My goal is to create rigorous, authentic, and engaging lessons grounded in real classroom practice. With over 30 years of experience in education, I design resources that reflect what works with students and what leads to meaningful learning.
I specialize in Social Studies and ELA, with a strong focus on integrating literacy skills into content instruction. All of my materials are classroom-tested and thoughtfully developed, ensuring they are both practical for teachers and engaging for students.
My Social Studies lessons emphasize the use of primary source documents, with structured support to help intermediate students successfully analyze and understand complex texts.
I now offer a comprehensive, full-year New York State Social Studies curriculum, designed to provide cohesive, standards-aligned, and rigorous instruction.
In addition, I am continuing to develop new Social Studies units with integrated ELA components and primary source analysis that can be used in classrooms across any state, making these resources flexible and widely applicable.
My ELA resources include a range of thematic units designed to build comprehension and critical thinking, including Focus Units inspired by the work of Joy Moss. I am continuing to expand this area of my store by developing additional units that integrate reading, writing, and content-based learning, with an emphasis on meaningful, student-centered instruction.
Please feel free to explore my resources—and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. I’m always happy to help! 😊. LTL-OEXN8AOD

Project based learning is a way to provide students with rigorous and authentic learning opportunities that bring high levels of engagement. I love all of learning, but social studies, history and combined PBLs are my passion! Student choice and voice, along with connection are keys to student success.

I also seek to help elementary teachers who are maybe feeling a bit apprehensive about teaching history. I write detailed lesson plans with needed materials to help make it easier.

AWARDS
* Historic Pittsford Preservation Award for Education 2024
* New York State Archives Student Research Awards Winner - 2018, 2022, 2023 and 2024
* New York State Archives Educator Award for Excellence in the Use of Primary Source Documents - 2019
* Air Force Association Chapter Teacher of the Year 2018
* Monroe County Legislature Excellence in Teaching Proclamation - 2018

MS Education with Reading Certificate - SUNY Cortland;
BS Fine Arts, Elementary Education Certificate - Nazareth College of Rochester

At Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O, you'll find classroom-tested lessons and activities designed to make teaching easier and learning meaningful. Explore my collections to find resources that fit your classroom!
📚 ELA & Literacy – Grades 3–5
ELA Focus Units
Literacy lessons built around carefully selected picture books that serve as mentor texts. Students explore, practice, and apply essential reading and writing skills through meaningful, connected activities.

Write, Create, Display
Writing projects that combine purposeful writing with a related craft or creative activity. The result? Engaging bulletin board displays that showcase student writing and creativity!

🔎 History & Primary Source Investigations
Story to Source Investigations
Begin with an engaging picture book, then investigate authentic historical primary sources. Students connect literature with history while developing inquiry, critical thinking, and evidence-based reasoning skills.

The American Revolution Series – Grades 4–7
Explore the people, events, and ideas of the American Revolution through primary sources, historical investigations, and literacy-rich lessons. Designed for classrooms across the United States.

🗽 New York State Social Studies – Grade 4
New York State Social Studies Framework Units
Complete, standards-aligned units featuring detailed lesson plans, primary sources, informational texts, engaging activities, and assessments. Everything you need to teach the Grade 4 New York State Social Studies curriculum!

The New York Daily
Short, engaging activities that integrate New York State Social Studies and ELA skills. Perfect for morning work, bell ringers, early finishers, and enrichment, with opportunities to reinforce learning throughout the year.