The prewriting phase can be an intimidating and daunting task for many students. It's hard for young writers to come up with ideas for a topic without much life experience. It is necessary to brainstorm ideas with your students in the beginning, then gradually hand over the responsibility to students once you have taught them brainstorming strategies and skills. The brainstorming step in the ... Read More about Put Your Heads Together to Brainstorm Ideas
Essay Hook Ideas to Hook Your Students in Writing
The hook isn’t just the attention-getter at the beginning of an essay. The hook is typically written after students brainstorm ideas as part of the writing process. Get your students interested in the type of essay by playing an activity before you teach. These essay hook ideas can be used in many areas of life. It is used at the beginning of a movie, play, commercial, or when Billy Bob is telling ... Read More about Essay Hook Ideas to Hook Your Students in Writing
Students are Busy as Bees Earning Brag Bracelets
I have been using brag bracelets for over a decade. I first created them to give my birthday students something to wear as a way to feel special the entire day. I used to have a certificate waiting for the birthday student on their desk. Now, I have the brag bracelet waiting for them signaling others to know it’s their birthday too. Then I created them for my firsties as a quick way to send the ... Read More about Students are Busy as Bees Earning Brag Bracelets
Tales from a Teacher: The Light Bulb Moment
It’s math time again! Each day this week I’ve been watching my students’ eyes glaze over while teaching. Last night, I stayed up late to plan out today’s difficult lesson. As I approach the board, I review my lesson again reminding myself to use the proper math terms when teaching this strategy. Then I think to myself about how this is going to be a tricky concept for most of my students. Just ... Read More about Tales from a Teacher: The Light Bulb Moment
Peer Edit with Precision
Learn how to teach your students to peer edit essays. Peer editing is a strategy that teachers use to help students edit writing to enhance their writing skills. Benefits of Peer Editing ✅ Students can view other students' essays. ✅ High achievers can benefit from getting ideas from other students. ✅ On-target and high achievers will have their skills reinforced by helping the struggling ... Read More about Peer Edit with Precision
Use a Classroom Economy System to Get the Biggest Bang for Your Buck
Imagine a classroom management plan where you can pass something tangible out for good behavior on the spot. Students can feel the success immediately and then stay focused on engaging in their work or behave a certain way. A classroom economy can help make this happen! A classroom economy system will help students take ownership of the classroom. It can also help with learning real-world ... Read More about Use a Classroom Economy System to Get the Biggest Bang for Your Buck
