Project-Based Learning Central

This activity is easy AND cute for primary-grade children. Each student brings in an easy-to-mix item such as gummy bears or pretzel sticks. All the materials are added to large bowls, mixed, and served inside a waffle ice cream cone that mimics a cornucopia. Parent letter included. Please email me at graffkidlit at gmail dot com for the Microsoft Word document if you've purchased the pdf.

This is hands-down one of my students' favorite activities each year. We pretend we are in an old-fashioned classroom for at least a portion of our day, complete with games and snacks. The activity is followed up with a writing prompt to reinforce concepts.

Students review and complete activity for each major concept of animal and plant adaptations. Concepts include: *adapation *migration *camouflage *dormancy *hibernation

This lesson allows students to actively participate and demonstrate knowledge of the stages of the butterfly life cycle. This lesson integrates science, reading, and writing standards of learning. After a read-aloud, students use life cycle picture cards (included) to sequence the stages using the writing template (included) and transition-word word bank (included). *Please email me at graffkidlit at gmail dot com for the Microsoft Word document if you've purchased the pdf.

Double-sided index card sized flashcards for reviewing or partner-quizzing coin facts. Includes penny, nickel, dime, and quarter images. Each coin flashcard features pertinent facts about each coin on the back.

When I started teaching first grade, I knew I wanted as many hands-on, experiential activities as possible. But as any teacher knows, money is tight, class sizes are increasing, and we need all the help we can get. That's when I came up with the idea to use an online volunteer/supply donation registry to organize what materials I needed for upcoming crafts, post openings for parents to come in and help, or request help preparing materials at home. Starting this registry changed my life and made

I print this sheet on full-sized labels and then affix them to 11" x 13" manilla envelopes for students to bring their work home in every Friday. The envelope is returned Monday and I can quickly scan the label to see if a parent has a question about their child's work.

Students reading at or above grade level in the primary grades need a chance to be more independent with their reading activities while teachers work with needier students. I developed these literacy circle handouts to allow students to work independently on important aspects of reading that push their comprehension in a self-directed manner. Includes 5 different jobs, though any one can be duplicated to accomodate a larger reading group.

To shake things up, particularly at the end of the school year, the kids love bringing in board games from home and having a period to interact and play each others' games. This letter to parents provides the details for sending in games for this special activity.

When the school year winds down, I set aside a block of time to recognize students with birthdays in the summer. This parent notice gives those children a chance to feel special, too :)

Spelling list that includes 12 basic words, 5 challenge words, and an area for students to work on 3 personal words that are tailored to their needs. Lists build developmentally based on phonetic patterns.

This handy letter allows you to get extra help from parents at home to sharpen all those pencils that show up unsharpened. It can also get be adapted when you reach the point where your students break pencils and you need help re-sharpening them.

If you're up for hosting a fun, memorable pajama-day read-in, this parent letter is easy to use and customizable for your own needs. Details what students are to bring from home for this enjoyable activity.

As a way to mix the study of adjectives with guided reading material, students can use this template to search for adjectives within any book.

Spelling list that includes 12 basic words, 5 challenge words, and an area for students to work on 3 personal words that are tailored to their needs. Lists build developmentally based on phonetic patterns.

Spelling list that includes 12 basic words, 5 challenge words, and an area for students to work on 3 personal words that are tailored to their needs. Lists build developmentally based on phonetic patterns.

Spelling list that includes 12 basic words, 5 challenge words, and an area for students to work on 3 personal words that are tailored to their needs. Lists build developmentally based on phonetic patterns.

Spelling list that includes 12 basic words, 5 challenge words, and an area for students to work on 3 personal words that are tailored to their needs. Lists build developmentally based on phonetic patterns.

Spelling list that includes 12 basic words, 5 challenge words, and an area for students to work on 3 personal words that are tailored to their needs. Lists build developmentally based on phonetic patterns.

Spelling list that includes 12 basic words, 5 challenge words, and an area for students to work on 3 personal words that are tailored to their needs. Lists build developmentally based on phonetic patterns.