While working on Wake Up Your Brain, your students will be enhancing their problem solving, common sense, and inquisitive thinking skills. Teachers: -Do Wake Up Your Brain first thing in the mornings! -The Wake Up Your Brain Grid Page (slide 1) is clickable. Simply click a photo you want the students to do, then it will go to that photo. -Project the photo on the board or wall. -The students will write their answers with dry erase markers on their desks (or dry erase boards) so this will be completely paperless. -The class will discuss their answers after most are finished! There are five key components to Wake Up Your Brain. Solve Problems Ask Questions Build Inferences Make Connections Construct a Plan Solve Problems: Students will look for any problem that MIGHT could occur in the picture. Then students will solve that “problem.” Ask Questions: After studying the picture, students will ask questions about things they want to know. Then students will determine a way they could hypothetically learn the answers to these questions. Build Inferences: Students will study the picture and write three inferences about the picture. Then students will write something they DO NOT know about the picture. Make Connections: The students will connect the picture to their life in some way. Construct a Plan: Students can change ONE thing in the picture. What will they change and how will they change it? If students have trouble, just tell them to do the best they can! We are practicing our thinking and there is no “right” answer!

Text Level: Q (leveled based on Fountas and Pinnell) If you are looking for an engaging reading passage about making a scarecrow, you have found it! This reading passage is an informational/procedural passage about making a scarecrow and includes a reading passage, comprehension questions, an answer key, two inference exercises, and a writing prompt, and a digital version of the product to use in Google Slides. The students will enjoy reading about making scarecrow and doing the activities. This is perfect for literacy centers, whole group, partner work, or independent work. The reading passage is appropriate for 3rd-5th graders. 3rd Grade: Will be able to read with some assistance. (Partner reading encouraged) 4th Grade: Will be able to read independently. 5th Grade: Will be able to read independently. To use the digital version, please follow the instructions in the product and find the link located in the product.

Text Level: L (leveled based on Fountas and Pinnell) If you are looking for an engaging reading passage about the Pumpkin Patch, you have found it! This reading passage is an fictional passage about the Pumpkin Patch and includes a reading passage, comprehension questions, an answer key, two inference exercises, and a writing prompt, and a digital version of the product to use in Google Slides. The students will enjoy reading about the Pumpkin Patch and doing the activities. This is perfect for literacy centers, whole group, partner work, or independent work. The reading passage is appropriate for 2nd-4th graders. 2nd Grade: Will be able to read with some assistance. (Partner reading encouraged) 3rd Grade: Will be able to read independently. 4th Grade: Will be able to read independently. To use the digital version, please follow the instructions in the product and find the link located in the product.

ext Level: W (leveled based on Fountas and Pinnell) If you are looking for an engaging fall reading passage, you have found it! This reading passage is about the history of pumpkin carving and includes a reading passage, comprehension questions, an answer key, two inference exercises, and a writing prompt, and a digital version of the product to use in Google Slides. The students will enjoy reading about the history of pumpkin carving and doing the activities. This is perfect for literacy centers, whole group, partner work, or independent work. The reading passage is appropriate for 3rd-5th graders. 4th Grade: Will be able to read with some assistance. (Partner reading encouraged) 5th Grade: Will be able to read independently. 6th Grade: Will be able to read independently. To use the digital version, please follow the instructions in the product and find the link located in the product.

Text Level: O (leveled based on Fountas and Pinnell) If you are looking for an engaging reading passage about finding the perfect pumpkin, you have found it! This reading passage is an fictional passage about finding the perfect pumpkin and includes a reading passage, comprehension questions, an answer key, two inference exercises, and a writing prompt, and a digital version of the product to use in Google Slides. The students will enjoy reading about finding the perfect pumpkin and doing the activities. This is perfect for literacy centers, whole group, partner work, or independent work. The reading passage is appropriate for 3rd-5th graders. 3rd Grade: Will be able to read with some assistance. (Partner reading encouraged) 4th Grade: Will be able to read independently. 5th Grade: Will be able to read independently. To use the digital version, please follow the instructions in the product and find the link located in the product.

Text Level: V (leveled based on Fountas and Pinnell) If you are looking for an engaging reading passage about the Presidential Turkey Pardon, you have found it! This reading passage is an informational passage about the Presidential Turkey Pardon and includes a reading passage, comprehension questions, an answer key, two inference exercises, and a writing prompt, and a digital version of the product to use in Google Slides. The students will enjoy reading about the Presidential Turkey Pardon and doing the activities. This is perfect for literacy centers, whole group, partner work, or independent work. The reading passage is appropriate for 4th-6th graders. 4th Grade: Will be able to read with some assistance. (Partner reading encouraged) 5th Grade: Will be able to read independently. 6th Grade: Will be able to read independently. To use the digital version, please follow the instructions in the product and find the link located in the product.

Text Level: O (leveled based on Fountas and Pinnell) If you are looking for an engaging reading passage about growing a pumpkin, you have found it! This reading passage is an informational/procedural passage about growing a pumpkin and includes a reading passage, comprehension questions, an answer key, two inference exercises, and a writing prompt, and a digital version of the product to use in Google Slides. The students will enjoy reading about growing a pumpkin and doing the activities. This is perfect for literacy centers, whole group, partner work, or independent work. The reading passage is appropriate for 3rd-5th graders. 3rd Grade: Will be able to read with some assistance. (Partner reading encouraged) 4th Grade: Will be able to read independently. 5th Grade: Will be able to read independently. To use the digital version, please follow the instructions in the product and find the link located in the product.

Text Level: M (leveled based on Fountas and Pinnell) If you are looking for an engaging reading passage about making a tasty Thanksgiving treat, you have found it! This reading passage is a procedural passage about making Turkey Feed and includes a reading passage, comprehension questions, an answer key, two inference exercises, and a writing prompt, and a digital version of the product to use in Google Slides. The students will enjoy reading about this tasty treat and doing the activities. This is perfect for literacy centers, whole group, partner work, or independent work. The reading passage is appropriate for 2nd-4th graders. 2nd Grade: Will be able to read with some assistance. (Partner reading encouraged) 3rd Grade: Will be able to read independently. 4th Grade: Will be able to read independently. To use the digital version, please follow the instructions in the product and find the link located in the product.

Have you read The Christmas Selfie Contest by Rosie Greening? Oh my goodness! It is a must read in ANY age classroom around Christmas! The author teaches students that working together as a team is better than doing things alone! The vocabulary is amazing! I have created a book study that will help your students learn amazing vocabulary, the theme of the book, and work through the story elements of the text. You students will be exposed to deep writing topics, comprehension questions and so much more. Included in the Book Study: -Vocabulary Cards -Vocabulary Assessment -Vocabulary Assessment Answer Key -Comprehension Questions -Comprehension Questions Answer Key -Bio Poem about Alfie (the main character) -Letter to the Author -Summary Graphic Organizer -Character Traits Seflie for Alfie (Beginning of the Text) -Character Traits Seflie for Alfie (End of the Text) -Story Elements Analysis -Writing Connections (Self Connections) -Theme Analysis -Story Sequence If you do not own the book, click my Christmas Selfie Affiliate Link to read about the book and purchase a copy!

Slime is all of the rage right now, right? My kids love making it. It doesn’t matter the color, glitter or no glitter, glow in the dark or regular…they all want to make slime! I love slime because it is easy and inexpensive to make. I have always wanted to bring it to the classroom though in the form of a science experiment. However, I always felt that was a bit of a stretch. It turns out, it isn’t. Slime is Chemistry in its most basic form, which is great for elementary kids. I mean they are not really ready for Chemistry in its most advanced form, right? I decided to create a few resources to go with the hands-on experiment. If you know me at all, you know I always try my hardest to integrate reading and writing into social studies and science. Does this mean social studies and science take a backseat? No way. These subjects are just as important as reading, writing, and math. However, if I can integrate a few things into one lesson…ding ding, that is a winner lesson for me! Check out the preview to see what is included in this engaging lesson! The students will do an experiment, read a passage, answer comprehension questions and make observations! Make it a goal to reach your students where they are. Slime is all the rage right now. My kids at home want to make it all of the time and classroom students do too. You will win some major brownie points by doing this hands-on activity with your students.

Glow Sticks are fun for kids of all ages! They are great for parties, holidays, or just fun to play with in a dark room! I have tried for years to think of a fun way to incorporate glow sticks into reading and science. As it turns out, glow sticks are Chemistry in its most basic form, which is great for elementary kids. I mean they are not really ready for Chemistry in its most advanced form, right? I decided to create a few resources to go with the hands-on experiment. If you know me at all, you know I always try my hardest to integrate reading and writing into social studies and science. Does this mean social studies and science take a backseat? No way. These subjects are just as important as reading, writing, and math. However, if I can integrate a few things into one lesson…ding ding, that is a winner lesson for me! Check out the preview to see what is included in this engaging lesson! The students will do an experiment, read a passage, answer comprehension questions and make observations! Make it a goal to reach your students where they are. Glow sticks are fun for kids. My kids at home love to play with these and classroom students do too. You will win some major brownie points by doing this hands-on activity with your students. Tip: Wal-Mart has tubes of 50 glow sticks (more than enough) for $10 in their party section. :)

Dry Ice is fun for kids of all ages! It is great for parties, holidays, or just fun to use in experiments! I have tried for years to think of a fun way to incorporate dry ice into reading and science. As it turns out, dry ice is great for learning about states of matter! I decided to create a few resources to go with the hands-on experiment. If you know me at all, you know I always try my hardest to integrate reading and writing into social studies and science. Does this mean social studies and science take a backseat? No way. These subjects are just as important as reading, writing, and math. However, if I can integrate a few things into one lesson…ding ding, that is a winner lesson for me! Check out the preview to see what is included in this engaging lesson! The students will do an experiment, read a passage, answer comprehension questions and make observations! Make it a goal to reach your students where they are. Dry ice is fun for kids (with the right protection.) My kids at home love to experiment with it and classroom students do too. You will win some major brownie points by doing this hands-on activity with your students. Tip: Most local grocery stores sell dry ice for very cheap. Just ask! :)

A Halloween reading passage with comprehension questions! Great for centers or stations this time of year!

5 Fun Halloween Poem for your kiddos! Color and Black and White! Great for Poetry Notebooks! :) Students can practice poetry strategies with these such as numbering lines, stanzas, finding rhyming patterns, even write reflections over what they think the poem means! Students can also use these as a visualization activity and illustrate what they visualize! Hope you Enjoy! Please leave feedback!

Many classes now have access to iPads and other devices that will allow the students to use QR scanners during centers or even independent work time. NOTE: This is the BUNDLE. If you already own any of the following items, do not buy this bundle. By buying this bundle instead of all sets individually though, you will be saving money. Bundle Includes: 3rd-4th Grade Inference Mysteries 3rd-4th Grade Main Idea Mysteries 3rd-4th Grade Context Clue Mysteries I have created a set of mysteries where the students can work on their context clues, main idea, and inferencing skills. These activities can be done with a QR scanner or without one. If you do not want to use the QR scanner, just pass the mystery cards out to the students or have them available in the center. The students can just read the cards and fill in the task sheet. To use the QR scanner, have the cards with QR codes available in the center or during the activity. The students will scan a card and the mystery will pop up on their screen! They can read the mystery then fill in the task sheet. (QR Reader) is the app I use as my scanner and I love it! :) After the students are completely finished, you can give them the final “answer” QR code and they can scan it to check their answers! I love when students can be independent but still be learning and having fun! These are a great way to integrate technology and get your students familiar with using these devices! 8 Fiction and 8 Informational Mysteries are included for EACH skill! (24 Fiction and 24 Informational Cards Total in this Bundle!) NOTE: These are not actual mysteries! :) These are just called mysteries because the students have to determine the word meanings of the bold/underlined words, inferences from the text, and the main idea of the text. You will love the low prep of this activity! Enjoy! Special Note: The QR codes in the preview do not actually work. They will send you to my shop. I did this to protect my product while still being able to show you the look of the product. PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING: The QR Codes on these cards are made with shortened QR links. PLEASE be certain your district allows shortened links or you can gain temporary access to shortened links if they are blocked. Discuss this with your technology person before purchasing! Thank you!

Literacy Unit on Patricia Polacco’s “Welcome Comfort” Includes: Comprehension Questions Critical Thinking Questions Vocabulary Cards Vocabulary Assessment Sequence Game and Cards Game Board Connection Graphic Organizer Character Chart Author’s Purpose Graphic Organizer Summary Page 4 Writing Prompt Pages Answer Keys Included!

Literacy Unit on Patricia Polacco’s “The Trees of the Dancing Goats.” Includes: Comprehension Questions Critical Thinking Questions Vocabulary Cards Vocabulary Assessment Sequence Game and Cards Game Board Connection Graphic Organizer Character Chart Author’s Purpose Graphic Organizer Summary Page 4 Writing Prompt Pages Answer Keys Included!

Literacy Unit on Patricia Polacco’s “Gifts of the Heart” Includes: Comprehension Questions Critical Thinking Questions Vocabulary Cards Vocabulary Assessment Sequence Game and Cards Game Board Connection Graphic Organizer Character Chart Author’s Purpose Graphic Organizer Summary Page 4 Writing Prompt Pages Answer Keys are Included!

Apple are delicious and healthy! Kids usually love apples and they are safe for kids with allergies. There are some great experiments you can do with apples but most of them are just for fun. I wanted to actually teach the students something about the science of apples. As it turns out, apples have a chemical reaction with the air as soon as they are cut! Kids ask me all of the time, why do apples turn brown? Here you go! I decided to create a few resources to go with the hands-on experiment. If you know me at all, you know I always try my hardest to integrate reading and writing into social studies and science. Does this mean social studies and science take a backseat? No way. These subjects are just as important as reading, writing, and math. However, if I can integrate a few things into one lesson…ding ding, that is a winner lesson for me! Check out the preview to see what is included in this engaging lesson! The students will do an experiment, read a passage, answer comprehension questions and make observations! Make it a goal to reach your students where they are. Apples are healthy, delicious, and safe for the classroom! My kids at home love to experiment with food and classroom students do too. You will win some major brownie points by doing this hands-on activity with your students.

We all know that engaging students is important. But do you ever struggle with unique ways to engage your students? I know I do. One night, while laying in bed, I came up with a fun idea for teaching certain concepts. Life-Size Game Boards. Pretty cool huh? To make this happen, you will need to do a little prep. However, it will be very worth it! Make sure you have large dice, cups and the board game tiles. (I linked my affiliate links for these in the preview and the actual product if you need them!) Print the clip art people, laminate and cut them out. Using binder clips, clip them to the cups. (See example pictures.) Lay out the game board tiles in any formation that looks like a game board. Print, cut and laminate the question cards. Use masking tape or packing tape, tape the cards to the tiles. Edit the cards (the students will draw a word from the pile each turn) to match the text feature words you need. Students will roll ONE die, draw a card, and do the task on the board. If the student lands on a blank square, have them choose any task on the board to do. If the student gets it correct, they stay on the board. If the student misses, they go back to the beginning! The first student to the end wins! I have done this game before, just not on a life-size game board until now! I just love it! This particular game is for text features. You can add any text feature words you need your students to master. The text feature cards (not the game squares) are editable.