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The Naturally Creative Classroom

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(based on 36 reviews)

Welcome to my shop! I'm so happy you are here! I have experience as an elementary teacher (1-5), teacher mentor, guest teacher and mom (twins!). The belief that ALL students can be creative thinkers guides all that I do. I am certified to teach gifted education and am pursuing my ESL endorsement. Elementary Math and integrated unit planning are my favorite subjects to teach. There is a little something for everyone in my shop! Please feel free to contact me with any questions!

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Welcome to my shop! I'm so happy you are here! I have experience as an elementary teacher (1-5), teacher mentor, guest teacher and mom (twins!). The belief that ALL students can be creative thinkers guides all that I do. I am certified to teach gifted education and am pursuing my ESL endorsement. Elementary Math and integrated unit planning are my favorite subjects to teach. There is a little something for everyone in my shop! Please feel free to contact me with any questions!
10 Earth Day Activities and Resources
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10 Earth Day Activities and Resources

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10 Earth Friendly Activities perfect for Earth Day or ANY day! These projects were selected for this packet because they truly inspire a love of the environment and give kids simple, hands on activities that will give them ownership of the world around them. You can use these throughout the year or choose a few to use to celebrate Earth Day. These are also great for after school environmental clubs! This packet includes: *Packing a Waste Free Lunch *Mining Simulation *Milk Carton Herb Garden *Cave Painting *Earth Day Word Search & Answer Key *Backyard Bird Identification *Anatomy of a Bird *Backyard Bird Identification Journal *Leaf Journal *Parts of a Leaf *FREE field trips *Leaf Identification *Leaf Identification Journal *Shoe Box Composting *Helping to save the Monarch Butterfly
Biography Research Project BUNDLE
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Biography Research Project BUNDLE

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This 168 page integrated Biography Research Unit Bundle contains EVERYTHING you need to teach students how to complete an individualized, self-directed Biography Research Project. This Biography Research Project is Common Core Aligned. Students will learn how to synthesize biographies and put the information in their own words! You will use the gradual release of responsibility model to teach this Biography Research Project. This Bundle is differentiated and a perfect way to meet the needs of all of your students. This Biography Research Bundle includes: *5+ weeks of detailed Biography Research instructions- how to teach students how to read, evaluate and synthesize biographies into their own words. No more copying straight from the book! *Parent letters explaining the biography research project. These letters are ready to sign and send home! The letters are available in English and Spanish *Biography anchor chart printables *Interactive Journal Pages *All needed student hand outs and teacher masters *Detailed preparation instructions- how to choose biographies, contacting your library and gathering biography materials *Suggestions of biographies: Figures of American History and Contemporary Figures lists. There is also a blank page for you to make your own lists *Visual examples for the teacher of biography research note taking and biography anchor charts *Creative ways to assess prior knowledge about *Review of important parts of biographies *suggestions on how to supervise student biography research work and create guided reading groups based on needs you see during biography research *step-by-step instructions on how to demonstrate how to make a digital end product using PowerPoint or Prezi. I have included a finished biography Prezi and a mostly complete biography PowerPoint for you to complete with your class. *Invitations to the Biography Research Finale- a Living History Museum! Invite other classes and school staff! *suggestions of audio resources *Personal Student Dictionary *Writing Process Clip Chart! This Biography Research unit contains CHOICE, which is key for student engagement. Students will choose one biography from a selection of grade-appropriate biographies and focus on their person's Important Life Events, Personality Traits, Interests and Hobbies, Challenges, Contributions to Society and Other Interesting Facts.
Animal Research Project
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Animal Research Project

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This 155 page Animal Research Bundle contains all you need to teach students how to complete an individualized, self-directed research project ending in a Natural History Museum. Students will learn how to research using non-fiction books and put the information in their own words! No more copying directly from the book! The process is broken down into day-to-day lessons. This Animal Research bundle is differentiated and a perfect way to meet the needs of all of your students. Students will choose one animal from a selection of grade-appropriate non-fiction and focus on their animal's adaptations, habitat, predators, prey/diet and other interesting facts. Common Core and Science Standards aligned! Suggestions for guided reading groups are also included. This Animal Research Bundle includes: -5 + weeks of complete daily lesson plans -Completed PROJECT SAMPLES to show your students what a quality animal research project looks like -All student handouts, parent letters (English and Spanish) and teacher masters -Choosing books for animal research -Suggested Animal Lists -Anchor Chart Printables -Interactive Journal Pages -Creative ways to assess prior knowledge -Informational Text Features -Informational Text vocabulary activities -detailed instructions on how to teach students how to write an interesting paragraph with strong, varied language -suggestions on how to supervise student work and create guided reading groups based on need -step-by-step instructions on how to demonstrate to students how to make a No-to-Low cost diorama -step-by-step instructions on how to demonstrate how to make animal research product using PowerPoint or Prezi -Product Descriptors for easy grading! These Animal Research Product Descriptors are available in English and Spanish (translated using Google Translate) -Writing Process Clip Chart If you enjoy my Animal Research Project, check out my Biography Research Project! CCSS ELA Standards: RI.3.1 RI.3.3 RI.3.4 RI.3.5 RI.3.7 RI.3.8 RI.3.9 RI.3.10 RI.4.2 RI.4.5 RI.4.7 W.3.1 W.3.2 W.3.4 W.3.5 W.3.6 W.3.7 W.3.8 W.3.10 W.4.2 W.4.4 W.4.5 W.4.6 W.4.7 W.4.8 W.4.9 W.4.10 SL.3.3 SL.3.4 SL.3.6 SL.4.1 SL.4.2 SL.4.4 SL.4.5 L.3.1 L.3.2 L.3.3 L.3.4 L.3.5 L.3.6 L.4.1 L.4.2 L.4.3 L.4.4 L.4.5 L.4.6
Halloween BUNDLE
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Halloween BUNDLE

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This is the Ultimate Halloween Activity Bundle. It contains everything you need for Halloween! Included in this Halloween Activity Bundle is 116 pages of: Halloween Creative Thinking Pack This is a packet of 20 creative thinking, writing and math Halloween Activities. These Halloween activities may be used individually or stapled together to create a Halloween Activities packet Included in this Halloween activity packet you will find: -A Mummy Can't -Halloween Everyday -Ghostly Problems -What is THAT? -Halloween Words -Halloween BAR -The Bagless Wonder -Halloween Imagination -Halloween Fashion -Halloween Problems -Malinda the "Green" Witch -What? No Sweets!?! -The Vampire and the Pumpkin -Crazy Costume -Frankenstein is the Answer -The Next Big Thing -Sweets Drop -Pumpkin Carving -The Missing Foot -Halloween Haiku This Halloween Activity Pack includes a Product Descriptor for easy grading!!! Sample Answers included to get you and your class thinking! Halloween Maths Activities This Maths Pack includes story problems, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and graphing. Included you will find 25 pages of Halloween Maths: *Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division Stories *Multiplication and Division Stories *Halloween Sweets Graphing *Fractions *Probability *Find the Missing Number *Fact Families *Halloween Rounding and Secret Message *Halloween Hidden Picture Answer Key is included! Halloween Party Pack Halloween Letter home to parents requesting volunteers and snacks (all provided choices are peanut free). Halloween Word Scramble Game Pass the Pumpkin Game Trick or Treat Game Jelly Bean Relay Game Halloween Word Search Halloween Colouring Pages Halloween Bingo No Hands Pass the Mini Pumpkin I Want My Mummy! I hope that you and your class enjoy this selection of Halloween activities and Halloween Party Games! All of these items are available individually in my store. Save money when you bundle!
Christmas BUNDLE for 4th Grade
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Christmas BUNDLE for 4th Grade

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This Bundle contains two of my popular Christmas packets! These packets are perfect for early finishers or enrichment. Save 20% when you BUNDLE! 1) Christmas Math Pack for 4th Grade 2) Christmas Creative Thinking Pack
Christmas Math & Literacy BUNDLE for 5th Grade
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Christmas Math & Literacy BUNDLE for 5th Grade

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This Bundle contains two of my popular Christmas packets! These packets are perfect for early finishers or enrichment. Save 20% when you BUNDLE! Please see each product for a full preview! 1. Christmas Math Pack for 5th Grade 2. Christmas Creative Thinking Pack
Winter Creative Thinking Pack
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Winter Creative Thinking Pack

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This is a packet of 20 creative thinking Winter writing activities. These language rich creative thinking winter activities are perfect for early finishers, gifted and talented learners or a great addition to your sub folder! Included in this Winter Activities packet you will find: Frosty! Noooo!- Frosty the Snowman is alive and well...for now. Name 10 things he absolutely cannot do Winter Shape Poem Winter 24/7- It is always winter where you live now. List three ways your life would be different and three consequences of each difference The Snow Shovel- List 3 problems with a snow shovel and two fixes Not-So-Prime Realty- the Abominable Snowman is selling his cave. Help him write a realty listing The New Hot Chocolate Mug- redesign the plain old hot chocolate mug. Winter Words- think of a word for each letter of the alphabet that has to do with winter The Unexpected Snowstorm- You visit southern Florida where there has never been any recorded snowfall. Suddenly you get a snowstorm. How can you still enjoy your trip? Winter Picture- tell how a given picture has to do with winter The Future of Winter- If the temperatures of the world continue to rise, winter in the future will be different than it is today. Tell how it is different in the future What Else Can I Do with THIS?- You no longer need your car window ice scraper and brush combo. Name other ways that you could use it Too Cold for…Anything- There is a new law in town. No one can go outside for anything in winter. Come up with five reasons that this could possibly be a good thing. The Snowman and the Spoon- How is a snowman like a spoon? Ooooh! Ooooh! I know! Winter!- The answer is Winter. You think of the questions Save the Polar Bears- The polar bears need some TLC right now. How can people be encouraged to help the polar bears? Think of 8 ways Winter Inventions- Given a list of 3 needed inventions, choose one and...Invent It! The Last Penguin- You have been asked to guard the last remaining penguin, but you have been given some pretty weird materials to do the job. Explain how you would use these materials to save the last penguin. The Snowman that Won’t Melt- You find an intact snowman in May. How is this possible? Crossword Puzzle Writer- You write the weekly crossword puzzle for the paper. Given the words, you write the clues Winter Film Director- You have been asked to direct a winter film. Using the given materials, create a scene, photograph it and tell about it in writing.
My Fall ABC Book
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My Fall ABC Book

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This adorable Fall ABC book template is the perfect thing for a fall writing centre! Provide students with a variety of texts, writing materials and blank books. Students will write a word or phrase that relates to the fall season on every page. They will then illustrate their books. This book is great for beginning and experienced writers alike!
Fall Centres Pack
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Fall Centres Pack

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Looking for Fall themed centres to go with your fall unit? Included in this packet are 18 Writing, Math and Science themed centres. These Fall Centres are differentiated to accommodate all levels of learners in your classroom! These fall-themed activities are designed to stand on their own or be used collectively as fall centres. These autumn centres are aligned to the Common Core Language Arts standards as well as Science Standards. Fall activities Include: Fall Into Reading centre- fiction and non-fiction reading response sheets It's Fall About Writing centre- Students will create a fall ABC book or a Fall Fact Book Fall Word Work centre- Fall Word Sorts for primary and intermediate and a Say, Write, Spell of fall words Fall Craft centre- Students will create a paper bag scarecrow Fall Listening Centres Fall Science and Observation centre-A cut and paste leaf diagram or a draw-your-own diagram of selected fall objects. Also includes a Summer vs. Fall comparison page Fall Math centre- Students will estimate and compare the weights of pumpkins and number of pumpkin seeds Fall Computer Centre- Students will type and decorate a list of fall words Fall Picture Sort centre- Students will cut and paste summer and fall pictures into appropriate categories Each fall activity includes a materials list, teacher directions and all the student pintables you need for the fall centres. Student sheets are created in black and white for easy printing and photo copying.
Christmas Party Pack
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Christmas Party Pack

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Christmas Activities Party Pack - 9 Christmas Party Games and Christmas Activities I created this packet of Christmas Activities, Christmas Games and Christmas Letters home because I was in charge of planning my own class parties. These Christmas activities and Christmas games will have your students saying "Best Christmas Party Ever!!!" These Christmas games and Christmas activities are designed to be fun and used during a Christmas class party. These Christmas games and Christmas activities are not meant to be learning centres. The Christmas Games and Christmas Activities Party Pack Includes: Christmas Party Letter home to parents requesting volunteers and snacks (includes a peanut free version) Christmas Word Scramble Game Santa's Beard Game Rudolph's Nose Game Candy Cane Relay Game Christmas Chocolates Game Find the Elf Game Christmas Word Search Christmas Word Mix-Up Christmas Colouring Pages and More!!! I hope that you and your class enjoy this selection of Christmas games and Christmas Activities! Do these Christmas Games whole class, or make Christmas Party Centres using these Christmas games and Christmas Activities!
Halloween Party Pack:  Games, Parent Letters & MORE!!!
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Halloween Party Pack: Games, Parent Letters & MORE!!!

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Halloween Party Pack These Halloween Activities and Party games will have your students saying “Best Halloween Party Ever!!!” These Halloween Activities and Party Games are designed to be fun and used during class parties. These Halloween Activities and Party Games are not meant to be learning centres. The Halloween Activities and Party Games Party Pack Includes: Halloween Letter home to parents requesting volunteers and snacks (peanut free) - Be sure you have enough food and volunteers to run these Halloween Activities! Halloween Activities offer a selection that are great for whole class, small group or individuals: Two Halloween Word Scramble Games- Unscramble these Halloween Words in these Halloween Activities Halloween Word Search Halloween Colouring Pages Pass the Pumpkin Game Trick or Treat Game Jelly Bean Relay Game No Hands Pass the Mini Pumpkin Hide the Pumpkin Halloween Game I Want My Mummy! &MORE! I hope that you and your class enjoy this selection of Halloween Activities and Party Games! If you like these Halloween Activities and Party Games, check out my additional Halloween products available in my store!
Spring Word Work
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Spring Word Work

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This Spring Word Work is perfect for a spring themed center! These pages include a word sort for both primary and intermediate. There is also three pages of Say, Write, Spell, a re-usable activity that will have students using their spelling skills to spell new words!
Spring Reading Response Sheets
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Spring Reading Response Sheets

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These Spring Reading Response sheets are perfect for a spring reading or listening to reading center. There are a variety of sheets for both fiction and non-fiction texts.
Summer BUNDLE for 3rd Grade
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Summer BUNDLE for 3rd Grade

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This BUNDLE includes my Summer Math Pack for 3rd Grade and my Summer Creative Thinking Pack. Please see the full descriptions below: This Summer Math Pack contains 29 pages of summer-themed math practice for 3rd graders. This pack is fully aligned to 3rd grade common core standards. These packets are fun, engaging and many activities are self-checking! It makes great practice before school starts! This packet reviews: Word Problems for all operations- one and two step Finding the missing number in an equation Rounding Three digit addition and subtraction Area and Perimeter Shapes Fractions Graphing- creating a scaled graph and a bar graph Plotting numbers on a number line Measuring to the nearest ¼, ½ and ¾ inch Time Common Core Standards 3.MD.A.1, 3.MD.B.3, 3.MD.B.4, 3.MD.C.5, 3.MD.C.6, 3.MD.C.7, 3.NBT.A.1, 3.NBT.A.2, 3.NBT.A.3, 3.OA.A.1, 3.OA.A.2, 3.OA.A.3, 3.OA.A.4, 3.OA.B.6, 3.OA.C.7, 3.OA.D.8, 3.NF.A.1 Summer Creative Thinking Packet These language rich creative thinking Summer activities may be used individually or stapled together to create a Summer activity packet (black line cover included). Fostering creative thinking has been shown to increase learning in all areas. This Summer Activity Packet will do just that! Included in this Summer Activities packet you will find: *Student Cover- a blackline student cover is included in this summer activity *The ABC’s of Summer- for this summer activity, write one word for every letter of the alphabet that has to do with summer *In Summer You Can’t… - Find some activities that you cannot do in summer *Endless Summer- tell how things would be different if it were always summer *Can Summer GET Any Better? Yes! It Can! - Make summer bigger, add something to summer and replace/remove something *Summer Inventions- Using some given items, create a summer invention *Summer is Great…Mostly…- what are some things that are not so great about summer? *Too Many Arm Floaties- List other uses for arm floaties in this summer activity *A New Summer Sensation- Combine two summer things to create a new summer invention *The Perfect Summer Beverage- The only thing your town can drink is lemonade, describe how you will enforce this *And the Question is…-write questions that have the answer "sunburn" *Signs of Summer- a sign showed up in your neighborhood. Tell how it has to do with summer. *Summer Poetry *It’s Just so HOT!- In this summer activity, come up with some creative ways to keep cool! *Let’s Go Play! -Design a new summer game/toy/activity Common Core Standards W.2.5, W.2.8, W.3.1, W.3.2, W.3.4, W.4.2, W.4.8, W.5.4, W.5.8, L.2.1, L.2.2, L.2.5, L.3.1, L.3.2, L.4.1, L.4.2, L.5.1, L.5.2, L.5.3
Life as an American Slave Interactive Stations
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Life as an American Slave Interactive Stations

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This series of Life as a Slave Stations are designed to humanize the people who were slaves as much as possible. Students often learn about the Civil War and the existence of slavery, but not about the daily life of the people who were slaves. The six stations are designed to help bridge the gap. The six stations focus on: 1. A picture book station 2. Listening to Songs of Slavery 3. Examining the Food and Clothes of Slaves 4. Studying Photographs of Slavery 5. Learning about life on a plantation 6. The Problems of Freedom These stations use primary and secondary source materials and are appropriate for students as young as 5th grade. Students will spend time examining the materials at each station and then as a group, write a response to a focus question. All needed materials are included, but you may need to log on to a few websites before beginning. The needs of ESL (English as a Second Language) students have also been addressed. Accommodations Include: Word Banks Group Work/discussion Multiple Intelligences Scaffolding of Recording Sheets WIDA Standards in Student Friendly language Rubrics
Morning and Bedtime Routine Visual Clip Chart
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Morning and Bedtime Routine Visual Clip Chart

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Are your mornings a struggle, having to repeat yourself over and over telling your kids what to do to get ready? Try these Morning and Bedtime Routine Clip Charts! Now children will have a visual what they will need to do to get ready, helping them better process what they will need to do! The Morning Clip Chart Includes: Go potty & Wash Hands Brush Teeth Brush Hair Eat Breakfast Make Bed Wash Face Get Dressed Pack Lunch Bedtime Routine Do Homework Pick up Toys Brush Teeth Put on Pajamas Say Prayers Get Backpack Eat Snack Go Potty and Wash Hands Good Night Hug Read a Book Wash Face Take a Bath Go to Sleep If you enjoy this product, please check out some of the other Behavior Management Products available in my shop!