Free Teacher Lesson Plans and Education News

Free Parent Involvement Activity - "Comic Strips & Books" - Grades 1-3

2008-08-27T15:02:00.002-05:00

Creativity, Story and Character Development, Layout

Look at the comic strips in your newspaper with your child and talk about how the characters words and thoughts appear in bubbles (called "saycons"), how the view of the action changes from panel to panel, and how sometimes the meaning or action is conveyed with only an illustration. (If you have a comic book available, go through it with your child and discuss its format.) Point out how some comic strips have a style that looks very realistic, and others have a looser cartoon-like feel.

Some comics feature people, some feature animals that talk, and some feature both.

Encourage your child to create his own humorous panel comic strip or comic book. For inspiration, help him to remember a funny situation (or just get him to think about what makes him laugh, in general). If he has a hard time coming up with comic strip/book ideas, you can just have fun illustrating various selections from a book of jokes (available at your local library).

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Source: Bright and Beyond, Smart & Simple Writing Activities to do with your Child, Grades K-3rd, Ages 5-9. Available at SchooDoodle.com.

Free Parent Involvement Activity - "Discovery Bag" - Age 1

2008-08-27T14:48:00.002-05:00

Observation & Discovery, Object Permanence, Motor Skills

Place three or more household items or toys into a standard-sized pillowcase, making sure to include some toys that make noise. Let your child feel the outside of the pillowcase, then show her how to open it up and discover the items inside. She will enjoy removing and exploring each item and may even enjoy putting them back into the bag.

Caution! Monitor your child closely during this activity. Put away the pillowcase immediately after play.

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Source: Bright and Beyond, Smart & Simple Age 1 Activities to do with your Child, 12-24 months. Available at SchooDoodle.com.

Free Teacher Tip - "Welcome To The New School Year"

2008-08-26T09:20:00.004-05:00

Create a welcoming bulletin board for the beginning of the school year.

On the first day of school, take a picture of each student. Use the Welcome Mini Bulletin Board for a headline, add the pictures, and you're ready to go! Extend the activity by posting short "All About Me" paragraphs written by students next to their pictures.

A perfect bulletin board for Back-To-School Night and Open House, too!

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Please visit our website, SchooDoodle.com for all your back-to-school supplies. Many teachers find our site has everything they need to decorate their classrooms. And, above all... enjoy your new students!

Free Teacher Motivational Quote - "Trust Yourself"

2008-08-25T11:02:00.002-05:00

As Soon as you

Trust Yourself,

You Will Know How to LIVE!

Teacher Choice Awards

2008-08-20T16:37:00.009-05:00

For 14 years, the Learning® Magazine Teachers' Choice Awards have heralded the very best in classroom-tested, teacher-recommended products.

Each year a nationwide panel of teacher-judges names the standouts in books, classroom supplies, educational games, software, Web sites, and more--everything teachers need for their classroom.

After receiving top ratings in two rounds of rigorous judging, here are this year's 63 winners...

Educational Games, Toys and Manipulatives

Handle-Leg Connectors With Sound Shapes MultiPack
Give color and shape to the music you make! Use these percussion instruments and connectors for math, music, science, and playtime.
Ages 3 and up, $344. Remo, Inc.; http://www.remo.com/.

Poppo!
Pop ’til you drop! Players race to spell words by popping the lettered dice in the poppers until the letters on the dice match the word in play.
Ages 4 and up, $24.95. Poppo Brands LLC, http://www.poppo.com/

Healthy Habits
In this life-size board game, the children are the game pieces, moving card to card. The game stresses nutrition, exercise, sleep habits, and personal hygiene. Set the game up in any format you like.
PreK and up, $39.95. Blue Bucket Games LLC, http://www.bluebucketgames.com/.

Froggy Boogie: The Eye Popping, Frog Hopping, Memory Game
Kids are just a hop, skip, and a jump away from improving their visual perception and memory with this game.
Ages 4 and up, $24.95. Blue Orange Games, http://www.blueorangegames.com/.

Jumbo Reading Rods Classroom Kit
Help little hands make big connections! These oversize manipulatives introduce the key literacy skills kids need to begin reading.
PreK–grade K, $139.95. ETA/Cuisenaire, (800) 445-5985, http://www.etacuisenaire.com/.

Number Chase
In this game, you try to figure out the mystery number before your opponents do! If you guess wrong, the other players get a clue; if you guess right, you get a point.
Grades 1 and up, $7.99. Playroom Entertainment, (866) 999-9654, http://www.playrooment.com/.
Fun With Phonics Letter People Puppet Pack
Students sing their way to the ABCs with the 26 letter people puppets and CD of songs in this set.
PreK–grade 2, $790. Abrams & Company Publishers, Inc.; (800) 227-9120; http://www.abramsandcompany.com/.

Math Noodlers
Add a new twist to math by appealing to multiple intelligences. With this game, students solve math problems in creative ways.
Grades 2–3 and 4–5, $21.95 each. Edupress, http://www.edupressinc.com/.

Fossil Island
Add some adventure to teaching addition! This game, which has three levels of play, has students solve addition problems to race their dinosaurs across the gameboard.
Ages 7 and up, $21.95. White Sand Games, (800) 445-0265, http://www.whitesandgames.com/

Goose Egg for Division & Factoring
Get ready to divide and conquer! This game helps students both learn and enhance division skills and work with factor families.
Ages 8 and up, $11.95. Tah Dah! Inc.; http://www.tahdahgames.com/.

Food Pyramid Bingo, Deluxe Updated Edition
Treat students to some fun while teaching them about basic food groups and healthful choices. With this game, players also learn about activities that encourage a healthful lifestyle.
Grades 4 and up, $26.95. SmartPicks, Inc.; http://www.smartpicks.com/.

Forces, Energy & Motion
Investigate potential and kinetic energy with this racer set. You get lesson plans, motors, instructions, and materials to build11 different models.
Grades 5–8, $125. K’NEX Education, (888) ABC-KNEX, http://www.knexeducation.com/.

Electronics, DVDs, and Videos

Frog Street Live! Educational DVD Program
Get kids off to a smart start with reading and writing. These stories and songs have them singing, reading, and writing the alphabet!
Ages 3–6, $49.99. Frog Street Press, Inc.; (800) 884-3764; http://www.frogstreet.com/.

You’re Mean! When Words Hurt Us
Each vignette on this video illustrates a technique children can use to overcome the power of hurtful words.
Grades 3–6, $99.95. Human Relations Media, (800) 431-2050, http://www.hrmvideo.com/.

Math’scool
This DVD-based math program takes a multisensory approach to numbers and operations, geometry, and measurement. Illustrations, diagrams, manipulatives, or models are part of every lesson.
Grades 4–8, $249 per module. BestQuest Teaching Systems, (866) 882-2665, http://www.bestquest.com/.

Software and Hardware

Lexia Primary Reading
Help all learners master basic reading skills with this computer-based supplemental reading program. It’s designed to make differentiating instruction easy.
PreK–grade 3, prices range from $500 for a single user to $5,000 for 25 simultaneous users. Lexia Learning Systems, Inc.; (800) 435-3942; http://www.lexialearning.com/.

SMART Ideas Concept-Mapping Software
This software makes ideas and connections visual. It enables you to create multilevel maps that take students through concepts one level at a time.
Grades K–12, $59 for a single license. SMART Technologies ULC, (866) 284-2769, http://www.smarttech.com/.

NEO by AlphaSmart
This low-cost laptop has software to improve students’ writing, but none of the distractions—email, Internet access, or games—found on other computers.
Grades K–12, $199. Renaissance Learning, Inc.; (888) 274-0680; http://www.alphasmart.com/.

Cassettes and CDs

The “Sing & Read” Nursery Rhyme Collection
Build language, vocabulary, and listening skills with this new big-book collection. The CD includes a dramatic reading of each story.
Ages 3–6, $145.99. Frog Street Press, Inc.; (800) 884-3764; http://www.frogstreet.com/.

School Supplies and Classroom Organization

Royal Reading/Writing Center
This easel has it all: a removable/adjustable magnetic dry-erase board, four open tubs that slide out for easy access, “page paws” to hold big-book pages in place, and more!
Grades K–5, MSRP $289.99 Copernicus Educational Products, Inc., (800) 267-8494, http://www.copernicused.com/. Available through the Copernicus dealer network.

Classroom Magazines

Zootles
Welcome wildlife into your classroom! Early readers get a vivid introduction to animals with this series.
Ages 2–6; $4.99 for a single issue, $25.95 for a one-year subscription. Wildlife Education, Ltd.; (800) 477-5034; http://www.zoobooks.com/.

Weekly Reader, Edition K
Take a break from textbooks! This magazine helps build children’s general knowledge and increase literacy. A subscription includes 28 issues.
Grade K, $4.99 per year per student (for orders of ten or more). Weekly Reader Corporation, (800) 446-3355, http://www.weeklyreader.com/.

The Write Stuff
Take a mini-vacation from rote rules and standard English textbooks and workbooks. This publication uses humor, puzzles, and up-to-date examples to teach good writing.
Grades 4–8, $4.95 per student for nine monthly issues. The Write Stuff, LLC; (888) 235-0157 or (800) 289-8289; http://www.writestuffnews.com/.

Supplemental Materials

The Infant/Toddler Photo Activity Library
These sturdy cards feature color photographs of people and objects that youngsters encounter every day. The back of each card has a vocabulary list and activities.
Infant–age 3, $49.95. Gryphon House, Inc.; (800) 595-9500; http://www.ghbooks.com/.

Fine Motor Fun: Hundreds of Developmentally Age-Appropriate Activities Designed to Improve Fine Motor Skills
From fingerplays to play dough to reproducible lacing cards, the activities in this book help develop children’s fine-motor and visual perception skills.
PreK–grade 1, $15.99. Key Education Publishing Company LLC, (800) 321-0943, http://www.keyeducationpublishing.com/.

KidCentered Learning Toolkits
These tool kits provide plenty of hands-on activities to help young children learn letters and develop phonemic awareness.
PreK–grade 2, $93.50 and $125.50. Pearson, (800) 321-3106, http://www.pearsonschool.com/.
Math Assessment Tasks
The standards-based assessments in these books are ready-made and scripted so they’re easy to use. Assessments include colorful cards and mats.
PreK–grade 2, $24.99. Evan-Moor Educational Publishers, (800) 777-4362, http://www.evan-moor.com/.

Little Red Tool Box
Create a classroom full of hands-on literacy opportunities! The components in each set cover developmental skills for that grade level.
PreK and grades K, 1, 2, and 3; prices range from $357.94 to $604.88 for a grade-level set. Scholastic Teaching Resources, (800) SCHOLASTIC, www.scholastic.com/teacherstore.
English Picture Dictionary for Spanish Speakers
This picture dictionary uses a multisensory approach and self-paced learning to help English language learners boost their vocabulary development.
Grades K–5, $144. LeapFrog SchoolHouse, (800) 883-7430, www.LeapFrogSchoolHouse.com/ELD.

Words Their Way: Word Study in Action
Deliver a hands-on approach to phonics and word study! This program provides all the materials you need, including picture and word cards, sorting grids, and gameboards.
Grades K–5, classroom sets range from $249.50 to $257.50. Pearson, (800) 321-3106, http://www.pearsonschool.com/.

Building Fluency Through Reader’s Theater: My Country & Early America Themed Set
Improve students’ fluency by giving them a purpose for reading and rereading. These thematically based scripts help make reading appealing and promote collaboration.
Grades 1–8, $539.99. Teacher Created Materials Publishing, (888) 333-4551, http://www.tcmpub.com/.

R-Com Mini Incubator & EZ Scope Package
Watch chick embryos develop as the eggs are incubating! This easy-to-use digital incubator and scope make it possible.
Grades K–8, $189. Brinsea Products, Inc.; (888) 667-7009; http://www.brinsea.com/.

Flip for Comprehension
This collection of 55 ready-to-use comprehension activities works with either expository or narrative texts.
Grades K–5, $27.95. Maupin House Publishing, Inc.; (800) 524-0634; http://www.maupinhouse.com/.

Vocabulary Visits Grade 2 Dual Theme Package
These simulated field trips provide a context for anchoring new content words to the vocabulary and concepts children already know.
Grade 2, $179.95. ETA/Cuisenaire, (800) 445-5985, http://www.etacuisenaire.com/.

Britannica Student Encyclopedia
Satisfy every curious learner with the more than 2,300 articles in this encyclopedia. “Did You Know?” features encourage children to keep learning, questioning, and wondering.
Grades 3–6, $449. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.; (800) 621-3900; http://www.eb.com/.

Science Skill Builders Grades 2-3
You’ve got science covered with this reproducible book! It helps develop science vocabulary and concepts with articles from Weekly Reader’s publications and includes classroom experiments.
Grades 2–3, $15.95. Weekly Reader Publishing, (800) 446-3355, www.weeklyreader.com/estore/.

The Incredible Human Body Flip Charts
There’s more to see and more to learn about the human body with these flip charts and acetate overlays. The 12 charts are approximately 12" x 19".
Ages 7 and up, $19.99. KIDZUP Productions, Inc.; (888) 321-5437; http://www.kidzup.com/.

The Trait Crates
Teach with the traits! These kits include picture books with lessons to help you teach the traits of writing—ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions.
Grades 3, 4, and 5; $125 each. Scholastic Teaching Resources, (800) SCHOLASTIC, http://www.scholastic.com/.

Sundance Comprehension Strategies Kit
These kits focus on six comprehension strategies to help students become successful readers. Each kit includes modeling transparencies, interactive practice cards, leveled selections, take-home readers, and a teacher’s guide.
Grades 3–5 and up; $279 for each fiction or nonfiction kit, $545 for a complete kit. Options Publishing, (800) 782-7300, http://www.optionspublishing.com/.

The Electronic Field Trip Series
Take students back in time with these dramatizations of life during Colonial days. Kids can even call in to talk with the characters and email questions to historians!
Grades 4–8; $500 for the series of seven plus yearlong teacher and student online resources. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, (800) 761-8331, www.history.org/trips.

Theme Sets: Our Solar System
Address reading levels while students learn standards-based science. The books in this set cover the same key concepts at four different readability levels.
Grades 3–8, $261.08 for eight copies each of four titles. National Geographic School Publishing, (800) 368-2728, NGSP.com.

New Horizons and Our Changing Solar System Bulletin Board Set
This bulletin board set focuses on technological advances that pave the way for new celestial discoveries. It includes cross-curricular activities and a reproducible space science notebook.
Grades 3 and up, $12.99. Frank Schaffer Publications, (800) 417-3261, http://www.frankschaffer.com/.

Blood Components Model
What do the components of blood look like? This 3-D model answers that question and explains each component’s function.
Grades 5 and up, $99.75. HEALTH EDCO, (800) 299-3366 ext. 295, http://www.healthedco.com/.

TI Graphing Calculator Strategies—Middle School Math
Enhance students’ graphing calculator skills and mathematical understanding with lesson plans that explain, demonstrate, and apply concepts. The book includes extension ideas and strategies to simplify the lessons.
Grades 5–9, $29.99. Shell Education, (877) 777-3450, http://www.shelleducation.com/.

Nutrition Curriculum Module
Grow healthy and responsible students. This module covers nutrients, daily requirements, serving sizes, healthful fast-food selections, heart-healthful decisions, and more with hands-on activities.
Grades 6–8, $550. HEALTH EDCO Curriculum, (800) 299-3366 ext. 200, http://www.healthedcocurriculum.com/.

Websites

Discovery Education Science
Encourage exploration! These interactive videos, virtual labs, and science simulations encourage critical thinking and deepen understanding of physical, life, earth, and space science.
Grades 5–8, $1,995 for an annual subscription. Discovery Education LLC, (800) 323-9084, http://www.discoveryeducation.com/.

Pokémon Learning League
This standards-based, educational suite of animated, interactive lessons now has a school and classroom management system to help you assess student progress and individualize instruction.
Grades 3–6; $145 for a classroom subscription, $990 for a school subscription. Pokémon USA, Inc.; http://www.pokemonlearningleague.com/.

Science Explorations
Through this program students participate in authentic, standards-based science investigations with real scientists using primary documents and genuine artifacts in the American Museum of Natural History’s collections.
Grades 3–10, free. American Museum of Natural History and Scholastic, scholastic.com/scienceexplorations.

Enciclopedia Universal en Español
Say “Hola” to this Spanish-language encyclopedia that features more than 47,000 articles; more than 9,000 images, maps, and tables; a dictionary; an atlas; and timelines.
Grades 3–12, $0.28 for each student. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.; (800) 621-3900; http://www.eb.com/.

Professional Books

Play, Projects, and Preschool Standards: Nurturing Children’s Sense of Wonder and Joy in Learning
These playful projects and activities put standards and benchmarks into practice while helping children develop critical social and preacademic skills.
Preschool–PreK, $25.95. Corwin Press, (800) 233-9936, http://www.corwinpress.com/.

Intelligent Life in the Classroom: Smart Kids & Their Teachers
Written by a teacher and a parent, this book provides insight into the nature, quirks, and vulnerabilities of gifted kids. Includes an extensive list of resources.
For teacher use, $16.95. Great Potential Press, Inc.; (877) 954-4200; http://www.giftedbooks.com/.

Reprinted with permission from Learning ® Magazine, January 2008

Free Teacher Movitational Quote - "I Will"

2008-08-11T14:12:00.004-05:00

Successful people replace

the words "wish", "should" and "try"

with "I WILL".

Ineffective people don't.

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I hope you are enjoying the Olympics! I hope you will get out this weekend and enjoy whatever sport or activity you like the most. If you are indoors, near a computer, please visit our on-line catalog for school room decorations and supplies. We just might have that item you're looking for. Either way, take time for you. Please visit us at Schoodoodle.com.

Free Teacher Motivational Quote - "A Day With A Teacher"

2008-08-11T13:57:00.004-05:00

"Better

than a thousand days

of diligent study is

one day with a great teacher."

Source: Japanese proverb

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As school begins, please remember to visit our site for any supplies you may need for the new school year. We have most everything you might need to make your bulletin boards creative and fun! Here's a link to Schoodoodle.com!

Free Teacher Facts - "Olympic Gold Medals" and "Miscellaneous"

2008-08-08T15:49:00.007-05:00

The last Olympic gold medals that were made entirely out of gold were awarded in 1912.

On average, a 4-year-old child asks 437 questions a day.

Blue and white are the most common school colors.

Because of Animal Crackers, many kids until they reach the age of ten,

believe a bear is as tall as a giraffe.

Jack is the most common name in nursery rhymes.

Kermit the Frog is left-handed.

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It's time to go back to school! Get the latest trends and gadgets that make the grade at Schoodoodle.com.

Free Teacher's Tips - "School Inventions"

2008-08-07T10:25:00.004-05:00

As our minds turn toward a new class and a new school year, here's an idea to get creative minds working. Hope you enjoy your results! And we love to hear the results if you would forward them to us, blog about what your students create!

Discuss with your new students the various supplies they use while at school. Tell your class that a school supply company needs their help to come up with the next great school tool. Perhaps an invention they can create to help make their school experience more enjoyable. Have the class write a paragraph or two describing their new school tool and draw a detailed illustration of it. When students are ready to publish their final drafts, provide them with School Tools computer paper to write their paragraphs and draw their pictures.

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This and other great computer paper can be found at Schoodoodle.com, our on-line catalog for school supplies. Enjoy your shopping experience on-line!

Free Interesting Facts For Teachers - "Of Mice and Men"

2008-07-30T08:46:00.006-05:00

Here's a mix of facts:

Fathers tend to determine the height of their child, mothers their weight.
Watching television can act as a natural painkiller for children.
Walt Disney was afraid of mice.
Napoleon was terrified of cats.
The total combined weight of the world's ant population is heavier than the weight of the human population.
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Brought to you by Schoodoodle.com. Enjoy your day!

Free Parent Involvement Activity - "Color Flip" - Grades K-1st

2008-07-30T08:30:00.004-05:00

Counting

Glue green and yellow construction paper together, back to back. After the glue has dried, cut the paper into sixteen similarly sized cards. They will be yellow on one side and green on the other.

Take these and lay eight green cards and eight yellow cards face up between you and your child. Let your child choose which color she would like to play with during the game.

To play the game, you and your child take turns throwing a die. The number on the die will determine how many of your opponent's cards you will be able to "flip over" to your color. For example, if your child rolls a two, she will turn over two of your green cards so they are yellow (her color).

A player wins when she succeeds in rolling the exact number necessary to allow her to flip over the last of her opponent's cards.

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Source: Bright and Beyond, Smart & Simple Math Activities to do with your Child, Grades Kindergarten to 3rd, Ages 5-9. Available at Schoodoodle.com.

Free Parent Involvement Activity - "Animal Songs" - 3-12 month baby

2008-07-30T08:21:00.003-05:00

Language Skills, Imagination

Add props when you sing songs to your child. for example, gather toy animals and make them dance around at the appropriate time during a rendition of "Old McDonald Had A Farm." Other songs to which you can add animal props include, "Pop Goes the Weasel," "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep," "Five Little Ducks," "The Bear Went Over The Mountain," etc.

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Source: Bright and Beyond, Smart & Simple Baby Activities to do with your Child, Age 0-12 Months. Available at Schoodoodle.com.

Free Interesting Facts for Teachers - "Planet"

2008-07-22T13:16:00.004-05:00

Here's some facinating facts about our solar system:

Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise.

Earth is the only planet not named after a pagan God.

If you attempted to count the stars in a galaxy at a rate of one every second, it would take around 3,000 years to count them all.

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Have a great weekend! July is coming to an end, so get ready for August! Why not spend some time visiting our online catalog? You never know what you might find! Please visit Schoodoodle.com. Thanks!

Interesting Facts for Teachers - "Legs"

2008-07-20T11:34:00.002-05:00

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle; if the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle; if the horse has all 4 legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

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Hope your summer is going great! Just a few more weeks left to get out there. Do it. If you are home, why not visit our website and order some school supplies for the new class about to begin? Here's a link to Schoodoodle.

Interesting Facts for Teachers - "The Eisenhower"

2008-07-20T11:24:00.003-05:00

In case you're traveling this week and get bored while driving, here's a little interesting fact to help you wander...

The Eisenhower interstate system requires that one mile in every five must be straight. These straight sections are useable as airstrips in times of war or other emergencies.

_________**

At home this week, then please visit our website for back to school supplies! You never know what you might find! Here's a link to Schoodoodle.com.

Free Teacher Joke - "Contractions"

2008-07-02T15:55:00.005-05:00

Teacher: If "can't" is short for "cannot,"
what is "don't" short for?

Student: Doughnut.

FREE INTERESTING FACT FOR TEACHERS - "Patriotism"

2008-07-01T08:39:00.003-05:00

Did you know...

Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. The last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.

The US national anthem actually has three verses, but everyone just knows the first one.

Francis Scott Key was a young lawyer who wrote the poem, 'The Star Spangled Banner', after being inspired by watching the Americans fight off the British attack of Baltimore during the War of 1812. The poem became the words to the national anthem.

The motto of the American people, "In God We Trust," was not adopted as the national slogan until 1956.

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Hope you have a terrific month of July! If you are on the internet, please check out our website, we have tons of school supplies to help make your summer activities more enjoyable! Please visit us at Schoodoodle.com. Thanks!

Free Interesting Fact for Teachers - "Apples"

2008-06-27T09:44:00.003-05:00

I thought we'd try a new title -- isn't that interesting? Here's the first of many interesting facts:

Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.

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Hope you have an interesting weekend! If you're using your computer this weekend, try browsing our online catalog, Schoodoodle.com. You never know what interesting items you may find helpful for your happy summer!

Free Parent Involvement Activity - "Fishing for Letters & Words" - Grade K-3rd

2008-06-23T10:25:00.004-05:00

Pre-Reading, Phonics, Word Recognition, Vocabulary

Create a "fishing rod" by attaching a length of string to the end of a twelve-inch stick (a ruler works well). At the end of the string, use a glue gun to attach a small magnet.

Next, write individual letters or words at (or slightly above) your child's reading level on small, fish-shaped, pieces of construction paper, and attach a metal paperclip to each. Distribute the "fish," letter-side down, in a random pattern across the floor.

Give the "fishing rod" to your child and encourage her to "fish" for the letters or words. (The magnet will attract the paperclips.)

When she "catches" a letter she can think of a word that starts with that letter. When she catches a word, she can read it or use it in a sentence.

Variation -- Place the fish face up on the floor and encourage your child to catch a specific letter or word.

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Source: Bright and Beyond, Smart & Simple Activities to do with your Child, Reading, Grades Kindergarten to 3rd. Available at Schoodoodle.com.

Free Parent Involvement Activity - "Clock Hunt" - Age 2

2008-06-23T10:18:00.004-05:00

Listening Skills, Observation & Discovery

Set the alarm of a battery powered clock a few minutes ahead. While your child is not looking, hide it somewhere in the house, such as under a couch cushion, table, or blanket, or in a cabinet or closet. When the alarm goes off, help your child locate the clock, emphasizing the need to "follow the sound."

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Source: Bright and Beyond, Smart & Simple Activities to do with your Child, Age 2, 24-36 months. Available at Schoodoodle.com.

Free Teacher Joke - "Punctuation"

2008-06-18T08:17:00.001-05:00

An English professor wrote the words: "A woman without her man is nothing"
On the chalkboard and asked his students to punctuate it correctly.
All of the MALES in the class wrote: "A woman, without her man, is nothing."
While All the FEMALES in the class wrote: "A woman: without her, man is nothing."

Reading Between the Lines: Making Inferences About Idioms

2008-05-29T08:20:00.002-05:00

Subject: Language Arts
Grades: 4-6

Overview
Idiomatic expressions are a great way to give students practice with inference skills. In this lesson plan, students practice using prior knowledge and textual information in order to infer (or guess) the meaning of idiomatic expressions.

Objectives
Students will:
· Learn the definition of “idiom”
· Identify idioms in passages
· Infer the meaning of unknown idioms through prior knowledge and textual information
· Write sentences that provide textual clues to the meaning of unknown idioms

IRA/NCTE Standards for the English Language Arts
Standard 4: Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.

Standard 6: Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and nonprint texts.

Materials Needed
· WordTeasers: Idioms

Getting Started
Write the following sentence on the chalkboard:

The cowboy rode into the sunset.

Call upon a volunteer to read the sentence aloud. Then ask: “What do you think the cowboy was riding?” (A horse.) Why is that a good guess? (Because cowboys usually ride horses.) Could the cowboy be riding a motorcycle into the sunset? (Maybe. But cowboys generally ride horses.)

Next, ask: “What direction was the cowboy riding?” (West) How do you know? (He was riding into the sunset and the sun sets in the West.)

Finally, ask: About what time of day was it? (Late afternoon; early evening.) How do you know? (The cowboy was riding into the sunset.)

Tell students that in answering these questions they used information they already knew about cowboys and about where the sun rises and sets. They were able to make a good guess or infer the answers to the questions based on this prior knowledge.

Development
Write the following idiomatic expression on the chalkboard.

Alex does not mince words.

Ask the class if they know what it means to “not mince words.” Allow time for students to tell what they know about the idiomatic expression.

Next, write these two sentences on the chalkboard.

Alex always says exactly what is on his mind. He does not mince words.

Again, ask students what they think it means to “not mince words.” (To say exactly what you think, even if it upsets other people.) Did the first sentence in this passage help students understand the meaning of “not mince words”? Why or why not?

Tell students that the phrase “not mince words” is an idiomatic expression. An idiom is a phrase that means something other than what the individual words might suggest. When students come across an unknown idiomatic expression, they can often guess (or infer) the meaning from the rest of the passage. Distribute the activity sheet to the class. Give students time to complete the worksheet. Then discuss each passage with students? How were students able to infer their answers?

Activity Worksheet
Directions: When you read a story, you often find clues that make it possible for you to make a good guess about words or phrases or facts that are not stated in the story. This is called making an inference. Read each passage below. From what the passage says, determine the meaning of the idiomatic expression in bold. Check the correct answer.

1. Whenever anything goes wrong, Ted gets very upset, while his friend Esai rolls with the punches.

What can you infer about Esai from this sentence?
_____ (a) Esai gets into a lot of fights.
_____ (b) Esai is ten years old.
_____ (c) Esai usually takes things as they come.

2. Cassie can’t keep a secret. Whenever there is a surprise birthday party for someone, she always seems to spill the beans.

What can you infer about Cassie from this passage?
_____ (a) Cassie is clumsy and if always knock over the cake.
_____ (b) Cassie’s friends are planning a birthday party for her.
_____ (c) Cassie often tells or reveals secrets.

3. Eric is really two-faced. He says nice things about you when you’re together but always disses you when you’re not around.

What can you infer about Eric?
_____ (a) No one likes Eric.
_____ (b) Eric is phony.
_____ (c) Eric is clumsy.

4. Whenever it’s time for recess, Juan always jumps the gun. He runs to the door before the bell rings.

What can you infer about Juan?
_____ (a) He often does things before he should.
_____ (b) He jumps up and down when it’s time for recess.
_____ (c) He doesn’t like school.

5. Brittany is feeling down in the dumps. She got to school late. She got a bad grade on a math test, and her best friend is mad at her.

What can you infer about Brittany today?
_____ (a) She watches a lot of television.
_____ (b) She doesn’t like math.
_____ (c) She is sad and unhappy.

Extension: Distribute WordTeasers: Idioms cards to students. Challenge them to write a statement using an idiom. Then have them write one or two other sentences that provide context clues to the definition of their idiomatic expression. For example:

Statement 1. Gary wants to bury the hatchet.
Supporting Statements: Gary was mad at Nicole, but since she apologized he is ready to bury the hatchet.

Have students read their first statement out loud. Does the class know the meaning of the idiom in the statement? Now have them read their second passage. Can students infer the meaning of the idiom now?

Next Week: Vocabulary Skills for High School Students with WordTeasers: College Prep

Source: WordTeasers: Idioms — an educational game designed to get kids talking, laughing, thinking, writing…and improving language arts skills. Ages 9+ .

Available at SchooDoodle.com.

WorldTeaser Geography Challenge

2008-05-15T09:52:00.002-05:00

Subject: Geography; World Culture
Grade(s): 4-6

Overview
Using the process of elimination and critical thinking skills, students determine the correct answer to questions about geography and world culture and then demonstrate their understanding of the process of elimination strategy by creating their own WorldTeaser Challenge questions.

Objectives
Students will:
· Understand the meaning of process of elimination
· Learn how the process of elimination can help in answering multiple choice test questions.
· Locate countries on a world map and identify their world region or continent.
· Develop questions that demonstrate an understanding of the process of elimination

National Geography Standards
Standard 4: The physical and human characteristics of places.

IRA/NCTE Standards for the English Language Arts
Standard 6: Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and nonprint texts.

Materials Needed
· World map
· WorldTeaser: World Culture and Geography game

Getting Started
Write the following WorldTeaser Challenge on the chalkboard:
The name of this country in Asia means “land of the pure.” Is it:
(a) Peru
(b) Pakistan
(c) Pachyderm
Ask for students to vote by a show of hands whether they think the answer is (a), (b), or (c). Tell students that the answer is (b) Pakistan. Then ask students: “If you didn’t know that the answer was (b) Pakistan, is there a way you might have been able to guess at the correct answer?” Lead students in a discussion of Process of Elimination. Ask: “What is a pachyderm?” (An elephant.) Since pachyderm is not the name of a country, we can eliminate it as a possible answer. Then ask: Is there any other clue to the correct answer in the question? Say: “The question tells us that the country with the name “land of the pure” is on the continent of Asia. On what continent is Peru? (South America.) Therefore, we can eliminate Peru as a possible answer.

Development
Next, write the following WorldTeaser Challenge on the chalkboard:
The very first international Starbucks opened in this Asian country in 1996. Is it:
(a) Jordan
(b) Japan
(c) Java
Then ask: Which one of the possible choices can we easily eliminate? Why? (Answer: (c) Java, because it is not the name of a country.) What clue to the correct answer can we find in the Challenge statement? (The answer is the name of a country in Asia.) Then, have students locate Jordan on a world map. Ask: In what world region is the country of Jordan? (Middle East) What does the challenge question tell us. (The correct answer is a country on the continent of Asia.)

Activity
Divide students into small groups. Let each group select a different country of the world to research. Tell students they are going to write a WorldTeaser Challenge question like the two they just read. Tell students to follow these steps.
(1) Find an interesting, unusual, or trivial fact about their country. For example, if their country is Libya, students might write: The flag of this country is one solid color with no writing or decoration on it.
(2) Next, have students revise their statement to include the name of the country’s continent or world region. For example: The flag of this country in Africa is one solid color with no writing or decoration on it.
(3) Now, write three possible answers to the question. Tell students to pick one silly or obviously incorrect answer, such as Limeaid. (Tell students their choice does not have to begin with the same letter of the alphabet as their correct answer.). Then pick one possible answer that is the name of a country which is not in the same continent or world region as their country. (For example, Latvia or Luxembourg.) Finally, tell students to write the correct answer. When completed, their question should follow this format:
The flag of this country in Africa is one solid color with no writing or decoration on it. Is it:
(a) Limeaid
(b) Latvia
(c) Libya
Have each group pose their WorldTeaser Challenge to the rest of the class.

Follow-up
For a more advanced WorldTeaser Challenge game, suggest that students develop clues about their selected country based on the certain physical and human characteristics, such as:
Physical characteristics:
1. The name of a country that the selected country borders.
2. A tangible or intangible characteristic that help distinguish their selected country from other places.
3. The climate, vegetation, or typical animal life found in their country.
Human characteristics:
1. The primary language of their country.
2. The political system of their country.
3. The primary religion of their country.

Next Week: Language Arts Lesson Plan on Idioms

Source: WorldTeasers: World Culture and Geography — An educational game designed to help upper elementary grade students supersize their global knowledge with fascinating, intriguing, and amusing trivia about countries and their culture. Grades 4 +. Available at SchooDoodle.com.

Free Parent Involvement Activity - "Composer/Artist of the Month" - Age 7+

2008-05-14T08:33:00.003-05:00

How many pieces did Mozart compose before he died at age 35?
Composer/Artist of the Month -- Choose a composer or artist to focus on during the month and gather information from the library (musical samples of his/her work, books, art magazines, etc.) to explore with your child. find a picture of the artist or composer and post it prominently in your jhome as a way to spark discussion about his/her work.

As you listen to the composer's music, disucss with your child the kinds of emotions it makes you feel and what things it reminds you of (the sounds of a circus, wind in the trees, etc.). If at all possible, attend a concert featuring this composer, or attend an exhibit featuring the artist's work and ask your child for his opinions. What does he think the artist is trying to express with each piece? Does the artwork seem to be telling a story? Consider letting your child create a piece of artwork using the featured artist's typical medium (oil paints, watercolors, clay, etc.).

Exploring the works of various artists and talking about their differeing styles, choice of subjects, etc., can yhelp your child develop an understanding of how art takes many forms and how it changes over time.

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Source: Bright and Beyond, Smart & Simple Thinking Activities to do with your Child, Ages 7 & up. Available at Schoodoodle.com.

Free Parent Involvement Activity - "Watering Jug" - Age 1

2008-05-14T08:22:00.004-05:00

Observation & Discovery, Imagination

Using a hammer and nail, punch six small holes in the cap of a half-gallon plastic milk jug. Also make one small hole halfway down the side of the jug under the handle, as an air vent.

Fill the jug halfway with water and screw on the cap. show your child how to tilt the jug and sprinkle the flowers and grass outside. This is also a toy he will enjoy in the bathtub.

CAUTION! Monitor your child closely during this activity. Never leave a child unattended in or near the bathtub.

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Source: Bright and Beyond, Smart & Simple Age 1 Activities to do with your Child, 12-24 months. Available at Schoodoodle.com.