Create Dream Explore - Engaging Classroom Ideas and Resources

Digital Grammar Word Work: Save Yourself Time!

Once I finished creating my self-grading digital math bell work, I knew that I wanted something similar for grammar. I teach grammar twice per week in a classroom that has 12 chromebooks (approximately 1 chromebook per 2 students). My school has been looking for ways to trim the paper and copying budget and printing out grammar worksheets for 30 kids twice per week was adding up. I needed a solution that met my needs but it didn't exist. So I created one! Digital Grammar Word Work: I wanted ... Read the Post

Novel Study and Lesson Ideas for The Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus is a fabulous book for a class read aloud OR for literature circles and independent reading as well. If you haven't read this book already with your students, I highly recommend it! There are a few parts that are a bit mature so I would recommend this book for grades 5 and up. This book is about a middle school aged girl named Aven who was born without arms and was adopted by a nice couple. The story is written from Aven's perspective and follows ... Read the Post

Making Connections: Reading Comprehension Strategy – Texts for Grades 4-6

When we teach the various comprehension strategies (making connections, asking questions, visualizing, inferring, predicting, summarizing, etc.), it is best to model these strategies ourselves. This is as important for the primary grades as it is for our older students. As students get older we sometimes shy away from picture books but there are so many fantastic picture books out there that are geared for older students. When teaching about Making Connections (Activating Prior Knowledge) or any ... Read the Post

Take Your Back to School Parent Survey Digital

In years past I would send home a printed copy of a parent survey during the first week of school. On average I would get 50% of these back if I was lucky. Parents are often as overwhelmed that first week as we are. They are inundated with forms to sign, surveys to fill out etc. As a mom of three I have totally felt overwhelmed with it all BUT as a teacher I am guilty of sending the paperwork home. Last year I decided to switch things up. I held off on the survey the first week and I waited ... Read the Post

Why YOU Should Become Google Certified

Since becoming a Google Certified Educator, several people have asked me why I did it. There are several reasons. I am a self-taught Google nerd. I learned how to do all of the basics and then some on my own, just by playing around, watching YouTube videos, and attending EdTech conferences. The thing about Google tools is that for the most part, whatever you do can be undone. So if you royally mess up...never fear, you can undo it. Even with all of the knowledge that I have gained I knew ... Read the Post

Novel Study Activities for the book Refugee by Alan Gratz

This post contains affiliate links and if you click through to make a purchase I will receive a small compensation at no cost to you. What an incredible novel this is! My students were intensely interested in and engaged with Refugee by Alan Gratz. It's an incredibly moving book with so many opportunities for great discussions and critical thinking. While working through this novel with my students I came up with and compiled many activities to support our understanding of the text. Background ... Read the Post