Taking Grades for Teachers

2012-03-16T21:33:00.000-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2012-03-16T18:59:00.000-04:00

Q: What do you call a fake Blarney Stone?

A: A sham rock

2012-03-16T14:46:00.000-04:00

Grab your FREE copy of

April Tomfoolery

and be ready

for

April Fools’ Day

Laugh at Work Week

and

National Humor Month. . .

Find it on TeachersPayTeachers

or in the Taking Grades

$5 or Less or Free Department

along with other April free downloads.

(Scroll to the bottom of the page.)

2012-03-10T09:15:00.002-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

March 10, 2012

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Build a Leprechaun Trap and Creative Writing Activities—Smart Chick—Ohio

What 4^th, 5^th, and 5^th grader wouldn’t enjoy designing and building a trap to catch a leprechaun? This one also taps into the social media with leprechaun I-Phone texting, a Facebook page, and a twitter account. Great for older kids!

Leprechaun’s Secret Language—Mary Hopkins—California

Listed as appropriate for 2^nd-4^th grades, this one-page “secret code” activity will also appeal to older children, especially if they are allowed to use the technique to write their own messages or create their own codes. Lots of fun possibilities in this one!

Shamrock Decimal Multiply—Kathleen Lyon—California

A shamrock-themed visual activity involving simple multiplication with decimals. Lots of kid appeal!

Lab: Determining the Density of Unknown Metals—Science Stuff—Tennessee

Great lab for middle school science. Worksheets are available as both PDF files and as work documents, making it easy for teachers to adapt the material for a particular class.

The Hunger Games Mood & Tone: Images from District 12—Tracee Orman—Illinois

The Hunger Games movie is due to be released in a matter of days. You’ll find this activity from Tracee Orman especially appropriate as it contains photos from Henry River, the NC mill village that served as one of the filming location for District 12.

Don’t forget to check out The Lesson Cloud, where the authors are celebrating St. Patrick's Day by GOING GREEN all week! Lots of free items and time-saving lessons for purchase!

2012-03-03T15:44:00.000-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

March 3, 2012

March Creative Writing—Ashleigh—Georgia

Excellent writing prompts for March with attractive writing paper. This one is a winning combination.

Animal Habitats Study Guide—Tammy Horton—Virginia

Presented in question and answer format, this is an excellent student resource for learning, reviewing, and studying the facts and vocabulary of animal habitats.

Context Clues Assessment—Meghan J—California

This one-page, ten-item freebie is a good workout for middle graders who need a little extra practice in understanding how to use context clues to determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

National Geographic Magazine Project Menu—Smart Chick—Ohio

Finally! Here’s a way to put those old National Geographic Magazines to use in the classroom. Thanks, Smart Chick!

Language Arts General Word Wall—Tools for Teachers by Laura J—Maryland

This free download is a collection of mini-posters that feature words and definitions students will encounter in test items. Now is a good time to display these in your classroom!

2012-03-03T11:31:00.000-05:00

Relaxation Skills Practice

with

The Foz

aka: Fozzie Theodore Bearcat

Rules:

1. Get yourself an s-curve kitty couch.

2. Throw feet up.

3. Lay head back.

4. Relax.

5. Repeat often.

2012-03-01T10:53:00.000-05:00

Free Brain Teaser

March Connections

Download and enjoy!

2012-02-28T13:24:00.004-05:00

Leap Day Sale

TeachersPayTeachers

up to 28% off!

February 29, 2012

To celebrate Leap Day, TeachersPayTeachers is throwing a whole site sale—10% off any item from any seller’s store. Promo code L2P9Y. Many individual sellers are also offering discounts up to 20%. The savings potential is terrific!!

Whether this is your first TeachersPayTeachers sale event or the next one on your list, do come by for a look. The following merchants are at the top of my highly-recommended list:

K-2 Deanna Jump

1^st Grade Rachelle Smith

1-4 (Science, Social Studies, Reading, ELA)Power Point Maniac

3-5 (Reading, Math, Social Studies) Wise Guys

3-12 (Reading, Math, Science) Smart Chick

5-12 (Language Arts) Secondary Solutions

6-12 (Language Arts) Tracee Orman

7-12 (Biology and Chemistry) Science Stuff

and my store, of course

4-8 (Language Arts) Margaret Whisnant

Happy Leap Day Shopping!

2012-02-27T11:50:00.000-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

February 27, 2012

Doubles Day!

Free Leap Day Challenge—Free Leap Day Mad Lib—Rachel Lynette—Washington

Leap Day activities are hard to find. Finding two engaging FREE Leap Day products is

even more rare, but that’s just what you have done. Download these two freebies from Rachel Lynette and treat your students to something special on this special day.

Picture Prompts--Holidays—Picture Prompts 2

Think, Wonder, and Teach—Arizona

Great writing prompts with visuals. Each one of these writing activities comes with a compelling picture and a writing prompt based on the image. Great for your imaginative writers who complain they can’t think of anything to write about. This author has also provided a bonus by offering a second set of more challenging prompts.

12 Prefix and Suffix Mini Posters—Rachael Parlette—New York

Here’s another free dual download. These attractive mini posters carry a pirate theme. This seller is offering the same set of posters in a cute critters theme. Take your choice of either or both sets.

Seven Elements of Poetry—Power Point—Anita Franklin—Tennessee

Great basic power point poetry lesson for middle grades. A staple if you teach poetry!

Decimal Fraction and Percent Concentration—Ann Marie Bishop—Virginia

What better way to teach a math concept that with a game? If you grab this one, don’t forget to leave feedback and thank the author for putting together this time-saver and offering it as a freebie.

2012-02-19T18:37:00.001-05:00

Looking for Teaching Resources

for The Hunger Games?

Calling all fans of The Hunger Games!

Made a R&R trip yesterday to Henry River Mill Village, the little ghost town about ten miles from my home where part of the movie was filmed, to take some pictures for my Illinois teacher-friend Tracee Orman, one of TpT’s top sellers and the planet’s best resource for Hunger Games teaching materials. She has already worked the photos into a lesson and posted them on her blog! Go have a look.

2012-02-18T09:15:00.000-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

February 18, 2012

Presidential Paragraph Sort—The LocoTeacher—Georgia

This one-page activity challenges students to descramble a random group of facts about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln so that they create an organized paragraph of information about each man. Great activity for Presidents Day

Animal Adaptation Power Point Lesson and Interactive Quiz—Power Point Maniac—NY

This 30-slide, interactive power point is a winner! Great resource for 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade science teachers. If you are also a “Power Point Maniac,” you’ll want to check out this seller’s other products.

Using Appropriate Tone in Writing—Secondary Solutions—California

Kristen Bowers aka Secondary Solutions has chosen writing tone, another one of those literary elements that can be confusing for students, as the subject of her newest freebie. This lesson clearly explains the concept and then offers practice sentences for students to show what they have learned. Very appropriate for gifted 4^th and 5^th graders as well as regular middle grades.

Road Runner Contractions—Michelle Harper—Tennessee

This is one clever idea—a dynamic duo of learning and movement! The teacher places numbered contractions questions on each child’s desks and hands out numbered answer sheets. Then students race from desk to desk until they answer every question. The concepts in this fun product can be adapted and used for a large variety of topics and subjects across grade levels. Download this one, even if you don’t teach contractions.

Fact and Opinion Review—Power Point—Amanda Bradford—Indiana

This well-organized and attractively presented power point takes students through a series of short paragraphs that can be identified as either containing facts or opinions. A really good workout for learning and practicing this topic.

2012-02-14T12:20:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day Customer Appreciation Sale

15% off everything in my

TpT Store

Today (2/14) and Tomorrow (2/15) Only!

Stop by and have a look.

2012-02-13T12:37:00.000-05:00

New March Freebie

Better Late than Never

An Acknowledgement of National Procrastination Week

(Second Week in March)

with

“Late” Vocabulary

Download your copy now. Or whenever!

2012-02-10T19:15:00.001-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

February 11, 2012

The title says FIVE Outstanding Freebies, but there are SEVEN items in this week’s bunch. Removing two listings from this group of winners just proved to be too difficult! I think you'll agree that it was a win-win decision.

Valentine’s Day Stationary—A Series of 3^rd Grade Events—Texas

Two cute-as-a button stationary designs and two envelopes—all with loads of kid appeal. Download and use year after year.

Valentine’s Day Fraction Activities—Lindsay Perro—Maryland

This one was featured in last week’s 10 Free Downloads Newsletter. It has more than 4,000 downloads and a perfect 4.0, 12-vote rating. I’ll let the numbers speak for themselves. If you missed the newsletter, here’s your chance to download this wonderful math lesson.

Love Bug Bump—Sunny Days—Florida

Sunny Days is making another appearance on my list of nominees with this math game that was also featured in last week’s 10 Free Downloads Newsletter. Download your copy of this top-rated item.

Valentine’s Day Fun Cards—Ruth S.—Connecticut

A group of six ready-to-use Valentine cards just too charming to turn down. Your students will love filling out and sending these designs .

Hunger Games Valentine’s Cards—Tracee Orman—Illinois

OK, Hunger Games enthusiasts. This one is for you! Tracee Orman, one of TpT’s top five sellers, has created a set of Valentine’s cards with a Hunger Games theme that fans of this popular novel series will understand and appreciate. Even if you don’t use the novel, download this file. Next year, after the movie has been released, this freebie will be even more appealing to your students.

Valentine Limerick Fun—Laura Torres—California

What would Valentine’s Day be without poetry? Ms. Torres’ freebie will fill the bill just fine! There’s Mad-lib style limericks and a couple of other structured free style poems that will give students opportunity to stretch their imaginations and their senses of humor. A great Valentine’s file stuffer!

I Heart Math—Amber Polk—NC

All you need to make this well-designed Valentine math freebie work are Sweethearts Candy and a group of students. The activities themselves, which include sorting, graphing, estimation, will provide the motivation. Fourth and fifth grade math teachers, keep your eye on this seller.

2012-02-04T12:27:00.002-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

February 4. 2012

All of this week’s Five Outstanding Freebies have a Valentine theme. TpT’s Teacher/Authors have posted so many excellent free downloads for Valentine’s Day.

I had a difficult time whittling the list down to five. Therefore, there will be more to come next week!

Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Match—Connie—Virginia

Cool idea! Students are challenged to find perfect matches for characters they have met in books. Couple compatibility choices are based on character About Me cards that students

ceate for their fictional clients. Older students will have a blast with this one!

Heartfelt Causes and Effects—Laura Candler—NC

Laura has created a two-part cause/effect activity based on the Valentine story “Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch,” which can be accessed online at StorylineOnline.net. Fifth and sixth graders will enjoy using this product as well as younger children. Well-organized, complete, and tech-friendly in typical Laura Candler style. A must have!

I Have. . . Who Has. . . Valentine’s—Cooperative Learning 365—Missouri

How lucky can we get? Cooperative Learning 365 has created a set of my favorite I Have. . . Who Has. . . cards for Valentine’s Day. She is also offering an I Have. . . Who Has. . . Presidents Day Analogies for free! All kinds of thinking skills practice in these two items!

Valentine’s Day Around the World—Angie Barillaro—Victoria, Australia

This product is a cornucopia of Valentine trivia and information that any teacher can use to wow a group of students. Every page is a springboard of ideas for writing, artwork, performing, and so many other creative activities. Ms. Barillaro has invested a lot of time putting this item together. It’s “free” status requires some good feedback for all who download!

Valentine’s Day Word Fun—Tools for Teachers by Laura J—Maryland

Younger children will enjoy the activities in this file, which includes a hands-on synonym

match and a hunt for misspelled Valentine words. Great for those times when you need

a fun fill-in idea.

2012-02-03T18:46:00.001-05:00

February

Idioms from the Heart

A Valentine Freebie

February Idioms from the Heart, my latest free item, is a combination history and figurative language lesson.

Each of the forty original sentences, organized as two separate activities of twenty items each, are constructed around an idiom with the word heart in it. Students are challenged to interpret the hidden meaning in each one. The preliminary Student Page briefly explains the history behind our language's large collection of idiomatic expressions that erroneously attribute human emotions and personality traits to the heart. Grab your copy and treat your students to something a little different this Valentine's Day.

2012-01-28T14:30:00.004-05:00

Free

Pop-up Valentine

Card Pattern

Click here and follow instructions.

2012-01-28T14:06:00.000-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

January 28. 2012

Free February Activities from Teaching Resources—Laura Candler—NC

This 28 page resource is the most highly rated freebie on TpT. Grab your copy!

Great Gilly Hopkins Quiz—KABOB—Texas

This set of twenty True/False questions, which covers the whole book, is perfect for teachers looking for assessment materials to add to their independent reading program resources. This seller appears to specialize in this type of material.

Winter Themed Possessive or Plural—Amber Polk—NC

Helping students see the difference between plurals and possessives can be one of the toughest lessons to teach. Though this item is tagged for 2^nd and 3^rd grade, I think 4^th-6^th grade students will also benefit. Definitely worth downloading.

Football Word Bank and Writing Templates—KB Konnected—Illinois

Just in time for Super Bowl Sunday! This freebie’s word bank of football terms and the attractively designed composition pages form a strong framework for some creative writing.

Voracious Vocabulary Worksheet—Lekha Writing School—California

This freebie is a good organizational tool for getting students to collect and analyze new words. The introduction asks students to choose ten new words, but it could work just as well for teacher-assigned words. The idea would be easily adapted to different situations and grade levels.

2012-01-23T13:02:00.000-05:00

International Friendship Week

February 6^th-10^th

Amnesty International has declared February 6^th-10^th as International Friendship Week. Check out their website for more information about getting your students involved.

2012-01-22T11:34:00.000-05:00

Flash Sale Announcement

for my blog and Facebook followers only

Get a head start on your materials collecting for Black History Month:

For the next FIVE HOURS (12:00 noon to 5:00 PM EST)

The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963: A Novel Teaching Pack

marked down 40% from $23 to $15.00

(113-page resource with eight components)

The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963: Summaries and Objective Tests

marked down 50% from $12.00 to $6.00

(54 pages)

Pass the word

2012-01-21T14:05:00.001-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

January 21. 2012

Biology Lab: Simple DNA Extraction—Science Stuff—Tennessee

Science Stuff, aka Amy Brown, has posted another winner! Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders will love this lab!

Winter Crossword Puzzle—Promoting Success-IA

A winter vocabulary workout that can serve as a starting point for winter narratives and poetry. A versatile resource

Biography Graphic Organizer—Kate Hoss—Wisconsin

This thoughtful product will come in handy for those times when you want students to write short biographies of authors, inventors, leaders, etc. Thorough, to the point, and easy to follow.

February Facts and Fun Cards—Sunny Days—Florida

Sunny Days has put together a set of twelve task cards, each one presenting an interesting fact connected to the month of February. Students are then asked to answer a question or express their opinion about the fact. Great for those special “thinking” moments that should be a part of every classroom.

I Have. . . Who Has. . . Valentine’s—Mandy Neal.--Cooperative Learning 365—Missouri

What’s Valentine’s Day without a game of I Have. . . Who Has. . .? Mandy Neal has created a set of 24 eye-catching cards to mark the occasion. Download today and be ready!

2012-01-14T10:25:00.001-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

January 14. 2012

Pensee Poem Writing Activity—Rachel Lynette—Washington

Rachel Lynette’s free download for writing this structured, five-line poem is an exercise in both imagination and creativity. A must-have for 4^th-8^th grade language arts teachers. Easily adapted to novel studies, social studies, science—almost any subject area.

Homophone Literacy Center—Mrs. Bushnell—Indiana

This activity presents a list of selected homophones. Students are to choose five sets, and then use them in silly sentences, which they will also illustrate. Great idea for a teaching bulletin board. Change the list of words, and you have a whole new activity.

I Have Who Has 4^th Grade Affixes—Alison M—Kansas

“4^th Grade” is in the title of this I-Have-Who-Has vocabulary game, but it’s 100% suitable for 5^th-8^th grades as well, depending upon your student’s needs. I have become a fan of this fun technique for teaching vocabulary and was delighted to find another well-written, ready-to-go set of playing cards. Lots of practical, long-term use in this freebie.

The 100^th Day of School—Book of Fun and 100—Robin Sellers

A hoard of ideas and resources for marking the 100^th day of school in this 18-page download. Get a copy for yourself and share with your colleagues.

The Moon—Julie Rankin—Ohio

This high-quality power point takes students on a tour of moon facts, moon phases, and the workings of a lunar eclipse with an ending group of review questions. If any of these topics are on your things-to-teach list, grab this free download.

Please be generous with the good ratings and positive comments with each file you download. Have a fun weekend!

2012-01-07T13:43:00.000-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

January 7, 2012

Understanding Verbal, Situation, and Dramatic Irony—Secondary Solutions—California

Love this activity from Secondary Solutions! The concept of irony can sometimes be difficult to teach to youngsters—the very reason I chose this freebie. Kristen has categorized and explained this literary element with definitions, examples, and activities that allow students to practice what they have learned. Written for sixth through tenth graders, but I think it will also appeal to gifted fourth and fifth graders.

Creative Writing Paper—January/February—Karla Banks—Tennessee

So much eye-candy in this collection of writing paper, you’ll just have to download and see for yourself. Share this one with your colleagues.

Introduction to Animal Camouflage Powerpoint—Emily Kissner—Pennsylvania

Emily is no stranger to my Outstanding Freebies nomination list. Here’s another excellent power point for science teachers. Top-notch all the way around.

Letters to the Future—Laura Candler—NC

Talk about something different! Laura’s Letters to the Future presents some compelling food for thought. Students can write the traditional pencil and paper letters to themselves, save it, and retrieve it in the future, or they have the option of using the website FutureMe.org where the letters they write will be delivered by e-mail on a specified date. Lots of teaching ideas and resources are included. Grab this one!

Positive Postcards—The Teacher Wife—Utah

Such a clever idea for positive feedback—a Positive Postcard from the teacher. The author has created two different postcards to start your collection. This idea can be expanded to suit a variety of situation, learning goals, etc. A great way to let your students know you see the good things they do. Get started and enjoy the happy outcomes!

Don't forget to leave positive feedback for the TpT Teacher/Authors who create these outstanding freebies!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-04T18:20:00.000-05:00

New Free Item

just added to the

Taking Grades $5 or Less Department

Palindromes for January

Click on the link and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Download and enjoy!

2011-12-31T10:16:00.002-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

December 31, 2011

Hi Everyone,

Hope you're having a restful winter break but still up to one more fun party before 2011 becomes history! In the meantime, check out this New Year's Eve group of outstanding free lesson ideas--all designed to help make the transition back into the classroom a little more pleasant.

Candy Bar Trivia Worksheet—Library Chick—North Carolina

Kids of all ages, even the adult kind, will enjoy this 27-item activity that challenges students to translate the given clues and descriptions into the name of a candy bar. Not as easy as it might seem! The author has also included several internet links to more candy-bar trivia.

Decimals, Addition, Subtraction, Discount, Best Buy—Angella Lee—Kentucky

I love this type of practical math project! Students are given a grocery shopping list with store prices and some discount coupons. The goal is to find the best buy, purchase everything on the list, and stay within the given $30.00 budget. What could be more appropriate?

Ideas to Promote Active Engagement of Your Students—Wise Guys—Wisconsin

This freebie from the Wise Guys has so many useful, doable ideas for keeping students focused in a variety of classroom situations, you’ll just have to download it to get the full effect. Lots of classroom mileage in this item. A definite keeper!

How to Teach Art in Grades 4 through 8: For the Non-Artists Among Us-- James Charnock—Pennsylvania

This author’s essay-style lesson presentation keeps grabbing my attention. This is my second listing of one of his free products—a set of ideas of art lessons that will work for students and teachers even when “artistic tendencies” are not present. A great file to have on hand for those times when students need a break from the schedule or when you find yourself assigned to an unexpected fill-in duty.

Create Your Own Valentine Templates—Tracee Orman—Illinois

Another great idea from one of my favorite TeachersPayTeachers authors. Students can use the printable templates to create their own sets of personal Valentine’s Day cards. Tracee has added the wow factor by including ideas for linking this seasonal activity to classroom studies across the curriculum. Loaded with a combination of fun and learning potential.

2011-12-17T10:30:00.000-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

December 17, 2011

Synonym, Antonym, Prefix, Suffix Worksheet Game—Jennifer Amos—Ohio

What a clever idea! Students use clues to identify and cross out words listed on a chart. Eliminating all the right words reveals a saying. A motivating mental workout!

Sarah, Plain and Tall—Unit Study—Lindsay Flood—Louisiana

Wow! This is a complete, well organized, well written novel study which will save hours of preparation time. If you download this one, you MUST leave positive feedback.

Alliteration Christmas Powerpoint—Brook Beverly—Massachusetts

This eighteen-slide power point presents detailed information about alliteration. A super motivator for writing holiday poetry, song lyrics, sentences, etc.

Christmas Math Puzzlers—Laura Candler—NC

Here’s another example of Laura Candler quality! This free pack of holiday-themed word problems contains items for a variety of ability levels from grades 2-5. Download and enjoy!

Similes about Christmas—Elementary Matters—New Hampshire

This attractive one-page freebie is a great work-out for students in the beginning stages of recognizing and using similes. The holiday theme makes it even more compelling.

Have a festive, restful break! Will be back on the 31st with another set of freebies.

2011-12-14T19:51:00.001-05:00

Free pattern and instructions for pop-up Christmas tree greeting card. Right click to print images from website, or right click, copy, and paste to word document if you want to resize. Click "next" and follow preparation and assembly insturctions. Cool project!

2011-12-11T11:47:00.009-05:00

A Retired Educator's View of

the Countdown to Holiday Break

and

Teacher Mental Health

Though the majority of the population can’t spot a teacher in a crowd most of the year, from December 1 to December 21, give or take a few days, only the catatonic could miss us. We are the people with permanently dilated pupils, mouths agape, some foaming at the mouth, pulled-look hair styles, and a tendency to mumble conversations with invisible beings.

That’s not to say that controlling a roomful of live wires with assigned seats is stressful this time of the year. Goodness no! It’s 100% absolutely MADDENING!

How dare anyone attempt to calm us with soothing words. Balderdash! We slam the door to the teacher’s lounge and snatch the last cookie form the plate. We are not ourselves. We are behaving like our children. We are going Scrooge. We need the help of professionals. And so we call The Mental Health Center for People Who Are Losing It!

Ring, ring, ring, ring, click. . .

Thank you for calling the Mental Health Center for People Who Are Losing It. Please listen carefully as our menu has changed for no apparent reason. . .

If you are going ego maniacal, press 1.

If you are feeling co-dependent, press 2.

If you are dealing with dyslexia, press E.

If you agree among yourselves that you are suffering from multiple personality disorder, press 4, 5, 6, and 7.

If you are compulsive/obsessive, press 8 repeatedly.

If you are experiencing problems with anger management, pound 9 with your fist.

If you are somewhat schizophrenic, press the number the voices in your head suggest.

If you are suffering from indecision, or you think you might be, or you don’t know, hang up and think about dialing again. Or maybe not. Whatever.

If you are paranoid, don’t press anything. We know where you are, and we’ll come and get you.

If you are suddenly psychic, we shouldn’t have to tell you which number to press.

If you believe you have been reincarnated and given an incorrect reassignment, press 0 to repeat the menu.

If you are a telemarketer, you must come by our office. We believe in the personal touch.

click. . .

Well, so much for the professional approach, but a good laugh or two does it every time. Hang in there. That two-week break gets closer every minute.

Merry Christmas to one and all!

2011-12-10T11:29:00.002-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

December 10, 2011

I Have. . . Who Has. . Just for Fun Christmas Theme—Cooperative Learning 365

A holiday take on a familiar group learning activity. The graphics in this freebie are eye-catching and festive. Appropriate for a variety of grade levels. Wonder what would happen if someone took this to an adult get-together? Imagine your favorite aunt and uncle. . .

Magic Reindeer Food Recipe—Sadie Flynn—California

Another one of those fun activities you wish you had but just don't have the time to look for it. Well, here it is! Kids as old as eight graders would probably enjoy this cooking lesson. Super gift idea for those students who don’t have money to spend. Parents can get involved by supplying the ingredients. They will most likely be snatching the recipe as well.

Shopping on a Budget—Summer—Oklahoma

Excellent math workout for middler schoolers just in time for the holidays. Practical application of math skills. In word document format so changes can be made to fit your situation.

Christmas and Winter Themed Word Problems—Rundee’s Room—Ontario-Canada

Here we are in Rundee’s Room again! This lady just won’t stop with the outstanding freebies. Upper grade teachers—6^th, 7^th, 8^th—will appreciate the challenge and attractive holiday-style presentation of these word problems.

Winter Creative Writing Activities—Tracee Orman—IL

Grab this one now, save it, and bring it back out when you and your students get hit with the after-the-holidays slump. It’s by Tracee Orman. You know it’s good before you look!

Show your appreciation by leaving the priceless gift of positive feedback for these freebies.

2011-12-08T13:29:00.000-05:00

The Novel Teaching Pack

for

Touching Spirit Bear

is ready!

Purchase the whole pack or individual components.

What title would you like to see posted next? Leave a request here or on our Facebook fan page.

2011-12-03T11:56:00.005-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

December 3, 2011

If you have been going through TpT’s Winter Holiday Teaching Tips and Freebies, you have already found a truck load of outstanding free downloads! Here are five more to add to the collection—some seasonal, some not, but all outstanding.

Winter Word Work—Sunny Days—Florida

This is a series of winter/seasonal vocabulary activities that would work well for those times when some students finish well before their classmates or when you have a few minutes to spare at the end of a class. Suitable for 4^th and 5^th graders and some groups of older kids.

Addition Game—Vicky Leon—California

Vicky has created yet another fun math activity suitable for a variety of grade levels according to student needs. In this set of 6 games, players draw number cards and strategize their placements on the game board to create the addition problem with the highest sum. Loads of learning and fun in one place.

Christmas Writing Paper—Victoria Nicholson Razmilovic—Illinois

Fifteen pages of colorful holiday and winter writing paper for compositions, holiday letters to parents and friends, recipes, etc. Tons of kid appeal. A ready-to-go time saver.

Teaching Classroom Interviewing—James Charnock—Pennsylvania

How many times have you instructed students to interview each other for a particular lesson only to find that your young scholars know very little, if anything, about the process? If you have given up on this technique, put it back in your teacher’s bag of tricks. This free download is a well-organized and clearly presented lesson in the art and structure of interviewing. Listed as appropriate for 6^th-12^th grade, I think it can be easily adapted to work with 4^th and 5^th graders as well.

Optical Illusions—Tonya Majors—Ohio

Featured in TpT’s 10 Free Downloads Newsletter last week, this series of optical illusions is both fascinating and sobering at the same time. No matter how intelligent or logical, the human mind can be confused and fooled with no more than a clever design. This file includes “Vanity” (sometimes titled “All Is Vanity”), an image you won’t forget once you see it. Kids will love this one. There are just too many classroom applications to mention. An attenion-getter from beginning to end!

Don't forget to leave feedback. TpT's Teacher/Authors really appreciate your good ratings and positive comments.

2011-12-02T09:23:00.008-05:00

A Winter Holiday

Free Download Bonanza

Fifty of TeachersPayTeacher’s best authors have collaborated to create an e-book of

Winter Holiday Teaching Tips and Freebies

as a gift to our fellow teachers. Each page is decorated in holiday style with a teaching tip or lesson idea and one or more links to a free seasonal item. That’s more than 100 free items!

This fifty-four page holiday assortment covers all grade levels from Pre-K to 12 and a variety of subject matter. The file is, of course, in full color!

If some of the authors’ names seem familiar, it’s because you have seen them in my weekly outstanding freebies nominations. Visit your favorite author's page and then check out some new people. You'll find quality teaching materials on every page!

The file is rather large, so allow a few minutes for downloading and storing. Then, have a great time doing some leisurely holiday shopping for your classroom. Feel free to share your find with colleagues.

Happy Holiday Downloading!

2011-11-27T17:33:00.001-05:00

Come on in for the

TeachersPayTeachers

Cyber Monday Sales

November 28

In celebration of Cyber Monday, everything on TeachersPayTeachers will be discounted 10%. The promo code is CMS 28.

Everything in MY STORE will also be on sale at 10% off on Cyber Monday and then again on Tuesday the 29^th.

Happy shopping!

2011-11-26T11:41:00.002-05:00

Three new FREE Christmas Items

just added

to the

Taking Grades

$5 or Less Department

Christmas Song Titles in GobbledyGook

December in Alphabetical Order

and

Puns from the North—Santa Takes the Pole Position

Download and Enjoy!

2011-11-19T17:39:00.000-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

November 19, 2011

Thanksgiving Word Problems—Lindsay Perro--MD

Another one of those wonderful products that challenge students to read and do math at the same time. The seasonal aspect makes it super appealing.

Agreement—Subject-Verb, Pronoun-Antecedent –Ann Marie Smith—Mississippi

These well written practice pages will help your students prepare for those tests which will arrive way too soon!

Report Writi ng: Frogs and Bees: Guided Report Writing—JoAnne—Turner Valley AB 32 pages

Another superior item from a previously featured TpT author. This file contains guided instructions that lead students through the planning, fact gathering, and completion phases of two report projects. File this one and use it year after year.

Bakelss Christmas Cookies—ETC—Illinois

Teaching and learning at their best! Students microwave some chocolate, follow instructions, and Christmas cookies are the product. How can you resist?

Book Report Presents—Holiday Book Sharing Activity for Any Novel—Create ‘n Time—Washington

Love this well organized book report idea! Great for adding variety and motivation during the holidays when kids are more enthusiastic about things other than book reports.

Show your appreciation for these free items by leaving positive feedback and good ratings.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

2011-11-12T12:49:00.001-05:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

November 12, 2011

Three novel study files and two vocabulary activities complete this week’s gathering of freebies.

Hunger Games “What If. . . “ Questions—Tracee Orman—IL

Congratulations to those lucky teachers who use The Hunger Games as part of their reading curriculum. Tracee Orman, the Hunger Games Lesson Master, has just posted this group of challenging, creative, thought-provoking questions for FREE!

Call of the Wild—Looking for Themes—L Keuss

Ran across this excellent free item for Jack London’s classic, and decided to include it here though it’s more of a high school title. If this one is on your middle school reading list, you might also like to check out my Call of the Wild Novel Teaching Pack ($12). Together, these two files are a heck of a teaching resource!

Touching Spirit Bear—Preview Graphic Organizer—Margaret—NC

The posting of my completed Touching Spirit Bear Novel Teaching Pack is about two weeks away. In the meantime, I’m offering this free preview download exclusively from this blog. Add this one to your files and hold on for the full 148-page product’s arrival.

Mystery Words Activity—Katie Smith—Colorado

Love this vocabulary challenge! The bonus is that the idea can be adapted to any group of vocabulary words for any subject.

Suffix Word Problems—Lisa Cunningham—VA

So, do you double the last letter before adding –ed, -ing, or drop the e and add the suffix, or what? Your students will have plenty of opportunity to practice these particular spelling skills with this free product. A rare find!

As always, remember that your free download is complete only when you leave a good rating and feedback for the author!

2011-11-10T17:57:00.000-05:00

Touching Spirit Bear

Novel Teaching Pack

Progress Report

I am happy to report that the much-requested, long-awaited Novel Teaching Pack for Ben Mikaelsen’s Touching Spirit Bear is in the hands of the last proofreader, who happens to be a retired high school English teacher turned wildlife rehabilitator specializing in squirrels. She just sent this photo of Eddie, one of her resident charges, using the manuscript notebook as a dining table for finishing off a pecan—the squirrel version of “touching spirit bear.”

LOL! I promise that when this teaching pack is posted for purchase and download, there will be neither pecan shavings nor Eddie's paw prints included in the package.

2011-11-10T14:02:00.000-05:00

You are invited to a

Thanksgiving Linky Party

on the

ESOL Odyssey Blog

No need to RSVP.

Just come right on in!

2011-11-06T10:21:00.002-05:00

New Thanksgiving Products

just added to

Taking Grades’

$5 or Less Department

Thanksgiving Anagrams

a FREE item

two activities, 25 items each

and

A Thanksgiving Feast of Figurative Language

three activities (25 items each) featuring the study of

similes

metaphors

hyperboles

personification

alliteration

onomatopoeias

also available

Thanksgiving Bingo

a set of 25 ready-to-go playing cards

filled with 76Thanksgiving-related vocabulary words

2011-11-05T10:54:00.000-04:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

November 5, 2011

This week’s group of outstanding free downloads is a combination of language arts and math. Three of the items will make excellent additions to your November/ seasonal activity files.

The First Thanksgiving Fact or Fiction Game—Katie McNutt—NC

This product caught my attention for two reasons. First, it’s just plain interesting! Second, it can easily be expanded by asking students to write 5 statements about their own family holiday celebration, three true/two false. Display the lists on a bulletin board and allow class members to deposit their determinations for each list in an accompanying envelope. On a predetermined date, let students open their envelops and report individual results to the class. No doubt there will be some surprises.

Phone Spelling Worksheet—Use with Any List—Rachel Lynette—Washington

Again Rachel Lynette has come up with an idea to make learning fun, even spelling.

The versatility in this product is an added bonus.

Solve It—November Math Logic Problems Using the 100-number board—Create ‘n Time—Washington

Absolutely love everything about this download. It’s well organized, well presented, and fun. It also requires some sophisticated thinking in both language and math. Grab it and put it in your keeper files.

Geometry Fun for Students Activity: Angles, Shapes, Degrees—Wise Guys—WI

The Wise Guys team is among TeachersPayTeachers top sellers for many reasons. Download this one-page freebie and you’ll find one of them. A motivating, fun activity that compells students to learn in spite of themselves! Even if you don’t teach math, download this one and pass it along.

Thanksgiving Haikus—Secondary Solutions—CA

Kristen has created an attractive presentation/work page for implementing the hard-working haiku into your Thanksgiving-themed lessons. Everything you need is included. Just add students and you’re ready to go!

Don't forget to leave good ratings and feedback for these authors. Adults, as well as children, are motivated by words of praise and encouragement!

2011-10-29T12:34:00.000-04:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

October 29, 2011

Writing Resources Week

Winter Writing Prompt/Subway Art Idea—Addie Williams—British Columbia, Canada

This writing idea combines art with writing—just the thing for promoting and indulging creativity.

Middle School Creative Writing Prompts—Terra Little, aka Middle School Marm—Missouri

Middle school language arts teachers, don’t pass by this one. You get a set of well organized, thoughtful writing prompts specifically geared to the interests and imaginations of this age group. Hard to find, but here it is!

Thankful Writing—an Expository Writing Lesson—Laura Candler--NC

Another great product from master teacher/author Laura Candler. This one focuses on techniques that help students gather and organize ideas for a traditional November composition.

December Creative Writing—Ashleigh—GA

You’ll like this set of fifteen imaginative writing prompts complete with holiday-themed forms for writing. These will appeal to a variety of grade levels and interest. Download, save, and be ready when December rolls around.

Creative Writing: Story Writing Mini-Lessons—JoAnne—Turner Valley, Alberta, Canada (131 pages)

Couldn’t believe my eyes when I ran across this jam-packed, free resource. A wealth of information and resources for any middle grade language arts teacher. Store this one as a permanent reference.

Remember to leave a good rating and positive feedback for your favorite resources.

2011-10-22T15:44:00.000-04:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

Halloween Treats

Halloween Writing Prompts and Stationary—Runde’s Room

Halloween themed writing prompts with specially designed stationary for student work. A fun project from a repeat Outstanding Freebie author.

Halloween Would You Rather Questions for Kids—Rachel Lynette—WA

The “Would You Rather” series is my favorite from Rachel Lynette, the force behind Minds in Bloom. A wonderful creative thinking springboard!

Halloween Secret Message—D Conway-CT

Who doesn’t love a good encrypted secret message? Kids can extend the fun by using the given code and write their own secret messages.

Madam Periwinkle’s Halloween Brew—Ruth S—CT

A unique Halloween/reading combination. Sequencing, writing, art all in one place. Hands-on and imaginative. This one is a keeper.

Free Decimal, Fraction, & Percent Coloring/Puzzle/Riddle Activity--Lisa Blagus—MD

An out-of-the ordinary math activity for Halloween, another for Thanksgiving, and a third for Christmas. No wonder it has been downloaded almost 3,000 times!

And, in case you missed them before, here are the links to my two free Halloween activities again.

Halloween Puns

Halloween Brain Teaser with Double Double Letters

Have a Fun Halloween!

2011-10-16T15:39:00.003-04:00

Taking Grades Update

Taking Grades will be down for about twelve hours from 5 PM Monday, October 17^th until mid-day, Tuesday, October 18^th for some cosmetic changes and the installation of a new, more user-friendly shopping cart. You’ll also be pleased with the addition of a $5 or Less Department where you will find seasonal and free products all mixed together.

If, during the down time, you get in a bind and need one of our teaching packs right away, give me a call at 828-465-7275. I’ll take your order by phone and get your material to you as an attached file.

Please come by and check out the new features soon.

Thanks!

2011-10-15T10:37:00.000-04:00

Margaret Nominates

Five Outstanding Freebies

October 15, 2011

This nominees in this collection are of some of TeachersPayTeachers’ most highly rated free downloads .

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane Comprehension Guide—Wise Guys –Wisconsin

A complete study guide for free! Even if you don’t teach this book, grab it for a fellow teacher who does.

Text Message a Famous Figure—Encinitas—California

This idea can easily be adapted to be used with a novel study and book characters. A student attention-grabber!

Show Don’t Tell Activity—Kristin Bowers—California

A great activity for helping students learn to write with a professional flair from one of TpT’s finest. Students who love to write must have this item in their resource folder.

Scientific Method Power Point with Notes for Teacher and Student—Science Stuff (Amy Brown)—Tennessee

A top-notch PowerPoint with more than 2,000 downloads and a perfect 4.0 rating. Don’t pass by this one. You’ll want to check out more of Amy’s store.

FREE Halloween Treats Survey and Bar Graph Activity—Rachel Lynette—Washington

Here’s something different for Halloween—a data gathering activity that ultimately transforms into a bar graph. It’s relatively new, but the ratings are already at the top of the scale.

Download and enjoy. Don’t forget to leave positive feedback for the authors.

2011-10-08T10:46:00.003-04:00

Margaret Nominates

another group of

Five Outstanding Freebies

How many times have you stumbled across something you didn’t know you needed until you found it? This group of Five Outstanding Freebies is another one of those experiences. Download a few now, wonder what you did without them next week.

Book Character Day—Laura Candler—NC

Need a great idea for erasing the disappointment when no Halloween costumes are allowed? This freebie is for you. Another super Laura Candler idea.

Elements of a Short Story Resource File—Shawn Webster, Victoria BC, Canada

This product can easily do double duty as an “Elements of Fiction Resource File.” Store it in your personal files or make it part of each student’s Reading Resource Folder. A versatile, well organized, well written product!

Group Reading Comprehension Spinner—Katie Hoffman—Wynn Vale, South Australia

This questioning technique for reading comprehension caught my attention right away. Use the prepared spinner, create your own, or choose a different method for selecting random questions. I like this idea!

Intermediate Spelling Contract--Kyle Sellers--Illinois

Of all the ideas for spelling activities that I have spotted, this one has the best variety and middle grade suitability. . Nothing flashy here, just a practical, time-saving, hard-working product that could quickly become a classroom staple.

How to Read Historical Time—Go Social Studies Go—Michigan

Social studies teachers, take note! Youngsters and adults alike have difficulties with historical sequencing when only the past century is involved! Add the B.C.E. (B.C.) and C.E. (A.D.) factor, and you have mass confusion. This power point addresses this very topic. I predict this one will be like potato chips—you will want more than just one.

As always, please take a few minutes to leave good ratings and positive feedback for the freebies you download. Let them know how much you appreciate their willingness to share.

2011-10-06T12:12:00.001-04:00

October in Figurative Language

The month of October is the focus of this figurative language activity pack. Organized into three different lessons with 25 items each, students are asked to identify and interpret similes, metaphors, hyperboles, idioms, and personification.

Full answer keys are included. Twelve total pages counting cover.

2011-10-01T16:43:00.002-04:00

Margaret Nominates

Another Set of

Five Outstanding Freebies

This time, I went searching for outstanding math and science resources as well as the standard language arts items. It was a successful excursion!

Can You Make a Paraprosdokian?—Runde’s Room –Ontario, Canada

Can I make a what? Word game collectors, go get this one!

Understanding Multiple Meaning Words—Emily Kissner—Pennsylvania

A well-done, clearly presented power point.

Halloween Brain Teasers with Double Double Letters—Margaret Whisnant—NC

Well, Okay. This one is mine. It’s a perk of being the nominator.

The Million Dollar Project—Janis Nobel—New York

This is the most creative “What would you do with a million dollars” project I have ever seen. This one gets my vote for the math/social studies/language arts award.

Cloud in a Jar Water Cycle Demo—Laura Candler—NC

Laura Candler is already famous for her language arts products. Now she gets the gold star for this teacher-conducted science demonstration. How I would love to be there to watch the kids react when you give it a try.

Please take the time to leave a good rating and positive feedback to thank the people who create and offer these outstanding products at no charge.

2011-09-27T17:49:00.001-04:00

Howl-o-ween Puns

Add this new freebie to your collection of Halloween goodies.

Howl-o-ween Puns is mostly for fun, but learning is also an intended benefit in this free download. Students are instructed to check out the condition of their punnybones by reading Halloween-related riddles and spotting the pun in the collection of possible answers.

There are two different sets of riddles with 25 items each for students to sink their teeth into. For teachers, I have added an extra page of Halloween riddle-puns and a second page of anytime-puns that can be used to construct another lesson or two.

Full answer keys are included. Eight total pages counting cover page. Download and enjoy!

2011-09-24T16:17:00.001-04:00

Margaret Nominates

Five More

Outstanding Freebies

This week I have gone international with one nominee from Canada and another from Trinidad. Then I came home to North Carolina for some “Crafty Comprehension.” A good teacher is a good teacher—anywhere in the world!

Paper Bag Book Report and Rubric—Krystal Mills (Canada)

A different take on the tradition pencil and paper report, this plan requires students to use the outside and inside of a paper bag to analyze and present facts and feeling about the book they read. The rubric makes this a complete, ready-to-go item.

Crafty Comprehension—Rebecca Bettis (North Carolina)

This freebie would be a bargain even with a $5 price tag! Curriculum related instructions for 9 different craft projects are a big plus for teachers looking for something to motivate reluctant readers.

Nets of Cubes Activity Sheets—Nyla’s Crafty Teaching (Tobago, Trinidad)

A hands-on geometry lesson with cubes.

Finding Topics and Main Ideas—(Power Point ) Emily Kissner—Pennsylvania

A superior power point ! This one leads students through various techniques that will help them spot the topics and main ideas of factual paragraphs. A must have if you teach reading!

Journal Prompts—Ruth S (Connecticut)

One can never have too many writing prompts! Here are 210 really good ones from a Connecticut educator.

Enjoy your free downloads. Please take a few minutes to leave positive feedback for the ones you find especially helpful.

Be on the lookout for my next set of nominees.

2011-09-17T12:22:00.005-04:00

Margaret Nominates

Five

Outstanding Freebies

My website has a whole section of Free Stuff, all of it written by me. You’ll find the same items, plus a few more, in my TeachersPayTeachers store. Creating free material is one of the ways I express my support and appreciation for the important work going on in classrooms all over the world, and I cordially invite you to download, use, and pass around as many of my freebies as you wish!

Still, as the old saying goes, “Variety is the spice of life.” One retired Teacher/Author can provide only a small portion of what it takes to run a classroom. So, I am enlisting the aid of my follow Teacher/Authors from TeachersPayTeachers and nominating Five Outstanding Freebies from their collections for your consideration.

And the nominees are:

Would You Rather by Rachel Lynette

(Rachel, the force behind Minds in Bloom, has been featured on Taking Grades as the guest author of a featured freebie. Her Would You Rather series is my personal favorite.)

Diving Deep for Synonyms and Antonyms Power Point by Teachers Unleashed

(You’ll love the work produced by these California girls!)

Hunger Games Project—Commercial Activity by Tracee Orman

(Tracee is the premier author to know for Hunger Games teaching resources. Her button is on this blog.)

Teaching Analogies by Jill and Bonnie

(This is a superbly done power point. Please leave some positive feedback for these authors.)

2 digit X 1 digit Multiplication Puzzle by Heidi Raki

(Something for my language arts customers who also teach math!)

Look for the next set of nominees soon. I’m always on the lookout for new “talent.”

Margaret Whisnant

2011-09-13T12:04:00.000-04:00

New Products

Linky Party

The ESOL Osyssey

Check out some of the many new products posted on TeachersPayTeachers and get your new year off to a great start. While you’re there, visit my store or website and browse through teaching materials for more than eighty children’s novels.

2011-09-08T15:19:00.000-04:00

A Free

Language/Math Combo

Contrived Math:

Tricked-out Word Problems

with Ordinary Numbers

An equal combination of language arts and basic math skills, Contrived Math is a brain teaser that challenges students to use common data, such as the number of days in a year, shuffle it around, add, subtract, multiple, etc. according to instructions, and come up with a targeted answer.

The activity is divided into two parts of twenty problems each. Full answer keys are included. Eight total pages counting the cover page.

Suitable for 4^th-8^th grades. Download and enjoy!

2011-09-08T06:58:00.006-04:00

Five Question Story Writing

Five Question Story Writing is a set of 20 story ideas with an action cartoon as the point of inspiration. Each activity comes with an accompanying set of 5 questions that, when combined with the featured cartoon, will assist students in constructing a story plot. The lessons feature both an organizing page and lined pages for writing the final draft.

These activities challenged students to (1) create and solve a simple story problem, (2) structure the story with a beginning, middle, and end, (3) show cause and effect, (4) include sequencing words, and (5) use forceful verbs. A grading rubric that addresses these

elements is included.

This product is designed for 4^th-6^th graders who like to write stories but struggle for inspiration. Some 7^th and 8^th grade aspiring authors will also enjoy using this material.

2011-08-31T14:51:00.007-04:00

Occupation ID

A Free, Fun

Two-Part Activity

in Celebration of Labor Day

Occupation ID challenges students to study a set of five words or phrases with connections to a particular occupation and make a correct identification. The two parts are composed of 28 items each. Answer keys are included. Six total pages counting cover.

Written and formatted with 6th-8th graders in mind, but 4th and 5th graders might also approve of this freebie.

Download and enjoy.

2011-08-28T15:40:00.001-04:00

Want to make your first Scholastic Book Club order for the 2011-2012 school year something beyond the usual?

Earn 5,000 Scholastic Book Points

for Your Classroom

Yes, it can be done! Veteran Teacher/Author Laura Candler of Teaching Resources has devised a proven plan of action based on Scholastic’s Back-to-School deal that makes it possible for teachers to earn thousands of bonus points in September.

Download her newly updated how-to file, get organized, and get going. This deal ends September 30.

Enjoy spending your bonus points.

2011-08-24T14:37:00.001-04:00

Free

Graphic Organizers Bundle

for Six Popular

4^th-5th Grade Novels

Download your Six Free Graphic Organizers for Writing bundle with a ready-to-go activity for each of the following titles:

Charlotte’s Web

How to Eat Friend Worms

Maniac Magee

The Pinballs

The Tale of Despereaux

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Then visit Taking Grades , click Free Stuff, and download another different activity for each title. That’s a total of a dozen free downloads!

2011-08-24T10:22:00.002-04:00

Free

Graphic Organizers Bundle

for Six Popular

6^th-8^th Grade Novels

Download your Six Free Graphic Organizers for Writing bundle with a ready-to-go activity for each of the following titles:

Crispin: The Cross of Lead

The Giver

Hoot

The Outsiders

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963

Then visit Taking Grades , click Free Stuff, and download another different activity for each title. That’s a total of a dozen free downloads!

2011-08-21T11:21:00.000-04:00

Spreading the Good News

Who among us has not grown weary of the media’s constant barrage of depressingly awful news? In this atmosphere, encouraging students to develop an interest in current events is troublesome. Where are the stories that uplift and inspire?

Thanks to information shared in Laura Candler’s (Teaching Resources) recent newsletter, I am happy to report that the needed resources are out there. Jennifer Runde, the force behind Runde’s Room, has posted “And Now for Some Good News” with links to five different internet sites that focus on positive stories worthy of sharing with students. She has also included possible ways to incorporate current events into the curriculum and a free handout for students.

And so, the good news is two-fold: (1) Good people continue to do good things. (2) With Jen Runde’s links added to your favorites, you and your students will have instant access to their stories.

Thanks Laura and Jen!

Now everybody spread the good news.

2011-08-13T11:59:00.000-04:00

Back to School with a Smile

Right now, the blog world is saturated with good advice for getting the 2011-2012 school year started on a positive note. Links to a few of the best are on this page to the left. After more than ten years as a retired teacher, I still feel a tinge of jealousy thinking of all the teachers who are awaiting their new groups of youngsters. I remember the anticipation well. I also remember those people who didn’t share the joy.

Every year without fail, somebody would warn, “Don’t smile. Let them know who’s boss right away.” Christmas break was usually the cut-off date. After that, smiling might be okay.

These fuddy-duddies are still around. So here’s my back-to-school advice:

Stay away from the dagger-face people. Their theory is seriously flawed!

One principal, who was a member of this group, managed to frightened me a couple of times into thinking the frown technique might have merit, but my efforts to comply lasted about 20 seconds. I quickly reverted and smiled at every student. I even laughed in front of the whole group, for heaven’s sake. Did my kids run wild the rest of the year?

Nope!

If you are a natural-born smiler, then the first day of school is a perfect time to be yourself. Smiling is more than just a method for recouping one's investment in expensive braces. It also boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and gives others a positive perception of your inner self. Furthermore, smiles are infectious. If you are so afflicted, your students will catch it from you. Instead of paper smiley faces taped to your classroom walls, you will have real ones sitting at every desk.

Why not make smiling this year’s back-to-school theme? Great Clean Jokes offers a large collection of kid appropriate humor. Use this resource to create a "Finish the Joke" bulletin board or an “I have. Who Has” game. Sneak an unexpected corny joke or two into some of your lessons. Once they learn that their teacher is humorously adept and unpredictable, students tend to be more attentive.

Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders (maybe even some fourth and fifth graders) will enjoy my free Back-to-School Sense of Humor Test, a collection of quips and misspeaks from actors, politicians, comedians, and Yogi Berra. Students can actually test their senses of humor by guessing the correct endings to the given information or, for the more cautious, the internet has the answers.

In the meantime, wouldn’t it be nice if every school had a naughty corner where the adult grumpies could be sent to sit and scowl at each other from the first day of school until Christmas? Makes me smile just thinking about it.

2011-08-03T15:27:00.000-04:00

Think Penguins

Looking for a fun book to add to your reading program?

Think penguins.

Recently, these unusual birds have gained acclaim as movie stars, but more than 70 years ago they took the lead in Richard and Florence Atwater’s Mr. Popper’s Penguins. This 1939 Newbery Honor Book (appropriate for 4th and 5^th graders) chronicles the story of Mr. Popper’s humorously tangled relationship with his pet penguins. As Mr. Popper soon realizes, pets come with life-changing attachments.

Captain Cook, the first penguin, captivates the Poppers and stirs up trouble with a workman, a policeman, the license bureau, and the neighborhood in general. The bird’s bachelorhood depression sends Mr. Popper on a match-making mission. Enter Greta, the second penguin. Left to their own vices, Greta and Captain Cook produce ten offspring. Mr. Popper’s penguin population explodes to an even dozen.

Providing appropriate living conditions quickly becomes an issue in the Popper household. First it’s the icebox, then it’s the whole house opened to the winter’s cold, snow, and ice. Finally, Mr. Popper converts the basement into a frozen penguin habitat. All the while, the penguins are eating the Poppers out of house and home. Broke and juggling bill collectors, Mr. Popper finds an ingenious way for the penguins to pay for their own upkeep.

Show business! Yes, performing penguins.

Students will enjoy comparing their pet experiences to those of the Poppers. The book’s 1930s setting, with the era’s communication, entertainment, and transportation methods playing prominent background roles, provides many teachable moments. Mr. Popper writes letters and waits for an answer. Unbelievable!

In June 2011, 20^th Century Fox released Mr. Popper’s Penguins as a film and ran straight into the Common Core Standard which states that teachers should compare books with their commercial entertainment counterparts. Thank you!

Go to this internet site for some interesting facts about penguins. Download my free Mr. Popper’s Penguins graphic organizer. Check out the Mr. Popper’s Penguins Objective Tests Teaching Pack available from Taking Grades.

Are you thinking penguins yet?