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BrainyCats Learning

Our store focuses on resources for math, ELA, and US History, for students in grades 4 - 8. Many of the resources are designed for beginning-intermediate level English Language Learners. The goal is to provide resources with simplified language that still allow students to understand grade-level academics.

Our store focuses on resources for math, ELA, and US History, for students in grades 4 - 8. Many of the resources are designed for beginning-intermediate level English Language Learners. The goal is to provide resources with simplified language that still allow students to understand grade-level academics.
ESL New Beginnings: First Day of School Activities
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ESL New Beginnings: First Day of School Activities

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Having a student who is both new to the United States and new to the English language can be a little daunting for teachers. This resource, which I’ve used with my 7th and 8th grade Newcomers classes, is full of ideas, activities, and word work for the first day of school. The focus is to make the students comfortable, help them get to know some of their classmates, and teach them enough English language to have their basic needs met while at school. CONTENTS INCLUDE: Stuffed Animal Name Toss: a fun game that’s sure to get even the most frightened student smiling. Survival Language: A classroom poster (offered in both in color and in black and white) to help students remember how to make basic requests to use the restroom and get a drink of water, as well as ask for directions to the bus and to the cafeteria. Hang on the wall, or give a copy to each student for reference. Survival Language Activity Sheet: Using the Survival Language sheet, students will practice reading the questions, matching the symbols with the questions, and writing the questions. Nametag Template: Students can fold the paper in half to make a standing name tag with their name and illustrations of their favorite sport and favorite food.
SAMPLER|  Facts, Commonplace Assertions, and Opinions
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SAMPLER| Facts, Commonplace Assertions, and Opinions

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With television, social media, and the internet, students have the ability to gather information almost effortlessly. But, this convenience requires an ability to discern between what is true and what is the author's opinion or a misguided belief. This sample, excerpted from a two-day lesson, includes both a reading passage and exit ticket. CONTENTS Informational text: the story of Nicholas of Patara, who may have been the man who we know today as Santa Claus. Exit ticket: a winter-themed worksheet to check your students' abilities to distinguish fact from commonplace assertions and opinions. Reading comprehension questions: assess student knowledge over the reading. PowerPoint slides: preview the longer lesson
ESL New Beginnings: Spelling Weeks 1 and 2
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ESL New Beginnings: Spelling Weeks 1 and 2

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Every week, I give my ESL Newcomers twelve or thirteen of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language. I ask them to translate the words into their home language, copy each word three times, create a sentence, illustrate three of the words, complete a word search and do a fill-in-the –blank activity . These activities can be assigned as classwork or homework throughout the week. We do a quick review of the words each day before going on to our lesson, and at the end of the week, we take a spelling test using the words. Words in this resource: again all right always  an and animals another around asked babies beautiful because before believe bought came caught  children clothes coming course cousin decided didn't different
ESL New Beginnings:  Spelling Weeks 5 and 6
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ESL New Beginnings: Spelling Weeks 5 and 6

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Every week, I give my ESL Newcomers twelve or thirteen of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language. I ask them to translate the words into their home language, copy each word three times, create a sentence, illustrate three of the words, complete a word search and do a fill-in-the –blank activity . These activities can be assigned as classwork or homework throughout the week. We do a quick review of the words each day before going on to our lesson, and at the end of the week, we take a spelling test using the words. Works in this resource: Week 5: looked*many*money*morning*mother*name*named*off*once*our*people*pretty*received Week Six: running*said*school*some*something*sometimes*started*stopped*surprise*swimming*than*that's
ESL New Beginnings: Spelling Weeks 7 and 8
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ESL New Beginnings: Spelling Weeks 7 and 8

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Every week, I give my ESL Newcomers twelve or thirteen of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language. I ask them to translate the words into their home language, copy each word three times, create a sentence, illustrate three of the words, complete a word search and do a fill-in-the –blank activity . These activities can be assigned as classwork or homework throughout the week. We do a quick review of the words each day before going on to our lesson, and at the end of the week, we take a spelling test using the words. Words in this resource: their then there they they're things thought threw through to together too tried two until very wanted went were when where with woman would you're
Christmas Word Scramble Word Search
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Christmas Word Scramble Word Search

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It's the most wonderful time of the year . . .unless you're a teacher with one day left before vacation and you need to keep your students focused and entertained. Word searches are the perfect solution for those difficult days when clock watching and fidgeting seem to be the major activities. Word puzzles such as the ones included in this package can help increase vocabulary, improve spelling, and give your students a fun mental challenge, while still engaging your students with a special holiday activity.. This download includes four different types of word searches with hidden messages. In two puzzles, students must unscramble the words before finding them in the grid. There are two versions of the scrambled word search, one with words that only go left to right and top to bottom with no overlap, and one where the words are written in all directions, including diagonally, and using shared letters. For younger students, or ESL students who are just learning holiday vocabulary, there are two versions of the word search puzzle with the words unscrambled. One version has words in all directions and with shared letters, and the other has the words only written left to right and top to bottom with no shared letters. Once the words have been found in the grid, the remaining letters can be written in the blank grid to reveal the hidden message. The two scrambled word searches have the same hidden message, and the two unscrambled word searches have the same message.
Groundhog Day 2017:  Informational Text and No-Prep Activities
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Groundhog Day 2017: Informational Text and No-Prep Activities

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Groundhog Day 2017 is on February 2. Treat your students to some quick and educational activities to celebrate the day. From an informational text telling about the ancient origins of Groundhog Day to a maze requiring the students to use all four arithmetic operations on two and three- digit numbers, your students will have a chance to review skills and learn some interesting facts along the way. Activities: Informational Text: The Origins of Groundhog Day Comprehension Questions Math Maze: Help the groundhog find his shadow by finding the answers to basic two- and three-digit addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems. Groundhog Day Word Search Make-a-Word And, don't forget that Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner!! Super Bowl 2017: Informational Text and No-Prep Activities
"GATSBY INSPIRED" Black and White Page Borders and Frames Clipart
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"GATSBY INSPIRED" Black and White Page Borders and Frames Clipart

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Bring the elegance of the 1920s to your resources with this set of Gatsby-inspired black and white frames and borders. Each of the 9 designs comes in two versions – a transparent fill and a white fill. All have been saved in png format with at least 300 dpi. The thin lines and simple curves make this product appealing to older students and allow you to give your worksheets a finished look without using a lot of extra ink when printing. The bolder borders, with their dark triangles and dotted border are perfect for highlighting and setting off important information. Looking for more colorful frames and borders? Colorful Clipart: Page Borders and Frames
ESL New Beginnings: Spelling Weeks 3 and 4
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ESL New Beginnings: Spelling Weeks 3 and 4

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Every week, I give my ESL Newcomers twelve or thirteen of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language. I ask them to translate the words into their home language, copy each word three times, create a sentence, illustrate three of the words, complete a word search and do a fill-in-the –blank activity . These activities can be assigned as classwork or homework throughout the week. We do a quick review of the words each day before going on to our lesson, and at the end of the week, we take a spelling test using the words. Words in this resource: dropped  every February first for friend friends frightened from getting going happening hear heard here him interesting its it's jumped knew know let's like little
Pi Day 2017: No-Prep Art, Math, Figurative Language and Writing Activities
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Pi Day 2017: No-Prep Art, Math, Figurative Language and Writing Activities

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Celebrate Pi Day with these fun, no-prep activities that focus on the number (and its homophone) in a variety of ways that will engage and educate your elementary, middle, and even high school students. Activities in this resource:Activities in this resource: Agamograph: This engaging art project shows the word and symbol for Π when viewed from one angle, and the approximation 3.14 when viewed from another. Discovering Pi: Students measure the diameter and circumference of circles to determine the value of pi for themselves, them use their discovered value to predict the circumference of a circle they draw. Pie Idioms: Students use context clues to predict the meaning of idioms that include the word “pie” Hidden Message Pi Word Search: Students find the names of people throughout history who worked on calculating the value of pi. When they are done, the unused letters will reveal a quotation about pi. Uncovering Pi: Use PEMDAS to find the first ten digits of pi. Memorizing Pi: Create a story to help memorize the first ten digits of pi.
Superstition:  Informational Text, Writing Prompt, and Word Activities
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Superstition: Informational Text, Writing Prompt, and Word Activities

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Challenge your students with this 1000 L reading passage about superstitions. This text can be used with students at any time of the year, but is particularly relevant when Friday the 13th rolls around. ( In 2017, there will be one in January and one in October). This product gives students an informational text to read about the superstitions, and activities that go with the reading. The no-prep format allows you to print it out and hand to the students, which also makes it ideal for days when you need an emergency lesson for a substitute. This packet contains: Frayer model to be used for a bellringer or anticipatory set (3 versions: ESL, Gen ED, and customizable)) Informational reading passage about superstitions (2 versions -- one-sheet "paper saver" and two-page "note-taker) Comprehension questions, including questions about text structure, fact vs opinion, and author’s purpose Phrase search Word Search with hidden message Superstition Acrostic Writing Prompt with Pre-writing guides and editing checklists Answer keys for all activities
Reader's Theater:  Federalists vs Anti-Federalists and Ratifying the U.S. Constitution
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Reader's Theater: Federalists vs Anti-Federalists and Ratifying the U.S. Constitution

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Every US History student is expected to know the names of prominent Federalists and Anti-Federalists, weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, and why we have a Bill of Rights, This fun, 20-minute reader's theater script allow students to review these concepts in a fresh, interactive way. With added bits of humor (did Patrick Henry really say, "Give me liberty or give me a side of beef?") and the constant middle-school scuffling between Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, students will see that the Founding Fathers might be a little less stuffy and a lot more interesting than first impressions might have indicated. It's the Federalists vs Anti-Federalists reader's theater that you've been waiting for! The dialogue is conversational and modern, to engage students and make the material more accessible. Contents 20- minute Reader's Theater script with 9 speaking parts Comprehension questions
STAAR 7th Grade Writing and Revision Review: Prompts and Passages
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STAAR 7th Grade Writing and Revision Review: Prompts and Passages

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This product was designed to help 7th grade students review for their STAAR Writing test, but would also be great throughout the year. Use it any time you need a no-prep activity for a sub or want to give your students a little extra writing practice. This resource includes: Two Revision Practice Texts: One expository (about Jackie Robinson) and one persuasive ((asking the Capitol to end the Hunger Games). Revision Questions: Each set of revision questions uses sentence stems from the STAAR. Two Writing Prompts: one about forgiveness and one about respect. Both are formatted in a manner similar to the STAAR expository writing prompt for Grade 7. Peer/Self Editing Checklists Final Draft Lined Paper: Based on the format of the STAAR lined paper. Suggested Timeline for Review
NCAA Tournament:  No-Prep March Madness Reading and Math Activities
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NCAA Tournament: No-Prep March Madness Reading and Math Activities

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Final Four, Elite Eight, Sweet Sixteen. In March, conversation is peppered with all these terms as focus shifts to the NCAA basketball tournament. Use the excitement surrounding thispopular sporting event to engage students in activities that provide practice in revision, math, writing and reading comprehension. In addition, this resource contains word puzzles, which are great for strengthening student focus, spelling, and problem-solving abilities. Activities in this packet include: Reading Passage and Comprehension Questions: History of the tournament Revision Passage and questions: The Gonzaga mascot Basketball Idioms: Students use context clues to determine the meaning of common idioms derived from the game of basketball. Creative Writing: Students will create an appropriate mascot for fictional Earhart University (named for Amelia Earhart), and will write a paragraph to describe the mascot and why they chose it. When done, they will illustrate their paragraph. Two Word Searches with Hidden Messages Word Criss-Cross Puzzle Blank Tournament bracket: Students can research game outcomes, fill in the bracket and predict the outcome of future games Math Madness: Gracie has spilled coffee all over the paper with the statistics from the Elite Eight games. Students must use math to help her reconstruct the chart.
Elephants in Trees:  Math Puzzles to Develop Algebraic Thinking
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Elephants in Trees: Math Puzzles to Develop Algebraic Thinking

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Younger students can develop algebraic skills by working on these problems, while older students who already take algebra can use the problems to review systems of equations. This resource contains four 8.5” x 11” posters with one problem each, to be used in math centers or for a get-up-and-move classroom activity. The posters are available in black and white or color. In addition, there is a sheet with all four problems on it which can be used for individual work. A separate sheet, for recording work and answers, is also included, as well as the answer key.
Colorful Page Border Clip Art
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Colorful Page Border Clip Art

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Give your pages a POP of color with these page borders. Each border is in a separate png file, and has a transparent center. There are four different designs, each having 4 - 6 different colors. Each design has one black or grayscale option, so the borders can be more easily used for student worksheets. Please look at the preview to see all colors and al designs. Please note that the bottom border on three of the designs is different. This is a design choice, and you can see how it looks on the cover (above). If you use the borders in a commercial product, I ask that you please give credit by including my logo and a link back to my store.
US History Card Games: Learn the Facts about the Early Republic
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US History Card Games: Learn the Facts about the Early Republic

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It's the plaintive cry of history students everywhere, "How can I memorize all these names and dates and facts?" History is filled with amazing stories, world-changing events, and decisions that affect everyone living today. Students get so caught up in the memorization, however, that they miss the excitement of history. This product is designed to make that memorization a little easier and more fun, so that students can take that knowledge and begin seeing, and appreciating, the bigger picture. Students can use the cards in a variety of ways. Each deck of 44 cards consists of 11 four card sets-- one picture card and three fact cards-- about the Founding Fathers, the Federalists, and the Anti-Federalists. The cards can be used to play games similar to Go Fish, Authors, Concentration, Spoons, and Solitaire. They can also be used as flashcards for review, manipulatives to create timelines, and focal points for mind map connections. You can even have your students come up with their own ideas on how to use the cards. Included are: Two decks of 44 cards, one with names and one without Chart with all the facts and pictures of each person Cheat sheet with "just the facts" Detailed rules for five games that can be played with the cards The people included in this deck are: George Washington, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, Federalists, Anti-Federalists, Patrick Henry, James Monroe, and George Mason.
St. Patrick's Day:  Art Projects, Writing Prompts, Spelling Games
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St. Patrick's Day: Art Projects, Writing Prompts, Spelling Games

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Agamographs, writing prompts, and spelling games, all with a St. Patrick's Day theme. Each of the three activities comes with two variations, one easy and one a little more challenging, to allow differentiation. The activities are: Irish agamographs: Choose from a combination of St. Patrick and a snake or a leprechaun and his pot of gold to make a 3D piece of art. This is a great cooperative activity, with pairs of students working together to each complete one part of the art, then assempling the finished artwork. Two writing prompts accompany the agamographs. One is an eyewitness account of seeing St, Patrick drive the snakes out of Ireland. The other is a story about finding a pot of gold. Blarney Stone Spelling: Students will make their own tetrahedron-shaped “Blarney Stones” and use them in to complete two spelling games. Losers have to "kiss the Blarney Stone" by complimenting the winner..