Learn

Maximize Teaching to Make Every Moment Count | Effective Instruction

May 9, 2021

incidental vocabulary, interdisciplinary teaching, maximize teaching, review

Maximize teaching with these clever strategies from master teachers. Then, when you get up in front of your students, you’ll be teaching more than just your current lesson. First, make…

Encourage Autonomy in the Classroom | Student-Centered Learning

May 2, 2021

Brenda Kovich

Dive In, Learn

autonomous learner, autonomy, guide on the side, sage on the stage, student-centered learning

No Comments

How can you promote autonomy in your classroom? First, put kids in the driver’s seat. Establish student-centered learning. Instead of the “sage on the stage,” be the “guide on the…

Improve Your Teaching Mindset | Lift, Don’t Push Kids to Greatness

April 25, 2021

Brenda Kovich

Dive In, Learn

improve teaching, scaffold

No Comments

To improve your teaching, lift, don’t push. Mediocre teachers push their students through the curriculum. You know – coverage. But great teachers do something different. They scaffold instruction so every…

How to Build an Erosion Table (AKA Stream Table)

April 11, 2021

Brenda Kovich

Engage, Learn, Science

erosion table, geology activities for kids, slow changes to Earth's surface, stream table

No Comments

Need an erosion table for your classroom? Try building this D.I.Y. version. All you need is a package of paint tray liners and an egg carton. (more…)

Teaching Figurative Language – Similes, Metaphors, Onomatopoeia

February 28, 2021

Brenda Kovich

Engage, English Language Arts, Learn, Plan

figurative language, metaphors, onomatopoeia, similes, writing with figurative language

No Comments

How do you teach figurative language? It’s easy! First, use clear definitions and examples. Second, add a little practice. Soon your students will be ready to apply what they know.…

Teaching the Five-Paragraph Essay with an Example

January 10, 2021

Brenda Kovich

Engage, English Language Arts, Learn

five-paragraph essay, fourth grade

No Comments

The five-paragraph essay provides a strong, well-structured text. What’s more? It’s easy to compose. All you need is a good organizer and an example. (more…)

Writing Constructed Response with Text Evidence – Hamburger Style!

December 28, 2020

Brenda Kovich

Engage, English Language Arts, Learn

fifth grade, finding main idea, fourth grade, informational text, summarizing, summarizing nonfiction, summarizing nonfiction text, third grade

No Comments

Constructed response is easy to teach with this hamburger craft. First, kids find text evidence. Second, they write it as detail sentences. Then they answer the question and write a…

Power of Observation Activities Improve Kids’ Attention to Detail

November 8, 2020

Brenda Kovich

Engage, English Language Arts, Learn, Plan, Science

observation activities, observation games, power of observation

No Comments

Observation activities help kids tune in. Try memory games, sensory activities, hidden pictures, and drawing to heighten awareness. Then apply these skills in classroom instruction. (more…)

Teacher Talk: Strategies for Teaching Incidental Vocabulary

October 25, 2020

Brenda Kovich

Dive In, English Language Arts, Learn, Plan

teacher talk, teaching incidental vocabulary

No Comments

Are you purposely teaching incidental vocabulary? Improve your teacher talk. Simply weave definitions and pictures into daily lessons. From this, kids’ vocabularies grow. Furthermore, they learn how to determine meanings…

Teaching Women’s Suffrage with Research Activities for Kids

August 2, 2020

Brenda Kovich

Engage, English Language Arts, Learn

19th Amendment, suffragettes, women's suffrage

No Comments

Teaching women’s suffrage is a great way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Let kids research famous suffragettes to learn more. (more…)

Learn

Maximize Teaching to Make Every Moment Count | Effective Instruction

Encourage Autonomy in the Classroom | Student-Centered Learning

Improve Your Teaching Mindset | Lift, Don’t Push Kids to Greatness

How to Build an Erosion Table (AKA Stream Table)

Teaching Figurative Language – Similes, Metaphors, Onomatopoeia

Teaching the Five-Paragraph Essay with an Example

Writing Constructed Response with Text Evidence – Hamburger Style!

Power of Observation Activities Improve Kids’ Attention to Detail

Teacher Talk: Strategies for Teaching Incidental Vocabulary

Teaching Women’s Suffrage with Research Activities for Kids

Visit my Teachers pay Teachers store.

Brenda Kovich

Sign-Up for Updates

Site Links