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.
Chromebooks Keyboard Shortcuts - Essential guide for using Chromebooks in the classroom. If your school is using Google Chromebooks in the classroom, you can use these quick keyboard shortcuts for using notebooks in the classroom to help your kids and yourself navigate on a Chromebook. Keep them handy...share this file with your students to keep as a handy reference tool, or project them on your SMARTBOARD or whiteboard and go over them with your kids before you begin. Useful for any subject, and especially helpful in computing classes. Hope you find it helpful! - HappyEdugator
Essay Rubric - for a Formal Essay. Based on the rigor of the common core standards. Rubric measures nine areas of assessment which are: format, understanding of literary texts, idea development, text support,organizational pattern, word choice, sentence structure, transitional devices, and language mechanics. Criteria for assessment categorized as exceeds standards, proficient, meets standards-- but not proficient, and does not meet standards. - HappyEdugator
Martin Luther King Jr. MLK Coded Words fun activity sheet. Use as a time filler that is a vocabulary or spelling builder and a fun thing to do for a Martin Luther King Jr. activity. Figure out the coded words written with webdings by using the decoder. Key included. NO PREP. Print and go.
Christmas Activity - Christmas Coded Words Activity Sheet - Webdings. Fun! Use as a time filler or as a fun thing to do for a Christmas party. Figure out the coded Christmas words written with webdings by using the decoder. Winter fun! Like a puzzle, this exercises the brain and promotes visual discrimination. Keep kids occupied even on Christmas Eve. No prep. Print and go. Key included, of course. - HappyEdugator
Exit Slip Ticket Out - Snoopy Summarizing Activity Ticket Out. Ticket out the door. Use this summarizing activity to have students take notes on what was important to have learned in your lesson. Students summarize by filling in the thought bubbles and taking additional notes at the bottom.Can be given out at the beginning of the week and students fill in a thought bubble each day Monday through Thursday and review for assessment on Friday, or works well for summarizing reading and chapters of novels. Enjoy!
Greatest Common Factor PowerPoint (GCF) and Task Cards. Animated PowerPoint slides explain two methods of finding the Greatest Common Factor. Teacher directions, and two leveled sets of 10 task cards for practice in centers with answer keys included. -
Moon Crossword Puzzle - Moon Samples. Words are based on moon geology and features of the moon.
18 clues. If you are studying the solar system, space, or astronomy, you can use this for enrichment. Words include: rille, maria, brecchia, basalt, highlands, seas, etc. Key included. Enjoy! Fun for all ages. Allow students to research answers online if they are challenged. Especially good for enrichment.
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen Vocabulary and Word Search. Engaging study guide vocabulary sheet and fun word search activity. 16 words in the wordsearch. Enjoy! -
Halloween Spooky Synonyms PowerPoint and Writing Activity. Halloween themed PowerPoint about synonyms. Supports common core. First slides explain synonyms, give examples of synonyms, and why choosing the right words and using a thesaurus is useful when writing. Several colorful and animated slides then provide synonyms for common Halloween words such as candy, costume, scary, etc. The last slide is a writing activity where students use their new found vocabulary to write a Halloween story. A fun autumn activity to get your students writing. We had fun making this a listening and speaking activity. When a synonym slide came up, we would say the synonyms, and then I would ring a bell. They had 30 seconds to turn to their neighbor and answer the question at the bottom of the slide. After 30 seconds, I rang the bell again and they had to stop talking! Then we would repeat on the next slide. When we got to the activity slide, I let them tell their story to each other first before they had to write it.
- HappyEdugator
Standards: W.4.3, W.5.3d, W.6.3d, W.7.3d, W.8.3d
TEST PREP Understanding Prompts for State Writing Tests PowerPoint. Taking a state writing test or preparing for the writing portion of a state test? PowerPoint presentation helps students prepare for state tests by learning how to understand what type of essay they are expected to write. Students need to understand how to answer constructed response questions, and make their argument with support from a text. Learn the differences between what is expected for a persuasive and expository writing prompt, like the ones provided on standardized tests and state assessments. Slides focus on key words and how to plan using a simple graphic organizer.
Writing an outline handout. What an outline is and why it is used, two types of outlines, and the rules for formatting an outline from general to specific with headings, subheadings, details, and specifics. Use when writing an expository paper such as a research report, biography, or essay. Includes an outline format template. You may also download my other Outline Template - Blank to help with scaffolding or differentiation. Thanks.
Reading a Magazine Terms and Worksheet. Magazine terms (parts of a magazine, and hands - on practice sheet) 2 page printable handout with a hands-on practice activity for reading nonfiction magazine articles. You will need to have magazines available or take students to the media center to read magazine articles. The first page is a list of journalism terms used in the magazine industry, which you can discuss and studentts can use as a reference sheet. The second page has students fill out questions about these terms using a magazine article they have read and can refer to.
Short Story Assignment Menu. Great for differentiation. This is an assignment menu which can be used as a culminating activity for a unit on short stories. It is differentiated by learning preference and level of difficulty. A rubric for grading is included.
Flowers for Algernon Vocabulary Study List. 30 vocabulary words from the short story Flowers for Algernon. This list is provided in two columns, which can easily be cut apart and distributed to students to look up definitions. Included also is a KEY with the definitions already included. There is also a page with all of the words on it in with lines next to them for writing definitions or clues. This list is included in my packet of Flowers for Algernon Vocabulary Activities, which also includes a test and a crossword puzzle.
Valentine's Day Crossword Puzzle. Cross word is slightly challenging for middle grades students. Made for middle grades and up. Enjoy! Solution included, of course. Examples of the types of clues and level of difficulty below:
cardboard greeting = CARD
often written to lovers = POEM
sweet confections = CANDY
the act of seeking a partner = COURTSHIP
love story= ROMANCE
stunningly beautiful =RAVISHING
has the power of attracting = CHARM
the blossoms of plants = FLOWERS
like sugar = SWEET
without end = FOREVER
inspiring approval = ADMIRABLE
boyfriend = BEAU
term of endearment = DARLING
symbol of love; at the center of = HEART
- HappyEdugator
Drama Extension Activities PowerPoint. Presentation includes several extension menus for differentiating instruction for any drama unit. These were developed originally to be used with the plays "A Christmas Carol" and "The Diary of Anne Frank," but can be used with any play or dramatization. There are extension menus or enrichment activities for author, time period, play comprehension, drama terms and an independent study guide and a menu of reading project ideas for multiple intelligences-auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. Also included is an oral presentation rubric and a peer evaluation form. Useful for gifted students who need extra independent work. Enjoy. - HappyEdugator
Middle School Writing Rubric. This rubric has four categories...ideas, organization, style, and conventions. There are five possible points in each category, and students and teachers can easily understand what is required. A 20 point scale is easy to translate into a percentage. The rubric can be used for both creative and expository writing. There is a place for students to write their name and teacher's name, and then students can evaluate themselves and turn in the rubric with their work. The bottom of the rubric has room for comments and teacher feedback and grade. Left in editable format for you to adapt to your classroom needs. - HappyEdugator
Internet Safety PowerPoint - Pausing Before You Post. Strategies for students to use the internet and social media wisely. Students can discuss appropriate internet behavior on social media and ways to increase their internet security. Students can then take a pledge online at jostens to pause before they post.
The River by Gary Paulsen PowerPoint Presentation. Give students the background knowledge they need to understand The River by Gary Paulsen. Many of my students from the South are not familiar with northern rivers and the hazards of the river environment.
This presentation introduces students to the dangers that might face someone trying to survive on a raft on a northern river. This activate prior knowledge of students who have been on rivers, which will lead to some engaging class discussion and create interest to introduce the novel. - HappyEdugator
Infinitives and Infinitive phrases - includes a Graphic Organizer to aid comprehension, and a handout where infinitives and infinitive phrases oar defined and examples are given (which can also be used as an overhead transparency, or projected on a whiteboard), Also includes a very short worksheet on infinitives for practice, where students have to identify infinitive phrases in sentences, fill in the blanks about infinitives from the notes, and create their own infinitive phrases to complete sentences. (higher level thinking) Also includes a quiz on infinitives and infinitives phrases. Key included.