Linked Through Learning

Shop All

Filters

Loading filters…

Patriot or Loyalist? Two Points of View |American Revolutionary War Series| Grades 4, 5, 6

🇺🇸 Explore Patriot, Loyalist, and Neutral perspectives during the American Revolution in this engaging multi-day Social Studies lesson for Grades 4–6. Students investigate why colonists chose different sides through a classroom simulation, informational texts, primary source poems and songs, historical fiction, and evidence-based discussions. Includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, source analysis activities, vocabulary support, exit ticket 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

The End of the Revolutionary War & The Impact of the Treaty of Paris | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Explore the end of the American Revolution and the Treaty of Paris in this Grades 4–6 Social Studies lesson. Students investigate how the war ended, changing borders, and the treaty's effects on Indigenous and enslaved peoples through informational texts, close reading, historical map comparisons, and discussion. Includes a lesson plan, student activities, compare-and-contrast chart, two historical maps, and exit ticket assessment. Integrates ELA and historical thinking skills.

4th Grade Social Studies, U.S. History

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

$5.00

The Declaration of Independence | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Explore the Declaration of Independence in this engaging two-day American Revolution lesson for upper elementary students. Students investigate the document's purpose, analyze its five sections, and build understanding through informational texts, primary source analysis, and a creative activity rewriting the Declaration in modern text-message language. Includes teaching notes, student activities, writing templates, virtual field trip links, enrichment options, exit ticket, and answer keys.

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

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

$5.00

(1)

Battle of Saratoga:Turning Point of the War | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Explore the Battles of Saratoga (1777) and their significance as the turning point of the American Revolution in this Grades 4–6 Social Studies lesson. Students investigate Burgoyne's three-pronged attack, military strategy, and French support through informational texts, mapping, primary source artwork, and cause-and-effect activities. Includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, vocabulary activities, exit ticket assessment, video extensions, and answer keys.

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

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

$5.00

The Importance of New York in the Revolutionary War | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Explore why New York was strategically important during the American Revolution in this Grades 4–6 Social Studies and ELA lesson. Students investigate how the state's rivers, mountains, and central location shaped British and Patriot military plans through informational texts, map analysis, close reading, and evidence-based writing. Includes geography maps, labeling and analysis activities, an exit ticket, and answer keys. Designed for 1–2 days of instruction.

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

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

$5.00

(1)

American Revolution in Art | Primary Source Analysis | Gallery Walk | Grades 4-6

Explore the American Revolution through historical artwork in this engaging primary source lesson for Grades 4–6. Students analyze four Revolutionary War artworks, investigate point of view and bias, and develop historical thinking skills through an interactive gallery walk. Includes informational texts, full-page artwork, digital source links, graphic organizers, student worksheets, and an exit ticket. Integrates visual analysis, critical thinking, and ELA skills.

4th - 6th Art History, Social Studies, U.S. History

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

$5.00

(2)

Causes of the American Revolution: Taxes to Tea | Primary Source Investigation

Explore the causes of the American Revolution with this engaging multi-day Social Studies lesson for upper elementary students. Students investigate British taxation, the Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, Tea Act, and colonial resistance through informational texts, primary source analysis, and an interactive taxation simulation. Includes lesson plans, student note catchers, comprehension activities, historical documents, exit tickets, and answer keys. Integrates ELA and historical thinking skills.

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

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

$5.00

Lexington and Concord | Shot Heard Round the World |The Revolutionary War Series | Grades 3, 4, 5, 6

Explore the Battles of Lexington and Concord in this engaging American Revolution lesson for upper elementary students. Through informational texts, close reading, and four primary source accounts, students investigate Paul Revere's Ride, compare historical perspectives, and debate who fired the first shot. Includes a collaborative jigsaw investigation, text-tagging activities, evidence charts, reading responses, exit tickets, and answer keys to support ELA and historical thinking skills.

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

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

$5.00

December 4th Grade Morning Work/Bell Ringer/Enrichment | The New York Daily | ELA/SS Integrated

Make December morning work meaningful with The New York Daily! This Grade 4 resource includes 20 no-prep NYS Social Studies and ELA activities for bell ringers, early finishers, enrichment, and centers. Students explore winter traditions, notable New Yorkers, inventions, holiday history, geography, and historic events through informational texts, primary sources, maps, data, and critical thinking tasks. Includes 20 printable activities and answer keys.

4th - 5th Close Reading, Informational Text, U.S. History

$4.00

September Grade 4 Morning Work/Bell Ringer/Enrichment| The New York Daily | SS & ELA Integrated

Make September morning work meaningful with The New York Daily! This Grade 4 resource includes 20 no-prep NYS Social Studies and ELA activities for bell ringers, early finishers, enrichment, and centers. Students explore Labor Day, New York geography, Niagara Falls, New Netherland, Constitution Day, notable New Yorkers, and historical events through informational texts, primary sources, maps, graphs, and critical thinking tasks. Includes 20 printable activities for independent practice.

4th - 5th U.S. History, Other (Social Studies)

Also included in: 4th Grade Morning Work/Bell Ringer/Enrichment Bundle | September October November| The New York Daily |SS & ELA Integrated

$4.00

October 4th Grade Morning Work/Bell Ringer/Enrichment | ELA/Social Studies Integrated | The New York Daily

Make October morning work meaningful with The New York Daily! This Grade 4 resource includes 20 no-prep NYS Social Studies and ELA activities for bell ringers, early finishers, enrichment, and centers. Students explore fall foliage, Halloween history, New York inventions, Indigenous history, geography, and historic events through informational texts, primary sources, maps, graphs, and critical thinking tasks. Includes 20 printable activities for independent practice.

4th - 5th Other (ELA), U.S. History, Other (Social Studies)

Also included in: 4th Grade Morning Work/Bell Ringer/Enrichment Bundle | September October November| The New York Daily |SS & ELA Integrated

$4.00

November 4th Grade Morning Work/Enrichment/Bell Ringer |NYS ELA/Social Studies | The New York Daily

Make November morning work meaningful with The New York Daily! This Grade 4 resource includes 20 no-prep NYS Social Studies and ELA activities for bell ringers, early finishers, enrichment, and centers. Students explore Veterans Day, Thanksgiving traditions, the Macy's Parade, notable New Yorkers, inventions, geography, and history through informational texts, primary sources, maps, graphs, and critical thinking tasks. Includes 20 printable student pages and answer keys.

4th - 5th Informational Text, Other (ELA), Other (Social Studies)

Also included in: 4th Grade Morning Work/Bell Ringer/Enrichment Bundle | September October November| The New York Daily |SS & ELA Integrated

$4.00

Geography of New York State Landforms of New York Slide Show | Framework 4.1

Explore the landforms of New York State with this FREE Grade 4 geography slideshow aligned with NYS Social Studies Framework 4.1. Featuring photographs and student-friendly definitions, this visual resource introduces mountains, hills, valleys, plateaus, plains, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, gorges, islands, bays, and caves. Designed as a companion to the Geography of New York State unit, it's perfect for introducing landforms, building vocabulary, and supporting visual learning.

4th Grade Social Studies, Geography

Free

(3)

Snowflake Bentley Picture Book + Primary Sources | Inquiry-Based | Grades 4-6

Bring Snowflake Bentley to life with this three-day Story to Source Investigation for Grades 4–6. Students connect the picture book to six primary and secondary sources, analyzing evidence to determine how accurately the story reflects history. Activities include close reading, collaborative expert groups, source analysis, and evidence-based writing. Includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, discussion prompts, exit tickets, synthesis activities, and bulletin board materials.

4th - 6th English Language Arts, Informational Text

$5.00

December Writing | December Craft | SEL Activity | SEL Bulletin Board | Holidays | Grades 3-5

🕯️ Celebrate kindness and the theme of light in winter holidays with this Grades 3–6 SEL writing and craft activity. Students reflect on how they can "be a light in the world" through acts of kindness, then write a meaningful paragraph and create a candle craft for a winter bulletin board. Includes brainstorming pages, writing templates, differentiated supports, candle craft pieces, display signs, and a writing rubric. Perfect for December writing and classroom community building!

3rd - 6th Writing

$3.00

Sarah Hale | Persuasive Writing | Thanksgiving | Primary Source Connection| Grades 3-5

Explore Sarah Josepha Hale's campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday in this engaging three-day writing mini-unit for Grades 3–5. Part of the Story to Source Investigations series, students connect a picture book to historical primary sources while practicing close reading, critical thinking, and persuasive writing. Includes lesson plans, primary source analysis, graphic organizers, writing activities, student publishing materials, and bulletin board display options.

3rd - 6th Art, Informational Text, Writing Essays

$3.00

Fall Descriptive Narrative Writing & Craft | Figurative Language | Grades 3-6 | Fabulous Fall Characters

🍂 Bring fall creativity into your Grades 3–5 classroom with this descriptive and narrative writing project! Students create unique fall-themed characters, develop vivid descriptions, and practice adjectives, adverbs, and figurative language through engaging writing activities. Includes a character craft template, graphic organizers, writing pages, figurative language practice, a speaking and listening activity, and an assessment rubric. Perfect for a fall bulletin board display!

3rd - 6th Creative Writing, Writing

$3.00

Immigration, Migration and the Harlem Renaissance | New York State Social Studies Framework 4.7

Explore immigration, migration, and the Harlem Renaissance in New York State with this Grade 4 Social Studies unit aligned with NYS Framework 4.7. Students investigate push and pull factors, the Great Migration, immigrant experiences, and the cultural contributions of the Harlem Renaissance through informational texts, primary sources, maps, and inquiry activities. Includes learning stations, graphic organizers, research projects, exit tickets, assessments, and answer keys.

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

Also included in: New York State Social Studies Grade 4 FULL YEAR Mega Bundle | NYS 4th Grade Framework

$10.00

New York State Industrialization and Manufacturing| NYS Social Studies Framework 4.6f&g

Explore manufacturing and industrialization in New York State with this three-lesson Grade 4 Social Studies unit aligned with NYS Framework 4.6f and 4.6g. Students investigate the shift from craftsmanship to factory production, assembly lines, and regional economic activity through informational texts, authentic data, and inquiry activities. Includes a human timeline, hands-on assembly line simulation, maps, printable cards, data tables, exit tickets, and answer keys.

4th Grade Economics, U.S. History, Other (Social Studies)

Also included in: New York State Social Studies Grade 4 FULL YEAR Mega Bundle | NYS 4th Grade Framework

$5.00

Industrialization: New York State Entrepreneurs & Inventors | New York State Social Studies Framework 4.6e

Explore New York State entrepreneurs and inventors in this Grade 4 research project aligned with NYS Framework 4.6e and ELA standards. Students research influential innovators, practice informational writing, and create a 3D "Corner on History" display to share their findings. Includes an introductory mini-lesson, vocabulary, differentiated research pages, project templates, assembly instructions, and bulletin board display materials.

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

Also included in: New York State Social Studies Grade 4 FULL YEAR Mega Bundle | NYS 4th Grade Framework

$5.00

NYS Industrialization: Farming, Mining, Lumbering, and Finance | Westward Movement in NYS | NYS Social Studies Framework 4.6d

Explore New York State's economic development in this Grade 4 Social Studies mini-unit aligned with NYS Framework 4.6d. Students investigate farming, mining, lumbering, natural resources, changing land use, and the role of banking and finance in industrialization. Activities include informational texts, historical maps, census data analysis, vocabulary work, sorting activities, and a flip-flap project. Includes graphic organizers, exit tickets, summative assessment, and answer keys.

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

Also included in: New York State Social Studies Grade 4 FULL YEAR Mega Bundle | NYS 4th Grade Framework

$8.00

Communication | Westward Movement in New York State | NYS Social Studies Framework 4.6c

Explore how communication changed life in New York State in this Grade 4 Social Studies lesson aligned with NYS Framework 4.6c. Students investigate the telegraph, Morse code, radio, and modern communication through a primary source gallery walk, informational texts, timelines, and cause-and-effect activities. Includes Morse code decoding and message creation, an old-time radio listening activity, student recording pages, a writing assessment, and answer keys.

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

Also included in: New York State Social Studies Grade 4 FULL YEAR Mega Bundle | NYS 4th Grade Framework

$5.00

Erie Canal Primary Source Investigation | Westward Movement in New York State |New York State SS Framework 4.6b

Investigate the Erie Canal and its impact on New York State in this Grade 4 Social Studies unit aligned with NYS Framework 4.6b. Students analyze geography to propose a canal route, compare it with the actual route, and explore how the canal transformed transportation, trade, and population growth. Activities include historical map analysis, primary sources, data tables, population charts, and inquiry-based learning. Includes lesson plans, student activities, assessment, and answer keys.

4th Grade Social Studies, U.S. History

Also included in: New York State Social Studies Grade 4 FULL YEAR Mega Bundle | NYS 4th Grade Framework

$7.00

(2)

Transportation Stages, Steamboats & Railroads | Westward Movement in New York State 4.6c

Explore how transportation transformed New York State in this Grade 4 Social Studies mini-unit aligned with NYS Framework 4.6c. Students investigate stagecoaches, steamboats, and railroads, examining how faster travel connected communities and changed daily life. Activities include historical image analysis, gallery walks, informational texts, map comparisons, primary source investigations, and cause-and-effect writing. Includes an assessment, extension project, and answer keys.

4th Grade Social Studies, U.S. History

Also included in: New York State Social Studies Grade 4 FULL YEAR Mega Bundle | NYS 4th Grade Framework

$5.50

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.