Category Archives : HOLIDAYS

FREE MISC. LESSON – “Halloween Mini Candy Bar Wrappers – FREE!”

This entry was posted in 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade Halloween Kindergarten MISC. LESSONS PreKindergarten and tagged free on September 14, 2016 by Patrice Manchola (updated on September 6, 2016)

by Lisa Frase

Pre-Kindergarten – 12th Grade

This pdf file contains a set of 10 miniature candy bar wrappers for Halloween. Simply print, cut, and wrap the wrappers around a mini candy bar. They are great for treats for your class, trick or treaters, faculty meetings, parties, and more!

For more mini candy bar wrappers and teacher created resources visit http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Lisa-Frase-12/Products

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-Mini-Candy-Bar-Wrappers-FREE-102742

Join The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative at
http://www.thebestofteacherentrepreneursmarketingcooperative.com/2014/01/the-best-of-teacher-entrepreneurs.html
and get THOUSANDS OF PAGE VIEWS for your TpT products!

Victoria Leon’s TpT Store

Go to http://www.pinterest.com/TheBestofTPT/ for even more free products!

FREE MISC. LESSON – “Halloween “Easyart” Strip Pumpkin”

This entry was posted in 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade Halloween Kindergarten MISC. LESSONS and tagged free on September 13, 2016 by Patrice Manchola (updated on September 6, 2016)

by ART ACTION -Laurie Carpenter
Kindergarten – 5th Grade

What is more fun than a pumpkin at Halloween? This easy, free, Halloween seat work craftivity for elementary age students will make them happy and want to create even more projects for the holiday. So, if you enjoyed this lesson plan, there are many more in my store. Go to:
ART-ACTION-Halloween-Easyart-Printable-Worksheets
My store is Art-Action-Laurie-Carpenter

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-Easyart-Strip-Pumpkin-911508

Victoria Leon’s TpT Store

Go to http://www.pinterest.com/TheBestofTPT/ for even more free products!

FREE MATH LESSON – “Ghost Odd or Even FREEBIE!”

This entry was posted in 1st Grade 2nd Grade Halloween Kindergarten MATH LESSONS and tagged free on September 12, 2016 by Patrice Manchola (updated on September 6, 2016)

by Love of First

Kindergarten – 2nd Grade

This pocket chart sort activity makes for a great math center to reinforce the concepts of ODD and EVEN numbers.

Students must sort the numbers into the correct haunted house.

A follow up printable is included. This can be used with the center or separately to assess students’ understanding of the concept.

Check out my other Halloween Resources:
Halloween Cut and Glue Sentences
Halloween Word Problems
Halloween Math Centers
October Calendar Pieces

Enjoy!
Love of First 🙂

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ghost-Odd-or-Even-FREEBIE-1465914

Victoria Leon’s TpT Store

Go to http://www.pinterest.com/TheBestofTPT/ for even more free products!

June Teacher Talk

This entry was posted in 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT End of the Year FREE LESSONS FREE LESSONS & PRICED LESSONS - The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs GRADE LEVELS Kindergarten MISC. LESSONS and tagged #endoftheschoolyear #TeacherTalk #TeacherTalkJune end of the school year activities end of the year on June 6, 2016 by socrateslantern

Posted by Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

It’s June Teacher Talk time…..many of you are finished with school now and breathing a sigh of relief. Sit back, relax and read some informative blog posts from our veteran educators.

Have a well deserved summer vacation.

If you’re interested in joining this unique group of teacher entrepreneurs, blogging buddies and/or our blog linky, sign up here….The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative. If you decide to join, be sure to mention one of our names.

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End of the Year Musings

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

I always approach the end of the school year with mixed emotions, though I’m ecstatic to be out for summer vacation, I always feel a little sad saying good-bye. Many of my soon to be 7th graders hug me and leave with tears in their eyes, knowing that our little family will no longer be together. All the trials and tribulations, the challenges, the fun times and sad times will always be with us, but it will never be the same.

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A Portfolio to Remember – Part 2: Creating the Masks

By Retta London of Rainbow City Learning

How to make life cast masks with your students, and how to use the masks to decorate a keepsake writing portfolio.

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Summer Review Going Into Grade 2

By Alison Monk of The Literacy Garden

Avoid the summer slide with this NO PREP resource. The beachy themed pages include daily math and reading skill practice for children about to enter 2nd grade. Perfect for parents to use and teachers to give!

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But All You Do is Play!

By Susan Berkowitz of Susan Berkowitz

The work of young children is play! Playing is how young children interact with and learn from the world. Building language skills in children does, indeed, involve a lot of play.

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Get out of Post-it Purgatory

By Kerry Tracy of Kerry Tracy

Are you a TpT seller or just someone with a LOT on your to-do list? This free, online tool will change your life!

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More Than Just Art!

By Kathie Yonemura of Tried and True Teaching Tools

Mandalas are much more than just art! This simple geometry lesson not only creates beautiful classroom displays, but reinforces geometric concepts.

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End of the School Year Ideas!

By Lisa Robles of LisaTeachR’s Classroom

Here are my top end of the school year ideas!

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Math, Monet & Measurement

By Tracy Willis of Wild Child Designs

Inspired by a visit to Monet’s garden in Giverny, a teacher shares her experience and inspires an investigative math project. Students create centimeter, millimeter, and decimeter garden models while learning about Impressionism and Claude Monet. Inspired math!

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End of the Year Musings

This entry was posted in 10th Grade 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade End of the Year FREE LESSONS FREE LESSONS & PRICED LESSONS - The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs HOME Kindergarten LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS MATH LESSONS MISC. LESSONS PreKindergarten SPECIAL EDUCATION Uncategorized and tagged #JuneTeacherTalk #socrateslantern on June 3, 2016 by socrateslantern (updated on June 5, 2016)

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

Reflecting back to the beginning of the year, I remember how small they were when they first entered my room, some shy and nervous about their first few days, others acting cool trying to impress their peers., especially those they don’t know. The first hurdle over, they’ve opened their lockers. Simple process for some while others end up in tears because they can’t figure out how to do it. By the end of the year, they look back at this and laugh at themselves.

How strict I am the first few weeks, trying very hard not to crack a smile. This is the time to get them into shape. so that we all have a great year. They learn the rules and always test me. Finally, after awhile, I can let my hair down and be myself. I can crack jokes, they can joke around and we can all laugh together. This is when real learning takes place, and to see their “ah ha,” moments is what teaching is all about.

I love 6th graders, the majority are so willing to learn, that it makes teaching rewarding and enjoyable.. One of my favorite things is our morning discussions. Their backgrounds are quite diverse and I learn something new almost everyday. Many are knowledgeable about a lot of things and they’re eager to share. They can talk about whatever is on their mind, and they feel safe doing so. We are now, officially a family and I’ve become their surrogate parent.

As I say good-bye, each of my kids takes a part of me with them. I feel certain that I’ve given them the support, strength and confidence to move on to seventh grade. The time has come for them to spread their wings a fly.

When I close the door for the final time, I take comfort in knowing that soon I’ll have another bunch of little chickadees to bring up.

Have a wonderful summer

Deann

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On a closing note, please download my free, School Memories, you can use this for the last day of school.

School Memories Freebie

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Here are a few more items

End of the Year Arithmetic Games

Back to School

Something for the end of the year and something for the beginning.

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Please visit Socrates Lantern’s Social Media Sites

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This post is part of our June Teacher Talk Blog link-up. Please click on the links below.If you’re interested in joining this unique group of teacher entrepreneurs, blogging buddies and/or our blog linky, sign up here….The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative. If you decide to join, be sure to mention my name.

TpT Language Arts Lesson – Writing For Real Purposes: Fun Summer Lists!

This entry was posted in 1st Grade 2nd Grade End of the Year FREE LESSONS & PRICED LESSONS - The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs HOME Kindergarten LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS MISC. LESSONS Uncategorized and tagged #WritingForRealPurposes 1st grade 2nd grade English Language Arts kindergarten Literacy Center Ideas Printables summer writing Writing on May 26, 2016 by That Fun Reading Teacher (updated on May 26, 2016)

Have you noticed that in the last few weeks of the school year, it gets more challenging to motivate kids to write? Many seem to only have the energy and patience for tasks that have real purpose. And let’s face it, kids are far more motivated to do what we do or what they see others excited about.

Summer Lists - Storybook Lesson (with Printables!)

Photo credit: deyangeorgiev / 123RF Stock Photo

The Writing For Real Purposes: Fun Summer Lists storybook provides a model of students discussing how various types of lists are useful to them, and the lists they have made. (If you purchased this pack last year, simply download the update that now includes the storybook!)

Summer is an ideal time for making plans and getting kids involved in making lists. Being mindful of meeting them where they are, it is important to communicate flexibility in terms of the expectations for how the lists are filled in. Because some children may be writing while others are copying or drawing, each printable has a lined and unlined version (except for the Friends contact lists which have ‘mostly girls’ / ‘mostly boys versions’).

Think of the possibilities of summer vacation….

Packing Lists…

10 page storybook lesson

(Excerpts shown from here)

One of the storybook pages

Lists for Summer Socials…

Lists of wishes, favorites and nostalgia…

Whether they draw or paste pictures, dictate to us while we scribe, print in hieroglyphics or phonetically spelled words, when students make real world connections to their own writing, it becomes its own reward!

Write for Real Purposes: Products and Freebies!

Best wishes to all of you as we enter the last month of the school year!

That Fun Reading Teacher

May Teacher Talk

This entry was posted in 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT End of the Year FREE LESSONS FREE LESSONS & PRICED LESSONS - The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs HOME Kindergarten LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS MATH LESSONS MISC. LESSONS SOCIAL STUDIES LESSONS SPECIAL EDUCATION TEST PREPARATION and tagged #Mayteachertalk #numbers #stemolympics #teacherpreneurs #TeacherTalk #TeachingTips #tpttips communication summer stem olympics on May 9, 2016 by socrateslantern (updated on May 9, 2016)

Posted by Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

It’s May, only a short time till you can kick back and take a break. To help get you there, we have have so many things to share with you in this edition of May Teacher Talk. There are posts about engaging your classes till the end of the year, end of the year memories, summer stem activities, number writing instruction, reading comprehension ideas, iPad Apps for learning, advice for teacherpreneurs and so much more. So sit back, relax and take a look at our posts.

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A Portfolio to Remember

By Retta London of Rainbow City Learning

Ways to pull together a show-stopping portfolio collection for every student at the end of the year.
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Tips for Engaging Your Students Through the End of the Year

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

The end of the school year is just around the corner. You’re looking forward to summer vacation and so are your students, but you still have at least 6 or more weeks left, so what do you do to keep those children tuned in to learning.

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Flash Freebie, TpT Milestone Celebration!

By Thia Triggs of Print Path

This Number Writing product is one of my best sellers. It is yours free, for a limited time!

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Are You Getting Overwhelmed the last few months of School?

By Mary Moore of Moore Resources

Don’t Stress the Last Few Months of School! It is so hard NOT to get overwhelmed, especially the last month or so of school! Read below on some tips and resources I always try to remember….at MMooreEducationalResources.com

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Can You Make 200 of Them?

By Susan Berkowitz of Susan Berkowitz

It takes 200 opportunities per day for an augmentative communication user to learn how to use the AAC system. We need to provide those opportunities within the context of daily activities & routines. Here are some suggestions on how to do that.

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Summer STEM Olympics

By Kerry Tracy of Kerry Tracy

Teachers, does the end of the year find you struggling to provide meaningful, enjoyable lessons? Never fear, Summer STEM Challenge Olympics are here! (Includes modifications for grade 2 – 8.)

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Wacky days in May and activities to go with them!

By Lisa Robles of LisaTeachR’s Classroom

Get some stress out from testing! Do some fun activities with special days in May and some wacky ones!

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Comprehension is as Easy as ABC

By Kathie Yonemura of Tried and True Teaching Tools

A tried and true teaching tool to ensure student engagement and comprehension while reading!

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iPad Apps for Kids- a 6-Part Blog Series

By Shametria Routty of the Routty Math Teacher

iPad and tablet use in the classroom has gained much popularity over the last few years and they’re being used nationwide as engaging learning tools for students. “iPad Apps for Kids” is a 6-part blog series featuring cool math iPad apps that can be used for intervention, tutoring, and summer practice tools for all students, inside or outside of the classroom setting. While all of the apps are free, you may have to make a purchase for a nominal fee to take full advantage of the app’s features; however, the free aspects are very useful and engaging just the same.

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What I Have Learned on TPT-Part 2

By Marcy Howe of It’s a Teacher Thing

Read some of my top discoveries on my teacher-author journey.

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FREE LESSON – Differentiated Mother’s Day Card for beginning writers (and BIG TpT site-wide sale on today and tomorrow!)

This entry was posted in 1st Grade FREE LESSONS FREE LESSONS & PRICED LESSONS - The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Kindergarten LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS MISC. LESSONS Mother's Day PreKindergarten Uncategorized and tagged #language Arts 1st grade differentiate free kindergarten Literacy Center Ideas Mother's Day Writing on May 3, 2016 by That Fun Reading Teacher

Hello my friends!
Is it just me, or did Mother’s Day sneak up on us as quickly as Easter this year?

In times like these, I’m grateful for the stash. (We all have a collection of never-fail, warm-fuzzy lessons and go to printables, don’t we?)

The time-saving factors in this Mother’s Day Card is twofold: 1) Print or photocopy and your students instantly have something to color, and 2) the inserts that allow each child to print (or paste if unable to print) at the level they are comfortable with. By pre-printing the various options, your students have different choices for how they can complete their Mother’s Day message, and most will be able to do something independently.

Disclaimer: Student names do need to be added to individual cards!

Some students might be capable of printing a message on their own. Others may copy from a strip or trace. Those who are not printing yet can simply glue their message in.

Perhaps you’re working on 1:1 correspondence and would like to take this opportunity to practice. Cut the words apart and have your students reassemble the sentence in order, with or without a model.

Lesson from a recovering over-achiever:

Over the years I realized that I had to adjust my expectations to my circumstances. Some years we may have a smaller number of students in our class, students that work more independently or more support for our students with special needs. Particularly at this time of the year, and even more with Father’s Day, schedules go awry and every week feels more frantic than the week before.

This activity worked best, especially in more challenging years, when I let the students choose how they wanted to do the inside of the card. It came down to a decision:

Was the goal of the activity to teach and assess a particular goal or skill for any or all of my students, or for my students to simply enjoy creating something special for mom?

If you like to #DifferentiateByPrinting as is done with this card, check out these growing collections: Sight-Word-Stages Leveled Reader Sets and Read and Write and More!

On another note…

Did you see what I added to the title? I am a mom and a teacher and a MAJOR appreciator of teachers myself. Thank you to all of you for getting in there with your students everyday. TpT has announced that it’s time to appreciate teachers with a big, site-wide sale! Please see the button below for details!

Enjoy the sale, and Happy Spring!

Mother’s Day Pop-Up Cards

This entry was posted in 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade Kindergarten Mother's Day on April 16, 2016 by Victoria Leon

by Victoria Leon

Kindergarten – 6th Grade

Mother’s Day Pop-Up Cards

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mothers-Day-Pop-Up-Cards-2505863

Create Mother’s Day cards using nine pop-up templates, thirteen pattern pieces, and six covers. Mix and match the materials to make a variety of handmade Mother’s Day cards.

Kindergarten – sixth grade students will be able to use the step-by-step directions and photographs to assemble the pop-up cards. Pop-Up Card #1 is the easiest to make since it only has one pattern piece. Pop-Up Card #2 has two pattern pieces. Pop-Up Card #3 has three or more pattern pieces.

Copy the pages on construction paper or card stock. Decorate the pattern pieces and covers with crayons, colored pencils, markers, or drawing chalk. Glue the pattern pieces to the pop-up templates. Your students will create an inexpensive DIY Mother’s Day card which will be treasured for a lifetime.

FREE MISC. LESSON – “Mother’s Day Craft & Poem FREEBIE!”

This entry was posted in 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade Kindergarten MISC. LESSONS Mother's Day PreKindergarten and tagged free on April 14, 2016 by Patrice Manchola (updated on April 3, 2016)

by Jennifer Drake

Pre-Kindergarten – 3rd Grade

Your student’s Moms/Mums/Grandmas/Aunts & Special Ladies are going to LOVE their very first ‘diamond’ necklace made by their child! And you are going to LOVE the feedback and smiles on everyone’s faces!

I have been making these in my classroom for years and I have Moms come back years later raving about their first ‘diamond’ necklace and how it is still their most prized piece of jewelry!

This Pack Includes:
*Photos of how to make the ‘diamond’ necklace

*Recipe for flour/salt dough w/ directions

*Alternative suggestion to using flour/salt dough with photos

*Necklace poem- 4 frames- for Mom

*Necklace poem- 4 frames- for Mum

*Necklace poem- 2 frames for Grandma, 1 for Aunt & 1 for ‘Special Lady’

Poem:
~Copy on colored paper and wrap or present with the necklace!
I have included poems for Mom/Mum/Grandma. If you need something else, please contact me!

All you need is some flour, salt, water & dimes! Add some paint, ribbon & beads and you are all set for a gift that will put a ‘sparkle’ in mom/mum/grandma’s eyes and heart!

Looking for more fun Mother’s Day Fun?
Mother’s Day Craftivity ~Recipe For A Great Mom!
Mother’s Day Craftivity & Foldable Reader
Mother’s Day Foldable Readers ~3 Versions~

Looking for more fun and innovative ways to motivate children while learning?
Click Here To Access My TpT Store
Or the direct link for spring/spring holiday resources:
Click Here For Spring Resources

Feedback on this freebie is greatly appreciated! I would love to hear how the Moms/Mums/Grandmas/Aunts & Special Ladies in your class loved this!!

Be sure to visit me on Facebook and on my blog for more great ideas!

Happy Mother’s Day Craft & Poem Free Fun!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mothers-Day-Craft-Poem-FREEBIE-669612

Victoria Leon’s TpT Store

Go to http://www.pinterest.com/TheBestofTPT/ for even more free products!

FREE LANGUAGE ARTS LESSON – “Mother’s Day Writing: Top 10 {FREEBIE}”

This entry was posted in 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS Mother's Day and tagged free on April 12, 2016 by Patrice Manchola (updated on April 2, 2016)

by Abc123is4me

1st – 3rd Grade

Looking for Mother’s Day themed independent writing idea for your students? Look no further! Mother’s Day Writing: Top 10 is a writing assignment that your students will have fun doing! It’s an excellent idea for a literacy center! Don’t worry– I didn’t forget how important stepmoms are! Included with the top 10 mom template is the top 10 stepmom template. I hope you enjoy and please leave feedback :).

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mothers-Day-Writing-Top-10-FREEBIE-672490

Victoria Leon’s TpT Store

Go to http://www.pinterest.com/TheBestofTPT/ for even more free products!

FREE LANGUAGE ARTS LESSON – “Mother’s Day Secret Message”

This entry was posted in 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade Kindergarten LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS Mother's Day and tagged free on April 10, 2016 by Patrice Manchola (updated on April 2, 2016)

by D Conway

Kindergarten – 3rd Grade

Celebrate Mother’s Day with this secret message puzzle. Using the picture code (made of beautiful flowers for mom,)students will uncover the mystery message – “Mother’s Day is on the second Sunday in May.” A great way to combine literacy with social studies. If you enjoy this download, check out my other Mother’s Day items!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mothers-Day-Secret-Message-81307

Victoria Leon’s TpT Store

Go to http://www.pinterest.com/TheBestofTPT/ for even more free products!

FREE MISC. LESSON – “Mother’s Day Cupcake Writing and Craftivity”

This entry was posted in 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade Kindergarten MISC. LESSONS Mother's Day and tagged free on April 8, 2016 by Patrice Manchola (updated on April 2, 2016)

by Tessa Maguire

Kindergarten – 3rd Grade

A cute Mother’s Day writing and craftivity. The prompt included is “My mom is a treat…” The pages can be copied onto colored paper, or can be colored by students.

Follow me here and on my blog to be the first to find out when I post new products!
Tales From Outside the Classroom

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mothers-Day-Cupcake-Writing-and-Craftivity-237135

Victoria Leon’s TpT Store

Go to http://www.pinterest.com/TheBestofTPT/ for even more free products!

FREE MISC. LESSON – “Mother’s Day Thumb Body Loves You Poem”

This entry was posted in 1st Grade 2nd Grade Kindergarten MISC. LESSONS Mother's Day PreKindergarten and tagged free on April 6, 2016 by Patrice Manchola (updated on April 2, 2016)

by The Schroeder Page

Pre-Kindergarten – 2nd Grade

This is a FREE page for Mother’s Day. We are making Thumb print heart necklaces for Mother’s Day and I wanted a little something to go with them. I am going to have my students draw their face in the circle at the end of the poem and write Happy Mother’s Day. We are then going to add it to a construction paper card.
Enjoy.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mothers-Day-Thumb-Body-Loves-You-Poem-238400

Victoria Leon’s TpT Store

Go to http://www.pinterest.com/TheBestofTPT/ for even more free products!

FREE LANGUAGE ARTS LESSON – “Mother’s Day Free”

This entry was posted in 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS Mother's Day and tagged free on April 5, 2016 by Patrice Manchola (updated on April 2, 2016)

by HappyEdugator

4th – 12th Grade

Mother’s Day Free – Cinquain Poem. A Holiday Poem Activity. Print and go Mother’s Day writing activity. This handout gives directions for writing a cinquain poem, an example of how it works, and a place to create your own to cut out and give as a gift. Looks lovely in a frame. Create one with craft sticks, hot glue, and decorate with paint and buttons, sequins, etc.

This goes well with my PowerPoint on writing Cinquain Poetry:

Cinquain Formula Poem PowerPoint.

April Teacher Talk

This entry was posted in 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT COMMON CORE End of the Year FREE LESSONS & PRICED LESSONS - The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Kindergarten LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS MATH LESSONS MISC. LESSONS SCIENCE LESSONS SOCIAL STUDIES LESSONS SPECIAL EDUCATION and tagged #AprilTeacherTalk #creativewriting #TeacherTalk #TeachingTips autism Reading on April 4, 2016 by socrateslantern

Posted by Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

It’s April, only a few more months to go till the end of the school year. We have have so many things to share with you in this edition of April Teacher Talk. So sit back, relax and take a look at our posts.

If you’re interested in joining this unique group of teacher entrepreneurs and blogging buddies and our blog linky, sign up here….The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative. If you decide to join, be sure to mention one of our names.

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April is Poetry Month

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

I just love teaching poetry and spring is the perfect time. For me, inspiration comes from being outside, perhaps walking on the beach inhaling the salty ocean air, or just walking through the woods with my husband and beautiful husky who is no longer with us. Oh and April is Poetry month.

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Make a Splash in April

By Retta London of Rainbow City Learning

Step by step instructions for an art project to motivate students for “April is Poetry Month”.

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Scientific Method: Neglect & Regrets

By Kerry Tracy of Kerry Tracy

Are your students mere collectors of data, or do they analyze & interpret data? This blog relates an epiphany I had that changed my science-teaching game for good!

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Autism & Learning to Use a Public Restroom: Tips for Parents and Teachers

By Thia Triggs of Print Path

Learning to use the bathroom in public places or at school can be a struggle for children on the spectrum. Read this post for tips on how to make the process of using new bathrooms fun, interesting, and successful!

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More Core in Shared Reading for AAC Users

By Susan Berkowitz of Susan Berkowitz

This post is about using core words and more descriptive teaching rather than referential teaching. Not only does this encourage higher level thinking skills, it means AAC users can more easily participate in comprehension activities.

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Don’t Let the Pencil Craze Get to You!

Mary Moore of Moore Resources

Are pencils driving you crazy? Students not having a pencil? Losing them? Breaking the tip? The pencil craze got to me too! It doesn’t need to! During my student teaching we had cups with pencils at each group that we sharpened every morning and ensured there were plenty in each cup, which was great! That was in first grade. Over the years, I became use to about 2-3 students per class not having a pencil, therefore, I always purchased a box or two at a time and handed pencils out to those students. This year was a little different for me and the pencil craze got me! So many lost pencils, broken pencil tips, or students just didn’t have a pencil. I felt pencil cross eyed! A solution must be found!!! After much thought I came up with my “Pencil Station”!

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Nothing Like Non-Fiction

By Kathie Yonemura of Tried and True Teaching Tools

Using non-fiction will renew the love of learning in your classroom! Immersing students in reading & writing workshop: use non-fiction to teach note-taking, text features and formats!

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Calculator Challenges

By Shametria Routt of The Routty Math Teacher

Calculators are wonderful tools for the classroom and can provide valuable learning opportunities for our students. In fact, in the Common Core State Standards for Math, Mathematical Practice Standard 5 requires that students use “tools strategically.” To support this goal, this series includes 4 calculator-based activities that can be used to challenge your students in the mathematics classroom.

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EdTech Tips: Google My Maps

By Lisa Robles of LisaTeachR’s Classroom

Ways to use Google My maps in the classroom!

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8 Highly Effective Practices for Teaching Printing

By Thia Triggs of Print Path

Don’t have time to take to a class? Improve the effectiveness of your handwriting instruction with these easy to follow research-based tips!

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What I Have Learned on TPT-Part One

By Marcy Howe of It’s a Teacher Thing

Advice from one teacher’s journey to becoming a teacher-entrepreneur on TPT. This four-part blog series includes strategies for finding help and feeling success.

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Georgia, Poppies & Poetry

By Tracy Wills of Wild Child Designs

This post outlines how to use sentence stems and visible thinking routines to respond to Georgia O’Keefe’s art. It includes some great picture book recommendations as well!

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April is Poetry Month

This entry was posted in 10th Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade End of the Year FREE LESSONS & PRICED LESSONS - The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs HOME LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS SPECIAL EDUCATION and tagged #AprilTeacherTalk #collaborativegroups #ela #graphicorganizers #TeacherTalk poetry on April 2, 2016 by socrateslantern (updated on April 3, 2016)

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

I want my classes to experience the wonderful feeling of just being outside and creating. That’s why I teach poetry in April or May, new awakenings, flowers coming up, birds beginning to nest, and the warmth that replaces the winter cold. So I pick a sunny day, take the class outside and have them write a nature poem using all of their senses. I tell them to breathe in the fresh air, so we take some deep yoga breaths, then sit on the grass and listen to the sounds of nature with closed eyes, making notes of what they hear, the things they see, and what they feel.

We might also hug trees, smell flowers and listen to the sounds of insects while watching them complete their instinctual activities. One of my favorite things to do is to have the kids find a tree to lie under, to look up through the branches at the sky, or to watch the leaves fluttering in the breeze. To listen to the sound of birds and watch little insects buzzing about their business. I ask them to look at the colors and to pretend that they are the color, or the insect, or the bird, or the tree. I want them to feel the strength of the tree and realize how secure and grounded the tree is because of it’s roots that run so deeply under the ground.

My students have created some amazing poems from this activity and many of them have gotten published in a book entitled Celebration of Young Poets-Creative Communication, Inc. The web address is www.poeticpower.com.

This is an example of a poem that a 6th grade student wrote after completing this activity. To tell you I was blown away by this is an understatement.

Azure Drake

Azure blossoms at my feet

Beside the road smelling sweet

To the shade of a Sycamore tree

Swaying branches over me…..Whispering

Footsteps coming down the path

An ancient one with wooden staff

Long white beard and cloak blue smeared

Electric eyes not to be feared…Scintillating

A Druid friend from long ago

The magic words sure to know

Staff held high over azure flowers

Secret words of light and power…..Conjuring

Rustling in the indigo bed

Rising up scales, tail and head

Wisdom eyes, majestic wings

Breath of lightning, Dragon sings…..Thundering

Climbing on blue scaled back

Soaring on white cloud track

Snow capped mountains, Seas of sand

Born of air Free of land….Dreaming

by Sean Hayden

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Easter phrasing, fluency and fun (and a freebie for everyone!)

This entry was posted in 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade Easter FREE LESSONS FREE LESSONS & PRICED LESSONS - The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Kindergarten LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS MISC. LESSONS PreKindergarten Uncategorized and tagged #music 1st grade 2nd grade 3rd grade English Language Arts free homeschool kindergarten movement reading fluency on March 20, 2016 by That Fun Reading Teacher (updated on March 20, 2016)

It was almost Easter, and I found myself fighting off the urge to nod off while my students were reading some of the most entertaining leveled books schools can buy. My primary readers were in a slump. I heard it their robotic, monotone reading. Things needed shaking up with phrasing and pacing with a number of my early readers. I ran the risk of my head falling to my chest and a potential neck injury.

It was time for another Phrasing and Fluency Blitz!

When I taught Reading Recovery, there were times that a student would plateau at a a level for more than a week. We would be advised to take two or three lessons for a phrasing and fluency blitz – rereading some familiar, easier books to rebuild confidence, model and practice phrasing and pick up the pace! Many of our students’ favorites were readers that rhymed, had a lively rhythm and made us both laugh!

I used the freebie The Bunny Hop Easter Song and Movement Activity in Kindergarten poetry books as a music and movement activity. It works particularly well if modeled and echoed first before showing earliest readers the text:

This freebie also has a black and white version included with it – ideal for poetry folders!

It’s all about the Eggs is an Easter Fun Fluency Reader modeled after I’m All About the Bass (performed by Meghan Trainor, co-written by Meghan Trainor and Kevin Kadish). I’m All About the Bass had been on the radio so much last year that my students knew the tune instantly. I modeled the first read to them, and we practiced a few phrases in isolation before we all enjoyed singing it fluently from beginning to end (over, and over and over again.)

There is a twist on a familiar Fairy Tale in this book that the kids find hilarious (but humor and laughter are topics for other days…).

Limitation of liability: It’s all about the Eggs is not recommended for those who are prone to getting songs stuck in their head or with one last nerve.

Happy Easter everyone!
That Fun Reading Teacher

Related:

Leprechauns Welcome! St. Patrick’s Day Freebie – Math

This entry was posted in FREE LESSONS St. Patrick's Day on March 7, 2016 by Asa Jomard

By Sparking Children’s Thinkibility

Grades Kindergarten- 3rd Numbers, Arithmetic

Spot hats, leprechauns and clovers.

Fun activities where the children are asked to make up their own math problems. Children often enjoy creating their own problems. This approach requires a deeper reflection upon numbers and basic arithmetic operations as compared to only providing an answer.

Link to St. Patrick’s Day Freebie – Math

I would be delighted if you like to follow me on.

Follow the Sparking Children’s Thinkibility TpT Store

Follow the Sparking Children’s Thinkibility Blog

Follow the Sparking Children’s Thinkibility Pinterest

Follow the Sparking Children’s Thinkibility Facebook Page

Easter – Cool Chocolate Challenge

This entry was posted in 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade Easter SCIENCE LESSONS on March 7, 2016 by Asa Jomard (updated on March 7, 2016)

By Sparking Children’s Thinkibility

Grades 1st -5th Easter, Biology, Critical Thinking

Every year foil and packaging are used to wrap eggs and bunnies. So this challenge has several important aspects as well as being fun. Help put an end of Egg-cessive Easter Waste.

Explore information about cocoa tree, ways nature package things, and ways that nature deals with waste. And then think dive into a world filled with foils, chocolate, bananas . . . cardboard . . .

Where can you look for inspiration?
Can you test your ideas?
Did your chocolate bunnies melt?

Use Nature as inspiration! Happy Exploring!

This package contains:

1. Problem and plan

2. How does nature?

3. How does nature move from trash to treasure?

4. Where does chocolate come from?

5. What if – Idea 1, 2 and 3

5. Evalution sheet

6. Reflection on the learning

7. What is biomimcry

There is a colour and black and white copy of each page.

Link to: STEM – Easter – Cool Chocolate Challenge – Biomimicry

I would be delighted if you like to follow me on.

Follow the Sparking Children’s Thinkibility TpT Store

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March Teacher Talk

This entry was posted in 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT FREE LESSONS & PRICED LESSONS - The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs HOME LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS MATH LESSONS MISC. LESSONS SPECIAL EDUCATION St. Patrick's Day and tagged #MarchTeacherTalk #TeacherTalk fractions Kite flying march math pi day Scoot spring women's history month on March 7, 2016 by socrateslantern (updated on March 7, 2016)

Posted by Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

Welcome to our March Teacher Talk. All of us from the Teacher Talk collaborative would like wish you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. We have so many fab things this month from Women’s History Month to Reading and Math activities, as well as Easter Stem Olympics, there’s even a post on Kite Flying to reward your classes for good behavior. So relax with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and take a look at what these educators have to say. You’ll be happy you did!

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Lead Like a Girl

By Retta London of Rainbow City Learning

Finding positive role models for our students in Women’s History.

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Let’s Go Fly a Kite

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

When I taught special needs kids, each month we would do something special for those who earned enough points. One of their favorite activities was to make and fly kites in March. Years later, I was mainstreamed to 6th grade and the children also loved this activity. After they flew their kites, they wrote two papers, one explaining how to make a kite and the other about their experience.

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Women’s History Month

By Lisa Robles of LisaTeachR’s Classroom

It’s Women’s History Month. Here are some great books to read to your kids!

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Pi Day is March 14th

By Vicky Rauch of Scipi

What is Pi Day? Why was March 14th chosen?

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Using Core Words Every Day

By Susan Berkowitz of Susan Berkowitz

Teaching AAC users to communicate doesn’t take a lot of fancy materials or extra planning. Most of the time it’s as simple as engaging the learner with what he likes to do.

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Fast-Paced Fractions

By Kathie Yonemura of Tried & True Teaching Tools

Fraction review is filled with action & movement! Playing Scoot gets students up & moving, while practicing fraction concepts!

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March Into Eggstravagant Math

By M. Moore of Moore Resources

March into an Eggstravagant Math Activity. Enjoy a great activity I’ve completed with First Graders & Middle Schoolers! Every year around spring break I’ve enjoyed executing this wonderful fun egg math activity with my students. There’s minimal prep time and materials for this activity.

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Math Menus

By Shametria L. Routt of The Routty Math Teacher

Menus, a content-focused set of options from which students choose activities and tasks on which to work, are a great way to add some challenge and pizzazz to your everyday mathematics curriculum and can be created for a variety of purposes and designed to include a variety of activities. In this 4-part series, I share four of my favorite math menus that provide instant opportunities for differentiation because students choose which activities they would like to complete based on their own interest and ability levels. Each post describes a different menu, provides examples of how to use it, illustrates advantages and disadvantages, and includes sample work from some of my past students.

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Recharge Your Batteries!

By Megan Bodman of Adventures in Teaching 4th

Get 8 tips for recharging your batteries during the time of year when stress is high!

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Easter STEM Olympics

By Kerry Tracy of Kerry Tracy

Blog post outlines 5 egg-celent Easter-themed STEM challenges that can be modified for use with grades 2-8: Nice Nest, Carrot Carriage, Bean Bind, Basket Bounce, and

Egg-hanced.

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Increasing Student Time On Task

By Marcy Howe of It’s a Teacher Thing

Increase student time on task with a few simple yet effective tools.

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Zones of Regulation: Using Visuals for Feedback and Self-Regulation

By Thia Triggs of Print Path

Do your children shut down or act out when they hear your voice giving then behavioral cues and feedback? If so, visual cues can be a lifesaver!

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If This Spells D-E-A-D How Do You Spell Head?

By Susan Berkowitz of Susan Berkowitz

Manipulating sounds in words can be a very difficult task for students who just can’t figure out how the individual sounds go together to make words, and how they can come apart.

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Here’s your chance to hop on over and visit the blog posts of our creative teachers

St. Patrick’s Day: Motivating students to reading for meaning ~ with humor!

This entry was posted in 1st Grade 2nd Grade FREE LESSONS & PRICED LESSONS - The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs HOME Kindergarten LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS MISC. LESSONS St. Patrick's Day Uncategorized and tagged #ReadAndWriteAndMore Grade 1 grade 2 motivating students with humor Primary Reading and Writing Reading reading comprehension reading for meaning reading with kids St. Patrick's Day St. Patrick's Day Reading and Writing ThatFunReadingTeacher on March 3, 2016 by That Fun Reading Teacher (updated on March 3, 2016)

Nothing grabs my students’ attention more than something that is downright silly.

They know I tend to make the odd ‘mistake’ when we’re reading together, and that reading just HAS to make sense. Whenever I sense someone’s attention (or foot, or elbow) beginning to drift, I’ll throw in the odd error, for example:

Recently, we have completed the Pirate Pals Read and Write and More booklet together, and it occurred to me, again, that when kids anticipate fun and laughter, they are more willing to invest their energy and focus up front.

Pirate Pals kids joking about space monkey - Copy

A 2nd grade student tries to get a peer to choose ‘Saturn’ instead of the correct answer for the setting question…

…then they laugh at the thought of pirates bringing a space monkey on a treasure hunt!

St. Patrick’s Day is upon us. I read the story of St. Patrick to my grade one class years ago, and remember the pre-reading discussion well. A small group of my students believed that St. Patrick was a leprechaun, and others found the idea to be hilarious. The child who had expressed this idea was embarrassed and it had a significant impact on his confidence in sharing in groups, and taking risks in his learning, for some time.

This, of course, took us off-track into a conversation about teasing, laughing at vs. laughing with others.

I’m planning to give the students I see the advantage of knowing the true story of St. Patrick early, so they can be armed to laugh with their classmates!

The St. Patrick’s Day pages below and the Pirate Pals pages above are only two of the elements of the Read and Write and More Series.

Isn’t laughter the way of the Irish, after all?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!

Related:

St. Patrick’s Day: LUCKY you! It’s Almost Spring Break!

This entry was posted in 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade HOLIDAYS LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS St. Patrick's Day and tagged #language Arts Activity creative writing holiday Limerick poetry spring St. Patrick's Day on March 2, 2016 by Caitlin

I don’t know what it is about holidays and school, but students always tend to go a little coo-coo around any holiday. St. Patrick’s Day just so happens to be one of those holidays that also falls before Spring Break, so they are especially coo-coo.

So what do we do? We give them fun activities and count down the days! Everyone knows that trying to teach a new concept or review before Spring Break is nearly impossible. So, there’s nothing wrong with having a little fun a day or two before Spring Break (or on St. Patrick’s Day if your Spring Break comes a little later)!

A fun activity to try on the holiday is teaching them the art of the LIMERICK. We have all heard the naughty one about Nantucket, so let’s not share that one with them, shall we? Start off first with the structure:

A LIMERICK is a short and fun rhyming verse that is often humorous. It has a distinctive rhyming pattern, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier and easier to come up with your own!

Here is an example of a limerick:

“There was an Old Man of Peru

Who watched his wife making a stew.

But once, by mistake,

In a stove she did bake

That unfortunate Man of Peru.”*

(from A Book of Nonsense by Edward Lear)

If you notice in the limerick, there is a very clear rhythm and rhyme. It is five lines and has a rhyming scheme of: AABBA. The rhythm pattern is as follows:

da DUM da da DUM da da DUM (A)

da DUM da da DUM da da DUM (A)

da DUM da da DUM (B)

da da DUM da da DUM (B)

da DUM da da DUM da da DUM (A)

Next, give them a couple more examples:

Once they get the hang of it, have them try to create their own! If you would like the Create-a-Limerick packet, check it out at my TPT store!

I also have an activity called “Wacky Words” in which students fill in parts of speech to create a silly story about hunting a leprechaun. This can be purchased separately or with the St. Patrick’s Day Activity Packet that includes these two activities AND a crossword puzzle and word search!

Happy St. Patty-ing!

Valentine’s Day Activity Packet! Wordsearch, Crossword, Fill-in-the-Blank “Wacky Words!”

This entry was posted in 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade HOLIDAYS LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS Valentine's Day on February 12, 2016 by Caitlin

Students with the Valentine’s Day hyper buzzes and puppy love giggles? Give them some word activities!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Valentines-Day-Activities-Packet-Crossword-Word-Search-Fill-in-the-Blanks-2385384

This packet is great for planned or last minute activities for Valentine’s Day. 15-word activities that feature Valentine’s Day vocabulary. Answer keys included!

See more of my holiday activities at:

Valentine’s Day “Wacky Words!”

This entry was posted in 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade HOLIDAYS Uncategorized Valentine's Day on February 11, 2016 by Caitlin (updated on February 11, 2016)

It’s Fill-in-the-Blank Mania!!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Valentines-Day-Fill-in-the-Blank-Wacky-Words-1111464

Students LOVE filling these in with silly words and creating ridiculous stories. This is the tale of a Valentine’s Day cupid who struck the wrong target! Great to use as a planned or last minute activity!

See more Valentine’s Day Activities (and other holidays) at my store!

Valentine’s Day Activity: Word Search!

This entry was posted in 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade HOLIDAYS LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS Uncategorized Valentine's Day on February 10, 2016 by Caitlin (updated on February 10, 2016)

A fun and simple 15-word Valentine’s Day Word Search!

Great for a last-minute or planned activity during that week when they get the puppy love giggles and hyper candy buzzes!

Easy-to-read Answer Key included!

See my store for more Valentine’s Day (and other holiday) activities!

A “LOVE” for Words! Valentine’s Day Crossword Puzzle

This entry was posted in 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade HOLIDAYS LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS Uncategorized Valentine's Day on February 9, 2016 by Caitlin

It’s that time of year when they all get the puppy love giggles (and hyper candy buzz)! That’s why it’s always a good idea to have a few fun Valentine’s Day games and activities on hand! This is a simple 15-word Valentine’s Day Crossword for grades 4th-8th: See more of the Crossword by downloading a free preview! Click on the image to link directly to my store or click the link below:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Valentines-Day-Crossword-Puzzle-Activity-2377829

Please visit my store for other Valentine’s Day (and other holiday) activities! 🙂

Read and Write and DIFFERENTIATE by printing – for Valentine’s Day!

This entry was posted in 1st Grade 2nd Grade FREE LESSONS & PRICED LESSONS - The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Kindergarten LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS MISC. LESSONS Valentine's Day and tagged #DifferentiateByPrinting first grade Grade 1 grade two kindergarten LowPrep primary special education read Read and Write and More Reading rhyme rhyming scrambled sentences second grade special education Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day cards Valentine’s Day printables word endings write Writing on February 8, 2016 by That Fun Reading Teacher (updated on February 8, 2016)

A significant part of my support role to kindergarten and primary teachers in recent years has been to provide instruction and / or resources to differentiate instruction for little people in literacy.

Within one class, the range of abilities can span four grades. A little one’s tolerance to frustration towards a task that is too difficult, or another’s need for something to challenge his or her learning for just the right amount of time, can be a tough order to fill – especially at the same time – after gym and snack time and before recess, library and reading buddies.

I have designed my Read and Write and More packages to allow teachers to #DifferentiateByPrinting. There are always activities in each of these products to address a variety of needs.

Valentine Scrambled Sentences:

(Note: The colored sentence strips shown in the first example are provided in the Valentine’s Day Read and Write and More set. There are two different sentence options to choose from to photocopy onto each color paper, with six identical scrambled sentences on each strip).

Having the option to place and paste sentence strips, place and copy sentence strips, work without the strips on easier or more challenging sentences, means that many pre-writers, early writers and / or are independent writers have an accessible starting point.

Valentine Rhyme and Ending Sounds:

See it, hear it, read it? Assessment or fun practice activities?
I use the following pages for fun small group review, then send them home for the fridge, where my wish is for the back-of-the-cereal box effect.

When I am doing the following rhyme activity with students, I am mindful of my data. Those who need more practice listening for rhyme and ending sounds and who automatically compare letter patterns at the ends of words will get the sheet without print. Proficient rhymers who need more practice with looking closely at print will get the copy with the words. And, of course, other days there will be other activities for those who do not fit neatly into those categories.

Check out these fantastic ideas and resources on our Rhyme Time board below:
Follow That Fun Reading Teacher’s board Rhyme Time! on Pinterest.

Valentine’s Day Read and Write and More contains a number of other fun literacy activities, including:

Graphic Organizers, Writing Paper,

B & W Cards to color with insert ->

And for another day…

…activities for the 100th day of school!

The Read and Write and More sets always contain three-part graphic organizers, thematic writing paper, and fun, literacy activities with an explanation page, ideas and options to help make activities accessible to a wide range of kindergarten to grade 2 students.

We all remember our little students on Valentine’s Day. Check out the freebies below to be sure no one is missed!

Happy Valentine’s Week, my friends!

Save with Bundles!

February Teacher Talk

This entry was posted in 100th Day 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade FREE LESSONS & PRICED LESSONS - The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs HOLIDAYS Kindergarten LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS MATH LESSONS MISC. LESSONS PreKindergarten Presidents' Day SOCIAL STUDIES LESSONS SPECIAL EDUCATION Valentine's Day and tagged #blackhistorymonth #collaborativegroups #educators #English #FebruaryTeacherTalk #proofreading #TeacherTalk #TeachingTips #valentinesday fractions math Reading robotics on February 8, 2016 by socrateslantern (updated on February 8, 2016)

Posted by Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

Welcome to our February Teacher Talk. All of us from the Teacher Talk collaborative would like wish you a Happy Valentines Day. We have so many fab things this month from proof-reading ideas, to ELA to math activities, to celebrating Black History Month and President’s Day, you don’t want to miss reading these blog posts from some awesome educators.

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The Proof is in the Pudding, Proof-Reading That Is!

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

As a veteran English and Social Studies teacher, I’d like to share some effective proof-reading tips that I’ve used to help students improve their writing skills, and to make my life a bit easier.

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Love is All We Need

By Retta London of Rainbow City Learning

Just a little inspiration for building confidence and acceptance in your learning community.

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IMWAYR: Funny Bones

By Lisa Robles of LisaTeachR’s Classroom

Have you read Funny Bones? Winner of multiple awards and a great informational addition to your Dia de Los Muertos collection!

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Valentine’s Day STEM Olympics

By Kerry Tracy of Kerry Tracy

Blog post outlines 5 infatuating Valentine’s Day-themed STEM challenges that can be modified for use with grades 2-8. Help Cupid get some target practice, build a tower of love, design the perfect candy container, find the “heaviest” heart, and have a flower frenzy!

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Cooperative Learning – Bring Core Subjects Together for Student Learning!

By M. Moore of Moore Resources

Cooperative Learning – Bring Core Subjects Together for Student Learning!

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What Word Does This Say: B-L-E-N-D?

By Susan Berkowitz of Susan Berkowitz

This is part of a series of posts about phonological awareness and the different steps and skills to teach. This post is about blending sounds and syllables to hear the word.

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Teaching Self-Regulation Skills to Elementary Age Children

By Thia Triggs of Print Path

Finally! A systematic method to teach self-regulation skills to children with sensory, emotional, and behavioral needs. Color coded task cards give students managed choices to learn specific skills that meet their sensory needs and also calm them down, so that they can perform their academic classroom tasks.

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My Funny Valentine: Love Letters by Arnold Adoff

By Tracy Willis of Wild Child Designs

A review and glimpse into “Love Letters” poetry by Arnold Adoff. This post also includes a teaching idea for its use in the classroom.

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Robots + Math & Science = Total Engagement

By Megan Bodmann of Adventures Teaching 4th

Get your students engaged in learning by introducing robots into your classroom. They are not only a ton of fun, but you can easily utilize them in your math and science lessons. Find out how easy it is to do!

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Playground Problem = Real Life

By Kathie Yonemura of Tried and True Teaching Tools

The Playground Problem is a real-life math challenge! It keep students engaged and practicing their area and perimeter skills in a meaningful way.

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Understanding Fractions: A 6-Part Series

By Shametria Routt of The Routty Math Teacher

Fractions– a single word that deflates the confidence of our most competent students and adults alike. In this series, I share some of the essential fraction understandings that I have developed over the years, including the many math tools you can use to reinforce these essential skills. With that in mind, each of the six posts highlights a fraction tool and activity that can be used to address a specific Common Core Math Standard (with a few printable freebies too).

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Leveled Math Assessments

By Tammy Roose of Tarheel State Teacher

Do your math assessments encourage a growth mindset? Create an entry point for students who are not yet meeting the standards? Allow above average learners to show they know more than just what’s expected for their grade-level? Find out 7 reasons why I’m committed to leveled math assessments this year!

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Here’s your chance to hop on over and visit the blog posts of our creative teachers.

The Proof is in the Pudding-Proof-reading That Is!

This entry was posted in 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade FREE LESSONS & PRICED LESSONS - The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs LANGUAGE ARTS LESSONS Martin Luther King, Jr. MISC. LESSONS Presidents' Day SOCIAL STUDIES LESSONS Valentine's Day and tagged #literacy bundle #proofreading #socrateslantern #valentinesday history valentines on February 7, 2016 by socrateslantern

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

This is simple but a tough one for the kids to remember. When writing a rough draft they should skip a line between sentences. This will leave room for proof-reading comments. We are programmed to finish writing one line and just going to the next, so students will really need to remember this. I’ve often told them to use a marker or pen and put a dot at the beginning of each line that they should write on. This helps a great deal. Eventually they will get it and it will become second nature. Also, letting them know that as part of their final grade, they get credit for skipping lines on their rough draft.

Always write rough drafts with a pencil if not using a computer. At the top of their paper, the student should write each area that will be proof-read. This depends on what you are teaching at the time. After proof-reading has been finished,each student must initial the part that they corrected.

Proof-reading is a group effort. So I have the class get into their collaborative groups of 4. I will direct them and let them know exactly what to do. Each child will have a specific thing to look for, depending on the lesson. If you’re using sensory words, descriptive adjectives, topic and detail sentences, capitals and end punctuation, figurative language etc. they will proofread accordingly. It is really up to the individual teacher. All corrections should be written in pen or different colored pencils. Here are some examples:

One child will make sure that the paper makes sense. They will read it and add corrections on the blank lines.
Another child will look for colorful words such as adjectives, sensory words.
Someone else will circle spelling errors with red.
The fourth child will fix punctuation and grammar. They might underline grammar mistakes, or circle them with a blue pencil.

Each child in the group starts with someone else’s paper. I give them a certain amount of time to read and correct it, 10-15 minutes or so. After 15 minutes have passed, they give the paper to the next person in their group, and they do their specific job. This continues until all the corrections have been completed. They must remember to initial the part that they corrected see tip #2.

Once the proof-reading has been finished, I let the class know that they will be reading each other’s paper to them to hear how it sounds. It’s easier to pick up mistakes when you hear it out loud, rather than reading it to yourself. This can get noisy, so they should use inside voices.

When child A reads child B’s paper, child B has to listen, and vica versa. You do this for all papers in each group. If errors are picked up, they can be worked on, corrected and read aloud again.

As an extra incentive, tell your kids that if a paper that they corrected has no mistakes, they will get extra points towards the final grade on their own paper. This will get the class to take this exercise seriously.

John, Sarah, Sally and Andrew are in group A. John fixed spelling errors on the papers in his group. No one has spelling mistakes, so I would give him 4 extra points, 1 point for each paper that has been proof- read. Do this for everyone in the group. Use your own discretion.

When the final drafts are collected, they should include pre-writing, and rough drafts with comments and corrections. I let the them know that if they’ve followed directions and handed everything in as instructed, they will get credit for it.

I hope this post has been helpful for you. Would love to hear feedback.

Thanks for stopping by.

Deann

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Here’s a Valentine Day Bundle with writing tasks, pr-writing activities, rough draft and more.

Valentine Literacy Bundle

Take a look at my Winter Literacy & History Bundle with Items that will spark the curiosity of you and your students…..

Winter Literacy History No Prep Printables

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This is part of February Teacher Talk. Don’t forget to read what the rest of these educators have to say….

The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative

Email me at vleon999@yahoo.com.

Email me at vleon999@yahoo.com.

Category Archives : HOLIDAYS

FREE MISC. LESSON – “Halloween Mini Candy Bar Wrappers – FREE!”

FREE MISC. LESSON – “Halloween “Easyart” Strip Pumpkin”

FREE MATH LESSON – “Ghost Odd or Even FREEBIE!”

June Teacher Talk

End of the Year Musings

TpT Language Arts Lesson – Writing For Real Purposes: Fun Summer Lists!

FREE LESSON – Differentiated Mother’s Day Card for beginning writers (and BIG TpT site-wide sale on today and tomorrow!)

Mother’s Day Pop-Up Cards

FREE MISC. LESSON – “Mother’s Day Craft & Poem FREEBIE!”

FREE LANGUAGE ARTS LESSON – “Mother’s Day Writing: Top 10 {FREEBIE}”

FREE LANGUAGE ARTS LESSON – “Mother’s Day Secret Message”

FREE MISC. LESSON – “Mother’s Day Cupcake Writing and Craftivity”

FREE MISC. LESSON – “Mother’s Day Thumb Body Loves You Poem”

FREE LANGUAGE ARTS LESSON – “Mother’s Day Free”

April is Poetry Month

Easter phrasing, fluency and fun (and a freebie for everyone!)

Leprechauns Welcome! St. Patrick’s Day Freebie – Math

Easter – Cool Chocolate Challenge

March Teacher Talk

St. Patrick’s Day: Motivating students to reading for meaning ~ with humor!

St. Patrick’s Day: LUCKY you! It’s Almost Spring Break!

Valentine’s Day Activity Packet! Wordsearch, Crossword, Fill-in-the-Blank “Wacky Words!”

Valentine’s Day “Wacky Words!”

Valentine’s Day Activity: Word Search!

A “LOVE” for Words! Valentine’s Day Crossword Puzzle

Read and Write and DIFFERENTIATE by printing – for Valentine’s Day!