The Real-Life Story of the Night of the Twisters
Night of the Twisters is the semi-fictionalized novel based on the tornado outbreak in Grand Island, NE in June 1980. The story by Ivy Ruckman, published in 1984, is written from the point of view of 12-year-old Dan Hatch, who – after his home and neighborhood are...
What Would You Do in Order to Achieve your Dream… for Freckles?
Judy Blume's timeless classic, Freckle Juice, stands out as a novel providing engaging narrative, relatable characters, and valuable life lessons. Using Freckle Juice, teachers can foster a love for reading while addressing essential educational objectives. [lasso...
The Power of Friendship in Freak the Mighty
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick was first published in 1993. The tale is timeless. Max is an outcast. He feels stupid, too large, hated for the crimes of his father, basically unloved and all alone in the world. Kevin is smart and adventurous, but has a disease...
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper: Complete Classroom Novel Study
Out of My Mind Novel Study: Safe Lessons & Activities for Grades 4–6 In today’s classroom climate, many teachers are cautious about which novels to teach. Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper is a powerful, age-appropriate story that is fully safe to teach, even in...
Would You Like to Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days?
Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days by Stephen Manes captivates young minds through the power of literature. It is a great novel for teachers seeking to infuse creativity, critical thinking, and moral lessons into their classrooms. [lasso rel="amazon-93"...
Celebrate Nebraska’s Birthday with a State Study!
March 1st is Statehood Day in the state of Nebraska. We will be celebrating 159 years since officially becoming the 37th state on March 1, 1867! I moved to Omaha, NE, for my first teaching job back in 1995. My assignment was 4th grade. The largest part of the...
Teaching Empathy and Resilience through Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr is a book that has been widely used in classrooms around the world. It is a story that teaches children about the horrors of war and the importance of peace. There are also...
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.