I always look forward to teaching figurative language in my classroom, and idioms in particular. Students get such a kick (note the idiom here) talking about and learning new idioms and we really enjoy doing some fun activities to help kids build a stronger language base. Here are seven different activities that reinforce idioms and have worked well in my classroom: 1. Draw Idioms (their literal and figurative meanings) I like to put a list on the smart board or you could also give kids a list of idioms. After having students discuss these in pairs or small groups, we meet as a class to go over any idioms that they don't yet know. I pass out paper and kids choose an idiom, draw the literal meaning on one side (what it sounds like it means) and the figurative meaning on the other side (what it really means). 2. Do Charades with Small Groups I give each small group of kids an idiom to act out in front of the class, while the class tries to guess the idiom shown. ...
Today we are going to learn about... blah... blah... blah.  Once students hear the words today we are going to learning about, a majority of them hear nothing but the blah...blah...blah.  That is why it's important to try to hook them before the lesson begins.  Peak their interest, allow them to think, get them talking, and engage them in what they will be learning about. Guess the Topic This is one of my favorite!  Before introducing the new topic, give students a collection of words related to the lesson.  Allow them to guess the topic they are about to learn about.   Play a Game That's right, play a game BEFORE you begin the lesson.  When choosing a game choose a game that activates students' prior knowledge.  For example, before beginning multiplying by multi-digit numbers we played a cooperative learning game called Ask-n-Switch to review the basic multiplication facts.   Giving Scenarios Highlight lesson objectives by giving students scen...
I don't know about you, but teaching and assessing writing is one of the hardest things we upper elementary teachers need to do.  We have students who still don't capitalize "I" and others and others who are ready to write literary essays with clear evidence, introductory clauses, and figurative language.  What's a writing teacher to do? For me, using regular and QUICK demand prompts are a great way for me to accomplish a couple of goals (I love doing 8 minute prompts...we really stress writing "fluency"--and I expect them to be able to get enough writing done in 8 minutes to work with)... 1.  To keep a constant stream of formative assessment so I have an overall "feel" of my class as a whole. 2.  To take deficit areas to build minilessons. 3.  To help track specific data so I can pull strategy groups. 4.  To help students better understand what good writing is and to help them become more reflective about their own writing. S...
I am very selective of what interactive notebook activities my students complete, because they can easily take up too much time.  In the past, I have focused on having an interactive vocabulary notebook.  The students enjoyed the activities, and I loved how simple it was to manage.  The activities are short and focused.  I wanted to expand the choices of activities but also keep the organization. I thought - wouldn't it be cool if students could actually choose what activity they wanted to complete?  A kind of choice board for interactive notebooks.  So, I decided to use math menus! What's so great about a math menu?   They will help students stay organized!  They glue the math menu at the beginning of the notebook and know what to choose from.  The page has a section for 6 activities your students can choose from.  Students LOVE choices and you can differentiate by adding activities that review and challenge students. There is a rubric at the bottom that can be...
Unless you will be out for an extended absence, it is best to leave familiar activities that offer review or extensions of prior learning. This will be beneficial to both the substitute teacher and the students.  Make plans for other staff members to check in throughout the day. Ask a neighboring teacher or grade level team member to stop by before school to see if the sub needs anything. Also, request the guidance counselor visit the class if you have any students you anticipate will feel anxious in your absence or misbehave.   Consider ditching your normal behavior plan for the day. You know your class best, so this is a decision you should base on the cohort you work with. In my experience, though the kids always act a bit differently when a sub took my place. As a result, the subs would "overuse" the behavior system and children would become upset. Instead, provide the sub with a class list and ask her to put a tally next to a child's name if she needs ...
Valentine's Day is fast approaching and in the spirit of love, the Upper Elementary Snapshots's crew and I wanted to share our favorite resources with you! We hope you are able to use many of them in your classroom. Click on the images below to download them for FREE! 1. Math Tiles: This hands-on activity not only develops critical thinking and problem solving skills, it's perfect for math centers or independent work time.   2. A fun math game that reviews addition and subtraction in 4th grade. 3. This one page Valentine's themed passage focuses on the history of conversation hearts candy and is lots of fun! It comes with a second page of comprehension questions, which targets text evidence and includes a key. This activity is included in the very complete Valentine's Day Literacy Unit for 4th/5th graders. It's loaded with passages, task cards, and more! 4. This is a quick, easy-to-prep, and engaging activity for Valentine...