blank'/> Promoting Success: October 2014
         

Friday, October 31, 2014

Veterans Day or Veteran's Day

Does Veterans Day need an apostrophe?

Veterans Day Activities Teachers Pay Teachers Promoting-Success

Note: This blog post contains resources from our TpT store and our Amazon Associate store, from which I earn small commissions.

---------------------------------------------


So which is it?


Technically, it should be Veteran's Day because the day belongs to veterans...

Right?

Here is a little quiz from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Q.  Which is the correct spelling of Veterans Day?
a.  Veterans Day
b. Veteran's Day
c. Veterans' Day

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Keep Going
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

A.  Choice a.  Veterans Day does not include an apostrophe!


It is not a day that "belongs" to veterans.  It is a day HONORING all veterans.

---------------------------------

Please click HERE to see my blog post about Veterans Day activities for kids:

Veterans Day activities for kids

-------------------

You may also like these printable Veterans Day resources from our TpT store:



You will receive five fun facts about Veterans Day. Also included is a link to a free website available to assist your elementary students in further researching this holiday.

---------------------------------



This foldable craftivity will help students show their appreciation for a special Veteran. There are six variations of the ONE template, including open-ended options to meet the individual needs of all your students. This card works well year after year for multiple grade levels due to the different templates and writing or drawing options.

---------------------------------



Here are 30 task cards to use as a Veterans Day facts review, test prep or as extra practice for ESL or special education students. Game ideas are included, such as a scavenger hunt or SCOOT. A link to a website is included to assist your students in researching more facts and trivia. A student response form and answer key are also included.

---------------------------------

verterans day cross word puzzle for kids


In this social studies packet, you will receive a Veterans Day crossword puzzle. clues, word bank (for ESL and special education), and answer key. You will also receive 10 writing papers.

---------------------------------

veterans day no prep worksheets for kids


In this Veterans Day packet, you will receive a word search, word scramble, alphabetizing worksheet, sentence writing worksheet, acrostic poem writing activity and a thank you letter writing activity. Answer keys are included for the word search, word scramble and alphabetizing worksheets. Rubric assessments are included for the writing activities.

---------------------------------

You may also like these resources from our Amazon Associate store:



---------------------------------



---------------------------------------------

Click HERE to view our Teachers Pay Teachers Promoting Success store.




Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find great resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!

Thursday, October 30, 2014

What Makes a Good Reader? How to Teach Reading to Kids

Reading Teachers Pay Teachers Promoting-Success

Note: This blog post contains resources from our TpT store and our Amazon Associate store.

---------------------------------------------

  1. What makes a good reader?
  2. How do you teach reading?
  3. What skills and strategies are important to aid reading fluency?


1. What makes a good reader?

Mastery of literacy skills is an essential skill to increase academic success.  Most good readers are able to demonstrate a variety of reading comprehension skills and strategies. These strategies should include vocabulary development.  Good readers can draw on background schema and can make predictions as they read. They determine a purpose for reading and monitor this purpose. Good readers are able to tie words together and maintain their integrated meaning over time.

2. How do you teach reading?

While there is a lot of research and data examining the best teaching methodology for reading, there is a substantial body of evidence which demonstrates that systematic phonics instruction works well. Research shows that strong readers are able to decode new words by comparing them to known words rather than by sounding them out letter by letter.While students are mastering decoding, a holistic approach will also develop a passion for reading.  Evidence shows that as the amount of time a child reads increases, their reading attainment also improves. It is a positive cycle.  The more a student comprehends, the more likely he/she will keep reading.

Research also shows that reading aloud enhances fluency, strengthens comprehension and helps develop critical reading skills. As students read aloud, they can more effectively monitor themselves. Does it sound right? Did my emotions and emphasis make sense? Do my words flow? Do I understand what I am reading?

3. What skills and strategies are important to increase reading fluency?

Accuracy is an important skill for increasing fluency.  Students must have basic word recognition and word analysis skills. At this stage, reading faster isn't best.  Students need time to develop these essential skills without frustration.

Once students are reading to increase their speed, repeated reading is a key strategy.  This may be done is two essential steps.  First, give students a reading passage to read and re-read several times.  Second, have students practice reading the passage orally with corrections and guidance.  It is also important that the students have the opportunity to also hear the passage read correctly several times.

For older students, reading fluency stills needs to be enhanced.  There are several strategies and activities for older students, including choral reading, readers' theater, cloze reading, partner reading and poetry readings.

A more indirect approach to teaching reading is to provide opportunities for reading around every corner.  Label everything in the classroom and home.  Provide written directions for daily tasks, such as washing your hands. Create a welcoming environment for reading (rugs, lamps, special chairs, etc.) and provide a wide range of reading levels and genres.  ANY reading is better than no reading.

-------------------------

You may also like this free printable word families worksheets packet.


 free word families worksheets activities classroom reading

-------------------------

Here are more printable teaching resources from our TpT store:

 free commonly misspelled words spelling activities task cards games


For a bundle of 60 spelling task cards to save time and money, click HERE.

-------------------------

 free diphthongs worksheet


-------------------------

 free summarizing activities worksheets task cards


-------------------------

 free long vowels activities for kids


-------------------------

 reading response journal writing comprehension


-------------------------

 reading strategies for nonfiction reading comprehension


-------------------------

For 390+ printable language arts resources in our TpT store, click HERE.

-------------------------

You may also like these resources from our Amazon Associate store:

 word families pocket chart teacher classroom materials


-------------------------

 phonics dominoes classroom reading games

-------------------------

 phonics word building word work Classroom activities


-------------------------

 reading passages worksheets for struggling readers



---------------------------------------------

Click HERE to view our Teachers Pay Teachers Promoting Success store.

Click HERE to follow us on Instagram.

Click HERE to follow us on Pinterest.


Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find great resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Adding and Subtracting Fractions on a Number Line

Fractions on a Number Line Teachers Pay Teachers Promoting-Success

Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to our V.I.P. exclusive newsletter for SECRET SALES and FREE printables.

Note: This blog post contains resources from our TpT store and our Amazon Associate store.

---------------------------------------------------------

Number lines are an effective way to teach students how to add and subtract fractions. However, there aren't many resources showing this important skill on a number line.  Most resources show fractions with unlike denominators that are less than one whole, like the following videos.  They are a great starting point.

Adding Fractions with Number Lines



Subtracting Fractions with Number Lines


Are your students ready to tackle problems involving mixed numbers?

Here are a few resources from our TpT store to get you started:


4th and 5th Grade Common Core Math

You will receive two anchor charts, examples of each method, scaffolded steps, extra practice pages and word problems. Answer keys are also provided. These activities are a great way to ensure your students have a deeper understanding of the process. 

--------------------------

 subtracting fractions on a number line worksheets 4th 5th grade

4th and 5th Grade Common Core Math

In this packet, your students will learn to subtract fractions with unlike denominators using a number line. This is a great way to ensure your students are understanding the process. Two methods are provided. You will receive two anchor charts, examples of each method, fill in the blanks of each method (scaffold), practice pages for each method, and word problems. Answer keys are also provided.

--------------------------

 free adding fractions with like denominators task cards games math


You will receive 6 free task cards for 4th grade students. These cards are a great alternative to worksheets. Students can play SCOOT, have a scavenger hunt or play other task cards games that promote movement in the classroom. Try them for free. You will also receive a student response form and answer key. 

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.B.3.A


--------------------------

 free 4th grade 4 fractions task cards games activities


You will receive eight printable task cards to use as a math review, test prep or quick formative assessment. Task cards are a great alternative to worksheets. Students may play SCOOT, have a scavenger hunt or play other math center games. Try the sampler for free.

Please check out this huge Common Core fractions bundle to save time and money:


--------------------------

 5th grade fractions activities games task cards Common Core


You will receive eight printable task cards to use as a math review, test prep or quick formative assessment. Task cards are a great alternative to worksheets. Students may play SCOOT, have a scavenger hunt or play other math center games. Try the sampler for free. A student response form and answer key are also provided.

Please check out this huge Common Core fractions bundle to save time and money:


--------------------------

You may also like these resources from our Amazon Associate store:
 magnetic fractions on a number line classroom supplies materials math

--------------------------

 fractions number line classroom poster


--------------------------

 fractions open number line set 4th and 5th grade math


--------------------------
 fractions poster set classroom teacher materials math centers

---------------------------------------------

Click HERE to view our Teachers Pay Teachers Promoting Success store.

Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter for SECRET SALES and FREE printables.

Click HERE to follow us on Instagram.

Click HERE to follow us on Pinterest.


Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find great resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Top 5 Veterans Day Facts for Students



Note: This blog post contains resources from my TpT store and our Amazon Associate store where a small commission is earned.

---------------------------------------------

Veterans Day Facts for Kids



1. Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11th.

2. Veterans Day is observed to honor all veterans, both those living and those who are not living.

3. A Veteran is a man or woman who has served his/her country as a member of one of the armed forces (Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard or Marine Corps).

4. Armistice means cessation of hostilities or to stop fighting. On November 11, 1918, an armistice was agreed to between Germany and the Allied Forces led by the United States. This was the end of World War I.

5. In 1954, Congress passed legislation to replace the word Armistice for Veterans and officially honor all veterans on Veterans Day.

-----------------------------------

If you are look for some free Veterans Day activities for kids, please check out my blog post here:

free Veterans Day Activities for kids

----------------------------

Click HERE to download a printable version of these Veterans Day facts from our TpT store.

free veterans day facts for kids printable worksheet

-----------------------------------

This foldable Veterans Day craftivity will help students show their appreciate for a special Veteran.

Veterans Day card for kids to make printable classroom


There are six variations of the ONE template, including open-ended options to meet the individual needs of all your students. This card works well year after year for multiple grade levels due to the different templates and writing or drawing options.

-----------------------------------

This crossword puzzle works well as a no prep activity for early finishers.

Veterans Day crossword puzzle for kids printable worksheets

In this social studies packet, you will receive a crossword puzzle. clues, word bank (for ESL and special education), and answer key. You will also receive 10 writing papers.

-----------------------------------

This fun printable packet works well for upper elementary students.

veterans day printable worksheets upper elementary activities


In this social studies packet, you will receive a word search, word scramble, alphabetizing worksheet, sentence writing worksheet, acrostic poem writing activity and a thank you letter writing activity. Answer keys are included for the word search, word scramble and alphabetizing worksheets. Rubric assessments are included for the writing activities.

-----------------------------------

You may also like to have a scavenger hunt, play SCOOT or other games and activities with these Veterans Day task cards.

Veterans Day activities and games facts for kids


In this U.S. Veterans Day activity packet, you will receive a set of 30 U.S. Veterans Day task cards, student response form and answer key. Also included is a link to a Veterans Day website available to assist your students search for answers. Scavenger hunt directions, along with 20 other games ideas, are also included.


---------------------------------------------

You may also like these resources from our Amazon Associate store:

veterans day flags classroom set



---------------------------------------------



This easy-to-read book is perfect for nonfiction reading or read-aloud. Enjoy a hands-on activity and make a thank-you poster for the veterans in your community!

---------------------------------------------



This title will familiarize readers with Veterans Day by explaining the "whos, whats, and whys" of it. Complete with a More Facts section and bolded glossary terms. Young readers will gather basic information about Veterans Day through easy-to-read text alongside compelling and historical photographs. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Abdo Kids is a division of ABDO.

---------------------------------------------



A boy travels to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with his father to seek out his grandfather's name. The well-matched text and illustrations are soft but stirring. Ages 4-8. 

---------------------------------------------


Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood is an engaging rhyming picture book for readers of all ages that fosters mindfulness of and appreciation for the brave service men and women who are also our family, friends, and neighbors. These are the men and women who bravely served our great country and now humbly serve in our communities.

---------------------------------------------



The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans

When American soldiers entered World War I, Moina Belle Michael, a schoolteacher from Georgia, knew she had to act. Some of the soldiers were her students and friends. Almost single-handedly, Moina worked to establish the red poppy as the symbol to honor and remember soldiers. And she devoted the rest of her life to making sure the symbol would last forever. Thanks to her hard work, that symbol remains strong today. Author Barbara Elizabeth Walsh and artist Layne Johnson worked with experts, primary documents, and Moina's great-nieces to better understand Moina's determination to honor the war veterans. Grades 2-5.

A portion of the book's proceeds will support the National Military Family Association's Operation Purple®, which benefits children of the U.S. military.

---------------------------------------------


Hero Day by Melinda Hardin

A boy compares his father, a U.S. soldier, to a superhero. K-2.

---------------------------------------------


Click HERE to view our Teachers Pay Teachers Promoting Success store.



Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find great resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!