Curley Girl
I grew up in Gary, Indiana, the youngest of nine children. I earned my B.A. in special education at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and my M.A. at Indiana State University, also in special education. I later earned my elementary education certification at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. Since then I have continued my education through multiple graduate classes and seminars.
My philosophy of teaching is based on what has worked for me and the students that I have been fortunate to work with over the past 35 years. I believe we all learn best when we are actively engaged and are enjoying the process. That is why I rely a lot on humor, games, and group interaction. I believe strongly in the social aspect of learning, which is very different than the way I was taught. When I was in elementary school, we did much of our work in silence, copying sentences or math problems down without speaking to anyone else. I try to utilize the benefits of collaboration with my students, giving them many opportunities to work with a partner or in a small group. As I listen to their discussions, it is obvious that they are talking about their thinking, clarifying their ideas, and relying on each other for support when they need it. I also believe it is important to spend time building a classroom community where all students feel like they have something to offer. Much of this “community building” comes from involving them in shared experiences, such as reading good literature together, playing games, or putting on a play. My teaching is based on the idea that we are more likely to remember what we enjoy. Besides that, fun and laughter just make the day go faster.
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The Wild Robot Book Activities Bundle
$10.00This bundle will help your students get the most out of Peter Brown's The Wild Robot. It includes The Wild Robot Digital and Printable Novel Study; Escape with the Wild Robot Printable Escape Room; and The Wild Robot Jeopardy Game. ...$10.00 -
Peter Brown's The Wild Robot Jeopardy Game
$4.00This PowerPoint is such a fun way to review what students remember after reading or listening to The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. It includes a six-category game board with 30 clues and answers, optional theme music on each slide, and a final...$4.00 -
Escape with the Wild Robot Printable Escape Room
$4.00This printable escape room will help you extend students’ enjoyment after reading or listening to The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. It’s a great way to pump up student engagement, encourage teamwork, and practice following written...$4.00 -
The Wild Robot Digital and Printable Novel Study
$6.00If you want to make sure your students understand and enjoy The Wild Robot, this novel study can help. When I lead a book study with students, my two main goals are to: 1. Give them opportunities to think and discuss 2. Help them love literature...$6.00 -
Daily Research and Writing Prompts for Intermediate Learners
$16.00Students have a world of information at their fingertips, but that doesn't mean they know how to use it. The answer is consistent practice that isn't boring. This is a set of 366 prompts -- one for every day of the calendar year – that will help...$16.00 -
Escape to the Solar Eclipse Printable Escape Room
$5.00This printable escape room will help you take advantage of the excitement of the upcoming solar eclipse, even if you don’t live in its path. It’s a great way to have students learn some basics about solar eclipses without turning it into a...$5.00 -
Escape to the Solar Eclipse Digital Escape Room
$6.00This digital escape room will help you take advantage of the excitement of the upcoming solar eclipse, even if you don’t live in its path. It requires no teacher prep and no papers to run off. It’s a great way to have students...$6.00 -
Wonders Reading 2020 Sixth Grade Weekly Selections Quiz Packet
$8.00If the weekly quizzes that come with the Wonders 2020 program don't fit your needs, this packet can help. I didn't want to give the "cold reading" quizzes, because I want to test the story we have spent all week on. But I didn't...$8.00 -
Wonders Reading 2020 Fifth Grade Weekly Selections Quiz Packet
$8.00If the weekly quizzes that come with the Wonders 2020 program don't fit your needs, this packet can help. I didn't want to give the "cold reading" quizzes, because I want to test the story we have spent all week on. But I didn't...$8.00 -
Wonders Reading 2020 Fourth Grade Weekly Selections Quiz Packet
$8.00If the weekly quizzes that come with the Wonders 2020 program don't fit your needs, this packet can help. I didn't want to give the "cold reading" quizzes, because I want to test the story we have spent all week on. But I didn't...$8.00 -
All About North Carolina Jeopardy Game
$4.00This PowerPoint is a great way to review what students have learned about North Carolina, practice before a unit test, cover state social studies standards, or simply keep them engaged before an upcoming school break. It includes a six-category game...$4.00 -
All About Colorado Jeopardy Game
$4.00This PowerPoint is a great way to review what students have learned about Colorado, practice before a unit test, cover state social studies standards, or simply keep them engaged before an upcoming school break. It includes a six-category game board with...$4.00