About the store
I have an M.Ed. in Elementary and Middle Grades Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida with honors. Certified currently in Washington state - Elementary and Middle School ELA Humanities, Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading K-12, Teacher Support Specialist, and Gifted and Talented. I taught 28 years in multiple subject areas and in many grade levels from Pre K- 8th grade. I began teaching in elementary school, where I taught pull-out remedial classes for grades 2-5 and a section of K-1. Then I taught Pre-K for 5 years, and then Middle School, where I have been in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. After 16 years in Middle School, I returned to first grade. I am currently subbing.
In addition to teaching, I've also lived in many different countries. I learned to speak Spanish at the age of 9 when my family lived in Spain. I have worked with children over the years in various capacities, from tutoring, substitute teaching, volunteering, and working with afterschool programs, summer school, and the YMCA.
My best experience, of course, has been being a mother and a grandmother to two wonderful children and two terrific grandchildren, and many fur babies as well. My husband and I currently have a 2-year-old female Yellow English Labrador who is quite a handful. :) Follow me on my social media links above to see her in action. :) They are also listed in the terms of use/credit pages at the end of each resource.
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Following Directions Puzzles Beginning or End of Year Activity with Easel
Following directions puzzles are a fun way to teach critical thinking. Great for back to school at the beginning of the year or at the end of the year as standardized test preparation. 6 challenging puzzles that gifted and talented students enjoy! Includes: Puzzle 1: cross words off a table according to the directions provided to reveal an inspirational quote about life. Helps students concentrate and develop skills needed for state testing. Puzzle 2: follow directions to travel the world t
6th - 8th
English Language Arts, For All Subjects, Reading
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
Rebus Puzzles 1 Brain Teasers Printable and Easel Activity
Rebus Puzzles are a fun critical thinking activity. Students use problem solving to figure out the word puzzles. Great logical reasoning puzzles to do with partners or use as a warm-up or bell ringer. Print or use the Easel Activity online. Works well for gifted and talented students who enjoy challenges, but these work with other student populations as well. Includes five 2-page worksheets with 20 puzzles each, so you get 100 brain teasers in total! Also includes a blank page for students to m
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Reading, Vocabulary
Sudoku Puzzles for Critical Thinking and Logical Reasoning Digital and Print
Sudoku Puzzles for Critical Thinking engages students in logical reasoning. Easel Activity included. This file includes a blank sudoku student answer sheet, 10 sudoku puzzles for printing (use in math centers or individually, or for projection on a whiteboard), and 5 sets of 4 puzzles for a group sudoku race to solve. Teacher directions include how to make reusable dry erase answer sheets so you can save ink, and suggestions for teaching Sudoku strategies. A great way to get students thinking!
6th - 9th
Math, Mental Math, Other (Math)
CCSS
MP1
Rebus Puzzles 2 Brain Teasers Printable and Digital Easel Activity
Rebus Puzzles - Set 2. Brain Teasers are a fun critical thinking activity. Students problem solve to figure out the word puzzles. Great logical reasoning puzzles for partners or use as a warm-up or bell ringer. These are also known as Plexers, Netbats, Wordies, Brainbats, Frame Games, and Punzzels. Print and go. Works well for gifted and talented and regular ed classes. Includes five 2-page worksheets with 20 puzzles each, so you get 100 brain teasers in total! Has a blank page for students to
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Reading, Vocabulary
Rebus Puzzles Bundle: Sets 1 & 2 – 200 Brain Teasers (Printable & Digital)
Elevate your classroom with 200 engaging rebus puzzles designed to sharpen critical thinking, logical reasoning, and vocabulary skills. Ideal for warm-ups, bell ringers, brain breaks, and independent practice, this bundle offers everything you need to challenge students in grades 5–8—whether they’re gifted and talented or need extra support. What’s Included10 two-page worksheets (5 in Set 1 + 5 in Set 2)20 puzzles per worksheet for a grand total of 200 rebus brain teasers2 blank puzzle template
5th - 8th
Other (ELA), Reading, Vocabulary
Ancient Egypt Project Based Learning with Easel Activity Digital and Printable
This Ancient Egypt project allows students to choose from a list of 21 different choices to research! Includes teacher directions, student directions, Egypt Project Requirements (one hundred point checklist), project idea list, project choice sheet (students choose their top four choices), topic assignment sheet (teacher assigns project to student from their choices), bibliography example sheet, and a peer review sheet for the research paper and for an oral presentation. Students can research t
4th - 7th
African History, Ancient History, World History
CCSS
W.6.2
, W.6.2a
, W.6.2b
+45
Sentence Structure - Simple, Compound, Complex, and Compound-Complex Sentences
Help students learn Simple, Compound, Complex, and Compound-Complex Sentence structure with this fun activity. Includes Simple and Compound Sentences Acquisition Lesson and Extending and Refining Activity for Complex and Compound-Complex Sentences. Engaging way to get students to learn the difference between simple sentences and compound sentences using Oreo cookies and Vanilla wafers! Students love grammar when it is hands-on. Yum! They can eat them when the work is done! Includes essential qu
6th - 9th
Balanced Literacy, English Language Arts, Writing
CCSS
L.7.1a
, L.7.1b
Also included in: Simple, Compound, Complex, Compound-complex Sentence Structure BUNDLE
Swimmy by Leo Lionni Retelling Activity
Swimmy by Leo Lionni Retelling Activity. After reading the book, retell the story again with this “real life” underwater photo story. Project the story on your whiteboard or SMARTBoard, OR print out the slides. Your students will love to see Swimmy and his friends come to real life, and you can use it as a model for story retelling. Students can then retell their version of the story using ocean pictures. Laminate cards for durability and allow students to work with partners. Includes 4 retell
PreK - 2nd
English Language Arts, Reading, Reading Strategies
CCSS
RL.K.2
, RL.K.7
, RL.K.10
+7
Brain Teaser Word Games for Critical Thinking with Easel Activity
Use these critical thinking brain teaser sheets to challenge your students. Three fun word puzzles that are real brain teasers! Words That Go Together is a challenging word game for gifted and talented students, or anyone who wants to think! Find another word that starts with the same two letters as the given word. The right answer will create a familiar compound word or two-word phrase. The Rhyme Time is another word game worksheet where students use the clues to come up with a rhyming phrase,
5th - 8th
Vocabulary
CCSS
L.5.4
, L.6.4
, L.7.4
+1
Also included in: End of the Year Activities for Middle Grades Language Arts BUNDLE
Rebus Puzzles 1 Google Classroom Digital Version
Rebus Puzzles 1 are a fun critical thinking activity. Students have to problem solve to figure out the word puzzles. Great logical reasoning puzzles to do with partners or use as a warm-up or bell ringer. This is a digital version of this resource for use with Google Slides. Students can type directly on the worksheet. Just choose which slides to assign in Google Classroom. You decide whether or not to provide the answer keys. If you want to print out a hard copy of the worksheet, you can simply
5th - 8th
English Language Arts
Following Directions Puzzles Beginning or End of Year Activity with Easel SET 2
SET 2! Following directions puzzles are a fun way to teach critical thinking. Great for back to school at the beginning of the year or at the end of the year as standardized test preparation. 6 challenging puzzles that gifted and talented students enjoy! Many of you asked for more of these puzzles! Includes: Puzzle 1: cross words off a table according to the directions provided to reveal an inspirational quote about life. Helps students concentrate and develop skills needed for state testing
6th - 8th
English Language Arts, For All Subjects, Reading
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
Drama Play Knowledge Extensions Menu Choice Board
Drama Play Knowledge Extensions Menu Choice Board. Great for differentiated instruction. Differentiation means no more bored students! Students who have already read a play that you are teaching in class can choose one (or more) activities from the menu and extend their learning, reporting back to the class to enrich everyone's experience. Excellent for gifted learners or students who need independent study or an alternative assignment. Includes a colorful version for display on your whitebo
6th - 9th
Drama, English Language Arts
Also included in: Drama Unit Resource BUNDLE Print and Digital Easel Activities
Multiple Intelligences Tic Tac Toe Menu Choice Board Printable and Easel Digital
Multiple Intelligence menu choice board is a fun Tic Tac Toe differentiated assignment that uses multiple intelligences for each section. Write in the theme or unit you are teaching. Includes a handout on what are multiple intelligences and a self-assessment form. The pdf includes fillable fields so you can assign to your students as a digital activity. There are nine boxes for different types of learners and learning styles, with choices for Verbal or Linguistic, Mathematical or Logical, Visua
5th - 8th
For All Subjects
Vocabulary Game Digital and Print with Easel Activity
Vocabulary Game - Race to the Finish! Use with any word list for students to practice their vocabulary in a fun and engaging way. Great for virtual learning or in-person classrooms. Print out game board and student directions, (best on card stock and laminated or placed in page protectors) and provide a die and a game piece for each player. Can be used as a file folder game. Works best with 2 - 3 students per board. Differentiate by allowing students to use resources or not. Great for gifted an
4th - 7th
For All Subjects, Vocabulary
CCSS
CCRA.L.4
, CCRA.L.6
Futoshiki Puzzles for Critical Thinking and Logical Reasoning Digital and Print
Futoshiki Puzzles for Critical Thinking and Logical Reasoning. Similar to sudoku puzzles, these puzzles are fun and promote brain power and logical problem-solving. Includes a blank Futoshiki student answer sheet, 10 printable Futoshiki puzzles (use in centers or individually, or for projection on a whiteboard), and 5 sets of 4 puzzles for a group Furoshiki race to solve. Teacher directions include how to make reusable dry erase answer sheets so you can save ink, and suggestions for teaching s
5th - 8th
Math
CCSS
MP1
Halloween Alphabet Letter SmartBoard Fun - Guess the Word | PreK - 2
Halloween ABC's Smartboard Activity! This digital resource is Halloween alphabet activities on the Smartboard. Students can have fun and learn Halloween words that begin with each letter of the alphabet with this interactive smart board or whiteboard activity. Touch the pictures to reveal the words from A is for apple to Z is for zombie! Have fun guessing the words and enjoy! Please see preview. requires SMART NOTEBOOK software. Related Products⭐ Alphabet Poster Set Classroom Décor⭐ Spider
PreK - 2nd
Alphabet, Reading, Vocabulary
CCSS
RF.K.1d
Reading Differentiation: Editable Time Period Extension Menu Choice Board
Differentiation: This is a student menu choice board for extending learning around reading a literary piece or play. The theme is based on life during the time period of the setting. Students may choose an activity or activities from the menu to work on beyond what is being covered in class. For example, they may choose to study the music of the era, the architecture of the era, or other literature from the same time period. Great for gifted or advanced students that get bored with the regul
6th - 9th
English Language Arts, Reading
Rebus Puzzles 2 Google Classroom Digital Version
Rebus Puzzles 2 are a fun critical thinking activity. Students must problem solve to figure out the word puzzles. Great logical reasoning puzzles to do with partners, or use as a warmup or bell ringer. This is a digital version of this resource for use with Google Slides. Students can type directly on the worksheet. Just choose which slides to assign in Google Classroom. You decide whether or not to provide the answer keys. If you want to print a hard copy of the worksheet, you can remove the "t
6th - 9th
English Language Arts
Word Challenge PowerPoint Game - Fun Critical Thinking
Word Challenge is a Fun PowerPoint Critical Thinking Game. Students choose a letter and then a category. Object is to make as many words as possible beginning with the selected letter that belong in the selected category. (For example, write words that begin with the letter "a" in the category of fruit) There are four category lists to choose from. This game can be played by the whole class or in teams or groups. Students can keep score by counting how many words they created or play just for
5th - 8th
English Language Arts
CCSS
CCRA.L.6
Also included in: End of the Year Activities for Middle Grades Language Arts BUNDLE
Academic Achievement & Gifted Underachievers PowerPoint Professional Development
Academic Achievement and Gifted Underachievers PowerPoint. Explains the characteristics of a gifted underachiever, concerns about gifted learners who do not reach their potential, and how to help these students become successful. This is a professional development presentation to help teachers recognize and teach gifted students not meeting standards. Includes types of underachievers, suggestions for motivating students and some famous underachievers. Helpful for gifted teachers and regula
Not Specific
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About the store
Experience
I have an M.Ed. in Elementary and Middle Grades Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida with honors. Certified currently in Washington state - Elementary and Middle School ELA Humanities, Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading K-12, Teacher Support Specialist, and Gifted and Talented. I taught 28 years in multiple subject areas and in many grade levels from Pre K- 8th grade. I began teaching in elementary school, where I taught pull-out remedial classes for grades 2-5 and a section of K-1. Then I taught Pre-K for 5 years, and then Middle School, where I have been in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. After 16 years in Middle School, I returned to first grade. I am currently subbing.
In addition to teaching, I've also lived in many different countries. I learned to speak Spanish at the age of 9 when my family lived in Spain. I have worked with children over the years in various capacities, from tutoring, substitute teaching, volunteering, and working with afterschool programs, summer school, and the YMCA.
My best experience, of course, has been being a mother and a grandmother to two wonderful children and two terrific grandchildren, and many fur babies as well. My husband and I currently have a 2-year-old female Yellow English Labrador who is quite a handful. :) Follow me on my social media links above to see her in action. :) They are also listed in the terms of use/credit pages at the end of each resource.
Teaching style
I try to make everyday an unforgettable day! I make every effort to appeal to a variety of learning styles, so that students can stay focused and engaged in learning. Children should walk away from my classroom with a love for reading and a hunger for learning something new everyday.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honor Society, Golden Key Honor Society, Teacher of the Year 1999-2000, Teacher Support Specialist, 2010 VFW Teacher of the Year for the State of Georgia
My own education history
M.Ed., Graduated with honors from the University of Florida. 28 total years of teaching experience, from Pre-K through 8th grade.
Additional biographical information
Although I have had many students, I have two children of my own, along with two grandchildren. My daughter is a world-renowned chef, and opened her own restaurant on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. She has a son, whom I taught his first-grade year at home in the pandemic. Now he is in middle school and I have the privilege of watching him 4 days a week when the restaurant is open.
My son is a CNC programmer/engineer who lives in Seattle. He also has a son, who is in high school. They grow up so fast. My husband and I relocated from Georgia to Washington state to be close to our family.
My husband and I love the outdoors. We had two dogs: a lab mix (Angel) and a border collie/dachshund mix (Sandy). We called them the Golden Girls. Sadly, we lost Angel (almost 15) in August 2022, and Sandy (almost 15) in August 2023. Now we have a beautiful yellow lab named Lady. You can follow our journey on IG. We plan on retiring someday and do some traveling.
If you find a typo or something I need to fix in a resource, please contact me via Q and A, and give me a chance to make it right. I will try to fix mistakes within 48 hours, and usually much sooner.
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