When we hit the end of the year, everyone is just burned out. The kids have just endured endless high stakes testing prep and then can the actual tests. Teachers have been running on empty since Spring Break. But some learning still needs to happen. Because, you know, school. Here are some of my best […]
Memorial Day: A History
Next week is Memorial Day. Most of the country will go to a local parade and then spend the day barbecuing with friends and family. This day is meant to honor those who have died in service to our country.
Memorial Day: Arlington Cemetery
This month we will celebrate Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember those members of our armed forces who gave the last full measure of devotion for the United State by sacrificing their lives in service. Today, let’s learn about a historic and beautiful icon on Memorial Day, and America. Arlington National Cemetery
Why We Pledge Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America And to the Republic for which it stands One nation under God Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all
Similes, Metaphors, and Friends
So, we all know about nouns, verbs, and pronouns. But do your kids know about similes, metaphors, and idioms? Well, get ready to teach these fun writing tricks with easy, FREE anchor charts!
DIY Poems: Found Poetry
What if I told you that you could take another person’s words and create your own beautiful poem? I bet, given how much I love citations, that you might think I was crazy. But Found Poetry is a thing, and it’s awesome. Found Poetry is easy!
Poems are like Flowers
There dozens of types of poems, each equally beautifully crafted to convey emotions, thoughts, feelings, stories, and impressions of life. That is what poems are meant to do: express something from the author to the reader. Today we’ll talk about a few of the most common types of poems that you will teach and use […]
Happy April! Happy Poetry Month
April showers may or may not be in your part of the world, but spring is starting to feel more spring-like for sure! April is Poetry Month!
Better Biography Projects
Biographies: traditionally a multi-paragraph report that is either typed or handwritten. But not every student shines in this type of format. Not every child is able to do their best work in writing. It’s worth it to explore alternate biography projects.
Famous Women: Politicians, Rulers, and Activists
Welcome to the final Monday of Women’s History Month! It’s been so much fun to learn more about a whole bunch of amazing American women! Today, we dive into female rulers, politicians, and activists.
Famous Women Artists
It’s Women’s History Month, and today we are celebrating famous American female artists. Art is such a fluid and vast collection of mediums and it is challenging to cover all of them. There are so many inspirational artists in all genres (fine arts, acting, music, photography, etc.) across the centuries that the amazing women highlighted […]
Famous Female Scientists
Science has long been considered the realm of men. Except that women have very quietly (and not so demurely) been smashing glass ceilings and making ground breaking discoveries for centuries. Today, let’s celebrate Women’s History Month with fabulous ladies of science.
Famous Female Authors (and Poets)
To kick off Women’s History Month, let’s focus on American writers of note, who also happen to be female. There are thousands of female authors and poets in America, both past and present. So this list of American women writers might tend to lean just slightly toward my personal favorites. Just slightly. So if someone […]
How to Write a Biography
It’s Women’s History Month, and primo biography writing season. Which leads me to my next point: writing a biography is HARD!
Famous African-Americans: Ruby Bridges
Kids find it easier to connect with kids. So let’s bring home Black History Month by learning about a little girl who helped end segregation in schools. Today, our famous African-American is Ruby Bridges.