While you may already have finished up – or even have the rest of the year planned, if you are someone who still has some time left to fill, I just created a fun new activity that you can also easily recreate on your own!

As the school year comes to a close, it’s important to consider how to keep kids engaged and learning during the summer break.

One effective way to achieve this is by using end of school year worksheets that review and reinforce the skills and knowledge acquired throughout the year. These worksheets can cover a wide range of subjects, from math and language arts to science, social studies, art, music, physical education, and more.

By incorporating these worksheets into summer learning, parents and educators can help prevent the “summer slide” and ensure that students are ready to hit the ground running when the new school year begins.

Or just do an activity for “fun” that includes creative writing and drawing skills – yay!

Your students will love it, parents will get a chuckle, and you will think it’s hilarious {or NOT}!

End of Year Writing Prompts and Creative Writing Activities

Creative writing is a valuable tool for self-expression and language development. End of year writing prompts and creative writing activities can inspire kids to write during the summer by providing them with engaging and thought-provoking prompts.

These activities can include writing a short story, composing a poem, or keeping a journal of their summer experiences. By engaging in creative writing, students can enhance their writing skills and explore their creativity in new and exciting ways.

My Teacher’s Summer Break Book is a fun activity to wrap up the school year that doesn’t involve technology, outside activities, or cooperative learning groups.

I can see students coming up with sentences like:

• I think my teacher will read a book by the pool while doing laundry over Summer Break.
• I think my teacher will go to Disneyworld every day over Summer Break.
• I think my teacher will eat chocolate over Summer Break.
• I think my teacher will not wear shoes at all over Summer Break.
• I think my teacher will sleep the entire time over Summer Break.
• I think my teacher will be shopping for cake over Summer Break.

Last Days of School Book Activity

Of course, it’s really easy to recreate your own template if you don’t want to use the one I have provided. Choices are the best!

Here is how to make your own:

1.  Grab some blank paper, pass out to the students.

2.  Ask them to write the following sentence:  “I think my teacher ____________ over summer break.”

3.  Have them fill in the blank with their own answer.

4.  Draw and color in a matching image on the rest of the paper.

When all students have finished, either scan the pages and use for an end of the year slideshow or just share and send home.  If you choose to scan the papers, make sure to save the hard copies and bind together for a memento of your own of this year’s class!  Fun!

Grab the ultimate end of the school year resource guide for teachers!

Wrapping Up the School Year in Just 3 Days!  27 page guidebook with checklists and a plan of action so you can enjoy the last week of school with your students – rather than feeling overwhelmed with your task list!  Click HERE to download it now!

Celebrate Other School Staff Members Too

Now, if you want templates already made, I have templates created which also include 17 other options for the sentence. 

There is one for the principal, specials teachers, cafeteria staff, and more! 

And each template is available in full color and grayscale!  Click HERE to see some examples of the templates!

End of the year staff appreciation gifts for the specials teachers, office, cafeteria, or custodial staff

You could have each student do the specific templates you choose and then bind them together to give to the staff member who is mentioned on that template – or take pictures of those particularly memorable and then bind the rest for the students to take home as a gift for the end of the year!

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for your end of the school year routine?  This 70 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 10 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:

• Printable Award Certificates
• How To Pack Up Your Classroom Faster Than Ever
• Fun Summer Reading Challenge for Students
• DIY Unique Award Ceremony Ribbons
• Planning Your EOY Party in a Snap
• Super Cute Tag for EOY Student Gift

…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price! 

See it HERE.

The choice is up to you, but either way, I am sure the responses will certainly bring on some chuckles!

Math Review Worksheets to Keep Skills Sharp

Math is a subject that requires continuous practice to maintain proficiency. Over the summer, it’s easy for kids to forget the math skills they’ve learned during the school year. That’s why math review worksheets are essential for keeping these skills sharp.

These worksheets can cover a variety of topics, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions.

For example, a worksheet might include a series of addition and subtraction problems that gradually increase in difficulty, or a set of multiplication and division problems that require students to use their knowledge of times tables. By regularly practicing these skills, students can prevent learning loss and be better prepared for the next grade level.

Science and Social Studies Worksheets for Summer Learning

Science and social studies are subjects that provide valuable knowledge about the world around us. To continue exploring these topics during the summer, worksheets can cover a wide range of subjects, including animals, plants, geography, and history.

For example, a science worksheet might include questions about the life cycle of a butterfly, while a social studies worksheet might ask students to identify different countries on a map. By engaging with these subjects over the summer, students can expand their knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of the world.

Fun and Engaging Art and Music Worksheets for the End of School Year

Art and music are essential for fostering creativity and self-expression. End of school year art and music worksheets can include drawing prompts that encourage students to explore different artistic techniques, music theory exercises that teach the fundamentals of rhythm and melody, and art history activities that introduce students to famous artists and their work. By incorporating these worksheets into summer learning, students can continue to develop their artistic and musical abilities while having fun and expressing themselves in new and exciting ways.

Physical Education and Health Worksheets to Stay Active and Healthy

Staying active and healthy is important for overall well-being, and summer is the perfect time to focus on physical education and health.

Worksheets can promote exercise, nutrition, and wellness by including activities such as creating a weekly exercise plan, tracking daily physical activity, and learning about the importance of eating a balanced diet. By engaging with these worksheets, students can develop healthy habits that will benefit them for years to come.

End of Year Reflection and Goal Setting Worksheets

Reflecting on the past school year and setting goals for the summer and upcoming school year is a valuable exercise for students. Reflection and goal setting worksheets can encourage self-assessment and planning by prompting students to think about their achievements, challenges, and aspirations.

By setting goals for the summer, such as reading a certain number of books or learning a new skill, students can stay motivated and focused on their personal and academic growth.

Summer Reading Lists and Comprehension Worksheets

Summer reading is essential for preventing the “summer slide” and improving literacy skills.

To support this, parents and educators can provide recommended summer reading lists for different age groups, along with comprehension worksheets that accompany the books.

These worksheets can include questions that test students’ understanding of the text, as well as activities that encourage critical thinking and analysis. By engaging with these materials, students can develop a love for reading and improve their comprehension skills.

STEM Activities to Keep Kids Engaged and Learning

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities are essential for developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. End of school year STEM activities and worksheets can cover a wide range of topics, including coding, engineering challenges, and scientific experiments.

For example, a coding activity might ask students to create a simple computer program, while an engineering challenge might require them to build a structure using only toothpicks and marshmallows. By engaging with these activities, students can continue to develop their STEM skills and explore new and exciting concepts.

End of Year Celebrations and Memory Making Worksheets

Celebrating the end of the school year and creating lasting memories is an important part of the summer experience. End of year celebration activities and memory making worksheets can include creating a memory book that highlights favorite moments from the school year, reflecting on personal achievements, and setting intentions for the upcoming summer. By engaging in these activities, students can celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to new experiences in the months ahead.

Whether it’s math, language arts, science, art, music, physical education, or any other subject, there are endless opportunities for students to explore, learn, and grow during the summer months. I encourage parents and educators to utilize these worksheets to provide a fun and enriching summer learning experience for students of all ages.

Need a freebie page to get things rolling? Grab it below!

Have fun and enjoy the end of the school year without getting too crazed!

~Charity

The post My Teacher’s Summer Break Book appeared first on Organized Classroom.

At one point I had different individual jobs for each and every student that I had to remember to change everyday (exhausting!). With all the little, and big, things teachers have to do, classroom jobs should be at the very least of our worries!

Luckily, I have an amazing teaching partner with amazing ideas that I get to steal… I mean borrow.

Read on to find out more about making classroom jobs a breeze… When I walked into my teaching partner’s classroom, I found her brilliantly easy classroom job system on her whiteboard.

Assigning Classroom Helpers

She has a total of four classroom jobs that rotate everyday. Like in my classroom, her students sit in groups of four.

Each student in a group has a number (1-4) and this number is used to determine their classroom job.

She chose four classroom jobs that needed to be done on a daily basis.

Then, each day the numbers rotate so each student gets a new job each day.

Easy, right? And the brilliant part is every student has a job without creating 24 different classroom jobs to somehow rotate your kids through.

Would you like to know step-by-step routines that put teachers back in control in just 4 weeks?

Download the FREE Classroom Systems Starter Kit now!

The jobs are simple and help keep the classroom neat and organized at the end of the school day. I can attest that it has worked wonderfully in my classroom and I now hardly have to think about classroom jobs!

Here’s the classroom job chart that I made for my students. The numbers are attached with paperclips, which make rotating the numbers easy-peasy.

But that’s not all! I also have two daily helpers who help me with the odds and ends jobs, like helping with our lunch boxes, passing out papers, sending reminders, and taking playground equipment outside. These kids are great at helping me remember the little things I ALWAYS seem to forget!

And there you have it! I went from 24 different jobs to 4 (plus 2) and couldn’t be happier with the outcome! Every student has something to do at the end of the day and best of all, it’s easy to manage!

If you need a change in your classroom job procedure, why not give this classroom job system a try!?!

You can change the job titles to fit your classroom needs. If you have larger table groups, you can add a job or two to the rotating list. If you don’t have table groups, you can simply count-off to give students a number that corresponds to a different classroom job.

Even More Classroom Jobs Ideas

Classroom management will be covered much better if students have a purpose in the classroom and know their roles.  Need some more creative ideas for elementary students this school year?  Check the quick list below:

• field trip counter  – in charge of making sure the everyone is present and accounted for (of course, you’ll also do that, but it doesn’t hurt to have a back up)
• class pet – in charge of food and water
• dry erase boards – passing out and/or collecting
• homework helper – checking names off a list at the beginning of the day
• line leader
• work handler – passes out papers to rows or groups as needed
• scrap patrol – helps pick up the floor of scrap paper at the end of the day
• desk police – passes out “good citations” for those students who have organized spaces
• pencil pal – sharpens pencils at the beginning of the day for all to use
• BFF buddy – looks for students who are alone during lunch/recess and makes a point to talk to them
• office runner
• librarian – checks out and/or organizes classroom library
• historian – takes pictures throughout the week of the class for an end of the year memory book

How do you organize classroom jobs in your classroom?

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for simple routines in your classroom? This 106 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 15 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
• Organizing Absent Work
• Helping Student Get Organized
• Remembering Names on Papers
• Organizing All the Paperwork
• Bathroom Break Tips
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!  

See it HERE.

We would love to hear in a comment below!

This blog post was written by Elizabeth Rossmiller, creator of the blog Tech Out My Class. Make sure to stop by and say hello!

Would you like a free printable of the blank chart and number circles? Simply download the file below, laminate, and use wet erase markers to add your preferred job titles on the chart. It can be erased and used from year to year!

Click here to email your freebie

The post Easy Classroom Jobs Rotations! appeared first on Organized Classroom.

That’s the stuff nightmares are made of.

But, what happens if you don’t have other simple systems in place once the school year gets rolling?

Maybe nothing. Maybe a little bit of confusion. Probably nothing to lose sleep over.

Let’s look at the other side of the coin: What does it look when you DO have those smaller routines in place? Things such as bathroom passes or who waters the plants, how you line up, and yes, even how to sharpen those student pencils step by step?

Setting Up Your Best Classroom Routines Solutions

Some things you should consider when you are designing the routines to solve your classroom chaos problems.

Make sure you think about:

• What materials do the students need?
• Where are those materials stored currently?
• How often do they need the materials?
• Can the materials be kept at their desk, at a group of desks, or just one spot in the classroom?
• How many students will be required to pass out the materials if they are not kept individually?
• What type of traffic flow do you want the students to use when completing the routine?

Of course, there are a million other considerations (how will social distancing impact these routines, what if a child is absent, etc.), but the smaller details can be worked out once you have a rough draft and even later once you have real-world tested it with your kids.

A Fun (and Easy) Way to Manage Pencil Sharpening

Here’s one potential idea I have used in the past with great success:

Step 1: Gather all the pencils from students (this works only IF you are able to do community classroom supplies).

Step 2: Grab 2-3 plastic cups from the dollar store or even old options from your kitchen cupboards at home.

Step 3: Add a “Sharpened” label to the front of one cup. Add a “To Be Sharpened” label to a second. Optional: “Extras” label to a third.

Step 4: Place the cups on a prominent shelf or on the teacher desk, next to the pencil sharpener. Optional: If you have student pods of desks, you can place 2 cups on each pod in the center.

Step 5: Assign 2 students who arrive to school early-ish each day to be the pencil sharpeners. They will make sure anything in the “To Be Sharpened” cups get sharpened and placed in the “Sharpened” cups.

That’s the entire system my friends!

I have found that a good classroom system is easy, has 5 or fewer steps involved, and can be done by anyone in the classroom.

Testing and Tuning

Like everything else you do in the classroom, you’ll want to test out your new system before making changes.

It may not actually work as well as it looks on paper and you’ll only know after you explain the action steps to the students and have them try the system.

Of course, you’ll have to consistently reinforce even the best classroom routine repeatedly throughout the year, as somehow even small school breaks create insomnia situations upon return.

But, if you have a simple enough routine (no more than 5 steps), you review those steps frequently until students feel comfortable enough to even do them when you’re not present in the room, and you make adjustments as necessary, then you’ll have a tested and well-oiled procedure that will take you through the end of the year like a million dollar machine.

And there’s nothing quite like knowing your classroom environment is working at the maximum efficiency, even when you need a mental health day for yourself.

What other ways have you used for pencil sharpening that have worked for you in the past?

Feel free to share them in the comments below! We love lots of different ideas for lots of different teacher preferences!

Could you use some premade labels for your pencil cups? Grab those below.

If you want completely customizable labels, make sure to check out the Dreaming of Teaching in Italy Theme at Organized Educator! You can find this temple, along with 900+ other pages of editable forms, decor, and organizational materials!

Click here to email your freebie

~Charity

The post Pencil in a Routine appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Not that long ago on the Organized Classroom Facebook page, Pam asked the following question for us all:

“Please help me find a way to control all the paperwork from workshops/inservice. I have discussed this with other teachers in my building and they don’t have a solution either. I want to use the material and either can’t find it or find it when it is too late. Please help!?!”

So, I have compiled all the answers from fellow teachers that were posted, and have even added an idea myself at the bottom, so make sure you read them all.  Thanks to all who submitted an idea – you all have wonderful ideas and I love when we collaborate.

• “I have a hanging file folder tub, and I label each hanging file with the topic of the trainging- ie Reading, Writing, Math, etc.. I haven’t needed to go to subtopics yet…- And I put the papers into those hanging folders so I can find it easily later on.”  -Christina
• “I put mine in a binder labeled by years.”  -Kayla
• “I also use a binder for each year.”  -Christal
• “I scan mine into folders and make duplicates for each category I might need it. For example, a training on using primary sources in SS, would be found in SS folder, reading, writing DBQ’s folder, and.whatever topic the examples cover. I find it takes up less room than having a hard copy in all those folders.”  -Bethany
• “Scan, save to file by topic, and toss the paper copies.”  -Kacie
• “Use binders and label subjects and years, grade.  File in your file cabinet/use color codes also.”  -Lavata
• “I am the binder queen. Whatever subject I think it pertains to, I put it there. If it will go for more, I copy it and put it in that binder.”  -Karen
• “Same as alot of other people, I file them in a binder by the year it was or by topic. Also, I put the date at the top of each handout/paper in case it’s not already on there that I get from workshop. In our parish, every teacher is required to turn in a Professional Development binder at end of every school year that contains documentation that we have attended or participated in 3 professional developments and we are also required to put 4 ‘follow-ups’ for EACH pro dev. (showing how we used it or applied each pro dev in our teaching or classroom) So each time I attend a pro dev, and get all those papers and handouts, I date it and put it in that binder for THAT year.  The next year, I pull out the papers, and start all over again.”  -Pam
• “I’ve used file folders, binders, and now I’ve started content tubs. I never thought about scanning to the computer! I’ll have to consider that.”  -Shibahn
• “I scan it, make a file for that workshop, then put all workshops in folders by topic.”  -Kateri
• “I use binders too… But if it’s something I want at my fingertips I take a pic and save it in Evernote … That app rocks”  -Heidi
• “I keep my workshop info in a hanging file folder arranged by topic.”  -Beth
• “Pitch it – by the time you get around to looking at it again, times will have changed!”  -Tracy

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for organizing your classroom storage?  This 83 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 13 ad-free articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:

• Student Cubbies
• File Folder Game Organization
• What to do with old office furniture to maximize your storage
• Ideas for Student Headphone Storage

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See it HERE.

Running with Tracy’s idea above, I would have to agree that in the course of one school year (and even more if you count the summer trainings, grad classes, and blog stalking), you will see so many neat ideas you would love to implement, but just won’t be able to fit in. 

But trying new things in your classroom and reflecting on how it worked not only makes you a better teacher, it also really keeps your students on their toes and motivated to see what you might come up with next!

I adore the ideas above for those who want to go paperless:  scan or take a snapshot of the notes/handouts and file them accordingly into folders. 

My only caveat with that would be by the end of the year I would have a full jump drive and still haven’t tried all those awesome ideas.

My suggestion is to keep only those ideas you really think you will have time to try and that will work with the current group of kids you have (we all know some years won’t lend itself to some ideas out there). 

If it won’t work THIS YEAR or will be too much for you personally to implement, recycle it or pass along to someone who might like it.  {Perhaps even drop into teachers’ mailboxes that you think it might be a good fit for along with a post-it explaining why you are passing it on. They might be pleasantly surprised to find a great new teaching idea that you passed along!}

Would you like to know step-by-step routines that put teachers back in control in just 4 weeks?

Download the FREE Classroom Systems Starter Kit now!

For those ideas you do have left, you can tackle them in physical form (my preference, but I am also on old school type of teacher who needs a physical planner in my hand too – lol) or use them digitally.

If you go down the digital path:  You already have them scanned and filed, but perhaps set up an alert once a month to go through a specific folder to find at least one idea to try in the coming month. 

If you make an appointment to do it – and are reminded of that appointment – chances are it won’t sit there in cyberland without ever getting a second glance.

If you are similar to me and need the papers to review:

1.  Grab some colorful file folders and close up each side with clear packing tape so that it makes a pocket with an opening only left at the top.  {I found all of the materials I used to create these in Walmart in the clearance aisle after back to school was over, so I think I paid $3 in total for the supplies you see here.}

2.  I also added jumbo paperclips and paper labels so they could be easily changed.

(I hate having file folder labels that I can’t change).

3.  Secure them to the INSIDE of a cabinet, wardrobe closet door, side of a desk, or on the back of a supply door. 

Of course, if you don’t have a spot to hide them (I prefer them inside only because they won’t make the room look cluttered), you could place them in a wire rack on a desk or shelf.

4.  Place your papers inside the file folders accordingly.

5.  Once a month, same as above, jot a note in your lesson plans to grab one of the ideas from one of the files to try.

6.  At the end of the year, take a final look at what is still there and only keep those ideas you KNOW you will want to implement in the next school year. 

If you are unsure, then let it go.  Recycle any remaining papers and start with empty folders for the next school year.  Guaranteed they will fill up again with a ton of new ideas.

Want the basic labels I created? Print them on colored paper of your choice!

Click here to email your freebie

Enjoy trying new ideas, yet also feeling like you are being proactive in organizing and implementation of them too!

~Charity

The post PD Paper Solutions appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Since then, writing has been one of the most important ways we communicate with other humans.

We write to communicate

In today’s world, more than ever writing has been a key way to communicate with others.

Even if we do not know the language, you can use Google to translate what you are communicating into the appropriate language.

For many, writing can be difficult.

As teachers, regardless of what you are teaching, we should help ease this difficulty with daily writing prompts for our student writers.

You might want to check out:

Need some new ideas for lesson planning and calendar organization in the classroom? This 70 page digital book has you covered!

Includes 14 articles from Organized Classroom, including topics such as:
-Curriculum Mapping
-Setting Up Your Daily Classroom Schedule
-Digital Filing Cabinets
-Weekly Planning Resources
-Several To-Do List Templates
-Balancing Home and Work Life in your Calendar
-File Organization
…and even more!

Now available in our Shop!  And the second copy to share with a friend is half price!

See it HERE.

Writing prompts help

Writing prompts help students eliminate writer’s block. They help to inspire creativity and create a habit of writing and sometimes will help the student learn something new.

Writing prompts is one way to help get student’s writing juices flowing. There are several ways to create writing prompts. You can begin by having students write a list of:

1. Things they love or hate or both.
2. Things they want to do before they die.
3. Places they want to visit.
4. People they admire and why.

However, if even as a teacher, you have difficulty, there are many writing prompt websites, and writing prompt apps.

One app I’ve used in my class was, “Writing Prompts”.

My favorite writing prompt idea was to have a paper bag with an item. The students can put their hand in the bag to feel what it was but could not see it. This would prompt imagination and creativity for the writing piece.

Another idea I used often was to post a picture on the board for students to either write an informative, persuasive or narrative piece.

Writing helps intellectual development. When a student writes, a teacher is able to understand whether they have moved from the knowledge level of Bloom’s Taxonomy to the analytical and critical thinking skills level. Writing helps students  practice using their higher order thinking skills.

Essays are decision-makers

Often an essay is a way that many students are judged. Essay results are often a grade, college admissions, scholarship awards or determining a students’ academic ability.

Essays also help educators understand a student’s thinking skills. Writing essays add value to academic growth. Writing on real world topics help students authentic their writing skills.

Write authentically

Creating writing prompts that allow students to write a letter to persuade a city council to add more sidewalks is something they may have to do while living in a community.

Or, writing an editorial on why a night club should not be next to a 24hour daycare center. Allowing students to write on real world issues helps to make their writing real and not just for the teacher.

Even asking a student to write on the other’s perspective, i.e. the night club owner, would also help develop higher order thinking skills.

GRAB THE DREAM!!!

Dr. Genola Johnson has over 20 years in education. She is the Executive Director of Georgia Educational Learning Consultants, Inc.

Could you use some lined writing paper to get your students started?

Download this pack of 5 different designs from Organized Classroom!

Click here to email your freebie

~Charity

The post Ways to Encourage Reluctant Writers appeared first on Organized Classroom.

What is an equivalent fraction?

Knowing math vocabulary is super important. Students need to know that fractions have numerators and denominators and that those numbers are above or below a fraction bar.

When teaching students from the beginning, I like to have an informal definition which makes more sense to them as we are exploring this new topic.   My official informal definition is:

An equivalent fraction is when you have 2 fractions that are like cousins.  They might look different or have different “parent numbers,” but they are still related and match up if you know how to make their bottom numbers the same.

I know I am probably making a ton of math teachers squirm because I am not using specific math vocabulary here.  Keep in mind that I really do teach that too.  But this is my easy definition that students will remember when they are just starting to explore the topic of equivalent fractions.

You might also enjoy:

Math Games Bundle

6 math products that will be perfect for students in grades K-6!

See it HERE.

How do you solve to find equivalent fractions?

There are several resources listed below that you can use as resources to help you teach how to find equivalent fractions.   Make sure to stop by and check each of them out to find the best tools for your students!

#1  Equivalent Fractions Calculator:  This unique calculator can allow students to explore the operations involved in finding their solution.  I also love it for having students self-check their work for the correct answer.

#2  Equivalent Fractions Chart:  A fun flip chart that shows students multiple ways how to make equivalent fractions.  It shows a picture, the fraction, a decimal, and a percent.

#3  Fraction Tiles, Cubes, or Circles:   Hands-on manipulatives as a concrete learning method.

Equivalent Fractions Videos:

#4  Khan Academy Fractions Tutorial:   An easy way to showcase basic equivalent fraction concepts with (what else?) pizza!

#5  Equivalent Fractions on a Number Line:   I didn’t even know this was a thing until recently.  I love that there are so many ways to show how to find the same solution.

#6  Fraction Decimal Equivalents:  Just reading the comments from appreciative students was the main reason for including this video on this list.

Equivalent Fractions Games:

#7  ABCYA 4th Grade Bingo Game:  This is super fun!  I may or may not have gotten sucked in to playing it by myself – ha!

#8  Equivalent Fractions Game Triplets:   A super entertaining online game good for centers practice.  It has a fun space theme storyline and has pictures and different equivalent fractions to sort.

#9  Math Fraction Games:  Super fun bug themed fraction ideas!

#10  Calculator Soup Fractions Calculator:  If you want to do some whole group practice on an interactive whiteboard, this would be a great website to use!

Equivalent Fractions Worksheet:

#11 Equivalent Fractions Examples:   I love this resource guide with worksheet examples, along with tutorials that use Legos to teach the concepts!

#12  Using Area Models to Teach Fractions:  This is an awesome (and FREE) Bundle.  I love how the author shares exactly how she teaches it in the classroom too!

#13  Alien Go Fish Equivalent Fractions Card Game Freebie:  Fern Smith always has the cutest freebies!

#14  Hands On Fraction Fun Blog Post:  I adore the idea of using measuring cups for finding equivalent fractions.  She shares how she teaches it here.

#15  Squashing Fraction Misconceptions Blog Post:  Another amazing post with tons of teaching strategies for fractions – and some you may have never thought of before!

BONUS Resources!

#16  Fractions Interactive Notebook Grade 3 Sampler

#17  Fractions Vocabulary Cards and Word Work Activities

There you have it!  15 awesome teaching resources for equivalent fractions, with an extra couple thrown in for good measure!  

How about a BONUS FREEBIE?

Here is a simple worksheet with answer key included. Enjoy!

Click here to email your freebie

How do you teach equivalent fractions in your classroom?  Leave a comment below and share with us – we love collaborating!

Happy Fraction-ing,

~Charity

The post 15 Fabulous Equivalent Fractions Teaching Tools appeared first on Organized Classroom.

Why Predictions Matter So Much

Predictions aren’t just for fortune tellers or weather forecasters. For students, making predictions is a fundamental part of how they make sense of information. When you encourage students to predict, you’re essentially asking them to actively engage with what they’re seeing, hearing, or reading. It nudges them to look for patterns, connect what they already know to new information, and build expectations. This process makes learning more dynamic and, frankly, more memorable. Think about reading a story: If a student predicts what a character will do next, they’re invested in finding out if they’re right, which keeps them reading and comprehending. The same applies to science: Predicting the outcome of an experiment forces them to consider variables and potential results before they even start. It turns passive reception of information into active construction of understanding.

Building Mental Models

Every prediction a student makes helps them build a mental model of how things work. Whether it’s a concept in math, a historical event, or a character’s motivation, predicting what’s next strengthens their internal representation of that idea. If they predict incorrectly, that’s also valuable feedback, prompting them to revise their model.

The Role in Comprehension

Good comprehension isn’t just about understanding individual words; it’s about understanding the flow and anticipating what’s to come. Predictions train this foresight. When a student struggles with a text, it’s often because they aren’t predicting effectively, they’re just reading word by word.

Reading and Language Arts Power Pack

11 reading and language arts resource sets that pack a punch!

This power pack includes the following 11 files:

• Beach Activities Pack (K-6)
• Chapter Book Reading Strategies Activities  (grades 3-8)
• Chrysanthemum Reading Packet (grades 2-4)
• Contraction Packet (grades 1-3)
• DI Spelling Menus Packet (grade 2+)
• Never Ride Your Elephant to School Activities (grades 2-4)
• Reading Bingo (grades 2-8)
• Space Theme Reading Logs (grades 2-5)
• Fiction and Nonfiction Story Maps (grades 2-6)
• Vocabulary Bingo (grades 3+)
• Writing Menu (grades 3+)

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How to Actually Teach Prediction Skills

Okay, so how do we move from just hoping students predict to actively teaching them how to do it well? It starts with making the process visible and providing structured opportunities. It’s not enough to say, “What do you think will happen next?” We need to unpack how they arrived at that thought.

Pre-reading and Pre-listening Strategies

Before diving into a text or a listening activity, spend time setting the stage. Show students the cover of a book, the title of an article, or show them a picture related to the topic. Ask them what they already know about this subject. Then, prompt them to make a prediction about what they think the text will be about. This isn’t a wild guess; it’s a hypothesis formed from initial clues.

“What do you see hints of?”

Instead of just asking “What’s it about?”, try “Based on this cover image and title, what kind of story do you think this will be? What clues are on the cover that make you think that?” This encourages them to point to specific elements and explain their reasoning.

Connecting to Prior Knowledge

“What do you already know about [topic]? How might that knowledge help you understand what we’re about to read or listen to?” This direct link between familiar information and new content is a powerful prediction tool.

During Reading and Listening

The prediction process doesn’t stop once you’ve started. It’s a continuous loop. Pause regularly and ask students to predict what might happen next. Crucially, guide them to explain why they think that.

“What makes you say that?”

This is the golden question. After a student offers a prediction, follow up with “What in the text/what you’ve heard makes you think that?” This forces them to cite evidence from the material.

Identifying Clues and Patterns

Help students recognize common literary devices or recurring themes. If a character suddenly becomes very quiet and thoughtful, what might be a reasonable prediction about their next action? If a scientific experiment involves mixing two specific liquids, what are common outcomes when those substances interact?

Post-reading and Post-listening

The conclusion of an activity is a perfect time to revisit predictions. Did they happen? Why or why not? This reflection is vital for refining their prediction abilities.

“Were your predictions accurate? Why or why not?”

This isn’t about being right or wrong, but about learning from the outcome. If a prediction was off, explore why the actual outcome differed.

Revising and Adjusting

Encourage students to adjust their understanding of the plot, concept, or event based on what actually happened. This revisitation is key to building more sophisticated prediction skills for the future.

Tech Tools to Boost Prediction Skills

Technology offers some fantastic ways to amplify prediction practice, making it more interactive, immediate, and even fun. These tools can provide visual cues and instant feedback that traditional methods might not.

Interactive Whiteboards and Collaborative Platforms

Many digital platforms allow students to make predictions directly on shared documents or interactive displays. This can be done anonymously or with their names attached, fostering a sense of shared inquiry.

Digital Annotation

Students can highlight text or images that they believe are clues for their predictions. This makes their thinking visible and shareable.

Quick Polls and Quizzes

Tools like Kahoot! or Mentimeter can be used for quick prediction checks. Present students with a scenario and ask them to predict the outcome, then reveal the answer.

Educational Videos and Simulations

Many educational videos are designed with hooks that encourage prediction. Teachers can pause these videos at key moments and ask students to predict what will happen next, using the visual information on screen. Science simulations are even better, allowing students to manipulate variables and then predict outcomes.

“Stop-and-Predict” Moments

When watching a video, deliberately pause at suspenseful or informative points. Ask students to predict the next event, and then have them explain their reasoning by pointing to visual cues from the video.

Digital Storytelling Tools

Tools that allow students to create their own stories or sequences can also be used for prediction practice. They can create a story up to a certain point and then ask their classmates to predict the ending.

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

LMS platforms often have built-in tools for discussions, polls, and assignments that can be tailored for prediction activities. You can create prompts for prediction, collect responses, and then provide feedback.

Online Discussion Forums

Set up forums where students can post their predictions about a reading or a topic, and then engage in discussions with peers about their reasoning.

Free Teacher Idea eBook

Ask the fans at Organized Classroom’s Facebook Page a question, and they always come through with an answer! 

This week’s Collaboration Wednesday question had to do with ideas for how to teach making predictions and inferences. 

This one was always hard for me as a teacher, especially with 2nd and 3rd graders who are transitioning from concrete to abstract learning.

It is so hard to make inferring be concrete.

Of course, fellow teachers never fail to come through with flying colors! 

Grab yours right now and please stop by the Fan Page and make sure to thank the contributors!

Click here to email your freebie

Enjoy!

~Charity

The post Teaching Making Predictions/Inferences eBook! appeared first on Organized Classroom.

If you are one of those that have decided to go the digital route – what will you do with your now empty filing cabinet? 

I actually store construction paper and cardstock in mine!  I first organize the colors (and if you look closely, I don’t get too particular about which shade of green is next to another shade of green. 

I am pretty flexible about it as long as it is in the same file). 

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Then, I place each color in a separate file folder, then set the file folder in to a hanging folder in the filing cabinet. 

It makes it soooo easy to to grab a piece or 50 when needed – just grab the whole file folder out and return when finished!

Well, after I organized all the paper and cardstock, I took a good look at this fancy piece of furniture.  Yuck! 

We actually inherited this fling cabinet from a hospital that was going to toss it because it has a big dent in one side. 

Of course, I couldn’t allow a perfectly good (and expensive if new) filing cabinet go to the landfill, so I snatched it up for my home office.  The dent now rests nicely along a wall where no one can see.

But, I knew it needed a little facelift of some sort, so I grabbed my washi tape and decided to take matters in to my own hands – literally. 

I used 2 different tapes to decorate the front panel and then added a fun label.

Last, I added a border around the edges.

I am sure many of you are asking about time and budget.  Here is the skinny:

Time:  Doing the one drawer pictured above took me about 15 minutes total.

Budget:  I used about a half a roll of the blue tape which was the majority of the drawer.  At $1.99 for one roll of tape, it should cost less than $5 probably to do a whole cabinet depending on how much tape you use.

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The best part?  if I get tired of this color combo or change my office colors completely, the tape can be removed and I can start over!  Yay!

Since I was making the flower labels for the drawers anyway, I threw together a freebie for you to enjoy if they will match whatever project you might be working on as well.  They do include a blank template that you can write onto as well to customize for your needs.

Click here to email your freebie

Enjoy and happy organizing!

~Charity

The post Repurpose That Old Filing Cabinet! appeared first on Organized Classroom.