Upper Elementary Literacy Lab
166 Followers
West Babylon, New York, United States
About the store
I am an upper elementary educator with extensive experience teaching literacy through reading, writing, and inquiry-based instruction. I currently teach 5th grade ELA and Social Studies in New York, where I design rigorous, engaging lessons that build strong readers, thoughtful writers, and confident thinkers.
Over the years, I have developed a classroom full of structured literacy routines, anchor charts, writing frameworks, and assessment tools that support students in mastering complex reading and writing skills.
The resources I create are not theoretical—they are lessons, anchor charts, and tools that have been tested and refined with real students in a real classroom.
My goal is to provide teachers with materials that make rigorous literacy instruction clear, practical, and engaging for upper elementary learners.
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HMH Into Reading Grade 5 Supplemental Text Packets | Skills & Differentiation
⭐⭐ Hundreds of pages of skill transfer support with repeated practice across all of these packets ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ ⭐ Extra texts for every module skill so students can practice and apply reading strategies again and again.⭐⭐⭐ ⭐ Product Description If you teach HMH Into Reading Grade 5, you know how important it is for students to have multiple opportunities to practice each reading skill. This resource provides supplemental text packets aligned to the skills taught across the Grade 5 Into Reading modul
5th
Close Reading, Reading, Reading Strategies
Westward Expansion Text Set | 18 Reading Passages | Literacy Based Instruction
The Perfect Companion to Bring Your Westward Expansion Unit to Life Through Reading *This can be used to accompany the Westward Expansion Bundle of 18 Lessons also in my store OR used as a stand alone product*✨ PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 📚 Westward Expansion Bundle Reading Passages: The Literacy Companion Your Unit Needs Bring history to life through reading. This 18-passage text set is designed to accompany your Westward Expansion instruction and transform Social Studies into a literacy-rich exper
3rd - 6th
Native Americans, Other (Social Studies), U.S. History
Comparative Essay Bootcamp: A 4-Day Zero Prep Test Prep Unit (Grade 5 ELA)
👉 Everything you need to teach comparative essays… without planning a thing!Teaching comparative essays doesn’t have to feel overwhelming anymore.👉 This ZERO PREP Comparative Essay Bootcamp gives you a complete, step-by-step system to guide students from breaking down a prompt → planning → drafting → revising → editing → publishing with confidence. 👉 Built using NYS Grade 5 released texts (“Drum Dream Girl” & “The Oud Player of Sana’a”), this unit mirrors real test expectations—while remai
5th
ELA Test Prep, Writing-Essays
HMH-Aligned Writing Checklists Bundle (Grade 5) | Differentiated Narrative, Opin
🔥 Over 20 differentiated checklists organized by Writing Genre! 🔥 If you use HMH Into Reading, you already know— the teacher rubrics are strong… but students don’t have clear, accessible tools to self-assess their writing.That’s where this bundle comes in. These student-friendly, differentiated writing checklists take the expectations from the HMH writing rubrics and transform them into clear, usable, kid-friendly language—so students can actually understand, track, and improve their wri
3rd - 6th
Writing
Writing Exemplars Bundle: Mentor Texts for Every Genre (Grades 4–6 ELA)
👉💥 Your end goal, modeled—so students know exactly what success looks like. 💥 📝 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Creating writing lessons is already time-consuming—writing exemplars shouldn’t be.👉This Writing Exemplars Bundle gives you a complete collection of high-quality mentor texts to support instruction across multiple genres—so you can focus on teaching, not creating from scratch. 👉Strong writing instruction begins with inquiry and a clear vision of success. These exemplars provide that vision
3rd - 6th
Creative Writing, Writing, Writing-Expository
Short Response Bootcamp: A 4-Day Zero Prep Test Prep Unit (Grade 5 ELA)
👉 From confusion to complete responses in 4 lessons.📝 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Short responses don’t have to feel frustrating—for you OR your students.This ZERO PREP Short Response Bootcamp gives you a complete, step-by-step system to teach students how to break down prompts, structure responses, and fully answer questions with confidence.Designed with real test expectations in mind, this unit builds skills across 4 lessons—each one layering into the next for deep understanding and independence
3rd - 6th
ELA Test Prep, Writing
Report Card Comments Bundle | Upper Elementary | Editable
⭐ Over 100 ready-to-use report card comments includedWriting thoughtful report card comments can take hours—especially when you are trying to differentiate for every student. This Upper Elementary Report Card Comment Bundle provides a large collection of ready-to-use comments that help you quickly write meaningful, professional feedback for students while still allowing you to personalize each comment. These comments are designed specifically for upper elementary classrooms and align with the
3rd - 5th
For All Subjects
NYSESLAT Writing Practice Bundle | ENL Small Group Test Prep | Editable + Transl
💡 Support Your ENL Students With Confidence💡 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Preparing students for the NYSESLAT Writing section can feel overwhelming—especially when materials are limited and your ENL learners need targeted, scaffolded support. This bundle was created specifically for teachers who: are working with small ENL groups have exhausted NYSESLAT practice tests or were never given enough writing-focused prep materials 👉 This resource gives you ready-to-use, structured writing practice that
3rd - 5th
Writing
May Morning Slides | Daily Warm-Ups + Fun Facts | Editable Routine Slides
💡 No-Prep Morning Slides for Upper Elementary 💡💡 PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONIf your mornings feel rushed or inconsistent, you’re not alone. These May Morning Slides are designed to give your classroom a calm, predictable, and meaningful start to every day—while still keeping students engaged and thinking. Each slide follows a consistent routine that students quickly learn and love, making mornings smoother for you and more purposeful for them. 🌸 WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT ✔️ Consistent Daily Rout
3rd - 8th
Classroom Community
Reading Report Card Comments A–Z | F&P Reading Levels | Science of Reading Align
⭐ 26 differentiated reading comments aligned to F&P levels A–ZReport card writing can be one of the most time-consuming parts of teaching. This resource provides ready-to-use reading comments organized by independent reading level, making it easier to write meaningful, professional feedback for every student. Each comment is designed to reflect the reading behaviors and comprehension skills expected at that level, helping teachers clearly communicate student strengths and next steps for growt
K - 8th
Reading, Reading Strategies, Science of Reading
Short Response Made Simple: 3 Must-Have Strategies for Test Prep (Google Slides)
📝 3 simple tools. Big impact on student writing. 📝 📝 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Short responses don’t have to feel like a struggle anymore.This high-impact mini toolkit gives you 3 essential strategies that students NEED to write clear, complete, and text-based short responses—especially during test prep season. Perfect for quick mini-lessons, small groups, intervention, or interactive notebooks, these slides are designed to be used flexibly and immediately. 📦 What’s Included: This Google
3rd - 6th
ELA Test Prep, Writing
Grade 5 ELA Test Prep: Short Response Strategy Toolkit (Google Slides)
📝 Short Response struggles? This is your solution.If your students are: retelling instead of answering struggling to find relevant evidence unsure how to explain their thinking writing incomplete or vague responses …this resource gives you everything you need to explicitly teach, model, and reinforce strong short response writing.✨ These Google Slides were made in the NYS Format, however, they can be used in all states that adhere to the same testing guidelines/format of Writing Test P
4th - 6th
ELA Test Prep, Writing
Upper Elementary Writing Anchor Charts | Personal Narrative & Opinion
Strong writers need clear models and visual reminders throughout the writing process. These Upper Elementary Writing Anchor Charts were designed to give students the support they need whether they are working during a whole-class lesson, collaborating in small groups, or writing independently. Each chart breaks down essential writing concepts into simple, student-friendly language and visuals, making complex writing skills easier for students to understand and apply. One of the most powerful f
3rd - 5th
Writing
The Writing Process Visual Toolkit | Posters, Slides & Student Reference Cards
⭐ One visual toolkit that supports the entire writing process—perfect for posters, slides, and student reference tools.Product Description Help your students understand and navigate the writing process with clear, engaging visual supports. The Writing Process Visual Toolkit provides flexible writing process visuals that can be used in multiple ways throughout your classroom. Whether you are introducing the writing process to the whole class or supporting students during independent writing tim
1st - 6th
Writing
Writing Report Card Comments Narrative
Hi all! These are writing report card comments that I have generated for my 5th graders to make my life a little more stress-free during report card time. Even though I used them for my 5th graders, they can be tailored to any grade. They focus on Realistic Narrative Fiction Writing.
3rd - 5th
English Language Arts, Writing
SMART Goals Translated Template
These templates are for S.M.A.R.T. Goals that are Reading/Writing oriented. They are guided templates that break down the SMART acronym into simpler phrasing. With picture support, ENL students will access the same curriculum during your SMART goals lessons by having the template in their translated language (Chinese, Hindi, and Spanish).
Not Specific
English Language Arts
Action Plan Conference Notes Template
This is a teacher made action plan template for use in the classroom. I use it as a form of conference notes when I am working with students who need strategy help in reading. It is a simple document, but sometimes these small things are very helpful in a hectic day! Hope it is useful!
Not Specific
English Language Arts
SMART Goals Student Template
This is a template that breaks down how students can create their own S.M.A.R.T Goals dependent on the subject. Each of the words of the acronym is given a guiding question and accompanied by picture support. Students can use this template independently or with partners to create targeted and specific goals.
3rd - 5th
For All Subjects
The Sandwich Swap Theme Read Aloud
This is a teacher made Smart Notebook lesson based on the popular read aloud, The Sandwich Swap. In this notebook lesson, there is a Thinking Map that refers to text evidence to prove themes that are present in the book. It also includes a strategy so that students may monitor their own learning and track a text's theme. I like to use it in the first few days of school to teach acceptance and tolerance as a classroom rule. Hope it is useful!
1st - 5th
Literature, Reading, Reading Strategies
CCSS
RL.1.10
, RL.2.10
, RL.3.10
+2
5th Grade June Writing Report Card Comments
These writing comments are meant to coincide with the TC calendar for schools who are ending the year in a Fantasy Unit. They are gender neutral and separated into below, approaching, on, and above grade level. They are a MAJOR time saver and can be tailored to any child. Enjoy!
4th - 5th
English Language Arts, Other (ELA)
Showing 1-20 of 40 results
About the store
Experience
I am an upper elementary educator with extensive experience teaching literacy through reading, writing, and inquiry-based instruction. I currently teach 5th grade ELA and Social Studies in New York, where I design rigorous, engaging lessons that build strong readers, thoughtful writers, and confident thinkers.
Over the years, I have developed a classroom full of structured literacy routines, anchor charts, writing frameworks, and assessment tools that support students in mastering complex reading and writing skills.
The resources I create are not theoretical—they are lessons, anchor charts, and tools that have been tested and refined with real students in a real classroom.
My goal is to provide teachers with materials that make rigorous literacy instruction clear, practical, and engaging for upper elementary learners.
Teaching style
My teaching style blends structured literacy instruction with engaging, student-centered learning.
I believe students learn best when they are given:
-clear routines and expectations
-visual supports such as anchor charts
-meaningful opportunities to discuss and write about complex ideas
In my classroom, I focus heavily on helping students:
-analyze texts deeply
-support their thinking with evidence
-develop clear and organized writing
I am especially passionate about helping students grow into confident writers and critical readers, while also providing teachers with tools that simplify the planning process.
The resources in my store reflect the types of materials I rely on every day in my own classroom.
Awards & shining teacher moments
I have received positive recognition from both my principal and district superintendent for practices they have observed in my classroom. I also have been rated highly effective for my teacher practice ten years in a row.
Some of my most rewarding moments as a teacher come from watching students discover their voices as readers and writers.
Whether it is a reluctant writer proudly sharing their first completed narrative, or a student confidently explaining their thinking during a text discussion, these moments remind me why literacy instruction is so powerful.
I am especially proud of creating classroom systems that help students feel capable and supported as they tackle challenging reading and writing tasks.
Many of the resources in my store grew directly from these moments in my classroom.
My own education history
I have my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, my Masters Degree in Special Education, and 30 credits above my Masters.
Additional biographical information
Upper Elementary Literacy Lab was created as a place to share the classroom-tested tools that have helped my students succeed.
Here you will find resources designed specifically for grades 3–5, including:
-reading comprehension strategies
-writing frameworks and anchor charts
-evidence-based response supports
-test preparation materials
-literacy routines that build independence
Every resource is designed with the goal of making rigorous literacy instruction accessible, organized, and engaging for both teachers and students.
Thank you for supporting Upper Elementary Literacy Lab and for the incredible work you do for your students every day.
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