several pieces of data at once and necessitates a legend or a key to understand the glyph. They require problem solving, communication, and data organization.


????????????????????


Boo! Meow! Eek!Woo! Ha-Ha- Haaaa!

http://www.readingspotlight.com/boo-meow-eek-woooha-ha-haaaa/

Reading poetry helps students improve fluency because the natural rhythm of most poems enhances ease of expression. Adding sound effects to group or individual Halloween readings incorporates pleasure into reading aloud, often a difficult task for beginning and struggling readers. Read this post to find out how to throw in even more levity.


????????????????????


Tips for Knowing When to Use Who, That, and Which

By Charlene Tess of Charlene Tess

Choosing between the the relative pronouns who, that, and which is an important decision. Using the correct word will help you say what you mean and get your point across successfully.


????????????????????


3-Easy Tips for Making Grammar Fun

By Marcy How of It’s a Teacher Thing

Learn 3 easy tips for adding fun to your grammar instruction and increase student learning and engagement.


????????????????????


Teacher Self Care During Distance Learning

By Michelle Webb of Teaching Ideas for Those Who Love Teaching

Tips to take care of yourself during distance learning.


????????????????????
Coding with the Littles

By Lisa Robles of LisaTeachR’s Classroom

Have you done coding with your littles? I’m currently doing Scratch Jr. with my Kindergartners and they are loving it. What is Scratch Jr.? It’s a programming language that lets kids ages 5-7 create stories and games. Kids use blocks to create the code.


????????????????????

Be sure to check out the block posts from all of our members.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


Free Poetry Lesson on Metaphors

Description

This FREE lesson is a sample from one of my complete units on poetry. See the links below for more information.

❒ Lesson 4 (from the Thematic Poetry Unit) : Fun with metaphors – This lesson includes a journal prompt, a “Fun with Metaphors” worksheet to help students further understand metaphors, students will analyze William Blake’s “A Poison Tree,” and will complete the worksheet on the poem.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Free Thesis Writing Activity

Poetry Lesson: Analyzing Poetry

Poetry Unit for Senior Students

Teaching the Essay Package

The Yellow Wallpaper No Prep Mini-Unit

Much Ado About Nothing No Prep Unit

❒Brave New World Student Notebook

Essay Writing Flip Book

Frankenstein Bundle

Hamlet Bundle

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
7 pages
Answer Key
Included
Teaching Duration
55 minutes


Free: Exploring the Elements of Fiction in Creative Writing

Product Description

As an introduction to story writing and the creative writing process, these visual notes are a great way for students to understand what that process is and what it is not.

Note sheet includes the following topics:

❒ What makes a story good?

❒ What about the plot?

❒ Narrative unity

❒ Building suspense

❒ Includes practical examples as explanations

The resource also includes a chart to help students think about the important elements in their own stories.

Please see the preview for more details.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Building Suspense in Creative Writing

Creating Characters in Creative Writing

Creative Writing Activity

Creative Writing Bundle

Introduction to Creative Writing

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
2 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


Free Poetry Lesson on Metaphors

Product Description

This FREE lesson is a sample from one of my complete units on poetry. See the links below for more information.

❒ Lesson 4 (from the Thematic Poetry Unit) : Fun with metaphors – This lesson includes a journal prompt, a “Fun with Metaphors” worksheet to help students further understand metaphors, students will analyze William Blake’s “A Poison Tree,” and will complete the worksheet on the poem.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Free Thesis Writing Activity

Poetry Lesson: Analyzing Poetry

Poetry Unit for Senior Students

Teaching the Essay Package

The Yellow Wallpaper No Prep Mini-Unit

Much Ado About Nothing No Prep Unit

❒Brave New World Student Notebook

Essay Writing Flip Book

Frankenstein Bundle

Hamlet Bundle

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
7 pages
Answer Key
Included
Teaching Duration
55 minutes


August 2020 Teacher Talk

Posted by Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern


It’s August Teacher Talk Time…..Hopefully you have a wonderful year whether you are physically in your classroom, using a hybrid model, or distance learning.  We have so many great tips and ideas for you from awesome educators. Be sure to take a look at what everyone has to say.

If you’re interested in joining this unique group of teacher entrepreneurs, blogging buddies and/or our blog linky, sign up here….The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative. If you decide to join, be sure to mention one of our names.

           ✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

Qigong For Stress Relief and Well Being

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern 

 It’s the beginning of a new school year and boy have things changed. Some of you will be doing hybrid teaching, others will be in the classroom. If we’re to survive in this new world of ours, we need to deal with stress, discomfort, anxiety, tension, depression, fear about getting ill, anger, as well as physical and emotional pain.

 ✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

 Getting the Most of Out of Distance Learning

By Kathie Yonemura of Tried and True Teaching Tools

This begins my 34th year of teaching. I did not yet own a personal computer in 1987, let alone have a computer in the classroom! Times have changed, yet effective teaching practices have not.

  ✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

 Bitmoji Virtual Classrooms

By Retta London of Rainbow City Learning 

Some thoughts on the bitmoji virtual classroom explosion. Will it work for you? 

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

  A Retired Teacher’s COVID-19 Journey

 By Renee Heiss of All American Teacher Tools

Read how I transformed from a purple ditto creating first year teacher to a retired teacher learning to create Bitmojis. It has been an interesting journey!

   ✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

A Silver Lining

By Gini Musmanno of Reading Spotlight

 Is there a silver lining for teachers, parents, and students in the midst of all our significant pandemic afflictions? Perhaps, a few…

     ✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

Five Assumptions about Distance Learning-Why it’s Not Working for Every Child!

By Vicki Rauch of Scipi

My husband and I have taught together for over 80 years. We continue to do so because we love what we do; however, we are very disturbed by the terms Virtual Learning or Distance Learning or On-Line Learning. Now don’t get the idea that because we are “old”, we don’t or can’t use technology. Technology is part of our lives, especially in our teaching, but when we hear Distance Learning, many people make assumptions that simply aren’t true.

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

 Tips for Sequencing When Reading and Writing

By Charlene Tess of Charlene Tess

Tips to help students with narrative writing. 

 ✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

3-Tips for Distance Learning Classroom First Week Success

By Marcy Howe of It’s a Teacher Thing 

 Learn 3-essential tips for a successful return to your distance learning classroom. Help start your year with community building games and important tips to set a positive tone for the school year.

 ✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

 CGI Mathematics A Research based Approach 

        By Lisa Robles of LisaTeachR’s Classroom

                        Let’s learn about CGI Mathematics A Research based Approach                

 ✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿ 

 Tips for Remote Teaching

By Michelle Webb of Teaching Ideas for Those Who Love Teaching 

7 tips to make remote teaching successful.

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

 TEACHER TALK IS BACK for the 2020-21 school year! Look for new posts from some of the best bloggers around on the third Sunday of every month! August posts are below!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


Free: Thesis Writing Poster

Product Description

As any English teacher can tell you, the thesis statement is the most important part of the essay. It defines the arguments and orients the reader. Unfortunately, many students have difficulty with the thesis statement. This is why I have created the “7 Steps to Writing an Effective Thesis Statement” poster.

The poster is a step by step guide on how to write the thesis starting with selecting a topic the student understands and walks them through the process until the end.

I am making the poster available in different formats for the facility of use in the classroom:

❒ The first format measures 70 cm (27.6 inches) (easy printing) PDF

❒ The second format measure 97 cm (38.2) – information can be more easily read from further away (easy printing) PDF

❒ One smaller poster PDF

❒ An image format JPEG

You may also be interested in the following products:

Creative Writing Bundle

Essay Writing Flip Book

Free Thesis Writing Activity

Inference Cheat Sheet

Teaching the Essay Package

Thesis Writing Activity

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
4 different formats of posters
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


Free: Analyze This! A Step-by-Step Guide to Analysis

Product Description

Analyze This! is a step-by-step guide to analyzing literature

I created this bundle to help my students understand analysis and how to apply their newfound skills to write an effective essay.

The bundle includes:

❒ A page with suggestions on how to use the bundle.

❒ Two pages explaining the difference between analysis and literary analysis.

❒ One page on how to create an effective outline (what content should be included).

❒ An exercise using the “Ant and the Grasshopper” fable to help students analyze elements of plot, characterization, symbolism, theme, and setting.

❒ An answer sheet with detailed information.

❒ Instructions on how to use the above information to focus a topic and write a thesis statement.

❒ An outline activity – students need to complete an outline using a given thesis statement.

❒ An answer key (with a possible outline) to help student compare their outline with this one.

The bundle includes 13 pages and two to three days worth of lessons.

This is a practical and simple way to guide students through the analytical process.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Creative Writing Bundle

ELA Literature Study Unit

Essay Writing Flip Book

Free Thesis Writing Activity

Teaching the Essay Package

Thesis Writing Poster

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
10 pages
Answer Key
Included
Teaching Duration
2 days


Free: Creating a board Game Assessment Tool

Product Description

Assess your students’ knowledge of literature with this fun and creative evaluation. Not only will your students learn by creating a game, but other will learn as well by playing it.

This is a self-evaluation (and teacher assessment) rubric to guide students and teachers in the evaluation process.)

This rubric was created to help students understand exactly what is expected of them for this evaluation. It is also an excellent tool to assess students’ progress and final product.

This self-assessment rubric is part of the bundle as well.

Self-evaluation grids are a great way to guide students in their evaluations. Students will know exactly what is expected of them and will be made responsible for their own success. This package can also easily be changed to be used as peer-evaluations.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Group Work Assessment Tool

Figurative Language & Poetic Devices Jeopardy Game

I Have, Who Has? Game for Teaching Figurative Language & Poetry


Rubrics: Self-Evaluation Bundle

Thesis Writing Activity

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
3 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


Free: Frankenstein Activity

Product Description

Who is the real monster in Frankenstein?

This activity has been designed to help students to understand the creature’s character. Is he a friend, or is he an enemy? Is he solely responsible for his misery?

This activity helps to develop students’ argumentation skills in a fun and meaningful way.

This free activity is part of a larger unit:

Frankenstein No Prep Unit

I hope you enjoy it.

You may also be interested in the following products:


Frankenstein Bundle

Frankenstein Activity

Frankenstein Workbook

Paragraph Writing Activity (Frankenstein)

The Yellow Wallpaper No Prep Mini-Unit

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
2 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
1 hour


Free: Super Hero Themed Parts of Speech Posters

Product Description

FREE Super Hero themed Parts of Speech Posters are a great visual way to teach students to remember the nature of words. This is a great addition to any language arts class.

You may also be interested in the following products:

English Grammar Cheat Sheet

How to Write a Paragraph

Parts of Speech Grammar Circles

Sentences Grammar Circles For Easy & Effective Grammar

Spelling Flip Book

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
10 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


Free: Inference Cheat Sheet

Product Description

Do your students insert examples and quotes into their texts without properly analyzing them? Without proper analysis, an essay can sound like a long, drawn-out list written in complete sentences. We teach students to infer and to analyze, but they sometimes forget to incorporate this into their texts and essays.

I have created an “Inference Cheat Sheet” with key inferencing words and phrases to remind students that after inserting a piece of evidence, they need to explain its relevance.

Included are:

❒ Two different styles of the at-a-glance “Cheat Sheet.”

❒ An inference poster (8.5×11) – as seen on the cover.

❒ Two different styles of letters for an inference bulletin board.

❒ A copy of ALL the phrases used on the Cheat Sheet to create a bulletin board in class.

I hope that this resource will be helpful to students in your classes.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Analyze This!

English Grammar Cheat Sheet

Essay Writing Flip Book

Parts of Speech Grammar Circles

Poster: Developing Themes in Literature

Teaching the Essay Package

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
24 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


Free Poster: Developing Themes in Literature

Product Description

This is a nice visual to help students remember the process of developing themes.

Free Poster to help students remember the steps to take when developing themes in literature.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Analyze This!

English Grammar Cheat Sheet

Inference Cheat Sheet

Superhero Themed Parts of Speech Posters

Thesis Writing Poster

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
1 page
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A


FREE Thesis Writing Activity

Product Description

Thesis writing is often an abstract concept for students and it is one of the most important things to know when writing an essay.

This FREE activity will help students to correct problematic thesis statements, while learning how to compose their own.

There are lessons for two periods prepared for you :

1) Attempting to write a thesis statement based on the following topic: Do we have the right to play God when it comes to human life?

2) Group activity where students must identify the weaknesses in 5 thesis statements and rewrite them to make them better.

Included:

❒ A comprehensive lesson plan (two days)

❒ The Student Activity Sheet

❒ Comprehensive Answer Sheet

5 pages total

You may also be interested in the following resources:

Essay Writing Flip Book

Teaching the Essay Package

Thesis Writing Activity

Thesis Writing Poster

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
5 pages
Answer Key
Included
Teaching Duration
2 days


Free Poetry Lesson: Analyzing Poetry (NO PREP)

Product Description

FREE LESSON – This mini-unit on Walt Whitman’s “I Heard the Learned Astronomer” and “A Noiseless, Patient Spider,” teaches students how to analyze poetry. Students must learn to observe, connect, make inferences, and draw conclusions on themes.

This mini-guide includes:

❒ a detailed lesson plan for the teacher

❒ poems for students

❒ answer key and poetry annotation

This mini-guide includes six pages. I hope you enjoy it.

You may also be interested in the following products:


Analyze This!

ELA Literature Study Unit

Figurative Language & Poetic Devices Jeopardy Game

I Have, Who Has? Game for Teaching Figurative Language & Poetry

Poetry Unit for Senior Students

Poster: Developing Themes in Literature

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
6 pages
Answer Key
Included
Teaching Duration
90 minutes