Summer Journal | Authentic Writing | Summer Break | Writing

Summer Journal

Are you looking for summer writing prompts or summer school activities that will motivate your students to write this summer?   Is it important to maintain those writing skills over summer vacation?  Sail Away to a Summer Authentic Writing Experience. Assign this summer writing journal to your students so they maintain their writing skills and write about summer events.

This is an engaging writing activity. Students will choose from "topic squares" and write about summer events when they happen. These 

writing topic squares can be used in the summer journal booklet you create with these cover pages and inside journal pages, or you can also use the topic squares to assign with a composition notebook. Choose the pages you like and keep your students writing.

Students are directed to cut out the topic square as summer events unfold, paste it in their booklet or composition notebook, write the date, write about the topic, and reread their writing to correct mistakes. This summer journal can be a great way to start the next school year by sharing summer events.

Pages Include:

1. 3 pages of summer 'topic squares.'
2. 1 page where students can design their topic square
3. Cover [3 designs]
4. Inside journal pages with no lines, primary lines and lines for more experienced writers
5. Extra lined pages and no lined pages if you make a booklet journal
6. Teacher Notes and Directions
7. Student Directions

Topics Include:

books read, stories written, jobs, chores, swimming, hiking, camping, playground, 4th of July, sports, favorite foods, favorite treats, movies, gone fishing, friends, helping family, parades, summer birthday, birthday party, special event, vacation, travel, cooking, in the garden, lists, special day, rainy days, good deeds, pets, at the beach, money spent, money earned.

This summer writing journal is the PERFECT no-prep activity packet to excite kids to write over summer break! 

Summer Journal

Summer Journal

See Preview HERE

Reference Charts for Kindergarten | Beginning Writers | Early Education | Reference Materials

Would you like to build a helpful and informative folder for your beginning writers? Do you want to encourage good writing?

Alphabet Reference Charts for Beginning Writers

These reference cards can be used to create a very useful writing folder for beginning writers and mathematicians. These charts can also be used in your classroom for small groups or made into individual writing and math folders. They're perfect for writing centers or math stations!

Writing Reference Card for Beginning Writers:

1. Alphabet Chart with pictures - Beginning Sounds

2. I know my alphabet manuscript guideline

3. I know my sight words - quick reference on early sight words

4. Consonant Blends with Pictures - Phonics

5. Trace the Alphabet

Math Reference Card for Beginning Mathematicians

Reference Cards for Beginner Mathematicians

1. I know my numbers

2. I know my shapes

3. Number Line

4. Tally Marks

5. Money - Coins

6. Combinations to 10

Keep these reference cards handy for beginning writers and mathematicians. Create writing and math folders to make them easily accessible. You can print on two sides or one side if you prefer. These are easy references for beginning learners. There are a total of 10 charts. They are easy to download and print.

Reference Charts for Kindergarten

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Sandcastle Writing Prompt | Explanatory Writing | Writing Resources

Sandcastle Writing Prompt 

Do you need a high-interest writing prompt? Engage your students with

Explanatory Writing about building a sandcastle.

Writing pages, sequencing, illustrating, and example sandcastle designs make a great end-of-year "waiting for summer" writing assignment. Your students will learn how to write an explanatory text with this writing prompt about sandcastles — writing that explains how something is created, how something works, why something happens, or what something means. This is integral to third- and fourth-grade learning and supports your students' writing in many ways.

Explanatory Writing Prompt - Sandcastles

What are the key benefits for children

when learning explanatory writing?

1. Improves Clarity of Thought
   Writing explanations helps students organize their ideas clearly and logically, strengthening their overall thinking skills.

2. Builds Communication Skills
   Students learn to express information and ideas in a structured way, making them better communicators in writing and speech.

3. Supports Reading Comprehension
   By explaining concepts in their own words, students deepen their understanding of texts they read and learn how to identify main ideas and supporting details.

4. Enhances Vocabulary and Language Use
   Explanatory writing encourages precise language and subject-specific vocabulary, helping students expand their word knowledge.

5. Strengthens Subject-Area Knowledge
   Students can apply explanatory writing across content areas—such as science, social studies, and math—to reinforce what they’ve learned through writing.

6. Encourages Curiosity and Research Skills
   Writing to explain motivates students to ask questions, seek information, and explore topics more deeply.

7. Prepares for Real-World Writing
   Expository writing mirrors real-world tasks (e.g., how-to guides, reports, and informational articles), preparing students for academic and everyday communication.

8. Builds Confidence in Writing
   Structured writing formats, like explanatory pieces, help students feel more confident and successful as writers.

This writing resource includes:

• 2 writing prompt pages
• sequencing pages
• materials page
• illustration page
• example sandcastle designs
• how to write page
• web mapping
• prewriting pages

This writing activity could span 2-3 days and is easy to follow. It is appropriate for

3rd and 4th graders.

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May Calendar | Free Printable | Teaching Resources for Spring

FREE | May Calendar | Printable

Free Printable May Calendar – Download Now!

Stay organized with this free downloadable and printable calendar!

It's perfect for tracking essential dates, planning events, scheduling lessons, or organizing family activities. Whether a teacher, student, or busy professional, this calendar is a simple and practical tool to keep you on top of your month. Please print it out and start planning today!

Do you need some Spring Break Packets? 

Preview these Spring Break assignment packets, which include reading, writing, and math.

Create a "spring break" folder for your students with engaging math and literacy activities. There are many pages to choose from, so you can quickly diversify folders to suit your students' needs. Reviewing and practicing literacy and math skills taught in the classroom is excellent, with a parent feedback form.  These are excellent for classroom seatwork, small reading groups, whole class instruction orhome study

Here are some 'Spring Break' Packets:

Spring Break Packet | 1st Grade | Ladybugs

Spring Break Packet | 1st Grade | Flowers

Spring Break Packet | 1st Grade | Rain

Spring Break Packet | 2nd Grade | Rabbits

Spring Break Packet | 2nd Grade | Chickens

Spring Break Packet | 2nd Grade | Bees

Spring Break Packet | 2nd Grade | Birds

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End-of-Year Memory Book | Elementary Grades | Writing | Teacher Resources

Create a memory book for the end of the School Year. This memory book provides authentic writing experiences for your students. Students will engage with pride and ownership as soon as they start the first page.

These pages can easily be kept in a writing folder for that 'special writing time' that everyone loves—the kind when it is quiet and maybe some classical music is playing in the background. After 10 minutes of settling in, everyone is busy with this authentic and meaningful writing task.

Great Idea: Get this resource early and work on the pages throughout the year, saving those unique pages for the end.

End-of-Year Memory Book

There are six cover pages.24 Total pages include:

• Cover pages for Grades 1 -5, and one without a grade named
• self-portrait
• all about me
• More about me
• favorite subject, books
• Favorite read aloud
• The most important thing I learned this year
• Something I excel in
• An area I still need improvement in
• summer goals
• best friends
• field day
• field trip
• Technology advances made this year
• holiday pages
• birthday pages
• autograph pages
• What I learned pages
• goals
• summer reading list
• seasonal pages

Bright, bold, and easy to read, these printables have space for students to color and write, making their memory booklets unique for this end-of-school year. Several days of fun activities in reading, writing, and thinking. Students can reflect on their school year accomplishments and make a keepsake they will look back on fondly for years to come. Parents also love these as they will look back on their child's achievements in your classroom.

A cover that reads "My School Memory Book" is also included, so you might use this for a multi-grade classroom. Students and parents will love this memory book of their year in your classroom. Students write in the school year on the cover of their booklet.

You May Also Want:

Field Trip Booklet - Write About Your Trip

Memory Book for Preschoolers and Kindergartners

Thank You Notes for Children to Paint and Write

End of Year Memory Booklet

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