Teaching Tips

Halloween Writing Prompt – Carving Pumpkins

October 2, 2016

English Language Arts, Informative Writing, Writing

Halloween writing prompts are fun! Just ask kids about carving pumpkins. Soon they’ll be planning and penning the step-by-step process. This writing activity works well for third and fourth grade…

Teaching Factors with Amazing Activities

September 25, 2016

Brenda Kovich

Factors & Multiples, Math

No Comments

Teaching factors is so underrated! When kids understand relationships between factors and multiples, patterns of mathematics unfold before their eyes. Let’s talk about how to tackle Common Core State Standard 4.OA.B.4: Find all…

Fall Foliage Interdisciplinary Teaching Ideas

September 11, 2016

Brenda Kovich

Interdisciplinary Teaching, Plan

No Comments

Fall foliage sets the stage for some great interdisciplinary teaching. Plan a full day or sprinkle activities through the season. Grab your students’ attention with a colorful leaf chromatography experiment. Continue with…

How to Write Fables – Beginning Narrative Writing

August 28, 2016

Brenda Kovich

English Language Arts, Fables, Genre Studies, Narrative Writing, Writing

No Comments

Teach how to write fables first! Begin your narrative writing unit with these classic tales. Kids choose a moral, think of a situation that will teach it, and develop animal…

Teaching Poetry Is Really Fun with I Spy Books

August 21, 2016

Brenda Kovich

English Language Arts, Literature, Poetry, Poetry Drama Prose

No Comments

Teaching poetry with I Spy books sparks kids’ imaginations. It’s fun, easy, and active. After a little instruction on verse, stanza, rhythm, and rhyme, students are ready to create their own I…

Multi-Digit Whole Numbers – Place Value for Fourth Graders

July 30, 2016

Brenda Kovich

Math, Place Value

No Comments

Place value for fourth graders involves multi-digit whole numbers. Kids need to fully conceptualize the value of a digit, read, write, compare, and round. Are you ready to have some…

Great Lakes Activities for Kids

July 17, 2016

Brenda Kovich

Great Lakes, Interdisciplinary Teaching

No Comments

Looking for Great Lakes activities for kids? Take an interdisciplinary approach. Your students will love learning about Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. Better yet,…

Teach kids how to write a paragraph with the hamburger analogy and an example.

Crafting Better Paragraphs with the Hamburger Analogy

June 26, 2016

Brenda Kovich

English Language Arts, Informative Writing, Writing

No Comments

With the hamburger paragraph analogies, kids can write better informational text. First, gather three or four closely related details. This is the meat of the sandwich. Second, slip the “meat”…

How to Teach Elements of Prose, Drama, and Poetry

June 18, 2016

Brenda Kovich

English Language Arts, Literature, Poetry Drama Prose

No Comments

Teaching prose, drama, and poetry is quick and easy. Kids have seen these forms of literature before. They just need a little vocabulary, structure, and practice. (more…)

Proven Strategies for Teaching Character Traits and Types

June 12, 2016

Brenda Kovich

English Language Arts, Literature

No Comments

Teaching character traits and types? Make it fun with classic literature and engaging graphic organizers. Then your students will love discussing the good, the bad, and the ugly about each…

Enjoy Teaching Theme with Fascinating Fables and Morals

June 5, 2016

Brenda Kovich

English Language Arts, Literature

No Comments

Try teaching theme with fables. These short stories feature clear elements and teach lessons. Therefore, your students will easily discover a message, lesson, or moral. (more…)