Analyzing the theme of a story is a higher-level skill that requires critical thinking. The theme of a story is the lesson or message we can learn and apply to our own lives. Typically, themes are not stated explicitly. Readers have to analyze how the character responds to the plot events to determine what the character learned. Readers then generalize this lesson to determine how they can apply it to
Analyzing characters is a key reading literature skill that will help your students develop a love for literature. When we learn to analyze characters, we are learning to understand others’ experiences and to relate better to the characters we read about. Here are some tips for how to teach your students about character analysis and character development. Learn to Identify Character Traits This is a tricky concept for many students.
The holiday season is a time of extreme excitement. The weeks leading up to holiday break are always a struggle for teachers. Kids have trouble focusing and are full of energy. The best thing you can do is use your students’ energy in a positive way by incorporating more engaging, collaborative, and cross-curricular activities into your day. Here are my top 5 engaging pre-holiday break activities. Take a Virtual Field
The winter holiday season is a great time to incorporate social studies concepts by exploring culture and diversity around the world. Read-alouds incorporating different holidays around the world are perfect for developing a sense of inclusion and diversity while exploring various cultures.
Research shows that during summer break, 3rd to 5th graders lost an average of about 20% of their reading gains and 27% of their math gains. But with the right guidance, students can stay engaged in learning during the summer break and significantly improve retention and future success.
There are many different resources you can use to teach about Memorial Day. Here are some ideas for teaching elementary students about Memorial Day.
Students are antsy, teachers are tired, and everyone is looking forward to the end of the school year. Summer vacation can’t come fast enough, but you still have a few weeks (or maybe even months😬) of school left. What can you do to keep your students engaged in meaningful activities while saving you prep time? Here are three ideas on how to make end of the year review effective, fun,
Literature circles can be an effective teaching tool because they help get students excited about reading. Here are some suggestions for implementing effective and engaging literature circles that you can use in your classroom. What are Literature Circles? Literature circles are small groups of students who gather regularly to discuss a book in depth. The purpose of literature circles is to provide true-to-life reading experiences for students so they can
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. While we should be celebrating diversity and diverse cultures all year, May is a special time to focus on the diverse cultures that encompass Asia and the Pacific. In light of recent events and ongoing increased violence toward Asian Americans, it is more important than ever to embrace diversity and take a few moments to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played a key role in shaping America. We have recently seen some of the heartbreaking challenges many people with Asian and Pacific heritage face in America. For this reason, during May and all year, it is important to share the stories of immigrants from Asia and the Pacific Islands. There are so many unique cultures and stories to celebrate! We have to break the
We strive to create resources that empower teachers and transform student success. We create skill-focused resources that promote critical thinking, enhance student engagement, and incorporate diversity. Our goal is to develop the tools teachers need to reach their students and foster a lifetime of learning.
