If you like to challenge your kids with critical thinking activities, please stop by my store where I have a multitude of lessons.
Many children today do not have much appreciation for the world of paper and pen. The electronic world is far more seductive and even the adults in their lives are likely spending time on laptops or smartphones. Guilty as charged over here.
While building writing skills may come easily to some children, it can be overwhelming and exhausting to others. What is in it for them? They simply must see a point to it for real-world purposes, and receive positive feedback.
Kids do see us make lists – even if we make them on our smartphones. And kids do what we do (not necessarily what we say!)
For our purposes today, writing will mean any communicating in print. We’re talking about Kindergarten to grade two or three students of varying abilities.
Our goal is to help them understand why they are learning to write, buy into it and know that they are contributing members of society, who are appreciated for the contribution they are making by doing so!
Think of the possibilities for planning a day trip, or vacation….
Packing Lists…
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The Social and Wish Lists…
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Lists about stories and games…or anything really!
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Whether our child / student draws or pastes pictures, dictates to us while we scribe, prints in hieroglyphics, or phonetically spelled words, we need to make this real world connection and commend them for making the effort. Especially in the summer!
Fun Summer Lists is included in a WRITING FOR REAL PURPOSES bundle called Summer Literacy Fun Pack, with Summer Fun: Reading and Writing through Play pictured below.
These products were inspired by a post I wrote last summer (also pictured below) and by the effectiveness of these types of activities with my own children and students. I hope you enjoy them. Think Summer! It’s just around the corner!
Best wishes to all of you as we head into the final month of school!
I.M.
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Some (almost) Summer freebies! |
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Everyone loves The BFG, but what do you do when this wonderful book charms your students? My BFG power point covers the entire novel With multiple discussion questions, vocabulary activities, achievement test question, projects, plus research and writing assignments.
Check it out:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Literary-Unit-for-the-BFG-in-Power-Point-1213819
or
If you teach using a Promethean Board, I also have this unit available for active software.
Part I (The First Half of The Book)
Part II (The second half of the book)
I also have a set of math problems related to The BFG for only $.100.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/BFG-Math-Word-Problems-1103128
If your class is working on a different novel, please top by my store. I have a lot of Literary Studies on multiple books and book themed math printables.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Gifted-And-Talented-Materials-By-Joyce-Lansky
Imagine you work at a pizza parlor, and you have three slices of pizza and nine whole pizzas in the warmer. A group of hungry kids dart into the shop and want more than three slices. What are you going to do? This power point walks students through the process of borrowing fractions.
Students will practice the skill with multiple problems.
or
if you’d like to purchase this lesson for the Promethean Board, you may find an active software program at:
I have a lot of math lessons,
so please stop by.
By Deann Marin at The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs
Offering for Educators, Comprehensive Teaching Aides. If you’d like to see what else I have to offer please visit my store
This Memorial Day, I would like to dedicate the post and my Memorial Day Tribute Literary Bundle for Grades 4-7, to a former student, Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel, w
ho gave his life for our freedom. He and Staff Sergeant Rex L. Shad were killed in March of 2013, when an Afghan policeman opened fire on U.S and Afghan forces inside police headquarters in eastern Afghanistan. He was attached to Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C., and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
I cannot speak highly enough of Andrew, PK as many called him. I remember with fondness that day, years ago, when he first walked into my classroom. He was a charmer with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, and I knew right away that I liked this kid. He was smart, in our top group, with such kindness, human warmth, and sincerity that made him unforgettable. The other kids in the class respected and liked him. Due to heart problems, a young girl in my class struggled to carry her books, so Andrew volunteered to tote them for her. This selfless act meant so much to her that years later, at his wake, she shared it with his mom.
We have lost a true hero, struck down at the young age of 28, who made the ultimate sacrifice to make the world a better place. I know that I am a better person for having known him. The solace that we have is that he was a part of our life and he will live in our hearts forever. I salute you Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel.
If you would like to know more about Andrew, please visit this website.
http://www.soc.mil/Memorial%20Wall/Bios/Pedersen-Keel_Andrew.pdf
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Included in this literacy bundle is a timeline of the history of Memorial Day. There are comprehension questions to be answered as well as writing prompts, plaques and pictures to color. I hope that you and your students enjoy using this.
Click on image to visit Socrates Lantern’s Tpt Store.
For Teachers:……………………………….Page 4
Dedication to Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel..Page 5
Memorial Day Historic Timeline…Page 6
Comprehension Questions…Pages 7-8
Writing Prompts
Paragraph about Memorial Day History..Pages 9-10
Memorial for a fallen soldier………….Pages 11-12
Write a letter to a soldier……………..Pages 13-14
Memorial Day Speech by President….. Pages 15-16
Design a Plaque& Pictures to Color
Design a Plaque Honoring a Soldier……….Page 17
Animals are Heroes Too Make a Plaque……Page 18
Our Heroes, Pictures to Color………….Pages 19-20
Grading Rubrics………………………Pages 21-22
Answer Sheets……………………….. Pages 23-24
Resources…………………………….Page 25
Contact Page……………………………Page 26
Sharing is Caring Elite Bog Hop Collaborative
See what these awesome teachers have to say about Memorial Day in their classrooms
1. DIY Farmwife: Memorial Day Blog Hop
2. Carrberry Creations: Memorial Day
3. Socrates Lantern: A Memorial Day Tribute
Please Visit Socrates Lantern’s
Social Media Sites
Hey all! This weekend we are celebrating our American Heros! Check out what these teachers do to teach kids about Memorial Day!
Memorial Day
by Mary Carr of Carrberry Creations
Memorial Day is an important day to remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. What do we as teachers do though when we are faced with comforting a grieving student in our classrooms? Be as prepared as you can be by reading this article, and accompanying links.
Memorial Day Tribute
By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern
Memorial Day is an important day to remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. What do we as teachers do though when we are faced with comforting a grieving student in our classrooms? Be as prepared as you can be by reading this article, and accompanying links.
All About Memorial Day
By Nikki Heiman of Creative Inclusion
Memorial Day is not just about BBQs and spending time with friends and family. Kids need to learn about the sacrifices that others have made for our freedom. Open the lines of communication on this important topic by doing some fun activities!
*Image of the food is originally from the fantastic blogger,Tip Junkie. Check out her stuff here!
Brought to you by:
[inlinkz_linkup id=529211 mode=1]
By Christina L
Grades 1-3
Free Summer Reading Passages with Comprehension Questions
Cover all the important days, events and themes of each month with my monthly reading passages.
This is a small example of my monthly reading passages.
They can be used as a quick warm up, in reading centers or for homework.
It includes 4 reading passages with 3 comprehension questions each:
• Flag Day
• Buzzing Bees!
• Popsicles! (The Invention of the Popsicle)
• Great White Sharks
Also included is one worksheet for recalling 4 facts they have learned.
Check it out here.
Thanks for looking!
Christina L
My Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Christina-L
Those run on sentences seem to pop up all over kids’ papers. This power point will help students learn how to fix these sentences and to practice their new skill. Not bad for $3.00.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Run-On-Sentences-Fixing-Power-Point-Chart-767685
or you may purchase an identical product for the Promethean Board at:
Plus, if you want to give your students more practice, here are printables that allow students to work on this important skill. These also sell for $3.00. Check them out.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fixing-Run-On-Sentences-Practice-Pages-736765
If this is not what your after, feel free to stop by my store for a variety of teaching materials for bright students. With 363 products, you’re sure to find something.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Gifted-And-Talented-Materials-By-Joyce-Lansky
Now that school is winding down, teachers often find themselves looking for that extra reading passage to keep kids engaged. I wrote these five original stories, which come complete with activities.
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In this bundle, you will find the following:
Nonfiction Sports Story With Expository Writing Activity
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
This nonfiction story depicts Josh Pastner, coach of the University of Memphis Tiger Basketball Team. His motivational story is quite impressive and provides a great model for kids. I have also provided directions for kids to write an essay about what they read in the story. Nonfiction writing is high on the common core expectations, and this activity is perfect for providing high interest curriculum and current events.
Help! I’ve Misplaced My Modifier. Humorous Story to Explain Misplaced Modifiers
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
This humorous story helps students to learn about misplaced modifiers. Students are given the task of finding the misplaced modifiers in this story about a child’s birthday party. Answer key included.
Electromagnetic Energy Story (Creative Writing Activity about Science)
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
This creative story shows the path of electricity from a neutron’s point of view. Students are asked to write their own stories that relate to a scientific topic.
The World’s Most Loyal Dog: A Nonfiction Story With Questions
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
I am an author as well as a teacher, and I wrote this story about Hachiko, the amazing Japanese dog who spent about a decade waiting at a train station for his master who had died. This story comes complete with vocabulary and comprehension questions.
Beware of Cooties
Here’s a bonus story that one cannot buy individually on TPT. I fear it will never find a home due to its shocking ending, but none-the-less, it’s one of my favorites that must be shared. If you dare to share it with the kids, I promise they’ll get a laugh. Enjoy!
I have plenty of stories and reading activities at my TPT store. Won’t you please stop by?
Download 32 free lessons to use in your classroom at the end of the year or have your students do during their summer vacation!
End of the Year Free Lessons By The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative – 2015
18 FREE LESSONS
End-of-the-Year Games and Reflection Activities
End of the Year Bulletin Board FREEBIE!
End of the Year Mystery Person (Freebie)
Graphing Your Way to Summer
Popcorn and Movie Day! Theme Days for End of School!
Printables: A Summer Bucket List
Summer Homework
Summer Time Math Centers: 10 More 10 Less
You’re O-Fish-Ally a _____! Student Gift Tags
End of the Year Baggie Toppers {Freebie!}
End of Year Reflections
End of School Memory Book
Free Graduation Clip Art from Charlotte’s Clips
My Year In…An End of Year Memory Book
Join The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative at
and get THOUSANDS OF PAGE VIEWS for your TpT products!
GRADES 4-7 AND HOMESCHOOL
SARAH PETERSON
HANDS ON HISTORY
CHECK OUT MY LATEST
READING COMPREHENSION PRODUCT!
This product is great for Social Studies (History) and Language Arts (Reading Comprehension). The product contains: SEVEN one-page passages of informational text on The California Gold Rush (LEXILE 930-1010); SEVEN pages of reading comprehension questions (one for each passage); and the teacher’s keys. Questions are true or false; multiple choice and open ended, and include both literal and inferential questions. The reading passages can be used for CLOSE READING with other non-fiction graphic organizers as well!
THIS PRODUCT IS GREAT FOR A QUICK SAMPLE FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS! It may be used for Independent Reading, Homework, or as a Supplemental Homeschool Worksheet.
TOPICS INCLUDE:
Discovery of Gold at Sutter’s Mill
The California Gold Rush
Camps and Claims
The Daily Life of a Miner
Methods of Mining Gold
Merchants During the Gold Rush
Lasting Impact of the Gold Rush
Click here to download the preview!
Please note: The Informational Text also appears in my Wild West Career Lesson Plan; however, the reading comprehension questions are not a part of that lesson plan.
Visit my store to check out my other history related products!
A successful author should be able to control what one gains from reading his or her story, but what if the meaning on the page is unclear? Voila! Here you have two critical reading stories which are perfect for group discussions and, that often sought after, accountable talk. Although the stories have a strong plot, the message is purposely written in a vague manner to trigger different interpretations.
In “The Fog,” Taylor leaves work only to hit something in the road . . . or does he? Perhaps, Taylor is not a he at all. Students are asked to answer questions after the story with a True, False, or Can’t Tell. Next, the students debate the answer.
“The Fog” may be used with multiple grades. Although I originally wrote it for fifth graders, I had a blast listening to the discussion from a high school group. They took my little story to an entirely new level.
This would be a great activity once the textbooks are collected. Critical reading stories sell for $1.25.
If “The Fog” is a bit too advanced for your students, here is another critical thinking story about a ride failing at Disney. “A Day at Disney” works well with your bright primary students as well as elementary kids. It is also a gateway for accountable talk.
If you’re looking for short stories for your kids, please stop by 
by Victoria Leon
Pre-Kindergarten – 8th Grade
Download eighteen free lessons to use at the end of the school year or have your students do during their summer vacation. Enjoy these lessons by members of The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative:
* Summer ABC 123
* Ice Cream Sundae Summer
* A Calendar filled with Fun & Motivating Speech-Language Activities
* My Book of Numbers: 0-10
* How to Draw Using Lines & Curves: Free Sample Tulip, from Print Path
* School’s Out
* Summer Bucket List Pennant Banner Worksheet
* Free End of Year Who is Who in My Class and Autograph Booklet
* Year End Balloons
* My Vacation Memory Book
* Summer Slide
* End of the Year Scoot
* 1 – 2 Review
* End of the Year Writing Activity Freebie
* School Memories Grades 3-6
* What Will Life Be Like in 5,000 Years?
* Presidential Wall
* End of the School Year Self Assessment for Students and Teachers
Join The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative at
and get THOUSANDS OF PAGE VIEWS for your TpT products!
Go to http://www.pinterest.com/TheBestofTPT/ for even more free products!
Logic problems are a fun way to keep kids engaged, especially at the end of the year. My store is packed with these that may be purchased for a dollar a piece or in bulk for a discounted price. Why not plan ahead and take care of all the holidays at once with one of my logic problems to last the year packets.
This original packet was made to challenge students in third through fifth grades, but some of these problems are tough and most likely would meet the needs of older students in the regular classroom.
The booklet contains twelve logic problems from the first day of school until the Tired Teachers at the end. Along the way, students will tackle challenges centered around Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas (2), Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, April Fools Day, Easter, and Mother’s Day. Right now it’s set at a reduced price of $8.75, so please check it out. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Logic-Problems-to-Last-the-School-Year-IG-1264788
If you teach younger kids, no worries, I have the materials for your kids, too, with Logic Problems to Last the Year (Book II) for grades 1 – 3. This mini version of the original book contains six logic problems surrounding the holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and our American Independence Day. These matrix logic problems contain one grid to challenge our bright younger students, but once again, they could also challenge an older child in the regular classroom. Book II sells for the reduced price of only $3.95.
If you like logic or any activities to challenge bright students, please check out my store at:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Gifted-And-Talented-Materials-By-Joyce-Lansky
By Deann Marin at The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs
Offering for Educators, Comprehensive Teaching Aides. If you’d like to see what else I have to offer please visit my store.
Summer is the time for fun, fun, fun! School is out no more hitting the books. The only problem is that much of what was learned during the school year is forgotten, “out of sight, out of mind.” Not so with these ten fun educational activities that will keep the children looking for more and not even realizing that they are learning.
1. Have your child, if he/she is old enough, take pictures of different things that you do over the summer. This will be especially exciting if you travel somewhere. They can put their photographs in a nice scrapbook and write a few sentences about them. Make sure correct punctuation and grammar are used. What a great memory to look back on. When the school year begins, this book can be shared in class.
2. Help your child make a summer calendar for June, July, and August. They can use crayons, pencils, paint, rulers to color them in and add special things that they did over the summer. This will help to reinforce number recognition and counting. An effective way to work on addition and subtraction would be to say: “How many days till we go to the beach? or how many days ago did we go to see grandma and grandpa?’ even “How many days till you go back to school?”(of course they may not want to think about that!)
3. Make musical instruments from materials that are found around the house. Use towel/toilet paper rolls decorate them with paint, then put small pebbles inside. Close each end with cloth, or paper then glue them on or secure with rubber bands. This can be used as a rattle or rain stick. Other instruments that they can make are drums, a box guitar, or a maraca, etc. This is a helpful websitd: http://www.howcast.com/guides/841-how-to-make-musical-instruments- for-kids/
4. Cooking and measuring the ingredients help with math skills. They will have to read the recipe and measure the ingredients correctly.These recipes look yummy: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/recipes-for-kids/cooking- with- kids.html
5. If your child likes the computer or tablet, take advantage of it. Have him/her become a web ranger. They will go on quests and learn about national parks. It will help enhance skills in history and geography because they will be asked to solve mysteries and puzzles, play games and more. Check it out on this website: http://www.nps.gov/webrangers/
6. Start a family garden. Decide what type of garden it will be, flower,vegetable, herbs or a combination. Then read up on it. Learn about the particular plants that will be used, find out where they should be placed, in the sun or shade. What types of soil are best, etc. They can use some math measuring skills to figure out how far to space each plant. They can also measure plants to estimate the growth. They might also try a science experiment to see if seeds grow faster in sun or darkness and keep a written record. You can go to this website for more information. http://www.kidsgardening.org/
7. When riding in the car have your child read signs, names of cities, towns, parks, or look for license plates from different states and figure out what states are the farthest away from them, or they can count the number of license plates they see from the different states. Another game that is fun when traveling is to start with the letter A and name a city, state, or country that begins with that letter, go through the entire alphabet. A variation of this would be to say a state, city, or country name and the next person has to come up with a name beginning with the last letter of the place just said. Austin/Nebraska, Anchorage/Evansville, and so on. Everyone in the car plays to make it more fun.
8. For those would be scientists, start a rock or critter collection. See how many different rocks/ critters they can discover and find information about them in a book or on the web. They can make a scrapbook with photographs and information about the rocks or critters that they have collected.This is a great site for rock collecting, your child will have loads of fun while learning. http://www.kidsloverocks.com/html/guide_to_collecting.html This is just right for collecting those critters. http://www.kidactivities.net/category/Science-Kids-Collecting-Insects.aspx
9. Have a scavenger or treasure hunt. You will have to write out directions as to where to find something and your child will have to read it in order to find the prize. This website has printable check lists, 10 ideas for scavenger hunts as well as tips and tricks.http://www.mykidsadventures.com/scavenger-hunt-ideas/ This pinterest page has loads of ideas on this subject https://www.pinterest.com/tiffanymoore2/scavenger-hunt-ideas-for-kids/
10. Plan a family fun day. Have your child write everything down from the menu to the games that will be played.
Here are some ideas that can be written down
Make sure that you or your child takes pictures and then he/she can make an online photo album, write a few sentences about each image and email it to all of those who attended.
11. You can play word games such as scrabble, to work on spelling skills, board games like Yahtzee to help with math skills, card games like war which will utilize number skills, or word bingo. I’ve also included some items that you can purchase through my Tpt store to help reinforce math and word skills learned in school.
Click on image to visit Socrates Lantern’s Tpt Store.
Click image to visit Socrates Lantern’s Tpt Store.
Click on image to visit Socrates Lantern’s Tpt Store.
Click on image to visit Socrates Lantern’s Tpt Store.
Click on image to visit Socrates Lantern’s Tpt Store.
Click on image to visit Socrates Lantern’s Tpt Store..
Check out these blogs for more ideas from some awesome educators
Blog Hop
1. DIY Farmwife-Sharing is Caring- Fight the Sum
2. Carberry Creations- Keeping Students Learning All Summer
Please Visit Socrates Lantern’s Social Media Sites
Check out these great posts!
What is the greatest way to fight summer learning loss? Click the following to find out some GREAT ideas!
10 Ways to Keep Students Learning Over the Summer
Summer is the time for fun, fun, fun! School is out no more hitting the books. The only problem is that much of what was learned during the school year is forgotten, “out of sight, out of mind.” Not so with these ten fun educational activities that will keep the children looking for more and not even realizing that they are learning.
By Socrates Lantern
Keeping Students Learning All Summer
Fight the summer slide this year with tips from Carrberrycreations.com
By Carrberry Creations
Don’t Let Summer Learning Slip and Slide!
Keep up the higher level thinking skills with children this summer! The #1 way to help your child succeed in school after summer break!
By Nikki Heiman at “Creative Inclusion”
Check out the Linky here:
Here in the south, we’re looking at the last week before it’s off for summer vacation. Before you get too green with envy, please note that teachers started this school year in July. Luckily, the powers that be got some sense, and we won’t see our classrooms until August this next school year.
Being a lover of summer, I never understood the concept of, “I’M BORED!” over the summer; however, we all know kids who yearn for things to do. Why not send your kids off with my Boredom Busters at the end of the school year? Once they take up your text books, you can even keep them happy with these fun puzzles to challenge minds.
This booklet is for the young minds in grades 1 – 3. It contains three summer themed logic puzzles, a sedoku, a maze, and a quote puzzle. It is targeted to gifted and talented students and I’ve marked the price down to $3.95 this week. That’s a real bargain since I sell my puzzles individually for $1 a piece.
For those older intellectually gifted kids in grades 3 – 5, I made the original Boredom Busters. Inside, you will find three logic problems, a sedoku, a quote puzzle, and a funny story, “Beware of Cooties,” that is guaranteed to bring a chuckle. This, too, has a reduced price of $4.25.
I’d love for you to stop by and check out these products or others at my store.
If logic is your thing, my store is loaded with it!
[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form] So how about it?
Save $5.00 on this K/1 Memorial Day Bundle Value…
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Memorial-Day-695197
Thank You:
Linda Post: The Teacher’s Post
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Linda-Post-The-Teachers-Post
Perhaps you’ve seen the owls circulating Facebook.
I am totally the owl on the right; so to celebrate all of us losing our minds, I’ve created a logic problem about us at the end of the year. It’s called Tired Teachers, and it might give your third through fifth grade students a chuckle when they read about what exhausted teachers do in May.
You may purchase this little gem for just $1
Plus it comes complete with an answer key-a necessity because let’s face it,
We’re Tired!
If you like logic, please check out my store. I have
plenty of problems to challenge bright kids.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Gifted-And-Talented-Materials-By-Joyce-Lansky
End of School
By Deann Marin at The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs
Offering for Educators, Comprehensive Teaching Aides. If you’d like to see what else I have to offer please visit my store.
I found that having children work in small collaborative groups made learning fun for both myself and the class. Interpersonal development is essential for students as they need to learn how to relate to each other in a positive way, small group activities allow them to do this effectively.
Group Structure: As I approach the new school year and get ready for my class, I look at last year’s teacher’s recommendations to help figure out levels, once that is done, I make groups with one high level child, two with average ability and one lower level child. I also try to have 2 boys and 2 girls in each group. That way there is diversity in abilities and they can all help each other. I found that the best arrangement for groups is no more than 4 so if I have 25 students I will make 6 groups of 4 and one with 5. Each group remains the same for one semester, and then we rotate. We would change groups 4 times throughout the year since we had 4 semesters. I liked having them work together for at least two months, getting to know each other, cooperating and allowing each child a chance to be heard. Of course there are always one or two kids that have a hard time working with others. If that occurs, you might pull them from the group and have them work on their own, esp if they are disruptive, until they can prove that they are able to work within a group. Setting up the rotations takes a bit of work since you don’t want to have the same kids in the group more than once. *See diagram.
Participation: Each child in the group has a particular job to do: leader, complimenter, secretary, person to pass things out, person to clean up, presenter, etc. Make sure that you let them know exactly what is expected of them. Depending on the lesson, we play the pencil game, one person holds a pencil and it is their turn to do the talking, when they are done the pencil is passed to the next child, and so on. Everyone has a turn. Sometimes they will write a group report and to make sure that everyone contributes, they have to initial the part that they have written.
Visit Socrates Lantern’s Personal Blog
Since it is important to put 1 high level, 1 low level, and 2 average students in each group, you might want to assign them a color and a number. For example: Jane is a bright student, assign her blue 1: Kathy really struggles, assign her blue 4; John and Adam are average students, they would be assigned blue 2 and 3. When you do each rotation, you would need to make sure that they are with different classmates and labeled accordingly. Keep the number code to yourself, the class should know their color code.
Visit my Pinterest page
Classroom set up: I make two rows of horseshoes. Two members of the group are in front, the other two sit in back of them. So when it is time for group work, the front row only has to turn their desk around to face the other two. Of course, this takes a bit of practice, but they eventually get it. When we begin group work, it can become noisy, so I have to remind them to use inside voices, I might hold up a finger, ring a bell, or hold up a QUIET sign. You can also reward the quietest group with something that they would like. Since it is important to put high level, 1 low level and 2 average students in each group, you might want to assign them a color and a number. For example: Jane is a bright student, assign her blue 1; Kathy really struggles, assign her blue 4, John and Adam are average students, they would be assigned blue 2 and 3. When you do each rotation, you would need to make sure that they are with different classmates and labeled accordingly. Keep the number code to yourself, the class should know their color code.
If you’d like to see a complete lesson using this technique please see my bundle, What is it Like to be an Archaeologist?
Please visit Socrates Lantern’s Tpt store
This post is part of a blog hop called Sharing is caring. Please take a look at these awesome blogs from some amazing educators.
A great group of educators
1. DIY Farmwife: Kids Can Collaborate! Here’s How
2. Heart 2 Heart Teaching: Role Playing in Groupwork
3. RCL: Collaborative Groups That Work
4. Socrates Lantern: How to Make Effective Collaborative Groups
Please Visit Socrates Lantern’s Social Media Sites
Grades 4-7 and Homeschool
Sarah Peterson
Hands on History
THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD
This product is great for Social Studies (History) and Language Arts (Reading Comprehension). The product contains: NINE one-page passages of informational text on The Transcontinental Railroad; NINE pages of reading comprehension questions (one for each passage); and the teacher’s keys. Questions are true or false; multiple choice and open ended, and include both literal and inferential questions. The reading passages can be used for CLOSE READING with other non-fiction graphic organizers as well!
THIS PRODUCT IS GREAT FOR A QUICK SAMPLE FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS! It may be used for Independent Reading, Homework, or as a Supplemental Homeschool Worksheet.
TOPICS INCLUDE:
EAST COAST TO WEST COAST
THE CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD
THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
ALL IN A DAY’S WORK
LIFE ON THE JOB
WHO WERE THE WORKERS? CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD
WHO WERE THE WORKSERS? UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
PROMONTORY SUMMIT
INTERESTING FACTS: THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD
Grades 4-7 and homeschool
Please note: The Informational Text also appears in my Wild West Career Lesson Plan; however, the reading comprehension questions are not a part of that lesson plan.
Click Here to Download the Preview!
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Happy Learning!
Sarah
By Deann Marin at the Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs
Offering for Educators, Comprehensive Teaching Aides. If you’d like to see what else I have to offer please visit my store.
Spring has sprung the grass has riz, I wonder where the birdies is? This is what was going through my mind as I made this item. It is a spring grammar bundle for grades 4-6. Included are worksheets to help reinforce the 4 types of sentences (Interrogative, Declarative, Imperative and Exclamatory), Contractions and Possessives.
Click on image to visit Socrates Lantern’s Tpt Store
Contents
Pages 3–4 Teacher Instructions
Pages 5-7 Four Kinds of Sentences
Pages 8-10 Spring into Contractions
Pages 11-13 Spring into Possessives
Pages 14-19 Answers
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Graphics by My Cute Graphics
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Copyright© 2014 Deann Marin (Socrates Lantern)
All rights reserved by author. Permission for downloads to copy for single classroom use only. Electronic distribution limited to single classroom use only. Not for public display.
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Love group activities but seeking some fresh ideas? Check out these great posts from a group of dedicated teachers!
How to Make Effective Collaborative Groups
By Deann Marin
Role Playing Can Be an Effective Strategy for Group Work
By Juliette Roman
Group work is been proven to improve student retention and enhance student learning. In fact, our whole culture is based on team work and working together to solve problems. It makes sense that when people work together (more brainpower) they come up with more ideas, suggestions, and solutions to a problem. But the question remains how do we get children to work together effectively?
Collaborative Learning and Teaching
By Nikki Heiman
Group work is proven to be an effective teaching strategy, but how do we get everyone involved and organized appropriately? Here are some ideas on how to strategically plan out group activities!
Check out the same group on our Linky!
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Grades 2-6
Insect Bundle (184 Pages) (Literacy and Math Unit, Opinion Writing, Read and Writes, Emergent Readers, Addition and Subtraction Problems with Manipulatives)
View this Insects Bundle HERE!
Includes the following products which can be purchased individually:
Insects and Spiders (Literacy and Math Unit)
Opinion Writing: Insects
Insect Read and Write
Butterfly Read and Write
Emergent Reader: Insects
Emergent Reader: Butterflies (variety of sight words)
Ten Frames 0-20 Insects
Subtraction Problems with Manipulatives (Creepy Crawlies)
Addition Problems with Manipulatives May
Subtraction Problems with Manipulatives May
To see a preview of this bundle, please click on the links above to see each individual preview.
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Sherry Clements
These easy-to-use, printable mini grammar books are ready for use. There are ten mini books that feature the parts of speech. Each page contains printed headings that can be used to organize notes. 
Students can create their own reference mini books to use when they’re learning to use different grammatical concepts.
By using the books for writing assessments, quizzes, journal prompts, and practice, students strengthen note taking skills. Students also go back to their own text to check for understanding.
So many ways to strengthen student engagement between grammar and writing!
Check out more on Mini Grammar Books at Just Add Students
Mary Pat
Grades 4-6 and Homeschool
Sarah Peterson
Hands on History
KINGS, QUEENS AND THE FEUDAL SYSTEM
READING PASSAGES AND BINGO
BINGO is a fun way to review new concepts and vocabulary words. The words in this BINGO set relate to the topics of Kings, Queens and the Feudal System, and makes the perfect review for the eight pages of informational text that are included in this product. The passages can also be used for CLOSE READING, using any non-fiction graphic organizer (not included).
This product includes:
8 One-Page Passages of Informational Text (LEXILE 850-950)
36 Unique Bingo Cards (18 pages with two cards per sheet)
The Caller’s Tracking Sheet
24 Calling Cards Containing Words and Clues
Informational Text
There are eight pages of informational text about the topic: Kings, Queens and the Feudal System. The passages cover the following topics:
Words that are included:
King, Queen, Pope, Feudal System, Regent, Nobles, Consort, Serf, Peasant, Magna Carta, King John, Crusades, Matilda of Flanders, Clergy, Skilled Laborers, William the Conqueror, Taxes, Fief, Duchy, Loyalty and Service, Long Live the King!, Coronation, Charter, Eleanor of Aquitaine
Although all cards contain the same 24 words, the order on each card is unique. Each student will find every word on their card. Of course, this means “blackout” is not a good option – although my students sometimes insisted on playing all the way through and singing out “BINGO” in unison at the end!
This product is great for a large group, class or co-op.! It can be played in the traditional way where the instructor randomly chooses one of the cards and calls out the word. Or, to play as a review game, the instructor can read the clue that appears on the card below the BINGO word.
To Download the Preview Click Here
Visit my Store for Other History and Bingo Products
(Note: The informational text also appears in my Medieval Careers Lesson Plan)
I am so excited to share this week’s topic-
Make History Come Alive!
This was so fun to put together! This is a collection of blogs from talented educators all about their ideas to spice up History lessons! Follow this link for more detailed information about each lesson! Several of the ideas are completely FREE! This is definitely time well spent!
Make History Come Alive!
Enjoy,
~Nikki
“Sharing is Caring Elite Teacher Blogging Cooperative”
Blogging with your class is fun. Students have the opportunity to write for a worldwide audience, research, learn technology, and share their learning
with the world.
This guide gives teachers time-saving tools, checklists, assessment forms, parent communication, and student contracts.
Additionally, there are 99 differentiated writing prompts. The teacher or the student can choose a “mild,” “medium,” or “extra spicy” variation on a topic. Use the tic tac toe board to encourage students to challenge themselves.
The differentiated topics make great mini-lesson topics, and they are perfect for the student that loves to play with technology in creative ways.
Check out this resource on Just Add Students
Get started blogging with your class!
