Hello! I am a passionate teacher and writer that loves to create lessons that are interactive, student-centered, original, and truly help teachers & students. I make custom lesson plans and materials that engage students and help them take ownership of their learning. I have 10 years of teaching experience in upper grades across all subjects (including teaching abroad in Costa Rica!). I have published three books, The Little Book of Big Quotes Vol. I , The Poems Vol. I, and Got the Flow: The Hip
Hello! I am a passionate teacher and writer that loves to create lessons that are interactive, student-centered, original, and truly help teachers & students. I make custom lesson plans and materials that engage students and help them take ownership of their learning. I have 10 years of teaching experience in upper grades across all subjects (including teaching abroad in Costa Rica!). I have published three books, The Little Book of Big Quotes Vol. I , The Poems Vol. I, and Got the Flow: The Hip
This 3-page sketch about a politically-correct heckler at a football game is perfect for older middle school and all high school kids. The heckler insults the player for his lack of skills then quickly follows up with a politically correct statement pertaining to the insult! Being a huge fan of comedy, I have studied the greatest sketches of Saturday Night Live, MAD TV, Key and Peele, Monty Python, Hugh and Laurie, The Three Stooges, Groucho Marx, and the kids’ comedy sketch show All That. Charlie Chaplin said “A day without laughter is a day wasted” so I want to pass on the love of comedy and humor to students. These sketches are fresh, witty, sarcastic, and mixed with slapstick humor and are intended to strengthen students’ drama and theater skills while enjoying humor. I ask you to please provide feedback on what you liked/disliked, and suggestions for improvement! I plan to write many, many more but would like to see what the response is first.
The roles (6 minimum) in this particular sketch are:
Referee with a whistle
Quarterback
Heckler (Bully) wearing a baseball hat
Announcer
2 security officials
Other football players (optional)
Please contact me if you would like to record and publish your interpretation of any of these sketches and I would be very happy to work with you! Editable MS Word Doc.
This lesson is student-centered, meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator!
–happier teachers!
–happier students!
–happier administrators!
A PDF file that has 28 rows for student names and 4 columns under each weekday, each is pre-labeled. Includes legend for attendance labels (tardy, absent, etc.) Also has a space for class name, period, dates, teacher name, and # of students.
A zip folder with poster saying "Straight Outta Da Classroom" in the style of "Straight Outta Compton" font. Inspired by the hit movie, students love it and adds style to the classroom.
"The Scientist Rap" rap & hip-hop music video and song from the book "Got the Flow: The Hip Hop Diary of a Young Rapper" by Carlos Salinas. Includes printable handout of song lyrics.
The main character of the book ("Got the Flow: The Hip-Hop Diary of a Young Rapper") 16-year-old Troy Jones challenges his science teacher that he can write an educational and positive rap song about science without any cursing. He promises to include the legendary scientists: Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton, Nicola Tesla, and Thomas Edison. His teacher, Mrs. Hass, makes him perform it in front of the entire class for his passing grade. He is determined to become a successful rapper to give his mom a better life. If he can write a clean, educational song, then he is a better rapper for having met the challenge. Inspired by losing his first two rap battles, he is determined to win the third one.
A graphic organizer that allows students to brainstorm what adaptations they would need to survive in each type of environment. Environments include Tropical forest, dessert, grasslands, arctic, cold forest, and aquatic. This is a great group activity that will help explain what adaptations are. Also included KWL chart for students monitoring their learning progress!
There are tons of books on writing out there and it is difficult to know where to start...
A writer doesn’t usually have a lot of time, especially if they have 10 stories plotting out in their head (along with dialogue, symbolism, sub-plots, and characterization!). In my quest for becoming a better writer, I’ve found some good books...and then I’ve found some great ones. This list includes only those books! I’ve also included links to find them on Amazon.
Everyone needs a little encouragement! From students, to teachers, administrators, coaches, and parents! These printable thought/comment bubbles are perfect for letting people know how much you appreciate them and how proud you are of their accomplishments. Be creative and include some word play or inside jokes that will make it more meaningful for the person you’re writing it for. Leave these around the teachers’ and staff’s mailboxes and encourage others to leave one for a colleague. Better yet, leave some yourself for others and watch the morale and positivity blossom at your school or workplace! Great for leaving in students’ homework folders with motivational quotes or verbal pats-on-the-back encouraging them. The sky really is the limit with these little things that can make a big difference!
The eBook is available on Amazon https://goo.gl/zck2y4 Free excerpt at https://goo.gl/2FymNv !
This includes the MP4 music video with printable handout of lyrics. 100% clean appropriate for all middle school and high school students. Students can reflect and discuss or journal about the topics in the song's lyrics.
The main character of the book ("Got the Flow: The Hip-Hop Diary of a Young Rapper") 16-year-old Troy Jones is in the hospital as his mom just survived a heart attack from overworking and stress. He is determined to become a successful rapper to give his mom a better life. Inspired by the pain of the his mom's hospitalization and the fear of his upcoming 3rd rap battle (he lost his first two) he pens this rap to God. The book is due out Fall 2017. THIS SONG IS FREE FOR DOWNLOAD ON SOUNDCLOUD AND FEEL FREE TO SHARE THE MP3. :) Free excerpt and updates at carlossalinaswriting.com! Thanks for listening!
A sheet for students to fill in to give teacher updated contact information, transportation and health issues. Perfect for lower grades, parent conferences, ARDs, and helpful for older students as well. Editable Word document!
This handy tool has been proven time and time again in studies to help students activate prior knowledge, help monitor their progress, and reinforce new learning. Here's a free downloadable PDF KWL chart and graphic organizer.
This lesson is student-centered meaning:
--it allows you to become a facilitator
--happier teachers
--happier students
--happier administrators
A fun class activity that allows students to nominate a peer for a honorable title such as most talented, most style, funniest, most intelligent etc. You can change the categories and each sheet has 4 voting cards.
**Please Note: You must have a free or paid membership to Boomlearning.com to access this product.
This 25-question multiple-choice ONLINE (BOOM CARDS) reading test/quiz on O. Henry’s short story “The Gift of the Magi” has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised).It will test students’ literal and interpretive understanding of the story, characterization, point of view, making inferences, and literary devices. Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests).
Automatic grading saves you time. Students can complete on any internet-ready device; perfect for distant learning!
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**Please Note: You must have a free or paid membership to Boomlearning.com to access this product.
This 49-question multiple-choice reading comprehension and analysis test on the short story “Two Kinds” from The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised). Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests). It is recommended that students number the paragraphs of the reading selection as some questions may refer to specific paragraphs in the selection.
Automatic grading saves you time. Students can complete on any internet-ready device; perfect for remote & distant learning!
Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
This lesson is student-centered, meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator!
–happier teachers!
–happier students!
–happier administrators!
Connect with us:
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/shiningscholareducation
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ShiningScholar
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shining_scholar_education/
Sign up for our email list to get free educational resources and discount coupons in your email. You’ll get SIX free resources just for signing up!
https://mailchi.mp/f6b12b8ab810/productdescription
**Please Note: You must have a free or paid membership to Boomlearning.com to access this product.
This 24-question multiple-choice reading comprehension and analysis test on the short story “The Tail” by Joyce Hansen has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised). Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests). It is recommended that students number the paragraphs of the reading selection as some questions may refer to specific paragraphs in the selection.
Automatic grading saves you time. Students can complete on any internet-ready device; perfect for remote & distant learning!
Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
This lesson is student-centered, meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator!
–happier teachers!
–happier students!
–happier administrators!
Connect with us:
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/shiningscholareducation
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ShiningScholar
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shining_scholar_education/
Sign up for our email list to get free educational resources and discount coupons in your email. You’ll get SIX free resources just for signing up!
https://mailchi.mp/f6b12b8ab810/productdescription
Objectives/US Standards (SUGGESTED) (From Corestandards.com):
Students are expected to:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Working with young people who claimed to "hate reading" or that books are "boring" inspired me to write this book. I want to help spark a love of reading for your students. There are YouTube links to the clean hip-hop songs written by the protagonist in this novel. It is designed to be interactive for the students especially those who like hip-hop and rap music.
How far would you go to make your dream come true? Troy Jones is a 16-yr-old high school student with the dream of becoming a successful rapper. He doesn’t want fame; he wants to help his mother who works three jobs to support her family after Troy’s father was killed as a bystander in a tragic drive-by. Having problems in school, Troy tries to get I.S.S. as often as he can so he can work on his rap lyrics. Mrs. Hass, his science teacher hates rap & hip-hop music and constantly gives Troy a hard time. On the other hand Troy’s English teacher, Mr. Salas, is a beacon of hope and inspiration to the young, aspiring rapper. Mr. Salas provides him with the tools to improve his craft of writing hip hop lyrics. When Troy’s best friend Jimmy moves to another school, Troy’s opportunity to perform in rap battles arrives. Being a nobody, he has nothing to lose and everything to gain. He dubs himself a mix “between a G and a nerd”. Along the way, he meets a love interest, suffers a big loss, meets his idol rapper and an ex-con, gets his music equipment stolen, and has doubts about his rapping ability. He knows that he does not only want to succeed; he needs to succeed.
This 25-question multiple-choice reading test/quiz has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised) along with one optional essay question with lined paper to familiarize students with the format of standardized testing. It will test students’ literal and interpretive understanding of the story, characterization, point of view, making inferences, and literary devices. Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests). Includes link to free file of the text. Answer key included. Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.1
Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.10
Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.
This lesson is student-centered meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator
–happier teachers
–happier students
–happier administrators
A 12-question multiple-choice reading comprehension quiz for “Rip Van Winkle” by Washington Irving. Key included.
This lesson is student-centered meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator
–happier teachers
–happier students
–happier administrators
A matching quiz on 11 body systems. Includes circulatory, endocrine, muscular, skeletal, male reproductive, female reproductive, respiratory, digestive, urinary, excretory, nervous. Answer key included.
This lesson is student-centered meaning:
--it allows you to become a facilitator
--happier teachers
--happier students
--happier administrators
Standard: Identify the main functions of the systems of the human body. (e.g. 7.12B)
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A research project for students to research and gain a deeper understanding of natural resources and the current problems facing the world. Includes requirements, sample project ideas, and brainstorming topics.
Standard:
(iii) Energy resources are available on a renewable, nonrenewable, or indefinite basis. Understanding the origins and uses of these resources enables informed decision making. Students should consider the ethical/social issues surrounding Earth's natural energy resources, while looking at the advantages and disadvantages of their long-term uses.
This lesson is student-centered meaning:
--it allows you to become a facilitator
--happier teachers
--happier students
--happier administrators