Transition Words and Phrases Lists and Sorting Activities. Supports common core! Transitional words and transitional phrases are useful in writing clear and fluent paragraphs, but students need to be familiar with when to use them. Includes a Word Splash of Transition Words with a graphic organizer for sorting, several different handouts with lists of useful transition words, and a categorizing worksheet.for groups to work on and discuss. Some words may be classified in different categories, so this can lead to interesting discussions and students will have to employ higher level thinking skills.The lists will become a handy reference tool for use when writing. - HappyEdugator CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3c Use a variety of transitional words and phrases to manage the sequence of events. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.3c Use a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses to manage the sequence of events. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.3c Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2c Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.3c Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another, and show the relationships among experiences and events.

Shiplap, Chalkboard and Burlap Alphabet Posters and Bunting. Decorate your classroom this school year with these shiplap chalkboard and burlap alphabet posters and bunting. With the blue trim, they will go with a nautical theme or shabby chic, too! You can also use the letters to make welcome signs, or create other messages with the pennants. Includes: 26 chalkboard and burlap alphabet posters 26 chalkboard and burlap alphabet bunting

Christmas Folktale Craft and Story - The Golden Cobwebs. Christmas Around the World. A German Christmas legend to read about the spiders who wanted to see the Christmas tree, but who had been chased out of the house by mother's cleaning and dusting. A Christmas fairy comes to their rescue, but when they go see the tree, they leave a mess of cobwebs behind, which has to be fixed before Christmas arrives. After reading the story, you may have a choice of two different crafts to do with your students. In the first craft, students can make their own golden cobwebs to make as decorations to hang on a Christmas tree. Directions for the craft included. Younger students will need help from adults to do this activity, while older ones may be able to do this independently. In the second craft, geared toward younger students, students cut out the spiders and glue onto a Christmas tree pattern, adding yellow yarn and stars to complete the project.Enjoy! - HappyEdugator

Shades of Meaning Verb Cards - SEE. Cut out and laminate these 16 different cards illustrating different synonyms of the verb "SEE" Helps students understand connotation. With guidance and support from adults, students acquire new vocabulary by defining word relationships and nuances in word meanings, sorting words into categories, choosing and acting out the different meanings. Aligns to Common Core Standards CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.5d Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs describing the same general action (e.g., walk, march, strut, prance) by acting out the meanings. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.5d Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs differing in manner (e.g., look, peek, glance, stare, glare, scowl) and adjectives differing in intensity (e.g., large, gigantic) by defining or choosing them or by acting out the meanings. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.5b Distinguish shades of meaning among closely related verbs (e.g., toss, throw, hurl) and closely related adjectives (e.g., thin, slender, skinny, scrawny). CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.5c Distinguish shades of meaning among related words that describe states of mind or degrees of certainty (e.g., knew, believed, suspected, heard, wondered). Additionally, words can be used for spelling practice, writing practice, and word walls. Includes definitions for the teacher. - HappyEdugator

Thanksgiving: History of Thanksgiving. Presents how the American holiday of Thanksgiving got started from the Pilgrims to how it is celebrated today. What is Thanksgiving? Who were the Pilgrims? Covers the voyage of the Mayflower, the landing at Plymouth, the Mayflower Compact, the menu of the first Thanksgiving, how Thanksgiving became a holiday, traditions of the feast and Black Friday, Thanksgiving parades and football. - HappyEdugator

What’s in the Sack" by Shel Silverstein PowerPoint Beginning of the Year. Goes well with Beginning of the Year “Me” Bag Activity. Animated graphics will make this poem fun to read and engage your students. 12 slides.

What’s in the Sack" by Shel Silverstein PowerPoint Beginning of the Year. Goes well with Beginning of the Year “Me” Bag Activity. Animated graphics will make this poem fun to read and engage your students. 12 slides. Revised July 2014

100 Points Book Report Rubric for Fiction. A detailed book report guide that is easy to grade! This rubric for a book project on fiction will help students write a book review that is well-developed and thoughtful. Each section is detailed as to what is required, and the total points possible equals 100, making it easy to grade. The rubric is divided into 9 sections: the introduction, characters, plot, setting, theme, conclusion, composition structure, and paper format. Each section defines what is required in that section of the report, including the total points possible. Promote independent reading, critical thinking and organizational skills all at once. You can print out the picture and caption on the cover page and use as a poster in your room, too. This rubric is included in my Middle School Writing Rubrics BUNDLE

100 Book Projects and Activities you can have your students do to accompany the books they have read and to foster a love of reading. A list of ideas to get you started on having a fun year sharing about fiction and nonfiction books.

100 Points Book Report Rubric for Nonfiction. A detailed nonfiction book report guide that is easy to grade! This is a book report or book review rubric that very specifically sets the requirements for a book project on a nonfiction book. Based on a 100 points, it is easy to grade and students can self evaluate their work. It is similar in format to my 100 points fiction book report or book review rubric. Promote independent reading, critical thinking, and organizational skills all at the same time. Use the photo and caption on the cover sheet as a poster for your room, too. - HappyEdugator

100 Points Book Report Rubric for Fiction. A detailed book report guide that is easy to grade! This rubric for a book project on fiction will help students write a book review that is well-developed and thoughtful. Each section is detailed as to what is required, and the total points possible equals 100, making it easy to grade. The rubric is divided into 9 sections: the introduction, characters, plot, setting, theme, conclusion, composition structure, and paper format. Each section defines what is required in that section of the report, including the total points possible. Promote independent reading, critical thinking and organizational skills all at once. You can print out the picture and caption on the cover page and use as a poster in your room, too. This rubric is included in my Middle School Writing Rubrics BUNDLE

100 Points Research Paper Rubric. Writing a research paper? Use this detailed rubric for a research paper that is easy to grade! Specific standards based requirements for a research paper and will promote a high degree of performance. Based on a 100 points, It is easy to grade and students can self evaluate their work. Performance elements include: Purpose and Focus, Organization and Development of Ideas, References and Documentation, Formatting, and Conventions. Promotes independent reading, critical thinking, organizational skills, writing style, and citing sources without plagiarism. - HappyEdugator

100 Points Book Report Rubric for Nonfiction. A detailed nonfiction book report guide that is easy to grade! This is a book report or book review rubric that very specifically sets the requirements for a book project on a nonfiction book. Based on a 100 points, it is easy to grade and students can self evaluate their work. It is similar in format to my 100 points fiction book report or book review rubric. Promote independent reading, critical thinking, and organizational skills all at the same time. Use the photo and caption on the cover sheet as a poster for your room, too. HappyEdugator

100 Points Research Paper Rubric. Writing a research paper? Use this detailed rubric for a research paper that is easy to grade! Specific standards based requirements for a research paper and will promote a high degree of performance. Based on a 100 points, It is easy to grade and students can self evaluate their work. Performance elements include: Purpose and Focus, Organisation and Development of Ideas, References and Documentation, Formatting, and Conventions. Promotes independent reading, critical thinking, organisational skills, writing style, and citing sources without plagiarism. - HappyEdugator

3D Diorama Project. Use this project as a culminating activity for any unit of study in Reading, Social Studies, Science or Math. I like to use it after reading a class novel, but I have also used it in Social Studies after we studied a region or a country. Includes a student handout with directions and grading checklist, and detailed directions with photos. Thanks and enjoy! - Happyedugator

3D Diorama Project. Use this project as a culminating activity for any unit of study in English, PSHE, history or science. I like to use it after reading a class novel, but I have also used it in PSHE after we studied a region or a country. Includes a student handout with directions and grading checklist, and detailed directions with photos. Thanks and enjoy! - Happyedugator

A Christmas Carol Christmas Card Project. Christmas activity! Students will create a Christmas card based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Directions with rubric included on one sheet. No prep. Print and go. Enjoy! Merry Christmas!

Persuasive Writing Recipe PowerPoint. We use recipes for many things, why not persuasive writing? This powerpoint gives students a “recipe” to follow when writing a persuasive essay, and gives them the basic framework for a persuasive writing piece, starting with an introductory paragraph that ends with a thesis statement, at least three well-supported paragraphs that have a topic sentence related to the thesis statement, and a conclusion that restates the thesis and calls the reader to agree and take action. Reminds students to be prepared for counter arguments, and to write with strong ideas, voice, fluency, organization, presentation, and conventions. Revised and updated 2013 with added information on the writing process, animations and graphics. - HappyEdugator Supports Common Core ELA Writing Standards CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1a Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence clearly. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1b Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1c Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1d Establish and maintain a formal style. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1e Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented.

A. A. Milne Biography Activity and Constructed Response. A short nonfiction text for students to read, with questions about the selection and a constructed response question. Learn how Winnie the Pooh came into being. Supports common core standards that require more intensive reading of nonfiction text and more writing about the reading, citing text evidence. - HappyEdugator

A. A. Milne Biography Activity and Constructed Response. A short nonfiction text for students to read, with questions about the selection and a constructed response question. Learn how Winnie the Pooh came into being. Supports more intensive reading of nonfiction text and more writing about the reading, citing text evidence. - HappyEdugator