Reading: Expectation Grid for Reading. A reading graphic organizer for fiction which can be used with Literature Circles. Give one to each group and have them fill in expectations. Also, it can be used as an anticipation guide, a guide during reading, or as a review for almost any novel or short story. I like to use it when we get to an important or exciting event in a story. Students have to determine why the event is important, the sequence of events leading up to it, the location and people involved, and the cause and possible effects of this event in the story. By using this reading strategy, students are often surprised to learn that they have just identified many of the elements of a story- the plot, theme, characters, setting, and problem. - HappyEdugator

Literature Reading Log for Primary Grades. An easy graphic organizer that provides students with the oopportunity to think about what they have read, either in guided reading or independently, and organize that information into a piece of writing. Critical information to record includes the central problem of the story and important words. Colorful symbols connect the information in a meaningful way to young readers. Teachers can help younger students fill out, while older students will enjoy doing independently. - HappyEdugator

Of Mice and Men Final Test - Essay Examination. A final essay test for Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Questions are based on the writer's life, style, including characterization and organization. Students should be able to identify theme and symbolism. You can choose to have students answer all of the questions or let them select. This can be used as a take-home open book examination. Grading form and answer key included. You can use this for backwards design, and use the answer key to drive your class discussions. - HappyEdugator

Storms - Hurricanes vs. Tornadoes. Paired nonfiction reading with a Venn Diagram- and compare tornadoes and hurricanes. Students read about tornadoes and hurricanes, then compare and contrast the characteristics of hurricanes and tornadoes on this basic Venn diagram activity sheet. Add to your weather unit and have students research facts about storms. Also a good supplemental resource to use when reading books that have hurricanes or tornadoes in them, such as The Cay by Theodore Taylor or Tornado Alert by Franklyn M. Branley. - HappyEdugator

English Words That Come From Spanish. Use word origins to build vocabulary. Notes about Spanish pronunciation makes this useful for an introduction to a Spanish class, too. Animated graphics and sounds will entertain students. It is fun to study word origins! 23 slide PowerPoint presentation will help students build their vocabulary and develop their understanding of where language comes from. These slides explain words like poncho, platinum, and embargo, with definitions and photographs, and an explanation of the etymology. The words can be used for spelling or vocabulary building. All of them come from Spanish or from indigenous languages of South America. Students will be surprised to know that alligator comes to us from Spanish! Slides can also be printed out onto cards for learning center activities. Leads into research...students can discover other words that come from Spanish, too. - HappyEdugator

Smartboard Language Fun With Alliteration and Rhyme. Alliteration game will help students practice beginning sounds. Spin the spinner to choose a letter, think of three words that begin with the same letter, and then write a sentence. Rhyme Time will generate random words and students must try to think of a rhyming word for each one and write it on the board. Room on the board for students to write words, which they love to do! Can be an engaging jump start for some poetry, too! Supports common core reading and writing standards K - 2. - HappyEdugator

Standards Based Technical Writing Rubric. A rubric developed for writing instructions, friendly letters, formula poems, or thank you notes. This rubric, in addition to measuring that the student follows the rules of Standard English, also evaluates whether a student creates or follows an organizing structure appropriate to purpose, audience, and context, whether or not they exclude extraneous and inappropriate information, and if they follow an organizational pattern appropriate to the type of composition. Editable for your classroom use. - HappyEdugator

Back to School - My Writer's Notebook Organizer. Back to school organizer for a writer's notebook. Owl Themed Dividers. Get your students writing at the beginning of the year, and help them organize their thoughts. Includes a cover page, dedication page, table of contents page, dividers for sections on Writing Ideas, My Writing, Writing Notes, and Writing Goals. Also includes several reference sheets to put in notebook. Print out, and have students use to set up their notebook. Works great with a small 1 inch loose-leaf notebook or binder. Put in page protectors so you don't have to punch holes and the pages will remain intact. You can also print out the cover page and students can put their name on it, and then slide it into the front of their binder. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator

I'm Done! What Will I Do Now? Editable Slide Set. PowerPoint slide poster set which can be printed or projected on your Smartboard. Five different background styles: Solid Blue, Chevron, Rainbow, Blue Sky, and White. Editable, so you can type what you want in the callouts. - HappyEdugator

That's a Fact, Jack! Award Certificate - Camouflage theme. Great award to hand to a student for behavior, academic accomplishments, etc. Great for end of year! Fun Summer Camp Award! Place to write name of student. Print out, laminate, and enjoy! - HappyEdugator

Apples! Apples! PowerPoint. Fall fun! All about apples and Johnny Appleseed. common types of apples, fun facts, the role of apples in our culture, health benefits of eating apples. Includes the story of Johnny Appleseed, and separates legend from fact. Fun fall activity for back to school. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator

Owl Bookmarks - Set of Six bookmarks: Inspiring and colorful bookmarks to give your students anytime to instill a love of reading. Fun way to tell them you love them. Cute sayings like "Owl Keep Your Place." Editable so you can personalize with student names. Print out on cardstock or tagboard and laminate for a bookmark that will last. Nice gift from teacher to student instead of a card. Three per page. Make good last minute Christmas or birthday presents!

Alphabet Bingo. A whole group game. 25 game boards for alphabet bingo, and directions on how to play. Students try to match the letter on their board to the one that is called. Vocabulary builder! Also includes 2 sets of alphabet cards for playing an Alphabet Memory Game, with directions. Each card has a letter in upper case and lower case, a word that begins with that letter, and a picture that represents the word. Students can play this game in a center. The game cards are also useful for other games and instructional purposes. They make great flash cards, reading practice cards, etc. - HappyEdugator

Fiction Unit Study Guide Based on Common Core Standards. This study guide addresses common core skills in Reading and Language Arts addressed in a unit study of fictional literature. Includes a quick review of: theme point of view setting characters plot climax resolution context clues main idea supporting details conclusion genres prediction adjective clause adverb clause independent clause dependent clause prepositional phrase simple sentence compound sentence complex sentence compound-complex sentence comma semi-colon The study guide is a handout students can use to review the above. - HappyEdugator

ICE The Freezing Water Experiment. Does hot water freeze faster than cold water? Does temperature affect how quickly water freezes? Includes What Do I Know About Ice sheet, Problem/Hypothesis sheet, Temperature Recording Sheet, Experiment Procudure and Materials Handout, Results discussion sheet with informaton on the Mpemba Effect. Experiment can be done as a whole class activity, or sent home as a homework assignment. Fun homeschool activity! - HappyEdugator

Logical Fallacies Handout - defines logical fallacies, and helps student understand why they are important to avoid when writing an argument. Includes a list of common logical fallacies with examples of each, including Ad Hominem, Appeal to Popular Opinion, False Analogy, Attacking the Motive, Red Herring, Begging the Question, Inconsistency, Straw Person, Look Who's Talking, Slippery Slope, Hasty Generalizations, Circular Argument, and Genetic Fallacy. - HappyEdugator

Lesson Closure Sheet - For Any Subject. Use this lesson summarizer sheet to have your students write about key points in your lesson, which can be used as a quick assessment of comprehension. You can use it as an exit slip, ticket out the door, or to summarize learning of a unit. Handy for any subject or unit of study. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator

Memorial Day Jumbled Words PowerPoint Game. Memorial Day Fun! End of the year interactive word scramble game with words related to Memorial Day. Words 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 the end of the year, last day of school, or for summer camp. 25 slide PowerPoint Skill Level - Medium

Pandemic Flu - Being Prepared. PowerPoint about the danger of pandemic influenza. Defines pandemic, bird flu, includes a pandemic timeline, information on the Spanish flu of 1918, and the importance of vaccinations, hand washing and social distancing. Need to know information for teachers and parents. - HappyEdugator

Where the Red Fern Grows Novel Study and Supporting Materials. All kinds of resources to use when teaching the novel Where the Red Fern Grows. Included are chapter by chapter fill-in-the-blank questions (with answer keys) for review of the chapters, as well as multiple choice comprehension questions, vocabulary, quizzes, tests, and activities. I have my students keep a table of contents in their notebook, and do the activities in chapter order. Enjoy.