Pride and Prepositions
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Slinger, Wisconsin, United States
About the store
Over 15 years in the classroom, I built relationships with 1,350 students - each one a reminder of why I chose this work. I spent 12 years teaching 7th grade Communication Arts and Reading before moving to 5th grade, where I taught Reading, English Language Arts, and Social Studies for another 3 years. My approach was simple but intentional: observe closely, listen carefully, reflect honestly, and then actually do something with what I learned. That meant constantly refining my curriculum to meet students where they were - not where it was convenient for them to be.
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Young Authors: Mystery Story Creative Writing Unit
What is the perfect way for students to practice narrative writing? Mystery stories! This genre instantaneously hooks a reader's attention, poses thought-provoking questions, keeps a reader in suspense, and stimulates discussion. The Young Authors: Mystery Story Unit focuses on the following concepts:
-Reading, understanding, and appreciating classic mystery literature
-Effective story structure: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution
-Mystery and narrative vocab
6th - 9th
Creative Writing, Literature, Writing
CCSS
W.7.3
, W.7.4
, W.7.5
Parts of Speech Practice: Create a Menu (Middle School Grammar)
This is one of my favorite real-life application projects that can be completed individually by students or in partners. The Create Your Own Menu project allows students to use their creativity to think of a type of restaurant they would open, name it, and create a menu for it all while practicing specific and vivid nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases. This lesson includes directions handout, student planning guide, and rubric. Created by Pride and Prepositions.
4th - 8th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Grammar
CCSS
L.7.3
, L.7.3a
First Day of School Ice Breaker Activity: Truths or Dares Musical Chairs!
This one is sure to be a hit for the first days of school or any other day for that matter! It combines two classic games, musical chairs and truth or dare, to create a unique and side-splitting ice breaker activity.
It is played similar to musical chairs, but if you are left without a chair, you must tell the class a truth, or if you are brave, complete a dare!
Created by Pride and Prepositions. Includes 16 truth cards and 16 dare cards.
6th - 9th
For All Subjects
Writing for the Real World: Narrative Non-fiction Writing Unit
Narrative Non-fiction is a type of writing in which the writer tells about a true-life (non-fiction) event in a story (narrative) format. It is sometimes called fact-based storytelling. Journalists and authors are using narrative non-fiction more and more in the books and articles they write because it easily catches and keeps the readers’ attention.
In this step by step guide, your students will find narrative non-fiction writing fun and easy. Filled with reproducibles, differentiated optio
6th - 9th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Informational Text
CCSS
W.7.3
, W.7.4
, W.7.5
Dialogue Practice Game: You Betcha!
You Betcha is a formative assessment and a game to familiarize students with dialogue rules. Every year when I play this with my students, I am assured that every student will be engaged. Each student starts with $100 imaginary dollars. Throughout the game, they cheer when they earn money and work hard to understand their mistakes if they lose money. As we get to the end, the excitement increases to see who will win.
I always have students practice the dialogue rules before any type of n
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Grammar, Writing
CCSS
W.7.3a
, W.7.3b
, L.7.2
First Day of School Ice Breaker Activity: Beat the Teacher!
This activity helps me get to know students on the first day of school by remembering something unique about them. Instead of asking generic questions, these quirky questions inspire thought and discussion throughout the whole class.
1. Each student draws a card and answers the question in front of the class.
2. The teacher and students take notes on the answers.
3. The class competes against the teacher to see who remembers the most facts.
4. Laughter ensues!
*Includes directions and 32 ques
5th - 8th
For All Subjects
Poetry: Song Analysis Project
What does Adele mean when she sings about setting fire to the rain? Those lyrics are symbolic and have a deeper meaning that the listener has to interpret. Most songs are jam packed with figurative language and symbolism. The fact is that songs are really poetry set to music. In this project, students will analyze the lyrics of a song the same way they would analyze a poem. This project works great as a poetry summative assessment at the end of the unit. It allows student choice, which th
6th - 9th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Poetry
CCSS
RL.7.2
, RL.7.4
, RL.7.5
 +1
Parts of Speech Practice Game: You Betcha!
Have you ever heard kids cheer when working on grammar? They do when they are playing You Betcha! It is a game to students and a formative assessment for teachers. Each student starts with $100 imaginary dollars. As the game goes on, students either win or lose money based on their answers to questions. Throughout the game, they cheer when they earn money and work hard to understand their mistakes if they lose money. Drama builds all the way up to the end.
This version focuses on how well
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Grammar
CCSS
L.4.1
, L.5.1
, L.6.1
 +1
Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentence Practice: Create a Resort Brochure
People who work in the tourism industry use their persuasive skills every day. Marketing executives who work for resorts, hotels, and inns need to persuade tourists and vacationers to choose their resort over all of the other options. A common persuasive technique is to appeal to the audience’s emotions. This technique uses very specific, descriptive word choice to evoke positive emotions that potential customers will associate with their destination.
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In this project, students can see how
6th - 9th
English Language Arts, Grammar, Writing
CCSS
W.7.3d
, L.7.1b
, L.7.3a
Sentence and Fragment Practice: Write a Real Estate Ad
I teach grammar using model texts. Real, published authors are experts on writing, so I go to them for examples. I noticed that many authors use fragments quite often in books that my students are reading. It is usually used to make the narrator sound more natural because people don't always speak and think in complete sentences. I preach to my students to write in complete sentences all the time, but the fact of the matter is that there is a place for fragments in real life. My college wri
6th - 9th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Grammar
Writing for the Real World: Real Life Mystery Inquiry Research
Boring, lifeless research reports no more! Students will love inquiry research because they have freedom of topic choice (within the structure of the assignment), and you will love it as a teacher because it eliminates the repetitious feeling like you are reading the same report over and over. Enter The Real Life Mystery. A world famous pilot and her plane disappear with no trace of wreckage. A man hijacks an airplane, parachutes out, and is never seen again. A necklace once stolen from an H
6th - 9th
English Language Arts, Writing, Writing-Essays
CCSS
W.7.2
, W.7.4
, W.7.5
 +3
First Day of School Ice Breaker: Last One Standing
Last One Standing is a game of quick and creative thinking. It highlights similarities among students in the class, but it celebrates differences. Start by drawing a letter. Each student responds to the given prompt by writing a short answer that begins with that letter. The more unique answers a student provides, the more points s/he racks up.
Perfect for back-to-school, ice breakers, homeroom, and student council, it allows students to show their personalities without any pressure to be i
5th - 8th
For All Subjects
First Day of School Ice Breaker Activity: What in the World?!
What in the world...makes you laugh? Students answer the questions and the rest of the class guesses who said what.
Stimulates discussion, debate, and humor! Get to know your students in a new, fun way!
Perfect for the first day of school, ice breakers, team building, student council retreats, etc. Includes 32 question cards and full directions. The teacher will need a class set of small dry erase boards or chalk boards. Best wishes for a great new school year from Pride and Prepositions
6th - 9th
For All Subjects
Magic Sentence Factory Parts of Speech Game
A llama sniffed cheesy socks?!? Magic Sentence Machine is a four-player game that is sentence diagramming crossed with MAD LIBS style silliness! Players use dice (or the included cards) to earn words that they will use to build a sentence in their Magic Sentence Factory. They may end up trading or returning words as they go, sending their sentences in hilariously nonsensical directions. This parts-of-speech game is intended to be primarily for fun, but along the way students can see how parts of
4th - 7th
ELA Test Prep, Grammar, Writing
CCSS
CCRA.L.1
Simple and Sensible Grammar for Writers: Unit 1 Parts of Speech
Any professional athlete needs to know vocabulary in order to discuss strategy with his or her coach. Without a solid knowledge of strategy, that athlete could not be successful. The same holds true for writing: a writer needs to be able to talk strategy with his or her writing coach to improve.
Grammar is not just the finishing touches of a paper. Solid grammar can improve writing immensely. With that said, grammar instruction should be simple, straight to the point, and fun for students
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Grammar, Writing
CCSS
W.7.3
, W.7.4
, L.7.2a
 +1
Teaching Word Choice: Word Crimes Mock Trial
In the Supreme Court of Nouns, Verbs, and Adjectives, word choice reigns supreme. Writers who have committed horrendous word crimes are being brought to trial so they can be reformed.
In this mock trial, students are assigned roles to play. Students will work in small groups to help bring the trial to life by writing their lines for the word crimes that were committed. Students learn about what words should be avoided in writing and why, and they love to perform what they learned in front of
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Grammar, Writing
CCSS
W.7.3d
, W.7.4
Kinds of Sentences Practice Game: You Betcha!
Have you ever heard kids cheer when working on grammar? They do when they are playing You Betcha! It is a game to students and a formative assessment for teachers. Each student starts with $100 imaginary dollars. As the game goes on, students either win or lose money based on their answers to questions. Throughout the game, they cheer when they earn money and work hard to understand their mistakes if they lose money. Drama builds all the way up to the end.
This version focuses on how well
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Grammar, Writing
CCSS
L.6.2
, L.6.3
A Wrinkle in Time Reading Guide with Group Projects and Activities
Madeleine L'Engle's classic novel, A Wrinkle in Time, was rejected by publishers multiple times because they could not pinpoint a specific audience. She never gave up and it eventually earned worldwide attention. The reason it ended up being so good is that it appealed to such a wide range of people, young and old. This reading guide and activity bundle includes 5 separate group and individual projects and 5 activities and handouts to go along with this classic novel. Students will explore
5th - 9th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading
CCSS
RL.7.1
, RL.7.2
, RL.7.3
 +12
Poetry Analysis Strategy: Notes and Chart for Analyzing Poems
Poems have many facets, many sides, and while that is what makes them so wonderful, it is also what makes them more difficult for students to understand. The FFASITT Poetry Analysis Strategy will help your students understand the many sides of a poem. They will be able to analyze poems more independently with this step-by-step guide.
Included:
-Student Step-by-Step Poetry Analysis Notes Packet (with examples from real poems)
-Teacher Answer Key (with extra tips and explanations)
-Poetry Analy
7th - 10th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Poetry
CCSS
RL.7.2
, RL.7.4
, RL.7.5
 +1
Ice Breakers for the First Day of School: By the Numbers
Want a new way for students to get comfortable with each other on the first day of school? By the Numbers is a completely random get-to-know-you game where anyone has a chance to win. Students work in groups of 4-6 to earn as many points as possible by discussing various random things about themselves. The more they find out, the more points them earn.
Low-stress, no one is put on the spot, and fun for everyone!
Created by and tested in the classroom by Pride and Prepositions.
5th - 8th
For All Subjects
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About the store
Experience
Over 15 years in the classroom, I built relationships with 1,350 students - each one a reminder of why I chose this work. I spent 12 years teaching 7th grade Communication Arts and Reading before moving to 5th grade, where I taught Reading, English Language Arts, and Social Studies for another 3 years. My approach was simple but intentional: observe closely, listen carefully, reflect honestly, and then actually do something with what I learned. That meant constantly refining my curriculum to meet students where they were - not where it was convenient for them to be.
Teaching style
I show my kids that I am passionate about what I do. I get excited to talk about grammar, reading, and writing. When I am excited, the kids get excited, too!
My own education history
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee with a Bachelor’s degrees in Communication and Organizational Administration in 2005. Soon after, I decided that my real passion was for teaching so I returned to school. I received my Master of Arts in Teaching from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, with minors in English and Speech Communication.
Additional biographical information
In my spare time, I love to read - Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book of all time! I can get lost in the words that Jane Austen uses and the world she creates. I hope to inspire in my students a love of reading, writing, and words too!
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