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Using the Dictionary
Second graders begin to use the dictionary to learn how to use guide words. Gulp. Sigh. And alphabetize to the second and third letter. This is such a hard skill, especially since first graders are...
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Finding Primary Sources to Teach Virginia Studies
Are you interested in using primary sources with your students, but aren't sure where to start? I know it can be a little overwhelming and time-consuming to find what you need, so I've compiled a list...
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Virginia Studies SOL Review and a FREEBIE
Would you like some resources to teach and/or review your Virginia Studies content? Then this post if for you! I'm Heather from Beg, Borrow, and Teach!, and I'm sharing my favorite resources for the...
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Let them TALK! Placing Great Value in Student Conversation
I’m a talker! Always have been, always will be. My mother used to start parent conferences with, “I know Cathy talks too much, what else can you tell me?” My very favorite high school English...
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Easy Activities to Get Started with Primary Sources - Plus a Freebie!
Primary sources are an amazing way to bring history into your classroom and create opportunities for critical thinking and rich discussion among your students. At the same time, it can be daunting to...
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Why Writing Must Be Part of Your Daily Routine
If your day is busy, and you're pinched for time, what do you eliminate from the schedule? Do you snip a few minutes from each lesson? Maybe you divide a lesson across two days? Perhaps you remove a...
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A Teacher's Guide to Teaching Life Cycles: Frogs, Butterflies, and Chickens...
One memory that stands out in my mind during my oldest's early elementary years is the experience of hatching chicks. His teacher said it was, "a dud year" and that she'd never do it again because so...
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Using Student Book Bins in the Elementary Classroom
Students need access to books all the time for daily reading, but sometimes, traveling among the classroom can be distracting. On the other hand, shoving books in student desks can be hard on the books...
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Kindergarten and Chapter Books? Absolutely!
Colby’s mom came in for her weekly volunteer time. Our kindergartners loved her help and so did I. Instead of her usual greeting, she said, “I have a bone to pick with you.” I was completely caught off...
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Google Apps for Education GAFE: Classroom
If you're interested in learning more about Google Apps for Education or GAFE we're here to help. This series will cover how to Set up Google Classroom and the all the "Apps": Docs, Slides, Sheets,...
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Building Character in the Classroom
I think one of the most important pieces that needs to be taught in the beginning of the year is character building. We have so many standards to cover during the year, but the beginning of the year is...
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What an SOL Test Opt Out Means For You and Your School
While some of us here in Virginia are ready to release for summer, many of us are still in the midst of SOL testing, remediation, and retakes. Those scores have become more and more important over the...
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Geology Studies for Upper Elementary Students
Rocks may seem to be just a solid mass of material that we step on and overlook, but once students have knowledge of rock types and the rock cycle through the geology unit, they no longer ignore them....
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5 Google Tips & Tools for Teachers of ELLs
While my first love is ESOL, my second passion is definitely educational technology. I love figuring out technological solutions for all sorts of educational needs- especially those that relate...
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Make Your Classroom Theme-erific!
Make Your Classroom Theme-erific? I know that you are thinking, "My classroom theme? It's May!" Yes! Summer is right around the corner. That's when teachers have creative free time. We shop at garage...
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Making Books with Beginning Readers
Sometimes it's hard to find activities that motivate your kids. For my primary ESOL kids, I ound that making books with them really kept their attention. Your books don't have to be fancy, and you can...
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Ways to Avoid Summer Learning Loss
We've helped our students learn... responsibility with homework completionhow to be a friendmath operations and problem solving to read fluently with expression and to make deep meaningand......
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5 Tips for Teaching Regions of Virginia
Teaching Regions of VirginiaHi, from Meghan at Vestal’s 21st Century Classroom! With this post, I am starting a series where I will share tips and strategies for teaching one of my favorite subjects:...
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Project Based Learning in the Secondary Classroom
With Virginia starting to move away from SOL testing and towards more authentic assessments, it's a great time to become more familiar with Project Based Learning (PBL).I've heard a lot of...
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How to prepare for the 2018 science SOLs
How to prepare for the Virginia 2018 science SOLsHave you heard that the Virginia science SOLs are changing? This is Kelly Chapman from Glitter in Third, and I'm going to tell you the basics about what...
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