Tag Archives : 2nd grade
Canada Themed No-Prep Printables for Literacy Review (and kids’ thoughts on Canada Day)
Hello my friends! Here in Ontario, we have one week left of classes. At the end of the school year, I like to take some time to discuss Canada Day with my students. For the age group I teach, their perceptions of Canada Days past can be quite entertaining:
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Canada Day is clearly a memorable experience for even our youngest students, whether it be of fireworks, time with family or friends during the day. Whether we are retelling a story that we have read together, creating our own adventure, or discussing a personal experience, there is a logical sequence of events and words that match: first, then, finally (or whichever vocabulary you have decided to use!) (For a post about using the 3 part graphic organizer with young students, and a freebie, click here!)
Here is a fun Canada Day story that started orally with a reading buddy who helped sort out the three basic story parts before the pictures were drawn (and was duly thanked!)
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These no-prep printables come from Canada Read and Write and More, the first set of what I have started to develop as a series. Here is the Canada themed and Canada Day writing paper:
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My students enjoy ‘fun worksheets’ every so often. The literacy skills practice pages that are included so far are pictured below:
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Bonus Terry Fox and hockey colouring fact sheets for those early finishers!
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I will leave you with this freebie and links to money-saving bundles that include Canada Read and Write and More! Best wishes to all of you as you finish the school year, and Happy Canada Day!
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P.S. Here’s a little ‘Aha’ moment from a pre-Canada Day conversation in my classroom about 19 years ago…no figurative language in kindergarten!
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TpT Language Arts Lesson – Writing For Real Purposes: Fun Summer Lists!
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.
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…
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10 page storybook lesson |
One of the storybook pages |
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Lists for Summer Socials…
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Lists of wishes, favorites and nostalgia…
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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!
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Best wishes to all of you as we enter the last month of the school year!
That Fun Reading Teacher
Easter phrasing, fluency and fun (and a freebie for everyone!)
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
That Fun Reading Teacher
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FREE LESSON: Using Book Trailers in the Classroom
By: The Owl Teacher
Grades 2-5
I love to get students hooked on reading and with all the technology in their faces, I thought I’d take advantage of that. I decided it was time to hook them on book trailers.
Book Trailers are just like movie trailers, where they show you clipits of the book. It’s usually just enough to get you excited and want to read the book. You can find many book trailers on the internet to interest your students.
Since we have so many standards to tackle, this project was amazing at meeting many of them – including technology, writing, and reading.
You can read all about it here at my blog- along with receiving a free download of the expectations and a grading rubric. While you are there, consider following my blog or signing up for my newsletter where you can get freebies once a month!
Happy Teaching!
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Copyright of The Owl Teacher. All rights reserved by author. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY. I love it when you share my products with your colleagues but please do so legally! Thank you!
FREE LESSON: Reading Ladder of Complexity
By: The Owl Teacher
Grades 2-5
With the new common core, we now have to make sure our students are reading at their highest able level and that their text is more complex than before. It’s in the standards, whether anyone likes it or not.
During a reading workshop that I attended, I heard about this idea that helps release students gradually into the world of more complex texts. It’s called using the ladder of complexity.
Here students start reading a book that they would normally choose and then work their way up to a more complex text. They also explain why they believe the book is more complex. Of course, you can always make sure you instruct students on what makes a text more complex. There is more detailed information on my blog where you can download this free organizer. Just click here.
Happy Teaching!
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Copyright of The Owl Teacher. All rights reserved by author. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY. I love it when you share my products with your colleagues but please do so legally! Thank you!
SCIENCE LESSON – Plant Bundle
By: The Owl Teacher
Grades 2-5
I love to teach science. There is something about all the hands-on, exploring activities that just gets me excited. Our kids are no different. So when it comes to plants, the thought was – “how can I make this hands on, besides just planting a plant!”
With much thought, I was able to create my plant unit with lots of engaging and hands-on activities for students as they explore the life cycle of a plant, the characteristics of plants, their structures and functions, and much more! We even discuss photosynthesis a bit.
In my plant bundle you will find my complete plant unit, plant task cards, my plant craftivity (where students create a plant in a pot with the various parts of a plant written on leaves. They then define the characteristics of each part.) and my causation cards. If you aren’t familiar with causation cards, you can read about them (and download a freebie to check them out) here.
You can get all four of these products in one place for a much cheaper price! To check it out, head here to my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
Happy Teaching!
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Copyright of The Owl Teacher. All rights reserved by author. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY. I love it when you share my products with your colleagues but please do so legally! Thank you!
FREE MISC LESSON: Martin Luther King Jr Reading Freebie!
By: The Owl Teacher
Grades 2-5
Martin Luther King Jr was a hero to me. He stood up for civil rights and did so in a peaceful and loving way. He demonstrated bravery and courage as he fought for equality and justice.
As we approach Martin Luther King Jr Day, I have some great teaching ideas for you! Over at my blog (www.theowlteacher.com) I have provided several ideas for you – all related to vocabulary, reading, and writing. I have provided some great mentor texts to use along with a freebie for you to download!
You can read all about these great ideas by clicking here.
My Martin Luther King Jr Freebie can also be located at my Teachers Pay Teachers store ready for you to download. Check it out here.
I hope you enjoy it!
Have a great day!
For UPDATES and FREEBIES in future, look for the GREEN STAR
near my store name and CLICK it to become a FOLLOWER.
Be sure to follow me so you are up-to-date on all my products, freebies, tips, and much more!
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Copyright of The Owl Teacher. All rights reserved by author. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY. I love it when you share my products with your colleagues but please do so legally! Thank you!
FREE MISC LESSON – Behavior Management Forms
By: The Owl Teacher
Any Grade
It’s January 1st, 2016! It’s the start of a New Year and with a new year, comes a fresh start!
So why not start the second half of your school year off fresh with a new set of behavioral management forms to get things rolling? How do you do that?
By heading over to my blog (click here) you can download these forms here:
An Educational Contract between you, the student, and the parents:
A student information form:
A weekly behavior communication form:
And much more – including a Friday Folder reporting form.
That post was from the beginning of my blogging career – long before I realized that font mattered! I have also since updated that post with an editable version!
Head on over now to check it out and download it!
While you are there, sign up for my newsletter so you can regularly receive FREEBIES in your inbox!
Happy Teaching!
Be sure to follow me so you are up-to-date on all my products, freebies, tips, and much more!
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Copyright of The Owl Teacher. All rights reserved by author. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY. I love it when you share my products with your colleagues but please do so legally! Thank you!
MISC LESSON: “Check out our Holiday Crafts”
Right now, over at my blog, you will see that I have linked up with a few other bloggers to share with you our exciting holiday crafts we make in the classroom each year!
For instance, I love to make these adorable reindeer made from a hanger and knee high pantyhose! It’s so simple and inexpensive. My kiddos love it every time!
Then I have this craft on there that only requires a spoon, markers, and a few craft items! It’s so adorable. I add a candy sucker to mine for a special treat to my little ones!
Head on over to my blog (click here) to read about many more ideas for your classroom this holiday season!
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Copyright of The Owl Teacher. All rights reserved by author. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY. I love it when you share my products with your colleagues but please do so legally! Thank you!
MISC LESSON: “New Year’s Resolution Flip Book”
I love New Years! It’s a great time to start fresh with new goals. Am I successful? Not always, but it is fun trying right? And it’s the perfect time to do so (and easier to keep track of when you started it!).
Kids are the same way- at least my kiddos in my classroom are. They are already telling me predictions for Christmas and what 2016 will bring them. That’s when I got the idea… Why not have the little ones create their own New Year’s Resolution too!
I created this easy flip book for students to work through as they think out their goal (along with a graphic organizer to brainstorm on). In it students will not only determine what their goal is, but also describe why it’s their goal and just how they will accomplish it! I also can have them turn it into a written piece or reflect on how 2015 went so they can better determine how to reach their goals this year! Plus, it’s just cute!
So are you thinking this would make a great morning work project on the first day back from winter break? Or maybe you are thinking it’d make a great center activity or for early finishers. Head on over to my TpT store to check it out! I think your kiddos will definitely enjoy this cute little keepsake!
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Copyright of The Owl Teacher. All rights reserved by author. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY. I love it when you share my products with your colleagues but please do so legally! Thank you!
SCIENCE LESSON – “Force and Motion”
By: The Owl Teacher
Grades 2-5 Science
There are lots of science activities on the web, but how many of them come with complete lesson plans that will walk you through teaching Force and Motion step-by-step? I get it. Some teachers feel a bit “iffy” when it comes to teaching science. You don’t have to be with all my science units! I write them out detailed with step-by-step directions for the new teacher all the way to the veteran teacher!
This unit is a fun and engaging way to get your students HOOKED on science and have a passion for learning! This force and motion science unit explores force and motion concepts such as push and pull, gravity, friction, and much more – complete with practice sheets to reinforce the concepts and hands-on experiments!
You can read all about the fun my class had with this unit here at my blog!
You can check out the preview to the unit here at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store!
You can find these other exciting and just as engaging related products by clicking on the links below:
Force and Motion Causation Cards
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Copyright of The Owl Teacher. All rights reserved by author. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY. I love it when you share my products with your colleagues but please do so legally! Thank you!
FREE SCIENCE LESSON – “Plants!”
By: The Owl Teacher
Grades 2-5
Plants! Plants! Plants!
Who doesn’t love teaching about plants!?!
This FREE, hands-on, engaging lesson is for you
to help your students understand plants and how pollination works!
You can download it for free here.
It’s straight from my Complete Plant Science Unit (found here).
This science unit is full of engaging science lessons, activities,
and experiments just like this freebie!
I also offer a plant bundle, complete with task cards, my famous causation cards, and a really neat plant craftivity! You can read more about that here.
Be sure to follow me so you are up-to-date on all my products, freebies, tips, and much more!
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Copyright of The Owl Teacher. All rights reserved by author. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY. I love it when you share my products with your colleagues but please do so legally! Thank you!