Upper Elementary Teacher Connection
Free Facebook group hosted and moderated by Laura Candler
Thanks for your interest in the Upper Elementary Teacher Connection! Before you request membership in this private Facebook group, please read the information below and review the group guidelines at the end of this page.
I look forward to connecting with you in the group! ~ Laura Candler
What is the Upper Elementary Teacher Connection?
The Upper Elementary Teacher Connection is a private Facebook group where teachers in grades 2 through 6 can connect and collaborate with each other to share their passion for teaching. A Facebook "group" is different from a Facebook page like Teaching Resources. Instead of "liking" them or following them, you join them and become a member of a community of people who can interact with each other.
In the Upper Elementary Teacher Connection, group members will be discussing active engagement teaching strategies, sharing innovative instructional approaches, helping each other find curriculum resources, giving feedback on lesson ideas, etc. Some of the topics we'll be discussing include:
- Cooperative learning lesson ideas and management strategies
- How to implement reading workshop, literature circles, or literacy centers
- How to implement math stations, how use math games effectively, guided math strategies, etc.
- Collaborative projects and activities using technology, including Skype in the classroom, student blogging, QR codes, Plickers, STEM projects, and more!
- Hands-on lesson ideas and management tips
- How to obtain grants and funding through DonorsChoose.org and other sources
Teaching can be frustrating, but the Upper Elementary Teacher Connection is not is it a place to vent about problems. Instead, it's a place where educators can challenge themselves and take their teaching to the next level! It's fine to share a difficult situation and ask for advice about how to handle it, but phrase your request in a way that shows you aren't just complaining, you're looking for ideas and solutions.
This group is not open to teachers who create and sell teaching resources. If you are a TpT seller and you'd like a complete explanation of this policy, click here.
How Are We Connected? Click the links below to find out and connect!

How to Join the Upper Elementary Teacher Connection
To apply for membership, please complete BOTH steps.
- First, fill out the online Google Doc application form.
- Next, click over to the Upper Elementary Teacher Connection Facebook group and click the JOIN button at the top.
I read all applications before adding anyone, so it might be a few days before you're added. Be patient with me, please!
Upper Elementary Teacher Connection Guidelines
- After you become a group member, you'll see Upper Elementary Teacher Connection in the left sidebar on Facebook. You can turn them off if you find them to be annoying.
- Click the link to enter the group, and read some of the discussions going on in the group. If you feel comfortable doing so, post a message to introduce yourself.
- Feel free to share lesson ideas, activities, and teaching strategies that are working for you, but do not post links to products from other TpT sellers. :-) Naturally, I appreciate recommendations for my products, and I especially love to see photos of your kids using my resources!
- Please do not add anyone else to the group. If you want to recommend this group to other upper elementary educators, please send them the link to this page.
- Be sure you have permission to share any documents that you upload to the group. If you created the document yourself, include a credit line somewhere on each page to show that you created it. Obviously, it's not okay to share teaching products that you purchased, but even if you obtained something for free, please don't upload it to the group unless you have permission to share.
- If you are using one of my resources (freebie, product, teaching strategy, etc.), I would love to hear about your experiences. I would especially love it if you would take pictures during the lesson and upload them to the group, but be sure you have permission from parents to share photos online.
- Above all, please be positive and supportive in your interactions with others. You might not agree with all members, but refrain from making judgmental comments or posting comments that are not respectful in their tone. If you see another member posting questionable content, please tag me in a comment so I'll be notified and can remove it or email the member.