Teaching Smarter Not Harder

These choice boards were created to be utilized both in and out of the classroom! My version of reader's workshop in the classroom centers around students independently reading and responding to what they're reading while I pull small groups for guided reading. During this independent time, I allow students to read whatever they want- either fiction or nonfiction- before giving them a few minutes to respond to their text by answering one of the questions on the choice boards! (We do reading resp

These slides have been created to help my students to think critically about using context clues within a sentence to determine and decode words and/or their meanings. Students will read a sentence containing a complex vocabulary word and have to choose from a list to pick a synonym or antonym for that word. This is a great resource that you can use whole group, in partners, small groups, etc. I have used this for grammar/ literacy centers for a quick check as well! There are 8 different slide

This is a non-fiction writing created in an A-B-C book format. Each letter of the alphabet focuses on a different sea creature, with a one-page explanation of each animal. Great for lessons on non-fiction writing, informative/explanatory writing, and research!

This slide/ poster and interactive notebook insert was created to assist students in utilizing the RAP strategy for constructed and extended response questions. In the past, I have used R.A.C.E. (restate, answer, cite evidence, explain) but students are typically 'disconnected' to to the C.E. portion. (Not to mention that many text response questions do not require you to always cite and explain!) By utilizing RAP, students learn how to PROVE their answers are correct with less rigidity, therefo

This is a bundle of 5 different products used for teaching synonyms, antonyms, and homographs. Each of these products are up for sale individually in my store: - Synonyms, Antonyms, Homographs Review Organizer (Notebook Insert) - Homographs & Their Meanings (Sentence Practice) - Synonyms, Antonyms, Homographs Quick Quiz - Synonyms, Antonyms, & Homographs Task Cards - Synonyms & Antonyms Practice: Decoding Complex Word Meanings in Sentences These activities were made to maximize student engagem

This worksheet uses translation rules to get students practicing translating images on a coordinate plane. On the front, students will translate the provided images and list all ordered pairs for coordinates. On the back, students will create their own rules to translate images. The last problem allows them to create their own pre-image, rule, and image.

This product was designed to allow students to practice determining word meanings and the relationship between words. There are a variety of questions that focus on using synonyms, antonyms, and homographs. They are great test prep for benchmarks or standardized testing as well since the questions require students to think about word meanings in different ways! I have used these task cards in a whole class setting by spreading them around the room and having students cycle through them, but I

This assessment was created with a mix of math skills to be able to gauge student mastery of the following concepts: addition, subtraction, rounding to the nearest 10 & 100, multiplication, division, and perimeter. Great for math centers, morning work, or even just as a simple assessment for your math block!

Ashli Borchelt 3rd Grade American Hero Information Booklet: Includes all 9 American Heroes for 3rd Grade curriculum: Paul Revere, Frederick Douglass, Mary McLeod Bethune, Susan B Anthony, Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Cesar Chavez, Lyndon B Johnson, Thurgood Marshall. Includes blank maps to color, relevant important vocabulary words with definitions included, and a page dedicated to each hero with important questions included. This can work as a great review at the end of the year or

Peter Pan's wanted poster is used for persuasive writing lessons starting in the first grade. Students watch the movie and write about whether or not Peter Pan should go to jail for being such a nuisance. The wanted poster is the supplemental art piece to the writing prompt where students get to draw their own Peter Pan.

This phenomenal math resource is a rigorous review of numerous fifth grade math standards. Through a series of word problems that build upon one another, students will think critically about the math that they've spent all year learning about. In my own classroom, I utilize this activity with a variety of learners, from EL, SPED, and Advanced Content with gifted learners. Use this in small group to provide support or give as an assessment! This is excellent to be used in math stations or as a wh

This activity is great for math centers and small group/ partner work! Students are able to practice MEASURING using a ruler, AREA, and PERIMETER in this hands-on task. Students will use a ruler to measure "room" cut outs (included in the download) to find the area and perimeter of each one on their recording sheets (also included). Also included in this station are instructions for students to follow to complete the activity.

This 6 question quiz is designed to be a quick assessment for your study of synonyms, antonyms, homographs, and even the use of context clues! Use it as a whole class assessment, or put into centers as an activity. This could be used as a ticket in or out the door. I have even used this assessment for a pre and post test to determine what my students already know on the subject. The product was made as a half sheet quiz. (Yay for saving paper!)

This 3 page study guide is aligned with Common Core and covers everything your students need to know for their 3rd grade fractions unit. From partitioning shapes to fractions on a number line and word problems, students will be able to practice their knowledge of fractions. This tool would be great as a partner/ small group study lesson in the classroom or for extra credit outside of school!

This product contains slides that focus on how homographs are used in context and word meanings. Students will practice using context clues and decoding word meanings from reading sentences that contain homographs. This could be used as a whole class lesson, assessment, or center activity.

This product was created to be used as an interactive notebook insert to mimic an anchor chart. I love having my students create 'anchor charts' like these in their notebooks to be able to go back and reference their notes on! The half sheets fit perfectly on one notebook page. The review organizer goes over what synonyms, antonyms, and homographs are, and gives students an opportunity to complete/ provide their own examples of each. How to utilize in the classroom: - Have students follow al

These task cards are a real challenge for students practicing multiplication, area, and distributive property skills! These 8 cards provide students with a variety of problems geared towards problem solving skills and their knowledge of area. I use these as math stations/ centers in my classroom and have seen great results with students' abilities to problem solve and think outside the box! They're great for small group/ partner work, and even differentiated work for students that have already a

This activity is made to allow students to identify shapes and their attributes. Included are 8 different cards that include a different shape, as well as a recording sheet for students' answers. This is great for small group/ partner work, and as a math station! This could also be used during a minilesson.

This lesson plan includes a hands-on experiment for students to learn about weathering and erosion. It includes the standards, EQs, common misconceptions about the material, background, rationale, differentiated instruction, and summary of the lesson. The lesson itself includes a list of materials and step-by-step procedures for teachers to lead the lesson (including an estimated time-frame for the lesson.) The last page of the lesson is the experiment worksheet/ graphic organizer for students t

Included are TWO quick quizzes created to quickly assess student learning and mastery of skills. There are two of each quiz per page (for saving paper and copies!). Great for morning work, openers for lessons, summaries, or just a brief quiz- this will allow you to gauge where your students are in order to differentiate and plan lessons accordingly.