Spring Story Starter (with planning page)

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Squarehead Teachers

This picture was too cute not to use. So I turned it into a story starter for spring. Have your students review the parts of a story and then plan each part of their story (using the attached planning page) before they get to work on any of their drafts. Once they’ve had a peer edit it, and they’ve written their final draft, they can color the large version of the picture and display it with their final piece. Super fun, and super cute. What’s not to love!?

Click here for the free printable PDF: Spring Story Starter 1

Don’t forget to check back later this week for my first giveaway!

Dog in a Bath Tub (Silly Story Starter)

Posted on March 8, 2014 by Squarehead Teachers

Dog in a Bath Tub STICKER I can’t wait to try this idea! The prompt is a picture: a dog in a bath tub. Students should plan each part of the story (setting, characters, problem, solution) and then put together a rough draft. This will work nicely with a unit on parts of a story.

Click here to download the free printable PDF: Dog in a Bath Tub Story Starter

St. Patrick’s Day Persuasive Writing

Posted on March 2, 2014 by Squarehead Teachers

St Patrick's Day Persuasive Writing STICKER I love leprechauns! Those pesky little guys spark so much creativity in my students! Here’s a fun writing activity for you to try. The persuasive writing prompt is this: Convince a leprechaun to tell you where his pot of gold is. Kids come up with the funniest reasons! I usually take some time to review what makes a good persuasive writing piece. In addition, I let the kids read their piece to two friends before they turn it in. This also makes a great bulletin board if you’ve got one where people can stand and read what’s on it.

Click here for the free printable PDF: St. Patrick’s Day Persuasive Writing

St. Patrick’s Day Story Starters (with planning sheet)

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Squarehead Teachers

I’ve found kids write better stories when they think about the parts of a story, plan them one at a time, and then put it together. This is exactly when my St Patrick’s Day story starters intended to go. I made two for my students to choose from. They use the picture as a spring board and then plan/write from there.

Click here for the free printable PDFs:
St Patrick’s Day Story Starter 1
St Patrick’s Day Story Starter 2

Want more story starters? Click here!

If I Were President (Writing Activity)

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Squarehead Teachers

I’m one of those people who sees an idea, or a printable or a worksheet, and says “Shoot! I don’t have a dollar for that! I should just make one myself!” I know some of you may think I’m crazy for thinking this, but what can I say. I have a non-existent budget and a lot to get done. Today’s post comes from this kind of situation. I saw this idea and made my own version of it. And now you can enjoy it too… for free!

Anyway, since President’s Day is coming up, teachers have an opportunity to discuss the significance of it. (Click here to see my free “What You Need to Know About President’s Day” comprehension worksheet.) For younger kids, you can’t get into as much detail, but you can talk about the president and the importance of the office a little bit. Here’s a fun writing activity that asks students to finish the sentence “if I were President…” This is especially fun for teachers to read. Sometimes kids’ perceptions about what the President can and can’t do is pretty funny!

This page also goes really well with a social studies unit about American government.

So here you have it (two versions), the free printable PDFs:
If I Were President – lower grades (pictured above)
If I Were President – upper grades

How Was Your Winter Break? (Report Writing Page)

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Squarehead Teachers

Another break away from school means kids have a lot to tell you and their friends! Help them share their fun news with this free Winter Break report printable. It’s a quick, easy way to capture memories of their holidays while doing some writing! Win-win!

Click here for the free PDF: Winter Break Write Up

Schmoozing Santa (Persuasive Writing)

Posted on December 14, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

I absolutely love reading letters kids write to Santa. So Why not turn this fun idea into an opportunity to practice persuasive writing! Here’s a FREE printable you can give your kids during the holiday season that you’re SURE to enjoy grading! You can use this page as a rough draft or a final copy page. Click here for the PDF: Schmoozing Santa- persuasive

Holiday Memories Page

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

I love hearing my parents talk about their Christmas memories. What I love even more is reading about them in their journals from when they were kids. This is why I decided to make a “holiday memories page” to use as a fun holiday writing project for kids. There are two versions of this page- one with space to draw a picture, and one without. Here are the free printable PDFs: Holiday Memories – draw own picture and Holiday Memories – with picture. Merry Christmas!