Teaching Tools

Contextual Redefinition Vocabulary Strategy

  • Oct. 17, 2024, 11:42 a.m.
The contextual redefinition strategy teaches students to use word structure and context clues to infer word meanings. Through multiple rounds, students gain insight into a word's definition with increasingly detailed clues.
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What's One Word?

  • Oct. 17, 2024, 11:29 a.m.
The "What's the Word?" technique is an engaging activity designed to activate students' background knowledge, build language comprehension, and encourage the use of newly learned language. In this activity, students work in pairs or trios to analyze and discuss a series of photographs, choosing one word that best represents each image. As they progress through the photos, they compare and connect ideas, ultimately identifying a central theme or concept. This process not only deepens their understanding of the images but also helps them apply new vocabulary in meaningful contexts, enhancing their overall language skills.
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Background Knowledge Playbook

  • Oct. 17, 2024, 11:21 a.m.
The Background Knowledge Playbook page was designed for busy teachers and MTSS/RTI teams as a quick reference for instructional strategies and techniques to support students who lack the prior knowledge needed to connect with topics in reading, writing, science, social studies, and other content areas. I also provide suggestions and links to additional resources for each strategy or technique.
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Alphaboxes 2 Pages

  • Oct. 17, 2024, 10:53 a.m.
This is a pdf of the Alphaboxes chart with 2 pages.
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Alphaboxes 1 Page

  • Oct. 17, 2024, 10:45 a.m.
This is a pdf of the one page Alphaboxes chart.
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Reading Fluency Rubric

  • Feb. 3, 2022, 4:29 p.m.
I created this rubric for students in grades 3-8 who participate in an after school reading intervention. The students use the rubric to self-assess each of the four areas of fluency and determine next steps for practice. I have students record themselves reading a short text. As they listen to the recording, they score the rubric. Suggested texts: I use short stories, poems, and short informational passages. Teachers can use this rubric as an assessment tool for determining what to model or teach for students who are working to achieve fluency. I included a scale for assigning a grade, if needed.
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Problem Solving Icons

Problem Solving Icons

  • March 19, 2020, 4:07 p.m.
As mathematicians tackle new problem situations, they need to develop a strategy for solving each type of problem situation. Using Susan O'Connell's fabulous books Introduction to Problem Solving, I created 8 icons to post in your classroom. Students will need direct instruction on what each strategy is and when to use it. Then ask students which strategy they think applies to the problem situation.
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RTI Strategies Quick Chart1

RTI Strategies Quick Chart1

  • March 19, 2020, 2:22 a.m.
Product Description This 2 page planning documents lists meta-cognitive strategies proficient readers use (page 1) and research-based strategies that teachers use to develop meta-cognitive strategies (page 2). Grade Levels PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
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Guided Reading Instruction Checklist1

  • March 19, 2020, 2:17 a.m.
Product Description What goes into planning a guided reading group lesson? This document is great for guiding teachers and tutors through the steps of planning an effective small group reading lesson. You can use this for observing or reflecting on small group reading lessons.
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Reading Response Question Stems-Grades 4-8

Reading Response Question Stems-Grades 4-8

  • March 19, 2020, 2:05 a.m.
Product Description Get your students using the correct higher level verbiage with these printable question stem strips to be used by teachers and students to help generate responses to reading. Best for grades 4 through 8.
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