Project-Based Learning Central

This lesson is a huge hit with young writers around Thanksgiving time. After a read-aloud, students use the graphic organizer and writing paper to make the convincing argument that their turkey is something other than a yummy turkey to eat. Instead, they choose to hide their turkey's true identity and persuade the audience not to eat them. As an optional extension, students can illustrate/create their turkey camouflaged as something else (a rock, a super hero, etc.) to go with their writing. In

Students enjoy this creative writing assignment. After providing some example read-aloud trickster tales, students use the "Mad Libs" style template to plan out their own trickster tale. Included: *full lesson plan with strategies for differentiating *recommended trickster titles *graphic oragnizer for student writing *writing paper for composing trickster tale ***Please email me at graffkidlit at gmail dot com for the Microsoft Word document if you've purchased the pdf.

This activity is a great way to see what your students have learned about a particular Native American tribe's shelter, clothing, transportation, food, and the lives of tribe children. It integrates writing, reading, and social studies objectives. Use as a one-time project or as an ongoing project to document when your students learn about each sub-topic for your units. Fully customizable for your students' needs. Included: *Step-by-step directions and pictures showing how to prepare the flip

This 7-question quiz tests student understanding of what it means to show good citizenship. Each question features pictures to help students with special needs, second-language needs, or who are still learning to read. Easily adapted to be a worksheet. *Please email me at graffkidlit at gmail dot com for the Microsoft Word document if you've purchased the pdf.

This easy-to-use activity takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Prepare the materials as seen in the student recording sheet (or adapt it to suit your own needs), and partner children up to explore what sinks or floats.A follow-up activity can include a discussion or writing about what happened. Students are sure to remember what happened since they explored the stations themselves. *Interested in a complete week-long matter unit that includes this lesson/worksheets as part of the package? Check o

Glyphs are a fantastic way to mesh together reading for directions, math, and holiday fun. This scarecrow glyph activity is hands-on and loaded with autumn flair. Included: *Detailed lesson plan on introducing the glyph *Directions sheet (glyph key) for children to figure out which options their scarecrow will include *Tracers for the craft *Please email me at graffkidlit at gmail dot com for the Microsoft Word document if you've purchased the pdf.

Students love learning when it includes yummy pictures of pizza, cookies, donuts, and more. In this activity, students cut and paste pictures of food to represent sharing with 1, 2, or 3 other people. Included: *two pages of cut and glue activity sheets *one page of food clip art

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

Two graphic organizers are included, one using Handwriting Without Tears lines for K-2 and one using lines that work better for grades 1-3. Each has a space for a topic sentence and four supporting detail sentences for young writers to form a paragraph. Final paragraph writing paper is included, as well. Preview writing lines coming up blotchy, but the actual pdf has no quality concerns.

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.

I enhance our study of seasonal change by introducing a few songs or poems for each season. This one is always the favorite. I print off a copy for each child to keep in their poetry folder. *Please email me at graffkidlit at gmail dot com for the Microsoft Word document if you've purchased the pdf.

This step-by-step lesson plan uses Lio Lionni's Tillie and the Wall to teach primary students about the concept of perseverance, or not giving up. A read-aloud and discussion are followed up by student written response and a fun art project!

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.

Students LOVE feeling like they're keeping a journal of their travels as you explore a variety of habitats. This file contains a cover for the student passport, as well as insert pages that you can multiply based on how many habitats you want to teach. *Please email me at graffkidlit at gmail dot com for the Microsoft Word document if you've purchased the pdf.

This matter quiz comes from first grade level curricular standards. Each of the ten questions features pictures to help students who have special needs, that speak more than one language, or who are still learning to read. Easily adapted to use as a worksheet, as well. *Interested in a complete week-long matter unit that includes this quiz as part of the package? Check out this link: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hands-on-Matter-Unit-5-lesson-plans-recording-sheets-quiz *Please em

This fun activity allows students to review months of the year, major holidays, seasonal change, and get to know one another. Best of all, it gets students up and moving! Included: *complete lesson plan *student bingo boards *month labels *month pictures *optional name labels Please email me at graffkidlit at gmail dot com for the Microsoft Word document if you've purchased the pdf.

This sign includes simple words and clipart to remind students to sanitize or wash their hands after using the classroom bathroom. *Please email me at graffkidlit at gmail dot com for the Microsoft Word document if you've purchased the pdf.

This activity starts as an ice-breaker and helps students review the concept of estimation throughout the school year. Families love participating. Included: *Full description of how to use/manage this activity *Parent letter detailing exactly what to do *Sign that introduces families/students to the estimation jar *Guessing slips for student estimates *Reminder slips to put in the jar before sending home

As long as you have a scoop of soil, kids can explore what soil really is made of using this easy activity. Includes a recording sheet for student observations. *Please email me at graffkidlit at gmail dot com for the Microsoft Word document if you've purchased the pdf.

To help students enter the room each morning in an independent fashion, I use this handy checklist that I put on their desks to remind them or their "morning jobs." 4 checklists fit on one sheet of paper, so they're truly small. But they do a big job in encouraging independence. *Please email me at graffkidlit at gmail dot com for the Microsoft Word document if you've purchased the pdf.