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.
Valentine Quiz. Valentine's Day Activity for choosing the right word. Multiple choice questions about Valentine's Day. Help children with word choice. Students have to choose the best choice of three words to fill in the blank. Grammar usage that is often tested on standardized tests. Great for building an understanding of how words are used correctly. Especially good for ELL, ESL and ESOL students, who may need extra help in identifying subtle differences in word choice and easily confused words.
Africa - All About Africa PowerPoint. Studying Africa? An overview of Africa, complete with animations, interesting facts, photographs from different countries in Africa, and important information about climate, geography, people, social issues, and politics. Discusses the climatic zones and ecosystems of each of the U.N. regions of Africa at length…from the pyramids and deserts of North Africa, to the Sahel and desertification of West Africa, to the savannas and mountains of East Africa, the jungles of central Africa, and the semi-arid mountains of South Africa. Also, covers other important issues, a few for example…poverty, life-expectancy, kwashiorkor, and the abolishment of apartheid in South Africa. You can use this in sections as you study each region of this great continent. 56 slides. - HappyEdugator Updated March February 2023.
Memorial Day and Flag Day Coloring Activity. This print and go sheet for Memorial Day and Flag Day explains why we celebrate and what the colors of the flag symbolize. Students then follow the color codes to color the flag. Have them cut out and attach to a craft stick or paint stirrer to wave. - HappyEdugator
United States Word Search. 49 out of 50 states are hidden in this word search puzzle. Students need to find the states hidden in the puzzle and also discover which one is missing. Fun activity for a United States geography unit or patriotic holidays such as Presidents' Day, Flag Day, Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Veterans Day! Enjoy! - HappyEdugator
Presidents' Day Word Search. 38 Presidents are hidden in this President's Day word search puzzle. Students need to find the United States Presidents hidden in the puzzle. Fun activity for Presidents Day and other patriotic holidays such as Flag Day, Memorial Day, July Fourth or Independence Day, and Veterans Day! Enjoy! - HappyEdugator
Welcome students back to school with this WELCOME banner in black and white chevron. Includes the letters W-E-L-C-O-M-E-! and an editable one so you can write your own messages in your own fonts. - HappyEdugator
Fraction Hunt. This is a fun way to practice fractions. First, hide a candy bar (or any individually wrapped candy) somewhere in the room under a map, atlas, globe, or drawing of the earth. Then give students the sheet to decode the message and find the candy. They will have lots of fun trying to be the first one done to get the prize. - HappyEdugator
Back to school Editable labels will help you get organized! Three different sizes. Just insert a text box and write what you want. Great for name tags, desk plates, signs, posters, supply labels, and more. - HappyEdugator
Poetry Bundle – Teaching Poetry - a large variety of poetry resources for Grades 4 - 8. This 140 page poetry unit is a resource that includes:
What is Poetry - an introduction to any Poetry Unit – 6 pages PDF
All About Poems Graphic Organizer and Poetry Preview Activity- 5 pages PDF
Poetry Characteristics Notes and Poetry Writing Activity – 2 pages PDF
Nursery Rhymes - Poetry You Should Know PowerPoint – 26 slides PPT
Poetry Concept Map – 1 page PDF
Poetry Image Map – 1 page JPG
Poetry Elements Graphic Organizer – 4 pages PDF
Poetry Graphic Organizer Sheet – 1 page PDF
Poetry Scavenger Hunt – 3 pages PDF
Poetry Sound Patterns – 2 pages PDF
Rhyme in Poetry Practice sheet – 2 pages PDF
Poetry – Five Senses Poem Handout – 1 page PDF
Poetry Activity for A Remarkable Adventure by J. Prelutsky – 3 pages PDF
Poetry Anthology Anchor Activity and Rubric – 3 pages PDF
Poetry Using Emotions to Create Poetry PowerPoint – 20 slides PPT
SMARTBOARD Writing Poetry is EASY Activities - 8 slides - Notebook
Adjective Poem – 3 pages PDF
Preposition Poem Worksheet – 1 page PDF
Diamante Poem – 1 page PDF
Cinquain Formula Poem PowerPoint – 10 slides PPT
Writing a Parody Poem Activity-How Doth the Little Crocodile- 3 pages PDF
Reading Poetry Process Handout – 2 pages PDF
Alliterative – Superlative Adjectives – 1 page PDF
Reading Poetry Process Handout – 2 pages PDF
Ways to Read Poetry PowerPoint – 15 slides PPT
Poetry Terms Study Guide with Key – 2 pages PDF
Poetry Multiple Choice Formative Assessment – 3 pages PDF
Poetry Types Test – 3 pages PDF
Poetry Terms Crossword– 2 pages PDF
- HappyEdugator
Vietnam Memorial Reading Comprehension Sheet. Students can read about the history of the Vietnam Memorial and where it is located in the United States. Includes a short nonfiction reading and reading comprehension questions sheet. Good activity for Veteran's Day.
Words to Avoid When You Write. This is a handout for students on formal academic and professional writing which explains the importance of avoiding certain words in order to have a credible style. Also includes a list of words and common phrases that should not be used or limited when writing. - HappyEdugator
ADHD tips, observation sheet, and reward tickets. If you have an ADHD child in your class this year, I hope this list of tips will be helpful. Use the observation sheet to write down and record problem areas. This will be helpful for parent conferences and for seeing what works and what doesn't. Use the reward tickets as an incentive for your student to stay on task. You can offer your student a choice of different activities to choose from (such as 10 minutes of computer time) if they complete a task you give them. This worked very well for my autistic students as well. I have included tickets for a boy or girl to give them if they cannot do the activity right away.
Shades of Meaning Verb Cards - Bundle of Six Sets. Cut out and laminate these 16 different cards IN EACH SET illustrating different synonyms of the verb "LAUGH, SEE, SAID, JUMP, RUN, AND 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. Buy the bundle and save 20%!
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
A list of 120 writing prompts that will keep your students writing for most of the year! These ideas will motivate students to write creatively and may inspire them to write more! Enjoy! - HappyEdugator
Practice worksheets for writing numbers and number words for the numbers 1 - 10. Trace and write, color the number, and circle the number of bees that match. - HappyEdugator
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! -
Christmas Number Comparing Activities PowerPoint. Math fun! Comparing fewer or more objects in a group or chart - number activities in a 30 slide interactive PowerPoint with a Christmas theme. Encourages counting skills and number concepts. Supports common core state standards! - HappyEdugator
CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.A.3 Write numbers from 0 to 20. Represent a number of objects with a written numeral 0-20 (with 0 representing a count of no objects).
CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.B.4 Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities; connect counting to cardinality.
CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.B.4a When counting objects, say the number names in the standard order, pairing each object with one and only one number name and each number name with one and only one object.
CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.B.4b Understand that the last number name said tells the number of objects counted. The number of objects is the same regardless of their arrangement or the order in which they were counted.
CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.B.4c Understand that each successive number name refers to a quantity that is one larger.
CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.B.5 Count to answer “how many?” questions about as many as 20 things arranged in a line, a rectangular array, or a circle, or as many as 10 things in a scattered configuration; given a number from 1–20, count out that many objects.
CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.C.6 Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.1
CCSS.Math.Content.K.CC.C.7 Compare two numbers between 1 and 10 presented as written numerals.
EDITABLE Teacher Binder Covers - 63 Different Ready Made Binder Covers and Spines for back to school. Choose which ones you wish to use, print out and slip into your binder front and spine. Also includes an editable cover and an editable spine, so you can add your own words if you need to! These can also be used as dividers in a larger teacher binder (cover for that included) and the spines can double as page tabs. Just print out the pages you need and put in page protectors. Print out the tabs on card stock, laminate if desired, and attach with clear packing tape to protect and make durable. Back to School background. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator
With the EDITABLE BLANK covers and spines, you can create your own binders for anything you wish. Also includes ready made covers for:
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