Fall Into Engaging Teaching Resources

FALL into 

Engaging Teaching Resources

Reading children's literature in the classroom and at home is powerful.   Children show a keen interest in the books you read and they become engaged and motivated readers themselves.  Reading to children is proven to improve cognitive development.  Cognitive development is the emergence of the ability to think and understand.  The simple and complex problems presented in children's literature creates a construction of thought processes.  These processes include remembering, decision-making and problem solving.  Children who have a rich and full background of stories and books have many opportunities to practice the skills of information processing, intelligence, reasoning, language development, memory and attention span.  When you read aloud to children, you provide them with a background of knowledge which helps them make sense of the world.  Children see, hear, and read which leads to thinking and more reading.  Talking about books gives this reading process power.  Power to bridge stories to their own lives and make connections to people, places and situations.  Read good books. Talk about good books.  Write about good books.  and you will find that one good book leads to another.

Some books for you to read this fall....

Book Companion for Old Lady

In November - Book Companion

Teaching literacy with There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Books, by Lucille Colandro. Make an interactive reading booklet which provides the opportunity to retell the story, read for fluency and talk about books and reading at home. Over 30 pages to use with this fun book that children love. Talk about make-believe and fiction. Silly and absurd! 

Enjoy good books!

         In November by Cynthia Rylant...Read. Write. Do. Learn. These reader response pages will engage primary readers in literacy skills after reading this wonderful picture book about November. 16 pages for reader response and writing prompts that give the opportunity to write about this book and the author’s message. 

                                                                                                                            

Arthur's Thanksgiving

Everyone Loves Pete, the Cat

What Do You Do With
a Problem?

You can find more book companions here. 

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

   

     Pete the Cat- Book Companion

Engage your students with these reader response pages for this wonderful book, Pete the Cat Checks Out the Library by James Dean. Students will answer comprehension questions about the book, complete word work, color and write and learn how to do a book talk.

"Sharing a book that helps a child to form a habit of reading and makes reading an enjoyable activity that one engages in often is a good beginning for teaching language arts." CQ

Hallway Behavior Sign for Classroom

Find this Hall Sign HERE

Post this sign at your doorway and your students will be ready for hallway behavior. It reads: H- hands at your side. A - all eyes forward. L - Lips zipped L - Low speed. Quick and Easy! Display it! and Refer to it often! There are 8 different designs so you have a choice of color and graphics.  This classroom sign is a great way to remind your class of your expectations while passing through the hallways at school. Located and displayed at your doorway, this sign will be a quick reminder each time your class lines up. Also easy for you to refer to on a daily basis. Bold and bright print - 8 designs! You will love this easy way to line up your students.

Find all the many spelling pages HERESpelling Practice with Smiling Faces and Good Results! These pages provide practice in reading, writing, spelling and learning new spelling words. These pages can be used with ANY word list. 37 pages! These pages can easily be used for small groups, independent work and homeschoolers. Assign for distance learning and school-at-home.Students will have a variety of ways to write, read and learn their spelling words. These work perfectly for independent seat work, small group instruction, review, reinforcement, school at home or distance learning and homework. These pages can be used with ANY word list and are perfect as an independent work packet for spelling.

Back to School Writing Prompts

Learning to Follow Directions - Listen and Do


Everybody loves these Listen and Do Pages - You can get them HERE  Improve students' listening skills with these 'listen, draw, follow direction' pages. Students listen, then follow the directions by what they heard. Teacher direction pages are included.   These PRINTABLES are no prep for the teacher and provide practice for an important school skill...listening.

Spring is Here - Children's Literature in the Classroom

Reading Children's Literature Everyday is an important event in every elementary classroom.  There is a long list of reasons why reading aloud to children is beneficial to their reading achievement.  I cite 3 of the many just below:

1.   Reading aloud promotes a positive attitude toward reading and books.

 2.  Reading aloud helps to promote a longer attention span.  

 3.  Reading aloud exposes children to complex language, which will help the children in all areas of their development, especially their reading development.  

 And here are some book choices for your reading pleasure now that 

Spring is Here !

Mole wakes up after his long hibernation and can smell Spring in the air, however Bear is still asleep having his long winter nap.  Time to wake up, Bear!  Mole wants Bear to celebrate the wonderful event.  He has quite a bit of trouble getting Bear to wake up, so he decides to gather eggs, milk a cow, churn some butter and bake some muffins!  And this seems to be exactly what Bear needed to wake up from his hibernation !  This is an engaging and awesome story about Spring and friendship. 

It is perfect for beginning readers.

The Wind In the Willows 

by Kenneth Grahame

The Wind In the Willows was published in 1908 in England and 1909 in America.  Meet the characters... Mole, Rat, Badger and Toad.  Characters show numerous examples of good virtues.  Forgiveness, compassion, generosity, humility and hospitality to name a few.  I always encourage my students to read books that "make them smarter or nicer".  This book creates a natural springboard to discover and discuss the many virtues that make the world a better place to live in.  Toad can be a bit arrogant but he is able to learn to become more humble by the end of the story. Of course, he finds friendship to help him to this end. 

Here are some great quotes from the book:

"Beyond the Wild Wood comes the Wide World."

"It takes all sorts to make a world."

"As he looked, he lived; and still, as he lived, he wondered."

"As one wakened suddenly from a beautiful dream."

"I have the gift of conversation."

"There is nothing--absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

"We chaff, we sparkle, we tell witty stories."

"Here today, up and off to somewhere else tomorrow!"

"A horizon that's always changing!"

"Everything seems asleep, and yet going on all the time."

When Spring Comes - Book Companion

 When Spring Comes , by Kevin Henkes, tells the story of all the magical happenings when Spring arrives. Your students will love writing about this book.  Grab your book companion for this book HERE.  

MrsQuimbyReads.com

Teaching Literacy and Life Lessons

with Children's Literature

Children's Literature for St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Reading good books that teach literacy and life lessons on 

St. Patrick's Day and everyday.  Read on to find out about Eve Bunting's entertaining book about what exactly leprechauns do.  Frolic through the Irish countryside with a few leprechauns.  Oh what fun! 

Read  That's What Leprechauns Do by Eve Bunting to entertain your students with yet another great choice from the world of Children's Literature.  What exactly do Leprechauns do?  Illustrations by Emily Arnold McCully create the whimsy and jest that are perfect for this story. 

Meet Ari, Col, and Boo as they set out to find their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow ! But like most leprechauns, they find themselves creating quite a bit of mischief along the way. Their antics entertain and delight the reader because, in true leprechaun style,  this trio creates havoc as they frolic the beautiful Irish countryside.   

That's What Leprechauns Do - Book Companion

I created these pages with SPACE for the child writer... so important for writing... creativity and voice.  Young writers will surprise you with their writing if you give them creative space to write their thoughts.  It's more fun for them and it creates 

so many teachable moments for YOU!  

Click the link below to get your book companion for this fun book to read on St. Patrick's Day. 

That's What Leprechauns Do - Book Companion

Easy and fun to do for the Little Learners... You will need green peppers, paint and white paper! 

FREE Reading Resource for responding to your favorite St. Patrick's Day story.  

Free Resource for St. Patrick's Day 4-Square

Find more resources at  MrsQuimbyReads.com  

Enjoy your reading day!

Reading Literature in the Classroom

The Old Tree - Book Companion

The Old Tree is perfect for reading aloud to PreK-1.  This book teaches young readers the importance of working together to save our environment.  Ruth Brown presents Pigeon Post delivering the mail to The Old Tree asking "Why is there a big X on the tree?"  No one seems to know until Captain Crow peers into his telescope and learns what is about to happen... PANDEMONIUM!  first .... and then the animals and birds work together to save their beautiful home. 

It's the most beautiful tree I have seen this year in any picture book.  The characters are likable and lovable... even Mr. Woodpecker who makes a racket remodeling his home ... making several renovations and new additions!  Professor Owl seems to get a headache and not only because of noisy Mr. Woodpecker but also because of some other charming characters in this story.  If you love birds

Presidents' Day Teaching Resources and Writing Prompts

Writing prompts, graphic organizers and cut & paste for Presidents’ Day. 

Three easy-to-read reading passages about 3 famous Presidents; Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln. Also, included is a cover page so your students can make a ‘Presidents’ Day’ Folder.

Writing Prompts and Graphic Organizers Include:

• Reading Passages

• Three Facts about Each President

• Was, Had, Wanted

• Washington was a great President because

• Lincoln was a great President because

• Jefferson was a great President because

• Compare and Contrast [Washington and Lincoln]

• If I were President, I would

• The President’s job is important because

• Lincoln’s Log Cabin [cut and paste] for primary readers

• Famous Buildings in Washington, D.C. [cut and paste]

• A famous Quote from each President [Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson]

• Cover for Student Folder

21 total printable pages to use to learn and write about these three presidents, Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson.

Thank you for previewing this teaching resource.

Find this teaching resources for Presidents' Day HERE

Teaching Resources for Martin Luther King, Jr - I have a Dream

Teacher Resource for Martin Luther King Jr.

Read about Martin Luther King, Jr.  Learn about this great man in history. Find these writing prompts that are easy to use and enhance reading comprehension.  Use the Biography Facts page as a springboard to meaningful classroom discussions.
Find some creative talent to draw a portrait of Martin Luther King, Jr.
I have a dream..

This resource would be a one or two day writing activity for social studies and history.

Graphic organizers help support the writing experience. It would be appropriate for Grades 2-3 and homeschoolers.

• 2 pages reading passage about Martin Luther King, Jr.
• 3 graphic organizers to write about the reading in biography genre
• writing prompt about Dr. King's famous speech "I have a dream"
• writing pages to write about your own dream for our nation's people
• draw a portrait
• book recommendations

These writing pages for Martin Luther King, Jr. can easily be assigned for distance learning and school at home.

Thank you for previewing this teaching resource.

Find this teaching resource for reading and writing pages about Martin Luther King Jr.

Yes! I want these NO PREP pages 
for teaching about Martin Luther King Jr. 

Teaching Resource for Learning about MLK

Writing about Your Winter Break - Teacher Resources

Winter Break Writing Page ... warm up and get started after winter break. This teaching resource provides an authentic writing experience for your students after winter break.

Pages Include:

• graphic organizer to tell about winter break
• writing page to write one short story about the winter break

These pages would be perfect for a beginning writing activity after your students come back to school after their winter break. You can easily assign these pages for

distance learning and school at home.

Download your copy HERE !  It's FREE!

January Books to Teach Engaging Literacy Lessons

Snow Many Books to Read in January

The weather is sparkly and bright, crisp and clean... and perfect to read these 8 books as the snow falls outside your window.  And engaging your child with these books may lead to some great winter fun and activities.  Here are a few of my favorite books for kids about snow and winter.

The Snow Day  by Komako Sakai
Sakai is masterful in creating anthropomorphic animals that are so believable we can happily accept them in an incongruous setting. The snow falling down is just the beginning of this bunny's adventure in the snow.  

Teaching Literacy and Life Lessons with Children's Literature

Here are 5 reasons why reading is important...

1.  sharpens your mind

2. expands your vocabulary

3. improves memory and focus

4. improves writing abilities

5. enhances imagination

No Two Alike by Keith Baker

no two alike by Keith Baker

Follow a pair of birds on a snowflake-filled  journey with rhyme and simple language through nature in wintertime... where everything is wonderfully unique -- from branches, leaves, nests and winter friends...no two are alike!  The illustrations are gorgeous and can easily be a springboard to making winter art in the classroom. 

              

red sled by Lita Judge

Red Sled has very few words but that makes the looking and listening that much closer. As you read this one... pause and think...ask what might happen next?  What do you think? Small children and early readers are quite capable of making inferences and evaluations when you read aloud a good book as this one.  All the woodland creatures take a child's sled for a joy ride at night.  The ride is beautifully illustrated in watercolors.  See the humorous expressions on the characters' faces.  When finished, slowly and gently close the book on your lap and listen to the children's conversations.  They will be very informative of their understanding of this wonderful book. [ and that may be the only reader response required] ...

   b y

Pete the Cat, Snow Daze   by James Dean

Everyone loves Pete, the Cat and Pete loves a good snow day. He also loves school. When it just won’t quit snowing, Pete starts getting a little tired of staying home and snow activities.  Is it possible to have TOO MANY snow days?  Find out how Pete and friends all chip in to get back to school!

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats captures the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall.  This is a favorite as it unfolds a child's wonder at a new world, and the hope of keeping that wonder forever.  
Click Here to find reader response pages, graphic organizers and pages that will improve understanding and reading achievement.  
Easy to use printables, NO PREP.  

Snow by Uri Shulevitz 

No one thinks one or two snowflakes will amount to anything. Not the man with the hat or the lady with the umbrella. Not even the television or the radio forecasters. But one boy and his dog have faith that the snow will amount to something spectacular, and when flakes start to swirl down on the city, they are also the only ones who know how to truly enjoy it. This playful depiction of a snowy day and the transformation of a city is perfectly captured in simple, poetic text and lively watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations.

Snow by Sam Usher                                                  It's a wonderful feeling when you open your eyes in the morning and you see that deep, soft blanket of snow.  How quickly can you get outside into that winter white world to make your mark?  The young boy in this book zips, zooms through getting ready for his winter wonderland adventure and then waits for his grandfather.  The other kids are already out there making their footprints everywhere!  A whole lot of snowballs and a bit of magic later, this boy and his grandfather agree that

"some things are definitely worth waiting for"

... a teachable life lesson with lots of room for classroom discussion.  Be sure to talk about the cover of the book and how it invites readers into the story. 

More Books and Teaching Resources for Winter Reading:

Snowflake Bentley - Book Companion

January Reading Challenge

Bear Snores On - Book Companion

Roll and Read Fluency Practice - Winter Theme

The Hat and The Mitten - Jan Brett - Book Companion

All About Penguins - Reading & Writing Pages

The Snowy Day - Book Companion

Martin Luther King, Jr. - writing prompts

All About Snow - literacy and math pages

January Writing Prompts

Happy Reading and enjoy the winter wonderland 

with good company and good books!