How to Incorporate Handwriting Instruction in the Classroom Daily
Every minute of the day is accounted for because there’s so much to fit in! And because time is so tight, if a lesson takes more time than I planned or our students come in 5 minutes late from recess, somethings gotta give…And it usually ends up being handwriting practice. But it’s not a lost cause! By finding creative and manageable ways to incorporate handwriting instruction into your daily classroom routine, it is possible to enhance your literacy outcomes without overloading your day.
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Keep Students Engaged During the Holidays: A Guide to Surviving December in the Classroom
December - by far - has to be the most challenging month as a teacher. This time of year is BUSY! There’s also so much going on! Practices for holiday performances, special events and projects, and don’t forget about the holiday party! With the upcoming break, students seem more unmotivated than ever. So how do you keep your students motivated during the holiday season without overwhelming yourself? Let’s explore some ways to reignite your student’s motivation and engagement to help you survive December with your sanity intact!
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How to Use Elf on the Shelf in the Classroom for Engaging Holiday Writing Activities
I love adding a little thematic flair to my Daily 5 activities. With Christmas just around the corner, now is the perfect time to add a little holiday cheer to your literacy block. What’s my favorite way to add some Christmas spirit to my writing centers? Elf on the Shelf! With some careful planning and purposeful activities this holiday tradition can be productive and fun for both you and your students!
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Strategies to Master Daily 5 Expectations with Whole Brain Teaching
Mastering how to clearly explain expectations - and ensuring students actually follow them - is the key to a well-managed classroom, especially during independent work time (the heart of the Daily 5 framework!). However, getting students to stick to expectations without feeling like you're constantly nagging can be tricky. When I incorporated Whole Brain Teaching strategies, everything shifted for the better…
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How to Make the Daily 5 Work in Your Fifth-Grade Classroom: Tips for Implementation Success
To be honest, when I switched to fifth grade, I was a bit skeptical about bringing my daily 5 practices with me. Would it be to “elementary” for my fifth-graders? Would I have their buy-in? Utilizing the Daily 5 to structure my literacy block for my fifth graders was the BEST decision I could have made for my students! With a few simple tweaks, the Daily 5 not only boosted my students' independence but also helped me cover the curriculum with ease. Want to know how I made it work? Read on to learn my secrets!
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Top Tips for Successfully Implementing the Daily 5 in Kindergarten
Struggling to keep your kindergarteners engaged while building strong literacy skills? Organizing an effective literacy block can feel impossible with so many moving parts—and with such short attention spans! Discover how implementing the Daily 5 framework can transform your kindergarten classroom. Learn how to build literacy skills, foster independence, and create a smooth, efficient literacy block that works!
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Book Clubs in the Upper Elementary Classroom
Wanna know what I enjoy most about teaching fifth graders? Book Clubs! I know, I’m a bit of a Daily 5 junkie, but Book Clubs help me build strong relationships with my students while still teaching the content I need to cover. But choosing books for upper elementary Book Clubs can be a challenge, which is my I’m sharing my favorite books for upper elementary Book Clubs. These book recommendations are ones my students LOVE, and yours will, too!
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Maximizing Small Group Reading Instruction with the Daily 5
Ready to supercharge your small group reading instruction and unlock real magic in your classroom? Whether it’s mastering phonics or diving deep into advanced comprehension, I’m sharing my top secrets for creating seamless Book Clubs that maximize your time and get students excited about reading. Click now to find out how to keep students prepared, engaged, and on track for major literacy growth!
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Using the Daily 5 Strategies to Encourage Reluctant Writers
Struggling with reluctant writers in your classroom? Explore how Daily 5 strategies can turn writing into an enjoyable, stress-free activity! With tips on using choice, tech tools, and creating a supportive environment, you’ll find ways to help even the most hesitant students discover their inner writer. Dive into these practical strategies and watch your students’ confidence soar!
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How to Build Writing Stamina in Students: Effective Strategies for the Classroom
Learn how to build writing stamina in students with effective strategies for the classroom. Discover the importance of stamina-building charts, clear expectations, and writing prompts to help students become focused, confident writers during Daily 5 Work on Writing time.
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