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Back-to-School Family Engagement Activity | Parent Memory Book | Community Building

Build classroom community and strengthen family connections with Looking Back: School Memories from Our Families! This back-to-school project invites parents, grandparents, and other important adults to share memories of their school days. Students compare experiences across generations and create a class keepsake book. Includes teacher directions, a family letter, memory page designs, color and black-and-white covers, assembly ideas, and extension activities.

2nd - 5th Other (ELA), Classroom Community, Social Emotional Learning

$3.00

Point of View & Perspective in Literature | Grades 3, 4, & 5

Help students in Grades 3–5 master point of view and perspective with this comprehensive ELA Focus Unit! Students identify first, second, and third person narration, distinguish point of view from perspective, and explore how different characters interpret the same events. Includes multi-day lesson plans, anchor posters, task cards, graphic organizers, student practice pages, exit tickets, summative assessment, and answer keys. Works with picture books and other familiar texts.

3rd - 5th Literature

$5.00

Limerick Writing Lesson | Poetry | March & St. Patrick's Day | Grades 3, 4, 5

Introduce students to limerick poetry with this engaging, print-and-go writing lesson! Perfect for St. Patrick's Day, March, or any poetry unit, students explore rhyme, rhythm, syllable patterns, and the AABBA rhyme scheme before creating their own original limericks. Includes model poems, a step-by-step writing guide, an “Is It a Limerick?” identification activity, and student practice and writing pages. Great for whole-class lessons, literacy centers, or independent writing.

3rd - 6th English Language Arts, Poetry, Writing

$3.00

Primary Source Document Analysis Lesson: A First Go

Introduce primary source document analysis with this scaffolded social studies lesson for Grades 3–5! Students learn to think like historians as they observe, infer, and interpret historical evidence while considering a document's purpose, audience, and context. Includes two authentic primary source documents with transcriptions, a document analysis worksheet, completed answer keys, and vocabulary posters. Perfect for building historical inquiry and critical thinking skills.

4th - 6th Informational Text, Social Studies

$5.00

Working with Primary Source Documents | Types of Primary Sources

Introduce students in Grades 3–6 to primary source documents with this engaging social studies lesson! Students explore 11 common types of historical sources, including census records, vital records, letters, newspapers, photographs, maps, military records, and more. Each source page features an image and student-friendly explanation. Includes 11 informational pages and a matching review activity to reinforce understanding and build essential historical inquiry skills.

4th - 6th Social Studies

$5.00

Primary Source Documents: Observation vs. Inference, Reading a Photograph

Build observation and inference skills with this engaging primary source photograph analysis lesson for upper elementary students! Students learn to distinguish what they see from what they infer, using photographic evidence to support their thinking. Includes a detailed lesson plan, vocabulary posters, guided modeling page, student practice with two historical photographs, and answer key. Perfect for introducing primary source analysis, critical thinking, and historical reasoning.

4th - 6th Social Studies

$3.00

Working with Primary Source Documents: Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Introduce primary and secondary sources with this engaging social studies lesson for Grades 3–5! Students learn to identify and distinguish historical sources through clear definitions, real-world examples, guided notes, and a hands-on sorting activity. Includes vocabulary posters, student note sheet, sorting mat, answer key, and exit ticket. Perfect for whole-class instruction, small groups, centers, or review. Aligned with NYS Social Studies Practice A2.

4th - 6th Informational Text, Social Studies

$3.00

Seasonal Winter Writing & Craft Projects | Winter Bulletin Board | Grades 3-5

Bring winter creativity to your Grades 3–5 classroom with Snow Globe Adventure, a narrative writing and craft project! Students imagine themselves inside a snow globe, plan and write a first-person story, and create a 3D snow globe display. This resource guides students through brainstorming, drafting, editing, and publishing while developing plot, dialogue, and sensory details. Includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, writing pages, craft directions, editing checklist, and rubric.

3rd - 5th Other (Arts), Creative Writing, Writing

$3.00

Classroom Routines & Procedures Review Cards | Behavior Expectations |Grades 2-6

Reinforce classroom routines and behavior expectations with these printable Classroom Routines Review Cards! Perfect for back-to-school, morning meetings, transitions, and refreshers after breaks, students discuss and practice procedures that build independence and responsibility. Color-coded cards cover arrival, classroom behavior, movement, independent work, supplies, school-wide expectations, personal needs, and dismissal. Print, cut, and use all year long!

3rd - 5th Classroom Community

$3.00

Dynamic Characters: Character Transformation in Literature | Focus Unit| 3, 4, 5

Explore character development and transformation in literature with this Grades 3–5 ELA Focus Unit. Students investigate internal and external changes, dynamic and static characters, and how characters evolve through picture book read-alouds, discussion, and evidence-based writing. Includes multi-day lesson plans, vocabulary posters, differentiated response pages, comparison activities, matching cards, summative assessment, and answer key.

3rd - 5th English Language Arts, Close Reading, Reading

$5.00

Types of Conflict in Literature | Focus Unit | Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5

Teach types of conflict in literature with this 10-day ELA Focus Unit for Grades 3–5. Students explore protagonist and antagonist roles and four types of conflict: character vs. self, character, nature, and society. Using picture books as mentor texts, students analyze how conflict shapes plot and characters. Includes lesson plans, scenario sorting cards, task cards, student response pages, exit tickets, assessments, rubrics, and answer keys.

3rd - 5th English Language Arts, Literature, Reading

$5.00

Plot Mountain Graphic Organizer

Help students visualize story structure with this FREE Plot Mountain graphic organizer! Students identify and record the introduction, rising action, conflict, climax, falling action, and resolution of a story. Perfect for Grades 3–6 reading comprehension, literature circles, independent reading, and ELA lessons.

3rd - 6th English Language Arts, Reading Strategies, Writing

Free

FREE Text Evidence Reading Comprehension Activity – Prove It! | Grades 3, 4, 5

Help students find and support answers with text evidence using Prove It!, a FREE reading comprehension resource for Grades 3–5. Students read three informational and fiction passages, evaluate statements, and underline supporting evidence while building close reading and reasoning skills. Perfect for introducing the RACE writing strategy, literacy centers, small groups, and independent practice. Includes three reading passages, student directions, and a teacher answer key.

3rd - 5th Close Reading, ELA Test Prep, Reading

Free

U.S.A. Founding Documents Unit | United States Founding | Grades 4, 5, 6

🏛️Explore the foundations of American government in this seven-lesson civics unit for upper elementary students. Students investigate the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitutional Convention, Great Compromise, Preamble, and Bill of Rights through informational texts, discussions, and critical thinking activities. Includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, card sorts, review activities, exit tickets, study guide, unit assessment, and answer keys.

4th - 6th U.S. History

$8.00

French and Indian War |Seven Years War | Grades 4, 5, 6

Explore the French and Indian War (Seven Years War) in this four-lesson Social Studies mini-unit. Students investigate British, French, and Native American alliances, military strategy, geography, and the war's lasting consequences through informational texts, historical maps, political cartoons, and cause-and-effect analysis. Includes lesson plans, student note catchers, map activities, political cartoon analysis and creation, exit tickets, summative assessment, and answer keys.

4th - 7th Social Studies, Native Americans, U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

$5.00

Patrick Henry “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” Primary Source Investigation | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

🇺🇸 Explore Patrick Henry's famous "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech in this Grades 4–6 American Revolution lesson. Students analyze his arguments, emotional language, and persuasive techniques through primary source analysis, a Colonial Williamsburg recording, discussion, and writing. Includes a complete lesson plan, speech text, graphic organizer, student response activities, quote cards, video links, and exit ticket. Integrates Social Studies and ELA skills.

4th - 6th U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

$3.00

New York State Map Buddies | Clock Buddies Alternative | Partner Pairing

Make partner pairing easy with this FREE New York State Map Buddies resource! A geography-themed alternative to Clock Buddies, it helps Grade 4 teachers organize discussion partners, cooperative learning, and classroom activities while reinforcing NYS geography. Includes four printable buddy maps featuring New York State cities, counties, landforms, and regions, plus teacher directions. Perfect for turn-and-talk, reading partners, peer editing, and year-round classroom routines.

4th - 7th Other (Social Studies), For All Subjects

Free

Grade 4 New York State Review Game - Full Year! FREE!

Make Grade 4 New York State Social Studies review fun with this interactive, standards-aligned board game! Students revisit key concepts from the NYS Social Studies Framework through trivia-style questions, teamwork, and discussion. Perfect for end-of-year review, test prep, centers, and small groups. Includes a printable game board, question cards in color and black-and-white, playing pieces, and easy-to-follow directions. Based on the Grade 4 NYS Social Studies Mega Bundle.

4th Grade Other (Social Studies)

Free

Indigenous People and the American Revolution | Primary Sources | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Explore the impact of the American Revolution on Indigenous peoples in New York in this Grade 4 Social Studies lesson aligned with NYS Framework 4.3d. Students investigate divisions within the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Indigenous alliances, Joseph Brant's leadership, and the Battle of Oriskany through informational texts, primary source analysis, historical maps, and evidence-based writing. Includes student activities, note catchers, vocabulary support, assessments, and answer keys.

4th - 6th U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

$5.00

West Point and Benedict Arnold | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Explore West Point's strategic importance and Benedict Arnold's betrayal during the American Revolution in this Grades 4–5 Social Studies and ELA lesson. Students investigate military strategy, geography, and treason through informational text, historical map analysis, and critical thinking activities. Includes a lesson plan, primary source map, observation and inference worksheet, main idea and supporting details organizer, vocabulary support, and answer key.

4th - 6th U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

$3.50

Nathan Hale & Spies | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Explore Nathan Hale and espionage during the American Revolution in this Grades 4–6 Social Studies and ELA lesson. Students investigate the role and risks of spying in New York City through primary source analysis, informational text, and evidence-based writing. Includes Nathan Hale's military commission signed by John Hancock, a reading passage, summary graphic organizer, student writing page, and answer key. Builds inference, reading comprehension, and summarizing skills.

4th - 6th U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

$5.00

Enslaved Persons in the American Revolution Featuring Boyrereau Brinch | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Explore the experiences of enslaved African Americans during the American Revolution in this inquiry-based Grades 4–5 Social Studies lesson. Students investigate the meaning of freedom, Lord Dunmore's Proclamation, and the life of Boyrereau Brinch through informational texts, primary source analysis, close reading, and evidence-based discussion. Includes a lesson plan, three primary source activities, student worksheets, vocabulary support, exit ticket, and answer keys.

4th - 7th U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

$5.00

Battle of Long Island: Fight to Control NY |American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Explore the Battle of Long Island (1776) in this Grades 4–6 American Revolution lesson. Students investigate New York's strategic importance, British military strategy, the occupation of New York City, and the growth of Loyalist strongholds through informational texts, historical maps, cause-and-effect analysis, and evidence-based writing. Includes reading activities, map investigations, discussion prompts, video resources, and answer keys for 1–2 days of instruction.

4th - 6th U.S. History, Other (Social Studies)

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

$5.00

Boston Massacre Primary Source Investigation | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Investigate the Boston Massacre in this engaging American Revolution lesson for Grades 4–6. Students explore colonial resistance, analyze Paul Revere's engraving and historical newspapers, compare perspectives, and examine how propaganda influenced public opinion. Includes informational texts, primary source analysis, a collaborative jigsaw investigation, graphic organizers, vocabulary support, discussion prompts, evidence-based writing assessment, and answer keys.

4th - 6th Informational Text, Social Studies, U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

$5.00

About the Store

Experience

I bring 33 years of elementary classroom teaching experience, with a particular focus on fourth grade. Throughout my career, I took on numerous leadership roles, including serving as a grade-level chair, participating on my school's technology committee, and establishing and leading community partnerships that enriched students' learning experiences. I also mentored approximately 50 student teachers, presented professional development workshops for fellow educators, and shared my work at state education conferences.

Beyond the classroom, I serve as the Opalka Family Teacher in Residence for the New York State Archives Partnership Trust, where I write and develop educational content for *Archives Jr!* magazine. My work includes researching and writing historical articles, designing primary source investigations, and creating engaging learning activities that make New York State history accessible to young learners. In this role, I continue to share my expertise through presentations at state and national education conferences.

Drawing on my classroom experience, I develop educational resources emphasizing English Language Arts, social studies, New York State history, and the use of primary sources to build students' critical thinking skills.

Teaching style

My teaching style centers on active, engaging learning that encourages students to think critically, ask questions, and make meaningful connections. I believe students learn best when they are actively involved in discovering information, exploring different perspectives, and applying what they have learned.

I emphasize inquiry-based learning, hands-on activities, and the integration of English Language Arts across subject areas. Whether students are analyzing primary sources, investigating historical events, working collaboratively, or responding to literature, I encourage them to examine evidence, draw conclusions, and support their thinking.

I also believe that meaningful learning should be accessible to all students. My lessons incorporate a variety of approaches, including visual resources, discussion, reading, writing, and creative activities, to accommodate different learning needs and encourage student participation.

Above all, I strive to create learning experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence, and help students develop the skills to become independent thinkers and lifelong learners.

Honors and awards

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

Education

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

More About Me

At Uplifting Learning, 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 using carefully selected picture books as mentor texts to help students explore, practice, and apply essential reading and writing skills.

Write, Create, Display
Creative writing projects paired with crafts and activities that turn student work into engaging classroom displays.

🔎 History & Primary Source Investigations

Story to Source Investigations
Connect literature and history through picture books and authentic primary sources while building inquiry, critical thinking, and evidence-based reasoning skills.

The American Revolution Series | Grades 4–7
Literacy-rich lessons, primary sources, and historical investigations exploring the people, events, and ideas of the American Revolution. Designed for classrooms nationwide.

🗽 New York State Social Studies | Grade 4

NYS Social Studies Framework Units
Comprehensive, standards-aligned units with detailed lesson plans, primary sources, informational texts, engaging activities, and assessments.

The New York Daily
Quick, engaging activities integrating NYS Social Studies and ELA skills. Perfect for morning work, bell ringers, early finishers, and enrichment.