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!
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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
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
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
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
Engage Students with a Meaningful Author Study They'll Actually Love!
Engage Students with a Meaningful Author Study They'll Actually Love! Looking for an author study that goes beyond the boring book report? This complete Author Study Resource helps your students think deeply, make personal connections, and analyze literature in a way that’s creative, rigorous, and relevant. Perfect for Grades 5–8, this author study is aligned to Common Core standards and includes everything you need: ✅ A full lesson plan with objectives and pacing✅ A Kwame Alexander model
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Reading Strategies
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.W.2
+7
Charles by Shirley Jackson
“Charles” by Shirley Jackson – Complete 4-Lesson ELA Unit (PDF + Google Slides + Vocabulary PowerPoint)Story Summary:In Shirley Jackson’s humorous and ironic short story “Charles,” a young boy named Laurie starts kindergarten and begins telling his parents wild stories about a misbehaving classmate named Charles. As the tales become more outrageous, Laurie’s parents grow increasingly curious—until a surprising twist at the end reveals the truth about Charles’s identity. This story explores th
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Short Stories
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.3
, CCRA.W.3
+27
Also included in: Short Stories Bundle – Fiction That Captivates 5th & 6th Graders
Messaging the Main Character | Creative Reading Response & Writing Activity
Inbox Insight: Messaging the Main Character | Creative Reading Response Graphic Organizer & Lesson Plan✨ Engage your 5th-8th graders with a fresh, FUN, and meaningful way to respond to fiction! ✨ Are your students tired of boring reading assignments? Want to boost their critical thinking, empathy, and writing skills — all while having a blast? Look no further! Inbox Insight: Messaging the Main Character transforms traditional reading responses into an interactive, creative chat experience that
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Reading Strategies
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+19
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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.
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