CCP Community Buzz 

Key Areas to Master for World Youth Skills Day

June 29, 2020

July 15 is World Youth Skills Day, who’s aim is to “recognize the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship, and to highlight the crucial role of skilled youth in addressing current and future global challenges”, as described by UNESCO-UNEVOC. In other words, World Youth Skills Day is a time to remember the importance of getting our youths ready to be successful young adults in the real world.

With a focus on employment, we want to do our part in educating youths to be successful in the workplace. We have highlighted 3 key areas: interview, job performance and getting ahead.

Interview

The interview is one of the most important aspects of employment. It is your potential employer’s first impression of your character and will determine whether you will get a job. Here are our top tips for a successful interview:

1. Be on time. It is best to be a few minutes early.
2. Check how you look. Wear clean, professional clothes.
3. Have a positive attitude. Show enthusiasm to be there.
4. Bring a copy of your resume and references.
5. Don’t chew gum during your interview, but it’s a good idea to bring a mint.
6. Try not to say things like “ummm” or “hmmm”.

It’s also good to be prepared with answers to questions they might ask you. Think of questions that they might ask. A good way to come up with questions is to think of the kind of job it is. Will you deal with people? You may be asked about how you treat your customers. Will you need to work with money? You may be asked about your math skills. Download this free Mind Map to get started with potential questions an interviewer may ask. Fill in the empty bubbles with any other questions you can think of.

Job Performance

How you act on the job is important, as it can either lead to greater things, or help you lose your job. Here are the DOs and DON’Ts for workplace behavior:

Getting Ahead

Thriving on the job is an important step for youths to move up at their place of work. They can receive promotions, or be transferred to new cities, or gain valuable skills and relationships that can help when looking for another job someplace else. Here are some strategies to help you thrive in the workplace:

Be On Time – We’ve already discussed how being on time is an important step throughout each employment stage. It’s no different here. Being on time and ready to work will show that you are reliable.

Be Prepared – Know what your responsibilities are and what deadlines need to be met. Show that you can start a task without being told. This will show that you have initiative and can work with minimal supervision.

Be Sociable – Make sure you get along with the people around you. This can be your boss, your co-workers, or your customers. Be friendly, but also be professional. This will show that you have good work ethics.

Be Flexible – If you’re done all of your tasks, look around and see what else needs to be done. Don’t wait for direction if you can help it. Don’t be afraid to upgrade your skills. Take classes to learn new things about your job field.

Get more related free content from our Daily Social & Workplace Skills and Employment & Volunteering Skills resources. Visit our FREE CONTENT page for more.

 

 

 

 

Looking to the Stars

June 22, 2020

June 30 is Meteor Watch Day. Outer space is filled with mysteries and wonders that exceed what we experience here on Earth. During these summer nights, we encourage all would-be astronomers to go outside and observe the night sky with their very own observatory.

Observatories are very large buildings that house very large telescopes. These allow astronomers to look deep into space to see other planets, stars, and galaxies in great detail. Although there may be some local opportunities to witness the wonders of space—whether it’s at a night-time viewing area, or using the telescope from your local high school—it’s a much safer option in this COVID-19-era to create an observatory in your own backyard.

There are many different plans online to build a mini-observatory the size of a doghouse; however, this method requires some carpentry skills. We suggest the simple use of either a telescope, a camera with telescopic lens, or a pair of good binoculars. All you’ll need to do is go outside when it’s really dark, turn off any lights you have, point your chosen device into the air and look through the eyepiece. Here are some things to look at:

• The moon
• Planets
• Stars
• Constellations
• The International Space Station
• Satellites
• Meteors

Extend your virtual observatory even further by looking through the Hubble Telescope. Celebrating 30 years of space observation, young astronomers can witness some of its iconic images taken over the years. Check these out here.

Alternatively, young astronomers can use their own telescopes, cameras or binoculars to map the night sky with help from our constellation map. Download the free poster here.

And finally, in celebration of Meteor Watch Day, why not experience a meteor shower of your own. Use this helpful calendar to locate when and where the next meteor shower can be seen. And don't forget, you have unlimited access to our complete catalog of free worksheets, including science, from our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

Curriculum Standards

June 15, 2020

Did you know that every CCP resource book meets all curriculum and state standards? Our core subjects follow basic curriculum needs to ensure students get the information needed to have a successful school year.

Language Arts
Our language arts resources are based on Bloom’s Taxonomy for Reading Comprehension. Along with individual state standards and the Common Core State Standards, Bloom’s Taxonomy classifies learning objectives. The activities in this resource engage and build the full range of thinking skills that are essential for students’ written composition. Assignments are given that challenge students to not only recall what they have read, but move beyond this to understand the text through higher-order thinking. By using the higher-order skills laid out in Bloom’s Taxonomy, students become active writers, drawing more meaning from the text, and applying and extending their learning in more sophisticated ways. Included in every resource is a Critical Thinking Skills rubric found on page 2 that highlights which skills are being met. To learn more, please refer to the 6 Levels of Thinking outlined below.

Mathematics
Our math resources are inspired by the NCTM Principles and Standards. Along with individual state standards and the Common Core State Standards, the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics targets 6 areas: Equity, Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, Assessment, and Technology. These Principles are the fundamentals to an effective mathematics education. These Standards describe what mathematics instruction should enable students to learn. Together, the Principles and Standards offer a comprehensive and coherent set of learning goals. Our math resources offer exercises written to the NCTM Process and Content Standards. Teachers can note, at a glance, which Process Standards are being met by referring to the Rubric found on page 2 of every resource. Also included is a Content Standards Rubric to use for student assessment. For more information, please refer to the NCTM Principles outlined below.

Science
Our science resources meet the Next Generation Science Standards and STEAM initiatives. Along with individual state standards, the Next Generation Science Standards aim to integrate the content and skills of science in an approach to teaching and learning. The standards set out by the NGSS are designed to provide quality science education to students based on content-rich material and practice with aligned curricula. The STEAM standards aim to integrate the content and skills of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in an approach to teaching and learning. STEAM brings a new hands-on approach to learning that encourages students to explore and interact with what they are learning. To get to know the STEAM initiatives, please refer to the outline below.

 

 

 

 

How Technology Can Be Used to Improve Learning
Getting Started with Google Classroom

June 8, 2020

Since quarantine began back in March, educators have had to come up with creative ways to reach their students safely and effectively. This involves adopting technology as a way to teach and a way for their students to learn. Starting with the basics, many educators have turned to digitized versions of their lesson worksheets, whether this is through scanned images of their workbooks that they can then email to their students, or eBook versions in PDF or ePub format. Let’s break this down further and look at the pros and cons of each option.

With all these options, the most widely-used way to distribute content to students is through email. However, it’s hard to keep students engaged and even harder to teach and answer questions. That’s why many teachers have been converting their in-class lessons to a virtual one. One way to do this is with Google Classroom.

What Teachers Should Know About Google Classroom

Google Classroom is a free web service developed by Google that aims to simplify distributing, tracking and grading content. The primary purpose of Google Classroom is to streamline the process of sharing files between teachers and students.

Teachers can create different classes and invite their students to join. From there, teachers can communicate directly with their students through their class dashboard by adding messages, tutorials, assignments, and reminders.

When creating assignments for your students, Google Classroom offers a variety of methods. You can create an open-ended assignment with instructions, attachments, due dates, and a points system. Other options include a Quiz using Google forms, a Question for students to respond to, and a Materials option that allows you to share digital copies of notes. It’s easy to implement your current materials, whether it be scanned images, PDFs or ePub files, into your Google Classroom unit.

For some great tutorials on how to get started with your Google Classroom account, as well as some great teacher tips, watch these videos found here.

Google Classroom is just one avenue teachers can navigate when integrating their classroom into a virtual world. There are plenty of subscription-based streaming services that give teachers access to hundreds of ready-made materials that allow them to communicate directly with their students, as well as track their progress and assign lessons. Our K12Content website does just that while giving teachers access to our entire library of interactive digital lesson plans. Try it out free for 15 days with our FREE TRIAL. And don't forget, you have unlimited access to our complete catalog of free worksheets from our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

Our Quarantine-Friendly Picks for Summer Independent Learning

June 1, 2020

With the summer season upon us, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to remain at home. Although backyards and balconies let us experience the fresh summer air and hot summer sunshine, most of us long for splashing in the water and feeling the sand between our toes. With COVID-19 extending into the summer months, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant with social and physical distancing as another outbreak can soon be upon us. That’s why our picks for this year’s summer independent learning are all geared towards keeping the summer spirit alive in creative ways.

For those who like spending the summer months at the beach, we have an at-home experiment that could help. Other than the cool water on a hot day, the beach is a great place for those who enjoy feeling the sand between their toes. Many great beaches are accompanied by sand dunes. In this experiment, you will see how wind makes sand dunes. All you’ll need is some sand, a big electric fan, and some tools to make sandcastles. Download the experiment here.

For those who enjoy camping out in nature, we have an activity to go along with your backyard camp out. What’s your favorite part of camping? Is it the campfire, being surrounded by trees, or stargazing? Well if it’s the latter, we have a great activity to use on clear nights while camping under the stars. Start by spending the day setting up your tent in the backyard. If it’s safe and you are able in your area, have a parent help set up a small campfire. Roast hotdogs and marshmallows while telling campfire stories. When the sun goes down, take out this handy constellation map and see how many you can find in the night sky.

Maybe you prefer to spend your summer off visiting distant lands. If that’s the case, there’s plenty of virtual travel opportunities you can take part in across the globe. Go on a virtual dive of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Take a virtual tour of the British Museum in London. Visit key landmarks from around the world like the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids of Egypt. When you’re done, take a trip to one or all of the 7 continents:

North America
South America
Europe
Africa
Asia
Australia
Antarctica

For those who like to spend their summer catching up on some reading, here’s our summer reading list. Click on each title to download FREE related activity pages.

Fantastic Mr Fox (Grades 3-4)
The Lightning Thief (Grades 5-6)
Esperanza Rising (Grades 5-6)
Romeo & Juliet (Grades 7-8)
The Hunger Games (Grades 7-8)
To Kill a Mockingbird (Grades 9-12)

Don't forget, you have unlimited access to our complete catalog of free worksheets from our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

Explore the Underwater World with a Virtual Dive

May 25, 2020

June is a month full of water habitat conservation efforts. It also happens to mark the beginning of summer vacation for most people. Although things might be a little different this year with COVID-19 causing many to postpone their vacation plans, it’s still nice to get out of the day-to-day, even if it’s virtually.

June 1 – World Reef Awareness Day

On June 1, we think about the colorful, vibrant and lively reefs that entice us down just below the ocean surface. Historically, reefs around the world, like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, have been a popular tourist destination for years. However, with pollution and climate change, the once vibrant underwater ecosystem has changed dramatically. Take a look at some of these before and after photos from The Ocean Agency.

Research shows that within the next 20 years, 70-90% of coral reefs will most likely die, and by the year 2100, coral reefs could disappear altogether. So, what can we do to help preserve this natural geological and biological feature? The National Ocean Service provides some helpful guidelines in the following infographic. Click on the image to download a PDF version.

June 5 – World Environment Day

This year’s theme is ‘Time for Nature’. Now more than ever, it’s time to look back on nature. It affects our food, water, how we live, and of course, our health. Illnesses, like the coronavirus, spreads easily due to loss of biodiversity. Biodiversity is the web of life, from the air to the water, from the soil to the plants and animals, and finally to us. When one of these things changes, it affects the entire system, leaving us vulnerable for viruses like COVID-19 to spread uncontrollably. For this year’s World Environment Day, we challenge everyone to revisit their environment and think how can we maintain our biodiversity. Start by virtually exploring nature around iconic spots with the help of the UN Environment Programme.

June 8 – World Oceans Day

• 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by oceans.
• Oceans contain 97% of Earth’s water.
• Oceans contain 99% of all living space on Earth.

Earth is called the blue planet for a reason. Life begins with water. Our bodies are made up of 60% water. Think of the Earth as a human body. It is made up of 70% water. Imagine the water within our bodies were polluted or full of disease. We would become sick. Just like our Earth. Other than outer space, our oceans are the last unexplored territory. There is so much life happening underwater that we have not, and cannot see. Let’s explore some of our national marine sanctuaries with virtual dives.

• Swim with Sea Lions in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
• Visit different landmarks at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, like a coral nursery.
• Explore a series of sunken ships at the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
• Dive in to 6 other National Marine Sanctuaries, available virtually on a personal computer or smartphone. For an extra-immersive experience, pair your smartphone with a VR headset or goggles.

Don't forget, you have unlimited access to our complete catalog of free worksheets from our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

Safe and Engaging Science Experiments to do at Home

May 19, 2020

While some schools are beginning to open, many others remain closed. It is still necessary for us all to continue physical distancing during this time, now more than ever. For kids, it's equally as important to keep their minds engaged. What better way to accomplish this, and to also ease them back into their school habits, than with safe and engaging hands-on science experiments they can do at home. Below are some of our favorites, covering a variety of topics in Earth Science, Life Science and Physical Science.

Earth Science: Cloud in a Jar
For this experiment, you will be able to create a cloud inside of a jar in order to show how cloud formation works. You will need a glass container, chalk dust, a balloon, and an elastic. Put a cm of warm water in the jar to cover up the bottom. Add your chalk dust. Stretch a balloon over the mouth of the bar and secure it with an elastic. Gently punch the balloon and watch clouds appear when you take your hand away. For more detailed instructions, check out our Cloud in a Jar experiment at our FREE CONTENT page.

Life Science: Lung Capacity Measurement
For this experiment, you will measure how much air is in your lungs. You will need a partner for this experiment, either a brother, sister or parent. Fill a 2-gallon pop bottle with water so there is no air inside. Your partner will hold this over a large tub for the water to fall in. Place a flexible tube inside the bottle. Now, take a deep breath and blow into the other end of the tube. The air in your lungs will push water out of the bottle. The air that you now see inside the bottle is the air that was in your lungs. For more detailed instructions, check out our How Much Air? experiment at our FREE CONTENT page.

Physical Science: Rube Goldberg Machine
A Rube Goldberg Machine uses a series of steps in order to complete a simple task. Each step starts the next one. For an example, watch this video. For this experiment, kids will become young engineers and develop their own Rube Goldberg Machine using things they have around the house. First, they must decide on the "simple task" they want to complete. Then, working backwards, create a series of complicated steps to follow in order to complete that task. For more detailed instructions, check out our Rube Goldberg Machine project at our FREE CONTENT page.

And don't forget, you have unlimited access to our complete catalog of free worksheets from our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

Guide for Parents: How to Take on the Role of Educator While Under Quarantine

May 11, 2020

Schools may be closed for many more weeks to come, and our hardworking teachers are limited due to this distance from their students. That's why many parents have been taking on the role of educator in their household. However, as we all know, this isn't an easy task to pick up, especially with our own busy lives. We've come up with some basic strategies for parents to help tackle this new role.

Resources

First and foremost, your kids' teachers are the best resource. Reach out to them for help regarding curriculum and a listing of topics that were planned for the remaining year. There are plenty of homeschool resources available online. Check out some of these favorites that offer free materials:

Teachers Pay Teachers
IXL Math
IXL English Language Arts
IXL Science
Scholastic
TEDEd
Khan Academy
Exploratorium
NASA STEM
Project Gutenberg

Schedule

Set up a schedule for your kids to follow. School is routine. Classes start at a specific time, followed by scheduled breaks. Establish this format in the home. Have your kids wake up and get ready for "school" like they normally would. Designate an area of the home that will stand in for their classroom. Provide them with a structure to follow, like math drills for the first hour, a break, then language arts studies for another hour. Here's your chance to implement a rewards-based system. For every question they get right, they earn a minute of television time during their break.

Tips and Tricks

The following list of tips come from homeschooling parents who have shared their experience to help other parents get through this difficult time.

Kelly Rummel shares the lessons she learned from the many years she's been homeschooling her kids. Her number one tip is to set the tone. These are scary times, even more so for your kids. Sure, it can be exciting for them too, but let's remember that kids are very intuitive. They can sense what's going on, even if they don't understand it. People around them are stressed, scared and confused. It's important to start the day calm, happy and peaceful, as Kelly reminds us. Read more of Kelly's tips here.

Some other great advice from Anya Kamenetz and Cory Turner reminds parents to be forgiving of themselves and their kid. It's a lot of pressure to take on the role of educator. Give yourself some space and don't be afraid to ask for help. Read more of Anya and Cory's tips here.

The Survival Mom offers her top 16 tips for beginning homeschoolers. She recommends seeing yourself more as a "facilitator to your child's learning". That means you're not going to give lectures, but rather help your child through the learning process. Give your kids the tools they need to teach themselves. Work alongside with them and you might start learning something new right alongside them. Read more of The Survival Mom's tips here.

Finally, take this time to teach your kids valuable life skills. Include them in your daily chores. Have them help with the laundry, or cook the next meal. Teach them a little bit about finance as you complete your daily banking. To get started, take a look at the many life skills resources we have available as ready-made lesson plans and as free extension activities.

Don't forget, you have unlimited access to our complete catalog of free worksheets from our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

Simple Steps to Teach Online Using CCP Products

May 4, 2020

With most schools still closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers are looking for more ways to engage their kids remotely. That's why we'd like to introduce you to our subscription-based streaming platform that gives you access to all of our Ready-Made Digital Lesson Plans. No download needed, just an internet connection and web browser.

Step 1: Set up an account.
We highly recommend first setting up a 15-day free trial account. This will give you access to 3 complete lesson plans based on your selected grade level. You'll be able to test out a language arts, mathematics, and science or social studies ready-made digital lesson plan in its entirety. To start your free trial now, sign up here.

Step 2: Add your students.
Once you've set up your account and logged into your dashboard, you'll want to add your students. With the free trial, you can add up to 3 students. To add a student, simple go to the My Students tab and click on Add Student.

Step 3: Assign your lessons.
Once you've added your students to your dashboard, you'll then want to assign to them the lesson plans. There are many ways to do this. If you want different students working on different lessons at one time, simply select the lesson next to their name in the My Students tab. If you want all of your students to be working on the same lesson, go to the My Lessons tab, then click on Deploy Lesson(s) . From there, select the lesson you want to assign and click on All Students. Write a note of instruction and click Submit.

Step 4: Track student progress.
Make sure your students are completing their lessons by tracking their progress. To do this, navigate to the At a Glance section of your dashboard. Here you can see the date in which the lesson was accessed and how much time was spent using the program. Click on a student's name to break down this information further. You can see each session's date and time, how long was spent on the program, how much of this time was paused, and how much of this time the student was active or inactive.

For a more in-depth look at how to use the program, watch this video tutorial on the Teacher Dashboard:

 

Check out the other tutorials here.

Don't forget, you have unlimited access to our complete catalog of free worksheets from our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

Get Caught Reading While Under Quarantine

April 27, 2020

May is National Get Caught Reading Month. With everyone staying indoors due to the COVID-19 virus, one of the things people are doing to stay occupied is read a book. With a book, we're able to travel to distant lands, explore new worlds, and escape the troubles we are currently facing in our daily lives. With schools closed, it's also hard to engage kids to continue learning at home. One way to do this is by offering comprehension questions to go along with the book their currently reading. These questions offer kids a chance to understand key vocabulary, use their creativity with journal questions, and make sure they stay connected with what they are reading. That's why we're offering a selection of FREE open-ended reading response forms that can be used with any book.

The reading response forms are separated into 6 categories that align with Bloom's Taxonomy for reading comprehension. Click on a category below to download the matching worksheet.

• Remembering
• Understanding
• Applying
• Analysing
• Evaluating
• Creating

For more related FREE content, check out the Language Arts and Novel Study Guides sections of our FREE CONTENT page.

Continue to explore kids' joy of reading and the adventures they share within the pages of their favorite books with comprehension questions to go along with their reading. We offer hundreds of ready-made novel study guides that test kids' comprehension of the story, as well as promote critical thinking skills. Browse our collection here. Then, visit Audible and Lit2Go for FREE access to a selection of audiobooks.

 

 

 

 

Staying Active While Under Quarantine

April 20, 2020

It has been weeks, if not months since we've been limited by social and physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public spaces like parks and hiking routes have been closed. All sports, team practice and games have been cancelled. Kids are limited by the lack of resources open to them to exercise their body and mind. With depression and boredom setting in, many kids are becoming weary of binge-watching, eating too much, and sleeping all day. Let's face it, there's not much else to do when you're stuck at home. National Fitness Day is on May 2. This year's theme is Life is Better in Motion. Understandably, many of the local activities that were planned for this event have most likely been cancelled. However, that doesn't mean kids can't participate. Therefore, we are embracing this year's theme of motion and adopting it to our new quarantine lifestyle. We’ll focus on how to keep kids’ minds and bodies in motion while staying at home.

The Body

Let's start off with the body. Obviously, visiting your favorite hiking trail or park is not an option. You can't take part in a team sport either. Options are pretty limited. If you're lucky enough to have a backyard, now's the time to take full advantage of it. Try running the perimeter a few times to simulate your favorite hiking trail. Or, run laps from one end to the other, incorporating a soccer ball to simulate a game. If you have a dog, try playing a game of fetch or keep-away with their favorite toy.

If you don't have a backyard, there's ways to stay active and keep your body moving inside. Look online for different fitness kids routines that are designed for inside the home. Start with a bit of light stretching. Do some jumping jacks to really get the heart pumping. If you're feeling very outgoing, create an obstacle course in the basement. Don't forget to always end a routine with more stretching. If your kids are into weightlifting, use things from around the house, like a jug of detergent or canned foods to simulate weights. There's also certain kinds of workouts that uses your own body weight in place of dumbbells. Think of other creative ways to stay active indoors, like having a dance party with the family.

Working out can also help lessen the symptoms of depression and anxiety. When you work out, your body releases endorphins that help you feel better. It also helps to keep your mind off of what worries you. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 150 minutes of low-level activity per week. That's less than half an hour a day. So even if you're not usually that active, aim to do something that gets you moving for at least 30 minutes. Even something as small as standing up for 1 minute between episodes of the show you're currently watching. Below are some FREE fitness-based activities we offer from our FREE CONTENT page:

• Sitting Stretches
• Cardio Workout
• Create a Fitness Plan

The Mind

For the mind, the best way to keep it moving is with mind games and puzzles. Play a board game with your family. Try ones that exercise your minds, like co-operative games or mystery-solving games. If you don't have anyone to play with, try playing a solo-based card game, like solitaire. You could also work on a jigsaw puzzle. Newspaper-style puzzles work great as well, like crosswords, word searches and Sudoku. You can also find versions of these games online or as an app. If you're more creative, you could try writing a short story. Make it a little more social by starting a short story contest with your friends. This can be done remotely, keeping in contact through video chat, e-mail or social media. You could also use this same concept to start a book club if you love reading. Below are some FREE mind games and puzzles from our FREE CONTENT page:

• Brain Buster Puzzles
• Critical Thinking Puzzles
• Word Puzzles
• Astronomy Puzzle
• Animal Crackers Word Puzzles
• The 50 United States Word Search

 

 

 

 

Climate Action: Celebrating Environmental Awareness from the Home

April 13, 2020

The month of April sees two important environmental awareness days: National Earth Day on April 22 and National Arbor Day on April 24. Traditionally, these days were celebrated by venturing out into nature and cleaning up parks or planting a tree. With everyone being kept indoors, or within their own yards due to the COVID-19 quarantine, it makes it difficult and unsafe to celebrate these environmental days in the traditional sense. Therefore, we've come up with a few unique ways to celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day during this pandemic.

On April 22 we celebrate Earth Day. In the past, this day was spent cleaning up garbage from public areas, like parks, the side of the road, schoolyards, and more. With the quarantine happening, many if not all public areas have been closed down. Hopefully that means not much garbage is left to clean up. But a new, unsafe form of littering has crept up during this time. Many people have been throwing their gloves, masks and wipes on the ground rather than disposing them in the garbage. Not only is this disrespecting the planet by littering, it's also endangering others as these items may have come into contact with the virus. Leaving it out in the open risks spreading the disease further. Our suggestion for celebrating Earth Day this year while taking part in social distancing is to make people aware of this issue. Make up as sign to hang on your window, or draw suggestions on the sidewalk with chalk. Go to social media and post a recorded video showing the importance of proper disposal in a creative way. See if your message could go viral (the good kind). Here's a list of some other ways you can celebrate Earth Day while taking part in social distancing:

• Read a book instead of watching TV.
• Play a board game with the family using candles instead of electric lights.
• Make homemade disinfectants.
• Make reusable cotton face masks.

On April 24 we celebrate Arbor Day. In the past, this day was spent planting a tree in a public park or garden. With the quarantine closing down all public areas, this act is not plausible this year. But that doesn't mean you can't celebrate in other ways. If you can, try planting a tree in your own yard. Alternatively, create your own backyard garden with different fruits and vegetables to grow and eat. Plant a flower bed in your front yard to bring color and joy to those around you. Make your Arbor Day celebrations virtual by visiting National Parks online and taking virtual tours. Here are a few available options:

• Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
• Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
• Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
• Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

The 2020 theme for Earth Day is Climate Action. To celebrate this theme, we have compiled a related lesson that can be completed in the home. This lesson plan focuses on the connection between climate change, the environment and human health. Start off by asking the following self-reflective questions:

1. Have you ever experienced a heat wave? How did you stay cool and protected from the heat? What steps can be taken?

2. What are 5 things found in an ecosystem near your home?

Then, download the following FREE reading passages from our resource Climate Change: Effects:

Climate and Human Health
Climate and Ecosystems

Once you've read how climate change has an effect on both human health and the environment, reflect on what you know by answering the following questions:

1. Name and describe at least 1 major risk to human health due to climate change.

2. Explain why warming temperatures may lead to greater spread of disease.

3. Explain how the increase in global temperatures can lead to an increase in harmful air pollution.

4. Describe the effects of climate change that are already happening in your ecosystem.

5. Explain how climate change could cause one ecosystem to become more like another.

Click here for possible answers to these questions.

Finally, complete 2 related research activities. Download them here.

For even more free content, visit our Environmental Studies section of our FREE CONTENT page. Then, check out the Environmental Studies section of our online store for additional content.

 

 

 

 

Free Practice Drills for Math Awareness

April 6, 2020

April is Math Awareness Month. With schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it's important to continue learning at home. If children keep a regular practice, they will improve their math understanding and speed, as well as develop confidence in their independent learning. That's why we've selected a series of math drills from each subject and grade band to help your kids practice while at home. Click on an image below for the matching drill sheet.

Grades PK-2
Number & Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Data Analysis & Probability

                              

Grades 3-5
Number & Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Data Analysis & Probability

                              

Grades 6-8
Number & Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Data Analysis & Probability

                              

For even more free content, visit our Mathematics section of our FREE CONTENT page for hundreds more practice worksheets. Then, check out the Mathematics section of our online store for additional content.

 

 

 

 

Proper Handwashing: The First Line of Defense Against COVID-19

March 30, 2020

The first line of defense against COVID-19 is the one basic protocol against any spread of illness: proper handwashing. This is a skill that has become vital in the last few weeks, and will become even more important as the weeks go on. Over the years, handwashing has become a basic habit that most take part in. However, with kids rushing to get from one activity to another, proper handwashing has been replaced with a quick and easy format. In today's world, with the rise of a pandemic, this method will no longer cut it. In this post, we'll share what the proper handwashing technique is, why it's important, and how it can help protect you from illness.

Let's start off by getting down and dirty with the proper handwashing technique. It starts with wet hands. Apply enough soap and scrub hands together to form a lather. Rinse, then dry hands with a clean towel. This is the basic technique to washing your hands; but in today's world, more attention must be paid in order to ensure every part of your hand gets clean.

To break it down further, follow these steps:

• Scrub palms over the back of each hand. Interlace fingers as you do so.
• Return to scrubbing palms while interlacing fingers.
• Scrub the backs of each finger against the palm.
• Scrub the fingertips against the palm, making sure to get soap underneath the fingernails.
• Grab each thumb and rotate palm around it.
• Scrub around each wrist.

Watch this video to see proper handwashing techniques in action.

This process should take between 20 to 60 seconds. You may have heard that it takes about the same amount of time as singing Happy Birthday twice. Why not make things more interesting by coming up with a new song to sing each day. Come up with your own words and match them to the tune of Happy Birthday. Share your songs with friends and others through social media. See how many different variations people come up with. Take your time and make sure you get every nook and cranny. It's easy to miss a spot, as you'll see in the video in this article. As an added challenge, come up with a way to limit the use of water during this process. For instance, letting the water run as you spend 20 to 60 seconds lathering up isn't very productive for water conservation. You can save at least 6 gallons of water per day simply by turning off the tap while you scrub your hands.

So why is handwashing the first line of defense against COVID-19? Because we use our hands for everything. We touch things in our daily lives that interact with countless people. We then touch our faces, food, mouth, each other. When we touch something that carries a virus, it's very easy for that virus to enter our bodies. However, washing your hands removes that virus before it can spread to yourself or others.

To keep things in perspective, the COVID-19 virus can live for several hours or even days on some surfaces. For example, if someone with the virus sneezes, it will stay in the air from 30 minutes to 3 hours. So it's important to always sneeze or cough into your sleeve or tissue, never in your hands. Once it lands on certain types of surfaces, it can be transferred to someone through touch days after it left someone's nose. For example, if you sneeze and particles of the virus land on cardboard, like a box of Macaroni and Cheese, someone can touch that box within 24 hours and have the virus. The virus can live on stainless steel, like a fork or spoon, for 2 days. And on plastic, like a water bottle, for 3 days. That's why it's important to constantly be washing your hands. Scrubbing with soap and water will kill the virus before it spreads. Also, regularly clean high traffic surfaces, like faucets, handles and countertops. When cleaning a surface, wipe in one direction, like you would shovel snow. Wiping in all directions would just move germs around rather than pick them up.

 

 

 

 

Eat Right for Nutrition Month

March 2, 2020

March is National Nutrition Month. This year's theme is: Eat Right, Bite by Bite. Nutrition is the first step to a healthy lifestyle. Nutrition is the food we need so our bodies can grow and be healthy. There are 3 or 5 different food groups. This is shown as a food plate. This also tells you how much food from each group you should eat in a day to stay healthy. In the United States we use the MyPlate chart, which shows the 5 basic food groups: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein and Dairy. Download a mini poster of the MyPlate chart here. In Canada we use the new Food Guide, which shows 3 basic food groups: Vegetables & Fruits, Protein and Whole Grains. Download a mini poster of the Canadian Food Guide here.

Our bodies need nutrients to stay healthy. Nutrients are found inside food. They are broken down in our stomachs when we eat. Essential nutrients are ones that only come from what we eat. Non-essential nutrients are ones that we can get from inside our bodies.

Make your own weekly meal plan to help make sure you eat right. Download a helpful graphic organizer here. Write down what you will eat during the week. Try to have small meals with snacks in between. This will help you keep a healthy weight. It will also keep you full all day. If you want, you can use this chart as a tracker. Keep track of what you're eating during the week. Write down how many calories you can have at the top. Write down how many calories you use at the bottom.

Check out our related freebie activities at our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

Crunching the Numbers for Anti-Bullying Day
Statistics on Cyber Bullying

February 17, 2020

February 26 is Anti-Bullying Day. Bullying is a problem that everyone experiences. From the schoolyard to the classroom and even online. Cyber bullying is a growing problem. With anonymity, people online feel empowered to bully others. The following guide shared to us by our friends at PACER features statistics on cyber bullying that can help spread awareness of this issue.

Here are some of those statistics:

• 73% of students feel they have been bullied in their lifetime.
• 77% of kids agree that bullying and cyber bullying is not a part of growing up.
• Cyber bullying is not limited to children and teenagers. Adults can be bullied; although this would be called harassment.
• 69% of people admit to doing something abusive to others online.
• Girls are more likely to be bullied online than boys.

To learn more, read all the cyber bullying statistics here. And, check out our October 2, 2017 blog post for strategies to help fight against cyber bullying.

 

 

 

 

Spread Kindness with Random Acts

February 3, 2020

February 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day. We encourage everyone to participate in the #RAKTIVIST movement. RAKtivists "live and breathe kindness, share knowledge and lead by example." With busy lives it's easy to internalize things and ignore what's happening around you. As such, we as people can become anti-social. When one thing in your day goes wrong, it can have a lasting effect for the rest of the day. So, for one day only, we encourage you to do something random and kind for someone else. Just a simple positive act can have just as much of an effect on someone's day. Doing something as simple as saying hello to a stranger, or holding a door open for someone behind you can create a ripple effect by placing that someone in a positive state of mind. You never know, you might inspire someone else to do something kind for another person. This chain can create a positive and harmonious community.

To help you get started, here's a list of some random acts of kindness you can perform in your daily life:

• give your spare change to a homeless person
• donate a canned food item to a food drive
• volunteer for a day
• pick up garbage in a park
• let someone go in front of you in line
• pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru
• say thank you to someone
• give someone a smile
• ask your server how their day is going

There's so many more little and big things you could do to turn someone's day into a positive one. We challenge you to pick just one random act to perform on someone this February 17 on Random Acts of Kindness Day. Who knows, you might get inspired and challenge yourself to keep this going for every day moving forward. For more inspiration download these FREE Random Acts of Kindness posters from RandomActsOfKindness.org.

 

 

 

 

Interesting Facts about American History

January 20, 2020

February is American History Month. Many key figures and events have sprung up throughout American history. From the Revolutionary War in 1775 to today, there are many important moments that highlight key change in America. To celebrate this month-long observance, here are interesting facts about key figures and events in American History.

• Out of all the famous figures who have signed the Declaration of Independence, Edward Rutledge was the youngest at 26 and Benjamin Franklin was the oldest at 70. Learn more about the American Revolutionary War.

• The 3 main problems that led to the American Civil War were: slavery, industry in the north vs. agriculture in the south, and states' rights. Learn more about the American Civil War.

• During World War 1, Woodrow Wilson presented his peace program to Congress, which came to be known as The Fourteen Points. Learn more about World War 1.

• President Franklin Delano Roosevelt created the New Deal to help the US recover from the Great Depression. Learn more about the US Economy.

• The Battle of Midway was the "turning point" of World War 2, where the US defeated Japan during a fight to control the Midway Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Learn more about World War 2.

• Before 1951, presidents could serve for many terms. Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected four times. The 22nd Amendment limited a president's consecutive terms to two. Learn more about the American Government.

Get inspired with free worksheets and activities from our Social Studies FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

Adapting to Change Quiz

January 6, 2020

Being able to adapt to change is a key skill any 21st century student should acquire. It's not easy to change. We as humans enjoy routine and a sense of comfort. Unfortunately, change is an inevitability, and something that we all will experience in our lifetime, whether it be in our personal lives or in the workplace.

So, how well do you handle change? Take this quiz and find out! For each question, mark off the answer that most applies to you. Then, tally up your scores using the key. Download the free How You Are With Change Quiz worksheet for the score key.

Get more tips on acquiring 21st Century Skills with our related freebie worksheets.

 

 

 

 

New Year Trivia Game

December 23, 2019

January 4 is National Trivia Day. What better way to ease back into a new year of studies than to start things off with a trivia-style game. Separate the class into 2 or more groups. Have them name their group something unique. Then, gather a series of trivia questions. You can choose from a variety of subjects. For instance, you could do movie trivia, or pop culture, or go a little more educational and have science trivia, or world history. Below are a few options to get you started.

• At MomJunction.com, you can search through trivia questions and answers from different categories like sports, science, history, movies and music: https://www.momjunction.com/articles/trivia-questions-and-answers-for-kids_00418437/#gref
• TriviaCafe.com has a variety of questions about general education topics: https://www.triviacafe.com/trivia-questions/education/
• Chartcons.com also has a variety of questions stemming from literature to geography: https://chartcons.com/100-trivia-questions-kids-answers/
• TeachersFirst.com provides a trivia quiz geared towards breaking the ice for high school students: https://www.teachersfirst.com/content/knowyou/trivia.cfm
• FamilyEducation.com has even more topics to choose trivia questions from, like animals, food, holidays, math, seasons and television: https://www.familyeducation.com/quizzes

There are multiple ways to play a trivia-style game. Below are 3 different variations along with instructions.

1. In this first style, simply read out the questions and allow each team to answer quietly. Then, if they get the answer right, they get a point. In this style, every team gets to answer each question. In the event of a tie at the end of the game, you could include a lightning round. Each team gets 1 minute to answer as many questions as they can. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

2. In this second style, each team is asked a single question. Only the one team is allowed to answer the question. If the team answers correctly, they get a point and the next team is asked a question. If the team answers wrong, then they receive no point, and the next team is asked a question. In the event of a tie, you could include a lightning round, similar to what is used in the first style.

3. This third style is a variation of the second. In it, each team is asked a question that only they can answer. If they get the answer right, they get a point and are asked another question. The same team may answer questions until they answer one wrong. If the team answers a question wrong, then the next team has a chance to answer that same question. In this version, it is unlikely that a tie will occur, but in the event that it does, you can include a lightning round similar to what is used in the first style.

Additionally, you can check out our FREE CONTENT page to gather more information to add to your trivia game.

 

 

 

 

How to Encourage Young Scientist to Keep Experimenting
Science Experiments Over the Holiday Break

December 9, 2019

With the holiday break looming, it's hard to keep students' minds in learning mode. Just because school is out, doesn't mean learning stops. It's important to encourage a curious mind, even when out of the classroom. Here are a few science experiments that are perfect to do at home this holiday break.

Growing Crystals
You can grow your own crystals using things found at home. You will need: table salt, white sugar and Borax. You will also need: 3 wide shallow bowls, distilled water and a clean container to mix the water and crystals in. First, warm the distilled water a little, not too hot. Add about a cup of warm water to the container. Add salt while stirring. Keep adding salt until it no longer disappears when stirring. Let the salt settle to the bottom, then pour the liquid off the top into one of the 3 bowls and set aside. Then, repeat these steps with the sugar and the Borax, each going into a separate bowl. Now you wait until crystals start to form.

Wind Direction
A weather vane tells which way the wind is blowing. You will make your own weather vane to determine which way the wind is blowing this winter season. You will need: a paper straw, a sheet of thick paper, a pin, a pencil, and some clay. First, cut a slit in each end of the straw. Cut shapes out of the paper that look like the ends of an arrow. Put the pieces of paper into the slits made in the straw. Make a ball of clay and stick the pointy end of the pencil in it. Push the pin halfway through the middle of the straw, then into the eraser on the end of the pencil.

Fossil Impressions
Fossils are the remains of animals or plants that are preserved from a long time ago. You can make your own fossil impression using a paper rubbing technique. Find a handful of objects around your home that you find interesting. Try to find objects that have a lot of texture, like bumps, indents or lines. You will need: a blank piece of paper and a pencil. Place the piece of paper over your object. Use the side edge of the pencil to rub over the paper that is covering your object. The texture of the object underneath the paper should start to appear. Don't press too hard with the tip of the pencil.

Get even more science experiments from our FREE CONTENT page. And for more great ideas to keep students learning this holiday break, check out our December 17, 2018 blog post for strategies on encouraging students to keep learning and maintain a curious mind over the holidays. Then, read our December 7, 2017 blog post to get tips on how to encourage students to keep reading over the holiday break.

 

 

 

 

Personal Hygiene: The Proper Technique for Cleaning a Cut

November 25, 2019

December 1-7 is National Handwashing Awareness Week. Proper handwashing is essential to everyday health. However, there are instances where handwashing isn't enough. For instance, when you get a cut, handwashing is just the first step to cleaning it.

Sometimes, you may get a cut on your body. It's important to clean this cut fast. If you don't, you can get really sick. When you don't clean a cut, germs can get into your body. This can cause problems for your health. Follow these steps to ensure a cut has been properly cleaned.

The most important step to cleaning a cut is its first step: wash with soap and water. This step can be mastered with proper handwashing techniques. Check out our November 19 blog post for some techniques and a video tutorial on how to properly wash your hands.

 

 

 

 

Get Moving with the Rubber Band Car Challenge

November 11, 2019

Celebrate Entrepreneur's Day this November 19 by challenging your students to design and build their very own race car. No, this isn't a life size car, but instead a small one. One that will be powered by rubber bands. Get into a small team or on your own. You will design, build, modify and race your car to victory.

1. Prepare.
a) What are some parts of a car you will need?
b) How does a car move?
c) Look up “Rubber Band Car” on the Internet for ideas.
d) Draw your design.
e) What parts of the Rubber Band Car are like a real car?

2. Build and Test.
a) How will you get the wheels to move at the same time?
b) Test your car. Does it do what you want? What changes could be made?
c) Make changes and re-test.

3. Let the race begin!
a) Race two or more cars at a time.
b) Which car was the fastest?
c) What car went the furthest?

4. Take it to the next level.
a) Make your car carry small items, like a tennis ball.
b) Have your car drive in sand, grass or thick carpet.

Now, think back on this exercise. How did you car design do? Try this same activity with another design. Check out our January 7 blog post for some steps on how to iterate and innovate. Or, take a look at our September 24, 2018 blog post for some techniques for inspiring innovation and iteration in the classroom.

 

 

 

 

NaNoWriMo Challenge: 30-Chapter Novel

October 28, 2019

November is National Novel Writing Month, commonly known as NaNoWriMo. Encourage students to write their own novel during the month of November, whether it be short or long. The challenge: Write a chapter a day. The length of the chapter can be short—one page—or long—several pages in length. It's up to the author. By the end of the month, each student will have a 30-chapter novel to call their own.

Not sure how to get started? Here are our top tips to help you start writing:

1. Brainstorm. Come up with ideas by writing down all of your thoughts about a subject in a set period of time.
2. General to Specific. Think of a general topic you're interested in, like science. Narrow this down further into a specific subject, like space science, planets, mars. Write a story about a trip to mars.
3. Pick a genre. There are many types of stories out there. Decide which one you'd like to write: adventure, historical, mystery, realistic, science fiction, fantasy, animal.
4. Map it out. Make a map of your story, like a timeline. Include characters and key plot points that you want to touch on at specific times. Follow this map as you write your story.
5. Free writing. Just start writing. Think stream of consciousness. Write what comes in your head using complete sentences. It's okay if it doesn't make sense or doesn't flow together. Don't think too much as you put pen to paper.

Still need help? Get started with these helpful writing prompts:

• Write about your best friend.
• Write about your best Christmas ever.
• Write about the most important event that happened to you.
• Write about your summer vacation.
• Write about the worst storm you've experienced.
• Write about your most cherished memory.
• Write about a vivid dream you remember having.
• Write about what you think the future might be like.
• Write about the time you went to a new place for the first time.
• Write about the time you learned something important.

Get inspired by some other well-loved novels with bonus activities from our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

The Good Side of Failure: A Learning Opportunity

October 14, 2019

Failure means you didn't do well at something you tried. This sounds bad, but it really isn't. It doesn't mean that you can't do it. It just means you can't do it in one shot. You need to try again. That's all. When you fail, look at what went wrong. Then, try again using a different method. Below is an example of someone trying to do something. For this scenario, explain how the person failed. Then, identify what they might have done wrong. What did they learn from each failure?

Susan was baking a cake. She was following the directions in a recipe. She needed 3 eggs, but only had 2. Her cake turned out too dry and didn't rise.

1. What was Susan's failure?
2. What did Susan do wrong?
3. What did Susan learn from her mistake? What should she do next time?

Everyone makes mistakes or fails at something from time to time. But when you fail you also learn something new. Every time you fail you can take a look at what you did wrong. This will help you become better for the next time you try.

To do things right, does not just mean to praise our success. It also means to learn from our failures. To fix what went wrong and do it again. Even if the second or third try does not work. Failing can be where you find strength and drive to push forward. You will fail many times. How you use and learn from these failures will show you what you're able to do. Here are 5 tips on how to fail with grace.

1. Take it all in.
When a failure happens accept it. How you react to what has happened, big or small, can make a difference to how you will carry on. Laugh it off, or take a break.

2. Ask why.
Reflect on why things went wrong. Find out where the change happened.

3. Make the change.
Accept that you have failed and why you failed. It is time to figure out what change has to be made. Then choose how to make sure it does not happen again. Failing is not bad, but failing the same way is.

4. Find the silver lining.
Within every failure, there is a lesson. The kind of lesson that later on will keep you from failing the same way again. Failures can help us learn more about ourselves. What strengths and weaknesses we have. So no matter how big or small the failure is, there is always a beautiful lesson to be learned.

5. Allow Grace.
Accept your faults and embrace them as things that make you who you are. No one is perfect, but sometimes we need to be reminded. So offer yourself some grace and time to reflect.

Don't be scared to fail. Making mistakes can be a lot of fun. Check out this free worksheet from our Learning Skills for Global Competency ready-made resource to learn how to have fun making mistakes.

 

 

 

 

Learning What's Right: The Tolerant Classroom

September 30, 2019

October is LGBTQ+ History Month. To celebrate, we encourage educators to teach tolerance all month long. Throughout history, advocates of the LGBTQ+ community have fought for equal rights, whether it be gender-specific, orientation-specific, or both. Take a look at the two timelines below to see key moments in the fight for gender and orientation-related rights.

The Fight for Gender-Related Rights

The Fight for Orientation-Related Rights

In teaching tolerance, first you must examine the concept of prejudice. Prejudice can exist in many forms! For example, some people don’t think a woman would make a good president. Another example is thinking that a woman should have to wear something ‘feminine’ to impress others. There are simple forms of prejudice against women that happen every day. We may not even notice them! Complete this hands-on activity from our Gender Equality & Inequality resource to not only brainstorm different examples of prejudice, but also to come up with possible solutions. Get the FREE DOWNLOAD HERE.

To further our study on tolerance, it's important to understand the idea of discrimination and where it comes from. Discrimination is an extension to prejudice. You see it everywhere. It can affect the classroom, workplace, even in the home. Below are a number of case studies that describe different kinds of discrimination. Choose 3 and describe how you could deal with the situation.

Case Study #1: Disability Discrimination
A school plans a trip to an art gallery. A blind student is not invited. This is because the school thinks she will not be able to participate in the gallery’s activities. Imagine you are her parent. What would you do?

Case Study #2: Sexism
There are a bunch of boys playing football in the park. A girl comes and asks if she can play. One of the boys says she can’t play because she’s a girl. Imagine you are one of the boys playing football. What would you do?

Case Study #3: Racism
There is a fight in the schoolyard between a white student and black student. The principal suspends the black student. The white student does not get a punishment. Imagine you are the vice principal. What would you do?

Case Study #4: Homophobia
A teacher describes gay relationships as ‘unnatural’ and ‘sinful’ during Sex Education. He says he will not discuss these types of relationships in class. There is a gay student in the class who is very upset by this. Imagine you are the student’s classmate. What would you do?

Case Study #5: Transphobia
A school is going on an overnight trip to a campsite. The camp says they can’t allow a transgender student to come on the trip. The reason is that they only have a boys’ tent area and a girls’ tent area. They claim they wouldn’t know where to put the student. Imagine you are the principal. What would you do?

Check out the Social Studies section of our FREE CONTENT page for some more relevant worksheets on tolerance.

 

 

 

 

Stay Safe Online for Cyber Security Awareness

September 16, 2019

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. There are lots of good things about being online. There are also lots of bad things. When you’re online, it’s easy to give away your information, or have your information stolen. This is called internet fraud. Internet fraud is when someone steals your information and then uses it as their own. Who’s at risk? People who shop online. People who use email and social media. People who use internet banking. If you put your information out there, someone can steal it.

Here are a few tips on how to avoid internet fraud:

1. Check your bank statements.
2. Don’t open emails from senders you don’t recognize.
3. Don’t use file sharing.
4. Destroy information before throwing it out.
5. Never give out your bank or credit card pin code.
6. Use safe sites.
7. Choose a password that uses numbers and upper and lowercase letters.

There are lots of fake emails that look real. They may offer cheap things, but these deals aren't real. When you look closely, they are scams. Your email account will get many fake emails. Most go to junk mail. They usually want you to click a link, or they may want you to change your password. They may want you to enter a password or ask for banking information. Just like fake emails, there are fake websites too. They are called phishing sites. They can pop up if your computer has a virus. Sometimes, the address is spelt a bit differently. It may look like a site you know. Don’t be fooled! There will be small things to notice.

Check out our free download from our Practical Life Skills: Managing Money ready-made lesson plan for help on how to spot a fake email. Get your free download here.

 

 

 

 

International Literacy Day: Literacy & Multilingualism

August 26, 2019

September 8 is UNESCO's International Literacy Day. The theme for 2019 is Literacy & Multilingualism. Multilingualism is the ability for a person to read or speak in more than one language. On this International Literacy Day, we celebrate those who can read in more than one language. Here are some reading tips for the multilingual reader.

1. Take your time. Don't rush through the reading. Whether you're reading in your first language, or your second, take your time reading. Make sure you understand not only the words, but the context in which they are being said. Pay attention to the tone of the story.

2. Keep an eye on punctuation. Some languages utilize different punctuation marks than others. For instance, in English, quotes from characters are generally surrounded by quotation marks (""). In Spanish, the same quotes will be contained within angular quotation marks («») or long dashes (—).

3. Don't fear the dictionary. Keep a dictionary handy while reading in a secondary language. If you come across a word you're not familiar with, look it up in the dictionary. From there, see how the word is used in the context of the novel to figure out the correct meaning.

4. Compare the reading. This involves having two copies of the same book, just in different languages. Have the book you're reading in a secondary language also available in your primary language. Keep them open at the same sections side by side. You can either read them interchangeably, or use the primary language version as a reference when you come across a section you're having trouble with.

5. Listen to the reading. Match the book with the audiobook. It helps to follow along with a reading while listening to a native speaker. You'll get insights into tone, inflexion and the context in which it was intended.

Test your literacy skills with our Novel Study Guides. Match the English version of the resource with its Spanish counterpart. Get started here.

 

 

 

 

How to Learn Better with the Help of your Brain

August 12, 2019

August is National Back to School Month. After the summer holidays, it's hard to get back into the learning frame of mind. Jump right into things by dissecting the strongest organ we have for learning—the brain. Get students into the spirit of learning by delving into how the brain works.

How do we learn new skills? What makes us able to remember? How are we able to recall past memories? Science has begun to explain how the brain works. But many things still remain a mystery.

Here are a few of the breakthroughs we know about our brain, and some suggestions to help you learn better.

1. More information does not mean more learning. It's better to break things down into chunks. Focus on one part at a time. Your brain cannot learn all things at once.

2. The brain is an always changing organ. Your brain isn't static. It grows and changes throughout your life.

3. Your mood affects how you learn. Negative moods can shut off parts of the brain. This makes it difficult to learn.

4. To learn, it is important to make mistakes. Let go of the error and build a new path in the mind. This helps it to grow and solve larger problems.

5. The brain needs new things and change. Repetition is good. But too much and the brain gets stuck. It's time to switch things up.

6. There are no learning styles. While you might prefer one style of learning. This doesn't mean you can't learn in other ways.

7. Brains work on the “use it or lose it” principle. Your brain must always be active. Practice what you are learning. Even outside of school.

8. Learning is social. Sharing what you know in a group setting can help make new connections.

9. Using the skills we are born with makes learning easier. Seeing and hearing patterns happens from infancy. Being able to learn language does too. Combining the two could make things easier to learn.

10. Learning can change brain structure. Learning new skills, doing activities or both at once. This grows new cells and can actually change the structure of the brain.

Get a free printout of this worksheet from our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

Flip the Classroom for Back to School

July 29, 2019

August is National Back to School Month. What better way to start the new school year than to flip things on their head. The flipped classroom isn't a new idea. It's a trend that's been going around for a few years now. Some have taken the leap, while others have stayed true to the traditional classroom format. Here, we break down what is a flipped classroom, why it's beneficial, and how to do it.

What's it all about?
A flipped classroom is the concept where students are introduced to the lesson at home. Then, they practice working through this content at school. How can this be done? While at home, students utilize technology to work independently through a lesson. While at school, students have a chance for one-on-one interaction with their teacher to complete the "homework" assignment. This allows for students to be more prepared with questions and background knowledge of the lesson. Students get the help they need while also developing independent study skills. By allowing students to target what they need help with, the learning process becomes more streamlined. Teachers are able to narrow down what the students aren't understanding, and students are more engaged and able to progress at their own pace.

How to make the leap?
So how does one make the leap to a flipped classroom? The answer is a lot of prep work. Teachers can pre-record their lessons and post them online for students to access at home. Alternatively, teachers could create PowerPoint presentations along with audio recordings for students to move through at their own pace. Be sure to encourage students to take notes and list potential questions they may have for the next day in the classroom. Once students return to the classroom, they can then ask targeted questions about things they need clarification on. During this time, teachers would assign the "homework" assignments for students to complete in class. This allows them to ask any necessary questions in order to complete the worksheets.

A Beginner's Guide
Where do you go from here? If you're interested in giving the flipped classroom a try, start with these steps:

1. The topic. What is the topic that will be the focus of your next lesson? Put together all the material you want to use in your lesson plan.

2. The content. How will you present this material to your students? Will you record your own videos? Will you use pre-recorded videos you find online, like YouTube? How will you share graphics and images? Make sure whatever you choose, the content is presented in a captivating way. Remember, your students will be reviewing these lessons on their own, so you want to make sure they are engaged.

3. The technology. Decide on what kind of technology you will be utilizing. Will you be posting your content online? Make sure students have access to the Internet at home. Will it be available to the public? You can create a private virtual classroom that only your students have access to. There are some apps that allow you to create lessons within a program, and even lets you track your students progress as they move through the lesson.

4. The testing. Consider adding comprehension questions throughout the lesson. Sure the bulk of the worksheets and projects will be done in the classroom the following day, but it may be a good idea to add small questions sprinkled throughout your lesson. This will break up the monotony of a lecture, as well as test student comprehension and help them determine what they need further clarification on.

5. The application. It's now the next day and all your students are in the classroom. Now's when you find out what your students didn't understand from the lesson and what they need help on. One-on-one time can be given to each student. Group activities, projects and worksheets can be completed during this time. Consider leaving time at the beginning of class to survey the at-home process with your students. Find out what worked and what didn't so you can streamline the process for the next lesson.

Take a look at this article from Edpuzzle.com for more information to help you start flipping your classroom.

Visit our FREE CONTENT page for freebie lessons and worksheets to supplement your lesson plan.

 

 

 

 

3 Ways to Celebrate National Wellness Month

July 15, 2019

August is National Wellness Month. This is a time to promote overall wellness in all areas: body, mind and spirit. Prepare a series of activities to run all month long with your family or students. Create a custom routine with exercises that target these three key areas. Or, come up with a series of practices to make part of your daily lifestyle. Here are 3 suggestions that cover the three areas of overall wellness: body, mind and spirit.

Body

The most basic thing you can do for your body to stay healthy is to drink water. Not many of us drink enough water a day to stay well. Water helps maintain balance and makes sure all bodily functions are working properly. It keeps your skin looking nice and the kidneys functioning.

The amount of water a person should have a day varies. It's recommended that adult men should get around 13 cups a day, while women should aim for 9 cups. For children between 4 and 8 years old, they should be having 5 cups of water a day. Between the ages of 9 and 13, they should be having 7 to 8 cups. And between the ages of 14 and 18, children should be having between 8 to 11 cups of water per day.

For the month of August, challenge your kids, students and yourself to meet this recommended amount of water consumption. Try it for 31 days straight and see if you notice a difference with your body health. If you're not a fan of water, there are a few tricks you can do to spice it up. Add fruit to a pitcher of water. Any combination will do, but cucumber and mint are a classic. If you prefer your carbonated beverages, try adding a few bubbles to plain water. If you need a hit of more flavor, add a few drops of your favorite sugar-free drink mix.

Mind

The mind gets tired, just like your muscles. Stress is a major opponent to someone's overall health. Not only does it affect your mind, but it can also show signs on your body. To relieve stress and clear the mind, consider a deep breathing or meditation routine.

Stress can cause someone to take short, shallow breaths, or even to hold it without realizing. Breathing, like water, is a key component to staying healthy. Breathing allows oxygen to enter the body. Oxygen is then sent to the blood and organs, including the brain. Help maintain good breathing practices and relieve stress with a deep breathing routine. Start by sitting straight and still. Take a long deep breath in for 3 seconds. Then, let it out slowly for 5 seconds. Do this for 1 minute a few times during the day.

You can take this deep breathing exercise even further by incorporating it into a meditation routine. For this, sit cross-legged on a pillow on the floor. Sit up straight and rest your hands on your knees. Close your eyes and start your deep breathing technique. As you breathe, release your concentration and let your mind clear. Allow thoughts to drift in and out of your mind. Try not to focus on any particular thing.

Spirit

Your spirit is an extension of your mind. It connects mind and body. Sleep is an important aspect of overall health. The way to get good sleep is with a balanced spirit. Consider completing a series of exercises right before bed. You should do this for 10 minutes before laying down, and definitely have no digital devices afterward.

Start off with some good stretching exercises. Some of these stretches can even be done on the bed itself. Sit tall. Inhale while you lift your arms. Exhale as you wrap your arms around you in a hug. Hold this stretch while you breathe deeply for 30 seconds. Inhale to open your arms back up. Exhale as you bring your arms around you again, this time with the opposite arm on top. Repeat the exercise. For the next exercise you will sit tall once more. Using your hand, place it over your head to the opposite ear. Gently pull towards your elbow so your ear comes to your shoulder. Hold this for a few deep breaths. Repeat on the other side. Facing forward, turn your head to look over your shoulder. Hold for a few deep breaths, then repeat on the opposite side. Drop your chin down and hold for a few breaths. Then, look upward and hold for a few breaths more.

You can take these simple stretches and combine them with a few yoga exercises. A great one is called Child's Pose. For this one, come down on your knees and sit back on your heels. Spread your knees outward, keeping your feet touching. Let your upper body come forward toward the ground. Extend your arms and let your forehead rest on the ground. Hold this position for several minutes, breathing deeply throughout.

What's Next?

You can learn more about how the body works with our Human Body series. You can also learn more about personal health with our Daily Health & Hygiene Skills lesson plan.

Check out our August 6, 2018 blog post for some more great fitness ideas.

 

 

 

 

Freedom and Independence in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

June 17, 2019

July 4th is not only Independence Day, it is also celebrated as Tom Sawyer Fence Painting Day. Tom Sawyer is the titular character in author Mark Twain's famous novel. Mark Twain is one of America's most iconic authors. He details the adventures of every-day American children. Independence Day is the perfect time to celebrate this author and take a look at some of the adventures of his mischievous characters, like Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

In Twain's novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, we see Huck flee from home with Jim, an escaped slave. The two travel together in search of freedom and their own independence. For this 4th of July, we challenge students to think of this concept of freedom and independence, and reflect on the struggles that early Americans encountered while searching for their own freedom.

Students will read the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Then, they will complete the two writing tasks below.

Get more Novel Study Guide-related freebie activities from our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

3 Engaging Activities for End of Year

June 3, 2019

June is a month of conclusion. As well as the end of Spring, it's also the end of the school year. With Summer and its accompanying time off looms closer, it's easy to stop thinking about the classroom and start thinking about hot days and cool nights spent outside. Although time in the classroom is ending, that doesn't mean time to learn has. Enjoy these 3 engaging activities that promote outdoor learning to celebrate the end of the school year.

1. Experiment for World Environment Day

World Environment Day is June 5. This year it will be hosted by China with the theme: Air Pollution. Head outside and discuss improvements to the quality of air that we breathe. To get started, complete a fact card and accompanying worksheets to learn about air. Then, complete an experiment to discover how we feel air around us. Get these free worksheets from our Air, Water and The Environment sister resource for primary students in grades 2-4.

2. Celebrate Changing Seasons

The first day of Summer is June 21. Celebrate the change in seasons with a look back at the past year. Think about the last year. What was the weather like where you live? How did the weather change with the seasons? When was it hot? When was it rainy? When was it windy? Write down everything you can remember about each of the four seasons. Draw a picture of each season as it looks to you where you live. Do you know what type of climate you live in? Are you in the North or South part of Earth? Do you see all 4 seasons or just a few? Write your answers in the free graphic organizer.

3. Explore the Skies for Meteor Watch Day

Meteor Watch Day is June 30. Take advantage of the summer nights and stare up at the sky. Appreciate the intricate designs made by the stars. See if you can make out any of the constellations. Now imagine a meteorite is heading for Earth. Write a news report or broadcast that warns of this imminent attack. Include interviews and facts about meteors. Get full directions with our free worksheets from our Solar System resource for middle school students in grades 5-8.

Get more freebie activities from our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

Tips for Personal Safety

May 21, 2019

June is National Safety Month. We are met with many dangers in our daily lives. These can be found in the home, on the web, or out in our community. There are some things you can do to ensure your safety. Below are a series of tips to help keep you safe.

Internet fraud is when someone steals your information. Then they use this as their own. Who's at risk? People who shop online. People who use email and social media. People who use internet banking. If you put your information out there, someone can steal it. Learn more about internet fraud with a free research activity from our free Daily Marketplace Skills bonus worksheets. Here are some tips to avoid internet fraud:

1. Check your bank statements.
2. Don't open emails from senders you don't recognize.
3. Don't use file sharing.
4. Destroy information before throwing it out.
5. Never give out your bank or credit card pin code.
6. Use safe sites.
7. Choose a password that uses numbers and upper and lowercase letters.

Workplace safety is an issue that is taken seriously by employers and the government. It's important to follow the safety rules as provided. Below is a list of common safety rules you might see at work:

For Your Safety…

• follow procedure
• stay in the speed limits
• use the right tools and equipment for the job
• always wear protective equipment
• make sure you have a valid work permit
• don’t walk underneath things
• turn power off before doing work
• always use a safety harness
• wear the right clothing

Create a workplace safety poster, part of our free Practical Life Skills - Employment & Volunteering bonus worksheets.

Personal safety is by far the most important thing. Keeping yourself safe in many different situations should be something everyone should consider. Below are the Dos and Don'ts for Public Safety:

Furthermore, staying safe while out in your community or traveling is even more so important. Being out of your comfort zone puts you on edge. Below are tips on how to stay safe in your community and while traveling:

Extend your study on personal safety with a graphic organizer with tips on How to be Safe in the Real World. Follow this up with a hands-on activity to create an emergency kit for the house and car. Download these FREE WORKSHEETS here.

Get more activities dealing with safety from our Social Studies section of our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

Building Good Communication Skills with Eleanor Estes

May 6, 2019

We wish Eleanor Estes a happy birthday on May 9. Best known for her 1944 novel The Hundred Dresses, this story evokes major themes of bullying. In her novel, Wanda Petronski is different from the rest of the children in her class. She is poor and friendless, and is seated in the worse seat in the classroom. Constantly teased and mocked by her classmates for wearing the same faded blue dress every day, Wanda claims to own 100 dresses. This obvious lie causes her peers to mock her even more, resulting in her father's decision to move her to a different school. Before she leaves, she enters a drawing contest where she designs 100 different dresses. She moves away before realizing she has won the contest and the respect of her classmates.

Eleanor Estes' emotional novel teaches us the importance of anti-bullying and not judging a book by its cover. We honor this concept by exploring some exercises to promote acceptance and tolerance. Learn about the importance of communication, including the different forms it comes in. Get tips to help build good communication skills. Then, explore the different kinds of non-verbal communication and complete a team building exercise without the use of words.

Download the FREE WORKSHEETS at our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

Building Personal Brands: Preparing for Tomorrow

April 22, 2019

April 25 is Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. Give the tools your kids need to get ahead and start thinking about their future career. Prepare your kids for their future with exercises on building personal brands. A personal brand is how you sell yourself to the world. When thinking about future careers, the first step to being a success is having a strong network. To have a strong network, the first thing to do is establish yourself as a strong candidate for potential job positions. In order to do this, you must first establish a strong personal brand for yourself.

Get started with this Build Your Personal Brand worksheet. It will guide kids in what they need to think about in order to start building their brand. Once this is complete, follow the steps to creating an Elevator Speech. Use this worksheet to both create and practice an elevator speech. Kids will have 3 minutes to sell themselves to a potential employer. Use these activities while at work as practice.

Visit the Social Studies section of our FREE CONTENT page for more free Life Skills worksheets.

 

 

 

 

A Study on Plastic for Earth Month

April 8, 2019

All month long we celebrate the Earth, culminating in Earth Day on April 22. This year's theme for Earth Month is Plastic... More Than Pollution. Plastic is used in nearly all manufacturing of products. It's the packaging that surrounds our many goods. It's used in furniture, utensils, cups and bags. And although it can easily be recycled, many of it finds its way into our trash or worse—as pollution in our environment.

This pollution not only makes the environment look dreadful, it also affects wildlife in a negative way. Much of the world's plastic pollution ends up in the ocean. Floating islands of garbage and debris invade ocean water habitat. Animals become trapped or ingest this toxic invader, usually resulting in their deaths. It's time to give this epidemic the attention it deserves. This month, let's educate ourselves on the deadly effects of plastic pollution.

Below we offer three activities to introduce your classroom into your study of plastic pollution. Use these questions as a starting off point into a more in-depth and hands-on look at this environmental invader.

1. Imagine that you have a yogurt for lunch. The yogurt comes in a plastic cup with a plastic lid. How could you use the yogurt container again instead of throwing it away?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Learn more about plastics recycling. Research the meaning of the plastics recycling number system. You may use the Internet or library resources. Be sure to find out:

• the difference between each type of plastic,
• the way in which each type of plastic is recycled,
• examples of each type of plastic,
• the products that each type of plastic are made into when they are recycled.

Create a poster to display the information you learned. Cut out photographs of different plastic products from each group. Write labels for each group to describe the type of plastic, how it is recycled, and what it is made into.

3. Number the events from 1 to 7 to show the order of events that leads to a turtle dying from eating a plastic bag.

___ a) A rain storm washes a plastic bag into a stream.
___ b) People bring food to a picnic in a plastic bag.
___ c) Deep in the ocean, a sea turtle mistakes the plastic bag for food.
___ d) The plastic bag lands at the bottom of a tree.
___ e) A stream carries the plastic bag to the ocean.
___ f) The plastic bag blows away in the wind.
___ g) A sea turtle eats the plastic bag.

Answers:
1. Answers will vary, but may include: Wash out the yogurt container and use it to store small objects, like change or small seashells.
2. Answers will vary based on resources used.
3. a) 4; b) 1; c) 6; d) 3; e) 5; f) 2; g) 7

Find more related activities from our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

UN World Water Day Challenge

March 18, 2019

UN World Water Day is March 22. Each year, the UN comes out with an overall theme that will be the main focus for World Water Day. This year, the theme is: Leaving no one behind. The goal here is to make clean water available for all by 2030. It's important to make safe water accessible to all, and the UN has challenged us to address the reasons why so many people are being left behind during this water crisis.

We'd like to forward this challenge on to you and your classroom. As a group, brainstorm possible reasons why so many people are without safe, clean water. Think about these questions:

• Who are the people that are being left behind?
• Why are these people being left behind?
• How can these people gain access to safe and clean water?

Get to know more about this theme at the World Water Day website and download a free factsheet. Find out how this year's theme is an extension of the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) that strives to ensure safe water for all by 2030. Learn more about the problem billions of people are facing without access to safe water, and gain possible insight to share during your classroom brainstorming session.

Delve deeper into this issue with additional resources, like posters and animations. Utilize these materials in your classroom event. Have students look at the posters, then design their own. Set up a station for the animations, then have your students storyboard their own. As a class, develop a social media campaign with the help of the Social Media Kit. Finally, take part in the "World's Largest Lesson" by introducing your students to the Sustainability Development Goals with provided educational resources.

Visit the World Water Day website to learn more about this event and how you can participate.

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Strong Women in March

March 4, 2019

March is Women's History Month. It's a time to honor and celebrate the strength that women share. There have been countless women throughout history who have shown great strength in the face of adversity. Many of these women have been immortalized in novels that have withstood the test of time. These novels have become literary classics that are read in classrooms all over the country.

Little House on the Prairie is one book in a series that can be considered the memoirs of one Laura Ingalls Wilder. Written as a narrative, the real-life woman tells her tale of growing up in a settler and pioneer family. Learn more about this extraordinary woman with 10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Laura Ingalls Wilder from Publishers Weekly.

 

 

 

Island of the Blue Dolphins tells the story of Karana, a young girl who is stranded on her home island after the rest of her people leave following a devastating encounter with the Aleuts. She survives alone for eighteen years before being discovered by men sailing to the island. This Newbery Medal-winning story is based on the real life of Juana Maria, who was marooned for eighteen years on San Nicolas Island. Learn more about The Lone Woman of San Nicolas and the island she inhabited from the National Park Service.

 

 

Esperanza Rising follows the childhood hardships experienced by Esperanza Ortega as she flees from her once-luxurious life in Mexico to a Mexican farm worker camp in California during the Great Depression. The novel is written by Pam Muñoz Ryan, the granddaughter of the real Esperanza Ortega, of which this novel is based on. As a young girl, Esperanza would tell her granddaughter stories about her life when she first came to the United States. Later, Pam would marvel at the stories of her grandmother's life in Mexico. Learn why Esperanza Ortega is a celebrated woman this month with the Author's Notes from Scholastic.

 

The Miracle Worker is an emotional portrayal of the relationship between a child and her teacher. In it, we follow Helen Keller, who is rendered deaf and blind at an early age. Her parents send for teacher Anne Sullivan to help the girl learn to communicate. The miracle happens when Anne spells the word "water" on Helen's hands while at the water pump, and Helen finally understands. Both of these real women show tremendous strength. With the help of Anne Sullivan, Helen Keller was able to grow up to graduate from college, help establish the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and receive many honors in recognition of her accomplishments. Complete this Research Assignment from our Free Content page to learn more about this amazing woman.

Visit our FREE CONTENT page for more great worksheets to supplement any theme.

 

 

 

 

Fact from Fiction: Migration and The Great Depression

February 18, 2019

This month we celebrate one of American Literature's most iconic authors. February 27 marks the birth of John Steinbeck. His fiction works captured what it was really like to live and work during The Great Depression of 1930s America. Through his storytelling, we are able to get firsthand experience through the eyes of his characters.

Migration is a major theme in many of his novels, most notably The Grapes of Wrath. During The Great Depression, families were forced to uproot their lives and travel across the country in order to find work. This mass migration is the focal point of his novel. We offer two FREE WORKSHEETS from our The Grapes of Wrath Novel Study Guide that capture the period of The Great Depression, otherwise known as the Dust Bowl; as well as a look at the historic Route 66, which saw many Americans travel along this highway to California.

The Great Depression—and mass migration that resulted—although a major theme in Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, was a real event that had a major negative effect on the citizens of the United States during the 1930s. It's worth learning more about this trying time as it remains a major part of our history. We encourage teachers to connect the fictionalized work of John Steinbeck with the non-fiction event that inspired it. We offer two FREE WORKSHEETS from our Economy & Globalization resource, starting with an activity surrounding the Stock Market Crash of 1929, which led to The Great Depression. From there, we provide a writing task assignment on The Great Depression, asking students to write a story in the same style as Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. Additionally, students will hold a panel discussion where they represent members of different countries to discuss international immigration policy.

Visit our FREE CONTENT page for more great worksheets to supplement any theme.

 

 

 

 

Mapping the Routes of African-American Movement

February 4, 2019

February is Black History Month, and for this year the theme is Black Migrations. We'd like to celebrate this rich history with a selection of freebie resource.

Start your journey with a stop at the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Read about this year's theme and its significance to the study of Black History.

Once you're familiar with the intricacies behind this year's theme, your next stop will be at the National Education Association (NEA). Here, peruse the available resources to help integrate African-American history and culture into your classroom. First, select the grade level you want. Then, choose from a variety of lesson plans and activities, like the In Motion: The African American Migration Experience, which asks students in grades 6-8 to participate in thirteen defining migrations.

Finally, visit our FREE CONTENT page for two migration-based writing tasks based on the novel, Underground to Canada. Use the provided graphic organizer map to illustrate the character's movement from a plantation in the south to their freedom in Canada.

 

 

 

 

Task Cards to Encourage a Lost Art

January 21, 2019

Handwriting is a critical skill every student learns. In recent years, we've seen a decline in this activity, making this form of writing a lost art. In this digital age, it may seem as though handwriting is no longer a necessary component of daily life. We disagree with this mindset. The truth is, even though typing has replaced how we write for the most part, there are still some times when writing by hand is necessary. It's important that when this happens, our handwriting is legible.

Maybe you're compiling a shopping list, or writing down a note for someone. What if that someone can't read your writing? Practicing common handwriting techniques at a young age can instill this timeless skill deep in students' framework so that they can retain that skill throughout their lives.

In celebration of National Handwriting Day on January 23rd, we've compiled a selection of task cards to practice key handwriting techniques.

              

Download a PDF version of these task card worksheets from our FREE CONTENT page.

 

 

 

 

New Year, New You
5 Steps to Iterating and Innovating

January 7, 2019

It's a new year, and a new chance for students to become new versions of themselves. As teachers, we inspire students to think in a new way. Here are our 5 steps to get students iterating and innovating this new year.

1. Dream
Think of a new method, idea or product. What is yours?

2. Brave
Stick with your Dream idea, even if others don’t like it. What were others saying about your idea? How did you feel?

3. Share
Tell your friends and family about your Dream idea. Get their points of view. What new ideas did you get?

4. Stick to It
This is the hardest part. Keep trying new things to make your Dream Idea better. What is the biggest roadblock you had to overcome?

5. Review
Compare your first Dream Idea to your final idea. What part improved the most?

Download a PDF version of this list in a worksheet format to print and hand out to your students.

Check out our September 24, 2018 blog post for some techniques for inspiring innovation and iteration in the classroom.

 

 

 

 

Strategies to Encourage Learning and Curiosity

December 17, 2018

During the holiday season, it's hard for students to associate the winter break with study. Help students stay ready for the New Year and the topics they'll be welcomed back to. Here are some of our strategies to create a curious mindset in your students so they don't stop learning during their time off.

Camouflage Questions

Camouflage key questions that will be answered in the New Year so students are thinking about them during their time away. This could be an overarching question on a specific topic that will be the focus on their return. Hide this overlaying question by associating it with a holiday theme. For instance, if you're in a location where students may be making snowmen on their time off, you could leave them with the question of, "how does snow get made?" In the New Year, discuss this question with your students as you lead into a unit on weather and the water cycle.

Mask Learning Tools with a Gift

It's customary for students to receive gifts during their winter break, so it's no wonder that this would be first on their minds. Send your students off with your own version of a holiday gift that is also educational. Look for small puzzles that will encourage their creativity or critical thinking skills. A holiday-themed crossword or word search puzzle along with a customized pen with their name on it would be a great idea. There are also small science experiment kits they could use. Send them off with an educational scavenger hunt to complete while they're away. Offer prizes to winners when they return.

Baking with Chemistry and Math

Chemistry and math are two subjects that are used in baking. Baking also just happens to be something that many families do during their winter break. Send students home with a holiday cookie recipe that is interspersed with math and chemistry questions. Have students convert some measurements in the recipe. Or, have the students double the entire recipe so they'll have lots to share. Include explanations of what's happening to the ingredients as they cook in the oven. Include an extension activity where students imagine what is happening in the oven, and tells the story from the point of view of the ingredients.

Remember, winter break is a time to relax and spend some quality time with family. Even sharing some creative craft ideas for students to complete with their loved ones is a great way to keep their minds busy and curious. Check out some of our favorite holiday-themed crafts at our pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/christmas-crafts/

 

 

 

 

Travel Through Time with Task Cards

December 3, 2018

Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day is December 8. Put history and imagination to the test with these time-travel-themed writing tasks.

Download a PDF version of these task cards to print and hand out to your students.

Check out more related FREEBIES at our Free Content page.

 

 

 

 

Spread the Word, not the Germs with Proper Handwashing Techniques

November 19, 2018

National Handwashing Awareness Week is December 2-8. Proper hygiene techniques is a vital component of daily life skills for all young learners to master. This all starts with proper handwashing techniques.

Proper handwashing technique starts with wet hands. Apply enough soap and scrub hands together to form a lather. Rinse, then dry hands with a clean towel.

To break it down further, follow these steps:

• Scrub palms over the back of each hand. Interlace fingers as you do so.
• Return to scrubbing palms while interlacing fingers.
• Scrub the backs of each finger against the palm.
• Scrub the fingertips against the palm, making sure to get soap underneath the fingernails.
• Grab each thumb and rotate palm around it.
• Scrub around each wrist.

Watch this video to see proper handwashing techniques in action.

Once these handwashing techniques are mastered, learners can implement these strategies to all areas of their lives. Follow this infographic to learn proper daily hygiene habits.

Get your FREE worksheet here.

 

 

 

 

Get Experimenting with STEAM Day

November 5, 2018

November 8 is National STEM/STEAM Day. It's a time to encourage students to get involved in the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. We're doing our part by sharing these engaging science experiments.

Physical Science

Students will conduct an experiment to see Electric and Magnetic Forces in Action.

Get your FREE worksheet here.

 

 

 

 

 

Life Science

Why do we have thumbs? Students get to answer this question with an adaptation experiment.

Get your FREE worksheet here.

 

 

 

 

 

Earth & Space Science

Students make their own Rain Gauge to see how much rain falls.

Get your FREE worksheet here.

 

 

 

 

 

Check out more related FREEBIES at our Free Content page.

Visit our pinterest board for some more FREE STEAM experiments:
https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/steam-for-young-scientists/

 

 

 

 

Thinking Critically with Task Card Puzzles

October 22, 2018

Get your students thinking critically with these practice task cards. These puzzles will help students improve their logic and reason skills.

              

              

              

Download a PDF version of these puzzles to print and hand out to your students. Answers included.

Check out more related FREEBIES at our Free Content page.

 

 

 

 

Strategies for Getting Ready for Parent-Teacher Conferences

October 8, 2018

It's parent-teacher conference time. This is a time for parents to get caught up on everything their child has been up to in school so far. It can be a very rewarding time for both parents and teachers as they become familiar with one another. Here are our strategies for teachers to become better prepared for a successful meet and greet with their students' parents.

First Impressions

It's good to expect parents to show up with a positive attitude. However, keep in mind that you may encounter frustrated parents of a challenging student. It's important to approach these situations calmly and patiently.

• Let the parent release their frustrations. Don't go on the defensive. Allow the parent to speak their mind. They will want to hear your response afterward.
• Clearly explain the situation to the parent. Explain why his or her child is having trouble in your class.
• Explain to them which steps have been taken to rectify this situation, and which steps will be implemented in the future.

You will want to leave parents with a sense of understanding and a clear plan moving forward.

Get to Know

The point of a parent-teacher conference is to communicate your classroom goals as well as update parents on their children's progress.

• Be open to new ideas. Parents may approach you with suggestions specific to their own child's learning style. These suggestions may be good to implement to the class as a whole.
• Be organized. Have your materials ready ahead of time. These can be project grades, test marks, or just observation notes you've compiled.
• Make sure each student has their own folder containing these materials. You'll want to have everything you need in a place that you can easily and quickly access.

Being organized not only puts the parents at ease, but it will make you more confident while discussing each students' progress.

Closing Statement

End each meeting on a positive note. You'll want parents to leave the meeting feeling confident in their child's progress.

• Make sure to follow-up each meeting with a thank you.
• If a parent did not attend the meeting, make sure you contact them directly with notes on their child.
• Ensure your contact information is up-to-date. Regular communication with parents moving forward can only benefit everyone involved.
• Take any notes you gathered during the meeting and implement them into your lesson planning and classroom management.

More Resources

Use these printable handouts for your parent-teacher conference. Get tips on how to properly communicate with parents, as well as important questions to be prepared for. Complete a conference worksheet to give to parents at the end of the meeting as a take-home information sheet of things discussed. Give parents a survey to encourage involvement in their child's classroom.

              

For more tips and strategies, check out these other resources:

Tips for Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences - Education World

Parent-Teacher Conferences - Eric J. Gabor, Kids Health

Teacher Tips for Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences - Scholastic

 

 

 

 

Techniques for Inspiring Innovation and Iteration in the Classroom

September 24, 2018

Innovation is creating something completely new from scratch. Iteration is creating a different version of something that already exists, like making it better. Inventors are innovators. They can also make existing inventions better. Help students become inventors in their own right with these teaching techniques.

1. Creative Endings

Have your students stretch their creative minds by completing an unfinished paragraph. Provide the start of a paragraph, and instruct your students to be as creative as possible when finishing it. There are no right or wrong answers. Here's an example to get you started:

I was in my basement and found a secret door! I slowly started to open it and...

2. Challenge the Status Quo

To be innovative, students will challenge the status quo. Start by explaining what is the status quo: the way things are or have always been done. Have your students challenge this idea by asking them the following questions:

• What needs to be challenged?
• What needs to be improved?
• What is the greatest risk?
• What can you expect?
• What can you learn?

Once you've prepped your students' minds, have them explain what action they will take to challenge the status quo.

3. Unlocking Zero-Based Thinking

Zero-Based Thinking is a way of thinking about things. Students can be much more innovative and creative using this method. It is about thinking with no limits. Encourage students to start thinking in this manner when faced with a problem. Have your students break into teams. Ask them to imagine that they are designing a new fridge. Make sure they don't discuss what they DON'T like about their current fridge. Make sure they discuss what their ideal fridge should be like.

4. The Iteration Corner

Create a designated section of your classroom for iterative ideas. The Iteration Corner is where students will make something better. Have them think of a new version of something that they like. Set up a station of different things that are "old". In another station, have all the latest versions of these same things. Students will compare the old versions with the new. Students will answer the following:

What's different between the two versions?
What do you like best about the new version?
Name one thing you would change about the new version. What would your next iteration look like?

5. The Innovative Corner

This is where students will make something new or different. Set up a station that will let students think of new ideas. Have examples of new things throughout history. Students will think up their own ideas. There's no limit to their imagination. They don't need to be realistic. They do need to reach a demand in today's culture. Have students describe their new ideas in an oral presentation.

Utilize these free resources in the classroom to get your students in the innovative mindset:

Examples of Iteration and Innovation matching activity.

Great Innovations Throughout History timeline poster.

Innovation in an American Icon research activity.

Check out our pinterest board for some more FREE worksheets from our Life & Workplace resources: https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/life-workplace-skills/

 

 

 

 

Strategies for a Bilingual Classroom

September 10, 2018

Whether you're learning English or a secondary language, a bilingual classroom can be challenging to navigate. Some students may speak one language, while the rest are speaking another. It can be hard to communicate to both groups of students together. We have compiled a list of strategies to help teachers turn their diverse classroom of students into bilingual learners.

1. Diverse Group Work

Pair students with different language backgrounds together. This creates a challenge for students to break language barriers. It also helps them learn from each other.

2. Learning Style Objectives

Create lessons that utilize multiple learning styles. For example, incorporate a visual aspect as well as a verbal aspect to a lesson. Have students complete an activity using only visual means, like a diagram or poster. Then, have students complete a similar activity using only verbal means, like an oral presentation.

3. One-on-One Communication

Take the time to communicate with each student one-on-one, providing a positive experience for each student. A short 5-minute small talk session can be a valuable tool in a bilingual classroom. Start a conversation in one language, then switch partway through. Mix it up with the student using one language and you another.

4. Language Expectations

Set specific expectations when a certain language is to be used. Conduct one full lesson in a singular language. Then, conduct another full lesson in a secondary language. Set limits for your students to use only one language at a certain time. This will encourage students who speak a certain language to mingle with students who speak the other.

5. Multi-Language Communication

Encourage students to speak using both languages together. Say one sentence in English, followed by another sentence in another language. Swap words from multiple languages within a single sentence.

6. Bridging Translation

Have students translate sentences from one language to another. You can once again pair students with different language backgrounds to help each other during this process.

Start your bilingual classroom off strong with these ready-made SPANISH-language Novel Study Guides.

For more tips and strategies, visit these resources:

Five Fundamental Strategies for Bilingual Learners - Kevin M. Wong, Huffington Post

Bridging Content and Language: Strategies from a Dual Language Classroom - Gretchen Vierstra, Teaching Channel

ELL Strategies & Best Practices: Bright Ideas for Teaching ELLs - Colorín Colorado

 

 

 

 

How to Stay Organized for Back to School

August 20, 2018

It's that time of year again. A new school year is starting. New and returning students are filling the classrooms. Are you ready to start off strong? It can be hard to be prepared for a fresh class. Get off on the right foot with these techniques and tips to help stay organized those first few weeks.

1. Get the Lay of the Land

It may sound silly, but you should take a good look at your classroom. Take note of the location of boards, windows and shelves. Count the number of desks. Are there enough? How's the layout? Try grouping desks together to form little islands in your classroom. This allows for students to take advantage of group learning, as well as give them the opportunity to work individually if needed.

2. Get Stocked Up

Make sure you have enough supplies. This goes without saying, but is an important step nonetheless. Are there enough textbooks for each student? Will some need to share? Are there enough pens, paper, notebooks, or craft supplies? What about calculators, rulers or microscopes? Keep a list on hand of how many supplies you have and need. During the first few weeks, mark off what's been used so you'll know what you'll need to replenish before you run out.

3. Get Labeling

Labels are always great for organization. They're functional and look good too. Put away the tried-and-true label maker and let your creative juices flow. Label paint stir sticks using your calligraphy skills and use them to organize books on your shelf by genre. Chalkboard paint or dry erase tape can be used for quick and easy re-writes.

4. Get Going with Bins

We've all been there. We've had the intention of not letting things pile up, but before you know it, you've got a huge pile of papers on your desk. Sometimes this gets away from you when you just don't have the time right that second to file it away. Get yourself a bin to put those last-minute papers you just don't have time for. Pick a time each week to go through this bin and put everything in its rightful place. Commit to the same time each week and you'll find that big ol' pile of papers on your desk was a thing of the past.

5. Get Familiar with Cubbies

Passing papers between you and your students can quickly get out of control. Build a cubby system to make this process stay functional. Use a shoe organizer or cube bookcase. If space allows, add short baskets to each cubby so papers don't get lost or blown away. Add each student's name with your tried-and-true label system. Use this system to share homework, assignments, projects, and permission slips with your students.

BONUS

Your classroom is ready and you're set for the first few weeks to go smoothly. Instead of just jumping right into the lesson you have prepared, what if you started things off with a game. The idea is to break the ice between you and your students. It's also a great way to get even the shy students in your class to feel comfortable. Instead of taking attendance, play the name game. Instead of calling each students' name, have them tell you and the rest of the class. Have them share a short funny story from their summer to go along with their introduction.

Check out our pinterest board for some more great ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/back-to-school/

 

 

 

 

Get Active with Your Child

August 6, 2018

It's Exercise with Your Child Week! School might be out, but that doesn't mean learning stops. As a teacher, you know the importance of stretching the mind, but don't forget about the muscles. Get active and promote a healthy lifestyle while spending some quality time with your child. Start by making a fitness routine to follow for the week. First, decide what type of fitness routine you want. Take a look at the Cause and Effect chart below. Decide on the effect you want from your workout. Then, find out what action will cause that effect. From there, review the list of exercises tailored to each option. Make your custom fitness routine and use our Daily Fitness Chart to keep track of your progress.

Need help coming up with fun exercises to do together? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Yoga — If you want a more relaxing experience, Yoga is great for stretching, getting flexible, and practicing proper breathing techniques. You and your child will feel relaxed and refreshed after this workout.

2. Pilates — If you want something a little more upbeat, try Pilates. The moves are similar to Yoga, but focus more on being active. Target your core, lower or upper body, and see some strength and flexibility return to your muscles.

3. Walking — This is a great low-impact workout to do together. Pick a nice scenic route to follow. Catch up with things that have been happening in each other's lives. Set an end goal, like reaching a place that sells all-natural smoothies as a reward. Need something more intense? Try jogging or running instead.

4. Dance — This one is great and requires no instructions to follow. Just turn on some upbeat tunes and let the music take you. Pick your favorite song and create a dance routine. Try to learn a new dance form. If you have access to a video game console, play along with a dance-style game.

5. Frisbee — Grab your Frisbee and head outdoors. Play a game of catch, or take things up a notch with Ultimate Frisbee. Make up your own rules of the game. Get others to join in. Use this concept with any type of sport.

Want even more of a challenge? Try our Cardio Workout to calculate your key to losing weight. Find your specific heart rate zone and use a heart rate monitor to make sure you stay on track. Try to stay within this zone while you move through different cardio workouts, like aerobics, walking, biking, and even dancing.

We challenge you to keep this fitness routine going after this week. Follow your plan for a couple weeks. See if your goals are slowly being met. Make small changes to better your plan. After about 2 months, look over your plan. Was it a good plan? Did you achieve or are well on your way to achieving your goal? Write a blog of your experiences. Would you recommend this fitness plan for others? Ask others to participate. Make a month-long challenge that follows your plan.

 

 

 

 

That's one small step for Moon Day

July 16, 2018

July 20 is Moon Day. This day commemorates Apollo 11's landing on the surface of the moon. This event saw humankind's first step on the surface of another celestial body. Go back to this pivotal day in history by counting down the events that led us there.

Use our interactive timeline to track Apollo 11's history-making journey. Complete with images and videos of the event. From our Ready-Made Space Travel & Technology Digital Lesson Plan.

Get the timeline for PC.

Get the timeline for MAC.

 

Apollo 11 Mission to the Moon Timeline

July 16 - Launch: At 8:32 a.m. EST, Saturn V rocket carrying Apollo 11 blasts off from Launch Pad 39A at Cape Kennedy, Florida. The three-man crew — Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin, Jr. — begin their trip to the Moon.

July 17 - Color Telecast: At 6:31 p.m. EST, the Apollo 11 crew start their first scheduled color telecast showing the view of Earth from their spacecraft. At a distance of about 128,000 nautical miles (237,056 kilometers), the 36-minute transmission also shows the inside of the Command Module.

July 19 - Lunar Orbit Insertion: At 12:21:50 p.m. EST, Apollo 11 flies behind the Moon and gets captured by the Moon's gravity. A 35-minute telecast of the Moon's surface focuses on the landing site. At this point, the spacecraft orbits the Moon every 2 hours.

July 20 - Lunar Landing: At 3:17:40 p.m. EST, the Lunar Module separates from the Command Module and makes its way to the surface of the Moon. It lands and a message is immediately sent to Mission Control in which Armstrong announces, "The Eagle has landed".

July 20 - First Step: At 9:56:15 p.m. EST, Armstrong moves down the ladder of the Lunar Module. Armstrong puts his left boot on the Moon's surface, announcing, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind".

July 21 - Lunar Lift-Off: At 12:54:01 p.m. EST, the Lunar Module lifts-off from the surface of the Moon and re-connects with the Command Module before starting the return trip to Earth. The crew leaves behind instruments, the American flag, and the descent stage of the Lunar Lander.

July 24 - Splashdown: At 11:50:35 a.m. EST, the Command Module re-enters Earth's atmosphere and splashes down in the Pacific Ocean, 825 nautical miles (1,528 kilometers) southwest of Honolulu.

Check out our pinterest board for some more FREE worksheets and activities: https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/space-exploration/

 

 

 

 

Going Back in Time for Independence

July 2, 2018

July Fourth is Independence Day, when we celebrate the thirteen American colonies declaring independence from the British Empire on July 4, 1776. This marked the beginning of a new nation, built on freedom. It's become one of the biggest holiday celebrations in the U.S., comprised of parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, and concerts, culminating in a fireworks show.

Get back to its roots with an in-depth look at the events that started it all. Review the Declaration of Independence with this color version. Read about some of the major figures who played an important role during the war. Hang this color poster of some key figures as a supplement to the reading passage. Pick one of these famous figures and write a comprehensive biography. Using various resources, children will research the figure that they personally find interesting. Become a delegate for one of the thirteen colonies represented at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Role-play some of the issues that led to the Declaration of Independence.

Check out our pinterest board for some more FREE worksheets and craft ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/fourth-of-july/

 

 

 

 

Free Content for Summer Reading

June 18, 2018

Encourage students to continue reading during the summer break. Use these FREE graphic organizers and reading response forms to supplement their learning.

              

              

Assign these recommended classic and award-winning novels. Pair them with our selection of Novel Study Guides to test reading comprehension.

Grades 3-4
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Charlotte's Web
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
James and the Giant Peach

Grades 5-6
Holes
My Side of the Mountain
A Wrinkle in Time
Tuck Everlasting

Grades 7-8
Treasure Island
The Hunger Games
The Westing Game
The Cay

Grades 9-12
Fahrenheit 451
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Divergent
Lord of the Flies

Check out our pinterest board for some more FREE worksheets: https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/travel-with-literature/

 

 

 

 

Free Content to Start Off the Summer Season

June 4, 2018

It's the end of another school year and summer break is fast approaching. Did you know we offer hundreds of free resources in all subjects? And more are added every day. Bookmark the popular CCP Interactive links below for access to your library of a variety of ready-made lesson plans, worksheets and resources. Enjoy the summer knowing you'll be ready for back-to-school with access to free content.

FREE HOME SCHOOL RESOURCES >

Ready-made lesson plans are a successful tool for parents who home-school their children. Aligned to the most up-to-date curriculum, our supplemental resources provide the information parents need to successfully teach their children.

FREE EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE >

Bring the classroom into the 21st century with interactive content. Get started with several free chapter samples that include curriculum-based lessons, games and puzzles.

FREE LESSON PLANS >

Our consistent teaching pedagogy allows teachers to become familiar and confident in our content. Maximize your custom curriculum with a variety of samples and free lesson plans.

FREE TEACHING MATERIALS >

Our ready-made lesson plans are popular among teachers due to their consistent format and teacher guide inclusion. View sample teacher guide pages and see what's included, such as built-in tools for student assessment.

FREE WORKSHEETS >

Our resources follow a tried-and-true teaching pedagogy that maximizes ease-of-use, and ensures each resource will fit within every teacher's pedagogy. Get to know what's inside each Chapter Slice with these free sample handout pages.

Check out our pinterest page for some more FREE worksheets: https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive

 

 

 

 

History of Communications Technology

May 21, 2018

On May 24, 1844, Samuel Morse sent the first telegraphic message from Washington DC to Baltimore. It said, "What hath God wrought?" This marked the beginning of electronic communication. Nowadays, it's hard to imagine a time before digital communications. Most of us communicate through some sort of device, whether it's a computer, tablet or phone.

Read about the development of the telegraph and how it led to modern electronic communication. Then, complete this hands-on activity to learn about different modern communications technologies that help people around the world stay connected and exchange information. Expand on this with a look at different communications used around the world. Do some research, then create a bulletin board to present this information in a visual manner. Finally, Complete the research task below to understand how people communicated in the past.

The history of communication technology is a vast one. Its evolution is a fascinating topic to explore. This mini color poster outlines some of the key breakthroughs in communications technology. Follow this timeline to see the growth of communication, and perhaps predict where we're headed next.

 

 

 

 

Check out our pinterest board for some more FREE communication technology worksheets and infographics: https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/communication-technology/

 

 

 

 

Teacher Appreciation

May 7, 2018

It's Teacher Appreciation Week. We here at CCP Interactive want to thank our community of teachers for the wonderful job they perform all year long. Shaping young minds and getting students ready for a successful future is no easy task. That's why we want to give our teachers some FREE graphic organizers and posters to use in the classroom. Just our way to say thank you.

Language Arts
Experiment with short vowel words with our Onset and Rime Circles spinner. Spin both wheels to form short vowel words. Great for phonics and primary learners. Use the Book Report Graphic Organizer as a guide to complete the perfect book report. Students fill in each paragraph section before writing their essay. Complete the open-ended Character Analysis graphic organizer for any novel in order to better understand the characters. Great for any book and any grade.

Get your FREE worksheets here.

Mathematics
These open-ended worksheets are great to use over and over again. Start off with Number & Operations. Find the missing numbers in a number chart. Identify the fraction that is shaded. Fill in the number that comes before or after. In Algebra, solve equations given the value for x. Solve equations using order of operations. Find the average from 5 numbers. Examine the concept of time with a Measurement task. In groups, time each person completing a task. Change up the groups and the task for unlimited use.

Get your FREE worksheets here.

Science
These posters are great to post around the classroom for students to use as reference. Get a handle on geology with a poster detailing the Types of Rocks and Minerals found on Earth. Use The Periodic Table to find the elements studied in chemistry. Get to know Plant & Animal Cells with a colorful and informative diagram.

Get your FREE worksheets here.

Life Skills
Teachers not only shape students for a successful academic career, but also for successful lives. Use the Laundry Labels poster to give students the confidence to do their own laundry. Hand out the Daily Fitness Chart to encourage students to become more active and to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Get students ready for jobs of the future with the Personal SWOT Analysis. This graphic organizer lets students get to know their strengths and weaknesses.

Get your FREE worksheets here.

Find more FREE content offered at our website.

Check out our pinterest page for some more FREE worksheets: https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive

 

 

 

 

Strategies to Solving a Problem

April 23, 2018

One very important life skill to have is the ability to solve problems. Problems occur in many ways. They can be simple, like a burnt out light bulb. Or, they can be more complicated, like not having enough money to buy groceries one week. Being able to solve these problems is a valuable skill to have when living on your own. It all starts with the approach. Here are 5 strategies to help solve a problem.

1. Write down the problem. Write down what the problem is. Mention what you would like to change about this problem.
2. List possible solutions. Make a list of all the solutions you can think of. This may take some time. You can choose to brainstorm ideas with others.
3. Evaluate solutions. Look at all your solutions. Cross-off ones that you know won’t work.
4. Pick a solution. Pick one of the solutions that makes the most sense.
5. Result and change. How did your solution work? Is your problem fixed? If not, then pick a new solution from your list and try again.

Use this Problem Solving Graphic Organizer from our Daily Social & Workplace Skills resource to help complete the 5 strategies above. Keep it as a reference to help solve any problem that may come up in the future.

Check out our pinterest board for some more FREE worksheets from our Life & Workplace resources: https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/life-workplace-skills/

 

 

 

 

Becoming a Success with Leadership Skills

April 9, 2018

A leader is someone that takes charge of something. This may sound fun, but it isn't an easy job. Everyone will be looking to the leader for answers. It's hard to be a leader, but it's also important. Learning to be a good leader will make your students a better choice for future jobs. It will give them the skills they need to be a success.

Here are the qualities of what it takes to be a leader:

Motivation: The reason to do something.
Confidence: To believe in yourself.
Communication: To get someone to know what you are trying to say.
Integrity: To be honest and fair.
Creativity: To have great ideas and can think on your feet.
Commitment: To work just as hard as everyone else.

Everyone can be a leader. They already have it in them. Try this leadership exercise with your students to see just how good of a leader they are:

House of Cards Activity
Get into small groups of 3 to 5 people. One person is chosen as the leader. The group must build a house of cards using a single deck of 52 playing cards. Here's the catch: only one person can build at a time. The leader is in charge of telling the group who can go, how many cards they can use, and where to place these cards. The leader will have to work with their group to make these decisions.

1. How high did you get your house of cards?
2. How many times did it fall and you had to restart?

Try these other 2 leadership exercises from our Learning Communication & Teamwork resource, part of our 21st Century Skills series.

Inspire your students to have a leader mentality with this Leadership Quotes poster.

Check out our pinterest board for some more FREE worksheets from our Life & Workplace resources: https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/life-workplace-skills/

 

 

 

 

Have an Adventure this Read a Road Map Day

March 26, 2018

April 5th is National Read a Road Map Day. Its purpose is to encourage people to go out with friends and only a map. Before the days of GPS, reading a road map was a valuable skill. Grab the FREE road map graphic organizers below and start an adventure.

Start by learning the basics of map reading by identifying features on a map with the Map Elements on a Neighborhood Map graphic organizer. Get your FREE graphic organizer here.

Next, use the North America Transportation Map to plan a trip anywhere on the continent. Get your FREE graphic organizer here.

       

Check out our pinterest board for some more FREE worksheets from our Geography resources: https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/geography-travel-the-world/

 

 

 

 

Acceptance, Inclusion and Independence for Autism Awareness

March 12, 2018

Get ready for National Autism Awareness Month in April by promoting acceptance, inclusion and independence in the classroom. Here are several worksheets from our 21st Century Skills and Daily Life Skills series to get students in the spirit.

Collaboration - Project Based Learning

Promote cooperation between peers with a group tower building project. In small groups, have your students work together to build a tower made only of toothpicks and marshmallows. Test the structure by placing an object on top. If it collapses, have your students re-build their tower until they have a sturdy creation.

Get the free worksheet here.

Get more ideas from our Learning Communication & Teamwork lesson plan.

Self-Care Skills

Encourage independence by providing the steps involved with personal hygiene. Give your students the confidence to take care of themselves with information on how to properly wash their hands and clean a cut.

Steps in Washing Hands: 1. Wet Hands 2. Add Soap 3. Scrub 4. Rinse 5. Dry with Clean Towel
Steps in Cleaning a Cut: 1. Wash with Soap and Water 2. Wipe with Alcohol 3. Add Healing Cream 4. Put on a Band-Aid

Get the free reading activities here.

Get more ideas on self-care skills from our Daily Health & Hygiene Skills lesson plan.

Community Safety

Teach your students the necessary skills to be safe in the real world. Get helpful tips like knowing your route when traveling, or understanding that it's okay to say no when someone makes you uncomfortable.

Get more helpful tips to staying safe in the real world with this free poster.

Check out our pinterest board for some more FREE worksheets from our Life & Workplace resources: https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/life-workplace-skills/

 

 

 

 

Telling Time for Daylight Savings

February 26, 2018

Daylight Savings is coming March 11. Get ready with these time-related practice task cards.

Measuring Time for Grades PK-2

Ellie ate lunch at 12:00 p.m. It took her 30 minutes. What time was it when Ellie finished eating?

Nathan is looking at the clock in his kitchen. What time does the clock show?

Get these task cards.

 

 

 

 

Temperature & Time for Grades 3-5

Taylor gets home from school at five minutes after three. At three fifty, Taylor goes to the park for soccer practice. How many minutes go by from the time she gets home from school to the time she leaves for the park?

Rafael woke up at quarter after seven in the morning to get ready for school. He was waiting for the school bus an hour later. What time did Rafael wait for the bus?

Get these task cards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teaching Strategies to Get Students Reading

February 9, 2018

It can be a hard task to encourage students to read. Whether it's a new book, a reading assignment, or a research report. Yet it's an important skill that will become a key part of their daily lives. Some students pick up this skill with ease, yet there are others who struggle. It's important as educators to instill confidence in every reader.

Janelle Cox is an education writer who contributes her expertise to empowering educators with helpful strategies to incorporate into their classrooms. She gives teachers the tools to motivate students to learn and have successful academic careers. Here she has compiled 5 Teaching Strategies for Reading as a contributing writer for TeachHUB.com:

1. Graphic Organizers as Teaching Strategies
In her article, Janelle stresses the benefits of using graphic organizers as a reading strategy. "Graphic organizers enable students to visually see the connections they are reading." This is a powerful tool that allows students of all learning styles to gain comprehension skills based on what they are reading.

Try out some of these FREE graphic organizers to help engage readers.

2. Incorporating Technology
Janelle notes there are many different pieces of technology that can help students with reading. Options like websites and tablets that incorporate games to enhance reading skills. Games are a great way to encourage students who don't like reading activities.

Try out this decision-making game for MAC and PC to practice students' reading skills.

3. Activating Prior Knowledge
The key to comprehension is connecting what you learn to what you already know. Janelle suggests asking students a few questions to help activate their prior knowledge. Some questions include: What do you know about the topic? How can you relate this to your own life? Get a list of some more questions at Janelle's article.

4. Using a Word Wall
A Word Wall is "an effective strategy that can help promote literacy for primary learners". Janelle points out that this timeless classroom display helps students by providing reference and support as they read.

Try this "Take a Guess" game to promote sight word comprehension.

5. Student Choice
The most effective reading strategy is to give your students a choice. Get them wanting to read by allowing them to pick what they read. They will become invested in their choice and eager to see it through. Janelle specifies that students become more engaged and motivated when reading something they have an interest in.

With these 5 strategies, students will develop the necessary reading skills required to become successful readers.

 

 

 

 

How to Change a Fixed Mindset to a Growth Mindset

January 15, 2018

There are 2 types of students. One goes on to achieve success. This is a growth mindset. The other achieves less and less over time. This is a fixed mindset.

Below is a chart to explain these mindsets.

It's much better to have a growth mindset. This mindset allows students to grow and adapt. A fixed mindset keeps them in one place. But it's possible to change from a fixed to a growth mindset. Below are some questions to ask your students. These will help them develop a Growth Mindset.

1. Do you work as hard as you can?
2. Do you ask questions if you need help?
3. Do you check your homework for errors?
4. Do you spend enough time on your work?
5. What can you do to improve your work?

So how do you know what kind of mindset your students have? Have them take this QUIZ to find out.

Get more tips on the benefits of a Growth Mindset, like this Training Your Brain poster with our Learning Problem Solving ready-made resource, part of our 21st Century Skills series.

Check out our pinterest board for some more FREE worksheets from our Life & Workplace resources: https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/life-workplace-skills/

 

 

 

 

How to Encourage Readers to Keep Reading
Reading Strategies Over the Holiday Break

December 7, 2017

December is Read a New Book Month. It's designed to encourage readers to keep on reading during this busy month. We challenge both teachers and students to take part in this month-long reading adventure.

Here's what to do:

✔ pick a book genre you've never read before
✔ pick an author you've never read before

The goal here is to move out of your comfort zone and experience something new. Venture into new territories. If you normally read science fiction, try a thriller. Or, try out a different author from your favorite book genre. Choosing a new book to read is just half the battle. Encouraging students to keep reading is the other. Here are our top 5 strategies to encourage readers:

1. Set up a book club so students can discuss the book they are reading with others.
2. Pair the reading with an audio book to stimulate their senses.
3. Get creative and have students act out their favorite scene from the book.
4. Read aloud to a group, each taking turns reading different parts.
5. Create a reading corner filled with pillows and comfy chairs and block out some time dedicated to reading.

Need more encouragement? Try out some of these FREE graphic organizers for reading comprehension:

Character Web
Story Map
Concept Map

Have a look at our selection of Novel Study Guides to accompany your reading this month.

Check out our pinterest board for some more great lessons and ideas for Read a New Book Month: https://www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/travel-with-literature/

 

 

 

 

Geography Awareness

November 10, 2017

Geography Awareness Week—celebrated this year on November 12-18—was created by National Geographic to encourage young Americans to become more involved in the world around them. For over 25 years, GeoWeek encourages everyone to think about their world and how they affect and are affected by it.

Classroom Complete Press encourages all classrooms to get together and take part in GeoWeek. This can be with a group discussion, a school-wide event, or a hands-on lesson for the classroom. Try out the FREE activities below from our selection of geography-minded lesson plans.

Click an image to download a free activity.

              

Check out our pinterest board for some more great lessons and ideas for GeoWeek: https://www.pinterest.ca/ccpinteractive/geography-travel-the-world/

 

 

 

 

Bullying Prevention Month: The Fight Against Cyber Bullying

October 2, 2017

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Founded in 2006 by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center, this campaign aims to raise awareness of an ever-present issue. Bullying is a problem that afflicts every community across the country. Since the emergence of social media, it has grown exponentially in the cyber world. As such, it is important to bring awareness to this issue and learn how to identify cyber bullying and how to fight against it.

Use this FREE Graphic Organizer from our Social Media Behaviors & Cyber Bullying chapter of our Daily Social & Workplace Skills Ready-Made Lesson Plan to compare traditional bullying with cyber bullying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brainstorm ways to fight against it by finding ideas on the web. Get inspiration by reading about some of your favorite characters' experiences with bullying. Check out these novel study guides that will encourage students to think about the fight against bullying:

     

And if you need a little more help, check out some of the great lesson plan ideas offered by PACER at their National Bullying Prevention Center website.

How would you stand up to bullying? Share your ideas on Twitter and Facebook @CCPInteractive with #stopbullying

 

 

 

 

A New Classroom

September 7, 2017

There's a new way to teach rising up in classrooms today. Out with the standard teacher-student dynamic where one tells the other how they are doing. Out with the typical learn and forget it method. Today's classroom leaves students more aware of their strengths and weaknesses. It gives them the capability of learning what they need to know, and how to use that knowledge to excel in the real world.

In this post by Kyle Spencer of The New York Times, a classroom in Brooklyn is just one of many that are revitalizing how teaching and learning is done in the classroom.

The key is for students to recognize on their own what they need additional practice on, how to motivate themselves to get that practice, and how to utilize the resources available to them, like the help they receive from teachers.

The emergence of online learning in recent years have made great strides in this area. Students get an interactive approach to learning, while getting real-time results on real-world questions. Students are encouraged to think deeper about a topic, while also being challenged with comprehension-style questions.

In Kyle Spencer's report of just one Brooklyn classroom, there is no such thing as failing. Students no longer receive letter grades. Instead, they are meant to complete a series of grade-level skills before moving on to a higher level. This allows students to learn at their own pace while not feeling left behind. It allows students to be confident with their abilities while not having the threat of failure hanging over their heads. The point here is to learn, and to learn well.

Our subscription-based platform allows students to do just that. Read about the five senses and how the body works. Answer questions about the reading. Use helpful math tools to solve a problem. Get helpful tips from the Reading Watch Dog. Complete a graphic organizer or interactive game for added practice.

Try it all for FREE for 15 days. No commitment necessary.

 

 

 

 

Teaching Pedagogy

August 11, 2017

Did you know that every CCP resource book follows a UNIQUE and CONSISTENT format? We do this to maximize the ease-of-use of the lesson plan, and to ensure each resource will fit within every teacher's pedagogy.

The majority of content provided in our ready-made lesson plans are student handouts. These are reproducible worksheets and activities that surround specific chapter topics. Each chapter is made up of the following:

The Before You Read pages prepare students for reading by setting a purpose for reading. They stimulate background knowledge and experience, and guide students to make connections between what they know and what they will learn. Important concepts and vocabulary from the chapters are introduced.

The Reading Passage pages present important grade-appropriate information and concepts related to the topic. Embedded in each passage are one or more questions to ensure students understand what they have read.

The After You Read pages check students' comprehension of the concepts presented in the reading passage and extend their learning. Students are asked to give thoughtful consideration of the reading passage through creative and evaluative short-answer questions, research, and extension activities.

In addition to the chapter content, each resource is accompanied by writing tasks, hands-on activities and/or experiments, crossword, word search, final quiz, and color posters or graphic organizers.

The Writing Tasks and Hands-On Activities and Experiments are included to further develop students' thinking skills and understanding of the concepts. The Quiz can be used as a follow-up review or assessment at the completion of the unit.

Check out a sample of each of these Student Handout pages:

     

 

 

 

 

Summer Reading List

July 10, 2017

Keep up with your reading this summer with our suggested summer reading list. These are classic and award-winning novels that are great for reading during the summer break. Use our novel study guides to further engage your reading comprehension skills. Start reading today!

Grades 1-2

Click an image to see more from these ready-made resources.

              

Grades 3-4

Click an image to see more from these ready-made resources.

              

Grades 5-6

Click an image to see more from these ready-made resources.

              

Grades 7-8

Click an image to see more from these ready-made resources.

              

Grades 9-12

Click an image to see more from these ready-made resources.

              

Check out our pinterest board for some free worksheets: www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/travel-with-literature/

 

 

 

 

Get Back to Nature

June 5, 2017

With summer vacation just around the corner, finish up the school year by escaping the stuffy classroom and bringing learning outdoors. Get a hands-on start to fun in the sun by changing up your surroundings and getting in touch with nature. Be inspired to create an outdoor classroom with these free activities and adventurous ideas.

Be Hands-On with Nature

Learn about the power of wind with a home-made weather vane. Build your own weather vane using materials found in everyday classrooms. Take your creation outside and test it in the elements. Find out the direction the wind is blowing and how often it changes. Study the different kinds of rocks and see how many you can find. Go outside and look for as many different rocks as possible. Compare them to the ones in the list below. Explain where each rock was found and what type it is.

Click an image to see a free worksheet, or click the cover image to see more from this ready-made resource.

              

Witness the Power of Nature

Examine the effect that light and air has on green plants. Conduct an experiment that shows the difference between plants exposed to sunlight with plants kept in the dark. Continue the experiment over several weeks, marking the changes between the two plants, finally leading up to transpiration. Head outdoors and make tree rubbings of bark. Take a walk around the neighborhood and note the different colors of trees. See how many different patterns and textures are found in nature.

Click an image to see a free worksheet, or click the cover image to see more from this ready-made resource.

              

Check out our pinterest board for more great ideas: www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/outdoor-classroom/

 

 

 

 

Get Caught Reading This Month

May 8, 2017

May is Get Caught Reading Month. Encourage students to open a book and experience how much fun it is to read. Since 1999, the Association of American Publishers (AAP) have worked to promote this nationwide campaign. Whether it's a Newbery-winning story or a literary classic, there's something for everyone inside a book. Take this initiative one step further by testing student comprehension as they read. Take a look at some of our suggestions below, and don't forget to grab your free downloads.

Grades 3-4

Get inspired to make up your very own word with Frindle. In a journal prompt, students use their critical thinking skills to predict what career Nick will have when he grows up. Help design a miracle to save the life of a pig in Charlotte's Web. Students describe how Wilbur tried to make himself look 'radiant', and predict what Charlotte's 'masterpiece' will be. Travel to a land of giants with The BFG. Students reflect on how the story ends and create their own giant to live in this world.

Click an image to see a selected novel study guide from our ready-made resources.

              

Grades 5-6

Find out what it was like to live in Ancient Egypt in The Egypt Game. Students write a message to a classmate using Egyptian hieroglyphics. Become stranded in the wilderness and learn to survive in Hatchet. Students complete a chart detailing the events Brian survives, what his reactions were, and what he learned from them. Travel Through the Looking-Glass to a fantastic world with interesting characters. Using details gathered throughout the novel, students draw a map of the looking-glass world.

Click an image to see a selected novel study guide from our ready-made resources.

              

Grades 7-8

Solve a who-done-it mystery to claim a fortune in The Westing Game. Follow the clues in the story to solve the game before any of the characters. Experience the tragic tale of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Students explore Bruno's state of mind by detailing the lesson he learns from his conversation with Maria, and what experiences he thinks he shares with her. Become shipwrecked on The Cay, and find out what it takes to survive. Students use the description Timothy provides to Phillip to research the tea bird and draw a picture of it along with a fact sheet.

Click an image to see a selected novel study guide from our ready-made resources.

              

Grades 9-12

Spend a few nights with The Old Man and the Sea, battling with a fish and your own will-power. Students explore the character of Santiago by indicating what he said that suggested big fish were nearby, and what this says about his experience. Enter a post-apocalyptic and desolate wasteland that will challenge you to survive along The Road. Students make predictions of the disaster that destroyed the world based on clues left by the author. Explore the downfall of civilization while surviving with peers on an island in Lord of the Flies. Students map out Ralph's mindset by identifying some of the things that he reflects on.

Click an image to see a selected novel study guide from our ready-made resources.

              

Free Downloads

Meet Matilda and the power she has to move things with her mind. Research famous magic tricks throughout history, and find out how they are done. Imagine a society where The Giver holds all the memories of human kind. This is no easy job. Students choose a career they are interested in and research all that is involved with it. Travel back to medieval times with Crispin: The Cross of Lead. Learn about the real-life figure of John Ball and his role during this era.

Click an image to see a free worksheet from our ready-made novel study guides.

              

Check out our pinterest board for more great free worksheets: www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/travel-with-literature/

 

 

 

 

Celebrate Earth Month

April 3, 2017

April is Earth Month. Take this month to celebrate all things Environment and Earth Sciences, all while leading up to Earth Day on April 22. Here are some tips and ideas to promote the environment all month long.

Carbon Footprint

Learn all about your carbon footprint at home, at school and in the community. Calculate your own carbon footprint, then get tips on how to lower it. Start an initiative at your school to encourage a smaller carbon footprint. Then, reach a little higher by implementing this initiative within the community. Get your FREE carbon footprint calculator here.

Click an image to see a selected lesson plan from our ready-made resources.

              

Go Green

Spend some time in the dirt and turn your thumb green. Start a community garden with your class. Grow some wildflowers to help the bee population. Grow some vegetables and cook up a stew. Promote clean air by planting a tree. Teach your students the importance of responsibility by taking care of a plant and watching it grow.

Click an image to see a selected lesson plan from our ready-made resources.

              

Get to Know the Planet Earth

No Earth Month is complete with a study on the planet Earth. Go deep and get to know what makes up the planet with a look at plate tectonics, rocks and minerals. Go to the surface and discover the different ecosystems that inhabit the planet. Go to the sky and find out how the air, wind and atmosphere affect the planet.

Click an image to see a selected lesson plan from our ready-made resources.

              

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Go back to the basics and excel at recycling. Implement a recycling program in your classroom, and encourage students to extend this to their home. Learn about product life cycles and come up with alternative methods to decrease waste. Study the effects of climate change and get tips on how to reduce it.

Click an image to see a selected lesson plan from our ready-made resources.

              

Life on Planet Earth

Get to know all the ins and outs of life on planet Earth—from the smallest organism to the largest being. Start with a look at cells and what life needs to prosper on Earth. Start viewing the environment as a living being that needs to be nurtured. Then, extend outward by looking at the different habitats that exist on the planet.

Click an image to see a selected lesson plan from our ready-made resources.

              

Check out our pinterest board for more great Earth ideas: www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/the-environment/

 

 

 

 

Top of the Mornin'

March 8, 2017

Saint Patrick's Day is an Irish holiday celebrated throughout the world. Held on March 17, Saint Patrick's Day marks the day Saint Patrick—the patron saint of Ireland—died, during the 5th century. This day commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, but also more generally the heritage and culture of the Irish. On this day, people typically wear green and visit a parade. Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated in more countries around the world than any other festival, making it one of the most popular holidays. Turn your classroom into a green haven as you take part in this widely celebrated holiday.

Celebration

Saint Patrick's Day parades originated in North America during the 18th century. They didn't start celebrating with parades in Ireland until the 20th century. A typical Saint Patrick's Day parade will have marching bands, the military, firefighters, organizations, youth groups, fraternities, and law enforcement. In Ireland, the week of Saint Patrick's Day is Irish language week. Participants spend this week speaking in the Irish language.

Set up your classroom for Saint Patrick's Day. Have a class parade, create a craft corner, and try your hand at speaking the Irish language—Gaelic.

Check out our pinterest board for some great Saint Patrick Day craft ideas: www.pinterest.com/ccpinteractive/st-patricks-day-crafts/

Traditions

Different places celebrate different traditions on Saint Patrick's Day. Typically, those who celebrate wear green or shamrocks. The color green is associated with Ireland and has become the official color for Saint Patrick's Day. A shamrock is a three-leaved clover. Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity to the Irish. From there, it had become the national symbol of Ireland.

As a class, research different celebrations and traditions of Saint Patrick's Day from around the world. In Ireland, you'll learn that Saint Patrick's Day is actually a public holiday. In the United States, the Chicago River is dyed green every year. On the International Space Station, Chris Hadfield took a photograph of Ireland from Earth's orbit to celebrate the day.

Click an image for more great Saint Patrick's Day lesson plans from our selection of ready-made resources:

              

 

 

 

 

Love and Friendship

February 6, 2017

What is Valentine's Day? We all know the traditions, but where did it come from? Here's your chance to merge art, history and language arts into one while celebrating a beloved holiday.

Art

There's lots of opportunities for art projects this holiday season. The most obvious being Valentine's cards. Have students design their own instead of sharing store-bought cards. Find classic imagery of cupids and hearts, or have your students design their own interpretation of love and friendship. Try introducing the term "respect" to this holiday. Love, friendship and respect are all intertwined, and Valentine's Day provides a great opportunity to share this positive viewpoint.

For some great Valentine's Day craft ideas, check out our pinterest board: pin.it/gvVOQk0

History

Although the traditions and meaning of Valentine's Day is known by most, not many may know of its origins or why we celebrate it. This holiday season, try to implement a little bit of history into classroom celebrations. Explore the origins of Valentine's Day. Find out some other customs celebrated throughout the world. See what traditions are new, and which ones didn't stand the test of time. Have students invent their own tradition to celebrate Valentine's Day.

To learn more about Valentine's Day, click on the image for the Special Days lesson plan.

Language Arts

Valentine's Day is the perfect holiday to incorporate with language arts. Valentine's Day is all about sharing Valentine's Day cards. And with cards come heartfelt handwritten messages. A great opportunity to practice those writing skills. Have students show their creative side by writing a poem. Encourage proper grammar and spelling while writing Valentine messages in short paragraphs. Have a class project where students come together to write a stage play. The opportunities are endless.

Click an image for more great language arts-based lesson plans from our selection of ready-made resources:

              

 

 

 

 

New Year's Resolutions for the Classroom

January 9, 2017

With a new year comes new resolutions. A fresh start. A clean slate. A new beginning. January is a time for resolutions. Maybe you want to be more organized this year. Maybe you want to be more prepared for lessons. Maybe you want your classroom to run smoother. Here are some tips for resolutions in the classroom.

Change Things Up

After a much-needed break, it can be hard to get back into the same old routine. Take this opportunity to try something new. Change things up a bit. Give your classroom a make-over. It can be something small, like new posters. Or something big, like completely rearranging the desks. Try to get your students to be more productive by swapping the seating chart. Try it for a few days to see if there's any improvement. Or, change things up regularly to bring new life to your classroom and stimulate young minds.

 

 

Try Something New

Is there a new technology you've always wanted to try? Or a new method for teaching a difficult subject? Maybe you want to bring more creativity to your lessons. Or have more interaction with classroom discussions. Now's the time to try it. Don't worry if it doesn't work, there's plenty of time to test and correct any issues. Try incorporating an online-based portion to your lesson. This can be done individually as homework, or as group activities in the computer lab. Include a comprehension assignment in the form of questions, a final test, or a collaborative presentation.

 

 

Get Organized

Do you find your classroom doesn't run as smoothly as you'd like? Take this time to try some new organizational ideas. Try as many as you can to see which ones stick. Check out this list of 100 Classroom Organizing Tricks from Scholastic: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/100-classroom-organizing-tricks/

 

 

 

 

Be Hands-On

Spend some time individually with each student. A great way to do this is to have independent study time. Try to spend 5 minutes with each student. You don't need to solve anything in those 5 minutes, you just need to get a sense of where each child is at. What are their strengths? What are they struggling with? Then, take some time to yourself and come up with some strategies for helping out each student. It could be changing up your teaching method, assigning specialized homework activities, or even creating tailor-made quizzes that cater to each student's strengths. It's not how they learn, but what they learn and retain that matters.

 

What are some of your New Year's resolutions for the classroom? Share yours @CCPInteractive on Twitter or Facebook with #classroomresolutions

 

 

 

 

Winter Wonderland

December 1, 2016

It's the most wonderful time of the year! The winter season is upon us. Bring on the cold wind, fresh snow, and soothing hot chocolate. Grab your snowsuits and build a snowman during the day. Curl up by the fire with a great book and enjoy those blustery evenings indoors. Get into the spirit of this magical season with these great winter-themed lesson ideas.

Social Studies

Find out how people all around the world celebrate this cold season. What is the climate like? How are the holidays celebrated? What are some different traditions and pastimes? Explore different sports and activities that only happen this time of year. Stay warm and active with great winter-themed games, like sledding, snowshoeing and building snowmen.

Click an image for some suggested lesson plans from our selection of ready-made resources:

              

Science

Bring outside STEAM-based experiments indoors with winter-themed activities. Winter is a time of change. We see the temperature drop and liquid turn to solid. Conduct an experiment to teach about changes in states of matter. Watch ice grow by placing an unopened bottle of water in the freezer to get it nice and cold, but still a liquid. Then, pour it over a container filled with ice. Create a frozen bubble by placing it in the freezer for 30 minutes, either on a plate or on the wand.

Click an image for some suggested lesson plans from our selection of ready-made resources:

              

Language Arts

This season, put on a holiday concert. This could include just the classroom or the entire school. Start by writing a winter or holiday-themed script. Make sure to include many different characters. Have at least three different scenes. Write out production notes, scene details, and the dialog for each character. Put on the play for parents or the entire school. Show your creative side, or choose from our selection of ready-made Christmas-themed concerts.

Click an image for some suggested lesson plans from our selection of ready-made resources:

              

For more great Winter ideas and free activities from the suggested lesson plans above, check out our pinterest board: pin.it/ccgmktZ

 

 

 

 

Become the Author

November 4, 2016

November is National Novel Writing Month. Bring out your inner author this month with themes that celebrate creative writing, literacy and authors of all kinds.

About the Author

Celebrate your favorite author this month. Look into their lives and the books they have written. Write a biography or create a presentation. Host an author's fair in your classroom. Have each student choose their favorite author. Each booth will focus on one particular author. Go around the room to learn about the different authors throughout history. What were their struggles? What were their accomplishments? What do you like most about their books?

Click an image for some FREE author-related activities from our Literature Kit (Novel Study Guide) lesson plans:

              

Summary of the Story

Become the author this month. Write your own short story and share it with the class. Or, write an alternate ending to one of your favorite books. You could also write your own sequel to an existing book. The options are endless. Show your creativity by drawing the pictures for a classmate's book. Create the cover art of your own. Write a book report or review of your favorite story. Share your opinions with the class in a healthy discussion.

Click an image for some FREE writing-related activities from our Literature Kit (Novel Study Guide) and Language Arts lesson plans:

              

Reading

Read your favorite book this month. Promote literacy and reading comprehension with independent reading or reading circles. Keep a journal summarizing the events that take place in each chapter. Write down all the vocabulary words and their definitions. Find synonyms to replace words you don't understand. Summarize your favorite book in only a few words. Share your love of reading with others and see how many great new books you can read.

Click an image for some FREE reading-related activities from our Literature Kit (Novel Study Guide) and Language Arts lesson plans:

              

For more great Novel ideas, check out our pinterest board: pin.it/Hm2OtIQ

 

 

 

 

Halloween Haunt

October 13, 2016

Arguably one of the most popular holidays for kids (after that wintery one of course), due to its costumes and candy fare. Halloween can be a tricky thing to celebrate in the classroom. But there's lots more to this spooky day than just costumes and candy the kids love. Explore the intricacies of this holiday with your students with these craft and lesson ideas.

Pick a Theme

You could always stick with the classics: pumpkins, ghosts, spiders. But what if this year you got more creative. Tie your crafts around a central theme or subject. Depending on what you want to focus on, you could have a very informative and fun Halloween in your classroom.

Language Arts

Think Universal Monsters, like Dracula or Frankenstein. These iconic characters originated in English literature. Carry this as your theme with related crafts and activities. Do an age-appropriate analysis of the novels these monsters originate from. Compare how these monsters are depicted in film or television. Have your students create self-portraits as these monsters. Turn your classroom into an old-school drive-in theatre and watch clips of the classic Universal movies. Write short stories using these monsters as characters. The possibilities are endless.

Social Studies

In social studies, what comes to mind is history. Spend the day researching the origins of Halloween. It's customs, superstitions, and traditions throughout time and place. Turn your classroom into a time machine and visit the first Halloween. Learn about Mexico's Day of the Dead celebration. Make classic Halloween treats to share. Play a trivia game with different Halloween facts. Throw a classic Halloween party with bobbing for apples, all the while teaching about the origins of each activity.

Science

Bring STEAM into this holiday with fun Halloween-themed experiments. Carve out a pumpkin and make it erupt using the same principals as a baking soda volcano. Turn your classroom into a mad scientist's lab and dress the part. Conduct ghoulish experiments and grow your own animal specimen in bottles. Or, turn your classroom into a witch's den and make potions in your cauldron. Use everyday household ingredients to make your potions worthy of a Harry Potter novel.

Need more ideas? Click an image for some FREE activities from our selection of Halloween-themed lesson plans and novel study guides to try:

              

For more great Halloween ideas, check out our pinterest board: pin.it/FRT3adM

 

 

 

 

Back to School

September 1, 2016

It's that time of year again: BACK TO SCHOOL! This is an exciting time of new beginnings and fresh starts. Armed with crisp notebooks and sharpened pencils, students enter the classroom eager to catch up with old friends. But there's something else just as exciting: a new curriculum. This is the perfect time to get students excited about what's to come this year. Whether it's a great novel they'll get to read, a new science experiment they'll get to test, or a math equation that will open up new possibilities. Now's the time to spark their interest in creative ways.

Here are some ideas to get students ready for Back to School.

Reading

At least once a year, every student will have to read and comprehend a book. To get them into the mood, play an ice breaker game that follows a key theme from the novel they will be reading. Maybe the novel has some historical significance. You could "time travel" to that point in history as a quick introduction to the setting. Show the cover of the book and open up the floor to predictions of what it will be about based solely on the artwork.

Click an image for some FREE activities from our selection of Novel Studies to try:

              

Writing

Students will spend most of their time writing. Whether it's a short story, an informative essay, or a science report. This activity accounts for the majority of a student's academic career. So, it's easy to understand that it may not be their favorite activity. Get them in the mood with short writing activities. Give them large poster boards to write on. Let them show their creative side by making a summer vacation web. This web will showcase what they did during the summer without having to write a long narrative.

Click an image for some FREE activities from our selection of Language Arts titles to try:

              

Subtracting

Math—that subject that makes all students cringe. What they don't know is that math can be fun. Get them excited about numbers with drill activities and quick games. Set up a team-building challenge where students race to finish a set of drill questions. Learn about nets and have them construct three-dimensional shapes. Trick your students into having fun with math with brain teasers.

Click an image for some FREE activities from our selection of Math titles to try:

              

Experimenting

Science is a pretty exciting subject on its own, so you may not need to get your students motivated for this one. However, there's still some great ideas you can do to introduce students to a topic, just to get their feet wet and excited for what's to come. The best place to start is with small, quick and easy experiments. For a physics class, make miniature hovercrafts using magnets. For a chemistry class, make edible rock candy. For a biology class, change the color of a flower's petals.

Click an image for some FREE activities from our selection of Science titles to try:

              

Remembering

History is another interesting subject for students. Learning about key moments in our past is both educational and fun. Get your students excited about the past with quick games and group activities. Play a game of trivial pursuit to see what they already know about things in history. Ask them to get into groups and re-enact a key moment in history for the class. Watch quick historical videos then have a group discussion to see what they comprehend.

Click an image for some FREE activities from our selection of Social Studies titles to try:

              

Living

Daily Life Skills and 21st Century Skills are emerging topics. It may be difficult to incite excitement on these topics. Get your students in the mood with quick games that deal with daily and 21st century skills. Play a large-scale role-playing game by transforming the classroom into a grocery store or restaurant. Set up a mock fridge and pantry and map out where certain foods should go. Gain teamwork and problem-solving skills by working in small groups to solve silly puzzles.

Click an image for some FREE activities from our selection of Daily Life Skills and 21st Century Skillstitles to try:

              

For more great Back to School ideas, check out our pinterest board: pin.it/owXgpSp

 

 

 

 

Tools for Teachers

August 9, 2016

Did you know that every CCP resource book comes with an informative TEACHER GUIDE that includes built-in TOOLS perfect for student assessment?

All our Teacher Guides include clear instructions and colorful graphics.

The How Our Resource is Organized page provides a detailed breakdown of the resource, providing teachers with tips on how to maximize their unit.

The Bloom's Taxonomy for Reading Comprehension page outlines how the 6 levels of Bloom's is utilized to ensure students comprehend the reading. Also included on this page is a list of Vocabulary words that will be introduced throughout the resource.

The Assessment Rubric allows teachers to quickly and easily grade their students' progress.

The STEAM, NGSS & Critical Thinking Skills Rubric show you how each section of the resource aligns to these standards.

Check out a sample of each of these Teacher Guide pages:

     

 

 

 

 

Meet Harriet

July 14, 2016

Hello, and welcome to CCP Interactive. My name is Harriet, and I'll be the first voice you'll hear when you call us at CCP. As your main customer representative, I can also be reached directly at our email address.

For over a decade, I've been working closely with customers to make sure they find exactly what they need. My primary role is to ensure that you have the right CCP products for your needs and that you get the material in no time. I am only a quick email or phone call away when you need personalized attention to help build your order with our best sellers and newest titles.

This is our warehouse. You can see we keep a large stock of all our titles on hand so you don't have to wait once you've placed your order. Of course, we also offer all of our titles as instant download PDFs and software, so the wait time after you've placed your order is non-existent.

 

 

 

 

Let me help you. If you want any suggestions or to know what's included with all of our titles, please ask me. Along with sample PDFs and videos, I can give you all the information on a topic you are looking for. I can even help find the right resource to fit your needs.

 

 

 

 

Get your resources fast. Delivery is instant with our instant download versions. You can find and get what you need within minutes. If you still prefer to get a physical copy, we ship same day so you get what you need fast. Head on over to our Classroom Complete Press website for shipped product.

 

 

 

Thank you for getting to know me and my role at CCP.

 

 

 

 

A Classroom Celebration of Independence Day

June 9, 2016

The end of the school year is looming. Year-long studies are coming to a close. Final tests are in the air. And the dog days of summer is just around the corner. So is the kick-off holiday of the season: July Fourth.

For some, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the summer season, but with its proximity to school days winding down, Independence Day makes for a strong competitor in that category. Just because final tests and ongoing projects are coming to a close, doesn't mean there's no more opportunity for a little fun and learning to happen before that final day of class. Why not spend that last week with an impromptu celebration of one of the biggest holidays of the year.

A Crafty Decoration

Set up a craft station for those artsy students. Provide a wide selection of craft materials, from paper and paint to wiggle eyes and pipe cleaners. Leave them to their imagination, or provide them with these Fourth of July-themed craft ideas.

Fourth of July Fireworks

What You'll Need: toilet paper rolls, straws, colored paper, streamers, tape, paint, glitter, glue, scissors

What You'll Do: Paint the toilet paper roll any color or pattern. We suggest red, white, blue, stars, and stripes. Glue one end of the straw to the inside of the toilet paper roll. Make a cone shape with the colored paper and attach it to the other end of the toilet paper roll. Tear the streamers to make a flame effect and attach it to the end with the straw.

 

 

Red, White and Blue Lanterns

What You'll Need:red, white and blue colored paper, pencil, scissors, ribbon, glue, tape

What You'll Do:Fold the colored paper in half with the long sides together. Cut 1 inch wide sections along the folded end. Don't cut all the way through, leave about an inch of space. Unfold your paper and turn it in and attach the bottom and top together. You should have a lantern shape that bumps outward. Cut stars out of the colored paper and decorate your lantern with them. Attach the ribbon around the top and bottom. Make a handle with the ribbon or colored paper.

 

Patriotic Pinwheels

What You'll Need: colored paper, pencil with eraser, push pin

What You'll Do: Decorate your colored paper with a design, or glue a different color on the back of another colored paper. Cut out a square shape. From one corner to the center, cut a straight line. Don't cut all the way through. Leave a small space in the middle. Bring each corner to the center. Don't fold down. You should see a pinwheel shape starting to form. Push the pin through to attach the corners in the middle. Continue pushing the pin into the eraser of your pencil.

 

A Patriotic Play

For those dramatic students, set up a station for a short historical play. Here you can have your students research the history of Independence Day and choose their own skit that they would like to perform. There should be enough actors to fill each part, a director, a screenwriter, and set and costume designers. Here are some great stories to suggest.

The signing and adoption of the Declaration of Independence

The Boston Tea Party

Battles of Lexington and Concord

Washington's Wordsmith

Set up one more area for your book-loving students. Here they can work together to create something in writing for the rest of the class to enjoy. It could be a short story, poem, or even a short lesson plan. Students can work together or alone writing a fictionalized short story. They could detail the events of the American Revolutionary War, or write about the adoption of the Declaration of Independence from the perspective of someone who was there. Students can choose to write a poem for Independence Day. Have them research the different styles of poems to help them. Students could also try stepping into their teacher's shoes and create a short lesson plan for their fellow students. They could choose to present this to a class or provide it in the form of a handout. Some information and comprehension questions should be included. Also encourage them to include one extension activity, like a word search or crossword game.

For more great Fourth of July ideas, check out our pinterest board: https://pin.it/S7DBt8x

 

 

 

 

Bring on Summer Reading

May 19, 2016

With Summer fast approaching and the end of the school year looming, it's hard to stay in the learning mindset. But just because class time is over, doesn't mean the learning has to stop. Why not assign a reading list over the summer holidays for your students? It's a great activity to keep the mind sharp while away from class. It's also a great time killer on those rainy afternoons.

Check out our selection of Novel Study Guides to help you create your custom reading list for the summer.

Why stop there? Give your students some summer-themed homework that will encourage them to have many adventures that take them outside. Send them on a scavenger hunt. Have them make a video showing how they celebrated the 4th of July. They could write a short essay describing what they did during their summer vacation. The possibilities are endless.

Check out some of these summer-themed resources to get some fun activity ideas to share with your students.