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Choice Boards

How I Use Choice Boards to Run Literacy Centers Easily

Frustrated by all the work it takes to “group” students for centers? Yeah, I was too! This post shares details on how to use choice boards to run literacy centers for upper elementary classrooms. A FREE planning guide for literacy centers is included. *This post contains affiliate links to Amazon for your convenience. As an

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teach prepositions

How to Teach Prepositions in Upper Elementary

Ever taught a grammar lesson on prepositions and thought, “They say these words all day long… so why is this suddenly so hard?” Prepositions seem simple until students have to identify them in actual sentences, explain the object of the preposition, and find the full prepositional phrase. That’s where things can get messy fast. 😅

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4th grade brain breaks

15 Easy 4th Grade Brain Breaks That Students Will Love

Fourth graders need movement, laughter, and quick resets during the school day. 😅 These 4th grade brain breaks are simple enough to use tomorrow, but they don’t feel babyish. I organized them by type so you can quickly choose what your students need most. Why 4th Graders Need Short Brain Breaks Even though 4th graders

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classroom routines and procedures

Effective Classroom Routines and Procedures with FREE Checklist

Have you ever felt like the school day gets off track before you even finish attendance? 😅 Strong classroom routines and procedures can make the whole day run more smoothly, and honestly, they can save your sanity too. When students know exactly what to do, many behavior problems shrink fast. There is less confusion, less

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teach context clues

How to Teach Context Clues for Real Reading Results

Have you ever taught context clues, watched your students ace the worksheet, and then noticed they still freeze during actual reading? Teaching context clues often feels harder than we expect because students may know the “school version” of the skill but struggle to use it when they are face-to-face with a complex text. That’s a

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Interesting Books to Teach Prepositions in Upper Elementary

Interesting Books to Teach Prepositions in Upper Elementary

Prepositions may be tiny words, but they can cause big confusion once students start identifying full prepositional phrases. Most upper elementary students already use prepositions when they talk. They say things like “under the desk,” “after lunch,” or “beside my friend” without thinking twice. But when you ask them to find the preposition, name the

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How to Help Elementary Students Transition to Middle School

How to Help Elementary Students Transition to Middle School

Do you have students who are making the transition to middle school? 📚 Whether your fifth graders are heading into a true middle school building next year or simply moving from 5th to 6th grade in the same elementary school, this season brings a lot of change. As an upper elementary teacher, I’ve seen how

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