Mr. Lee's Learners

As the school year winds down and summer break approaches, keeping students engaged becomes more challenging—and more important! That’s why I love using seasonal, high-interest stories to wrap up the year with both fun and purpose. One of my favorite ways to end the school year is with a  Reader’s Theater Companion for  The Night Before Summer Vacation  by Natasha Wing . It’s low prep, fun for students, and packed with learning value! What’s Included in This End-of-Year Reader’s Theater Resource? This engaging packet is a companion to the much-loved book  The Night Before Summer Vacation , a rhyming tale that captures the excitement (and chaos!) of preparing for a big summer trip. Here’s what’s included: Reader’s Theater Scripts for 2 and 3 students  – Perfect for partners or small groups. A  Summer-Themed Word Search  to reinforce vocabulary in a fun, independent activity. Answer Key  for easy grading or self-checking. 5 Summer-Themed Coloring Pa...

Reading comprehension is at the heart of literacy instruction, yet it’s often one of the most challenging skills for young learners to master. As a math interventionist who also supports reading instruction, I’ve found that guided questioning is one of the most powerful tools for helping students move beyond surface-level reading and begin thinking deeply about texts. In this post, I’ll share practical strategies for using guided questioning to scaffold comprehension and spark meaningful reading discussions—even with struggling readers. What Is Guided Questioning? Guided questioning is a teaching strategy where the teacher poses specific, intentional questions before, during, and after reading to help students engage with the text. These questions guide students toward a deeper understanding by encouraging them to: Make predictions Visualize events Infer meaning Analyze character motives Summarize key ideas Reflect on themes or personal connections Why It ...

For many of us, the words “timed test” still bring a rush of anxiety. Rows of facts, ticking clocks, and pressure to perform fast—this was the traditional approach to mastering math facts. As a teacher, I’ve seen how this method can cause unnecessary stress, especially for students who are still developing number sense. That’s why I’ve embraced a shift in my classroom: moving away from timed tests and toward strategy-based fluency. What Is Strategy-Based Fluency? Rather than memorizing isolated facts, students learn and apply strategies that help them understand how numbers work together. These strategies include: Counting on (e.g., for 3 + 2, start at 3 and count up two) Making ten (e.g., turning 8 + 5 into 10 + 3) Using doubles (e.g., knowing 6 + 6 helps with 6 + 7) Decomposing numbers (e.g., breaking apart 9 + 6 into 9 + 1 + 5) These are not just tricks—they're foundational ways to build number sense. When students understand these patterns and relation...

Mother's Day is such a special time to celebrate the amazing women in our students' lives — and what better way to mark the occasion than with a  Mother’s Day Reader’s Theater   performance? Inspired by  The Night Before Mother’s Day  by Natasha Wing, this  Reader’s Theater Companion Packet  is a fun and engaging way to build reading fluency, teamwork, and confidence — all while getting students excited for Mother's Day! 🌸 What’s Included? This packet is packed with everything you need for a smooth and memorable experience: 2 Versions of Reader’s Theater Scripts (Shorter and longer versions depending on your students' needs) Comprehension Worksheets Help students think deeper about the story Mother's Day Letter Template Students can write a heartfelt note after the performance Vocabulary and Word Search Activities Extend learning with themed literacy practice Everything is designed to be  low-prep  and  easy to use , so you can focus on help...

Understanding numbers—what they represent, how they relate, and how they can be composed or decomposed—is the foundation of early math success. That’s why I love using Domino and Dot Pattern Cards with my students. These simple, versatile tools pack a powerful punch when it comes to developing number sense, subitizing, and early addition skills. In this post, I’ll share how I use these cards in small group instruction and independent practice, plus how you can grab a set for your classroom! 🔍 What Are Domino and Dot Pattern Cards? These are printable cards that feature traditional domino patterns on one side and dot arrangements (like dice or ten-frame formats) on the other. They’re designed to help students: Recognize quantities without counting (subitizing) Compare and compose numbers Build fluency with addition and number bonds Strengthen visual number sense 🛠️ How I Use Them in the Classroom These cards are incredibly flexible. Here are some of my favori...

Winter will be arriving very soon in Northern Minnesota... Winter's arrival bring with it a world blanketed in snow, and the air filled with the joyous anticipation of building snowmen for many children.  What if catching a snowman became a thrilling adventure?  Adam Wallace's book, " How to Catch a Snowman ," weaves a fantastic tale that sparks the imagination of both children and adults!  This charming story takes readers on an imaginative journey filled with humor, creativity, and a quest to capture the elusive snowman.   Reader's theater is a fantastic way to help bring the story to life in your classroom! How to Catch a Snowman - Reader's Theater Companion with Comprehension Questions & Word Search on TeachersPayTeachers enhances the reading experience by providing interactive learning.   The reader's theater component allows children to dive deeper into the narrative, fostering comprehension and engagement .  Additionally, comprehension questio...

Multiplication fact fluency is so critical for students to be more successful in upper elementary grades. A game that I use to help develop fact fluency is Quick Draw. In the realm of educational games, Quick Draw stands out as a dynamic and engaging card game designed to make learning multiplication a breeze. Created to reinforce the multiples of 2, 5, and 10, the Quick Draw Multiplication Game is an excellent resource for teachers and parents alike. In this blog post, we'll explore the game's concept, its benefits, and how it can be a valuable addition to any educational toolkit. The Quick Draw Multiplication Game: Quick Draw is a card game that combines the excitement of a fast-paced challenge with the fundamental principles of multiplication. The game is designed for students learning the multiplication tables of 2, 5, and 10. With colorful and visually appealing cards, the game makes learning not only effective but also enjoyable. Sample Game with Multiples of 2 The goal...