Add Flavor to Your Class Writing Adventures

Everyone likes to have another stash of writing prompts on hand, right?
After recently uploading Part 2 of my Writing Adventures Task Cards, I thought I would share with you the previews for each, just in case you are not a store follower at TpT or haven't visited lately! Both sets (Part 1 and Part 2) contain 36 prompt cards and Part 2 also contains an additional size of the same prompts, each prompt on its own full sized page to project on your activboard or to print for centers, etc. 

Download the previews straight from Google Docs by clicking the images below!

If you are interested in the full versions, click here for Part 1 and Part 2!

Reasons for Using Ransom Writing Prompts?

They make perfect...

Bellringers

Exit Slips

Writing Centers

Challenge Activities

Fast Finisher Enrichments

and on and on and on...

NOT TO MENTION, they open minds and get imaginations flowing!

I'll email a set for free to the first 3 followers that leave a comment telling me how they can incorporate these prompt cards into their lessons! 


Just be sure to leave an email for me to send them to and if you'd like Part 1 or Part 2.....
I'd also love to hear your unique strategies for incorporating journal writing or other writing activities in your class!


Regards,

A Series of Educational Sites: "F"...PBS Kids!

As a Mississippi girl, I'm have enjoyed PBS Kids and PBS Teachers!! Just in case you're not familiar with PBS, I wanted to post about this site because it's pretty darn cool... for all of us--teachers, children, and parents!

This post is so much more than about PBS Kids, as the title includes. 
Let's start with the main site-- PBS.ORG! This site has created PBS Kids, PBS Teachers, and PBS Parents to name the most helpful to you...
Featuring videos, games, shows, and more, there's plenty to entertain students in an educational manner. 
Teachers...See the PBS Teachers--Kids in the Classroom! They offer a "Word of the Day," Early Childhood Resources, and quite a bit more ranging from PreK to 12th Grade. Another tidbit to check out is the Teacher Innovation Awards -Are you an Innovative Educator? See how many winners there are just in 2011! 
Parents will love this site now that school is out (or soon will be) for the summer! Mom & Dad can access activities, advice, and even recipes for quality time spent with the kiddos! Ideas are endless and perfect for those rainy days or TOO HOT days! Sign up for the PBS Parent Newsletter and stay up to date...

Want to know another great feature? 
Mobile apps are available as well! How convenient is that...for kids to watch their top fav PBS shows? A couple of these shows I remember watching when I was little!


In case you missed them, see previous posts of "A Series of Educational Sites" I've blogged about:
Educational Site A: Quizlet
Educational Site B: Arcademic Skill Builders
Educational Site C: Wonderopolis (Free Writing Printable included!)
Educational Site D: EZSchool
Educational Site E: The Problem Site

So, check out PBS Kids...and tell me what your favorite PBS show is (yes, you, the teacher/parent)? 
Was it one you watched as a child too? 
If you don't have one, what are your child's or students' favorites? 
Please share them with us in a comment below! Or, click on my signature to share your comments on my Facebook page! I'd love to see you there too!


Regards,

A Series of Educational Sites: "E"...The Problem Site!

I landed on another fun site you may/may not know about...
The Problem Site!
Students will jump all over extra computer time to play free online educational games! They can also engage in lots of other fun interactive skill-polishing activities on The Problem Site!
Just to give you an idea, here are a few games offered on the site:

• Picture Word Game
• Hangman
• Secret Number 2
• Zero Gravity Connect Four
• Subtraction Triangles
• The Pirate's Map
• Treasure Hunt

My thoughts?

I must say that I am pretty impressed with how many avenues of topics and levels this site covers. It really get students to think, as it did me. There's a lot to gain from extra problem solving activities and good brainteasing challenges.  I love that it also has daily online puzzles, a reference/resource page to use in research and other projects, printables to easily and quickly create, and brainteasers! Just let them explore and see what they like! I think you'll find something for most any student. 

Why use interactive sites in the classroom?
We all have students, or perhaps children, that love interactive games and playing on the computer! Let them utilize the site when extra time allows them use on computers or when you just want to give them some extra challenge time! Computer time is always a great reward or incentive for promoting good classroom behavior or achieving goals academically!

Have you heard about it? Let me know what you think about the site or if you already utilize it! I'd love to know your thoughts on using computer time as a reward or motivator in the classroom too!

A Series of Educational Sites-"B: Arcademic Skill Builders!"

Hello to All! I hope you saw the first of my "Series of Educational Sites" Posts which featured post "A:  Quizlet!"  

Today's "A Series of Educational Sites" post: 

"B: Arcademic Skill Builders!"  (Yes, ARCADEmic...)

Visit Arcademic Skill Builders' Facebook Fan Page!

This cool place is an interactive site full of engaging educational games for children. From Grades 1-6, you will find ALL sorts of games across the board in subject area!

Why Incorporate this Interactive Web Site?

• Games Aligned with Common Core Standards for Grades 1-6 
• It works! Immediate feedback, provides students that desired challenge, and more!
• The Basic Games with Standard Content are FREE!
• Students love playing games! If practicing important skills is incorporated with play, where's the loss?

 An Example: VERB VIPER!

Arcademic Skill Builders' Verb Viper Game!

Click Here to See More Games

Awesome link to tell your students about just to let them play games at home! 

I'm thinking this would be a fantastic remediation tool or bonus point option for class! A free time center? Hmmm.....

This kind of learning is what my colleagues and I refer to as "Sneaky Learning" because you can slide in those skills they need as they "PLAY" games and have fun! 

Have you used Arcademic Skill Builders before? Please let us know how you used it! What kinds of games do your students like to play?          ________________________________________________________

Also, while I've added this site's link to it, be sure to visit the 

Top Teacher Resources' Facebook Page!

Stay tuned for another post on "A Series of Educational Sites" from Innovative Connections! Thanks for stopping by my blog! 

Recommending a Visit to Sunny Days!!

Awesome Resources-Sunny Days TpT Store

50 Printables for Early Finishers & Enrichment

A few words from Sunny Days' Product Description:

Never again hear a student say, “I’m done, what do I do now?” 

            Fifty printables for enrichment and early finishers. 

Critical & creative thinking activities for a wide range and ability of students grades 1-4. 

You may even find activities that correlate with whole class units of study as activities cover all subject areas.

AND...This Awesome Super Bowl Packet!

          

Visit Sunny Days in Second Grade Blog Too!

Great for Grades 2-5 & Homeschoolers!

A few words from her product desciption:

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This activity pack includes a combination of nine high interest printables,

 centers and home activities revolving around the big game!
Download the preview to see each activity:
Football Jersey Glyph
Design a Super Bowl Ticket
Two research printables
Superfan tri-fold game watch guide
3 page word work activity
Football themed Roll-A-Sentence activity
Math problem solving printable
Football compound printable

Find these products and other super resources at 

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