The Inspiration of Esperanza Rising
In the pursuit of a well-rounded education, teachers need to explore diverse and culturally rich literature that engages and inspires their students. One such gem is Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan. This poignant novel not only captivates young readers but also...
Bring Social Studies to Life with Blood on the River
Social studies is a subject that often suffers from a reputation for being dull and dry. However, it doesn't have to be that way. One powerful tool for bringing history to life and making social studies more engaging is through the use of historical fiction. Blood on...
The Beauty of Friendship Through the Eyes of the Shopping Mall Gorilla
My son came home from school and told me, "Mom, I am reading the best book and you really need to make a unit for it!" Not a crazy comment by any means, but from my son it is a bit out of the ordinary because he is a reluctant reader. It takes a really, really good...
Serving up the Facts for Thanksgiving
History is a complex story woven with threads of both triumphs and tribulations. One crucial part of this intricate narrative is the story of the Plymouth Colony and the origins of Thanksgiving. Teaching about the Plymouth Colony in a factual way is not just a matter...
Why Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is a Must-Read Book for Your Classroom
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a classic novel that has captured the hearts and minds of readers of all ages. It tells the story of a young boy named Harry Potter, who discovers that he is a wizard and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry....
Historical Fiction with a Twist: Al Capone Does My Shirts
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko, is historical fiction told in a quirky and interesting way. It is a great book to use in your classroom or homeschool for a whole class novel study, small book groups, or individual book studies. [lasso rel="amazon-68"...
The Crazy, Silly Joy of Wayside School
One of my favorite children's authors is Louis Sachar. I love his quirky sense of humor, and even more, I love sharing this humor with my students and giggling right along with them! I have many "inside jokes" with my students where the humor brings us together as a...
I’m Shelley from The Teaching Bank. I have taught 3rd, 4th, and 6th grades.
My goal is to provide lessons and units for K-12 that are practical and ready to teach with minimal prep needed.