Category · 247 articles
Study Skills
Targeted Worksheets for Independent Practice
Few common teacher instructional practices have generated more pejorative comments than targeted worksheets for independent practice. For example, for many teachers, the adjectival phrase, “drill and…
Should Grades 4-8 Teachers Teach Spelling?
Should Grades 4-8 Teachers Teach Spelling? It depends. The real question is "Do your students (or some of your students) need to improve their spelling?" Included…
Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Vocabulary Programs
Check out the Common Core Vocabulary Toolkits for grades 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. These full-year vocabulary programs have been designed for in-class and distance…
Distance Learning for Parents | Virtual Learning Advice
I know you didn't sign up for this. It's tough teaching at home; it's especially tough teaching your own kids at home. You don't have the…
Vague Pronoun References
A vague pronoun does not clearly identify its antecedent. An antecedent is the noun or pronoun that the pronoun refers to or re-names. Vague pronouns usually…
Formulaic Phrases
In both formulaic phrases and idioms, the individual words may not mean exactly what they say. Both types of expressions often suggest, but do not state,…
Meaningless Sentence Starters
Avoid beginning sentences with There or Here + a “helping verb” or a “linking verb." Revise to eliminate these words. To delete the unnecessary There or…
Wordiness
Learning how to write concisely (briefly) and efficiently is important. When wording is added which does not contribute meaning, teachers call this padding. Padding includes needless…