My Work Samples
On this page are some of the lesson and unit plans I have created and used in my current classroom. In addition, I have also included some of the lessons that I created and used as a science teacher as well as during my coursework at UAB. As my teaching experienced has increased, so has the number of lesson plans, printable and digital activities, and supplements that I have created. I am very proud of the work I have done and I fully intend to continue to use the lessons that I have created.
As I have mentioned elsewhere on this digital portfolio, teacher collaboration is crucial in ensuring that students receive the best education possible. I work closely with my team and with other faculty members at my school, but I also have a strong belief that digital communication and collaboration can work wonders for the good of students all across the world. Ergo, I am a member of Teachers Pay Teachers, an online community for teachers to share lesson plans and ideas. Most of the lessons that I create are posted for other teachers to purchase at a fair price. I also purchase quality materials from TpT regularly. Some of the lesson plans that you will see here are posted for sale on Teachers Pay Teachers, which is why there may be a "Thank You" page on some of them. None of these lessons showcased here were developed by anyone other than myself.
As I have mentioned elsewhere on this digital portfolio, teacher collaboration is crucial in ensuring that students receive the best education possible. I work closely with my team and with other faculty members at my school, but I also have a strong belief that digital communication and collaboration can work wonders for the good of students all across the world. Ergo, I am a member of Teachers Pay Teachers, an online community for teachers to share lesson plans and ideas. Most of the lessons that I create are posted for other teachers to purchase at a fair price. I also purchase quality materials from TpT regularly. Some of the lesson plans that you will see here are posted for sale on Teachers Pay Teachers, which is why there may be a "Thank You" page on some of them. None of these lessons showcased here were developed by anyone other than myself.
Interactive Math Journal Activities
In my first grade classroom, we follow a center rotation schedule to practice our math skills. Each day, I teach a new skill through a mini lesson and a number talk. (I may review a skill previously taught, if necessary.) After the mini lesson is taught and I conduct informal assessments via group and one on one discussions as students practice with the skill at their desks, we move into our center rotations. We have four centers: Math Tubs, Journal Work, iPads/Technology, and Small Group Practice. Meeting with a small group is largely beneficial as it allows me to work with students closely to determine their individual needs. I create both my math tub games as well as my interactive journal activities. Each are hands-on, interactive, and deepen the understanding of the key concepts that are taught. I created one of these packets for each one of my math unit topics. Each packet includes at least 5 math games and 5 interactive journal activities.
Click here to download the file that I created for this engaging math packet.
Click here to view a few pictures of students working with my math games and journal activities.
Click here to download the file that I created for this engaging math packet.
Click here to view a few pictures of students working with my math games and journal activities.
Properties of Matter - Complete 7 Week Unit
As a fifth grade science teacher in the Mountain Brook School System, I was held to very high standards. Although I had plenty of materials available to me, I demanded the very best lessons for my students. It is because of my strong belief in giving students an educational experience that was engaging, challenging, and effective that I created my own lessons - throughout the entire school year.
I developed nine complete units altogether, but the 7-week Properties of Matter unit was my absolute favorite. (A student favorite as well! Next to frog dissection, of course.)
Please contact me to view samples of this unit.
I developed nine complete units altogether, but the 7-week Properties of Matter unit was my absolute favorite. (A student favorite as well! Next to frog dissection, of course.)
Please contact me to view samples of this unit.
Ecosystems - Complete 4 Week Unit
As noted above. I developed my own curriculum based on the Mountain Brook COS standards. This one is based on the standards for Earth Science. We studied several different types of ecosystems, conducted hands-on activities, and played several games to demonstrate our understanding of this material. In addition, I developed Common Core aligned projects and writing activities that allow students to practice their instruction from reading and writing in science.
To wrap up our unit on ecosystems, our fifth grade students attended Camp McDowell, a 4-day environmental camp. Students learned firsthand about the ecosystem that they had right in their backyard!
Please contact me to view samples of this unit.
To wrap up our unit on ecosystems, our fifth grade students attended Camp McDowell, a 4-day environmental camp. Students learned firsthand about the ecosystem that they had right in their backyard!
Please contact me to view samples of this unit.
Literature Cluster
Without a doubt, this was my favorite assignment that I completed at UAB. I absolutely loved coming up with the theme, spending hours and hours in the library searching for books to tie into that theme, and of course, getting to read those books. I chose to focus my literature cluster on family, a unit intended for fourth grade students. This unit focuses on the meaning of family and identifies the many ways that can define a family.
To download this unit, please click here.
To download this unit, please click here.
Author Study
An author study is an awesome way to get students to understand that the books that they read come from real ideas that real people actually have. Since literacy will be play such a large role in my classroom, I intend on implementing several of these throughout the school year. This particular one was actually a UAB assignment, but I think it could work well within any classroom!
Please click here to download the PDF of an Author Study on Jeff Kinney.
Please click here to download the PDF of an Author Study on Jeff Kinney.