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STAAR Reading is Over . . . . End of the Year Reading Activities
When testing is over for the year . . . most teachers and students are ready to start their summer break. However, most school districts have 3 to 4 weeks left of school. That leads to many teachers searching for engaging end-of-the-year reading activities for their upper elementary students. Students
Teaching Reading Genres in Upper Elementary
Teaching reading genres in upper elementary doesn’t have to be boring. It can make students snooze if you just throw out the terms for them to memorize. It’s important to get them involved in each genre, so they make memories with the stories you’re reading. Teaching reading genres in your
Planning a STAAR Reading Boot Camp
It’s the final countdown to the STAAR Reading Test, and it is up to YOU to make sure your third, fourth, or fifth graders are ready for the STAAR Reading Test. There are many resources available to use during your STAAR review: STAAR Reading Resource Round Up. However, I created
Resources to Teach Argumentative Text
Teaching argumentative text in upper elementary can be challenging. Argumentative text requires students to not only understand the content but also to analyze and evaluate the claims being made. Therefore, having the right resources to teach argumentative text is necessary. In order to effectively teach this genre, it is important for
5 Ways to Make Reading Passages Fun
Every teacher wants her students to fall in love with reading. However, with the STAAR reading test looming in April, students must practice reading passages. There are several ways to make reading passages fun in your classroom. Giving reading passage after reading passage is a sure way to bore your
Answering the STAAR Essay Question
The 2023 STAAR Reading test will include short and long response essay questions for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. The question on every teacher’s mind is: How do you write a GOOD STAAR essay? TEA has said that they changed the STAAR Reading test, so questions are aligned to
Breaking Down the STAAR Redesign
Texas teachers are extremely curious about the changes made to the STAAR test for the 2022-2023 school year. The STAAR redesign includes several parts. Teachers across Texas find the changes to the STAAR test slightly overwhelming. However, there is no need to be worried. Understanding the changes will help ease
Halloween Activities for Upper Elementary
Every year, I search for Halloween and fall activities for my fourth-grade students. It can be a challenge to find Halloween activities for upper elementary students. Especially compared to the numerous activities out there for lower elementary students. Here are a few tried and true Halloween activities that I have
Teach to the Test: How to Prepare Students for the STAAR Reading Test
Unpopular opinion alert: I think teachers should teach to the STAAR test. What?!? Let me clarify, students don’t automatically know how to take the STAAR Reading Test successfully. I think third grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade teachers need to teach specific STAAR reading strategies in order for their students
Teaching Grammar in Upper Elementary
If you dread teaching grammar to your upper elementary students, these easy ways to teach grammar are for YOU! Texas 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers might have been pushing grammar lessons to the side. However, this year the STAAR reading test will have revise and edit questions, so students
