Student learning is no accident!
Paragraph writing problems solved For years, paragraph writing in my fifth and sixth grade classrooms has relied on the colors of a stoplight. Most students do well with the formulaic nature and paragraph organization that is embedded within this model. I’ve had two problems gnawing at me though. The first problem is that most students get it… so there are still others… Read More
Teaching Long Division. I can almost feel the pain just typing the words. I think I have some residual PTSD from erasing a hole through my paper in Ms. Donahue’s fourth grade class in the 80’s. Guessing wrong how many times 37 “go-zin-ta” 566… and not knowing until the end of a traumatic subtraction exercise complete with WAY too much… Read More
In 2018, I toyed with the idea of digital writer’s notebooks. In 2019 I piloted it with just one class during the Writer Wednesday part of our weekly ELA warm ups. When we found ourselves in a global pandemic in 2020, I was glad I took that risk!
Every year, many of my students struggle to subtract mixed numbers when regrouping is needed. Flipping my instruction around subtracting mixed numbers has made a HUGE difference! Once I have initially launched the concept, students work through problems at their own pace. First, they attempt a problem independently. Next, they click on the problem within a digital worksheet and watch… Read More
Are you hoping for your students to read and enjoy each other’s writing? I was too! And I found it so challenging for so long. This strategy, I call the Writing Shuffle, has made all the difference. Not only do students get excited to read each other’s work- but they are thoughtful about feedback, and can engage in the entire… Read More
I’m always on the lookout for a handy student group work strategy. This one, Clock Partners, is one of my favorites! Sometimes when you prepare for group work, you stay up too late the night before making sure everyone has just the right partner. Have you been there? I have! And, honestly, even if it goes well- it leaves me… Read More
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"I'm The Hulk!" The three-year-old flexed into a wrestler's pose, baring his teeth. His parents had named him Chase. I said,...
