The Learning Curve

This simple Anzac Day craft idea would be perfect for Australian or New Zealand children commemorating Anzac Day. It could be also used in a study of Australiana. The file includes the templates and simple instructions to make this craft. Anzac Day is an important holiday in both Australia and New Zealand. We remember the diggers of World War I and others who have served since.

These cards have photos and words to show the animal babies and corresponding parents. These cards can be used for various activities in Science or Literacy such as sorting, matching, reading and phonics activities. They could also be used for card games such as Snap or Go Fish, or as cards for a word wall or in a learning centre. They would be useful when teaching children science concepts about growing and changing as well as life cycles. There is a variety of animal types including farm anima

This PowerPoint presentation is to be used as a whole class game to review the concept of common nouns and proper nouns. The file is editable so that you can include nouns that are relevant to your students - add your name, your principal, your school, your city, your students' names. The game is very simple to play - you show the slideshow and the students sit if it is a common noun or stand (tall like a capital) if it is a proper noun. It is only a quick game but a great review and a fun warm-

This very simple worksheet is designed as an assessment task for my students. They need to write the correct months for the seasons into the spaces around the edge of the wheel. The spaces for each season allow for differentiated assessment since it is open-ended. The simplest response is to draw a symbol or choose a colour for each season. The next level up would be to write the typical weather and a favourite activity into each section. The extension activity is to write special days that occ

This set comprises of ten cards to be used as a resource for students when writing an Animal Report. The information consists of basic keywords and phrases which can be used by students to construct their own sentences. This is a great way to scaffold note taking skills. When students experience using these notes to create their own written report, they build a better understanding of the purpose of note taking. These Animal Report Notes can be printed and laminated for use by many students. Th

This basic table is designed to be used by students to create their own calendar page. The table is to be printed onto A4 or letter sized paper and then students write the days of the week across the top and add numbers to the squares to make the calendar. This page is then glued onto a larger piece of paper (such as A3) in a contrasting colour and students create a header for the month name and decorate the page as appropriate. Each child could make their own calendar or they can compile the pa

This Powerpoint presentation is designed to introduce the various sections of a written report in a visual way. Visual icons are used to represent the different sections of the report. This makes it easier for early readers and writers to locate the information they need from the notes and to record their own sentences in the right sections of the report. This powerpoint complements the Animal Report Notes, as well as the various writing guides for Animal Reports available as free downloads.

A comprehension sheet to accompany a simple Anzac Day poem by an unknown author: Why are they selling poppies, Mummy? The worksheet has a copy of the poem and some simple multiple choice questions. Perfect for Anzac Day!

These very handy desktop placemats are great for use in class or for homework help. They are designed to be printed on double-sided A3 paper or light card and laminated for long term use. I use these placemats everyday in my classroom for Math warm-ups, assistance with spelling, handwriting and math problems, and for classroom organisation. I move the placemats to the desks where I want students to work so they know where to go to get started right away on a group or independent work activity. T

These very handy desktop placemats are great for use in class or for homework help. They are designed to be printed on double-sided A3 paper or light card and laminated for long term use. I use these placemats everyday in my classroom for Math warm-ups, assistance with spelling, handwriting and math problems, and for classroom organisation. I move the placemats to the desks where I want students to work so they know where to go to get started right away on a group or independent work activity. T

This Valentine's Day activity by The Learning Curve is suitable for 1st and 2nd Graders who are developing an understanding of place value. Students can place counters on their 100 board or colour the given squares to make a heart shape. The activity could be used with a whole class using an interactive 100 board on an interactive white board or as a small group activity or center activity.

This classic science experiment involves planting a number of seeds in a jar and covering the outside of the jar with a paper sleeve. Students check the progress of their seeds and sprouts each day and determine if it matters in which direction they planted the seeds originally. This experiment works well with bean seeds because they are big enough for the children to see the different parts of the seeds.

This template gives younger students a guide while writing reports about animals. The icons down the side are a visual representation designed to assist early readers in tracking the sections. Students write a title in the top box and then record their ideas on the paper. The lines for writing are dotted thirds. The sub-sections for the report are classification, appearance, behaviour, habitat, diet, life cycle and closing statement. This template can be used with the matching PowerPoint presen

Here is a great way to practise the scientific process in a simple experiment while cooking yummy Anzac Biscuits! This simple template guides students through the steps of the scientific process - posing a question, hypothesising, testing, observing, concluding. This activity is designed to meet the standards of the Australian Curriculum in Science for Year 2 but would be a fun experiment for anyone to try with their class. This activity could easily fit into a study about Australian or New Zeal

This minibook is designed as a scaffold for early readers and writers when writing a report about animals. Each page of the minibook is for a different section of the report and includes an icon as a visual clue for early readers as to what information goes in each section. Dotted thirds lines are provided for students for writing. The facing page once the minibook is stapled together can be used for illustrations. A Powerpoint presentation which can be used to introduce the icons and sections o

This PowerPoint presentation can be used to introduce the idea of being a scientist. It focuses on creating fair tests by encouraging children to think about the variables that need to be controlled in some simple experiments. The PowerPoint is designed to be used either as a stand-alone or in conjunction with other ideas that you can read about on my blog. This resource works well with the Year 2 Science content from the Australian Curriculum.

This activity is designed as a partner activity. Students work together to cut the facts and sort and glue them into the appropriate categories. Working with a partner promotes discussion about the mathematical thinking and reasoning when selecting the best strategies. Some of the facts could go into two different categories. This will give opportunities for discussion about addition. Fast finishers can solve the addition facts, but the emphasis of the activity is on selecting the best strategy.

Save on photocopying but still give early readers and writers support when writing an animal report with these simple guides. Each sheet has enough guides for three students. Simply cut them into strips and the students glue the strip into the margin of their book as a visual guide to the various sections in an animal report. Alternatively, you could laminate the strips and students can use them over and over when writing their reports. These strips can be used with the Powerpoint presentation w

This simple money game by The Learning Curve is designed to be played with a whole class or a group. Students practise tendering amounts to match the value shown on the tickets. ** Now with blank cards as well so you can make your own amounts. ** The game involves movement and music to add to the fun. The slides are designed to be printed and laminated and the tags cut out. Students can attach these to "goods" or just imagine the goods and use the tags alone. The different colour coded tags all

This activity is designed as a partner activity. Students work together to cut the facts and sort and glue them into the appropriate categories. Working with a partner promotes discussion about the mathematical thinking and reasoning when selecting the best strategies. Some of the facts could go into two different categories. This will give opportunities for discussion about addition. Fast finishers can solve the addition facts, but the emphasis of the activity is on selecting the best strategy.