Brenda's Brainstorms
12 Followers
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
About the store
For the past seven years, after leaving the classroom to teach independently, I have served as a dyslexia consultant & coach / reading specialist / screener. I provide dyslexia simulations upon request, give piano lessons, and play the organ and keyboard for my church. I have served on the board of the International Dyslexia Association - Kentucky Branch in the capacity of vice president and events coordinator, as well as compiled information for the newsletter. One of my passions is writing poetry about dyslexia.
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Elementary Spelling BEE II: Words from Basic Word List: Fifth Edition: Barron's
This ready-to-use spelling BEE includes a 100-word list, a chart to keep track of rounds, and rules to be read at the onset of the competition. It is fashioned after the SCRIPPS National Spelling Bee format, in that each word contains the part of speech, etymology, a definition, and a sentence.
2nd - 5th
Phonics & Phonological Awareness, Spelling, Vocabulary
Elementary Spelling Bee - Brenda's Brainstorms (Oxford Roald Dahl Dictionary)
Ready-made, 90-word list; complete with part of speech, etymology, definition, and sentence for each word; book references from Oxford Roald Dahl Dictionary; a Rounds Record Sheet is included; also find Rules to Be Read Aloud at Bee Time
3rd - 5th
English Language Arts, Spelling, Vocabulary
Elementary Academic Team Practice Match 1: by Fran & Brenda
Two rounds of questions, including math, science, English, social studies, and arts & humanities; based upon the Governor's Cup format; 70 questions in all; can be used as academic trivia or games.
4th - 5th
For All Subjects, Visual Arts
Middle School Spelling BEE II: Taken from The Big Book of Words You Should Know
This ready-to-use spelling BEE includes a 100-word list, a chart to keep track of rounds, and rules to be read at the onset of the competition. It is fashioned after the SCRIPPS National Spelling Bee format, in that each word contains the part of speech, etymology, a definition, and a sentence.
5th - 9th
Phonics & Phonological Awareness, Spelling, Vocabulary
Dyslexia Discoveries Jeopardy I: Things that Every Big & Little Kid Should Know
This informative PowerPoint game will explain a great deal about a little-understood learning difference: DYSLEXIA. Five question categories include: Fact vs Myth; Warning Signs; Research; Famous People; and Accommodations.
3rd - 12th, Adult Education
Classroom Community, Reading
Elementary Spelling Bee III - from Roget’s Thesaurus of Words for Students
This list of 82 words, complete with part of speech, etymology, definition, and sentence for each, will assist in presenting a spelling bee for elementary grades 3 through 5. Words were taken from Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Students: Helpful, Descriptive, Precise, Synonyms, Antonyms, and Related Terms. Rules and a round sheet are also included.
3rd - 5th
English Language Arts, Spelling, Vocabulary
Elementary STEM Spelling Bee: Taken from "1000+ Science Facts"
This spelling bee, designed for elementary students, includes 80 STEM words, 20 knock-out words, round sheets, and rules to be read aloud to students at the program's onset. Each word includes the etymology, part of speech, definition, and sentence. In addition, the list may hold value for science teachers hoping to build vocabulary and students' knowledge base.
3rd - 5th
Science, Spelling, Vocabulary
Schwa Jeopardy
Answer questions in a game format about the schwa sound: sounds, syllables, rules, mystery words, and true/false. (tweaked on 8/11/19)
3rd - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Balanced Literacy, English Language Arts, Phonics & Phonological Awareness
Jeopardy: Things That Every Big & Little Kid Should Know - DYSLEXIA 2
Become familiar with aspects of dyslexia such as myths, warning signs, research, famous people with the learning difference, and accommodations. This second in a series of Jeopardy activities is suitable in a number of academic settings.
3rd - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
English Language Arts, Reading
Secular Christmas Music Meets Language Arts: Jeopardy
This light-hearted activity combines holiday tunes with language arts concepts: word choice; number words; rhyming; capitalization & punctuation; and vocabulary. It is an effective way to build word recall skills in students of all ability levels.
2nd - 12th, Adult Education
Music, Reading
Turkey Chef
Draw a turkey chef, step by step; compare pumpkin recipes and answer comprehension questions; work an Ingredients Crossword Puzzle; create your own recipe; and practice writing a cursive Thanksgiving message.
3rd - 12th
Reading, Visual Arts
MARTIN Luther King, Jr.: Create & Illustrate with Fran & Brenda
Art / drawing activity: Enjoy doing a step-by-step drawing of Martin; Language Arts activities include an acrostic puzzle using meaningful vocabulary, a reading-in-context cloze "I Have a Dream" speech, and creative cloud writing / sketching
3rd - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Other (Arts), Reading
Comprehension Crosswords: 150 PSALMS - with Synonyms
Read and study through the book of Psalms in the Bible as you work six puzzles, one word from each psalm, a synonym for each entry, and solutions.
3rd - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
English Language Arts, Reading
Thank You, Veterans: Create & Illustrate with Fran and Brenda
Do a step-by-step drawing of kids raising the flag on a flagpole; create your own patriotic ABC poem for Veterans Day; interview a veteran and then write and share; practice a cursive message; think of ways to help a veteran.
4th - 12th
Creative Writing, Visual Arts
Jeopardy Game: Christmas Traditions Around the World
This multicultural look at Christmas traditions includes questions about Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and North America.
2nd - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Presidents' Day: Create & Illustrate with Fran & Brenda
Draw George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, with step-by-step examples by Fran Riddell. Enjoy a memory game entitled Presidents Concentration, based upon an original poem by Brenda McCray, including a stanza for each president.
2nd - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Poetry, Visual Arts
This Month in History Jeopardy: SEPTEMBER
This Jeopardy game includes September dates and a mix of questions in the following categories: Birthdays; Events; STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math); Pop Culture/Sports; and Special Days/Times. Participation in the activity might tweak curiosity and spur some independent research by students, as they test their wits to answer.
3rd - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
For All Subjects, Social Studies
R-Controlled Vowels: Is it ER, IR, or UR?
This activity is useful for learning the spelling of confusing words that contain r-controlled vowels ER, IR, and UR. For each word, there is audio provided, as well as an illustration, three spelling choices, a definition, and a sentence in which the student will click and drag the word into place while listening. The student can easily work independently, and consideration has been given to ESL students and those with learning differences. The activity coincides with Barton Reading & Spellin
K - 5th
Spelling, Vocabulary
IDIOM ID
Students can increase their vocabulary base by choosing the sentence with the idiom that best rephrases the prompt. Twenty questions will allow for a lot of discussion and study.
3rd - 12th, Adult Education
English Language Arts, Reading, Vocabulary
11:41
Animated Cursive Lowercase Letters
This video will give a student a visual tool to use for practicing forming cursive lowercase letters. Each letter is presented 3 times in a row.
2nd - 12th, Adult Education
English Language Arts, Handwriting, Writing
Showing 1-20 of 21 results
About the store
Experience
For the past seven years, after leaving the classroom to teach independently, I have served as a dyslexia consultant & coach / reading specialist / screener. I provide dyslexia simulations upon request, give piano lessons, and play the organ and keyboard for my church. I have served on the board of the International Dyslexia Association - Kentucky Branch in the capacity of vice president and events coordinator, as well as compiled information for the newsletter. One of my passions is writing poetry about dyslexia.
Teaching style
I adjust my teaching style to meet the educational needs of each child. I use the Barton Reading and Spelling method for children with dyslexia but supplement with educational games and Smart Board activities. Assessing for learning differences gives me extra insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the kids and adults who come across my path.
Awards & shining teacher moments
As Elementary Academic Coach for 3 years, my team received 1st place in the district and 2nd place in the region for two years straight.
My own education history
I have attended four universities: University of Kentucky, Tennessee Tech, Memphis State, and Eastern Kentucky University, where I received an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education P-5 and Master's Degree in Reading & Writing K-12.
Additional biographical information
I have coordinated a 14-school Diocese of Lexington Spelling Bee for 11 years straight. In August of 2016, I started a group called the DYNAMOS - for kids with learning differences to get together each month and participate in activities to search out a talent or interest; thus, the motto "Every kid has a talent. Discover yours!"
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