Playin’ Around with Verb Tenses

Playin’ Around with Verb Tenses

Verb tenses can be challenging for students and adults!  In an effort to reinforce correct verb tense usage, why not play a little game? Let’s get started with a quick review of verb tenses.

Tense means time.  So, that means that the verb in the sentence actually lets the reader know the time of the action.  There are three basic verb tenses that show when an action takes place: 

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What is the Oxford Comma?

What is the Oxford Comma?

What is the Oxford Comma? Should I use the Oxford Comma when I am writing? Why is the Oxford Comma so controversial? Get the answers to these questions and many more during this Shurley English Two-Minute Tip of the Day! Take a look…

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Student Toolbox: How do I choose a career?

Student Toolbox:  How do I choose a career?

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 in life. 

If you are a middle school or high school teacher, chances are you will have the opportunity to discuss future college and/or career plans with your students.  Students will benefit from these discussions because the sooner they begin working towards their future career goals, the likelier they will be to turn those goals into reality. 

Today, I would like to show you a great resource you can use with your students to help them begin exploring career paths:

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NEW ELA Tool: The Two-Minute Tip of the Day

NEW ELA Tool: The 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 discuss trends, strategies, and tips for success. It’s all about encouragement, support, and aiding each other. It has been a true labor of love and our team is thrilled to continue the charge!

Today, we are excited to announce a new tool designed to help you and your students as you learn language arts skills: The Shurley English Two-Minute

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One Giant Step—The Revision Process

One Giant Step—The Revision Process

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. Now, I’d like to let you in on a little secret.  As a student, I enjoyed the subject of grammar, spelling, and vocabulary. I even loved journal writing.  But, the truth was that I loathed formal writing.  I had most of the pieces of the writing puzzle, but I didn’t know how to fill in the gaps to bring it to completion. 

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Starting Your Second Semester Off Right: 365 New Days!

Starting Your Second Semester Off Right: 365 New Days!

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 students felt similar…a little anxious about getting refocused on learning and the routines of school-life, but excited to be around their friends and completing another school year. 

The New Year seems to offer people a clean slate or a fresh start from which to begin another 365 days of the Earth’s rotation around the Sun.  Celebrations with family and friends, eating delicious food, watching the “ball” drop with flashy fireworks, and reevaluating the past or creating resolutions for the next 365 days is how most Americans bring in the New Year.  Why not create a New Year’s Celebration in your classroom?  It’s an ideal time to celebrate your students’ academic growth and invite them to reexamine their goals.  (Food, fireworks, family, and a shiny ball are all optional.)  Here are two ways you can bring in the New Year with positivity and possibility.

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Writing Toolbox: Let's get organized with Writing Maps!

Writing Toolbox: Let's get organized with Writing Maps!

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 out focused and on topic. What could be better than that?


At Shurley English, we want to give you a great start to the new year. Right now, you can download our Shurley English writing maps for FREE! Below, you will find a

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