Writing
Do you remember what prompted you to choose the teaching profession? How old were you when you made that decision? Research surveys have shown that many people don’t decide on their professional career path until they are already in college, and some don’t make a decision until later
Two-Minute Tip of the Day
Our commitment to you and your success in language arts is ongoing. A few years ago, we launched the Shurley English Blog, where our team of educators discusses trends, strategies, and tips for success. It’s all about support and encouragement. It has been a true labor of love, and
ELA Success
As a teacher, you know the effortful task of teaching students about the six steps of the Writing Process. The steps should be taught and repeated so that students will always know how to communicate thoughts and ideas in competent, confident way. Here’s a quick recap and commentary of
Holiday Lessons/Resources
As a classroom teacher, returning from holiday break was always bittersweet. On one hand, I knew the pressure for “test prep” would be more intense, but on the other hand, the satisfaction of witnessing my students grow into wiser beings put a validating smile on my face. I imagine my
In the Spotlight
Teaching kids to write can be easy if you have the right tools! Getting organized is the first step, and one of the best ways to accomplish this is with an excellent set of writing maps. Writing maps are the foundation for writing success and truly help your children start
strategies
As the calendar year comes to a close, a teacher’s journey is still moving at full speed. (It’s true!) We are not quite to the half-way mark of our year, and we still have much to do! As 2019 comes to a close and before you begin the
ELA Success
Today’s classroom teacher wears many hats, and that’s a fact. Not only are they responsible to help children develop and improve their literacy, mathematic, and social science skills, they must also evaluate student progress and performance along the way. To be upfront, I’m not just talking about
ELA Success
As teachers, the concept of “word choice” is common language in classrooms around the United States. Careful word choice is a key to effective writing and speaking. Selecting appropriate and precise words helps to increase the impact you have on your audience. Ideally, this is what teachers try to convey
Holiday Lessons/Resources
Coloring sheets, word puzzles, tinsel, glitter, and glue are just some of the items you’ll find scattered around many classrooms during the holidays. There are so many wonderful craft ideas and activities people have used to make the season a memorable one at school. Here’s a fun way
ELA Success
Would you agree that teaching spelling should be an all-day/every-day job?! We all know that opportunities to teach quick spelling lessons arise frequently throughout the day. But, all too often, we miss these teachable moments! Research on spelling shows that for decades, the common approach to teach spelling centered
ELA Success
Today, I’ve decided to write to you, the adult reader, about a topic that most of us take for granted: Reading. I’ve chosen this topic because improving reading skills is not just a concern for students only! We all need to practice. The truth is that your reading
shurley english
If you’ve ever found yourself in the middle of a tumultuous situation like a rip-roaring, indoor recess due to inclement weather, or a rigorous test preparation right before a holiday, you know how it feels when you need a break! …You need it, and you need it NOW! Now