Setting Sail to Learn About Christopher Columbus

Drawing

How to draw a ship with sails.  Drawing these steps one at a time can be a great listening lesson.  And the results are rewarding ! Read these steps below giving your students time to listen, think and then create is a great way to improve listening and also talk about Christopher Columbus.  Drawing the sails from the bottom up makes it easier to connect them at the corners to create the windblown look.

1. Draw the hull near the bottom of the paper.

2. Add the three masts as shown.

3. Add the sails to each mast working from the bottom up and from stem to stern so they overlap properly. 

4. The mast lines inside the sails are erased.
5. Water, clouds, moon, flags and hull details are added. 
6. The drawing is traced with a black marker and then colored in with colored pencil.

This is a high-interest activity and students are motivated to draw a ship after reading about Christopher Columbus.  

Reading

This book is brief and simple text with beautiful illustrations.  Ask your students what they see on the cover, make predictions and begin to read the rhyme and rhythm text of this story.  When you are finished reading, place it on your chalk tray to display and invite your students to take a closer look. 

Creating 

Ships for Snacks

Blue Jello and Orange Quarter are easy to make and so make Columbus Day Learning fun. 

Easy to Build " Egg Carton Ships".

Materials Needed: cardboard egg cups, modeling clay or play dough, 5 toothpicks, 1 sheet white paper, scissors, craft glue

Cut sails from white paper. 

Paint your eggcups brown. Set aside 3 toothpicks for the large sails. Break or cut the other three toothpicks in half; giving you 6 halves.  Line of glue through the middle of sails. Place the broken half on the glue line. Repeat until all sails are made. Place your playdough in the eggcup to hold your sails in place. 

After you build your ships, you will need a map.   

Draw outlines of land and dotted lines from Spain to New World on a brown grocery bag; crunched up, of course.    Paint the land and water.  Add details... you have your artist's license to create and paint your map. 

Writing

Find these pages HERE ... Easy PRINTABLES ... NO PREP

Read. Think. Write. Learn.  
About Christopher Columbus

Find Writing Prompts HERE

Parent Conference Forms and Handouts

Everyone knows that those minutes with parents can be extremely helpful to the learner as teacher-parent partnerships improve school behavior and academics.  Be ready for your parent conferences with these easy to use forms that will highlight important points for student learning and growth.  Also included are conference reminder forms to send home before your conference.  

Send your parents home with these three handouts that outline important points for parents to help their children to be successful.  Being successful and feeling the "I CAN" attitude about learning improves student behavior.  The 3 handouts are:

• How Can I Help My Child Be Successful in School?
• How Can I Help My Child Read?
• How Can I Help My Child Write? 

The parent conference forms are editable, in color and in B&W.  There is a form for :

• Fall Parent Conference Notes
• Winter Parent Conference Notes
• Spring Parent Conference Notes
• Anytime Parent Conference Notes

These forms are in color to make your parent conference bright; and you also can find them in B&W should you wish to save ink.   Print out the colorful handouts and place them in your parent waiting area. There are 2 signs to put on your door at conference time...the sign reads:
"Please knock at your scheduled time to help us stay on schedule." and of course the signs have color and art.  Both signs read the same but the artwork is different. 

 Find all of these forms for your parent conferences HERE. 

Yes, I want these parent conference forms

Remember to follow my TPT Store as all new teaching resources are listed at 50% off for the first 24 hours.  Also I continually update, revise and add more pages to all my teaching resources; as writing is ongoing and new ideas emerge for the resource as I use them with little learners. You will receive notifications of the new listings at the 50% off price, revisions, updates and sales. 

Thank You Followers.  

Teaching Citizenship and Respect - Back to School Resources

Teach Citizenship and Respect - Today and Everyday!

7 Ways to Create A Growth Mindset Classroom

Finding a time and place to inspire your students can be as easy as a bright, colorful corner in your classroom with a few words that bring awareness to a positive attitude toward learning.  This bulletin board catches attention as it is across from the door of the classroom. Attitude Is Everything! Starting with a growth mindset can pave the way to great learning, good friendships and a positive school year.  What is growth mindset? Students with a fixed mindset believe that intelligence and talent are innate abilities that don't change.  Students with a growth mindset believe that ability can change as a result of effort, perseverance, and practice.

Back to School Must Haves- Meet the Teacher -Bulletin Boards that Teach

Back-to-School

Teaching Resources that SaveTime and 

Start You Off on an Amazing, Best Ever, School Year! 

Meet the Teacher Slideshow Template

Are you planning a "Meet the Teacher" night?  Do you possess the characteristics of a good speaker?  Confident, Passionate, Being Yourself, Voice Modulations, Keeping it Short and Sweet, Connecting with Your Audience, Painting a Picture, Being a Storyteller 

You can be all these by preparing that perfect talk with these editable teaching resources for "Meet the Teacher" night. Be prepared and dazzle your parents with this "Meet the Teacher" Brochure and Slideshow.   These teaching resources for "Meet the Teacher" Night are editable and easy for you to implement. Write or type in your information and then just download and print. Being prepared with these teaching resources will allow you to give that awesome talk at "Meet the Teacher" Night... as you click from slide to slide, you will stay on track and deliver the important information you need your parents to know.   The brochure allows student input, design and artwork!  and that is always an attention getter for parents! 

Create a Brochure for Meet the Teacher Night

Bulletin Boards that teach are a great beginning to the school year.  Create this birthday graph with your students. It teaches early math skills in graphing, adds color and delight to your classroom and builds community and self-esteem during those first few days of school...

Create a Classroom Birthday Graph

Back to School is so exciting and so busy!  Find these teaching resources to help with your start of school year activities and classroom organization...

and save TIME!  

You can find them at my TPT Store - MrsQuimbyReads

My Writing Checklist for Beginning Writers

Teach Beginning Writers to reread, revise and edit.

 A perfect writing concept to teach early... and now! 

This checklist includes: 

1. quiet worker 

2. reread writing 
3. begin sentences with a capital letter. 
4 sound out words 
5. spell sight words correctly and use word wall 
6. check for spaces between words 
7. use punctuation at end of sentence 
8. add details 
9. words match illustrations. 

10. write 8 sentences or more. 
10. best writing, reread and checked.

Only One You - Book Companion

Don't you just want this bulletin board in your classroom or hallway? 

Linda Kranz inspires us to be unique and create.  All you need is paper, paints, markers, bright colors and kids working!  Magical way to show each person is important! 

Be sure to read the end pages of this wonderful book by Linda Kranz to inspire children to be good citizens and value self-esteem.  

86 Life Lessons! 

1. Explore.
2. Be adventurous.
3. Test the waters – then dive in.
4. Become an expert at something.
5. Never stop learning.
6. Understand that everyone you meet is just trying to fit in. Help them feel at ease.
7. You can do anything that you set your mind to do
8. Smile often!
9. If someone says something can’t be done, and you know a way, show them how.
10. Drift away with a good book.
11. Tell you loved ones how much they mean to you. Give them hugs for no reason at all. Cut out hearts and leave them on their pillows.
12. Enjoy every day.
13. Sometimes silence is the best answer.
14. Write notes that say “I love you.”
15. If you don’t try, some day you might wonder what you missed.
16. Slow down and notice details around you.
17. Use your imagination.
18. Be colourful.
19. Laugh out loud.
20. Play!
21. Anything is possible – all you have to do is try!
22. Be sure to compliment at least one person every day. When you do, watch them smile.
23. Love with your whole heart.
24. Be open-minded.
25. Collect something.
26. Be enthusiastic.
27. If you have a special talent, share it with others. Teach. Lead
28. Smile warm the heart; they are contagious.
29. Appreciate what you have. Never take anything for granted.
30. Speak with great clarity. Choose your words carefully.
31. Develop a “can-do” attitude.
32. Think positive thoughts.
33. Always be on the lookout for a new friend.
34. Look for beauty wherever you are, and keep the memory of it with you.
35. Blend in when you need to. Stand out when you have the chance.
36. Find your own way. You don’t have to follow the crowd.
37. Know when to speak; know when to listen.
38. No matter how you look at it, there is so much to discover.
39. If you make a wrong turn, circle back.
40. If something gets in your way, move around it.
41. Set aside some quiet time to relax and reflect every day.
42. Appreciate art. It’s all around you!
43. Make wishes on the stars in the night time sky.
44. There’s only one you in this great big world. Make it a better place.
45. Breathe.
46. When you feel joy, tell someone. Share your happiness.
47. Take care of yourself.
48. Be kind.
49. Look for rainbows after a rain shower.
50. Be spontaneous.
51. Find balance.
52. Savor the good times.
53. Look for the good in everyone.
54. Speak your mind gently.
55. Life is a circle; enjoy the journey.
56. Do something nice for someone. They will remember your kindness.
57. Be good to yourself.
58. Choose friends that energize you to feel good about yourself.
59. Find your passion.
60. You are amazing!
61. When things get hectic, focus on being calm.
62. Set goals, and go after them. Once you’ve accomplished them – set new goals.
63. Dream big!
64. Look for opportunities to excel.
65. Listen.
66. Store away sunshine for cloudy days.
67. Always stay young at heart, no matter how old you are.
68. Do the things that you must do and then make time for the things that you love.
69. If something doesn’t work out the first time – try again!
70. Make waves; sometimes you have to.
71. Hold hands with someone you love.
72. Surround yourself with color and watch your spirits soar.
73. Never give up.
74. Embrace change.
75. Tomorrow is a brand new day!
76. Believe in yourself.
77. Visualize your dreams.
78. Relax
79. Make plans to accomplish something amazing during your lifetime.
80. Be still. Observe. Ponder.
81. If you don’t understand something, ask questions until you do.
82. Seek out mentors.
83. We all need a little excitement in our lives. Be on the look out for it.
84. Make the best out of every situation.
85. Plan for the future but live today.
86. Leave a legacy.

Teaching Resources - for Back-to-School

Reference Cards for Writing and Math FoldersBright, Colorful, 
Fun and Educational

  A Reminder if you are following my TPT Store, new teaching resources are listed weekly at 50% off for the first 24 hours.  Be sure to grab these savings as you head back to school. 

Lots of resources to help with teacher organization... Teacher Binder and Weekly Lesson Planner   It's editable and over 200 pages FREE Updates for Life...important forms, parent letter templates, monthly newsletter templates and a BONUS Substitute Notebook.. all included in this one teacher resource.

 .... Reading and Writing Assessment Forms; Meet the Teacher Night ..make a brochure.

Lots of resources to help with Classroom Decor and Organization... Labels for Everything, Busy BEE Posters , [ teach citizenship] Classroom Rules Posters Ready to Display...
Informational Text Features...makes a great bulletin board.  Alphabet Displays like none others...vibrant and bright real photographs [manuscript and cursive]  Improve Hallway Behavior with this Hall Sign

Great resources to start the school year. .. Book Companions for great 
read alouds for the first week of school... and more throughout the year. 

• Only One You
• Giraffes Can't Dance
• Big Al
• Chrysanthemum
• One Smart Cookie

Back-to-School Writing Prompts to get to Know your classmates | 21 pages for the first week of school ... "I am ME" booklet ready to make for beginning readers and writers.  
Listen, Draw and Follow Directions   Perfect activity to start out the year.

You can find teaching resource index HERE

Thanks for stopping by....

Teaching Resources 50% Off - MrsQuimbyReads

Big Back-to-School Promotion!  Starts now ... until October 31, 2018.
It's simple...follow MrsQuimbyReads TPT Store .    Followers receive notifications when new teaching resources are listed.  All new listings will be 50% off for the first 24 hours.  You will also know about the FREE resources listed and the many sales throughout the year.  A great way to get teaching resources for less $.   Over 20 resources for back-to-school and beginning of the year activities to be listed in July and August ! and more following for September and October ! 

Follow! Follow! Follow!

 Read. Think. Write. Listen. Solve. Learn.

• book companions and writing prompts for the best Children's Literature and read alouds [teach literacy and life lessons with literature]
• Reading Response Graphic Organizers 
• Engaging activities to provide your students with opportunities in good reading at a deeper understanding and level
• Literacy Skills that improve comprehension 
• resources for word study and expanding vocabulary
• Sight Words and activities
• Math activities and skills that engage students more fully
• Calendar Keepers and activities to teach math concepts at calendar time
• Create math centers that provide practice in learning new math concepts and skills
• Classroom management resources that help build a strong community of learners with a good work ethic and a responsible classroom behavior
• Classroom decor that helps you present a stunning classroom environment and at the same time teach citizenship
• Teacher resources for class and student organization
•  weekly lesson planners
• Important School Forms that help the entire year long
• Monthly Newsletter Templates
• Parent Letter Templates
• Social Studies Activities and Pages
• Seasonal and Holiday Writing Prompts and Literacy Pages
• Science Readers that Integrate literacy skills

 Go to  MrsQuimbyReads.com for more information and previews of these teaching resources that will save you time and money!  Hurry on over and be ready this school year! It's a great idea!  and then follow at 

TPT Store MrsQuimbyReads to save $.  Follow today!

Back to School Teaching Resources

It's all here!  Book companions, writing resources, classroom management, teacher binder and weekly lesson planner, back-to-school teaching resources, calendar math and more.  Teaching resources that are creative, educational and save YOU time.  

  Hurry over and get some deals 

... and relax into summer! 

TPT Store -MrsQuimbyReads

You will find book companions to start out the school year to teach citizenship, good character, self-esteem and good work ethic.  Here are a few... browse my TPT store to find more.  

Only One You

Tops & Bottoms

Big Al

Red, a Crayon's Story

Giraffes Can't Dance

Each Kindness

The Very Busy Spider

Back-to-School Teaching Resources to find NOW …
so you can relax and enjoy summer! 
 Beginning of the Year Resources

Hall Sign  [hallway behavior]

Teaching Respect

Classroom Rules

Editable Teacher Binder – Important Forms, Monthly Calendars and Monthly Newsletter Templates

Posters for Classroom Display – Teach Kindness and Respect

Classroom Rules Posters for Display

First Week of School – Writing Prompts

I Am ME Booklet 

Create and design the perfect weekly lesson planner with this 
time-saving resource. Choose the perfect cover, choose your weekly lesson planner that fits your schedule, find important school forms that you will use all year long, save time with the parent letter templates that are editable for you to type in the information specific to your students and classroom.  You also receive monthly newsletter templates that impress your parents and readers with your professional and eye-catching designs.  All editable and FREE updates for life.  AND a BONUS: you also receive a teacher notebook for your Substitute Teacher.  
Get yours now, create your binder and be ready for the upcoming school year.  You can see more HERE!

You can purchase the editable teacher binder HERE! 

                                               

Lots of covers to choose from, weekly lesson planner that save YOU time all year long.  Many many important forms, and also a BONUS Substitute Teacher Notebook included for FREE.  This editable Teacher Binder is on sale 

July 2-5, be sure to get yours... 

These pages will fit in a standard 3-binder notebook.  You might also wish to have it spiral bound...that's what I like to do as it makes my weekly lesson planner light and easy. 

The weekly planners are editable.  Put in all your information that remains the same every week.  Highlight times and subjects if you like; then print out your planner page; back to back; assemble your pages for the entire year. Now you can easily write in notes and important points. Good spaces and blocks to write in ... there are 6 different designs to choose from and you can also include your monthly planner and year-at-a-glance page.  Saves YOU time! and organizes your daily routines in the classroom.  

shhh... follow my TPT store and you will be notified when I add new products.  Prices are lower on the first day that I add the resource. My way to say thank you for following.  

Enjoy your summer!  

MrsQuimbyReads

July Calendar Keepers and Math Activities