# data[].attributes.body
Room 213 has many resources and ideas for engaging older students in literacy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Engaging and rigorous lesson plans and activities for middle and high school English classes.

# data[].attributes.body
This is a great resource for teachers when wanting to use a variety of ways to introduce or complete a lesson.

# data[].attributes.headline
Motivation and Engagement: My Progress Folder

# data[].attributes.subject
Motivation and Engagement: My Progress Folder

# data[].attributes.body
My students love adding to their progress folder when they move up a level in reading or in their Lexia. This builds self-efficacy and determination. We also use these to chart math and behavior. Finally, my students show them to their parents at parent teacher conference. They always want to show their best work. Great motivation tool!

# data[].attributes.headline
Motivation and Engagement: Buddy Reading

# data[].attributes.subject
Motivation and Engagement: Buddy Reading

# data[].attributes.body
When students work together it builds synergy and encouragement to improve learning. Students learn from each other which gives them the excitement to learn within a group of peers.

# data[].attributes.body
This activity builds social thinking skills in a fun and engaging way. I am definitely trying this one in my classroom.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Have you ever heard of using the "Tug of War" strategy with your students?

I got this great idea from the book, "Making Thinking Visible"

This is an AMAZING teaching resource! If you are looking for ways to promote engagement and critical thinking in your class (who isn't?!) this is definitely a must read!

So, the Tug of War strategy goes like this:

1. Present a fairness dilemma.

2. Identify the factors that "pull" at each side of the dilemma. These are the two sides of the tug of war.

3. Ask students to think of "tugs", or reasons why they support a certain side of the dilemma. Ask them to try to think of reasons on the other side of the dilemma as well.

4. Generate "what if?" questions to explore the topic further.

My first and second graders have been learning about animals. So today we did a tug of war for how people impact the lives and homes of animals.

In the middle I wrote: "People have a positive impact on animals and their habitats. Then I gave students sticky notes and had them write down their ideas to support this or refute it.

Check out how many ideas they had! I was amazed! And the conversations we had while they were writing out their sticky notes were phenomenal.

This is a great strategy for increasing engagement in your students and for using higher order thinking skills! Whether you teach Kindergarten or grade twelve I believe all students will find success with this activity. Give it a try.

What are your favorite activities that promote higher order thinking skills?

Another activity you might like is creating a digital wonderwall. You can read about that here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How About a Tug of War? Making Thinking Visible

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Hi, my name is Heidi and I'm an elementary school teacher. I blog about ideas and resources for the classroom as well as issues in education. I love technology and inquiry based learning so I often include those topics. I create resources for a variety of subject areas and grade levels.

# data[].attributes.body
These programs promote the Critical Theory Perspective. Their motto: To advance the development of gifted, talented, and high potential youth, in the United States and abroad, through opportunities, advocacy, and exemplary programs and practices.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Learn more about Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A leader in gifted education since 1984, the Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG) provides academic summer programs for gifted and talented students ages 5-17 in top institutions across the U.S. including Princeton University, Bryn Mawr College, Emory University, Yale University, University of Miami and more.

# data[].attributes.body
Here are some really great printables that are easy to add to a literacy corner/circles. This encourages social interaction to improve comprehension.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Literature Circles are a fun and effective way to get kids excited about reading, and they are aligned with Common Core State Standards for Speaking and Listening. Browse this collection of printables to use with your Literature Circle activities. If you're interested in learning about an easy method of implementing Literature Circles, head over to the Classroom Book Clubs page.

Featured Literature Circle Freebies

More Free Literature Circle Printables

Classroom Book Clubs: Literature Circles Made Easy

Classroom Book Clubs are an easy and fun way to implement Literature Circles. This approach is very flexible and does require students to take on "roles" when they meeting. This resource consists of 5 short narrated videos that will teach you how to implement this method in a step-by-step way. All printables and organizational forms are included.

Candler's Classroom Connections

Awesome freebies and resources for elementary educators!

Literacy Featured Products

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Literature Circles are a fun and effective way to get kids excited about reading, and they are aligned with Common Core State Standards for Speaking and Listening. Browse this collection of printables to use with your Literature Circle activities. If you're interested in learning about an easy method of implementing Literature Circles, head over to the Classroom Book Clubs page.

# data[].attributes.body
This interactive activity allows students to first think about a new concept/idea, pair up with a peer to discuss their combined knowledge, then share their thinking with the rest of the class.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Think-pair-share (TPS) is a collaborative learning strategy where students work together to solve a problem or answer a question about an assigned reading. This strategy requires students to (1) think individually about a topic or answer to a question; and (2) share ideas with classmates. Discussing with a partner maximizes participation, focuses attention and engages students in comprehending the reading material.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Think-Pair-Share | Classroom Strategy | Reading Rockets

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Think-pair-share (TPS) is a collaborative learning strategy where students work together to solve a problem or answer a question about an assigned reading. This strategy requires students to (1) think individually about a topic or answer to a question; and (2) share ideas with classmates.

# data[].attributes.body
This website gives many resources for teaching comprehension. I use most of these ideas in my classroom. They encourage making connections, questioning, visualizing, inferring, and more.

# data[].attributes.body
This website gives several comprehension ideas. From sequencing stories to using a beach ball in a game, their are numerous comprehension teaching tools.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Comprehension Activities for Kids | Education.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Reading comprehension activities encourage your child to recall & analyze what he's read through the fun of games. Try our reading comprehension activities.

# data[].attributes.body
Students read sight words to each other then they use the word in a sentence. My students have corner notebooks they write in for every corner.

# data[].attributes.body
Students build phoneme segmentation through reading CVC words. We practice together every day and the students practice with a peer in corners.

# data[].attributes.body
My students use Epic on the iPad. They can either choose to read a book or have it read to them. Their are also informational videos which they really love.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Instantly access over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids on Epic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Get unlimited access to 40,000 of the best books, audiobooks, videos, & more for kids 12 and under. Try it free.

# data[].attributes.body
I use this every day in my classroom. It builds Language Arts and Reading skills. Students absolutely love working on their computers. They get excited when they hit a new level. Lexia naturally differentiates learning.