School and the City

Ideas and Resources for Your Elementary Classroom

More Ways to Reduce Standardized Testing Anxiety

We finished standardized testing last week. Whew!   Now we relax AKA anxiously await the results. *fingers crossed*     I already told you some of the things we did to prepare for testing, specifically 4 ways to reduce testing anxiety, but here are some things I did throughout the testing week to keep kids calm and positive.      Say Goodbye to Worries:   One day, we read Wilma Jean ... Read More about More Ways to Reduce Standardized Testing Anxiety

Spring Text Features – Including Easter!

Spring has sprung, and  a new season means new text features passages!       First, let me tell you about how I teach text features in my classroom. I love cutting up an old book, magazine, or Scholastic news to make an anchor chart. It's a great way to teach text features in context and make the concept a little less abstract. Hand motions! Lots of hand motions. ... Read More about Spring Text Features – Including Easter!

4 Ideas for Reducing Testing Anxiety

It's almost that time! *sigh* I've learned a lot about standardized testing throughout the years - unfortunately. Here are 4 of my favorite ways to help reduce my students' testing anxiety: 1. Put a Positive Spin On It Your language is important and will absolutely impact your students' attitude towards the test and therefore their performance. Start saying things like, "This is your ... Read More about 4 Ideas for Reducing Testing Anxiety

Research and Write: The One and Only Ivan

So I heard you love Ivan as much as I do... ! We finished reading last week, but my students weren’t ready to let go yet! I love completing these activities after I finish reading The One and Only Ivan to my class. I don’t tell them that it is based on a true story until after we finish the novel. The surprise makes the content even more captivating and engaging! Ivan was actually adopted ... Read More about Research and Write: The One and Only Ivan

I Am Unique (Writing Freebie + Character Education!)

 I was shocked to find out that most of my students had never read A Bad Case of Stripes! It’s usually a back to school book for me, but pulling it out in February to help us talk about empathy and compassion was perfect!   I tied it in to our reading skill - comparing perspectives - and then we had a class meeting to reflect on what makes each of us unique and why that’s so important. ... Read More about I Am Unique (Writing Freebie + Character Education!)