The Joy of Teaching – Page 24 of 46

April 17, 2018
by Evan-Moor
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Writers’ Workshop: Writing Activities and Free Writing Prompt Task Cards

Engage students’ interest in creative writing with story prompt task cards and hands-on writing centers. Developing students’ writing takes practice and hard work throughout the year. Including writing centers within your weekly curriculum will give your students continual practice and provide a weekly spotlight on students’ writing progress. These creative writing centers offer students topics and story starters to get them started and help them learn the parts of a story.

Click here to get your free writing prompt task cards:

Writing Center Activities

Sample of “Who, Where, When, What” Task Cards

Who, Where, When, What Story Center Grades 1–3

Students use the four W’s to create a story outline. They select one card from each of the four cans provided to form the outline of a story, then add their own details.

Materials:

Four small cans
Colored construction paper 5″ x 13″
Can covers that say who, where, when, what
Who, where, when, what cards (laminate more than one card for each can). Use the link above to download your free cards!

Steps to Follow:

Cover each can with colored construction paper
Glue the can covers to the cans
Cut the cards apart and place them in the cans
Set the cans at the center

Story Prompt Task Cards Grades 1–6

Sample of Story Prompt Task Cards, GR 1-6

Students choose one story prompt and write a story about it. For older students, choose a type of fiction for students to focus on, such as realistic, historical, mystery, adventure, fantasy, or science fiction.

Materials:

Story prompts (Use the link above to get your free Writing Prompt Task Cards)
Attach prompts to colored construction paper and laminate. (Optional)
Storage box or can

Steps to Follow:

Students choose a story prompt
Students write a story about the prompt. Students should do the following in their stories:
- Name and describe characters
- Describe the time and location of the setting
- Select a point of view: first person or third person
- Plan story events (make sure there is a climax)
Outline the story for the beginning, middle, and end
Write the story

Engage your students’ interest in writing by providing creative opportunities for them to express themselves. For more writing center activities, check out How to Write a Story.

To help students progress from writing sentences to paragraphs, check out the scaffolded lessons in Writing Fabulous Sentences and Paragraphs, available for grades 1–3 and 4–6.

PIN IT and save these writing center ideas and task cards!

Heather Foudy is a certified elementary teacher with over 7 years’ experience as an educator and volunteer in the classroom. She enjoys creating lessons that are meaningful and creative for students. She is currently working for Evan-Moor’s marketing and communications team and enjoys building learning opportunities that are both meaningful and creative for students and teachers alike.

April 16, 2018
by Evan-Moor
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Teaching Prefixes: Worksheets, Anchor Charts, and Hands-on Activities

Teaching students prefixes along with root words can help them expand their vocabulary and understand new words. Even-Moor prefix worksheets are easy-to-use for teachers and students. Students are given a series of engaging quiz questions to solve based on skill level. Download your free prefix worksheet from Vocabulary Fundamentals and learn 3 tips for helping your students learn to read and recognize prefixes.

There are three key steps teaching prefixes:

Spelling Rules

First, help your students understand how to spot prefixes. A prefix is a small word added to the beginning of a base word to make a new word.

Prefix

Root Word

New Word

Base word spellings don’t change when you add a prefix.
1. re+read = reread
2. un+happy = unhappy

Double letters can occur when adding prefixes to root words.
1. Dis+satisfied = dissatisfied
2. Mis+spell = misspell

Watch out for prefix “lookalikes.” These words look like they have prefixes, but they do not.
1. For example, real and uncle do not have prefixes in them.

Prefix Lookalikes
Real	Uncle
Reach	Dish
Pretty	Interest

Anchor Charts

It is important to provide students with a visual reference when teaching prefixes. The easiest method is to create a prefix anchor chart for your classroom with common prefixes and their meanings. To save time, you may want to use some of the examples from prefix worksheets to create your charts.

Activities for Frequent Practice

Frequent practice using prefixes will improve students’ abilities to recognize and use prefixes correctly. A great way to provide that practice is through hands-on center activities. You can create your own games of concentration or memory with 3×5 cards or purchase one already made. Evan-Moor’s Phonics Games: Centers for up to 6 Players offers colorful hands-on activities that help students practice prefixes and other grade-appropriate language skills.

Get a colorful hands-on center on prefixes for grades 3–4 for only $1.99 from TeachersPayTeachers.

Free Prefix Worksheet

Suggested Resource: Prefix Worksheets and Hands-on Activities

Take It to Your Seat: Reading and Language Centers Grades 3–6

Take It to Your Seat: Language Centers Grades K–5

Vocabulary Fundamentals Grades 1–6

April 4, 2018
by Evan-Moor
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How to Plan Your Homeschool Curriculum in 5 Easy Steps

If you are considering homeschooling or are a new homeschooler, one of the first things on your mind is how to plan your homeschool year. Planning your homeschool curriculum will help you and your kids have a more focused and enjoyable homeschool experience. Let’s break this down into 5 easy steps.

In this post, I’ll cover:

5 steps to share how to plan your homeschool year that works for your family
Ideas for how to filter through all of the overwhelming options available to homeschoolers
Resources to help you choose the ideal materials for your child

Step #1: Check with your state homeschooling laws.

While it is obvious, let’s get this one done first.

Since homeschool laws vary from state to state in the USA, please check with your state agency to complete any necessary paperwork required for your homeschool year.

Some states require specific subjects to be taught, so it is helpful to know state requirements before you start buying curriculum.

Step #2: Consider your goals for homeschooling.

Knowing “why” you homeschool can really help you filter the numerous homeschooling options available.

Your reason for homeschooling will affect what homeschool style and curriculum works best for you and your kids. Consider your goals for homeschooling as you plan your homeschool year.

Most homeschoolers want to give their kids a solid educational foundation while still spending time letting the kids work on areas they enjoy most. Homeschoolers solve that by spending part of their week with traditional academics and the other part of their week with child-led learning projects, field trips, or creative outlets.

No matter what your goals are, keeping them in mind will help you stay focused on homeschooling in a way that works for your family.

Step #3: Choose the subjects you will teach.

As a homeschooler, you have a LOT of options about what to teach your child. And… it is important to keep in mind that there are NOT enough hours in the day to teach everything.

You can avoid homeschool burn-out (yes, it is a real thing) if you will focus on a few subjects at a time. Remember the “3 R’s” – reading, writing, and ’rithmetic? Those basic subjects are a great place to start planning your homeschool year.

Once you have the basics in place, then you can add other subjects to your homeschool plans.

Step #4: Create a homeschool schedule (with some flexibility).

Having a homeschool schedule helps all of us stay focused. While our exact start time may vary a bit from day to day, using a schedule, routine, or checklist can keep all focused on what needs to be done each day.

It is also important to decide how much time you want to spend homeschooling and be realistic about how to make that work for your family.

Some questions to consider when creating a homeschool schedule are:

Do you want to spend 7 hours a day doing school?
Does your family need to do one subject and then take a break?
Are there nap times to consider for younger siblings?

The answers to these questions will affect how to plan your homeschool year. Often, the answer changes from year to year (and that is completely normal).

Even with a schedule, life can get really busy. It is helpful to organize your homeschool day by doing the most important subjects first.

Step #5: Reserve a space for your homeschool materials.

Having a dedicated space to keep your materials can save tons of time when it is time to start your homeschool day.

While Pinterest makes homeschool spaces look like a magazine cover, you don’t need a dedicated room to homeschool your kids.

You can use a shelf in a hall closet, a bookcase, bins under the couch, or whatever else works for your family to store your homeschool materials.

If you can return all of your homeschool materials to your dedicated space when you are finished with lessons, you and your kids will be ready for a smooth start the next homeschool day.

Ideas and Resources to Plan your Homeschool Curriculum

Evan-Moor has homeschool resources that include pacing and curriculum guides, offering you a simple and organized way to homeschool (which can save you TONS of time).

There are two options:

1. Homeschool Curriculum Bundles (available for grades 1–6) with free curriculum pacing guides. The curriculum kit includes teacher and student books and covers the core subjects of reading, writing, language, spelling, math, science, and social studies. Each bundle includes a printed pacing guide to give you suggestions for using the materials in your homeschool. Everything you need to cover core subjects in your homeschooling year is included!

Click here to view the Homeschool Curriculum Bundles for grades 1–6.

Click here to view a sample curriculum pacing guide.

2. TeacherFileBox homeschool subscription (available for PreK–6) with curriculum guides. This online lesson library enables you to print or project units and lessons from over 600 Evan-Moor books. This resource takes a little more time to organize, but provides you with a very affordable homeschool option. The curriculum guides and videos cover 11 subject areas and help to simplify your homeschool organization and planning. TeacherFileBox even includes daily practice lessons for grades 7 and 8, if your child is working ahead.

Click here to learn more about TeacherFileBox for your homeschool.

Click here to read my post: 7 Ways that TeacherFileBox Can Elevate Your Homeschooling.

Reminders for How to Plan Your Homeschool Year

It is important to remember that life requires each homeschool day to be flexible. It is completely normal for families to take several months to find a schedule that works for their family.

If there is a new baby, family visiting, or illness, having a flexible schedule helps make room for the HOME part of homeschooling.

It does take some trial-and-error to figure out what works best for your family. Give yourself and your child permission to try a few different options as you plan your homeschool year.

Together, you will find a plan for your homeschool year that works for your family!

Get started with Evan-Moor’s FREE Curriculum Planner! You can edit and print each full-color planning page to adjust it for your family.

For more free lessons and resources, check out our Free Activities page each month

Amy Michaels is a certified teacher with 11 years of elementary classroom experience who is actively homeschooling her own children. Her mission is share the best teaching methods and resources with all homeschoolers. Amy supports parents through her podcasts, webinars, and online training for homeschoolers on her website www.thrivehomeschooling.com

March 29, 2018
by Evan-Moor
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Improve Students’ Testing Mind-Set with Art Lessons

State testing is stressful for students and teachers alike. Plan some creative art lessons to help students wind down from the demanding test schedule. Listed below are two lesson ideas for grades 1–6 to help your students relax and tap into their creativity after testing.

Self-Portraits

Help your students relax with a mini lesson on Vincent van Gogh. Using the elements of texture, line, shape, and color, students draw and color a self-portrait and glue it to a tissue paper background.

Begin the lesson by introducing students to the artist Vincent van Gogh. Pair the introduction with a read-aloud book such as Camille and the Sunflowers: A Story about Vincent van Gogh by Laurence Anholt. Reading aloud to students helps them relax their minds and their bodies, and allows you transition into your next lesson.

Supplies needed:

Tag board or thick paper: two 12″ x 14″
Pencil
Black fine tip marking pen
Hand mirror (or class picture)
Paintbrush (or colored pencils)
Tempera paint (optional)
Foam egg carton
Torn bits of colored tissue paper
White glue
Scissors

Directions:

Students draw a portrait of themselves from the shoulders up using a mirror or picture. Make sure their heads touch the top of the paper and their shoulders go all the way to the bottom of the paper.
Using a paintbrush or colored pencils, students color in the picture.
Students trace over portrait lines with a black marking pen.
Using watered-down glue, students cover the second sheet of paper with torn tissue paper bits.
When the tissue paper is dry, students glue their self-portrait onto the background.

Download your free Vincent Van Gogh art lesson here. For more art lessons, check out How to Teach Art to Children.

Mother’s Day Cards

Get a head start on your Mother’s Day cards with this fun butterfly pop-up note. Simple and easy to put together, this project is perfect for little fingers. After finishing their card, have students create their own acrostic poem for “Mom.” Check out books from your school library on butterflies and insects so early finishers can quietly read when they are done.

Download your printable from How to Make Greeting Cards with Children.

Art can improve students’ motivation and concentration and is an excellent addition to your curriculum during testing week. Give your students something to look forward to after testing and rejuvenate them for the next day!

For more art lesson ideas and inspirations, read The Case for Art in Schools and Ways to Integrate Art into Your Lessons.

Click here to save and pin this post!

March 20, 2018
by Evan-Moor
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Improve Students’ Writing in 15 Minutes a Day

Simplify the writing process by breaking down your writing lessons into teachable daily chunks and committing to a daily writing routine. Writing can be a difficult subject to teach within the confines of the classroom schedule. However, including short writing lessons into your daily routine can improve the quality of students’ writing over the course of a school year. Studies show that students who spend more time writing (an additional 15 minutes a day in grades 2–8) produce better writing than students who write sporadically. See this study: Research-Based Writing Practices and the Common Core: Meta-Analysis and Meta-Synthesis.

Here’s a simple method using a trait-based writing approach:

1. Teach the writing skill

Choose one writing strategy to focus on every week. Spend a few minutes every day reviewing the strategy and provide opportunities for students to apply it to their writing.

The trait-based model of writing is a focused approach to writing instruction that uses key qualities to teach students how to write. Its simplified approach makes it easy to identify and focus on effective writing skills every week.

6-trait writing teaches the traits of effective writing:

Ideas: main message
Organization: structure of the writing and its flow from beginning to end
Word Choice: interesting vocabulary, verbs, correct use of vocabulary
Sentence Fluency: sentences flow together and make sense
Voice: casual, friendly, appropriate to writing content
Conventions: mechanical correctness

2. Provide daily writing practice

Daily practice: provide daily opportunities for students to practice the writing strategy for that week. In order for students to apply the skills to their own writing, they need to be able to identify what those qualities look like in another text. Download your free printable from Daily 6-Trait Writing on sentence fluency.
Mix and Match: If your class is ready, mix and match skills to include one language convention along with another writing trait to give your students repeated practice throughout the year.
Independent writing: At the end of the week, ask students to apply the new skill to their own writing. Writing journals are perfect for this because they demonstrate students’ growth throughout the year.

One resource that works seamlessly within the classroom is Daily 6-Trait Writing. Perfect for morning work or a quick 15-minute practice session, Daily 6-Trait Writing provides daily skill-based practice and teaches students the fundamentals of quality writing. Lessons progress in difficulty throughout the week and culminate on day five with an activity that asks students to apply what they have learned by responding to a writing prompt.

Formal writing lessons can be intensive time suckers, but they don’t have to be the only type of writing taught in your classroom. Daily, consistent writing will teach your students to become comfortable with their own voice and increase their confidence in their writing abilities.

Limited time offer:

Download Evan-Moor’s Daily 6-Trait Writing sampler with free printable writing activities for grades 1–8: Daily 6-Trait Writing Sampler.

March 14, 2018
by Evan-Moor
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Egging on Recycling: A classic egg science project with a challenging twist

The egg-drop science experiment has always been a go-to project for all ages, whether in the classroom or just for fun. This version of the science experiment involves a new challenge to make the students think more creatively: Challenge your class to drop an egg using only recyclable materials to protect it.

In your science project, students may not use plastic or synthetic materials in their designs. That’s right: no tape, styrofoam, straws, or balloons to keep the eggs safe. This twist requires more creativity, encourages recycling, and reinforces environmental awareness.

How does it work?

The goal of this experiment is to drop your egg from a two-story window (or the top of a ladder) and have it survive the fall with no cracks or breaks. How do you prevent damage? Impulse.

Impulse is a change in momentum and in physics and is expressed as: impulse equals force multiplied by impact time.

To reduce your impulse and chances of the egg breaking, aim to reduce either your impact time or force. Or in third- or fourth-grade terms: Make the egg contraption so it lands softly on the ground or rolls/bounces when it hits the ground.

Ways to reduce impulse:

Cushioning
Parachutes
Bounce effect

Examples of designs using recyclable materials

So how do you find a design that works and uses no plastic? During a high school version of this experiment, these different designs produced the same result:

One student simply stuck her egg in the center of a Charmin ultra strong toilet paper roll and tossed it out the window.
A second pair of students fashioned a parachute from a used paper shopping bag and tied it to an egg cradle. The cradle was a layer of paper surrounding the egg and tied at the top. Underneath that was a layer of marshmallows, contained by another layer of paper and also tied at the top.
A third student packed a paper take-out box with marshmallows and slipped her egg into the center.
Another student designed a paper cone attached to a paper parachute with thin string, with the egg sitting in the middle of the paper-padded cone.

These designs are all made of recyclable material and can safely deliver an egg to the ground. Though the physics behind the matter can be fairly complex, it’s easy to simplify it to fit your class’s age. Everybody has dropped an egg out of a window, but challenge your class to do it using recyclable materials!

Reinforce students’ understanding with a reading selection on energy storage and transfer: Download your free reading comprehension activity here! (From Evan-Moor’s Read and Understand Science Grades 4-6.)

Christine Wooler has experience working with children as a youth soccer coach and summer camp counselor. She is currently studying English Literature and journalism in college. She enjoys exploring educational topics that help students have fun while learning.

February 27, 2018
by Evan-Moor
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Homeschool Hacks: How to Incorporate Critical Thinking Skills in your Curriculum

We all use logic and reasoning methods every single day. Critical thinking skills are not often directly taught as a separate curriculum. However, we can help kids practicing critical thinking skills within any subject.

Critical thinking is an essential life skill, and Evan-Moor has created an engaging resource to help kids practice thinking skills.

If you have read my previous post on the Skill Sharpeners series, you know there are many benefits to using the Skill Sharpeners series in your homeschooling.

One title in the Skill Sharpeners series is Skill Sharpeners: Critical Thinking. The series is available for grades PreK–6. Each book focuses on age-appropriate critical thinking activities based on a theme that kids enjoy.

What we like about Skill Sharpeners: Critical Thinking:

The full-color pages are bright and cheerful, which instantly draws in kids’ attention.
Each unit is based on a high-interest topic for kids.
The activities are based on a variety of subject areas (reading, math, writing, science, art, etc.).
There are several types of thinking skills used in the activities, so the kids stay engaged (see specifics below).
Each unit in Skill Sharpeners: Critical Thinking has a great balance of sharing some new information and inviting kids to use critical thinking skills in the activities.
There is an answer key for each unit.
No prep required!!

Types of activities you can expect in Skill Sharpeners: Critical Thinking books:

Each unit begins with a checklist, so you and your child can decide and track which activities your child should complete.
Reading activities to learn how to visualize, describe, give your opinion, rank, predict, and compute
Writing activities to explain, justify, compose, infer, deduce, and determine
Drawing activities to illustrate, show, and describe
Math word problems to analyze, plan, solve, and specify
Puzzles to practice the ability to rearrange, reconstruct, diagram, and specify
Themed activities to classify and create
Graphs to analyze, infer, compute, and compare
Art activities to plan, create, illustrate, and show

My kids really enjoy the Skill Sharpeners: Critical Thinking units. I recently asked my daughter to preview one of the units for next week. I came back 5 minutes later, and she had already completed two pages! She just couldn’t help but jump right in.

How will you use Skill Sharpeners: Critical Thinking in your homeschooling?

For more ideas on using Skill Sharpeners: Critical Thinking in your homeschooling, see my post 7 Ways to Use Skill Sharpener Activity Books.

February 27, 2018
by Evan-Moor
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7 Ways to Use Skill Sharpeners Activity Books in your Homeschool

Are you looking for timesaving homeschool tips? Try Evan-Moor’s Skill Sharpeners activity books. Educational and entertaining, these colorful workbooks can be used in several ways in your homeschooling to build your child’s skills.

Skill Sharpeners units are ideal for:

Workboxes or independent work. We choose about one unit each month to complete. Kids can complete the activities on their own. Then they bring it to me to check and share what they learned.
Reviewing skills to see if the child understands how to use the skills in real-life ways. I can quickly assess if my child has mastered the skills or needs more work.
Homeschooling while traveling. I can bring the entire book or just take a single unit for the kids to complete while we are traveling.
Homeschooling when company is visiting. Even when we have houseguests and everyone could use a little down time, my kids can work on 1–2 pages each day.
Homeschooling when someone is ill (whether it is mom, dad, or another child). It is always nice to have a back-up plan for illness. For example, Skill Sharpeners: Critical Thinking includes many subject areas. We use this title for a quick homeschool activity to keep us in the routine even when someone is not able to teach that day. It also helps keep the other children doing schoolwork when someone else needs to rest.
Weeks when your homeschool schedule is interrupted with field trips, holidays, or birthdays. Some weeks just get busy quickly. On those weeks, Skill Sharpeners units can be completed in a 2–3 days to keep the homeschool routine going when you are at home.
To keep kids entertained while waiting at appointments, during ball practice, or on car rides. My kids really enjoy having something to do while they are waiting. I especially like having an option they enjoy that doesn’t involve watching a screen, too!

When kids can put their knowledge and skills toward things that interest them, both parents and kids are thrilled.

Skill Sharpeners activity books are available across subject areas for grades PreK-6. Each book is 144 full-color pages and includes an answer key. Browse all the Skill Sharpeners titles here.

Learn more about using Skill Sharpeners: Critical Thinking in your homeschool here.

February 20, 2018
by Evan-Moor
2 Comments

Top 15 books that teach empathy and kindness to children

As a parent, I feel that one of the most important lessons to teach my children is empathy. Have you ever had your child become saddened about the way another person is being treated in a movie or book? Stories are wonderful conduits for lessons and can extract empathy within your children just by reading them. Listed below are books that teach children kindness with caring and creative stories.

Ages 4–7

Fat, Fat Rose Marie by Lisa Passen
A little girl must stand up to the class bully who keeps picking on her overweight friend.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
This classic book teaches children about gift giving and love.

Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose
Give children practice looking at situations from another perspective with the story of an ant and a boy. The ending leaves the ultimate test.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead
Friends come in all shapes and sizes, and Amos McGee is a good friend to everyone. When he gets sick, his friends decide to take care of him.

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
This story demonstrates how small acts of kindness can make people feel included and help them flourish.

Be a Friend by Salina Yoon
Teach children about self-acceptance and friendship even when they are a little different from everyone else with this heartwarming story.

Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss
This kind-hearted tale showcases the importance of respecting and caring for everyone despite their differences.

Ages 8–12
Children reach reading milestones at different ages. Please preview books to determine their suitability for your child. Some of these titles tackle difficult social injustices.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Readers are transported into the world of Auggie Pullman and how he navigates junior high with a rare facial disease.

Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner
A young boy wants to help his grandfather by winning prize money in the National Dogsled Race.

I Am Malala: Young Reader’s Edition by Patricia McCormick
This book tells the inspiring true story of Malala, a young girl growing up in Taliban-occupied Pakistan.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Set in Mississippi during the Depression, this story chronicles the struggle of young Cassie’s family to maintain their independence in the face of social injustice.

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson and Sean Qualls
Teach children perseverance and understanding with this true story of how a young boy in Ghana overcomes incredible physical and personal odds.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Set in World War II Europe, children are reminded how small acts of kindness can leave lasting legacies. Enter of the world of Annemarie Johansen as her family hides her best friend to save her from the Nazis.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
A wonderful story of a young boy and his hunting dogs in the Ozark Mountains.

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
This author takes the reader into the everyday life of Melody, an 11-year-old with a photographic memory and cerebral palsy. Readers will fall in love with this inspiring character.

Your life will help determine the course of history. You may think you don’t have much of an impact. You do. Every action you take will reflect in someone else’s life. Someone else’s decisions. Someone else’s future. Both good and bad. – Bregdan Principle

What are your favorite stories?

February 20, 2018
by Evan-Moor
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Leprechaun Traps, Rainbow Crystals, and St. Patrick’s Day STEM Activities

St. Patrick’s Day is a great day to include a little magic in your daily lessons. What could be more fun than mischievous leprechauns, magical rainbows, and pots of gold? Make your classroom celebrations educational and engaging with these STEM, art, and writing activities. Check out these themed blogs for inspiration and free downloadable lessons.

St. Patrick’s Day STEM Activities

Make your classroom celebrations this St. Patrick’s Day educational and engaging with rainbow science crystals, leprechaun traps, and creative writing lessons. These activities will surely leave a lasting impression in your students’ memories!

Catching Leprechauns – Kindergarten Fun for St. Patrick’s Day

Trapping magical leprechauns appeals to the imagination of young children. Bring a little enchantment into your classroom this year with leprechaun lore, St.Patrick’s Day art, and themed lessons.

A Fun Idea for St. Patrick’s Day: Leprechaun Traps

Create an engineering project for your students this St. Patrick’s Day and build leprechaun traps. Pair this activity with some free downloads of St. Patrick’s Day activities for festive themed lessons.