Time to celebrate the winter holidays! It is important for students to learn that a TRADITION is a custom, activity, or belief carried on from generation to generation, or repeated over a long period of time. Traditions are important because they represent our culture, allow us to celebrate diversity, and enable us to create lasting memories with our friends, family, and community! In these activities (best suited for grades 4-8), students will reflect and write about a special holiday tradition in their own family, create a new tradition, and research how people celebrate in other parts of the world! Students will use their thinking, reading, writing, and research skills. If time permits, they can also use their public speaking/presentation skills! Activities included in this 9-page PDF file: -“Holiday Traditions: How do YOU Celebrate?” Brainstorm Activity -Holiday Tradition Essay -Create-a-Tradition Activity -Winter Holiday Traditions Around the World Research Activity *24 topics provided (traditions from around the world) *Research outline with space for simple citations *Picture collage page **Written in American English.

Speaking in front of the class or a group can be intimidating for many students, so why not make it fun? This activity pack includes directions for 7 public speaking events and ice breakers. Activity Titles: -What’s My Bag? -As Seen on TV (Shown on preview) -5 Minute Speed Debating -Tallest Tower -I’ve Got Your Back! -Interviews & Introductions -Our Island** Each page includes a detailed description of the activity and supply list. Activities range from 10 minutes to a full class period. All activities can be modified for your class size! Most activities begin with group work then progress into full-class share time. Written in American English.

Persuasive messages are all around us! This lesson teaches students to identify and implement Aristotle’s 3 modes of persuasion (rhetorical appeals): ethos, logos & pathos. Appropriate for secondary students, this zip file includes 3 color and B&W posters, student notes, “Identifying Ethos, Logos & Pathos in Historical Speeches” activity, and an “Editorial Writing” activity. The student notes introduce key terms and provide a detailed diagram of Aristotle’s rhetorical triangle. The 2 activities are perfect for speech, debate, ELA, creative writing, or social studies classrooms. There is not an answer key for the activities, as student answers will vary. There is an excellent opportunity for group and classroom discussion during/after each activity. Written in American English.

Logical fallacies are all around us in advertising, the media, and in daily conversations! Students should learn how to identify these sometimes confusing persuasive techniques. This is a great unit for speech, debate, law, English, and public speaking classes! The zip file includes logical fallacy posters (or can be used as a word wall), student handout/notes with definitions, worksheet/activity, and definition cards (may be used as task cards or flash cards). Logical fallacies defined: -Ad hominem -Slippery slope -Red herring -Straw man -Begging the question -Hasty generalization -False dichotomy -Ad populum -Appeal to authority -Emotional appeal -No true scotsman -Appeal to nature Written in American English.

“My First Research Paper” will help guide your students through the often frustrating and overwhelming process of writing a research paper! Designed for secondary students, these activities may be modified to meet the needs of your learners. For example, if your students are not ready to incorporate MLA citations into their papers (or if you prefer APA), you can teach the citations and works cited format in a different way. 7th grade teachers may want to keep things more simplified, as 10th grade teachers will want to ensure students fully understand citation/MLA format and guidelines. If you already have activities to teach research paper writing, you may pair these activities with your current materials. These pages are meant to enhance your lesson, not necessarily replace what you are already doing! You are free to use only what you need. You may also use the “Peer Revising & Editing” page for other writing assignments, not just research papers. I hope you find these tools helpful, for both you and your students. Examples are shown on every page to help the students along the way! Included in File (14 pages): -Research Paper Notes & Topic Ideas -Make a Plan! (Brainstorming Activity Page) -Research Outline -Rough Draft Pages (with tips) -Citation Station (Guide for MLA in-text citations & works cited) -Peer Revising & Editing -Final Draft Guidelines & Fill-In Information for Students -Final Paper Rubric **Written in American English.

This list of 50 debate topics will keep your students engaged and allow them to practice their thinking, research, writing, speaking, and argumentation skills! All topics are school appropriate and the wording can be modified by the teacher. The topics are divided into the following categories: School and education Government, judicial system & military Science & environment Technology, ethics & society SAMPLE TOPICS: -Should students be required to wear school uniforms? -Should schools block access to all social media sites (while on campus)? -Should the United States help third world countries? -Should the United States have a draft for military service? -Should the United States end its use of the penny? -Is human activity a substantial cause of global climate change? -Are there more disadvantages to recycling than advantages? -Are professional athletes overpaid? **Written in American English.

If you’ve turned on the news lately, stood in line at the grocery store and browsed the magazines, or surfed the internet, then you know that conspiracy theories are everywhere! Some of the theories are so intriguing, we read further or turn up the volume. Others are so outrageous that we laugh in disbelief! How can we possibly separate fact from fiction when the media can be so convincing? Some of the oldest conspiracy theories are still circulating today, from Bigfoot and alien sightings, to the “faked” moon landing and rumors that Elvis is still alive! In this 3-part research project, Conspiracy Theories: Uncovering the Truth (research outline, paper, and slideshow presentation) plus optional debate, your 9th-12th grade students can try to get to the bottom of some of the wildest conspiracy theories and decide for themselves what is real and what is fake. This is a FUN project that your students will enjoy. Although there is a timed debate format, they will want to debate these conspiracy theories for hours! Included in 11-Page PDF file: -Teacher’s Notes & Table of Contents -What is a conspiracy theory? Information & Topic List -Info Sheet and Project Requirements -Research Outline -MLA Works Cited Page Format & In-Text Citations -Project Grading Rubric -Debate Formats (1 VS. 1 & 2 VS. 2) -Peer Debate Round Notes & Voting Ballot *The basics of MLA format are explained in this project and assessed on the grading rubric. You may implement a different format if you’d like. **Written in American English.

Preparing your students to be engaged and respectful audience members can be fun with this lesson and follow-up performance reflection made just for elementary students! You can use all of these activities in one day or spread them out over several days before attending a field trip, concert, or public speaking event with the class. The discussion cards will allow you to talk through real-life scenarios with your students so they will know the correct and respectful way to handle themselves during a presentation or performance. Reward cards are also included to acknowledge students who follow the rules of audience etiquette! Lesson Includes: Audience etiquette rules Discussion (or quick write) cards Student audience etiquette questions LEVEL 1 (lower elementary) Student audience etiquette questions LEVEL 2 (upper elementary) Post-performance reflection LEVEL 1 Post-performance reflection and audience etiquette survey LEVEL 2 (2 pages) Audience etiquette class poster-- full-color (separate PDF file) Audience etiquette reward cards **Written in American English.

These 10 short writing assignments for teens and tweens are a great way to assess student writing, leave with sub, or use as “filler” activities as needed. I keep a few copied and tucked away so I’m always covered if an extra assignment is needed! Each 2-page writing activity includes a review of key literary terms, important information needed for the assignment (format, guidelines, etc.) and a writing activity. These writing assignments can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a full class period. Feel free to time students or give them as long as they need. To stretch an activity, have students read aloud for the class or in small groups. The poetry activity is especially fun to read aloud! Writing assignments included: 1.) Descriptive writing: picture prompt 2.) Persuasive writing: letter to school board 3.) Narrative writing: overcoming challenge essay 4.) Editorial writing: school hot topic editorial 5.) Expository writing: bullying essay 6.) Poetry writing: free verse and haiku 7.) Compare and contrast writing: topic choices provided 8.) Opinion writing: social media essay 9.) Creative writing: sentence starter prompt 10.) Journal writing: two writing prompts Written in American English.

Task Cards for junior high students are perfect for early finishers, warm-ups, time fillers, journal entries, write-pair-shares, sub assignments & extra credit! The PDF file includes 11 pages of black and white printables (total of 43 task cards–4 per page). The task cards include a variety of activities, including writing prompts and graphic organizers (both short and long activities). All topics are relevant and grade-appropriate for 6th-9th grade students. Teachers can cut and laminate individual cards or make copies and use in a variety of ways! Ideas for use: Laminate each card, hole-punch the top corner of each card, and put on a ring clip. Early finishers may then look through the cards and choose which activity they’d like to complete. You can also project one of the cards on a screen as a warm-up each day or leave one of the lengthier activities for a sub. It’s also convenient to have task cards on hand for days when the lesson ends early and you need a quick time filler! Written in American English.

Charades is a game that students (and adults) have enjoyed for years! This classic game is perfect for rainy days, class parties, brain breaks, and team building! In addition to being entertaining and highly engaging, mid to upper-level elementary students will learn to use their nonverbal communication skills to convey messages using only gestures, body movements, and facial expressions. Student directions are included, but you may change or modify the directions as necessary. File Includes: -Teacher’s notes -Student directions -6 charades kid-friendly categories (Categories: Children’s books, movies, animals, transportation, school terms & landmarks) -110 pre-written topic slips -Blank page for you or the students to write your own Written in American English. Enjoy!!

Add some color to your bulletin boards, doors, cabinets, and walls with these HAWAIIAN FLOWER capital letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and special characters in 3 color schemes! You receive THREE SETS (green/coral, purple/orange, aqua/pink). *Each flower circle measures 4 ¼ X 4 ¼ inches. *Included in each set: Capital letters A-Z, numbers 0-9, punctuation/special characters (? ! & ‘ #), and a blank flower (for a space). *Printable PDF files (in zip file). *Simply print, laminate & cut! Save paper and print only the pages you need! For longer-lasting, more durable letters, print and laminate on white cardstock instead of printer paper.

What’s better than a FREEBIE that can be used for any subject? This reading log not only requires students to record the date, time, and page numbers, but also provides space for them to write a short summary of the reading. Writing a few sentences to summarize the passages/pages require students to think through and process what they read and holds them accountable for the reading assignment. Use for ANY reading assignment-- chapter books & novels, textbooks, assigned passages, articles, etc. The file includes two pages for front/back printing (in black and white).

This 3-part project for upper elementary and middle school students is a great teaching and learning tool for students to research and share information about cultures, holidays, and traditions around the world! Students may research a holiday listed on the provided topic list or choose a holiday that is celebrated in a country of their choice. The holidays on the topic list (28 listed) are not limited to winter months, but are a variety of celebrations throughout the year. This file contains an outline to guide student research, directions and printable information boxes for students to create a lapbook visual aid, speech presentation outline, and grading rubric. Modify the project to meet the needs and learning levels of your students! Supplies: • Manila folders (one per student) • Glue and scissors • Map pencils, crayons, or markers • Access to printer (for students to print pictures) • Optional: colored paper to print information boxes Table of Contents: Student information sheet Page 2 Topic list Page 3 Research outline Page 4-5 Lapbook visual aid directions Page 6 Information boxes (for lapbook visual aid) Pages 7-9 Speech presentation outline Page 10-11 3-Part grading rubric Page 12 **Written in American English.

This environmental issues informative speech and presentation is perfect for any ELA, science, or public speaking secondary class! Students will learn the basics of informative speaking, speech writing, research/citing sources, and creating a technology-based visual aid. They will also learn a LOT about issues affecting our planet. Not only will they present, but they will fill out a peer critique chart as they listen to their classmates. An easy-to-grade rubric is included and tips to help students become more confident, less anxious speakers! Included in this 11-page PDF file: Table of Contents Informative Speech Guidelines Visual Aid & Note Card Guidelines Tips for Using Technology-Based Visual Aids Topic List Sample Informative Speech Outline Informative Speech Research Outline Speech Grading Rubric Peer Critique Charts **American English

Regardless of the subject-area, if a student is giving a presentation or speech, they should know and understand vocabulary associated with public speaking. Good habits start early, so encourage vocal variety and polished performances in your classroom! Included in this PDF are 20 public speaking vocabulary words and definitions (one per page) that can be printed as posters, word walls, flash cards, etc! Print in full color or opt for grayscale. Words include: volume, rate, articulation, enunciation, pitch, inflection, tone, gesture, visual aid, projection, pronunciation, monotone, diction, resonance, optimum pitch, fluency, timbre, dialect, intonation & pause. *(Written in American English)

“Writing & Public Speaking Activities for Little Kids” allow students to work on their writing and interpersonal communication skills. These activities will also build students’ confidence when speaking in front of a group. Teachers may want to take this opportunity to discuss public speaking vocabulary, such as volume, rate, eye contact, articulation, and clarity. These activities are perfect to use as ice-breakers, warm-ups, group work, centers, or time fillers! **Activities are labeled LEVEL 1 or LEVEL 2 on the top right of each page. Level 1 activities are most suitable for 1st & 2nd grade and require shorter, less detailed answers and explanations. Teachers may prompt students to elaborate on their answers by asking “Why?” or “How?” Level 2 activities are most suitable for 3rd -5th grade and require more detailed explanations. **Activities that are only provided for Level 2 (see list below) can be simplified for younger students (teacher’s discretion). Feel free to modify activities for your little speakers! Activities: • 2 Roll-N-Speak pages (Level 1) • 2 Roll-N-Speak pages (Level 2) • My Happy Place (Level 1) • My Happy Place (Level 2) • Our Island (partner/group activity, Level 2) • Book Talk (Level 2) • Name Acrostic (Levels 1 & 2) • Picture This! (Level 1) • Picture This! (Level 2) • Classmate Chit-Chat (Level 2) • My Invention (Level 1) • My Invention (Level 2) **Written in American English.

Students love a project when they get to CHOOSE a topic based on their personal interests! The purpose of this 3-part project for grades 4-8 is for students to explore and learn about an occupation that is of interest to them. Often, students say, “I want to be a (insert job) when I grow up,” but they don’t know what that entails. This project requires students to research an occupation of their choice, take notes on a research outline, write an informative essay, and create an eye-catching visual aid. **Please feel free to modify this project to meet the needs of your learners! –Lined pages are provided for the essay. However, some teachers may require students to type the paper or write on notebook paper. –Although an oral presentation is only required for one of the choice board activities, students should be encouraged to share details about their occupation with the class. An idea would be to have a mini job fair in your classroom where students can display and discuss their visual aids. PDF Zip File Includes (10 pages): -Project Guideline Page for Students -Topic List -Visual Aid Choice Board -Research Outline -Informative Essay Writing Pages -Rubric **Written in American English.

Clean desk notes are a great classroom management tool to acknowledge students who are taking pride in their personal work space! Write a note on the back or pair with a small treat, and make your students feel special! *6 printable designs *Full color and black/white/gray *FREE!

This FREE diversity poster with a quote by Maya Angelou will not only brighten your classroom, but remind students that there is beauty in our differences! The poster is full-color, printable, and (for best results) 18X24 inches (or scale larger).