Common Core Writing Assignments For A Whole Quarter. 8 different writing activities that can be completed over the course of a 9 weeks grading period. Each handout has the standard or standards that are the focus and an assignment that goes with the standards.Each writing assignment also includes a rubric for evaluation. Writing activities include persuasive, argument, narrative, descriptive, comparison/contrast, expository, and 2 weeks of research, all based on the common core standards. Developed for grade 7, but will work for grades 6 - 8 very well. - HappyEdugator CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1a Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1b Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1c Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1d Establish and maintain a formal style. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1e Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2a Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2b Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2c Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2d Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2e Establish and maintain a formal style. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2f Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3a Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.

Vocabulary for study skills...72 slides with essential academic vocabulary needed for developing good study skills and preparing students for standardized tests. Each slide has the word, the part of speech, definition, and synonyms. Animated so you can present the word first, then click to see the rest of the information. - HappyEdugator

Where The Red Fern Grows Introduction PowerPoint Presentation. Introduce the novel Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. Photos of red ferns, redbone coon hounds, raccoons, notes about the book, characters, setting, author, and theme notes are included, along with pictures of items from the time period and a preview of the movies that were made from the book. - HappyEdugator

Penguins - Fun Facts About Penguins PowerPoint. All about penguins...are you using a penguin theme in your classroom? Need to read more nonfiction? Informational text for reading practice. Learn about penguins this winter! Fun facts about the life of a penguin...a study of different kinds of penguins, which can be used to introduce a unit on penguins to engage students and grab their attention. Good for building background knowledge for reading books with penguins, like Mr. Popper's Penguins, Tacky the Penguin, or Penguin Chick. Fun to use during the Christmas season or in the winter months. Editable for classroom use. 18 slides with animated graphics. - HappyEdugator Content Alert - Includes a slide on the African penguin, also called the "Jackass" penguin because it sounds like a donkey. Some classes may giggle just a bit too much, so it is editable if you wish to edit it out. :)

Strong Verb Sentences and Paragraphs PowerPoint. Teach students to use strong verbs in their writing and avoid "dead" verbs. Sentence and paragraph practice for writing improvement, based on common core. Students can practice using a variety of vivid verbs to bring their sentences and paragraphs to life. This works as a great mini-lesson. Some teachers like to have mock funerals for the "dead" verbs to put them to rest forevermore. Revised and improved with new content and animated graphics! Enjoy! Updated August 2014. - HappyEdugator

TEST PREP Reading Test Strategies PowerPoint. Standardized Test Strategies for Reading Comprehension. Test prep on how to pass the CRCT for reading (or any state standardized reading test) using 6 essential steps. Students are given six basic strategies, and three slides of basic terms that they should be familiar with in order to be successful on a reading test. There is another slide on test-taking tips that can also be used for any test. 17 slides. Aligns with common core. - HappyEdugator

Punctuation Using Commas PowerPoint. Supports Common Core! PowerPoint presentation on comma rules and using comma punctuation correctly in writing elements and sentence structure. The presentation covers using commas with lists, dates, addresses, titles, joining independent and subordinate clauses in compound and complex sentences, nonessential clauses, phrases and words, introductory clauses, and separating adjectives. Animated clips. Use in small chunks as there is a lot of information here! There is a short 10 question multiple choice quiz at the end, with questions similar to what students would see on a standardized test. Recently revised and updated. Common Core Language Standards L 4.2b, L4.2c,,L.5.2c

A Christmas Truce PowerPoint - A Reader’s Theater. 44 slides. You can use this in the classroom or make it into a production for Christmas. This is about the miraculous and spontaneous truce in the trenches during WWI where the British and German soldiers stopped fighting. Listen to the song Christmas in the Trenches, and use it as an introduction. We also connect this to Snoopy and the Red Baron’s Christmas Truce. Play slideshow while students are reading printed cards as a production for parents or visitors. We performed this for parents and invited the VFW to come visit. Includes details on the performance and how to do your own, ideas for backdrop, costumes, suggested music, links, and how to make Snoopy luminaries out of old gallon milk jugs! We ended our performance with everyone singing Snoopy’s Christmas. We did this several years in a row. It turned out to be a great success. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator

EDITABLE Teacher Binder Covers - 63 Different Ready Made Binder Covers and Spines for back to school. Choose which ones you wish to use, print out and slip into your binder front and spine. Also includes an editable cover and an editable spine, so you can add your own words if you need to! These can also be used as dividers in a larger teacher binder (cover for that included) and the spines can double as page tabs. Just print out the pages you need and put in page protectors. Print out the tabs on card stock, laminate if desired, and attach with clear packing tape to protect and make durable. Back to School background. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator With the EDITABLE BLANK covers and spines, you can create your own binders for anything you wish. Also includes ready made covers for: 504's Art Assessments Benchmarks Calendar Class Rosters Common Core Standards Conferences Curriculum Maps Cursive Data Department Duties ELL English Language Arts Evaluations Extracurricular Activities Field Trip Information Foreign Language Geography Gradebook HIstory IEP's Lesson Plans Mathematics Meeting Notes Modifications Music Newsletters Parent Guardian Contacts Passwords/Tech Information Professional Development Reading Schedule Science Social Studies Spelling Standards STEM STEAM Student Information Substitute Syllabus Teacher Binder Transportation Website Information Work Samples Writing AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY HOLIDAYS TESTING

Adjectives PowerPoint - all about adjectives with practice slides including: What is an adjective? Descriptive Adjectives Limiting Adjectives Nouns Used as Adjectives Proper Adjectives Articles - Definite and Indefinite Degrees of Adjectives - Positive, Comparative, Superlative Review of Common and Proper Adjectives Compound Adjectives Classifying Adjectives Demonstrative Adjectives Coordinate Adjectives Cumulative Adjectives 58 slides. - HappyEdugator

Nouns PowerPoint - all about Nouns. Defines nouns. Information, notes, and practice slides on Common Nouns, Proper Nouns, Concrete Nouns, Abstract Nouns, Mass or Collective Nouns, Properties of Nouns, Noun Case (Nominative Noun Case, Objective Noun Case, and Possessive Noun Case), Gender, Number, and Person. Each section has a practice slide and an answer slide. Use each section as you need it. Great for review of a parts of speech unit at the beginning of the year. Also use for warm ups, or for notes in interactive notebooks. - HappyEdugator ©2016 HappyEdugator.

Bell Ringers - Common Core - Grammar and Usage. Thirty ways to practice sentence editing skills for grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. Quick 5-7 minutes of practice that will help students build writing skills using correct syntax. Includes a few slides with information on what grammar and usage is and why it is important. Each slide has an activity with two sentences to fix, and an answer slide so they can quickly check themselves. These can also be printed out on index cards and turned into fun task cards. Supports Common Core. - HappyEdugator

Martin Luther King Day Jumbled Words PowerPoint Game. MLK Day Fun! Martin Luther King Jr. interactive word scramble game; Words related to the MLK holiday will appear in scrambled form for students to try to puzzle out. Click for a clue, then click for the answer. Click again to go to the next slide. Fun activity for Black History Month, Martin Luther King Day, or when studying Civil Rights Movement. 25 slide PowerPoint Skill Level - Medium - HappyEdugator

Bell Ringers - Tier Two Vocabulary in Context - Grade 10 Set 2. TEST PREP. Tenth grade tier II vocabulary words set in context in informational paragraphs. Students should use context clues or contextual hints to figure out the meaning of unknown words. Second of three sets. Designed for Tenth grade, and as a review for 11th and 12th grade. - HappyEdugator

All About Me Book - Beginning of the Year Writing Unit. Writing center activities. Gives students a chance to build a book about themselves, with writing prompts to encourage students to think. The pages can be completed as a class project, or individually whenever a child has finished other work and has free time. Supports common core state standards. Some pages can be done several times, such as the journal page once a week. Can be printed with color or white background. Teachers of younger children can help them fill out the pages. Although students can keep their own sheets and watch their books grow, you may wish to collect all their completed pages and keep folders for each author until all the pages are done. Assure them their pages will be kept private. Classroom and school photos can be added to make them extra special as a keepsake. Can also be used with older children who have autism or special needs. Join with your students and make your own book, too. 2 versions, 32 pages each - color background or white background to save ink. Print and go. - HappyEdugator

Johnny Tremain Vocabulary PowerPoint. The vocabulary on this PowerPoint is illustrated to help students remember the words! Five sections of vocabulary words to show in chunks as you read through the book by Esther Forbes. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator

Squares PowerPoint Game Template. PowerPoint template plays like the TV game "Hollywood Squares." All you do is add your own content. Can be used for all subject areas. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator

Bell Ringers - Tier Two Vocabulary in Context - Grade 10 Set 1. TEST PREP. Tenth grade tier II vocabulary words set in context in informational paragraphs. Students should use context clues or contextual hints to figure out the meaning of unknown words. First of three sets. Designed for Tenth grade, and as a review for 11th and 12th grade. - HappyEdugator ©2016 HappyEdugator.

Bald Eagles - Fun Facts About Eagles PowerPoint. Learn about bald eagles! This American Bald Eagle PowerPoint has interesting and fun facts about the life of an eagle. Students will learn about two subspecies of bald eagles, and engaging facts about eagle characteristics, abilities, and behavior. They will discover eagle habitat, eagle adaptations, and how they raise their young. Informational text can be used to introduce or supplement a forest theme unit or a unit about the zoo, eagles, or American symbols and animals. Engage students and grab their attention, or build background knowledge for reading books with eagles. Includes links to websites about eagle sounds, short videos all about eagles, and the DC Eagle Cam. Students will enjoy studying about bald eagles around patriotic holidays and events, since the bald eagle is the national bird of the U.S.A. Great summer activity as well, or use in a summer camp around the 4th of July. - HappyEdugator

Geography Cards - Key Terms to Understand. 83 key geography terms on bright and colorful chevron cards. Make them into flash cards or a concentration game. Directions: Print out on cards stock and cut out. If you want flashcards, match the term and the definition and stick back to back with a glue stick, and then laminate for durability. If you would prefer to make a matching game such as concentration, or a center activity, do not stick them together and laminate separately. Lots of uses! 83 terms that will help students have a better understanding of important key terms in the study of geography! A blank sheet is included in case you wish to add your own terms, such as state names and abbreviations, or capitals and countries. You are sure to find many uses for these cards. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator