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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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
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
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
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
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
Halloween Candy Caper – A Detective Reading Adventure!
🕵️♂️ Halloween Candy Caper – A Detective Reading Adventure! 🕵️♀️Your students are about to become junior detectives 🔎 in this spooky-but-fun Halloween activity 🎃! They’ll hunt for clues, spot tricky red herrings ❌, and use critical reading skills to solve the Halloween Candy Caper. Perfect for when students are full of Halloween excitement—learning has never been this engaging! This resource includes:🎃 A spooky-but-fun story broken into class periods, filled with subtle clues and clever r
4th - 6th
Close Reading, Informational Text
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RI.5.1
, RI.5.2
, RI.5.3
+37
Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push by Walter Dean Myers
✨ Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push – 7-Day ELA Unit with Poetry Comparison & Character Development Product OverviewBring Walter Dean Myers' powerful short story Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push to life with this complete 7-day ELA unit designed to inspire empathy, resilience, and deep literary thinking. This resource is packed with engaging activities, standards-based instruction, and an exciting poetry connection to Langston Hughes’ A Dream Deferred. Perfect for grades 5–7, this unit targets t
5th - 7th
Balanced Literacy, Creative Writing, Poetry
CCSS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+14
Also included in: Short Stories Bundle – Fiction That Captivates 5th & 6th Graders
Monster Science Mysteries – Halloween Reading Comprehension + Science Practice
Monster Science Mysteries – Halloween Reading Comprehension + Science Practice Add a spine-tingling twist to your science and reading block with this Halloween-themed comprehension and science crossover! Students will become Monster Investigators as they read eerie short passages where classic creatures face puzzling, science-based problems. Each “mystery” blends fictional storytelling with real-world science, encouraging students to infer, hypothesize, and apply their knowledge of key conce
4th - 7th
Close Reading, General Science, Reading Strategies
CCSS, NGSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.4
, 5-PS1-2
+8
Fiction Book Talk & Book Talk Bingo | Digital Organizer + Lesson Plans
Fiction Book Talk & Book Talk Bingo | Printable + Digital Organizer + Lesson Plan Turn your classroom into a storytelling stage where students present their favorite books like movie trailers—with no spoilers, no stress, and all the fun! This Book Talk activity bundle is the perfect way to build speaking, listening, and reading comprehension skills while making book reports feel exciting and student-centered. Designed with joy and ease in mind, this resource helps even shy students confidentl
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Other (ELA)
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
, CCRA.R.5
+15
Queen Raggy by Templeton Moss
The Prophecy That Fooled Everyone: A Creative Writing Activity Inspired by Queen Raggy Literature + Imagination + Critical Thinking = A Memorable Lesson! Story Inspiration: Queen Raggy by Templeton Moss In this delightfully strange short story, a kingdom awaits the return of its rightful queen, guided only by a vague prophecy. When a child accidentally drops her ragdoll onto a golden cushion in the royal court, the people immediately assume the doll—"Queen Raggy"—is the prophesied ruler. Despi
3rd - 6th
Balanced Literacy, Creative Writing
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
, CCRA.R.6
+8
Also included in: Short Stories Bundle – Fiction That Captivates 5th & 6th Graders
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
Free Fat Bear Week Activity – GrizzlyGram + Reading Passages
🐻 Free Fat Bear Week Activity – GrizzlyGram + Science Reading Passages + Lesson PlanA fun, science-based classroom adventure inspired by the internet’s favorite chunky bears!🎉 Product Description Bring science, writing, and a whole lot of chonk into your classroom with this free Fat Bear Week activity pack!Perfect for grades 4–8, this resource is packed with engaging, real-world content that gets students excited about wildlife, conservation, and the science of survival. Fat Bear Week isn’t
4th - 8th
Close Reading, Environment, Writing
CCSS, NGSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.4
+15
Mission: Imagination — The Exploravision Guide
🧬 FREE ExploraVision Student Research Guide | Upper Elementary Set your students up for success in the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision competition with this FREE student research guide—designed especially for upper elementary teams. This resource includes: ✅ A step-by-step student PDF guide that breaks down the research and invention process✅ A Google Slides template to help students organize their ideas and research✅ Clear guidance that supports students through the unique requirements of the Ex
1st - 12th
Engineering, Environment, General Science
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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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