When 5th grade students are reading at a primary level or a 7th grader is still at a 3rd or 4th grade level, it can be hard to make sure they're engaged in what they're reading and don't feel embarrassed by the books they hold in class. I'm sharing why I believe you should let students reach for texts that are out of their instructional level. There are benefits to this for them, books you can use that will be less of a stretch, and other strategies you can use to support them in their reading growth and identity as a reader.
Hi-Lo Books for Struggling Middle School Readers
Do you struggle finding age appropriate books that are still accessible based on the reading level of your struggling readers? These recommendations should give you lots of ideas for which books to press into your students' hands!
15 Nonfiction Graphic Novel Recommendations
I took awhile to get on the graphic novel train, but I'm on it now! I had no idea there were many quality, nonfiction graphic novels out there, so I want to share 15 I've enjoyed - both informational and biographical. I'll take more recommendations!
7 Ideas for Using Google Slides for Collaborative Work
Google Slides are great for Collaborative Work! Think about collaborative story writing, number sense routine discussions, jigsaw reading, and more! See my periodic table project for one such idea.
10 Strategies for Avoiding Hefty Behavior Paperwork
No matter how great you are at classroom management, there will be times when you want to create individual behavior plans and when it’s necessary to the health of your classroom. Still, it should a later step in the classroom management process because it requires so much work. If you can, I encourage you to wait on an individual behavior plan until you have tried some of these ideas.
14 Fun Math Games you can Buy
I love making my own games for math class, but I also am willing to purchase something that's completely made by someone else if it's worthwhile. Here is a list of 14 games I've tried with students and enjoyed.
5 Ways to Embrace Positivity Project for Character Education
We as educators and parents have to make kids believe that we care about character. We care about WHO they become more than just WHAT they become.
5 Reasons to Try Novels in Verse for Book Clubs (plus 11 Recommendations)
Novels in Verse are quick reads that are gold mines filled with figurative language, empathy, diversity, and author style. Help your students love this genre with these recommendations.
6 Mind Games for Middle Schoolers
I love Morning Meetings with my sixth graders. Our typical Morning Meetings follow the structure from Responsive Classroom, but there are some days that we spend a lot longer on activities than others. Sprinkled throughout the year, I love to teach my students mind games. These mind games are ones that can only be done... Continue Reading →