About the store
With 20 years of teaching experience, I’ve survived everything from middle school mayhem to high school brainiac moments. I currently wrangle 5th graders in ELA, but I’ve also taught AP World History, international relations, psychology, sociology, and middle school ELA. So, basically, I’ve seen it all and still love the challenge!
Read more
Store categories
All resources
Filters
Grade
Subject
Resource type
Standard
Programs & methods
Supports
Hello, Universe: A SUPERSIZED Novel Study
Hello Universe, A SUPERSIZED Novel Study ( 132 pages) will bring excitement and adventure to your common core literacy lessons. Students will practice summarization skills, recalling details, and inference skills. This literature guide has follow-up reading response questions for every chapter as well as activities and enrichment projects. Section 1: Lesson Plans for 28 Days* Each Lesson includes: ELA Standard, Focus Lesson, Active Learning and Reflecting * Lessons Themes Included: Believing in
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading
CCSS
RL.5.1
, RL.5.2
, RL.5.3
+22
The Medicine Bag
This lesson on The Medicine Bag includes activities like vocabulary guides, comprehension questions, and a symbolism activity to deepen students' understanding of the text. It aligns with CCSS ELA-Literacy standards and provides opportunities for students to analyze the plot and key symbols. Additional activities like a writing prompt and vocabulary word search reinforce learning and encourage creative engagement. The Medicine Bag is a short story about a young Native American boy named Martin,
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Short Stories, Writing
CCSS
CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
, CCRA.R.4
+2
Also included in: Short Stories Bundle – Fiction That Captivates 5th & 6th Graders
“Balloons Over Broadway” Thanksgiving Activity for Grades 3–6
🎈 Free “Balloons Over Broadway” Thanksgiving Activity for Grades 3–6 🎈 Perfect for Thanksgiving Week! Bring the magic of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade into your classroom with this fun and educational activity inspired by the book Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet. 💡 What’s Included: ✅ 1-page Reading Comprehension Worksheet✅ Vocabulary Matching + Fill-in-the-Blanks✅ Balloon Design Planning Page (creative drawing + writing) ✅ Answer Key Included🌟 Skills Covered: Reading Compre
3rd - 6th
Creative Writing, Reading, Vocabulary
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.5.3
, RL.5.4
, RL.5.6
+4
Cupid Case #214: A Valentine’s Day ELA Mystery
Cupid Case #214: A Valentine’s Day ELA Mystery A 4-Day Detective Adventure to Transform Your Readers into Investigators! Forget hearts and candy — this Valentine's Day, your students will crack clues, track suspects, and solve the greatest mystery of February: Where is Cupid?!This immersive, standards-aligned mystery turns your classroom into a buzzing detective bureau. With high-interest texts, inferencing tasks, character analysis, and even a plot twist, your students won’t even realize
4th - 7th
Balanced Literacy, Reading Strategies
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.5
, CCRA.R.7
+9
FREE Editable Boho Classroom Schedule Cards
Boho Classroom Schedule Cards | Editable Boho Class DecorBring calm, style, and structure to your classroom with these boho-themed class schedule cards! Perfect for elementary teachers, these editable visual schedule cards help students stay on track while adding a warm, modern boho touch to your room decor. Designed with neutral tones, rainbows, and soft boho elements, these cards make it easy to display your daily classroom schedule in a clear, consistent, and beautiful way. Whether you're
1st - 6th
Visual Arts
Short Stories Bundle – Fiction That Captivates 5th & 6th Graders
Short Stories Bundle – Engaging Fiction That Grabs 5th & 6th Graders Imagine walking into class with everything planned—no stress, no scrambling—just meaningful, standards-based reading lessons your students actually enjoy.This Short Stories Bundle does the heavy lifting so you can focus on what really matters: connecting with your students, guiding rich discussions, and enjoying literature together. Every lesson in this bundle is thoughtfully crafted, fully prepped, and classroom-tested. Whe
5th - 7th
Informational Text, Literature, Reading Strategies
TED Talkers in Training
TED Talkers in Training✨ A Creative Speaking + Video Project for Grades 4–6 ✨ Empower students to find their voice, speak with confidence, and share big ideas!Bring the magic of TED Talks into your classroom with TED Talkers in Training—a complete, low-prep unit that helps students become confident speakers, writers, and creators. Whether they’re shy or spotlight-ready, this 4-day project gives students everything they need to craft, record, and share their own powerful mini TED Talk. This un
4th - 7th
Creative Writing, Social Emotional Learning, Speaking & Listening
CCSS, VA SOL
CCRA.SL.1
, CCRA.SL.2
, CCRA.SL.3
+20
Spooky & Smart: FREE History of Halloween Lesson + Word Search!
Make Halloween both fun and educational with this ready-to-use resource! Students will explore the history and origins of Halloween while practicing reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. Perfect for upper elementary and middle school classrooms. What’s Included:✅ Reading passage: The History of Halloween ✅ Comprehension questions to check understanding ✅ Halloween-themed word search for vocabulary reinforcement ✅ Answer key for all activities This resource is FREE a
4th - 7th
Balanced Literacy, Close Reading, Vocabulary
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+12
Her Hands That Held the Stars – Rebecca Birch
Her Hands That Held the Stars – 3-Day Reading & Writing Unit (Grade 5)✨ A lyrical, heartwarming journey through memory, wonder, and the people who shape how we see the world... Story Snapshot:In Her Hands That Held the Stars by Rebecca Birch, a young girl reminisces about magical stargazing moments with her grandmother—moments that shaped how she experiences life, love, and legacy. This story is filled with rich figurative language and offers students a chance to reflect on the quiet beauty
5th - 7th
Balanced Literacy, Literature, Reading Strategies
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+24
Also included in: Short Stories Bundle – Fiction That Captivates 5th & 6th Graders
Poppin' with Purpose- Designing a Popcorn Store
Popcorn Store PBL | Branding, Advertising, & Design Project (23 Pages) Bring your classroom to life with this fun and engaging 23-page Popcorn Store PBL (Project-Based Learning) unit! Students become entrepreneurs as they create their own popcorn store while learning essential skills in branding, advertising, persuasive writing, and design. Perfect for 4th–6th grade, this project gets students thinking like marketers, designers, and creative writers — all while having a “poppin’ good time!” ✅
4th - 6th
Creative Writing, Informational Text, Writing
CCSS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.4
+9
Spooky STORIES to Finish the Fright
Finish the Fright: 5 Spooky Stories with Questions, Answers & Story Starters! Looking for a way to hook your upper elementary students on reading and writing? Say hello to five spine-tingling short stories that are spooky (but not nightmare-worthy) and perfect for building comprehension, inference, and creative thinking! Each story comes with: ✅ 5 thought-provoking comprehension questions ✅ A full answer key (because you're awesome, not psychic) ✅ 3 eerie and exciting story starter prompts t
4th - 6th
Creative Writing, Reading, Short Stories
CCSS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+6
Back-to-School Bundle Grades 5–7 – 50 Fun, No-Prep Activities for Just $5
50 Back-to-School Activities for Just $5?! Yes, Really.Dear Amazing Teacher, I know what it’s like to hit the ground sprinting that first week—running on caffeine, rediscovering routines, and somehow trying to remember your own name while getting the students to remember theirs. Don’t stress—I’ve got you covered. This MEGA bundle of 50 original back-to-school activities (138 pages/slides) is designed to make those first days feel fresh, fun, and actually meaningful. It’s packed with creativ
5th - 8th
Classroom Community, For All Subjects, Social Emotional Learning
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
SL.5.1
, CCRA.W.1
, CCRA.W.2
+19
Eleven by Sandra Cisneros
“Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros – 4-Day Reading & Writing Unit with Symbolism, Theme & Creative Response About the StoryIn "Eleven" by Sandra Cisneros, a young girl named Rachel is turning eleven—but she doesn’t feel eleven at all. When her teacher wrongly places an old, worn red sweater on her desk, Rachel struggles to find her voice. The story brilliantly captures the emotional complexity of growing up, using simple yet powerful language that resonates with readers of all ages. What’s Included
5th - 8th
Balanced Literacy, Creative Writing, Social Emotional Learning
CCSS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+9
Also included in: Short Stories Bundle – Fiction That Captivates 5th & 6th Graders
Character Conflict Adventure
Character Conflict Adventure – 3 Engaging Lessons + BINGO, Story, Graphic Organizer & Disney Clips! Make teaching character conflict unforgettable with this interactive, standards-aligned resource designed to help students identify and analyze the 5 major types of conflict: Character vs. CharacterCharacter vs. SelfCharacter vs. NatureCharacter vs. TechnologyCharacter vs. SupernaturalPerfect for grades 5–8, this product blends fun, movement, multimedia, and critical thinking in a way that your
5th - 8th
ELA Test Prep, Literature, Reading Strategies
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+14
Hero’s Journey Unit Plan | TED-Ed, The Ember Stone, & One Small Step...
Hero’s Journey Unit Plan | TED-Ed, The Ember Stone, & One Small Step | 5th–8th Grade Description:Take your students on a story-driven adventure they’ll never forget!This complete 3–4 day unit dives deep into the Hero’s Journey, using engaging resources like TED-Ed’s “What Makes a Hero?”, the original short story The Ember Stone, and the emotional short film One Small Step by Taiko Studios. As a lifelong fan of Joseph Campbell, I first discovered the Hero’s Journey while writing a college pa
5th - 12th
English Language Arts, Short Stories
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.2
, LA.6.6.A
, LA.7.6.A
+4
The Marble Champ by Gary Soto
Marble Champ by Gary Soto —Activity PackEngage your students with this captivating short story "Marble Champ" by Gary Soto, paired with a comprehensive set of activities designed to boost comprehension, vocabulary, writing, and critical thinking. About the Story:“Marble Champ” tells the heartfelt tale of Lupe, a young girl navigating challenges with courage and determination through the timeless game of marbles. Gary Soto’s vivid storytelling captures themes of perseverance, friendship, and per
4th - 7th
Balanced Literacy, Literature, Reading Strategies
CCSS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+11
Also included in: Short Stories Bundle – Fiction That Captivates 5th & 6th Graders
Symbolism Made Simple | La Luna Pixar Short + Slides, Notes, Worksheets
Symbolism Made Simple | La Luna Pixar Short + Slides, Notes, Worksheets | 5th–6th Grade ELATeach symbolism in literature in a way students will never forget! This engaging one-lesson bundle uses Pixar’s short film La Luna to introduce literary symbolism with clarity and depth — perfect for upper elementary learners. Students explore symbols through multimedia, guided notes, visual analysis, and creative thinking. Aligned to Common Core ELA standards for Grades 5–6, this is everything you nee
5th - 7th
Balanced Literacy, Reading, Reading Strategies
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+12
All Summer in a Day
All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury is a short science fiction story set on Venus, where the sun only shines for two hours every seven years. The story follows a young girl named Margot, who is isolated and bullied by her classmates because she remembers the sun from Earth, while they have never experienced it. When the sun finally appears, the children lock Margot in a closet, missing the rare moment of sunlight, and she is left inside, deprived of the joy and beauty she longed for. What’s Incl
6th - 9th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Reading Strategies
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+34
Also included in: Short Stories Bundle – Fiction That Captivates 5th & 6th Graders
Foreshadowing in Short Films
Foreshadowing in Short Films | ELA Lesson Plans, Google Slides, Editable PowerPoint, Notes & Quiz Looking for a fun and effective way to teach foreshadowing that actually clicks with students? This complete resource uses two award-winning short films— “The Present” and “Snack Attack”—to bring this powerful literary device to life! With ready-to-teach slides, interactive student notes, and engaging assessments, your students will see, discuss, and understand foreshadowing like never be
5th - 7th
ELA Test Prep, Reading Strategies
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+14
Character Traits in Action: Story, Pixar Short, Songs, & Writing
✨ Character Traits in Action – 3-Day Mini Unit | Story, Pixar Short, Songs, & Writing. Grades 5–7✅ Focus Standard: RL.5.3 – Compare & contrast characters and explain how they respond to challenges Engage Students in Meaningful Learning About Character Traits! This 3-day character traits mini-unit helps students dive deep into character development using a powerful blend of original short fiction, a Pixar short film (“Lifted”), and two motivating songs ("The Climb" by Miley Cyrus and "Eye of
5th - 7th
English Language Arts, Literature
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.3
, CCRA.W.3
+12
Showing 1-20 of 52 results
About the store
Experience
With 20 years of teaching experience, I’ve survived everything from middle school mayhem to high school brainiac moments. I currently wrangle 5th graders in ELA, but I’ve also taught AP World History, international relations, psychology, sociology, and middle school ELA. So, basically, I’ve seen it all and still love the challenge!
Teaching style
My mission? To sprinkle a little fairy dust on the classroom, turning the daily grind into a magical adventure that leaves both students and I grinning from ear to ear.
Awards & shining teacher moments
* Led student poetry book We Hear You on Darfur—praised by civil rights leaders, foreword by Maya Angelou, proceeds funded Darfur’s School of Peace.
* Coached National Champions 2025 (Team Electro-Buzz) in Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision STEM competition.
* Guided students to victory in Jason Learning/REMA PSA Contest, 2022–2024, for standout science storytelling.
* Fostered youth voice through art, advocacy, and innovation on national platforms.
My own education history
MST, Master of Science, Teaching, Education, State University of New York
BA, Bachelor of Arts, Theatre, College of Charleston
Education Certification – early to middle grades; middle to higher grades social sciences
Additional biographical information
A 5th-grade ELA teacher who thrives amidst the delightful chaos of teaching. When I'm not refereeing intense four-square matches during recess, I'm orchestrating classroom activities that are part learning, part comedy show. Growing up with a librarian mom, I find immense joy in bringing writing and books to life in the classroom, aiming to ignite a love for reading and storytelling in my students. I believe in making every lesson an adventure, ensuring my students are engaged, enlightened, and occasionally laughing so hard they snort. Join me as I navigate the wonderful whirlwind that is 5th grade, where every day is a new story waiting to be told.
TPT is the largest marketplace for PreK-12 resources, powered by a community of educators.
IXL family of brands