Friday, November 30, 2012

More Free Beginning Leveled Readers

When you have a beginning reader, it is sometimes difficult to find reading material that fits their independent reading level.  Here are a few free beginning leveled readers:

A Rainy Day

A Rainy Day tells the story of two adorable puppies who are sad about the fact that it is raining.  The text focuses on the sight words: look, see, and is.

A Pig's Life

A Pig's Life focuses on the sight words: are, do, and that.  The story accounts a day in the life of a pig with fun examples and illustrations.

A Musical Adventure

A Musical Adventure tells the story of a few friends who make music with items from their house.  The text focuses on the sight words: can, you, and we.  It also focuses on the phonic -ap family (i.e. tap, rap, etc,)

For more beginning readers check out this post as well.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Lock Up Your Love With Master Love Lock


I first heard about love locks on bridges on an episode of Shannen Says. The show followed her and her fiancee as they traveled to Prague and locked up their love with a padlock on the bridge.  I must say that I thought it was quite romantic, and I had an urge to travel with my hubby to "lock up our love". 

Luckily for out bank account, we might not have to travel all the way to Europe to participate in this amazing tradition.  Master Lock is launching www.MasterLoveLock.com, a site that invites visitors to lock up their love—virtually securing their bond to each other and simultaneously generating donations for the American Heart Association.


“Padlocks have been recognized as symbols of strength and security for decades, which makes the love locks tradition such a heartfelt gesture,” said Rebecca Smith vice president, marketing, for Master Lock. “With the launch of www.MasterLoveLock.com and our commitment to the American Heart Association, supporters can make their own declaration of affection and in doing so, show others a little love by increasing our donation to a good cause.”

Master Lock is donating an initial $10,000 to the American Heart Association and will donate an additional dollar for every love lock created and sent through the new site (up to $5,000) beginning October 19 through December 31, 2012.

Sweethearts, family members and friends can head to www.MasterLoveLock.com and virtually lock up their affection for loved ones or memorialize loved ones on various iconic bridges throughout the world in four easy steps - no travel required. Visitors select a lock, choose a bridge to secure their lock to, and upload a private photo and personal message for their loved one. To officially lock-up their love, the customized “love lock invitation” is sent to the recipient via email. If your love lock is honoring someone lost, send the invitation to yourself for acceptance. Once the invitation is accepted, the love lock and message are posted on the site’s public gallery, securing this symbol of endearment forever.

For more information or to send a virtual love lock, please visit www.MasterLoveLock.com or Master Lock’s website at www.masterlock.com. You can also download an App by visiting your App Market. For more information about the American Heart Association, please visit http://www.heart.org/.   Who would you lock your love with?

Friday, November 23, 2012

Free Beginning Leveled Reader


If you have a beginning reader at your house, you may want to check out these free leveled readers. Hap is Hot focuses on the beginning consonant H.  It also features sight words such as: is, can, and are.


Hob Can Hit also focuses on the beginning consonant H. It also features sight words such as can, see, and is.


Fish Can Swim focuses on the sight words: are, do, and that as it tells a few facts about fish.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thanksgiving Mad Libs Freebie

I absolutely LOVED Mad Libs when I was a kid, and I am happy to say that my kids love them too. I think it is a great way to sneak in some grammar skills while having some fun.  I love this Thanksgiving Mad Libs freebie from My Sister's Suitcase ! I think it will be a great activity for the boys to do while we are waiting to eat our yummy feast on Thanksgiving.  I bet it would be a great activity in your house as well!

Thanksgiving Mad Libs

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Mayflower Addition Game

Here is a fun Mayflower Addition Game to help your kiddos reinforce their math fact speed.  Simply add some dice and crayons and you are ready for a fun review!

Mayflower Addition Game

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Thanksgiving ABC Order Freebie


I found an adorable alphabetizing activity with a Thanksgiving theme for you to use with your kiddos this week!  This freebie is a color, cut, and paste activity that includes a Thanksgiving theme where students place Thanksgiving words in ABC order.


Thanksgiving ABC Order

Friday, November 16, 2012

Free Counting Coin Worksheets

If your kiddos are working on counting money, you will want to check out these free counting coins worksheets from Math Coach's Corner.

I also love that she gives ideas for teaching about counting money such as making sure that your child knows that amounts of money can have several different representations and making pictures to represent coins.  She recommends having the child write P,N, D, and Q for penny, nickel, dime, and quarter.  I have had my kiddos do this, but I have them write the amounts instead.
Counting Coins Worksheet

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Fun Alien Writing Prompt

Here is a fun writing prompt for your kiddos:

Write a story about a young space alien who is separated from the mother ship when he wanders off in search of earthling friends.



What does he do?

Who does he meet?

How does he feel about being away from his family?

How does he adjust?

Sunday, November 11, 2012

History of Native Americans

Thanksgiving is a great time to learn more about Native American cultures and their history.  You might want to check out this short video from National Geographic Kids that will teach your child a little bit about Native American History in the United States and Canada.

Native American History video

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Hide Turkey Hide! A Free Emergent Reader



I am so in love with this adorable emergent reader from Kinder Kapers! Your child can learn about positional words (under, over, in, etc). while reading about Thanksgiving traditions with this fun emergent reader.  It is adorable and best of all FREE!