Help your kids adopt the easiest pet ever — a ROCK! (I know. Why didn’t you think of this before?) Once your child adopts a rock, he can dress it up, name it, and give it a home! Not only that, add literacy learning with a funny and fun writing activity. Use a procedural “How-To” book like Laura Numeroff’s 10-Step Guide […]
Continue ReadingWriting
Found Poetry with Recycled Magazines
Reuse your old magazines and create found poetry from the words and phrases you discover on their pages. Found poetry takes kids on a treasure hunt for wonderful words and phrases. Then, they will use those words and phrases to find a poem; to write a “found” poem by collaging together something in a new, poetic way. […]
Continue ReadingWord Collection Jars
Our word collection started when JJ’s teacher read aloud Donavan’s Word Jar to her class. JJ wanted to start a word collection jar at home. Of course, I was happy to oblige! Find a Jar We found jars and labeled them. One of these days, we may get fancier and decorate the jars but we wanted to […]
Continue ReadingEasy Handmade Books for Young Writers
A few months ago, I got to teach writing workshop in second grade. I taught them how to make an easy handmade book that they could replicate at home. All one needs is paper, a paperclip, and a rubber band. We made word collection books. The kids used them in reading, where they copied down […]
Continue ReadingWriting Contests for Kids (and Other Ways To Get Published)
I’ve been searching for writing contests for kids for my daughter and her friend. Many kids, like mine, want to write for an audience; they’d love to be published. This round-up of writing contests for kids and opportunities might just help give young writers their first chance at publication. Let me also suggest that you […]
Continue ReadingPunctuation Hunt Learning Activity for Kids
written by Terri of Creative Family Fun Need a fun, learning punctuation activity for your kids? Punctuation is a very important part of writing. And for some kids, it can be a bit hard to master. Sure, a period goes at the end of a sentence, but those commas can be tricky. I wanted my beginning […]
Continue ReadingFree Printable Christmas Mad Libs
Do you love fun and silly family activities? My kids were cracking up last week as I reminisced about the footy pajamas I got every year for Christmas . . . with butt flaps. Remember those? (Super classy!) That’s why I decided to include the jammies idea in a Christmas mad libs type letter. It’s a free printable and should be […]
Continue ReadingInteractive Notetaking 101: Benefits, How-To, and Materials
Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by FIVE STAR® School Supplies. All thoughts and opinions are my own. While many students may prefer technology, the research shows that handwritten notetaking is better for synthesis and retention. Which is why I LOVE interactive notetaking for this reason and the depth of learning it encourages. Learn more about […]
Continue Reading