Two-Minute Tip of the Day
How to use a Semicolon
Semicolons don't have to be mysterious! There are only two reasons to use a semicolon in a sentence. Take a look at this Shurley English Two-Minute Tip to learn more!
ELA Success
ELA Success
How to Develop Sentence Fluency
Some people are born with a natural ability to put their thoughts into words, but the ability to effectively put those words on paper requires a lot of hard work and practice. Good writing is a skill that develops over time; therefore, consistent instruction to develop the knowledge and skills
shurley english
The Importance of Teaching with Enthusiasm
As a certified elementary teacher, I came to realize the tremendous amount of power and influence I had on my students very early in my career. It was clear that my energy and delivery during certain lessons (either high or low) made an impression and greatly affected the outcome of
k-12 education
What is multi-sensory learning?
I have been dabbling with curriculum since I was a baby teacher and could barely crawl. If you’re a teacher, too, you probably have a similar story. I cut my teacher teeth on theories and practices from many different models, but the one that makes my brain do a
Two-Minute Tip of the Day
When to Write Numbers as Words
Do you know the rules for writing numbers in a sentence or paragraph? Should you write numbers as words, or should you write numbers as a figure? This quick video will show you the rules to follow to ensure you know exactly what to do the next time you need
tips
Authentic Assessments: How to integrate creative assessment strategies
So, what’s happening “testing-wise” in your school and in your classroom? Let’s continue the conversation about real or authentic assessments. (If you missed part one, click here.) In my opinion, it is vital to add these authentic assessments to your “testing bag-o-tricks.” Just look at some of the
tips
Authentic Assessments: How to break the paper test cycle (Part 1)
When you think of testing, do any of these statements come to mind? “I want to see what my students have learned at the end of each chapter.” “I want to make sure I’m teaching effective lessons.” “My administrator says I have to have a certain number of scores
ELA Success
Writing Toolbox: What are correlative conjunctions?
Having the right tools in your writing toolbox can make all the difference when it comes time to revise a composition. Do your students need a creative way to link ideas and show association? Then look no further than the correlative conjunction! First, let's look at this simple
Two-Minute Tip of the Day
Don't capitalize these words...
Knowing when NOT to capitalize a word is just as important as knowing when to capitalize a word. In this week’s Two-Minute Tip, let us show you three examples of when you should avoid capitalization. Take a look…
Back to School
How do I teach Shurley English in a multi-grade classroom?
When I began teaching at a small private parochial school, I learned quickly that even though I was teaching two grade levels of Shurley English in the same room, there was a disparity in the way I had to instruct each level. Each group had different developmental needs and learning
adverbs
ID Strategies: Is the word an adverb or an adjective?
When my third graders were first learning the parts of speech, some of them would mix-up adverbs and adjectives. I found a great process that would move my students from definitions, through Bloom's Taxonomy, and towards application. Let me show you... Step 1: Definitions Remember, an adverb modifies
Two-Minute Tip of the Day
Rev Up Your Writing With Power Words
The English language is full of wonderful words to help you communicate. You don’t have to write with common or overused words. Let us show you how to Rev Up your writing with Power Words in this week’s Two-Minute Tip: