Home
Mission
Blog
Professional Development
Launchpad
Plans
Community
Help
Earth Day Poems and Tales: Books to Make and Write
By Beth Hammett
Celebrate Earth Day with 40 pages of Earth Day related images for writing fact-based poems and prose.
Includes:
5 title pages
Directions with optional activities
30 Earth Day graphics (earth, recycle, alternative energy, pollution, and more!)
5 The End pages
Great for Civics, Government, Social Studies, and meets ELA standards.
Use as:
Individual poems/prose writings
On-demand writing
Practice concepts/skills from mini-lessons
Practice peer workshopping strategies
Publishing opportunities
Celebration of Earth Day
See Educator Helper's other Earth Day products!
Free weekly handout at www.bethhammett.blogspot.com
Christmas Winter Holiday Rudolph's Red Nose
By Beth Hammett
Where did Rudolph get his red nose? How did it come about? When did it happen? Why is it red? Become a reporter and uncover the facts! Students get the opportunity to create facts and/or interview others about Rudolph's red nose. Then, students compile a report using proper dialogue. The 7 page lesson can be used with early learners as well as middle school learners. Packet includes: Directions with optional activities Media/Video Links Working with Dialogue and Facts sheet Rudolph's Red Nose: The Facts (handout for higher level learners) Lined, themed paper for writing Reindeer handout for lower level writers Introduces use of dialogue and quotations for future fact-based assessment writing. Meets Common Core Standards.
Publishing How-To Guide (Writing)
By Beth Hammett
A 15 page resource for student publishing of essays and written works includes: Guideline checklist Author Tips Cover Sheet/Query Letter Publishing Tips Where to Send Work: Online, local, regional, national... Books for Publishing Help Blogging Self-Publishing Publishing Checklist to Guide Students through the Process Publishing Summary List (Keep up with correspondence) Can be used individually, small/whole group, with flipped classrooms, homework, assessment of writing processes, for peer workshopping, grammar reinforcements, and as real life writing assignment. Easy to follow and implement in ELA/Journalism classrooms.
By Beth Hammett
Reinforce word origins by having students come up with their own made-up words! Use compound words, foreign words, prefixes/suffixes, shortened words, sound words, rhyming words, etc...for this fun, visual activity. Includes: Directions Definition Example from Classic Poem Student Examples Application Activity Publishing Activities Meets CCSS, improves vocabulary, uses decoding skills, and visualization. Use for individual or group activity.
Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases in Writing
By Beth Hammett
Make learning prepositions and prepositional phrases fun and easy with this visual writing presentation. 13 pages/slides of active learning strategies for understanding and using prepositions and prepositional phrases along with commas. Includes: Definitions Poem Preposition List Preposition Chair Activity Preposition Walk around the School Campus Easy to use tips Prepositional Phrases Commas and Prepositions Lots of color coded, visual writing examples Practice activities for individual/small/whole group Peer Workshopping Easy for students to follow and use. Great for fllipped classrooms and homeschools. Activities can be used individually or in small or whole group settings. A stimulating visual learning approach to help students understand prepositions and phrases.
Narrative Writing Introduction
By Beth Hammett
Students create movies of their lives by working through the writing process. Includes: 5 elements of stories: Introduction, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution. 2 Credits Sheets Basic Short Story/Writing Terminologies Chronological Order Frame by Frame Mapping Mind Mapping Plot Line Lined Paper Optional Active Learning Activities and Writing Options Peer Workshopping Component Writing Process Your students will enjoy coming up with stars, co-stars, director, makeup, lighting, camera, music, setting, time and wardrobe. Follows a plot line, short story writing concept.
By Beth Hammett
45 pages of critical thinking activities and lesson plans for ELA or history classes that focus on Benjamin Franklin's life and accomplishments. Includes: Directions for all projects Franklin's Life: Early, Middle, Late Years Quick Facts Timeline Project (Prior Knowledge) Quotable Quotes and Analysis Activity Activities (Analysis) A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words Newspaper Activity(Description) How Franklin Changed (Compare/Contrast with Venn Diagram) Franklin's Inventions (Persuasive with format) Franklin's World (Research/Poetry) Eulogy (writing) Epitaph Word Search Crossword Puzzle with Answers Maze Acrostic Poem Writing a Ballad Writing a Myth Party Invitation Creation with Guest List & Menu Decorate a Birthday Cake Matching Activity Phases of Life (Symbolism) Links to more resources: videos, handouts, vocabulary, etc... Links to free public domain works to download/preview Uses CCSS and NWP guidelines for fiction and non-fiction writing. Can be used for introducing Franklin and time period, for comprehension, and as assessment. Great for GT, Pre-AP, homeschool, literacy centers, ELA, ELL/ESL, social studies, and history.
Informational Writing Prompts for Grades 5-8
By Beth Hammett
Prepare students for informational, on-demand assessment writing with fourteen factual prompts that address everyday issues. Includes: Prompts: Driving Economy Fashion Global Warming Health Technology School Science Space Sports Lined extra handout paper for writing Themed graphics Help students overcome writer's block and fear of testing with these informational, on-demand prompts. Meets CCSS.
By Beth Hammett
Interactive, peer workshopping approach to teaching Descriptive Writing. The PowerPoint has 21 slides and includes: Includes: Interactive Activities Descriptive Assignments Frequent checks for comprehension Crossword Puzzle Examples Figurative Language/Senses Peer Workshopping Resources Slide It defines, explains, introduces, and encourages descriptive writing through figurative language, five senses, tone, mood, show not tell, and visualization. Writing activities and handouts for scaffodling, assessment and comprehension of descriptive writing are included.
Writing S.O.A.P: Aristotles 5+ Paragraph Persuasive Essay
By Beth Hammett
Based on Ray Salazaar's Article, "If You Teach the 5-Paragraph Essay--Stop It", uses College Board and Common Core Standards to guide students through building a well-written persuasive essay. Whether 5-paragraphs or 50-pages,the format works for fact or research based papers. Includes Chart Checklist Definitions Writing Guides Examples Peer workshopping component Extra Resources: Links to Sample Essays... 16 interactive slides to guide students through the research writing process: thesis writing, working with and using background information, evidence supported facts/research, writing an effective conclusion. Helps build critical thinking and writing skills. Can be used with G/T, Pre-AP, AP, developmental/entry college level courses. Everything needed to produce a well-written, researched essay.
Monsters On-Demand Writing Prompts
By Beth Hammett
High interest, critical thinking, on-demand writing prompts that include research based facts and references for citations. Great for college and career rigor standards with fact-based, textual evidence writings. Use as individual handouts or for whole group prompts. Includes: Aliens Bigfoot Chupacabra Ghosts Lochness Monster Mermaids Mothman Vampires Werewolves Zombies Fun, on-demand expository, informational, or persuasive prompts that stimulate creative, critical thinking writings! Great for discussions and debates, too. Meets CCSS.
Presidents Dinner Party Writing Activity
By Beth Hammett
What better way to introduce and teach research skills than with a historical based dinner party with United States Presidents? This 28 page handout focuses on research skills, such as citations, details, dialogue/text evidence, main idea, sources, paraphrasing, summarizing, topic/theme. It includes: Scoring Rubric Directions Party Invitations to make 22 Caricature Presidents Speech Bubbles Tables Sources and Citations sheets Extra Optional Projects Resources Supplemental Resources Have fun researching historical documents then creating dinner party conversations with this complete introduction to research unit.
Analyzing Images Writing Activities
By Beth Hammett
Do your students need help with analysis? Use these ten graphic organizers with images for analysis practice and writing a thesis. These exercises and graphic organizers help students springboard to analyzing more complex illustrations and essays for future coursework.
This easy to implement, step-by-step analysis guide for individual, small/whole group practice includes:
Full picture slides for whole group discussion and preview
10 Analysis Graphic Organizers with images
One Blank Analysis Graphic Organizer
Analysis categories include: Assumptions/Inferences, Year, Time, Season, Setting, Stereotypes, Characterization, Genre, Emotions, and Others
Writing a Thesis Statement
This step-by-step guide is simple to follow, great for test prep, and helps students uncover the process of analysis.
Valentine's Day Figurative Language Fun
By Beth Hammett
13 colorful Valentine's Day themed slides that introduce and help students to use and master figurative language. Includes: Directions with optional activities Alliteration Hyperbole Idioms Imagery Internal Rhyme Metaphor Onomatopoeia Personification Simile Symbolism Valentine's Day Images Writing Activities Each slide includes definition, example(s), and writing practice. Presentation can be used for assessment, flipped classrooms, and all differentiated levels of students. Can also be used for individual reviews of specific terminologies.
Symbolism Writing and History Activity
By Beth Hammett
Make using and working with symbolism collaborative, fun and educational (Meets CCSS) with this interactive writing project that focuses on 850 B.C. and the discovery of the Snake Circle: Includes: 1. KWL Chart 2. Extra Resources: Take a tour of Ancient Greece, learn about the lives of adults and children, and watch videos to understand the time period of 850 B.C. 3. Uncover its origin: The Snake Circle object came from the days of Homer, so explore its meaning with the use of two symbolism sheets. 4. Discuss and interpret the Snake Circle shield handout. 5. Write stories: choose a genre; then Peer Workshop essays 6. Color the shields--review students' colorful examples 7. Display for all to enjoy! Comes with: handouts to complete writings, students' samples, and class project photos. Everything needed for writing fun! Excellent for teaching how to interpret and use symbolism, reinforce concepts and skills, and working with multigenres. Combination of historical technology resources with writing and using literal concepts.
Presidents Day and Presidents Fact-Based Writing Activities
By Beth Hammett
Get students thinking about presidential elections and political campaign promises with 16 handouts that generate higher level learning.The journal-like prompts include historical facts that will have students wondering, "What if.I was president..?" Social issues to write about include:
family issues
government growth
importing goods
internet issues
laws and rules
leadership style
national debt
national security
social security
space exploration
succession
transportation problems
war
world peace
There are sixteen famous presidents, with their greatest accomplishments. Included are: Adams, Bush, Clinton, Cleveland, Coolidge, Eisenhower, Jackson, Johnson, Kennedy, Lincoln, Nixon, Reagan, Roosevelt,Washington
Includes Extra Resources (videos, web-links) and Ideas for Use in the classroom.
Can be used with English, Government, History classes.
By Beth Hammett
Students are Hollywood stars in this movie-themed, narrative writing project. Differentiated writing project Includes: Brainstorming handouts Plot line for upper level students Lined essay paper Credits/playbill page Directions for use Narrative definition Project Extensions for GT/AP Supplemental Resources Fun, engaging format for working with narrative writing. Use as introduction to narratives or for assessment purposes. Meets CCSS.
Fall Thanksgiving Newspaper Writing Activity
By Beth Hammett
Have students write their own expository, fact-based newspaper articles and complete their own entertainment reviews with Talkin' Turkey Times. Plenty of templates for students to: draw pictures work on grammar skills work on spelling/vocabulary write themed articles paste related images (great for lower levels/extensions) practice main ideas write headings write titles form topic sentences work on paraphrasing/summarizing develop paragraphing skills work on proofreading/editing Easy to use, and great for bulletin board displays during Thanksgiving. Send home for students to complete with Thanksgiving memories while on holiday break. Great assessment tool and meets Common Core Standards.
St. Patrick's Day My Pot o' Gold Character Traits Activity
By Beth Hammett
Introduce character traits to students then tie the concepts to real life with this pot o' gold activity. Students choose one character trait to define each of their classmates. Then, they write the character traits on gold coins, cut and paste onto peers' pot o' gold. Informative writing activity that reinforces using examples for fact-based essays. Includes: Easy to follow directions with optional age-based activities Pot o' Gold Coins handout Character Trait Sheet Follow-up writing activities Fun, engaging activity for elementary students who need introductions or reinforcement in working with character traits and fact-based writing.
By Beth Hammett
Every April, students can celebrate Tell-a-Story Day, which occurs at the end of the month. This 16 page handout will help students with organizing and telling fact-based stories. Great for building oral communication, evidence/proof, and re-telling memories. Includes: Finding storytelling topics Graphic Organizers for planning stories in chronological order Setting up a storytelling event Designing advertisements/invitations Peer workshopping stories Links to multicultural, professional, international/national storytelling centers, storytelling videos and websites Can be used any time of the year! Students will enjoy sharing stories while learning how to use fact-based information. Fun and educational!