This summer, I've got six FREE email workshop series for you to choose from, each with different lengths and commitments. Whether you want to get a jump on Back to School prep, master the readers and writers workshop model, or grab a mix of teacher tricks, there's something for everyone! Pick what works best for you and dive in!

In this post, we'll explore 7 thrilling Summer Olympic-themed activities designed specifically for kids in grades 3, 4, or 5. These activities are not just about fun and games (although there's plenty of that!), but they also aim to spark curiosity, promote teamwork, and celebrate the diversity of our world. So, whether you use these activities as you wrap up your school year OR incorporate them as part of your summer school learning, students will love participating in their own Classroom Olympics!

If you've ever wondered how to make learning idioms a breeze for your upper elementary students, you're in the right place.

Idioms, those quirky expressions that add color to our language, can sometimes be a puzzling aspect of English for young learners.

In this post, we'll dive into understanding idioms, explore the benefits of teaching them, and unveil a treasure trove of mini-lessons, engaging activities, and creative resources to introduce, practice, and master idiomatic expressions.

Get ready to learn how to help your students cracking the code of idioms with excitement and confidence!

Welcome to the world of onomatopoeia, where language and sound intersect to spark imagination and expression. As elementary educators specializing in grades 3, 4, or 5, you have an exciting opportunity to introduce your students to this intriguing linguistic concept and witness their creativity flourish.

Onomatopoeia manifests in various forms, each adding a distinct touch to our language. From words that mimic real sounds to those that create a sense of action, onomatopoeia breathes life into narratives and captivates young minds in ways conventional vocabulary often cannot.

Discover strategies and interactive activities designed for teaching personification effectively to elementary students in grades 3, 4, and 5. Enhance creativity and critical thinking skills with engaging lessons that make learning enjoyable. Dive into figurative language with our comprehensive guide for a deeper understanding and application of personification in the classroom.

Explore a treasure trove of creative teaching strategies in this comprehensive guide to hyperbole activities and lessons for elementary students. Dive into the world of figurative language and unlock the power of hyperboles with engaging exercises and hands-on experiences. Elevate language skills, enhance comprehension, and foster creativity in your classroom with these fun and effective teaching techniques. Discover how to make learning exciting and memorable with activities tailored to grades 3-5. Get ready to transform your language lessons with the magic of hyperboles!

Unlock the Power of Alliteration: A Comprehensive Guide for Educators. Dive into the world of alliteration with our expert strategies tailored for grades 3-5. Discover engaging activities, practical teaching tips, and real-world applications to make learning alliteration a breeze. From tongue twisters to creative writing exercises, empower your students to become confident communicators.

Discover the power of figurative language in education with our engaging activities for teaching similes and metaphors. Enhance comprehension, boost creativity, and improve communication skills in upper elementary students with interactive lessons. Unlock the potential of your classroom today!

Discover captivating strategies for teaching students about Ramadan! Explore diverse cultural traditions, interactive activities, and cross-curricular connections tailored for upper elementary grades. Promote empathy and cultural understanding with engaging lessons on this sacred Islamic observance.

Embracing a growth mindset is not just a mindset; it's a powerful philosophy that can transform the way we approach learning and challenges. At its core, it's the belief that learning is a journey, and with dedication and effort, our brains can expand and evolve. This mindset is particularly crucial for young minds, as instilling it early lays the foundation for a lifetime of continuous learning and resilience.

As November arrives, so does the celebration of Native American Heritage Month. It's a time to honor and acknowledge the rich history, culture, and contributions of Native Americans. In the elementary classroom, this presents a fantastic opportunity for teachers to engage their students in understanding and appreciating this vibrant heritage.

We've covered a ton of incredible ways to upgrade your instruction and assessment using technology and multimedia tools. We’re waving goodbye to those old worksheets, maps, and student printables and saying hello to a more engaging and interactive learning experience! Here are some tips for success to help make the transition into multimedia instruction seamless.

Multimedia instruction aims to give learners an immersive, dynamic, and engaging learning experience. The whole point is to help them truly understand and remember what they're being taught. So, if that's what we're aiming for with instruction, why not carry those qualities over to our assessments? Our assessments should mirror our instruction. They should be just as immersive, dynamic, and engaging. By doing this, we can ensure that students are being assessed in a way that aligns with how they've been learning.

You likely have a stack of textbooks sitting somewhere in your classroom. And if your students are like mine, busting out the textbook often is followed by moans of unimpressed students who would rather NOT be reading from a textbook. So - allow me to introduce a few multimedia alternatives that will turn those moans into cheers!

We’ve talked a lot about how we can infuse multimedia into everyday learning, but - let’s not stop there! We can also use multimedia tools to level up our classroom management. Having a clear classroom management system is critical in any elementary classroom. I’ve got some awesome tools that you’ll want to keep in your bag of tricks to keep things fresh and exciting in your classroom!

Today, let’s talk reading! Your reading block is likely one of the most important parts of your day! Since that’s the case, let’s make sure it’s engaging, fun, and full of interaction. Infusing a little multimedia magic in your reading block is just what the doctor ordered!

Let’s face it, student worksheets keep students accountable and allow teachers to track progress. And - I’m not suggesting we throw them away, but allow me to introduce some multimedia alternatives that you can throw into the mix to keep things relevant and fresh when you’re looking to add a splash of multimedia to your instruction. If you’re just getting started with adding multimedia layers into your instruction, this is a good place to start. Let’s transforming would-be worksheets into multimedia experiences gives students new opportunities to apply their learning.

No doubt about it, learning how to read and navigate a map is a crucial skill. But let's face it, those days of unfolding massive trifold maps (and struggling to fold them back) are long gone. It's time to embrace the 21st-century upgrades for all our map exploration needs! Say goodbye to the old-school ways and get ready for some exciting new multimedia-infused options. We've got a world of digital tools at our fingertips to make map exploration a breeze.

Let’s first look at how you can upgrade your multiple choice worksheets. I want to share 3 multimedia alternatives. One of the easiest ways to add an interactive layer to your instruction is to gamify your activity. And, lucky for us, we have tons of options available to use to accomplish this. But - it can be overwhelming when we have too many options, so I’ll share my top 3 tools:

WHY should you be using multimedia in the classroom? WHY is it worth paying attention to (especially when your teacher plate is already full!) WHY does multimedia instruction keep popping up in conversations about education? Well - that’s where our conversation is going to take us today. Let’s talk about the benefits and impact of multimedia. As you might suspect there has a been a lot of research and study done to show how multimedia and technology impacts the brain.