Teacher Freebies

Lesson Plans Library
Common Core - Learn more
Please feel free to use my unit and provide your feedback.

ACT prep - please contact us for this free file.

Professional Reading

Close Reading - Found to be one of the most effective rigorous text learning strategies.  
Defined by Stu Greenberg, former Director of Just Read, Florida!
 Brochure on the Comprehension Instructional Sequence

"The Challenge of Challenging Text"
by Timothy Shanahan, Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey


Backwards Design- begin with the end in mind.  Excellent reading by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe
     Get the book below!

Work Smarter

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Research says.....

A number of students who struggle with reading experience a condition known as Convergency Insufficiency.  I have over a decade of  experience working with low performing readers.  It is my observation and professional opinion that many students would benefit from eye tracking exercises to help improve this condition.  
Read more about Convergency Insufficiency

Tools of the Year

Vocabulary - Quizlet
Make flash cards, play speed games, take tests.  Great for white board reviews too.

Edmodo - I can't say enough about the aspects of this program.  It looks like Facebook and serves as a communication tool, storage of shared files, assignment tool, and parent communication program.  Award badges for good work performance.  Try it!  It's free for educators.

Games that are Good to the Core - online templates, ready to go games, instructions and video tutorial all in one.

TinyURL - convert those long website links to smaller ones for easier navigation by you and your students.  I recommend the custom URL feature when possible.

Class Dojo - excellent behavior management program

Planbookedu.com - set up your planbook online.  The developers will align to standards not already there by request. 

Remind - a safe way for teachers to text message students and to keep in touch with parents.

Tube Chop - edit You Tubes, chop out what you don't want including ads, bad parts, etc.

Zamzar - free file converter.  

Rubistar - free online rubric maker

Diigo - save your favorite links (see below for more ideas how to use Diigo)

Symabloo:  Curate all your favorite links using Symbaloo.com.  The page just isn't long enough to put all my favorites.  A few are below.  Check out more at my Symbaloo.


Backwards Planning Template

Get Pocket - set up an online reading file, great cache feature so you may save for offline times