I have a total of 27 years teaching experience . After I received my M.Ed. from the University of Florida (hence the name "HappyEdugator"), I began teaching in elementary school, where I taught pull-out remedial classes for grades 2-5 and a section of K-1. Then I taught Pre-K for 5 years, before I went up to Middle School, where I have been in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Last year, I went back to 1st grade in a private setting. I have traveled worldwide and am also fluent in Spanish.
I have a total of 27 years teaching experience . After I received my M.Ed. from the University of Florida (hence the name "HappyEdugator"), I began teaching in elementary school, where I taught pull-out remedial classes for grades 2-5 and a section of K-1. Then I taught Pre-K for 5 years, before I went up to Middle School, where I have been in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Last year, I went back to 1st grade in a private setting. I have traveled worldwide and am also fluent in Spanish.
Elements in Fairy Tales Chart. Have students read 5 fairy tales out of the fifteen suggested choices and have them mark with an x the elements and characteristics of fairy tales they find in their stories.Students can read the fairy tales online at the suggested site and complete this as a webquest, or you may prefer to provide books for them to peruse. Either way, they will see through discovery that fairy tales have many characteristics in common.
- HappyEdugator
Strong Verb List. Use strong verbs to enhance writing. A great revision strategy is to look for ways to make verbs more descriptive. This list of strong action verbs is a handy reference to use when a better word is needed. Students can keep these sheets in their writer's journal or notebook. These words can also make a great word wall.
- HappyEdugator
Complete Subject and Simple Subject Worksheet. Understanding basic sentences. The first step in finding subjects and predicates is to be able to find the simple subject and complete subject. This worksheet explains simple and complete subjects in simple, easy to understand terms and then give students fifteen sentences for practice. Students like using highlighters instead of circling the simple subject. Answer key included. - HappyEdugator
Martin Luther King Jr. PowerPoint and MLK Writing Assignment. This PowerPoint presentation (with a writing assignment) has 30 slides depicting the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., from birth to his death, and his legacy. There are many photographs and some audio from his "I have a dream" speech. Students will learn about the life of MLK, his influence, and how he dreamed of a brotherhood of man. There is a writing assignment for the last slide, which is a prompt that can be used for any grade level with expectations of the complexity of the writing the difference between a lower grade answer and a higher grade answer. There are four options for student choice. Editable for your own class and may be customized for your class only. Technology note- If you are using a PowerPoint Viewer instead of the full PowerPoint program, I have discovered that some of the text will disappear. Please make sure you have a full version of PowerPoint before you download.
Latitude and Longitude Worksheet. This worksheet is to help students understand how latitude and longitude work and learn the terminology associated with the grid system we use to locate places on earth. Key is included.
Business Letter Format. This business letter format shows that there are 6 parts to a business letter: heading, inside address, salutation, body, closing, and signature. Give the handout to your students as a model, and then let them compose their own business letter. Supports common core standards. - HappyEdugator
A Beginning of the Year Me Bag Activity - a great back to school activity that helps everyone get to know each other at the beginning of the year. This All About Me Bag activity includes letter to parents with calendar, assignment reminder sheets, and rubric. Includes an original "me" bag poem to paste on the bag that students can read aloud and two writing sheets. Promotes creative thinking.
Reading Club or Book Club Activities for the Entire School Year. When you go back to school, are you planning to have a reading club or a book club start at the beginning of the year? Either in your classroom, or school-wide? This 34 page packet is what you need to start a successful reading club. This is a year's worth of activities for a Reading Club. The topics are planned for September through June. Everyone starts with a membership card, and to stay an active member, each student reads books on the theme of the month. The printables included here are: a student letter with membership card, a parent letter explaining the requirements, letters home with signature lines for books read for each theme, badges for monthly bulletin boards, and certificates of achievement for each month. There is also a super student award for the end of the year and a tic-tac-toe board for students to complete that will encourage them to read books from a variety of genres. Start your club anytime and enjoy the reading! 34 pages. - HappyEdugator
Language Difficulty Indicators Handout. FREE A list of 16 indicators, such as limited vocabulary or delayed responses, that a child is having difficulties processing language, and may need special services or extra help. - HappyEdugator
Writing Activities - 21 Writing prompts for engaging narrative, expository, and even poetry about trash. Reduce, reuse, recycle writing ideas. Fun to use anytime, but also a good Earth Day project or when studying ecology or conservation. Differentiated writing activities that can be used in various ways for whole group, cooperative learning, or as a literacy center. You can show the individual slides to a whole group as a class writing activity. Also, you might prefer to print the slides and divide the activities between small groups, and give students a selection of cards to choose from. In addition, the slides can be printed out on index cards and laminated to be used in a literary writing center. If you make a center, consider putting a trash can in it filled with interesting junk to inspire writing ideas. However, you decide to use them, I hope you will enjoy the wonderful writing your students will create, and that they will enjoy writing and be proud of their accomplishments. A rubric is included on the last slide. Enjoy!
- HappyEdugator
Shades of Meaning Verb Cards - RUN. Cut out and laminate these 16 different cards illustrating different synonyms of the verb "run." Helps students understand connotation. With guidance and support from adults, students acquire new vocabulary by defining word relationships and nuances in word meanings, sorting words into categories, choosing and acting out the different meanings. Aligns to Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.5d Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs describing the same general action (e.g., walk, march, strut, prance) by acting out the meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.5d Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs differing in manner (e.g., look, peek, glance, stare, glare, scowl) and adjectives differing in intensity (e.g., large, gigantic) by defining or choosing them or by acting out the meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.5b Distinguish shades of meaning among closely related verbs (e.g., toss, throw, hurl) and closely related adjectives (e.g., thin, slender, skinny, scrawny).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.5c Distinguish shades of meaning among related words that describe states of mind or degrees of certainty (e.g., knew, believed, suspected, heard, wondered).
Additionally, words can be used for spelling practice, writing practice, and word walls. Includes definitions for the teacher. - HappyEdugator
Leadership - Ten Qualities of a Good Leader PowerPoint Presentation. Helpful at the beginning of the year. Includes ten qualities that make a good leader. Some of the characteristics of a good leader include self-confidence, a sense of justice, and self-control. Good BTS character education activity or use when you are discussing classroom rules and behavior expectations. We tell kids to be good leaders,and not followers, but they need to know how. Good for back to school or the beginning of the year to provide students an understanding of expectations. Use at the beginning of the year to motivate. Use at the end of the year to review important life skills. (For professional development, insert the word teacher for leader, and student for follower) Animated slides, Partner activity and writing assignment included, along with some quick review questions.
- HappyEdugator
Christmas Pictionary and Charades Game. A fun Christmas game of Pictionary or Charades - where all words are related to Christmas, Winter, or December, and even include Christmas songs and Christmas movies. 99 Different Cards! Print out Cards. Cut out and Laminate. You can then use the cards to play the game Pictionary or Charades. Just team up. Either game is for four or more players. The more, the merrier! The object of the game is to have fun! Fun party game at school or at home! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! - HappyEdugator
Shades of Meaning Verb Cards - WALK. Cut out and laminate these 16 different cards illustrating different synonyms of the verb "WALK." Helps students understand connotation. With guidance and support from adults, students acquire new vocabulary by defining word relationships and nuances in word meanings, sorting words into categories, choosing and acting out the different meanings.
Aligns to Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.5d Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs describing the same general action (e.g., walk, march, strut, prance) by acting out the meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.5d Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs differing in manner (e.g., look, peek, glance, stare, glare, scowl) and adjectives differing in intensity (e.g., large, gigantic) by defining or choosing them or by acting out the meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.5b Distinguish shades of meaning among closely related verbs (e.g., toss, throw, hurl) and closely related adjectives (e.g., thin, slender, skinny, scrawny).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.5c Distinguish shades of meaning among related words that describe states of mind or degrees of certainty (e.g., knew, believed, suspected, heard, wondered).
Additionally, words can be used for spelling practice, writing practice, and word walls. Includes definitions for the teacher.
- HappyEdugator
Back to School Behavior Management - Behavior Signs. Use these cute signs to save your voice and your sanity. Use for classroom management. Simply print out, laminate, trim, and if you desire, attach to a paint stirrer or wooden craft stick with a staple or two or mount in apropriate places in your room. Signs for Stop, Quiet, Please Line Up Quietly, Raise Your Hand, Listen, Look Carefully, Bring Your Books, Who's Got It?, Time to Clean Up, Look and Listen, The Teacher is IN, The Teacher is OUT (great to let kids know when to approach you) and a variety of Welcome Signs. Also includes a Girl's Bathroom Pass, a Boy's Bathroom Pass, an Office Pass, a Media Center Pass, a Nurse Pass, a Locker Pass, and a sign for your door We Are in the Computer Lab. 25 signs with directions for use. A variety of choices. You may choose to use only a few at a time or make some into signs or posters. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator
Public Speaking PowerPoint - How to write and present a speech. Presentation explains purpose ( Persuade, Inform, and Entertain), points to consider such as subject, audience, personality, and occasion. Discusses the process of planning a speech, including the body, the introduction, and the conclusion, writing an outline, and preparing the delivery. 25 slides.
India Travel Brochure Project. Student project with rubric. Students create a travel guide on India on a tri-fold construction paper. Students imagine they are travel guides leading a tour of India and must give their group an overview of India's history, geography, language, government, economy, religion, climate and attractions. Student instructions for the project to handout, teacher directions, brochure template, and a detailed rubric included. Rubric measures use of class time, writing conventions, attractiveness, organization, creativity, relevance of graphics, required elements including sources, and knowledge gained. - HappyEdugator
Drama Warm Ups - Fun role playing activities to get students moving, thinking and creating. Whether you are teaching drama in literature, a drama course, or sponsoring a drama club after school, these activities will be engaging and fun, and will lead to higher level thinking and creativity! 15 pages of different activities with examples and suggestions to get started. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator
