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The Naturally Creative Classroom

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Welcome to my shop! I'm so happy you are here! I have experience as an elementary teacher (1-5), teacher mentor, guest teacher and mom (twins!). The belief that ALL students can be creative thinkers guides all that I do. I am certified to teach gifted education and am pursuing my ESL endorsement. Elementary Math and integrated unit planning are my favorite subjects to teach. There is a little something for everyone in my shop! Please feel free to contact me with any questions!

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Welcome to my shop! I'm so happy you are here! I have experience as an elementary teacher (1-5), teacher mentor, guest teacher and mom (twins!). The belief that ALL students can be creative thinkers guides all that I do. I am certified to teach gifted education and am pursuing my ESL endorsement. Elementary Math and integrated unit planning are my favorite subjects to teach. There is a little something for everyone in my shop! Please feel free to contact me with any questions!
Biography Research Project BUNDLE
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Biography Research Project BUNDLE

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This 168 page integrated Biography Research Unit Bundle contains EVERYTHING you need to teach students how to complete an individualized, self-directed Biography Research Project. This Biography Research Project is Common Core Aligned. Students will learn how to synthesize biographies and put the information in their own words! You will use the gradual release of responsibility model to teach this Biography Research Project. This Bundle is differentiated and a perfect way to meet the needs of all of your students. This Biography Research Bundle includes: *5+ weeks of detailed Biography Research instructions- how to teach students how to read, evaluate and synthesize biographies into their own words. No more copying straight from the book! *Parent letters explaining the biography research project. These letters are ready to sign and send home! The letters are available in English and Spanish *Biography anchor chart printables *Interactive Journal Pages *All needed student hand outs and teacher masters *Detailed preparation instructions- how to choose biographies, contacting your library and gathering biography materials *Suggestions of biographies: Figures of American History and Contemporary Figures lists. There is also a blank page for you to make your own lists *Visual examples for the teacher of biography research note taking and biography anchor charts *Creative ways to assess prior knowledge about *Review of important parts of biographies *suggestions on how to supervise student biography research work and create guided reading groups based on needs you see during biography research *step-by-step instructions on how to demonstrate how to make a digital end product using PowerPoint or Prezi. I have included a finished biography Prezi and a mostly complete biography PowerPoint for you to complete with your class. *Invitations to the Biography Research Finale- a Living History Museum! Invite other classes and school staff! *suggestions of audio resources *Personal Student Dictionary *Writing Process Clip Chart! This Biography Research unit contains CHOICE, which is key for student engagement. Students will choose one biography from a selection of grade-appropriate biographies and focus on their person's Important Life Events, Personality Traits, Interests and Hobbies, Challenges, Contributions to Society and Other Interesting Facts.
Animal Research Project
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Animal Research Project

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This 155 page Animal Research Bundle contains all you need to teach students how to complete an individualized, self-directed research project ending in a Natural History Museum. Students will learn how to research using non-fiction books and put the information in their own words! No more copying directly from the book! The process is broken down into day-to-day lessons. This Animal Research bundle is differentiated and a perfect way to meet the needs of all of your students. Students will choose one animal from a selection of grade-appropriate non-fiction and focus on their animal's adaptations, habitat, predators, prey/diet and other interesting facts. Common Core and Science Standards aligned! Suggestions for guided reading groups are also included. This Animal Research Bundle includes: -5 + weeks of complete daily lesson plans -Completed PROJECT SAMPLES to show your students what a quality animal research project looks like -All student handouts, parent letters (English and Spanish) and teacher masters -Choosing books for animal research -Suggested Animal Lists -Anchor Chart Printables -Interactive Journal Pages -Creative ways to assess prior knowledge -Informational Text Features -Informational Text vocabulary activities -detailed instructions on how to teach students how to write an interesting paragraph with strong, varied language -suggestions on how to supervise student work and create guided reading groups based on need -step-by-step instructions on how to demonstrate to students how to make a No-to-Low cost diorama -step-by-step instructions on how to demonstrate how to make animal research product using PowerPoint or Prezi -Product Descriptors for easy grading! These Animal Research Product Descriptors are available in English and Spanish (translated using Google Translate) -Writing Process Clip Chart If you enjoy my Animal Research Project, check out my Biography Research Project! CCSS ELA Standards: RI.3.1 RI.3.3 RI.3.4 RI.3.5 RI.3.7 RI.3.8 RI.3.9 RI.3.10 RI.4.2 RI.4.5 RI.4.7 W.3.1 W.3.2 W.3.4 W.3.5 W.3.6 W.3.7 W.3.8 W.3.10 W.4.2 W.4.4 W.4.5 W.4.6 W.4.7 W.4.8 W.4.9 W.4.10 SL.3.3 SL.3.4 SL.3.6 SL.4.1 SL.4.2 SL.4.4 SL.4.5 L.3.1 L.3.2 L.3.3 L.3.4 L.3.5 L.3.6 L.4.1 L.4.2 L.4.3 L.4.4 L.4.5 L.4.6
Morning and Bedtime Routine Visual Clip Chart
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Morning and Bedtime Routine Visual Clip Chart

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Are your mornings a struggle, having to repeat yourself over and over telling your kids what to do to get ready? Try these Morning and Bedtime Routine Clip Charts! Now children will have a visual what they will need to do to get ready, helping them better process what they will need to do! The Morning Clip Chart Includes: Go potty & Wash Hands Brush Teeth Brush Hair Eat Breakfast Make Bed Wash Face Get Dressed Pack Lunch Bedtime Routine Do Homework Pick up Toys Brush Teeth Put on Pajamas Say Prayers Get Backpack Eat Snack Go Potty and Wash Hands Good Night Hug Read a Book Wash Face Take a Bath Go to Sleep If you enjoy this product, please check out some of the other Behavior Management Products available in my shop!
Christmas MEGA Bundle
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Christmas MEGA Bundle

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Everything you need for the month of December! 159 pages of Christmas FUN! There is simply too much in this bundle to describe it all in this space! Please see each link for a FULL product description and preview. Included in this Christmas MEGA Bundle: Christmas Math packet https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/christmas-math-pack-11119491 Christmas Creative Thinking Pack https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/christmas-creative-thinking-pack-11120892 Christmas Kindness Elves https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/kindness-elves-a-new-christmas-tradition-11122273 Christmas Party Pack https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/christmas-party-pack-11122280 The Great Elf Contest https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/the-great-elf-contest-a-christmas-game-for-the-hundreds-chart-11122281 Save 15% when you bundle!!! CCSS ELA Standards: W.2.5 W.2.8 W.3.2 W.3.5 W.4.2 W.4.8 W.5.4 W.5.8 L.2.1 L.2.2 L.3.1 L.3.2 L.4.1 L.4.2 L.5.1 L.5.2 L.5.3 CCSS Math Standards: 2.MD.C.7 2.MD.C.8 3.MD.A.1 3.MD.A.2 3.MD.B.3 2.NBT.A.3 2.NBT.B.7 3.NBT.A.1 3.NBT.A.2 3.NBT.A.3 4.NBT.A.3 4.NBT.B.4 3.OA.A.1 3.OA.A.2 3.OA.A.3 3.OA.A.4 3.OA.B.5 3.OA.B.6 3.OA.C.7 3.OA.D.8 3.OA.D.9 4.OA.A.1 4.OA.A.2 4.OA.A.3 4.OA.C.5 3.NF.A.1 3.NF.A.3b 2.G.A.3
Kindness Elves:  A New Christmas Tradition
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Kindness Elves: A New Christmas Tradition

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This Christmas Elves unit is designed to help students understand the true meaning of Christmas and spread a message that lasts all year! The premise of this Christmas Elves unit is that the Christmas Kindness Elves will come each day to the classroom or home with different acts of kindness as well as the supplies (if needed). Each night the Christmas Elves will return to the North Pole to think of another act of kindness and to refresh their supplies. There are twenty four unique Christmas Elves activities included in this unit, enough to take you through twenty four days. Have your children or students name your Christmas Kindness Elves. Place the Christmas Kindness Elves in a different place around your home or classroom each day. Complete the act of kindness the elves left either together at home or at school, or assign it as homework (when appropriate and fun). The activities the Christmas Elves leave can be done in any order and have versions appropriate for home or classroom. You may choose to print out the Christmas Elves tags or print off a page of blank tags and write the message yourself. Writing papers and lists of supplies (when needed) are included. Christmas Kindness Elves activities are most appropriate for children who can read and write on their own, but may be adapted for younger children. If you enjoy this Christmas Kindness Elves product, check out some of my other Christmas products available in my store!
Creative Thinking MEGA Bundle TEST
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Creative Thinking MEGA Bundle TEST

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Get a Creative Thinking Packet for EVERY month of the school year! Push your students to think on their own and explore possibilities that they might not have thought possible! These packets are perfect for enrichment or early finishers! Please see each link for a full description and preview of each! Included in this Creative Thinking Mega Bundle, you will find: Back to School Creative Thinking Pack https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/back-to-school-creative-thinking-pack-11120413 Fall Creative Thinking Pack https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/fall-creative-thinking-packet-11120039 Halloween Creative Thinking Pack https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/halloween-creative-thinking-pack-11119454 Thanksgiving Creative Thinking Pack https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/thanksgiving-creative-thinking-pack-11120420 Pilgrim Creative Thinking Pack https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/pilgrim-creative-thinking-packet-11120198 Christmas Creative Thinking Pack https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/christmas-creative-thinking-pack-11120892 Winter Creative Thinking Pack https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/winter-creative-thinking-pack-11120920 Valentine's Creative Thinking Pack https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/valentine-s-day-creative-thinking-pack-11120936 Thinkin' About Lincoln https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/thinkin-about-lincoln-11120328 St. Patrick's Day Creative Thinking Pack https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/st-patrick-s-day-creative-thinking-packet-11123162 Summer Creative Thinking Pack https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/summer-creative-thinking-packet-11124028
Thanksgiving MEGA Bundle!
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Thanksgiving MEGA Bundle!

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This Thanksgiving Activity Bundle includes 5 Thanksgiving Themed Activity Packs!!! Packed full of one month's worth of Thanksgiving Themed Learning Activities. This Bundle Includes: 1. Thanksgiving Creative Thinking Pack https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/thanksgiving-creative-thinking-pack-11120420 2.Thanksgiving Math Pack https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/thanksgiving-math-pack-11119478 3. How To Cook a Turkey Writing and Craft https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/how-to-cook-a-turkey-11123170 4. Pilgrim Creative Thinking Pack https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/pilgrim-creative-thinking-packet-11120198 5. Race to the New World- A Game for the 100s Chart https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/race-to-the-new-world-a-thanksgiving-game-for-the-hundreds-chart-11124063 Everything you need for the month of November!
Summer Math and Literacy Sample
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Summer Math and Literacy Sample

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In this Summer Sample, you will find four pages selected from my Summer Math Pack and my Summer Creative Thinking Pack. I hope you enjoy these pages! Beach Ball Math- Add, subtract, multiply or divide three numbers to get to the number in the middle Zoo Favorites- Solve this logic problem to figure out which student likes which animals In Summer You Can’t- Think of some things you absolutely cannot do in summer So…That Just Happened- Come up with an explanation for something that seems explainable! This sample contains an answer key. If you enjoy these pages, check out the full packets and bundle in my store!
Fall Word Work Center
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Fall Word Work Center

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These Fall Word Work Center Activities are perfect for your fall themed centers! Included are: 2 Word Lists (primary with pictures and intermediate) Fall Word Sort Pages Fall Say, Write, Spell- Students "Say" the word, "Write" the word by tracing, and then "Spell" the word independently and check their work.
Informational Text Features Matching Page
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Informational Text Features Matching Page

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This is a matching sheet that reviews the parts of a Non-Fiction text. Use it as an assessment or have students access their prior knowledge by using this sheet. The answer key is included! This product is part of my informational text research projects!
Winter ABC Book
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Winter ABC Book

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This super cute ABC book is the perfect project for a winter themed writing center! Throw in some fun writing utensils, sample ABC books and winter non-fiction books and have kids writing their own books in no time!
Spring ABC Book
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Spring ABC Book

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Students will LOVE making their very own ABC book! They will come up with something creative to do with spring for every letter of the alphabet! They will then illustrate their own book for a keepsake.
Close Reading Folder
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Close Reading Folder

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Make this Close Reading folder for your students to increase engagement during Close Reading! Students will keep all of their resources for a close reading in one spot! The use of sticky notes adds novelty. Included are complete instructions with photos including exact measurements and an editable label template.
Writing Process Clip Chart
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Writing Process Clip Chart

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Use this Writing Process Clip Chart in your classroom to easily keep track of where your students are in the writing process. Includes: *Pre-Writing *Rough Draft *Revising *Editing *Peer Editing *Teacher Editing *Publishing
Halloween Creative Thinking Pack
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Halloween Creative Thinking Pack

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This is a packet of 20 creative thinking, writing and math Halloween activities. These language rich Halloween activities may be used individually or stapled together to create a packet (black line cover included). Fostering creative thinking has been shown to increase learning in all areas. Included in this Halloween Activity Pack you will find: *A Mummy Can't- what CAN'T a mummy do? *Halloween Everyday- would you ever get tired of Halloween? *Ghostly Problems- Thinking about invisibility *What is THAT? - Create a new Halloween animals *Halloween Words- Halloween Vocabulary *Make Halloween Bigger, Add something and Replace something *The Bagless Wonder- Think of how you could carry your Halloween candy home without a bag *Signs of Halloween- What does that weird sign have to do with Halloween? *Halloween Fashion- Predict the top 10 costumes in the next 5 years *Halloween Problems- Write a Halloween problem for a classmate to solve *Malinda the “Green” Witch- Tell Malinda some new uses for her old hat *What? No Candy!?!- The mayor has decreed that only prunes can be handed out for Halloween. List the consequences *The Vampire and the Pumpkin- How are a vampire and a pumpkin are alike *Crazy Costume- Design a costume using only things you have in your desk *Frankenstein is the Answer- Frankenstein is the answer and you write the questions *The Next Big Thing- Design the next best Halloween Trick or Treat bag. Label the parts *Candy Drop- You dropped your Halloween candy in a manhole! Given some odds and ends, how will you get it out?! *Pumpkin Carving- You don't have a knife or a pumpkin carver. How are you going to carve your pumpkin? *The Missing Foot- A skeleton is walking around on Halloween night without his left foot. Explain how this happened. *Halloween Haiku This Halloween Activity Pack also contains a Product Descriptor for easy grading! Sample Answers included in this Halloween Activity Pack to get you and your class thinking! This Halloween Activity Pack makes a great Halloween early finishers packet as well! Use them as sponge activities to get your students thinking. Set up some educational centres around or on Halloween.
Fall Creative Thinking Packet
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Fall Creative Thinking Packet

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This is a packet of 20 creative thinking Fall activities for Fall. Get your students thinking creatively right from the start of the year! These language rich creative thinking fall activities may be used individually or stapled together to create a fall activity packet (black line cover included). Fostering creative thinking has been shown to increase learning in all areas. This Fall Activity Packet will do just that! This Fall Activity pack does not have any holiday themed pages. Included in this Fall Activities packet you will find: *Student Cover- a blackline student cover is included in this fall activity *A Trip to the Apple Orchard *Human Hibernation *Time to Feed the Goats! *It Might Just Work *Fall Words *You’re So Cosy! *Raking Bind *Apple Picking *Fall Tinkering *Fall Math *There has GOT to be Another Use *No Pumpkins *A Squirrel and a GPS *Fall Memories *What is Fall or Autumn? *The Lane *Clean Ground *Just ONE Sip! *The Stubborn Tree *Fall Colour Poem Sample Answers included with these fall activities to get you and your class thinking! This Fall Activity Pack also includes a Product Descriptor for easy grading! These Fall activities make a great Fall early finishers packet! Use these Fall activities as sponge activities to get your students thinking. Set up some Fall centres using these Fall Activities
Star of the Day/Week BUNDLE Grades 3-5
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Star of the Day/Week BUNDLE Grades 3-5

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This Star of the Day bundle includes writing paper, awards, rubrics, a personal dictionary and MORE!!!! Start the year off having students of ALL ages writing full paragraphs. Get to know each of your students individually and make them feel special with the included certificates! In this Student of the day bundle, students will be interviewed and their classmates will write about them using the details that they have learned. All materials are available in “Star of the Day” or “Star of the Week”. This packet is geared for grades 3-5. I also have a Primary packet available in my store. This Student of the Day /Student of the Week bundle includes: *Fully detailed lesson plans *Star of the Day books. Color and black line masters *Writing paper. Includes general and gender specific *Star of the Day and Star of the Week Certificates! A black line master is also included. *Daily evaluation quick check slips *Product Descriptor/Rubric for easy grading *Evaluation Descriptor posters. Post these so that students will always know what they will be evaluated on in their Student of the Day writing *My Word Book personal dictionary. This personal dictionary already has all of the Fontas and Pinnell sight words as well as Dolche sight words. There are also spaces for new words. Keep students accountable for their spelling This student of the day or student of the week project can last a month or all year. The skills they learn in this Student of the Day packet will last a lifetime. This Student of the Day writing project teaches and improves: -community building -spelling -vocabulary -creative writing -main idea -paragraph writing -sentence writing -punctuation and conventions -verbs, adjectives, nouns -parts of speech -grammar -summarizing Student of the Day or Student of the week makes a great activity for writer’s workshop! Research shows that students who write frequently are better readers! Star of the Day or Star of the Week books will make treasured keepsakes for your students! CCSS ELA Standards: W.3.2 W.3.5 W.3.10 W.4.2 W.4.4 W.4.10 W.5.2 W.5.4 W.5.5 W.5.10 L.3.1 L.3.2 L.4.1 L.4.2 L.5.1
Pilgrim Creative Thinking Packet
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Pilgrim Creative Thinking Packet

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These Pilgrim activities may be used individually or stapled together to create a pilgrim packet (black line cover included). Great for centers or Early Finishers! Fostering creative thinking has been shown to increase learning in all areas. **This packet is designed to be used around Thanksgiving with a Non-Fiction Pilgrim unit of study. One of my favorites is the Interact Pilgrim Simulation (no affiliation)** Included in this Thanksgiving Pilgrim Packet you will find: -The Ungrateful Pilgrim -Living the Pilgrim Life -Pilgrim Problems -Home Sweet Home -Pilgrim Words -Improving the Mayflower -Finding Food -Digging up the Past -Plymouth Construction -Pilgrim Math -The Resourceful Pilgrim -The Lazy Pilgrim -The Pilgrim and the Mayflower -This Land is OUR Land- Who really owns the land -Who are "The Pilgrims” -Time Travel -Sinking Fast -Keeping Track -The Mysterious Deer -Pilgrim Poetry- Write an acrostic poem with the word "Pilgrim" This Pilgrim Packet contains a Product Descriptor for easy grading! Sample Answers included in this Thanksgiving Pilgrim packet to get you and your class thinking. CCSS ELA W.2.5 W.2.8 W.3.1 W.3.2 W.3.4 W.4.2 W.4.8 W.5.4 W.5.8 L.2.1 L.2.2 L.2.5 L.3.1 L.3.2 L.4.1 L.4.2 L.5.1 L.5.2 L.5.3
Star of the Day/Week BUNDLE for Primary
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Star of the Day/Week BUNDLE for Primary

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Star of the Day Bundle for Primary This Star of the Day bundle includes writing paper, awards, rubrics, a personal dictionary and MORE!!!! Start the year off having students of ALL ages writing full paragraphs. Get to know each of your students individually and make them feel special with the included certificates! In this Student of the Day bundle, students will be interviewed and their classmates will write about them using the details that they have learned. All materials are available in “Star of the Day” or “Star of the Week”. This packet is geared for Primary Grades. I also have an Intermediate packet available in my store. This Student of the Day /Student of the Week bundle includes: *Fully detailed lesson plans *Student of the day books. Color and black line masters *Writing paper. Includes general and gender specific *Star of the Day and Star of the Week Certificates! A black line master is also included. *Daily evaluation quick check slips *Product Descriptor/Rubric for easy grading *Evaluation Descriptor posters. Post these so that students will always know what they will be evaluated on in their Student of the Day writing *My Word Book personal dictionary. This personal dictionary already has all of the Fontas and Pinnell sight words as well as Dolche sight words. There are also spaces for new words. Keep students accountable for their spelling This student of the day or student of the week project can last a month or all year. The skills they learn in this Student of the Day packet will last a lifetime. This Student of the Day writing project teaches and improves: -community building -spelling -vocabulary -creative writing -main idea -paragraph writing -sentence writing -punctuation and conventions -verbs, adjectives, nouns -parts of speech -grammar -summarizing Student of the Day or Student of the week makes a great activity for writer’s workshop! Research shows that students who write frequently are better readers! Star of the Day or Star of the Week books will make treasured keepsakes for your students! CCSS ELA Standards: W.1.2 W.1.5 W.1.8 W.2.2 W.2.5 L.1.1 L.1.2 L.2.1 L.2.2 L.2.5a
Thinkin' About Lincoln
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Thinkin' About Lincoln

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This creative thinking packet will bring Abraham Lincoln to life as no other research project has done before! Students will be inspired to research all aspects of Abraham Lincoln in order to find the answers to these 20 creative thinking activities. This Abraham Lincoln Creative Thinking packet makes an incredible independent study or alternative task and pushes students to use the higher levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy. Thinkin’ About Lincoln pairs perfectly with a unit of study on Abraham Lincoln or the Civil War. It can also be an extra credit or early finishers activity. **An Independent Learning Contract and Product Descriptor are provided for easy implementation and grading! I have also provided student-friendly sites and resources on my Abraham Lincoln Pinterest board! I used many of these sites to inspire this packet. The Abraham Lincoln activities include: *Not in Your Lifetime *Lincoln’s Influence *A Forward Thinker *New-Fangled Origination *The Letters of Lincoln *Emancipation Elation *Signs of Lincoln *Alone in the Snow *Creative Solutions *Slavery’s End *A Thing of Value *Davis vs. Lincoln *Toy Troubles *Lincoln’s Hat *After the War *Who is Abraham Lincoln? *If You Build It *The Anti-Lincoln *Unexpected Findings *Singing About Lincoln *The Lincoln Connection *Product Descriptors *Sample Answers CCSS ELA Standards W.3.1 W.3.2 W.3.4 W.4.2 W.4.8 W.5.4 W.5.8 L.3.1 L.3.2 L.4.1 L.4.2 L.5.1 L.5.2 L.5.3