For teachers of students in 3rd through 5th grade, one key reading strategy that increases comprehension is drawing conclusions. This fundamental reading strategy not only helps students' understanding of a text but also encourages them to think critically about a text and form their own judgements. Drawing conclusions can be one of the more ...
Uncategorized
Nonfiction Book Report Templates and Ideas for 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Students
Generally, when we think of book reports, we think of fiction reading response. However, nonfiction book report templates serve equally as important of a purpose for digging deep into nonfiction texts. Book reports are such a great way to encourage the use of many different reading skills with the same text. With one nonfiction text, students ...
Scope and Sequence (Order) for Teaching Grammar Skills to ESL Students
It can be overwhelming to try to figure out what the order of teaching ESL grammar is to newcomer ELLs/MLs. It is so hard to choose where to start with a scope and sequence because many grammatical skills seem imperative for both conversation and writing. They need to know subject pronouns, the verb “to be”, creating the present tense…the list ...
ESL Grammar Activities: Teaching the Present Simple and Present Continuous Tenses
Teaching the present simple tense and present continuous (progressive) tense is so important for newcomer ESL students. Because every spoken and written sentence has a verb, students need to quickly learn how to use them in order to create a meaningful sentence. The first tense students learn is the present simple tense. This lays the foundation ...
Using Graphic Organizers to Support Reading Comprehension Strategies 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Students
Graphic organizers are timeless, versatile tools that support students in independently using reading comprehension strategies. A quality graphic organizer can be the difference between students using and understanding a comprehension strategy or not. WHY USE GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS FOR READING STRATEGIES? Graphic organizers provide ...
Teaching Vocabulary Activities: Graphic Organizers & Practice Ideas (Grades 3-6)
Having a wide vocabulary is a huge part of what helps students to be successful in both reading comprehension and writing. This is why vocabulary is one of the National Reading Panel’s five core elements of reading instruction along with phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension. In general, the wider a reader’s vocabulary is, the ...
Teaching Book Report Writing: Book Report Ideas and Formats (Grades 3-5)
Writing a response to literature, or a book report, is an essential part of connecting reading and writing for upper elementary students. It allows them to reflect on what they have read and dig deep into important fiction skills. These can include: Book report writing also encourages students to articulate their opinions ...
Teaching Subject Pronouns to Newcomer ELs (+ Free ESL Grammar Worksheets and Activities)
Using subject pronouns is key to forming sentences and making the English language flow naturally. This is why one of the absolute first ESL grammar skills that newcomers need to learn is subject pronouns. However, teaching subject pronouns does not need to be boring! It is so important to involve students in a variety of ...
Teaching the Verb To Be in English to Newcomer ELs (ESL)
The verb “to be” is the most commonly used verb in the English language. However, it is an irregular verb in that it does not follow the same grammar rules as regular verbs (in all forms of the present or past tense). This can make it a tricky verb for ELs/MLLs to grasp. Because of the verb’s irregularity, it is important ...
Teaching Students to Analyze Character Traits and Characterization (3rd-5th Grade)
Analyzing character traits is a key fiction reading skill that is needed for successful comprehension. In most cases, authors do not just come out and tell readers the traits that a character possesses. By teaching students to take a close look at a character’s thoughts, dialogue, actions and feelings, students can begin to analyze and infer a ...