Teaching Tips

Looking for some ideas for teaching ELA, math, or science in upper elementary? You've come to the right place. You can filter by subject, use the search icon above, or just browse.

Complete Civil Rights Movement lesson plans include vocabulary, reading passage, questions, timeline and map.

How to Teach the Civil Rights Movement 4th 5th 6th Grade

April 6, 2025

Brenda Kovich

English Language Arts, Informational Text

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Wondering how to teach the Civil Rights Movement in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade? Check out these lesson plans. They include vocabulary, reading passages, comprehension questions, an events timeline, and…

How to Teach Natural Selection in 3rd or 4th Grade

February 2, 2025

Brenda Kovich

Life Science, Science

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Wondering how to teach natural selection in 3rd or 4th grade? Use these simple natural selection activities to explain variations in characteristics. Hands-on projects illustrate how frogs’ traits provide advantages…

How to Teach NGSS 3-LS4-1: Fossil Data Third Grade

January 4, 2025

Brenda Kovich

Life Science, Science

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Wondering how to teach NGSS 3-LS4-1? The standard asks third grade students to “analyze and interpret data from fossils to provide evidence of the environments in which they lived long…

8 Differentiated Perimeter and Area Word Problem Worksheets

October 6, 2024

Brenda Kovich

Math, Measurement

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Looking for differentiated perimeter and area word problem worksheets for your classroom? Pop in to see what one teacher is using in her fourth grade classroom! (more…)

The Sieve of Eratosthenes – Powerful Prime Number Activity

September 1, 2024

Brenda Kovich

Factors & Multiples, Math

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Try the sieve of Eratosthenes in your classroom! Sure, it’s a powerful prime number activity, but it also helps kids conceptualize patterns of multiples. This lesson is short but mighty.…

Idioms, Adages, and Proverbs – Sayings You Need to Know

August 4, 2024

Brenda Kovich

English Language Arts, Language

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Idioms, adages, and proverbs are sayings that fourth and fifth grade students need to know. Try these strategies – and have some fun! (more…)

How to Teach Microscopes to Upper Elementary Kids

July 7, 2024

Brenda Kovich

Life Science, Science

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Wondering how to teach microscopes to your upper elementary students? Start with parts and functions. Then try a few simple labs. Your kids will love it! (more…)

Simple Back-to-School Science Experiments for 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade

June 9, 2024

Brenda Kovich

Science, Science Practices

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Start your year right with four simple back-to-school science experiments. Designed especially for kids in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade, these labs introduce methods used in investigations. Specifically, kids learn…

How to Teach Metric Conversions So Kids Get It

May 26, 2024

Brenda Kovich

Math, Measurement

No Comments

Wondering how to teach metric conversions? If you want kids to get it, scaffold from simplest to most complex. In fourth or fifth grade, begin with easy whole number conversions.…

How to Get the Best Demonstration Speeches

May 12, 2024

Brenda Kovich

English Language Arts

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Wondering how to get the best demonstration speeches from your students? Start with clear expectations. Provide support while planning and preparing. Communicate with parents. Then you’ll be all set! You’ll…

Unlock Kids’ Imaginations with a Fantasy Genre Study

April 28, 2024

Brenda Kovich

English Language Arts, Genre Studies

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Try a fantasy genre study in your upper elementary classroom! Start by reading classic stories. Then ask kids to imagine fantastic characters, settings, and plots of their own. Jump to…

Teaching Science Fiction? You’ll Love These Kid-Friendly Passages

April 14, 2024

Brenda Kovich

English Language Arts, Genre Studies

No Comments

Teaching science fiction? Kick off your genre study with kid-friendly reading passages. Explore futuristic and realistic elements. Then ask kids to write their own sci-fi stories. You’ll love the results!…

Teaching Tips

How to Teach the Civil Rights Movement 4th 5th 6th Grade

How to Teach Natural Selection in 3rd or 4th Grade

How to Teach NGSS 3-LS4-1: Fossil Data Third Grade

8 Differentiated Perimeter and Area Word Problem Worksheets

The Sieve of Eratosthenes – Powerful Prime Number Activity

Idioms, Adages, and Proverbs – Sayings You Need to Know

How to Teach Microscopes to Upper Elementary Kids

Simple Back-to-School Science Experiments for 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade

How to Teach Metric Conversions So Kids Get It

How to Get the Best Demonstration Speeches

Unlock Kids’ Imaginations with a Fantasy Genre Study

Teaching Science Fiction? You’ll Love These Kid-Friendly Passages

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Brenda Kovich

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