Fun Countdown Timers for the Classroom

…might actually be distracting! Fortunately, Online Stopwatch does have a few plain timers, too. You can even create your own custom countdown timer by choosing a timer, the ending sound,…

Spontaneity Brings Math to Life!

…like the idea of having students create puppets from 3D shapes, feel free to use the patterns from this free assortment of 3D shape nets that I created to save…

Taking the Mystery out of Vocabulary Study

…they are better able to comprehend what they read and express themselves in writing. Unfortunately, it can be a challenge to find vocabulary lessons that are motivating and fun for…

The Core of Effective Discussions

…text? How is the main idea supported by specific details?” You can create these questions yourself, but I’ve done the work for you by creating sets of Common Core Discussion…

Falling in Love … With a Poem

…words to create their poems because something touched them deeply. Amazed them. Tickled them. They write because they want to share these feelings with others. They write—as I do—because we…

Gearing Up for Next Generation Science

…that can’t be knocked down by a tornado for the Wizard of OZ. Create a zip line for Peter Pan. Plan a prototype for a new castle for Cinderella. All…

Teaching Informational Text with Magazines

…available through Amazon.com, so you can create a DonorsChoose.org proposal for a variety of children’s magazines. The prices range between $15 and $33 per subscription, so you could request up…

Teaching Children Not to Be Rude!

…than showing kindness Injustice –An injustice may create feelings of envy, demoralization, depression, or outrage. Stress – People who are overworked or overwhelmed may be indifferent to those around them….

Tips for Grading Cooperative Learning Lessons

…with this dilemma for a few years, I created the Team Project Evaluation Form shown below as a way of evaluating the participation of individual team members in group projects….

Teaching Kids to Express Appreciation

…their owners. This activity worked so beautifully with my students that I created these two freebies to share with you. You can use the Team Thanks gratitude before the Thanksgiving…