Author: Jessica Boschen

Jessica shares her passion for teaching and education on What I Have Learned. Jessica has 16 years of elementary teaching experience and currently homeschools her two middle school boys. She enjoys scaffolding learning for students, focusing on helping our most challenging learners achieve success in all academic areas.

Early Reading

The Matthew Effect in Reading – Important Things to Know

What is the Matthew Effect in reading, and how can teachers apply this reading research to the classroom? The Matthew Effect is a concept that references a Bible verse that…

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Science

Teaching Elementary Students to Generate Research Questions

When students sit down to research a topic for the first time, most of them ask the same kind of question: “What is a penguin?” They find a one-sentence answer,…

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Classroom Management

How to Prepare Your Students for a Substitute Teacher

Preparing your students for a substitute teacher is one of the best investments you can make at the start of the year. Elementary students thrive on consistency, and when the…

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Physical Science

Reversible and Irreversible Changes Science Station Sort

Teaching students about reversible and irreversible changes is an important part of elementary physical science. Students begin to understand that some changes to materials can be undone, while others create…

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Physical Science

Properties of Matter Science Stations for Fifth Grade

Teaching properties of matter can feel abstract for students until they get their hands on it. When students test, observe, and question what they’re seeing, the concepts start to click…

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Earth Science

Earth and Human Activity Teaching Ideas

How does the use of natural resources affect the environment? What steps can people take to protect themselves against natural disasters? In this post, you will find fun and engaging…

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Fall

Thankful Flapbook: A Meaningful Thanksgiving Writing Activity for Elementary Students

Did you know that giving thanks can actually make students happier? A Thanksgiving thankful flapbook writing activity is a meaningful way to help 2nd and 3rd grade students reflect on…

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Earth Science

Plate Tectonics Science Stations for Fourth Grade

As a child, I was utterly fascinated by earthquakes and volcanoes. Never mind that I lived nowhere near a faultline or plate boundary and would likely never experience these phenomena…

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Earth Science

Teaching Ideas for How Weathering and Erosion Affect the Earth

Can your 4th Grade students explain the effects water, ice, wind, and vegetation have on landscapes? Do they understand how the locations of mountain ranges or ocean trenches show patterns…

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Earth Science

Plate Boundaries Sort – Fourth Grade Science Station

Teach students about plate tectonics and how the plates interact with one another with a Plate Boundaries Sort that is aligned with the Next Generation Science Stations for Fourth Grade….

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Physical Science

Energy in Motion 5E Unit Plan for Fourth Grade

This 5E Unit Plan for Energy in Motion is a science resource fourth grade teachers can use to plan and implement inquiry-based science instruction about Energy in Motion. The 5E lesson…

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Writing

Opinion Writing Conclusion Sentence Starters and Frames

Once students can state an opinion and give reasons, the next challenge is helping them bring their writing to a clear close with an effective conclusion statement. How can we…

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