About the store
Hey fellow educators! I am Krista Bender, a current fifth grade teacher. I am in my 18th year in education in the state of Alabama. I have served as a fifth grade teacher, reading coach, and assistant principal. I came back to serve in the classroom when my first child was born to allow more time off to be a mom. I have been creating items for my classroom throughout the years, but have just started to sell my creations. I look forward to connecting with some fantastic teachers through this process.
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Frontier Day Hosting Materials
Studying Westward Expansion, but want to the experience to be authentic? Here are some materials to host a frontier day and play the role of families deciding to travel west. Included are family names, wagon roles, budget limits, supply list, shopping list, postcards, maps, etc.
2nd - 8th
Creative Writing, Other (Math), U.S. History
CCSS
W.5.2d
, W.5.3
, W.5.3a
 +7
Design a Droid Project
Have your students design a droid that could improve their way of life. When they draw the droid, they must color and label. They will choose from one of four writing prompts to add information and creativity about their droid. Enjoy this cross-curricular activity as a writing assignment, Science assignment, or a "May the Fourth Be With You" activity!
2nd - 8th
Creative Writing, Writing, Writing-Essays
CCSS
W.5.1
, W.5.1a
, W.5.1b
 +18
Santa's New Ride
Are your students focused on the upcoming holiday season. Use this informational writing activity to combine that interest with creative writing. Students will interact with the writing process by brainstorming, drafting, and reviewing their writing that describes a new transportation for Santa.
2nd - 7th
Creative Writing, Writing, Writing-Essays
CCSS
W.5.1a
, W.5.1b
, W.5.1d
 +10
Valentine's Day Box Voting
Have fun on Valentine's Day by allowing students to vote for their classmates' creativity on their Valentine's Day boxes and award the winners!
2nd - 6th
Classroom Community, For All Subjects, Other (Arts)
Fluency Checks
Would you like a variety of ways to assess student fluency through reading, reflecting, writing, and speaking? Here are some leveled fluency checks that are aligned with the Reading Recurring Standards.
2nd - 6th
Other (ELA), Reading, Reading Strategies
CCSS
RL.5.10
, RI.5.10
, RF.5.3
 +11
Student Growth with Tree Rings
Create a year-long portfolio of work while also allowing students to reflect on the growth they endured during the task. This product is designed to build a wall-display student portfolio and model reflection when an assignment is completed.
1st - 8th
For All Subjects
Door Hangers for Students
These classroom door hangers would be a great add-on to your Meet the Teacher events or Open House. It allows students a chance to bring their school home with them and connect school with home.
K - 5th
Classroom Community
Compliment Cards
Do you implement morning meetings, or what an effective and thoughtful activity to start morning meetings? This activity promotes finding strengths in others, provides a text to support purpose, and celebrates students!
K - 6th
Classroom Community, Close Reading, Reading Strategies
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
Independent Reading Log with Teacher Talks
This resource is meant to support you implementation of independent reading among your students. It includes student samples, student instructions, goal setting worksheet, labels, and FAQs to help you start discussing independent reading with your students.
2nd - 12th
Other (ELA), Reading, Reading Strategies
CCSS
RL.5.10
, RI.5.10
, RF.5.4
 +7
Capitalization Rules Poster
Need a reference sheet or poster in your classroom to look back to when students are editing their writing? Here is a quick reference tool for capitalization rules with highlighted examples.
2nd - 8th
Grammar, Other (ELA), Writing
CCSS
CCRA.L.1
, CCRA.L.2
Vocabulary Parade Extensions
Does your school host a Vocabulary Parade? These extensions of the event provide a more in-depth learning opportunity that practices morphology and vocabulary strategies.
1st - 6th
Other (ELA), Vocabulary
CCSS
RF.5.3
, RF.5.3a
, CCRA.SL.1
 +3
Book Tasting Log
Hosting a Book Tasting? This log will help engage your students to provide their personal feelings about the books they taste.
2nd - 12th
Other (ELA), Reading, Reading Strategies
CCSS
CCRA.R.10
Student Turn-In To-Do Checklist
This free product will help increase classroom management and provides students with a mental checklist before turning in their work.
2nd - 8th
For All Subjects
Showing 1-13 of 13 results
About the store
Experience
Hey fellow educators! I am Krista Bender, a current fifth grade teacher. I am in my 18th year in education in the state of Alabama. I have served as a fifth grade teacher, reading coach, and assistant principal. I came back to serve in the classroom when my first child was born to allow more time off to be a mom. I have been creating items for my classroom throughout the years, but have just started to sell my creations. I look forward to connecting with some fantastic teachers through this process.
Teaching style
I prefer an interactive classroom that hits all the major content areas through mini lessons and small group instruction.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Teacher of the Year for my school - 2013
Elementary Teacher of the Year for my District - 2013
ASCD Emerging Leader Award - 2013
Teacher of the Year for my school - 2021
Owens-Young Technology Teacher of the Year - 2025
ALA Literacy Fall Conference Presenter on "Animating Literacy" - 2025
My own education history
BS in Elementary Education from University of Alabama
MA in Instructional Leadership from University of Alabama
Currently pursuing NBCT
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