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.
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
Easter acrostic poem. Do you need a quick fun activity for Easter? This is a short 5 slide PowerPoint explaining how to write an acronym poem, also called an acrostic poem. This would be a good warm-up activity to use just before Easter or right before Spring Break. Included is a definition of an acronym or acrostic poem, two example poems using egg and Easter, an Easter vocabulary slide, and a slide prompting students to write their own poem. You could also print this last slide for students to fill in. - HappyEdugator
Storms - Hurricanes vs. Tornadoes. Paired nonfiction reading with a Venn Diagram- and compare tornadoes and hurricanes. Students read about tornadoes and hurricanes, then compare and contrast the characteristics of hurricanes and tornadoes on this basic Venn diagram activity sheet. Add to your weather unit and have students research facts about storms. Also a good supplemental resource to use when reading books that have hurricanes or tornadoes in them, such as The Cay by Theodore Taylor or Tornado Alert by Franklyn M. Branley. - HappyEdugator
Biomes of the World PowerPoint. An overview of the different biomes of the world. Includes rain forest, temperate grassland, savanna, tundra, taiga, temperate forest, mountain, desert, and three major aquatic biomes- freshwater, saltwater, and estuaries. Average temperatures, rainfall, and interesting facts about the diversity of life in each. 34 slides. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator
Sentences - Complex Sentence Worksheet and Handout. The first page of this document is a handout that explains sentence structure, and how to distinguish between simple, compound, and complex sentences by identifying independent and dependent clauses and the use of subordinating conjunctions. The second page lists some common subordinating conjunctions and has fifteen practice sentences to be completed by students to make their own complex sentences. Black and white ink saver and color version included. Also included a key with possible answers for discussion. Print and go. No prep. Supports common core state standards. - HappyEdugator
Poetry Test - Poetry Terms, Poetic Devices, Figurative Language and Form. This 30 question test on Poetry assesses students on their understanding of poetry terms, their ablility to identify different types of figurative language such as similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, hyperbole, alliteration, and personification. Also, students must read several poems and identify their form, such as free verse, haiku, narrative, concrete, or limerick. - HappyEdugator
The Hobbit Writing Activities Based on Common Core Standards. Seven standards based writing activities for The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Includes essay questions on Argument, Expository, Narrative, Research, and Character Analysis. Includes graphic organizers for characters and setting. Pages can be printed out as handouts for writing assignments. Written for Common Core Standards in Writing for Grade 7, but can be used for Grades 6-8 as well, since the standards are the same and only the level of complexity changes. - HappyEdugator
Ratios, Fractions, Percents, and Decimals PowerPoint. Helps students learn the rules for converting equivalent fractions, decimals and percents. Also Includes a common equivalent reference sheet which can be printed out and kept in student notebooks. - HappyEdugator
CCSS.Math.Content.4.NF.C.5 Express a fraction with denominator 10 as an equivalent fraction with denominator 100, and use this technique to add two fractions with respective denominators 10 and 100.
CCSS.Math.Content.4.NF.C.6 Use decimal notation for fractions with denominators 10 or 100.
CCSS.Math.Content.6.RP.A.1 Understand the concept of a ratio and use ratio language to describe a ratio relationship between two quantities.
CCSS.Math.Content.6.RP.A.3c Find a percent of a quantity as a rate per 100
Analogies PowerPoint. Interactive practice and strategies for understanding what is an analogy and how do you figure it out. 25 slide presentation defines what an analogy is, how analogies are written, and what kinds of relationships to look for when solving analogies. There are 10 practice questions for students, with answers and explanations given after they have had a chance to think. This type of guided practice will help students develop critical thinking skills and help prepare them for standardized tests. At the end is a practice quiz. Editable for your classroom needs. Can be projected on whiteboard and used as a whole class activity where students can write answers in their notebooks, or it can be assigned to students to work on independently on individual computers, tablets, or chrome books.
Supports Common Core Standards:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.5b Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonym/antonym, analogy) to better understand each of the words.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.5b Use the relationship between particular words to better understand each of the words.
- 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
Poetry - Figurative Language Scavenger Hunt. Find figurative language while reading poetry! This is a simple hands-on activity to use with students to get them to recognize figurative and sensory language in poems. Students have to find examples of figurative and sensory language such as idioms, personification, hyperbole, metaphors, similes, onomatopoeia, alliteration, consonance, assonance, and rhyme. Students can work individually or in groups. You can make the activity a grade or make it a game with the winners getting the highest number of points. Includes teacher directions, student assignment sheet, and student recording sheet. Poems not included. Pull a variety of poetry books from the media center and allow students to search through the various texts. I take my students to the media center and have them work in groups, looking at books stacked on their tables. No doubt some of your pupils will get hooked on poetry after reading the variety of poems in this activity. Enjoy!
Supports these Common Core Standards, and also needs to be reinforced in higher grades as well.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5a Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5b Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5a Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
- HappyEdugator
Paraphrasing - Steps to Great Paraphrasing PowerPoint presentation, including what is paraphrasing and why it is important. Stimulate students to think. Strategies to turn what they are reading into written summaries. Helpful when teaching how to research and write notecards and source cards. Students need to know how to paraphrase to avoid plagiarism by putting their research into their own words. Supports common core state standards. Happy writing! - HappyEdugator
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.8 Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a list of sources.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
Latin America - All About Latin America PowerPoint. Teach Spanish or Social Studies? Latin America: the land, the people, the history and the culture. Packed with information! Animated slides. Can be used as an introduction to Spanish in a foreign language class, or in a Social Studies class. Engaging and entertaining, with interesting facts, and lots of photographs, this presentation is a good way to supplement a unit of study with an overview of population, politics, manufacturing, products,and agriculture. All countries in Latin America are included. 25 slides.
Folktales: Myths, Legends, Fables and Fairy Tales PowerPoint. Teach folktales and traditional tales: myths, legends,tall tales, fables, and fairy tales. 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.
Sentence Structure PowerPoint for a FlipBook. Help your students learn sentence structure (simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex) and the importance of varying sentences in writing. How to create a flip book. Notes, explanations, and example sentences of these sentence structures: simple, simple with compound parts, compound joined by comma and conjunction, compound joined by a semicolon, complex with adverb clauses, complex with adjective clauses, and compound-complex sentence structures that are important to know and recognize. Develop a deeper understanding of English mechanics and grammar. Review activity at the end where students have to identify the sentence structure of five different sentences.
FLIP BOOK ACTIVITY - My students made a flip book by taking 4 sheets of white paper staggered so that about one inch of paper from each sheet overlapped, and then folded in half and stapled to make a total of eight flaps. Students then used the first flap as a title, and listed each of the seven different sentence structures on the other flaps and put their notes and examples underneath. It was a useful study guide for them.
- HappyEdugator
Common Core Standards
L.7.1b
Nursery Rhymes - Poetry You Should Know PowerPoint. 25 nursery rhymes from Mother Goose to teach students of all ages who may not be familiar with them. Promotes cultural literacy. This can be a great introduction to a poetry unit, and students can research some of the history and meanings of the old rhymes. Some of the poems had religious and other historical meanings. The slides have illustrations, and some of the rhymes have tunes associated with the slides. I have read aloud some of the rhymes. Younger students will enjoy the rhymes, and this projected on your whiteboard can supplement your nursery rhyme unit. Also use with older students to teach alliteration, repetition, and other sound devices and figurative language used in poetry. Updated July 2015.
Includes the following rhymes:
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Banbury Cross
Diddle Diddle Dumpling
Georgy Porgy
Hey Diddle Diddle
Humpty Dumpty
Jack and Jill
Jack Sprat
Little Boy Blue
Little Bo Peep
Little Polly Flinders
Mary Mary Quite Contrary
One Misty Moisty Morning
Polly Put the Kettle On
Pussy-Cat and the Queen
Rain Rain
Rock-a-bye Baby
Simple Simon
Sing a Song of Sixpence
Solomon Grundy
Three Blind Mice
To Market To Market
Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee
Wee Willie Winkie
Transition Words and Phrases Lists and Sorting Activities. Supports common core! Transitional words and transitional phrases are useful in writing clear and fluent paragraphs, but students need to be familiar with when to use them. Includes a Word Splash of Transition Words with a graphic organizer for sorting, several different handouts with lists of useful transition words, and a categorizing worksheet.for groups to work on and discuss. Some words may be classified in different categories, so this can lead to interesting discussions and students will have to employ higher level thinking skills.The lists will become a handy reference tool for use when writing. - HappyEdugator
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3c Use a variety of transitional words and phrases to manage the sequence of events.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.3c Use a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses to manage the sequence of events.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.3c Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2c Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.3c Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another, and show the relationships among experiences and events.
The Cay PowerPoint Introduction is an engaging and interactive slide show for previewing the book The Cay by Theodore Taylor. 24 slides with animated clips. If you are planning to read The Cay in class, this PowerPoint will introduce your students to the setting, characters, plot, theme and vocabulary, and build background knowledge that they will need to comprehend the book. Great book for hurricane season. Students can discuss with partners how they would survive on a desert island, or you could have them write about this and share with each other. Then discuss how difficult it would be to do it blind! No spoiler at the end...they will have to read to find out if Phillip and Timothy survive the oncoming storm. - Enjoy!
- HappyEdugator
Adjectives PowerPoint - all about adjectives with practice slides including:
What is an adjective?
Descriptive Adjectives
Limiting Adjectives
Nouns Used as Adjectives
Proper Adjectives
Articles - Definite and Indefinite
Degrees of Adjectives - Positive, Comparative, Superlative
Review of Common and Proper Adjectives
Compound Adjectives
Classifying Adjectives
Demonstrative Adjectives
Coordinate Adjectives
Cumulative Adjectives
58 slides.
- HappyEdugator