Unit 8 of Benchmark Advance
Let’s get started on Unit 8! Here, friends, is your home for all of my resources, tips, tricks, project ideas, and freebies on Benchmark Advance Unit 8, our Earth Science unit.
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Welcome to the Blog!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Here’s where I share tips and ideas around literacy, math, small groups, and student collaboration.
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Latest Posts
Turn Your Students Into Expert Researchers
There are of course positives and negatives that come with the sort of access we all have in the 21st century. We have to teach our students to tell the difference between good information and bad information. They need to learn how to pick out the important details as they read about the subject they’re researching, without getting bogged down with less-than-necessary details. Students also have to be able to think critically about what they discover, presenting it to others in an organized manner.
4 Easy Ways to Simplify Your Close Reading Lessons
After a few years of using close readings with my students, I’ve finally gotten to what I believe to be the optimal way to use this teaching strategy. I’m excited to share what’s worked for me and my students!
How I Differentiate Guided Math Lessons
Meeting with each small group every day allows me to see exactly where my students need help. I can easily check in with each one individually and help them work through a misconception or a struggle as we work on the day’s math objective together.
What a Typical Day of Math Centers Looks Like
I prefer to teach math in small groups. I begin each math lesson with everyone on the carpet as I introduce the concept. Shortly after, students rotate through three math centers in 15-minute blocks of time:
An Easy Way to Level Students for Math Groups
Before I teach a new concept, I give my students a pre-assessment that includes three different leveled questions.
How to Teach Students to Set Data-Based Learning Goals
Teach students to use their own data. This is one of the best ways to teach your students how to take ownership of their learning goals.
How to Teach Students to Write to Sources: Using Color-Coding to Analyze Writing Prompts
Do your students struggle to write content that actually follows the prompt? If so, you are not alone! It can be frustrating when students don’t comprehend the writing prompt, especially because the state tests are jam-packed with prompts that must be followed. In recent years, the Common Core writing standards have gotten laser-focused on writing to sources rather than process writing.
Benchmark Advance Assessments in Distance Learning
I recently polled teachers in my Benchmark Advance Planning, Organization, and Tips Facebook group to learn about how they are assessing students during distance learning. I asked teachers specifically about how they are assessing for Benchmark and if they were using the Benchmark Advance assessments. I found that some teachers are not giving the assessments at all, some are assigning them just to monitor progress (not record actual grades), and others are using them for true formative assessment.
4 Tips for Doing PBL During Distance Learning
During a regular year, it can be hard to find the time to fit in projects and project-based learning assignments. With this year being as difficult as it already is, making time for projects may be the last thing on your priority list, but it doesn’t have to be a crazy and overwhelming thing! You can incorporate PBL even in a distance learning environment.
Managing Small Groups During Distance Learning
I recently polled teachers in my Facebook group to learn about the different ways teachers are running and managing small group instruction during distance learning. There were many different strategies and tips shared that I will outline for you in this post.
4 Interactive Fraction Activities to Teach Fractions in a Distance Learning Environment
Understanding fractions is one of the most common math struggles for young learners. There are a few reasons this might be the case, and in today’s blog post, I want to give you some concrete methods and fun interactive activities for teaching fractions. These methods and activities can be used even if you are teaching virtually.
