Upper Elementary English Language Arts
Learn research-based practices for teaching reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and vocabulary in third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade classrooms.
Need help teaching reading?
Find reading instruction help including teaching reading comprehension, close reading strategies, research-based remediation strategies, engaging reluctant readers, reading centers and stations, and small group lessons.
Need help teaching writing?
Find support including using writing to build classroom community, teaching writing processes, writing center ideas, rules-based spelling, and engaging students in writing.
Need help planning around holiday or seasonal changes?
Holidays can throw a wrench into even the best ELA lessons. Discover ways to keep your lessons on track no matter the time of year.
Differentiation doesn’t have to mean hours of extra planning! This post shares five practical, time-saving differentiation strategies that help classroom teachers support individual student needs in literacy without overwhelming prep work. Learn how to use pre-leveled reading passages, sentence starters, vocabulary activities, flexible grouping, and technology to meet diverse student needs efficiently. Plus, get insights from other experienced educators on how they differentiate instruction in engaging and manageable ways.
Discover 4 simple reading strategies to re-engage students after winter break! From new book ideas and fun reading challenges to interactive read-alouds and group projects, these classroom tips will help students rebuild their love for reading. Plus, grab free resources to make implementation even easier!
Close reading helps students gain skills that will help them grow as complete learners. In this blog post, I’m sharing more about why close reading is so important for our students and practical ways teachers can incorporate close reading into our classrooms.
If you’re not already sold on using task cards in your classroom or if you would like to use them even more effectively, keep reading! Today I’m going to dive into what task cards are and how they benefit you and your students.
We’ve talked about how students can only become stronger readers by reading. And we’ve talked about how providing students with choice builds enthusiasm for reading as well as reading stamina. And of course, we’ve talked about how traditional reading logs do little to support goals for student reading. See previous blog posts here, here, and here.
If you’ve read the blog posts linked above, you know why I developed a new kind of reading log. And you know what a difference it made with my students. My year-long editable reading logs are available in my TPT store. I have them available for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades.
I wanted to walk you through how to use these reading logs. Click below to watch the video. I’ll also take you through the steps below.
Have you ever told a student he couldn’t choose a particular book to read because it wasn’t the right level for him and seen the light go out of his eyes? I have. Learn what classroom practices kill students’ love of reading and what to do instead.
Teachers need a way to hold students accountable for getting their reading practice in. The result? Reading logs. For reading logs to be successful in your classroom, you need your students to get on board. Here’s how to accomplish that while also getting parents on board.
Are you looking to start Literature Circles or Book Clubs with your upper elementary students, but don’t know which books to use? I have a short list of titles - some new and some classic - to get you started. You’ll find a range of reading levels and genres included including a graphic novel or two, which are perfect for reluctant readers.
All Types of Books Perfect for Valentine's Day | Whether you’re looking for mentor texts for guided reading, popular kids titles for close reading activities, or just the best kids books to celebrate school holidays, this list is for you. Includes picture and chapter books, kids poetry books, and children’s read alouds. | everythingjustso.org #valentinesday #booklists #valentinesdaybooks #upperelementary
I'm always hearing from teachers looking for ways to get their students engaged and excited about reading. It seems to be an all-too-common trend that kids love the reading life, and then it just sort of starts to fizzle out.
Sound familiar?
If you're looking for a simple way to get your classroom excited about reading, Literature Circles are calling your name!
Literature Circles are a great way to expose your students to different genres of books, differentiate instruction, and let them talk about what they are reading. Using Literature Circles in my classroom was a game changer for me.
When you first introduce this type of group work, it can be overwhelming to have multiple groups reading different texts. So I’m sharing four tips for launching Literature Circles successfully in your Upper Elementary classroom to help alleviate some of that overwhelm.
As reading teachers, one of our biggest goals is to instill a love of reading in our students while building comprehension skills. One of the best ways to accomplish both is by utilizing strategies such as Literature Circles or Book Clubs. While many people use the terms synonymously, they’re actually quite different. Which strategy is best for your Upper Elementary students? Let’s take a look at both.
When teaching character skills, it’s often helpful to start with a children’s book. To support my monthly thankful for kindness writing, I compiled a list of popular children’s books that are perfect mentor texts. These are the best children’s books I’ve found for kindness.
April is National Poetry Month. Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas to use in the month of April or all through the year, these ten simple resources will help encourage a love of poetry in your upper elementary students. Use these popular children’s books, teaching resources, and other materials to broaden students understanding and appreciation of poetry.
Improve your ability to match your students with books they love simply by expanding your knowledge of children’s books. Staying current on what’s new in children’s literature can be overwhelming with the vast number of books published every year. These five resources will keep you current and help you make book recommendations like a pro.
Looking for a site that has popular children’s book read aloud for free? This site features dozens of videos featuring popular celebrities, authors, and athletes reading well-loved children’s books. And it’s free!
After years of practice, and one impactful workshop, I share how my ideas on in-class reading and homework reading logs have changed. Plus read about my very best tips for stocking your classroom library for little to no cost.
Popular reading posts:
Differentiation doesn’t have to mean hours of extra planning! This post shares five practical, time-saving differentiation strategies that help classroom teachers support individual student needs in literacy without overwhelming prep work. Learn how to use pre-leveled reading passages, sentence starters, vocabulary activities, flexible grouping, and technology to meet diverse student needs efficiently. Plus, get insights from other experienced educators on how they differentiate instruction in engaging and manageable ways.
If you’re not already sold on using task cards in your classroom or if you would like to use them even more effectively, keep reading! Today I’m going to dive into what task cards are and how they benefit you and your students.
How do you take beginning of the year writers who ask endless questions because they are afraid of being wrong and turn them into independent writers who produce quality work? Today I’m going to talk to you about some tools that can accompany any writing program. Your students can use these tools to gain independence in writing and spelling.
Watch students take a big step toward spelling independence.
Teachers answer questions - all day, every day. It’s what we do. And it’s what we should do. After all, we teach because we want to inspire and encourage students, sharing knowledge and helping them learn important concepts and skills. Questions are a natural and vital part of learning.
However…
There’s one question that every teacher answers at least 20 times a day every day.
No, I don’t mean, “Is it almost time for lunch?” or “Can we have extra recess?”
The question I’m talking about is, “How do you spell…?”
Students who are not confident, independent spellers often turn to the most convenient of dictionaries - you. If you’re ready to retire from your role as a human dictionary (or at least greatly reduce your hours), keep reading. I want to share some resources with you that will help your students take an active role in their own spelling.
Learn how to use Spelling Fluency, a trusted Orton Gillingham practice, in your classroom to help students improve spelling accuracy.
Learn about the Spelling Fluency method and why it’s the best way to help your students gain automaticity in spelling high frequency words.
April is National Poetry Month. Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas to use in the month of April or all through the year, these ten simple resources will help encourage a love of poetry in your upper elementary students. Use these popular children’s books, teaching resources, and other materials to broaden students understanding and appreciation of poetry.
Popular writing posts:
Before you make your classroom cute, set up the systems that run it. Here’s the simple test for which routines actually save you time all year, plus the four to build first.
A letter to my first-year teacher self, and to anyone dreading the first month of school. Five honest lessons on starting the year strong without burning out.
Feeling overwhelmed by end-of-year classroom chaos? This post walks you through six teacher-tested strategies to purge, organize, and prep your space before summer. From what to toss to how to get students involved (without losing structure), you’ll find practical tips that save time now—and next fall. Includes a free printable checklist to guide you step-by-step.
The end of the school year is the perfect time to show appreciation for the students, parents, colleagues, and support staff who made your year meaningful. This post shares creative, low-cost, and heartfelt gift ideas—including free printables—for each group. From student reading kits to thank-you notes for staff, you’ll find thoughtful, easy-to-implement ways to close out the year with gratitude (and minimal stress).
Worried about summer learning loss? This post is packed with practical, engaging, and free activities to help families and teachers prevent the summer slide. From daily reading strategies to creative writing, this post offers detailed, actionable ideas that support continued growth all summer long—without the stress. Perfect for teachers looking to empower parents or send students off with confidence.
Preparing students for standardized tests doesn’t have to mean endless drills and last-minute cramming. This blog post explores simple, stress-free strategies to seamlessly integrate test prep into everyday lessons. Learn how to embed test-style questions naturally, reinforce academic vocabulary, and build students' confidence without sacrificing engagement.
Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of returning to school after winter break? With just a few simple, high-impact tasks, you can set yourself up for a smooth and stress-free January. From quick pre-break prep to actionable strategies for your first week back, this guide is packed with tips to simplify your classroom reset and help you focus on what matters most: teaching with ease and confidence.
Discover 4 simple reading strategies to re-engage students after winter break! From new book ideas and fun reading challenges to interactive read-alouds and group projects, these classroom tips will help students rebuild their love for reading. Plus, grab free resources to make implementation even easier!
Unlock the secret to keeping your classroom learning-focused during the festive season with our top five strategies. Discover how to blend holiday excitement with educational rigor and keep your students thoroughly engaged. Plus download a free resource that will help you master the holiday teaching challenge!
You made it to the end of the school year with your students. Let’s make sure it ends on a positive note. I have five tips and activities for the end of the year that are easy to implement, involve little to no prep, and will put smiles on the faces of you and your students.
Discover how to engage students with project-based learning at the end of the school year. Learn tips for creating interdisciplinary, meaningful projects that celebrate learning and growth.
Don't let snow days throw your ELA curriculum off course. Discover five adaptive planning strategies to maintain student engagement and lesson momentum through winter's unpredictable weather. From quick shifts to emergency kits, this guide offers practical tips for upper elementary teachers to keep the pages turning and the learning consistent, even when the weather outside is frightful.
Make achieving your first week of school goals - building community, establishing routines, and getting to know your students - easier with five ready-to-go resources.
Close reading lessons are more effective when teachers use resources specifically designed for close reading practice. Learn how non-fiction seasonal close reading resources allow students to celebrate school holidays while practicing important reading skills.
Bring rigor to your Valentine’s Day lessons with a mini-unit on the history of chocolate. Incorporate meaningful and engaging teaching resources during school holidays through thematic nonfiction units that teach important reading skills while students learn about the history of a holiday.
This free tool is the perfect resource for boosting positivity and is one of the easiest classroom management strategies I’ve used. It’s easy to implement and super effective in turning students’ attention to others during the holidays.
Let me help take some of the overwhelm out of the holiday season in your classroom. I have organization tips, writing activities, and holiday activities perfect for your upper elementary students.
Read on as I take you through five teaching resources that will help save your sanity and keep your students engaged this holiday season.
How can you survive teaching in December with your sanity intact?
I have five FREE resources, tips, and strategies to share with you that will help you get organized and keep things running smoothly during the month of December.
Taking time to rest and recharge is so important. I hope you’ve taken that time for yourself during these summer months. Giving yourself time and space to process and reflect on this past school year - as well as time to think about anything but teaching - is essential to your well-being as a teacher. But… there is another gift you need to give yourself during this time away from the classroom - the gift of a smooth start.
Every teacher wants to start the school year feeling prepared, organized, and in control. And that means setting up systems at the beginning of the year so the rest of the year runs smoothly. Today, we’re talking about three systems to put in place now to help start your school year off on the path to success.
Women’s history shouldn’t be taught in March alone. Instead, help students celebrate the achievements of women all year long with this list of 180 children’s books.
November and the holiday of Thanksgiving provide the perfect opportunity for sneaking in lessons about thankfulness. This simple exercise will kickstart a process that you can repeat all year long.
It’s easy to choose cute over substance when celebrating school holidays. But our students deserve more. Here are three reasons why choosing substance over fluff is always better when celebrating holidays in the upper elementary classroom. Plus help finding teaching resources to bring both meaning and fun when planning holiday activities throughout the year.
April is National Poetry Month. Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas to use in the month of April or all through the year, these ten simple resources will help encourage a love of poetry in your upper elementary students. Use these popular children’s books, teaching resources, and other materials to broaden students understanding and appreciation of poetry.
On Read Across America Day, move the focus from Dr. Seuss Week to its intended purpose – encouraging students to celebrate reading. Rather than focusing on one author, it’s the perfect time to create a reading day for exploring diverse children’s literature from multiple writers. Here’s how I celebrated Read Across America in my upper elementary classroom in the simplest, but most effective way.
Popular seasonal posts:
Preparing students for standardized tests doesn’t have to mean endless drills and last-minute cramming. This blog post explores simple, stress-free strategies to seamlessly integrate test prep into everyday lessons. Learn how to embed test-style questions naturally, reinforce academic vocabulary, and build students' confidence without sacrificing engagement.