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EduMcation

Rated 4 out of 5, based on 1 reviews

3 Followers

Chelsea, Michigan, United States

About the store

I have been a middle school teacher since 1999, teaching 5th-8th grade ELA. I've taught in both Canada and the United States. I was an Instructional Coach for a year, and a middle school administrator for 4 years. I chose to go back into the classroom in 2018 after deciding it was time to return to my first love. Teaching is WAY more fun! Middle schoolers are fantastic, interesting humans and it takes an adventurous spirit to be the leader of their tribe each year.

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5-Part Book Report (Covers Many CCSS): Fully Editable

Created by

EduMcation

This book report will challenge your students, as it comprehensively covers multiple CCSS in one place. Students are asked to summarize the book, then analyze plot, point of view, characterization, theme, and vocabulary. I assign this to assess independent reading. The questions lend themselves to a novel. I find this an ideal alternative to the reading log! I have found this to be an EXCELLENT novel analysis tool. I grade and enter all sections separately, but, of course, that is up to you. Thi

5th - 9th

Literature, Novel Studies, Reading

CCSS

RL.6.1

, RL.6.2

, RL.6.3

Black History Month Project (Simple, Varied, Suitable for 1-2 Class Periods)

Created by

EduMcation

This document includes printable pages for 60 different Black American Heroes. Students of all levels can research then complete this simple project. Each page asks students to write about the historical figure's life events, accomplishments, and other facts. It is designed to be a paper-pencil assignment. I have included ideas for implementation on the first page, and blank pages for students who have other individuals in mind. There is also a simple 4-point rubric on the last page.

3rd - 8th

Black History, Informational Text, Writing-Expository

Note Pages for Research Best Practices (Searching, Credibility, Paraphrasing)

Created by

EduMcation

Each year, I inherit middle school students who seem clueless about what research should look like! I see cutting and pasting, information from wikis, and students who cite "Google" as their source! Each year, I take time to walk them through best practices for research. I share my notes in hopes that more students will learn that credibility, citing, and great paraphrasing are essential in academics!

5th - 8th

Informational Text, Writing-Expository

Student Self-Reflection for Parent-Teacher Conferences (Fully Editable)

Created by

EduMcation

Before parent-teacher conferences (or student-led conferences), students can complete this one-page survey in which they can self-assess about their work habits. It can generate great, honest conversation at conferences.

3rd - 8th

Classroom Community, For All Subjects, Not Subject Specific

ELA Classroom Posters: "What We'll Always Talk About"

Created by

EduMcation

I hang these in the front of my classroom, to keep ELA vocabulary front and center for the students AND for me. In fact, any time we read narrative, we turn to these and make sure we discuss each element. It is a GREAT way to discuss text broadly and deeply. I don't need fancy question prompts--these are a great framework and students quickly realize that these *actually are* what we talk about each time we look at text.

4th - 12th

Close Reading, Literature, Reading

CCSS

CCRA.R.1

, CCRA.R.2

, CCRA.R.3

R.A.C.E.S Model Response Template

Created by

EduMcation

This is a clear, organized way for students to create written responses to text.

5th - 8th

ELA Test Prep, Reading, Writing

CCSS

W.6.1

, W.6.1b

, W.6.2b

Short Story Planning Page, Student Checklist, and Grading Rubric

Created by

EduMcation

Using these three pages has greatly strengthened my students' narrative writing! The quality of the stories I receive has increased exponentially after using these forms for guidance and accountability (without sacrificing creativity at all!) Students want to be proud of their work but don't always know how to produce quality writing. The first page is a planning page, ensuring that students make intentional choices about where they are going with their story (aren't you tired of the meandering

5th - 8th

Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Short Stories

CCSS

CCRA.W.3

, CCRA.W.4

, CCRA.W.5

Close Reading Passages by African American Writers/Poets/Thinkers

Created by

EduMcation

This is a carefully-curated set of close reading texts appropriate for middle or junior high school students. My classes analyze one of these passages each day during Black History Month, though of course these could be used any time at all. The conversations stemming from these quotes, poems, and excerpts are engaging and rich; the themes are beautifully expressed and there is a lot to unpack in each text. The themes of the passages vary but there are similarities, too--that also makes for grea

6th - 10th, Adult Education

Close Reading, English Language Arts, Reading

CCSS

CCRA.R.2

, CCRA.R.4

, CCRA.R.5

Novel Study (or Story) Response Menu

Created by

EduMcation

This "menu" is designed to be used as an assessment after a student has completed a novel or short story. Students can choose from a range of creative responses; they have been designed to reach multiple learning styles and facilitate critical thinking. Choice is very motivating for students and this idea has proven to be a favorite. Students can choose how they will total 30 points--they can tackle one larger response for 30 points or 2-3 smaller responses worth 10 or 20. Differentiation is inh

5th - 8th

English Language Arts, Literature, Reading

CCSS

CCRA.R.1

, CCRA.R.2

, CCRA.R.3

Fast-and-Handy Literature Response Questions for Small Group/Partner Discussions

Created by

EduMcation

These CCSS-based questions are great for short, student-led discussions. They can anchor a literature circle discussion, or be a simple but effective way to process fictional text the class has read together. The questions could work for one specific chapter of a novel or a short story as a whole. There is a lot of bang-for-your-buck here: just about all CCSS RL outcomes are covered. The students like the voice and choice. I keep a laminated copy of these questions in my table bins and have st

5th - 9th

Close Reading, English Language Arts, Literature

CCSS

CCRA.R.1

, CCRA.R.2

, CCRA.R.3

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About the store

Experience

Teaching style

I am a "warm demander" (see Matt Alexander's article on EduTopia). High student engagement is a hallmark of my teaching. I believe in giving middle school students lots of voice and choice. Most importantly, I love to use the most creative (odd? interesting? relevant?) instructional strategies I can.

Awards & shining teacher moments

I am Jackson Magazine's Teacher of the Year for 2019. I've published a series of articles on close reading for Perfection Learning (see their website for the complete set). I was also a reviewer/contributor for their Progress to Success curriculum and Connections curriculum. As far as higher education (which is less valuable than experience, right?), I was awarded the Excellence in a Discipline award for Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University in 2017. Way back in the dark ages (late 90's), I graduated top 10 in my class for my Education degree and was an Academic All-Canadian. Most importantly, my own two kids think I'm kinda cool. They text me back.

My own education history

Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of British Columbia (1997). Bachelor of Elementary Education from the University of British Columbia (1998). Masters in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University (2017).