Liz Sikora
145 Followers
Barrington, Illinois, United States
About the store
I was a teacher in the public school system for ten years- 1 year as a Special Education Resource teacher, and 9 years as a regular education 3rd grade teacher. Currently, I am staying home to raise my son, but teaching is still my passion and is something that I continue to do at my church's pre-school. I plan to return to the classroom in the future, and will continue sharpening my skills and educating myself to improve my craft.
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Onomatopoeia Activities
Onomatopoeias are a fun component of the English language for children to learn about. With this product, students will be introduced to what onomatopoeias are and will have the opportunity to apply what they learn to a fun writing and art project, as well as an enrichment activity.
This product includes:
Detailed Teacher Notes page with explanation of the project, as well as photographs
Explanation and example of a cinquain poem
List of Onomatopoeias
Onomatopoeia Word Art page
Cinquain Roug
2nd - 4th
Creative Writing, Other (Arts), Writing
The 12th Experiment That Failed: An Introduction to the Scientific Method
This is a fun and engaging activity that introduces the Scientific Method. You start with the hilarious picture book, 11 Experiments That Failed by Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter. Then, there is a great writing activity for students to complete: the create the 12th experiment that failed! These can be turned into a class book or a fun bulletin board! The final activity is an experiment with candy, which the students will learn how to apply the REAL Scientific Method to.
This product inc
2nd - 4th
Basic Principles, Chemistry, Creative Writing
Nonfiction Newspaper Book Report
This is a fun book report that allows students to pick a nonfiction book of their choice, take notes, and then transform it into a giant newspaper cover! This product aligns with 25 of the ELA Common Core Standards, and can be as simple as a student directed project, or a guided reading group project, or even an independent homework assignment. Students will enjoy learning about a nonfiction topic of their interest, and will love making a unique newspaper cover to be presented (if teacher's choo
2nd - 5th
Informational Text, Other (Arts), Writing
Biography Poster Book Report
This is a fun book report that allows students to pick a famous person to read about, take notes, and then transform it into a vibrant poster! This product aligns with 25 of the ELA Common Core Standards, and can be as simple as a student directed project, or a guided reading group project, or even an independent homework assignment. Students will enjoy learning about a person of their interest, and will love making a unique poster to be presented (if teacher's choose) and displayed!
This pro
2nd - 4th
Informational Text, Reading, Writing
Autumn Leaves Explanatory Paragraph Writing
Before students can master writing essays, they must first master a solid paragraph. This writing activity is ideal for the beginning of the year because it's goal is to help students create a solid paragraph in a fun way. It mainly focuses on two of the 6 Traits: Organization and Word Choice. Students will use their senses to brainstorm descriptive details about autumn leaves (word choice), and will then practice organizing their thoughts into a solid paragraph with an introduction, body, an
2nd - 4th
Other (Arts), Writing
Matter Vocabulary Cards
These matter vocabulary cards (or mini posters) are great visuals for students to use as they learn about matter! Attach these on a wall or board, use them as cards at a center, send them home as flashcards for homework, or anything else you want!
This free product includes:
15 vocabulary cards or mini posters (2 per sheet)
Vocabulary words included: matter, property, volume, mass, solid, liquid, gas, physcial change, chemical change, mixture, solution, metal, element, atom, and compound.
I ho
2nd - 4th
Basic Principles, Chemistry
Thanksgiving Mini Book Research Project
Kids are familiar with how they celebrate Thanksgiving in their own homes, but do they know the history of this important holiday? This product enables students to investigate the history of Thanksgiving by reading nonfiction texts, picking out the most important information, answering questions, and writing about this holiday in their own words. The end product is their very own mini book!
Included in this product:
Common Core Standards Description page
Detailed Teacher Notes page
Student E
3rd - 5th
Informational Text, Writing
Guided Expository Essay Instruction
Moving students from simple paragraphs to multi paragraph essays can be a difficult task for teachers. Modeling and guidance are probably the most important steps when transitioning to multi paragraph expository essays. This 6 Trait based writing activitiy allows for teachers to model poor, satisfactory, and exemplary writing for each component of an expository essay. There are teacher notes and suggestions for instruction, but teachers may also adapt it however they'd like. There is also a
3rd - 4th
Other (Arts), Writing-Expository
Fiction Cereal Box Book Report
**Revised on October 31, 2013**
This is a fun book report that allows students to read a fiction book, take notes, and then transform it into a cool cereal box report! This product aligns with 22 of the ELA Common Core Standards, and can be as simple as a student directed project, or a guided reading group project, or even an independent homework assignment. Students will enjoy reading a book of their choice, and will love making a unique cereal box report to be presented (if teacher's choose)
2nd - 4th
Other (Arts), Reading, Writing
Patricia Polacco Author Study
Every year, Patricia Polacco ends up being a favorite author among my students. They love learning about her life and all of her books, so I created this author study! This could be a one or two week unit, depending on what timeframe you have. It focuses on 8 of her books, but there are so many other ones you can include if you choose to. This product includes:
- Common Core Description page
- Teacher Notes page
- Detailed Lesson Plans
- Patricia Polacco mini poster with answer key
- Thank
2nd - 4th
Creative Writing, Reading, Writing
Idiom Activities
Idioms are fun for students, but they can also be challenging for them to understand. This mini unit is designed to introduce idioms through an independent writing activity and class book, and then allow students to review and apply some of the most common phrases through fun literacy center activities. This can be easily adapted into any teachers' writing and language curriculum.
This product includes:
Teacher Notes page & introduction lesson suggestions
Independent student project, which can
2nd - 4th
Grammar, Other (ELA), Writing
Life Cycle Posters
This free product included 10 life cycle vocabulary words, with their definititions and appealing pictures. Its a great addition to your science curriculum!
This product includes posters for the following science vocabulary:
Cycle
Water Cycle
Metamorphosis
Ecosystem
Food Chain
Pollution
Fibrous Root
Tap Root
Prop Root
Terrarium
Aquarium
Enjoy!
Elizabeth Sikora
1st - 5th
Earth Sciences, Vocabulary
Reading Genre Mini Lessons
Are you looking for activities to either introduce, review, or assess elements of specific genres? This is for you! This product focuses on mini lessons for Realistic Fiction, but really, you could sustitute any genre with these worksheets and activities. There are a couple pages that only focus on Realistic Fiction, but the majority focus on story elements that fit most of the other genres (fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, science fiction, etc.).
This product includes:
Common Core Standards
3rd - 5th
Literature, Reading, Reading Strategies
Spring Literacy Centers
Spring is just around the corner...finally! If you need literacy center activities with a Spring focus, this is the product for you!
Included in this product:
Table of Contents
44 Spring Vocabulary Cards
Student Direction Cards for each activity (to post at your centers)
ABC Order Activity
Macaroni Quotation Marks Activity
Quotation Mark Sticks Activity
Possessive Nouns Song Activity
Singular Possessive Nouns Activity
Plural Possessive Nouns Activity
Pronoun Sort Activity
Singular Pronouns Pi
2nd - 5th
Grammar, Writing
Ecosystems Science Journal
This is a wonderful science journal that focuses on Ecosystems! It offers individual practice, partner work, and small group or whole class lab activities. This is a supplement to the Macmillan McGraw-Hill 3rd grade Science Curriculum– Unit A: Life Science: Looking at Plants and Animals and Unit B: Life Science: Where Plants and Animals Live. It is a great addition to the curriculum and enhances the lessons you will teach! This product aligns with 19 of the Common Core Standards for Reading,
3rd
Earth Sciences, Reading, Writing
St. Patrick's Day Research Project
Here's another mini book for your students! Again, how hard is it to teach about the history of every holiday with so many other curriculum priorities?! That's why this is so great- you can make it as guided or as independent as you want. This is a great way for students to practice reading nonfiction text, locating the most important information, taking notes, and reporting on a topic.
This product includes:
Common Core Description page
Teacher Notes page
Student Expectations page
Student P
2nd - 5th
Reading, Writing
My Insect Report
Another great mini book for your students! Whether you are studying ecosystems or just want more nonfiction reading/research practice for your students, this is a great product for you. Students get to choose an insect, research nonfiction texts, take notes, transform their information into their very own mini book, and draw an illustration of their insect.
This product includes:
Common Core Description page
Teacher Notes page
Student Expectations page
Student Planning pages to take notes o
2nd - 4th
Environment, Reading, Writing
Narrative Writing: Changing Perspectives
**I am having trouble uploading the preview file, but will hopefully have it resolved as soon as possible. If you don't see it posted yet, please email me and I will get back to you asap. Sorry for this inconvenience!**
It can be difficult for students to understand and idenitify the differences between first, second, and third person point of views. This product provides two mini lessons to help reinforce this skill, as well as mini lessons for dialogue- both concepts are important parts of
3rd - 5th
Literature, Reading, Writing
Divide and Conquer!
Long division can be a challenging skill for students, so it's important to build a strong foundation before jumping into the process. The end result is the DMSBR strategy, but before students get there, they first review fair shares, how division relates to multiplication, division facts, and simple long division using base ten blocks. This is a great supplement to your current math curriculum, or is wonderful on its own!
This product includes:
2 detailed Teacher Notes' pages (CCS shown)
2
2nd - 3rd
Basic Operations, Order of Operations, Place Value
Martin Luther King Jr. Research Project
MLK Day is an important holiday, but as teachers, we have so many other curriculum priorities that we often aren't able to spend much time teaching our students about this holiday. If you feel that way, this is a great project for you and your students! It can be tailored to fit your needs: either an indpendent project, a center activity, or a guided reading group activity.
This product includes the following:
Project title page with CCS
Teacher Notes page
Student Expectations page
Student Pl
2nd - 5th
Reading, Writing
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About the store
Experience
I was a teacher in the public school system for ten years- 1 year as a Special Education Resource teacher, and 9 years as a regular education 3rd grade teacher. Currently, I am staying home to raise my son, but teaching is still my passion and is something that I continue to do at my church's pre-school. I plan to return to the classroom in the future, and will continue sharpening my skills and educating myself to improve my craft.
Teaching style
I love a well-organized and structured classroom, but that is not what completely makes a successful learning environment. There is not just one way of teaching, just like there is not one way of learning. Students walk in with a variety of personalities and learning styles, and it is my job to reach every single one of them and spark a passion for learning within each one. I believe this comes through well-planned, appealing lessons that reach every ability level, along with guided and independent practice.
Awards & shining teacher moments
High School and College: Honor Roll, Dean's List, Cum Laude
My own education history
Undergraduate: BA Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Evangel University.
Graduate: MA Teacher Leadership from the University of Illinois @ Springfield.
Additional biographical information
I live in the Chicago suburbs with my husband, Zach, and almost 2 year old son, Jude. We are expecting baby #2 in July! I enjoy staying active with sports and fitness, volunteering at my church, and traveling with my family.
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