New Year's Resolution Mad Libs

Happy New Year!

If you're in a district like mine, you get a couple of weeks of school off around the holidays.  It's always much needed, and, well... AWESOME!  

What isn't awesome is the lack of energy on that first day back. It's usually really cold, and kids are still in that holiday/sleeping in/not going to school lull.  It makes it very tough to get back into the swing of things.  My remedy is this New Year's Resolution Mad Libs set.  

Students generate ideas for different parts of speech or subjects that will become part of a made-up New Year’s Resolution writing activity. They come up with a real New Year’s Resolution but will use a “Mad Libs”-style (fill-in-the-blank before knowing the rest of the text) theme to determine how they will accomplish their resolution. 

What’s Included: 
General Template with parts of Speech included (for the teacher)
An Original Example of Word List and Actual Story 
Student Directions/Parts of Speech Word List 
Story Templates (three versions)
Pages with Numbers under the Blanks
Pages without Numbers under the Blanks
Pages with Spaces for Illustrations and Cover Pages

This could be a fun springboard for writing a real expository piece on a New Year’s Resolution or a culminating activity after writing a real expository piece.  Click on the image to get yours!

New Year's Writing Activity... Mad Libs Style

It has been a LONG time since I've posted, and it is a goal of mine in 2017.  With baby number 2, going back to work full time, and trying to have a personal life (somewhat), it's tricky, but life is good.  What a better day than today, January 1st, to add my newest post.  Here's a newer product of mine that I hope you'll love.  It's a Mad Libs-style writing activity for New Year's Resolutions.  It includes directions, templates, an example, writing paper, and more. Click the link above or directly on the image below.   Happy New Year!!!

Colonial America and American Revolution Resources

One of the things that I LOVE the most about teaching 5th grade social studies is when we get to the lessons for Colonial America (the Original Thirteen Colonies) and The Revolutionary War.  As a student, I loathed social studies because it was soooooo boring.  We'd read out of the book and answer the questions at the end of the chapter on a sheet of paper.  Then, we'd move on.  I never remembered anything.  Of course, I don't blame my teachers.  This is what they were supposed to do.

When I started teaching, I realized that I was doing the same thing to my students.  They were responding the same way that I did when I was in their shoes.  I needed to change some things up! After many years of creating, researching, and tweaking, I rarely use the text as more than a curriculum mapping tool.  I do use the pictures and some of the activities, but I usually throw in my own spin with an interactive project or a graphic novel- something to really get the kids interested.  This has transformed my teaching and the kids' interest in some really great lessons from American history.  Here are some of my resources that you can get to use in your own classroom.  Click on any of the links (titles) or images to get them.  You can also visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store here for lots of FREE and for-sale items.

If I was an Explorer... An Autobiography Writing Project

This kicks off our U.S. History studies.  We learn about the most famous people to explore the Americas, which leads into the European Colonization of North America.

The Roanoke Missing Persons Case...SOLVED!!!

This is always a big hit with my students and is one of my best-sellers.  Students learn about the missing colonists of Roanoke (Island) and use the clues that they write in their casebooks to create their own version of what really happened to the colonists.  It comes with a casebook, rubric, and more.

Jamestown Colony Newspaper Project

This is another writing project that describes important from the Jamestown Settlement, as the first successful English Settlement in America. 

Colonial America (Original Thirteen Colonies) Journal and Letter Writing Activity

This is based on the book "If I Lived in Colonial Times," but it's not necessary to use that book to complete this activity.  Students learn about life in Colonial America.  Then, they write a letter to their parents from the perspective of a Colonial child. They explain how different their life is as a Colonial kid compared to their real life.

Revolutionary War Vocabulary Activities and Games

This is what I use to introduce students to some of them most important vocabulary they will need to understand when learning About the American Revolutionary War.  The terms are general and are used across all of the resources we use for studying the revolutionary War.

My Brother Sam is Dead Vocabulary Activities and Games

This is a set of vocabulary activities and games for the novel My Brother Sam is Dead.  All 11 activities focus on the same 10 words.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  You can visit me at my Teachers Pay Teachers store to see all of my Elementary and Middle School resources.

Fractured Fairy Tales

This Fractured Fairy Tale Writing Set is one of my most popular items (with students and teachers).   This creative and narrative writing activity requires students to choose a traditional fairy tale to use as a springboard to compose a new "fractured" version of the story.  They will have to focus on one character's perspective and write the story from his/her point of view.  (So, it's really a great lesson for teacher character perspective or point of view also).  You can download it by clicking here or on any of the links or pictures.

This is very versatile, and can be used across several grade levels.  The set is easy to use.  You just print and go.  It includes:

- Teacher information
- Student directions
- Brainstorming organizers
- Student-friendly rubric
- Original teacher-created examples of brainstorming organizer and story
- Writing paper for final copies
- Pages to create a student or class book

I love creating a class book after all students are done with their final copies.  It goes in the class library for everyone to read throughout the year.  At the end of the year, I auction it off during a class celebration.  It's also fun to keep a copy from year-to-year and share those with students.

Thank you for visiting!

Simile and Metaphor Poetry Set

Simile and Metaphor Poetry Set

Studying similes and metaphors can be tricky, especially for students who have limited experience with figurative language or who are learning about it for the first time.  This resource is intended to support all students learning about figurative language.  Students will use similes and metaphors to create a poem about any topic they choose.  You can require very basic similes and metaphors or more detailed and descriptive ones.  You can get yours at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store or click on any of the links or the picture below.

  I've included the following resources in this product:

· Teacher Information and Directions

This includes a general overview, objectives, and directions.

· Posters for Simile and Metaphor

One poster for each with examples and graphics

· Writing Organizers/Idea Webs

There is a blank copy and a copy that tells what should go in each space.

· Examples of Organizer and Completed Poem

These are my examples that I use to model the process and final product.

· Student Rubric

You can use this of you want to grade the poem.  It includes areas for ideas, organization, imagery, and conventions.

· Writing Paper

 There are 5 pages of decorative paper if you want to have students write their poems on them.

Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving... Activities and More

I admit... I have been a terrible blogger the past 6 months or so.  Being back at work and being mom to a 20 month old takes up most of my time.  However, I have been able to update and squeeze in a few Thanksgiving products this year.  For that, I am thankful!  I am also thankful to have found a few spare minutes to share these products.  Click on any of the picture or links to get your own or visit me at my Teachers Pay Teachers store to see more!

A Turkey's Troubles- A Persuasive Letter from a Turkey

Thanksgiving Taboo- an oral language game

Thanksgiving Scattergories Game

Thanksgiving Sticker Charts

Holiday Writing Paper

Poetry Unit for Elementary and Middle School

April is National Poetry Month.  I now say that with a huge smile and a tingle of excitement.  If I'm going to be completely honest, and I am, I loathed having anything to do with poetry throughout my own education and teaching it my first few years.  That's because up until the past 6 years or so, the only experiences I had with poetry were:

1. having to memorize and recite Shakespeare in front of an entire class (as a teacher, I still don't see the educational value in that)

2. being forced to write poetry with minimal support or understanding of what I was doing

3. having to decode and analyze poetry

So, why the smile and tingle of excitement now?  Well, a wonderful friend and colleague turned me onto students writing their own poetry in fun and meaningful ways.  At first I was apprehensive because my students didn't want anything to do with poetry either.  They thought it was boring and confusing.  It was my job to prove them otherwise, and I was going to do it by allowing them to be the poets for a change.

It took me a lot of research and tons of time, but what I created I just have to share.  It's a complete unit that takes students through several stages.  First they learn about different poems, then practicing writing poems, and finally turn their poetry into an amazing book that includes an About the Author Page, a Table of Contents page, a Cover page, and much more.  There is even a rubric to keep your students on track and for you to grade student work.  My Poetry Do-It-Yourself Book does the following:

1. Introduces students to 9 different types of popular poetry
2. Provides my original examples of the 9 types of poetry
3. Provides directions for how to write these poems
4. Includes (printable) templates for students to write their own poems
5. Includes all of the materials for students to build their own book with Author, Cover, and Table of Contents Pages


Click here or on any of the images below to get yours.  I posted the product cover and some actual pages from the resource.  I'd love to hear your experience with this.  Happy Poetry Month!

St. Patrick's Day Activities: Persuasive Writing, Math, Language Games and More

I'm not Irish, but I love St. Patrick's Day!  There are so many fun traditions that I bring into the classroom each year.  The kids and I always have a blast.  Here are some of the resources that I have used.  A couple of them have just recently been updated.  Click on any of the links or pictures below to get your own or head to my TpT store.  Happy St. Patrick's Day.  (Now, I'm off to find a new corned beef and cabbage recipe...)

St. Patrick's Day Writing: A Persuasive Letter to a Leprechaun

Students try to convince a leprechaun to share his gold

Organizer, Rubric, & Stationary included

 St. Patrick's Day Scattergories Game

Students use their vocabulary knowledge to determine specific words that are related to St. Patrick's day categories

St. Patrick's Day Taboo Game

Student take turns using their oral language skills to get their team to guess the St. Patrick's Day themed Taboo words

St. Patrick's Day Math with Shamrocks

Students convert fractions, decimals, and percent using the included colored shamrocks

Valentine's Day Activities: Games, Writing, Math

Valentine's Day can be a wacky day and a fun one for sure!  Here are some resources that can help teachers get some academic work done on Valentine's Day.  Click here to go to the complete set of resources or click on any of the product images below to go directly to those items. 

This is one of two Valentine's Day Math activities for students in grades 3-6. 

 

 Valentine's Day Word Games

 

Click here for a Valentine's Day Letter Writing Assignment. 

It includes a rubric and decorative writing paper!

Christmas Games, Writing, Math, and More

This is definitely one of my favorite times of the year to be a teacher.  There are so many fun, educational (and some just fun) things to do in the classroom.  People are happy, the air smells of hot cocoa at least once a week (thanks to some amazing parents), and the snow brings on such excitement.

As our two week break gets closer, there are some activities that I like to do to keep the kiddos interested and motivated in the classroom.  You can find all of these activities in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  Use this link to go directly to the Christmas Resources page.  You can click on any of the links or pictures below to go directly to the product pages also.

 

 

Christmas Taboo and Scattergories Games

 

 

'Twas the Night Before Christmas Mad Libs Edition

Dear Santa,...

A Holiday Gift Persuasive Writing Activity

 

 

 



Holiday Gift Tags (FREE)

 

 

 

Holiday Writing Paper

 

 

 

Happy Holidays!

 

 

Thanksgiving Activities

Here are a few of my new and updated Thanksgiving resources.  Enjoy!

A Turkey's Troubles:  A Persuasive Writing Activity

 

Students write from the perspective of a turkey and try to convince a shopper to buy a different turkey for their Thanksgiving dinner.  Included are student directions, brainstorming organizer, student rubric, and Thanksgiving themed writing paper.

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Taboo and Scattergories Games

 

I LOVE games.  I created these two games based off the board games Scattergories and Taboo.  These are super for small groups, centers, or whole class.  Both provide great oral language practice and can be beneficial for students learning the English language.

 

 

 

 

 

FREE Writing Center to Celebrate

That's right...FREE!  No strings attached either.  I have recently made a Teachers Pay Teachers Store milestone, and I am celebrating and thanking all of my wonderful buyers and loyal followers.  For the next week, I will be offering one of my best selling Writing Centers for FREE.  It's called Are You Kidding Me? and is based off of the game Would You Rather?  It includes student directions, a planner, choice cards, a rubric, and writing paper.  It's a lot of fun for a range of grade levels.  You can get it here.  (Please remember copyright rules still apply.  If you have a friend or colleague who would also like this, they must visit my store and download their own set.)  I appreciate the referrals and any feedback you have.  This activity is one of four in a writing center bundle that I have in my store. 

Being part of the Teachers Pay Teachers community has been an amazing ride, and I have been rejuvenated as a teacher and as a person.  My students benefit so much as well, as I am constantly reflecting on every lesson or activity, new or old, to think about how to make it better. 

If you don't follow me on TpT, please consider.  My store name is Keep Calm and Teach.  I will be launching a surprise week of deals and steals in October, and being a follower will provide you with all of the information you'll need to get these great deals. 

Back-to-School FREEBIE!!

Welcome School Year 2014-2015!!!  Maybe you're sharing that feeling; maybe not.  In any case, I decided to put together a set of holiday writing paper/stationary.  I thought it would be nice to offer a sample set for FREE also.  Just visit my Teachers Pay Teachers Store to grab the FREEBIE or the larger 26 page set.

    

                                   
                                 FREE Sample Set                                                 Larger Complete Set

The set features decorative writing paper for the following holidays:
Valentine's Day
St. Patrick's Day
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Christmas

Here are some samples of what you'll find in the large set:

      

You can use these for lots of activities, including:
Letter Writing
Narrative Writing
Creative Writing
Bulletin Board Writing
Writing Centers
So, so many more possibilities

Creative Writing

How the Creature Got its Feature

Creative Writing Project

 

 

 

This creative writing assignment is one that I have really enjoyed doing with my students for the past few years.  I'm always amazed at what they come up with.  This would definitely work in grades 4-8.  Depending on your students' abilities, this could be adjusted and used at other levels too.  It can be used in different ways also when considering writing (shared, writer's workshop, writing centers, etc.)

 

Basically, students choose an animal that has a specific characteristic (ex. a zebra with stripes, a pig's curly tail, or a chameleon's changing colors) and writes a fictional, narrative story that tells "how the animal got its feature." 

 

Included in this set of materials are a lesson plan, an example story that I wrote with my class, student planning organizers, a student rubric, decorative writing paper, and materials to use to put a class book together (cover page, table of contents, about the author page).  I tried to make this collection complete so that you don't have to do anything but read through the materials and copy items that you want to use.  You can click here or on the picture to get the materials.

 

I'd love to hear your experience if you use this so please leave comments below.  Also, if you have any suggestions or ways to use this differently, please share.  Enjoy!

 

 

Writing Centers

On Sale Now...

 

 

This set of 4 Upper Elementary Writing Centers is now on sale.   Writing is always tricky in the upper elementary and middle school grades because students often see it as a daunting task.  These centers are fun, differentitated, and engaging.  Each of them comes with a pre-writing organizer and a rubric.  There are even several pages of decorative writing paper included. 

 

Centers included are:

- Are You Kidding Me?  (based on the activity Would You Rather...)

- R.A.F.T.

- Let Me Help You With That

- Picture Prompts

 

I have used them as whole class and intervention activities also.  Click below to preview the set.  Enjoy!

 



Writing Center: Would You Rather...?

I have to admit that I really didn't do much with literacy centers until about 5 years ago.  Up until then, it was something that always seemed more "primary" than "intermediate" elementary. 

BOY WAS I WRONG!!!!  Centers are what keep me sane (minus the planning and organizing of them).  My students love them, and they have really helped to keep my students engaged, on task, and have allowed them to really take a concept that we have learned and expand it.

So, I created some writing centers.  The one that I'd like to share today is called "Are You Kidding Me?"  It's based off of the game Would You Rather?

I created some of my own Would You Rather Cards and even bought the card game.  I laminated them, cute them out and out them in a tin can,.  Easy so far....

Then came the more difficult part- what do I want the outcome to be for my students?

I developed a planner/organizer in which students have to choose which item they would rather do (for example- Would you rather wear boots all summer or sandals all winter?).  They have to write down their choice and think of three reasons why they chose this.  Then, they have to list three details to defend each reason.  So, it became an expository/persuasive type or writing.  I created and gave them a rubric so they could do the next step- the official writing!

This is what amazed me.  I was so shocked at the increadible writing that they did.  Some used humor, some were extremely serioius, and some were a combination of both.  They were so fun to read a share with each other. 

So, I am now trying this with only 6 days left of school, and becuase of the timing I have to spruce it up a bit.  Today, students paired up, and went through the cards until they found one that they disagreed on.  Then, they started their organizers.  We will start the writing tomorrow with the editing and final copies to follow next week.  The new part of the assignment is that they will have to convince the rest of the class that their opinion is the more desireable one.  They will present their writing to the class, and the students will vote for which person convinced them the most.  This is definitely more persuasive writing than expository.  I'm excited to see how it turns out.  They could't stay quiet today becuase they kept telling each other why their choice was better. 

If you'd like to check out these materials, click here.

Click here to preview an entire set of writing centers.



Upper Elementary Writing Centers with Rubrics, Organizer, and Writing Paper