Best of 2016

Whew! 2016 has really been a fabulous year! It is hard to believe in a few short days we will ring in a New Year. In celebration of the wonderful year it has been, I am teaming up with many, many TpT friends to highlight our bestsellers of 2016. For you it means those bestsellers will be discounted 20% from December 28th to December 30th. 

To make things a little easier for you, this will be a hashtag sale. In the search bar on TpT, enter #bestof2016sale. You will see all of the bestsellers of the TpT sellers that are participating in this sale. 

Below, you will find my Top 10 Bestsellers of 2016. You will not find all of these by searching the hashtag sale, but all of these resources will be on sale. 

 

#1: Geography and Map Skills Interactive Notebook- This interactive notebook comes with 13 templates, plus a cover template and table of contents. This is a great way to teach geography and map skills. Students remain engaged through the hands-on portion of the interactive notebook. In addition to the hands-on activities, students produce a product that is useful to develop good study habits. For some of the templates there are a couple of versions to choose between for differentiation purposes. This has been my #1 bestseller this year.

#2: American Revolution Interactive Notebook Templates- If you are teaching the American Revolution, this is the perfect product for you! This resource comes with nine templates, individual template directions, pictures of templates in an interactive notebook, a unit cover page, a table of contents page, and possible answers and information for each template. Students love using interactive notebooks!

#3: Grammar: Parts of Speech Interactive Notebook- Grammar Interactive Notebook covers all parts the of speech you teach your students in your language arts classroom. Perfecting the parts of speech can be fun and engaging! In this bundled unit, you get eight separate interactive notebook units to use in your classroom. teaching nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, pronouns, interjections, and conjunctions just got easier.

#4: Civil War Interactive Notebook Templates- If you are teaching the Civil War, this is the perfect product for you! This resource comes with eight templates, individual template directions, pictures of templates in an interactive notebook, and possible answers and information for each template. The templates included are: Terms to Know, Economies of the North and South, King Cotton, A Nation Divided, Causes of the Civil War, Civil War Leaders, Turning Points in the War, and Women of the Civil War.

#5: Reward Coupons and Incentives for Middle and High School Students- Reward coupons and incentives for Middle School and High School Students is a great behavioral management system. Students are able to earn reward incentives through their kind deeds, actions, and performance in class. This is great for those students who need a little incentive to get busy on an assignment or who need a little praise for effort. These are great for students in grades 5-12! My students love them!

I keep these reward incentives in an index card holder for easy access, and it takes up less space around my desk. The students are able to ‘cash-in’ their incentives at certain times that I set up in the classroom. I have found these reward incentives save me a lot of time correcting negative behavior, and we are able to focus more on positive behaviors and learning. The fabulous thing about these incentives is you can use them year after year!

#6: American Government Interactive Notebook Templates- If you are teaching a unit on American Government, this is the perfect product for you! This resource comes with 14 templates, individual template directions, pictures of templates in an interactive notebook, and possible answers and information for each template. Students love using interactive notebooks!

The templates include: Terms to Know, Articles of Confederation, History of Democracy, U.S. Constitution, Articles of Confederation vs Constitution, The Amendment Process, Bill of Rights, Rights vs Responsibilities, Levels of Government, Branches of Government, Individual Branches of Government, and Voting: Every Vote Counts!

#7: Stargirl Novel Study- If you teach the book Stargirl, this resource will help you greatly! It is 82 pages of material to use before, during, and after reading the novel. Included in this novel study are pre-reading lessons and activities, vocabulary, chapter questions and discussion, journal writing prompts, character analysis, literary analysis, and reading skills. Check out the preview to get a glimpse of how it is organized.

#8: Bill of Rights Match-Up- The Bill of Rights Match-Up is a great resource to use when teaching a unit on government. This resource contains ten badges with the amendment numbers, ten badges with what each amendment states, a recording sheet, and a handout for the students to illustrate the meaning of one amendment. 

Students will match the amendment number card with the card containing what the amendment states. Once the students have sorted and matched the cards, they record their answers on the recording sheet. In addition to the recording sheet and center cards, there is a printable for the students to choose one amendment and illustrate it so that others will be able to understand its meaning. 

#9: Civil War: Major Battles PowerPoint and Organizers- Civil War {Major Battle PowerPoint Presentation and Organizers} contains 50 pages total. There is a 25 page ppt covering major Civil War battles. There is a 25 page document with organizers to help your students organize the information for the major battles. 

The battles included are: Fort Sumter, First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas), Shiloh, Fredericksburg, 
Antietam, Siege of Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Chattanooga, Spotsylvania, and Appomattox Court House.

#10: Prepositional Phrase Task Cards- Prepositional Phrase Task Cards are great to use in your classroom as a center activity, as skill reinforcement, and as practice for upcoming assessments. Your students will read each task card, identify the prepositional phrase in each sentence, and record the answer on the Prepositional Phrase Recording Sheet. There are 30 Prepositional Phrase Task Cards. The answer key is included.

Remember these bestsellers will only be on sale from December 28th-December 30th. So hurry on over to Right Down the Middle with Andrea to check out the resources. Remember to use the search bar and hashtag #bestof2016sale to find all of the resources on sale. 

I have a couple of fun giveaways coming up very soon! Make sure you like and follow me on Facebook and Instagram (rightdownthemiddle). You will not want to miss these upcoming giveaways! 

Martin Luther King, Jr.

During the month of January, we celebrate the life and contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr. Each year, the students enjoy learning about him, and it occurred to me one day they may like a more hands-on approach. And it worked! 

Every year when it gets time for planning resources for January, I always pull out this Martin Luther King, Jr. resource.  I added a flip-book activity (hands-on approach) that already includes biographical information about Dr. King. There are writing activities included in flip-book for students to complete after reading the information. 

The picture above shows the front of three pages. The other three pages are on the back. I included directions on how to print and copy the flip-book. You can choose to staple or not to staple the book...your choice. 

I printed my pages on white paper because I wanted to use colored pencils; however, you can use colored paper if you prefer. Either look great! 

This is a great way for students to interact with their reading. They will read a section (Early Life, Eduction, Civil Rights, Contribution, and His Legacy), and then they will have an opportunity to respond to a question. There are places throughout the flip-book for students to color the images. 

There are tons of other resources to use in this unit. There are two reading passages. One passage has comprehension questions, and one passages has open-ended response questions. There is an informational writing prompt complete with drafting pages, student writing checklist, and rubric. If your students need practice with ABC order, there is a page for that, too. There is an acrostic poem, a classroom activity, and a word search puzzle in this unit. 

If you are searching for something to add to your resources, check it out HERE. 

How do you teach about Martin Luther King, Jr. in your classes? 

Ghostly Nouns

In an effort to get the kiddos excited about this week, check out GHOSTLY NOUNS to assess your students' knowledge and mastery of common nouns and proper nouns.  

In this activity, students sort the ghost cards into two separate stacks: common nouns and proper nouns. After all cards have been sorted, the students use the recording sheet to record the common nouns in one column and the proper nouns in the other column.  There is an answer sheet the students can use to check their own answers, or they can turn it in to be graded. 

This is great as a center activity, as independent work, or as collaborative pair work. For additional practice, there is a sheet for students to sort the common nouns and proper nouns on their own paper.

This is a quick, easy setup activity your students are sure to love! 

Check it out HERE!

Descriptive Writing with Legos

When you think of writing, what stands out in your mind? Is it the words you weave together to create the perfect prose? Is it the revision process that seems to never end? Is it the teeth grinding type of memory? Or is it the wonderful feeling you get when you complete something that was completely fun? 

Teaching writing can be difficult at times. Motivating students to write can seem even harder. So, how do you get the students motivated to write? 

One tried and true writing lesson I have used is the Lego writing activity. The students absolutely love it, and they generate lots of talk in the hallway. If you have not used Legos or blocks in your classroom, read on. 

This activity is a collaborative group activity; students are divided into groups of three and assigned a job title/task to complete during the assignment. This keeps all students actively engaged and contributing to the overall product. The three jobs are recorder, designer, and contractor. 

After all jobs are chosen or assigned, I tell the students they have a super task to complete. They have to design and construct a functional item with the materials found in their group container. Not only will they just design and construct a functional item, but they will also have to write detailed instructions for other groups to be able to complete the construction of their item. Writing assignment sheets are passed out, and the students' eyes get bigger as they learn the materials are Legos (or building blocks, whatever you have on hand). 

Soon, it looks like an explosion of colors as the Legos go all over the floor and desks. I usually have to take a deep breath to regain my composure (I like order, structure, and neatness.), but it is definitely worth all of the mini-anxiety attacks I go through for them to really love the activity. 

Here is glimpse into the beginning of the assignment. 

Here, the students are making lots of progress, and the recorder is jotting down detailed instructions. 

This is a finished product from one group. It is a garage that houses a utility vehicle. 

If you are interested in implementing this activity in your classroom, click HERE. This resource provides teaching tips, writing assignment sheet, writing papers, rubric, and job titles. It is a lesson your students will remember for a lifetime!

We are entering the second week of May. For many schools, the school year is winding down. For others, you may just simply need a fun activity to get you and your students through to the end of the year. I have a couple of resources that have been my go-to when the students needed a break. They are all engaging and fun, and they are sure to be a hit with your students. 

Welcome to Middle School: End of the Year Activity is a wonderful culminating activity middle school students have enjoyed for numerous years. I created this activity about ten years ago at the end of the school year. It was an instant success. You are able to tailor it to fit the needs of your grade level and classroom needs. 

Here is what others have said about this resource: 

"I loved this activity. I was able to use it at the end of last year and then this year I displayed the work on a bulletin board in the hallway. It is nice for the new students and for the old students to come see their work!" ~Gabrielle

"I love this assignment! This is going to be wonderful our last two weeks of school! This is very well thought out and provides unique options for differentiated learning and ability. Thank you so much for the time and effort put into this." ~Jamie

"This is such a fun project! I am glad that I stumbled upon it as I was looking for a project like this. I was not disappointed as it far exceeded my expectations. Thank you for creating this!" ~Sandy

"This comprehensive activity was awesome. I will continue to use this year after year as a culminating activity. Thank you!" ~Nina

If you do not teach middle school, this is a wonderful resource to use. My Yearbook: End-of-the-Year Activity is great to use will all ages. It provides the students will templates to create their own yearbook, or memory book, of the year. Students love doing this, and the finished products are always fun to see. 

Here are some comments from others who have tried this resource in their classrooms: 

"My students LOVED making their memory books - I could tell because they took their time to make it look awesome!" ~Jen

"My students are working on this now. . and LOVING it! They said it was has been nice thinking of the whole year and all of the things we have learned and done together. A perfect project!" ~Jennifer

"My 7th graders loved this activity!" ~Nicole

"Fun end of the year activity, thanks!" ~Stephanie

If you teach PreK, I have a resource for you, too! My Pre-K Memories is a fun way to end the Pre-K year. I made this for my daughter a couple of years ago because I wanted a keepsake of her Pre-K days. It turned out so cute. 

What others have to say about it: 

"This was a great gift for my kids at the end of the year! I love it!" ~Sarina

"Made a great end of year activity." ~Tracy

"Great book,will tell my friends to buy." ~Anonymous

No matter what grade level you teach, I hope you will find one of these resources perfect to incorporate into your classroom to end the year on a fun, engaging, and positive note. 

February Currently

I cannot believe February is already here! I always love the first of each month, so I can link up with Oh Boy Fourth Grade for the monthly Currently!

Listening: It is Super Bowl Sunday, so of course the television is on ESPN. The hubby cannot miss one thing about football. I have also been googling Marshawn Lynch interviews and videos. He is quite entertaining in my opinion! 

Loving: The weather is beautiful outside today...think I might go for a run in a little while. 

Thinking: I have a very busy week ahead. We have meetings, PTO, students dressing up like their favorite book characters, homework, and the other usual weekly events. I need to get everything organized today for the week. 

Wanting: I think it is because the weather is so nice, but I want to go shopping with the gals for some new spring clothes. I think we might should even make it a weekend adventure. 

Needing: I woke up this morning with a terrible headache... took some medicine and went back to sleep. When I wok up again, the head was still throbbing. I think some more medicine and outside therapy will help it. 

Pageant Title: "Queen of Yoga Pants"...no, you won't see me sporting around town in them; however, they are my go-to every second I am at home. 

Hehe...true story!

Since it is February, I want to share with you some resources to make your planning easier. 

This February Writing Bundle is a great addition to the month. It contains 20 journal prompts, plus three essay writing prompts. The essay prompts come complete with the writing topic, organizing page, drafting pages, and scoring rubric. You can choose the mode of writing you are working on in class and use that prompt. The students love the topics, and it is all nicely organized for you to incorporate into your plans. 

Black History Month Mini-Unit is the perfect resource to use with your students. This supplemental resource included eight biographical readings, discussion questions with a quote for thought for each reading, and a page for each reading to use in an Interactive Notebook. The influential figures included are Mary McLeod Bethune, Booker T. Washington, Sojourner Truth, Jackie Robinson, Ruby Bridges, Jesse Owens, Rosa Parks, and Frederick Douglass. 

Capitalization Task Cards is a FREEBIE located in my TpT store. Go grab your copy today!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Happy Teaching!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Lapbook Success

It's that time again...it is the Hump Day Link-up with Mrs. Stanford's Class! 

This week, a group of second graders used my Martin Luther King, Jr. Lapbook Activity, so I had the opportunity to work with them. I had so much fun! 

They began on Monday with a brief introduction of this famous civil rights leader. I went into their classroom on Tuesday morning to help with the construction of the lapbooks. They seemed very excited and eager to get started. 

The main objective Tuesday was to talk to the students about the lapbooks, what their lapbook would look like after completing it, and how they could use it as a learning and study tool. After our lapbook discussion, we got busy cutting the templates and placing them into the lapbook. 

While I was helping guide the students, one boy raised his hand and asked, "Do you know what is the best part about these lapbooks?"

I responded with, "Please tell me."

With the biggest smile on his face (and scissors in his hands), he said, "Getting to make it ours."

Yes, yes, indeed! They were engaged, happy, and learning. I cannot wait to go back in there today.

To conduct a further investigation of Martin Luther King, Jr., the students will use iPads today to gather information and research about this great, influential leader. 

Click HERE to be directed to the lapbook resource. 

Don't forget to see what others are doing this week at Mrs. Stanford's Classroom. 

Hump Day Highlight Linky

Hump Day Highlight Link-up

I am linking up with Mrs. Stanford's Class Hump Day Highlight. These will occur each Wednesday to give you a glimpse into what everyone is working on and using. This is going to be so much fun!

Today, I am going to share with you a resource I am working on with my daughter. We are discussing nouns, and this Winter Nouns Activity provides a cute center activity to use for sorting common nouns and proper nouns. 

It comes complete with two posters: common nouns (definition, example) and proper nouns (definition, example). Other components included are 24 nouns, "Common Noun" column, "Proper Noun" column, recording sheet, and answer key. 

This is the perfect center activity for independent work or to use in collaborative pairs. The students are engaged and having fun, all while mastering common and proper nouns. 

For the Winter Nouns Activity CLICK HERE.

To see what others are doing, click here to be redirected to the link-up.