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.
ersuasive Prompts Handout. Use this as a handout to give students many different choices for writing an argument or opinion piece, or use the prompts separately for different writing assignments. There is a total of 18 persuasive writing prompts that will surely get them writing! - HappyEdugator
Supports Common Core ELA Writing Standards
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.
Poetry: Ways to Read Poetry PowerPoint. Presentation guides students in how to approach reading poetry with a plan so they can reach their goal of understanding what a poem means. Teaches close reading of poetry. Before, during and after reading strategies including paraphrasing, journaling, and "two per line" will help students become more active and responsive readers. Supports common core standards. 17 slide PowerPoint. - HappyEdugator
The Mouth Organ - Christmas Around the World. Introduce this Christmas short story from Trinidad to your students with this PowerPoint and activity. Includes information about the author, background information on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, story vocabulary with photo slides to build understanding, and five critical thinking questions that develop writing using evidence to support answers. Also includes a research sheet for students to research Trinidad and compare it to their own hometown. This story can be a nice addition to your Christmas Around the World unit. Includes a link to the story. If you are using Chromebooks, tablets, or computers in the classroom, students can read through the PowerPoint, click on the story to read, and then answer a choice of the questions or those you assign them. Supports common core. - HappyEdugator
Subject Verb Agreement - Practice Worksheets with key. You get 2 worksheets, and a subject-verb agreement handout! The first worksheet has twenty-five practice sentences that students can use to practice their skills. The second has twenty questions. There are two choices given in each sentence, but students will have to think to pick the correct choice. These can also be used as an assessment after a unit of study. Also includes a handout on subject verb agreement for student reference. Keys included. - HappyEdugator
Myths, Legends, Fables and Fairytales PowerPoint. Teach folktales and traditional tales: myths, legends,tall tales, fables, and fairytales. The slides discuss differences between myths and legends, tall tales, fables, and fairy tales. Examples of some famous tales and famous authors are mentioned. Myths are explanations for how ancient people understood their worlds, like Thor and Zeus. Legends were stories passed along that had a basis in truth, but were not real, like King Arthur and Robin Hood. Fables were told to teach lessons, most famously by Aesop. And folk tales and fairy tales were both passed down as stories for the children. Fairy tales we now enjoy were collected from oral tradition and written down in the 1800's. For instance, Hans Christian Andersen is remembered especially for his tales of The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, and The Ugly Duckling, while the Brothers Grimm are known for Cinderella, Snow White, and The Frog Prince. Everything is presented against a beautiful castle background and sound effects have been added for interest.
Introduction to Research PowerPoint Presentation. Introduce students to writing a research project. Starts with an activating strategy where students have to guess and check. The next slides relate to where students can find information about their topic. Interactive activities such as a 2 Minute Brainstorm. General information on how to choose a topic and not plagiarize. This is a PowerPoint used to introduce writing a research paper only. Details of writing one are not included. Summarizing strategy is a 3-2-1. Three things to know about research, 2 purposes of research, 1 possible topic to research. Last slide accelerates the idea of plagiarism and crediting your sources. 16 slides. - HappyEdugator
Sentence Structure Activity - Simple, Compound, Complex, and Compound-Complex. Includes Simple and Compound Sentences Acquisition Lesson and Extending and Refining Activity for Complex and Compound-Complex Sentences. Fun and engaging way to get students to learn the difference between simple sentences and compound sentences using Oreo cookies and Vanilla wafers! Students love grammar when it is hands-on. Yum! They get to eat them when the work is done! Includes essential question, activating strategy, teaching and writing practice, and summarizing strategy. Extend the lesson to include complex sentences and compound-complex sentences. Includes a plot diagram graphic organizer, a KWL chart, a story writing paper, and printables to go with the activity. Supports common core. L.7.1a, L.7.1b
- Happyedugator
Roots with Meaning and Example Words Handout. Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes along with their meanings and example words. alphabetical order. 5 pages, useful as a study guide for test preparation. Supports common core. - HappyEdugator
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4b Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., telegraph, photograph, autograph).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.4b Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., photograph, photosynthesis)
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.4b Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., audience, auditory, audible).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.4b Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., belligerent, bellicose, rebel).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.4b Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., precede, recede, secede).
Reading Assessment Form. Use to keep track of what a student's strengths and weaknesses are in reading and comprehension. There is a place to record the date, text level, accuracy, self-corrections, and a way to mark strategies for decoding, fluency and comprehension. May be used with any level reader from elementary on up as an assessment of reading ability and monitor progress.
- 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
Comparison and Contrast Graphic Organizer for Fictional Literature. Use this simple graphic organizer to compare two fiction literary works. Students can compare two novels, two short stories, two narrative poems, or even a book and a movie. Compare literary elements, including character traits, setting, plot and conflict, tone and mood, and theme. Helps students prepare for new common core assessments that require comparison and contrast of different texts. - HappyEdugator
Super Hero Profile Sheet and Dialogue Writing Activity. Create a superhero! Superheros like Spiderman are cool! Includes a graphic organizer to build their superhero, a worksheet that walks students through creating their own superhero character, and a writing activity. Students will write a short dialogue about a conflict the superhero is having. They may write it with stage directions for an actor to act it out. Some students like to illustrate their dialogue as well with a picture of their created superhero. - HappyEdugator
Biography Poster Person Project with Rubric. This biography project gives students a choice of making a poster person, poster, or diarama. Rubric provides students a guideline for expectations. Students must summarize in at least 4-6 paragraphs what they find out about their person, and the information on the poster should be legible and neat. They must also include the sources where they found the information on the back page the biography. Good project to do around President's Day, but the project doesn't have to be limited to Presidents. Editable format for you to make adjustments for your class.
- HappyEdugator
Homophones to Remember PowerPoint. Animated slides of homophones and example sentences to show meaning. Fun graphics and sounds will engage students. Homophones are frequently confused words that sound alike but are spelled differently and mean different things. Often confused, and often found on standardized tests, they should be memorized. These words and sentences are appropriate for almost any age. Writing activity on the last slide.
Note: Do you know the difference between a homophone and a homonym? The difference between a homophone and a homonym is that a homophone sounds the same and is spelled differently, and has different meaning. (to,too, two) A homonym is both spelled the same and sounds the same, but has different meaning. (chair - like you sit in, and chair - department head) Last slide is a writing activity. Supports common core standards. 38 slides. - HappyEdugator
Halloween Poems and Fun Halloween Poem Writing Activities. Includes seven of my original Halloween poems for reading aloud and just for fun, in color and black and white. Each poem has an activity associated with it. Two craftivites. Includes a figurative language sheet and activity, and two Halloween poetry writing activities to complete after you are all in the mood to create! Stimulate imaginations! You can project the colorized poems on a whiteboard to practice choral reading. You can also print them out and use in literacy centers or for student copies to read along. Examples of various types of sound devices and figurative language found in the poems, such as alliteration, simile, metaphor, personification, onomatopoeia, and imagery. - HappyEdugator
Multiple Intelligences Book Review. Multiple intelligence assignment menu for reviewing a book or story. Great differentiation. Students choose 5 boxes from the assignment menu and are also required to complete one reading response. Students may choose from verbal-linguistic, visual-spatial, musical-rhythmic, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, or naturalistic intelligences. - HappyEdugator
Adjective Poem. This is a form poem to help your students write a poem from a simple pattern. Students must create their own poem using the parts of speech in the pattern. The poem starts out with a plural noun, and then uses other parts of speech, including positive, comparative, and superlatvie adjectives. It can be used as a handout or projected on your whiteboard if you wish to save paper. Have students work in small groups to stimulate creativity. The key is not to allow students to use boring adjectives, such as "good" or "bad". They must use specific and colorful language to paint the picture for the reader. Includes directions and adjective list to help with brainstorming. - HappyEdugator
Appositives and Appositive Phrases PowerPoint. Animated graphics and interactive slides helps students Identify appositives and appositive phrases, how to punctuate sentences with appositives, and how to use appositive phrases to combine sentences. Sentence combining is a skill that helps student correct short choppy sentences in their writing. Supports common core standards. - HappyEdugator
Poetry Terms Study Guide. Twenty poetry terms listed for students to define on the line provided. Answer key is provided for self check. This can also be used in reverse. The answer key can be given as notes, and the study guide can be used as a test. This comes out as two pages...one without answers and one with the answers. I have added an assessment piece...students need to identify the poetry term that best describes the example given. 10 questions...two sheets to a page to save paper, and answer key. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator
Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots Beat the Clock PowerPoint game. A fun interactive way to practice identifying Greek and Latin prefixes, suffixes and roots. Includes a review of affixes for students before starting the game. Students are given two questions and have thirty seconds each to identify the correct answer. They can work with a partner and use wipe-off white boards or write the answers down on paper. After time is up, the answers will disappear. (Timer is built in) Click again to check answers. Advance slide with another click to start with a new set of sentences. Grades 4 and up. Supports common core! 36 sentences in all. Revised March 2016. - HappyEdugator