When it comes to complex sentences, things quickly become... well... complex . At the mere mention of independent clauses, dependent clauses, and subordinating conjunctions, many young eyes immediately glaze over. One year, when I was about to introduce the topic of complex sentences to my fifth graders, I decided on a whim to use an image of a nurse helping a patient walk. I was amazed  by how much this simple image helped my students. I told them that the nurse in the picture was like the independent clause. Just as the nurse can stand alone, so also can an independent clause "stand alone" as a complete sentence. Then I told my students that the patient with the crutch leaning against the nurse was like the dependent clause. The patient could clearly not stand on his own, just as a dependent clause cannot stand alone, either. A dependent clause depends on the independent clause to help it be part of a complete sentence. This idea resonated so well with my students that ...

         Teaching theme is not an easy task! Not only do students need to have a strong comprehension of the story's elements (like plot, setting, and characters), but they also have to be able to make inferences to find the author's message, since most themes are not overtly stated by the author.         So, what are some of my favorite activities for helping kids understand theme? I'll list a number of them here. 1. Make an Anchor Chart         Anchor charts are a great way to make learning visual and to have a record that kids can refer to when they need a bit of extra support.          Theme may be defined in a number of ways. To me, the theme is the author's message or what he/she wants the reader to take away/learn from the story. It is a BIG idea, with a real-world or universal concern and can be applied to anyone.          Besides talking about what a theme is, you'll also want to go over what it isn't. For example, some kids confuse the...

It is hard to believe, but December is just around the corner, and it is time to start planning those December lessons.  I don't know if your December school schedule looks like mine, but we have a plethora of activities during this busy month: assembly programs, choir practice and program, Santa Shop, Christmas Village, etc. With all of these activities and busyness, it is nice to have some easy prep Christmas and December holiday themed lessons up my sleeve, and I am going to share my list with you. Best of all, these holiday activities from Upper Elementary Snapshots are free! Be sure to download all of these amazing resources for your classroom! Christmas Around the World: Italy Freebie Your students will love learning about Christmas customs around the world with this first amazing freebie from The Teacher Next Door . This activity is a great way to integrate reading strategies and social studies concepts, while learning about something fun and thematic in Decembe...

According to the US Department of Education, approximately 16 percent of high school students in the US are interested in STEM careers and have the necessary knowledge to be successful in a growing and changing global workforce. Yet, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in STEM are the fastest growing sector worldwide, with too many positions and not enough skilled adults to fill them. That has forced a whole new paradigm in teaching, one that is focused on instructing children in a way that will help them compete and be successful in future STEM-oriented careers. STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Although these subjects have always been included in the traditional curriculum, the way they are approached in the classroom is being overhauled to be more relevant to an ever-changing and technologically fast-paced world. The Difference Between STEM and STEAM A growing debate in the newly proposed STEM-based initiative is where arts ...

Starting your instructional day on the right foot is not as easy as you think. Morning routines in the classroom are a critical part of getting students focused and ready to learn for the day.  Having effective routines and meaningful morning work  is essential, but there is more to the story. Here are some simple tips for having a seamless, stress-free morning routine in any classroom. Be sure to grab my FREE Morning Routine Checklist! SET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS As teachers, we set expectations for every single part of our day. Our morning routine is no exception. When you are setting up your expectations, here are a few key points you will want to consider. Talking or No Taling? - I always suggest allowing students time to socialize first thing in the morning. Just like us, they have a lot on their mind and are more than likely anticipating seeing their friends. Decide how much socializing time is okay and set those expectations.  Stay Seated or Move Around? - Depend...

Hey there, Matt from Digital: Divide & Conquer , and I just wanted to share why you should be pushing project based learning with your students and in your classroom. I’m sure you’ve seen or read plenty of articles about it, but I felt like a little first hand knowledge would go a long way with this. In fact -I’m going to let you know five of my favorite double-secret probation reasons why PBL needs to be in your classroom ASAP.  Secret ONE: Picture Books Kick Butt! You know those love affairs you have with books...well, you get to continue them with PBL. Picture books are perfect (for almost every single grade level). No matter the topic or idea, there’s a book for the topic.  Books are the "easy button" of PBL.  They’ll pull in your learners, give them ideas, and expand their knowledge of subjects. You use picture books for every subject, so why not continue that when there’s project based learning involved. Secret TWO: Pop Culture Happy Hour! Pop ...

Let’s talk math anchor charts! For me, strategy anchor charts serve as an important visual aid for students throughout the school year. They are so helpful because they display different representations and students can use them as support when explaining a particular strategy. They are also provide a collection of mathematical representations. I've noticed that sometimes my students couldn't explain their thinking and reasoning. Have you ever experienced this? When teaching math, a variety of representations and models should be introduced, discussed, and connected to support students in this area. The models and representations displayed on an anchor chart can serve as a springboard for student explanations. Now that we’ve talked about the benefits of using math strategy anchor charts, let’s look at a few helpful tips when using them: Tip #1: Model with Manipulatives 1st When introducing a math problem to your students, give them time to repres...