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.
Poetry Anthology Anchor Activity and Rubric. Students create a poetry anthology or poetry portfolio. Handout is the complete assignment for a poetry anthology for a poetry unit, including rubric. Give this handout and rubric to your students if you wish them to work on a poetry anthology project, which can also be used as an anchor activity to work on when other work is complete. - HappyEdugator
Book Project Rubric. This rubric was created to go with my
Book project for independent reading assignment,
but works well with almost any book report. One version has a word count included, and the other version does not, for differentiation. Both versions are included here. - HappyEdugator
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg Wordsearch Puzzle. A winter wordsearch based on the book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. Thirty words related to the book in this word search, which is a fun Christmas filler activity. No prep. Print and go. Key included. - HappyEdugator
Figurative Language in A Christmas Carol Worksheet. Using quotes from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, students have to identify types of figurative language such as metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole, and allusion. Also includes a handout on types of figurative language. No prep. Print and go. Key included. - HappyEdugator
Standards
RL.6.4, RL.7.4, RL.8.4, CCRA.L.5
All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury Figurative Language Chart. During reading or after reading the short story, have your students look for examples of figurative language, such as metaphors, similes, and personification, and write them down on the graphic organizer. Goes along well with my PowerPoint on All Summer in a Day, but can be used without it.
- HappyEdugator
Blank Headstone Template for Writing Character Epitaphs. Grave fun for Halloween or anytime. Make a graveyard of epitaphs. Use this headstone or gravestone template to have students write a character epitaph or summary of a book in which a main character dies. Students can focus on character traits and what makes a character memorable. For instance, it can be used with the Diary of Anne Frank, or The Cay by Theodore Taylor. Goes well with Where the Red Fern Grows and Maniac Magee, and great for a bulletin board on dead words. - HappyEdugator
nformational Text Writing Rubric. Rubric for writing informational text, evaluating exceeds, meets, and does not meet standards for ideas, organization, style, and conventions. Supports common core standards. - HappyEdugator
Africa Scavenger Hunt. A geography scavenger hunt of the continent of Africa. Fill-in-the-blank Reflects current geography of the continent. Students will need a map and will have to use their map skills to answer the questions. Key included. - HappyEdugator
Sentences - Complex Sentence Worksheet and Handout. The first page of this document is a handout that explains sentence structure, and how to distinguish between simple, compound, and complex sentences by identifying independent and dependent clauses and the use of subordinating conjunctions. The second page lists some common subordinating conjunctions and has fifteen practice sentences to be completed by students to make their own complex sentences. Black and white ink saver and color version included. Also included a key with possible answers for discussion. Print and go. No prep. Supports common core state standards. - HappyEdugator
Open House Parent Sign In Sheet Spreadsheet. Beginning of the Year, Back to School Night parent sign in sheet created on an Excel Spreadsheet, which makes it easy sort your data. Editable sign-in sheet for your parent night has a place for a school mascot picture, name of school and date of Open House, teacher name, student name, parent name, and contact information. You can print out and use as a hard copy, or even better, you can have parents sign in on a computer if you wish, and then you have everything typed in and you won't have to decipher messy handwriting! - Happyedugator
Diary of Anne Frank Act II Scenes 1-5 Comprehension Questions. This worksheet is for the play version of the Diary of Anne Frank found in the Prentice Hall Literature book. The play is a dramatization by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett.
- HappyEdugator
Watership Down Part I - Vocabulary and Study Questions. This is a three page study guide for Watership Down by Richard Adams, Part I, Chapters 1-17. It includes vocabulary words for students to define and study questions for each chapter. - HappyEdugator
Independent Clauses and Subordinate Clauses. Worksheet or Quiz. Sentence structure practice, review, or assessment. Students will identify whether the underlined clauses are either independent clauses or dependent clauses (subordinate). Ten sentences with key. Supports common core. . - HappyEdugator
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.1.a
Explain the function of phrases and clauses in general and their function in specific sentences.
Writing a Persuasive Essay Handout. How to write a good argument: starting with how to write a good thesis statement, supporting claims in body paragraphs, and making a conclusion that will persuade the reader agree with you! 2 pages. This is useful for students to use as a reference when they begin to write an argument to persuade an audience. Supports common core state standards.
- HappyEdugator
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1a Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence clearly.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1b Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1c Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1d Establish and maintain a formal style.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1e Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1a Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1b Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1c Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1d Establish and maintain a formal style.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1e Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1a Introduce claim(s), acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1b Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1c Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1d Establish and maintain a formal style.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1e Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
Adverbs - Fun Worksheet and Word Search. Students need to identify adverbs in 20 sentences and then find them in the wordsearch. Fun practice that helps students become more familiar with adverbs as parts of speech. Fun test prep! Good activity to use the day before or after a long break, like Spring Break. - Happyedugator
Quarantine Activity for The Diary of Anne Frank. This activity has students imagine they have been in contact with a highly contagious diesease and they have to be quarantined. The students will write about how they would feel if they were placed in quarantine or isolation for two months. In a situation similar to the Franks, they would not have human contact. Even though they would not be in hiding like the Franks, they would be forced to think about how they would feel to be isolated. Then the students can write a diary for a week, and finally, reflect on the difference between their life and Anne's. - HappyEdugator
All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury. Two versions of a final test for the short story. Includes constructed response questions.
The first version includes vocabulary and has three sections: Fill-in the Blank, Multiple Choice, and a Constructed Response requiring evidence from the text to support the answer. 25 total questions, plus a constructed response. 5 Fill in the blank questions, and 20 multiple choice, with key. Grading scale given for constructed response. This test assesses understanding of story vocabulary, literary elements, and reading comprehension.
The second version of the test does not assess vocabulary, but also has three sections: Multiple Choice, Short Answer Constructed Response, and Essay. All of the constructed response questions require text evidence, critical thinking, and are of the rigor expected for the new standards. 16 multiple choice questions, 3 short answer questions, and 1 essay.
They are on separate pages, so you may choose which parts of the test you wish to give.
- HappyEdugator
Commonly Confused Words Crossword Puzzle. Commonly confused words are the answers in this crossword. Some are homophones, some are not. Words such as site, sight, and cite...quite or quiet...personal and personnel. Intermediate level. 32 clues. Fun test prep! NO PREP. Print and go. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator
Chromebooks Rules for the Classroom - If your school is using Google Chromebooks in the classroom, you can use these technology rules for using notebooks in the classroom to get your kids started. You can adapt these rules to various notebooks or other laptops on a cart, or even for iPads. Left EDITABLE so you can change them for your classroom needs. Just project them on your SMARTBOARD or whiteboard and go over them with your kids before you begin. Use the last slide to review. Uesful for any subject, and a good resource for computing class. Hope you find it helpful!
