Ginger Specks

This fun activity gets the students thinking about Claim Evidence, and Reasoning with the use of a crime mystery. The activity includes a passage/scenario, 3 different clue cards that coincide with the character, and 3 think sheets for Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning. There goal is not to have a correct answer, but to prove their claim and response using evidence from the text and clues. Great small group activity! Students share their claim and provide evidence and reasoning to the class.

What a great way to get your students understanding science inquiry tables, and identifying fair and unfair tests! Students analyze the data table to determine if the investigation is fair or unfair. Then, after supporting their reasoning, they share how they could improve the test. These can be used as a whole group collaborative approach, or as small group conversation cards.

This 14 page resource includes an explanation on what is/is not a fair test, a student check list, activities, conversation/task cards, and visuals. The resource is intended to be used as a whole group lesson, small group lesson, reference source, and extension. It can be used as an introduction or to solidify student mastery.

Animal Adaptations! Is a great extension activity, incorporating STEM concepts, and collaborative learning. The investigation activity includes habitat scenarios for students to use the information in creating their "new" animal based on the habitat constraints, an information table for students to collect their research, and a materials list. I have loved seeing student creativity and higher-order thinking with this activity!

SUMmarize like a pirate is a great (and fun!) enrichment to for small group or guided instruction. I have included 8 short passages (all around a DRA 30) all around pirates. These can be used as task cards or conversation cards. Students read the passage and then choose the best summary (multiple choice) for the text. An answer key is also provided and encourages students to utilize cooperative learning to share why the answer is correct, as well as how to improve the other options to make t

The Character Trait Task Cards include open-ended response cards to engage students in conversation around their desired text, and the character traits within. This is a great extension activity to promote mastery in the standard with the gradual release process.

This is a great resource aligning to the gradual release process, helping students discuss and share ideas around figurative and connotative meanings within text, using their context clues.

Task Box fun subitizing with dice! This product offers ideas to enhance number fluency and fine motor skills. Use as a small group activity, or as a quick exit ticket reference on individual number mastery.

I hope your students enjoy this activity! The “We Need Shade” activity goes along with Missouri standard K.PS3.B.1 (coincides with K-PS NGSS standard) and engineering standards (identify the problem, create a solution, and redesign).

This is a great resource for teaching about how altering water or sun effects plants, using the 5Es of science. I have included passages on level, videos, two investigations, exploring a phenomena, and reflection with a cooperative learning strategy.

The Fox and Crow passage has been modified for 2nd grade benchmark level 20 readability. The passage contains task cards to coincide with moral/lesson standard, and beginning/middle/end.

I have created a non-fiction text book about Ben Franklin. (The booklet was created to ease the printing ability. When the multiple pages are stacked upon each other, two booklets are able to be created at once.) The booklet is a DRA level 10 for first grade, and meets the needs for non-fiction standards, reading and following multi-step directions in text. This is a great resource to use during guide reading, and within the gradual release process in active engagement.

Asking "thick" open-ended questions is hard for little minds. However, "thick" questions help make connections and are a valuable skill in comprehension. The resource can be used progressively (and was created as such), and/or in small groups for reinforcement.  Although students are introduced to this standard concept early on, it is more complex as it requires metacognition/questioning while reading.  These strategies are a great way to provide a gradual release in formulating open-ended ques

The “Let’s Make Music” activity goes along with Missouri standard 1.PS4.A.1 (coincides with K-PS NGSS standard) and engineering standards (identify the problem, create a solution, and redesign). Student goal:  Students purchase (with play money attached) materials to create vibrations, and sound through investigation.

In this engaging activity, students work through the engineering process. They identify the problem (Ginger and George need a new home), design their Gingerbread House, and then test the strength of their house. Each house has to hold weight (your choice of grams, etc.). The lesson includes all of the steps within the investigation process. I have written the investigation to include materials to build a house with food supplies, and another option to use paper resources. Please let me kno

In this engaging activity, students work through the engineering process. They identify the problem (Gingerbread people need to cross the river to get away from the fox), design their boat, and then test to see how many gingerbread men they can fit within the boats, redesigning if necessary. Please let me know if you come across any improvements you think would make the activity better. I love the feedback!

This is a great resource for teaching how figurative language adds meaning to the text, as well as how plot and conflict reflect history/culture. The resource goes along with pages 162 and 164 of Brown Girl Dancing, by Jacqueline Woodson.

Subitizing fun with snowflakes and a busy box! Include fine-motor skills into this activity by adding clothespins! This activity can be used in a small-group setting, independent, or with partners.

I have a created a nonfiction passage with 8 task cards. The passage was written at a DRA level 20, and includes directions within the text, addressing the nonfiction standard (showing comprehension of text and following directions within a text). This is a great resource to use during guided reading, or in a center/station to encourage the gradual release process towards standard mastery.

Don't Crack the Egg! is a great extension to get students thinking about cause-and-effect, balanced/unbalanced forces, and the investigation process. The resource includes directions, a materials list, student "job" expectations for collaborative learning, a data table, prototype design, and an "accident report."