Summer Learning Packets

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

Many parents want a summer work packet for their student(s) so they don’t forget everything they learned the previous year. There’s validity in this (as any teacher can tell you!). Here are some packets for you to browse and find the one that fits your student(s) best:

All Grades/Variety

Summer packet by Ready At Five
Summer packets for K-6th Grades by Family Education

Summer activity pages by Classroom Jr.

By Grade Level

Pre-K summer packet by Pre-Kinders
Pre-K summer packet by Edward L. Bouie Trad.Theme School
Kinder & 1st grade summer packets by Puddle Wonderful Learning
Kinder – 5th grade summer packets by Jackson City Schools
1st – 5th grade summer packets by Margate Elementary School

Math Packets

Summer math packet for Incoming 1st Graders by Oakbrook Elementary School

Summer math packet for Incoming 2nd Graders by Oakbrook Elementary School
Summer math packet for Incoming 3rd Graders by Oakbrook Elementary School
Summer math packet for Incoming 4th Graders by Oakbrook Elementary School

Summer math packet for Incoming 5th Graders by Oakbrook Elementary School

Summer math packet for Incoming 6th Graders by Oakbrook Elementary School

Summer math packet for Incoming 7th Graders by 318

Another summer math packet for Incoming 7th Graders by Bear Creek School
Algebra 1 math packet for Incoming 8th Graders by St. Matthews Catholic School

Father’s Day Card Tutorial

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

This is hands down the cutest Father’s Day card… and it’s so easy, you’ll flip. In this tutorial, I used regular construction paper (9″ x 12″), but if you prefer more space to write inside the card, use the double size 11″ X 17″ paper. You need 1 piece for the shirt (green paper in the photos) and some small scraps for a tie and pocket (yellow and brown in the photos). You’ll also need scissors and glue (Elmer’s bottled glue or glue stick). I’ve seen really cute ones with decorated ties or ties cut out of fabric also. But whatever you do, make sure Dad knows you love him. That’s the point of Father’s Day after all. So without further ado, here’s the tutorial:

Fold your construction paper in half (“hamburger style” as kids always say). Then make 2 cuts in it about 1.5 or 2 inches below the fold. Don’t cut all the way across; leave the middle 1/3 of the width of the paper untouched. P1050325

Fold the newly created tabs diagonally towards the bottom (open edged of paper). They should meet or overlap a little bit. If it looks like a mens’ shirt collar, you’re on the right track. Then decorate it! Add a tie, pocket, buttons, pens, pen protector… whatever describes your card recipient.

After the glue dries, gently open the card from the bottom and write your message. Be gentle with the collar area, since it’s the most fragile part of the card.

Here are some ideas for a more educational twist on this craft:

Write a poem about Dad and glue it inside the card
Write about your favorite memory about you and Dad
Write 10 reasons you love Dad
Rewrite the lyrics to a famous song. Sing about how cool Dad is.
Write the ABCs of Dad (A… always kisses me goodnight, B… best baseball coach ever, etc.)

Teacher Memes/Cartoons- 15

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

Persuasive Writing Prompts for Elementary School Kids

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

Lower Elementary Grades

1. Persuasive Letter

Your school cafeteria is going to serve ice cream for dessert. The students get to pick whether it’s chocolate, vanilla or strawberry. Write a letter telling the school board what flavor you want and why they should choose it.

2. Persuasive Prompt

You want your friend to come over and spend the night, but your parents don’t want to let you because it is a school night. Make a convincing argument to your parents that they should let your friend come over tonight.

3. Three Choices Prompt

You are going on a vacation and you can only have one kind of toy or activity for the whole trip. Your choices are dolls/action figures, books, or coloring pages. Which would you choose? Explain why.

Upper Elementary Grades

4. Persuasive Letter

Your state is going to give an award to the best elementary school teacher. Your principal is trying to decide which teacher will be nominated from your school. Write a letter to the principal recommending a teacher for nomination and explaining why that teacher should be chosen.

5. Persuasive Prompt

Because of budget cuts in the school district, your school is considering dropping one of the following classes from the curriculum: music, P.E., or art. Write a letter either explaining which one the school board should cut or which ones they should not cut and give reasons why or why not. If you think none of these classes should be cut, offer an alternative.

6. Three Choices Prompt

The city has an empty lot and they’re trying to figure out what to put in it. The three choices are a Boys and Girls Club recreation center, an indoor water park, or a skate park. Which do you think they should choose and why would you choose it?

Class Art Project: Wooden Fans

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

Here’s a cool art project I recently saw. Each student got a single piece of wood (stirring sticks from Home Depot) and decorated it to represent them. Then they glued them together and then tied fancy string on the bottom before attaching it to a frame. It’s a fragile project, so you have to display it somewhere with little nearby traffic. But it sure looks cool!

This could also be a cool project for individual students. Have each student decorate wood pieces based on different areas of their life (ex- one stick for summer, school, each family member, hobbies, goals, etc.).

What You Need to Know About Father’s Day

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

Free worksheet for kids about the history of Father’s day. A special thank you to all those loving fathers out there! Click here for the free printable PDF: Father’s Day

Father's Day

Teaching Yes/No & Cardinal Directions to Lower Grades

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

One smart kindergarten teacher uses simple signs in her classroom that teach her kids some crucial things that can’t necessarily be mastered in one lesson. She posts signs that say “yes” and “no” on opposite sides of the room. She often has her kids point to a response and look at the sign when voting (thus reinforcing the site word).

She also puts up signs for the cardinal directions (north, south, east and west) and asks students to point to a certain direction to get their attention. She says things like “if you can hear me, point to the north. If you can hear me, point to the east.” Great way to do a tiny bit of map reading skills!

She says by the end of school kids are pretty good with both yes/no and cardinal directions. Not bad for a few seconds a day, huh!?

30 Fun Writing Prompts for Kids

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

1. Imagine you had a hundred dollars, but you couldn’t keep it. You had to give it away to a person or charity. Who would you give it to? What would you want them to do with it?

2. Describe one time when you were brave.

3. If you could cook any meal for your family, what would you cook? Describe the meal and tell how you would make it.

4. Imagine you woke up and saw a dinosaur in your backyard. Write a story telling what you see and do.

5. Imagine you opened your own restaurant. Tell the name of your restaurant. Explain what the restaurant looks like, who works there, and what you serve.

6. Describe your favorite character from a book, a movie, or television.

7. Write a story titled, “My Journey on a Pirate Ship.” You and your friends can star in the story.

8. If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be? Describe the pet and how you would take care of it.

9. Do you have any brothers or sisters? If you do, tell what they’re like. If not, tell whether or not you would like to have a brother or sister.

10. If you could have lunch with any famous person who would it be? What would you talk about with this person?

11. Write a story titled, “The Bat Who Couldn’t Fly.”

12. Imagine you were a wonderful painter and your parents would let you paint anything you wanted on your bedroom walls. What would you paint? Use lots of details to describe your artwork.

13. Describe the oldest person you know.

14. Describe the youngest person you know.

15. Do you think a monkey would make a good pet? Explain why or why not.

16. How old were you four years ago? Describe some things you can do now that you could not do then.

17. Imagine you worked at a football stadium. What would your job be? (examples: quarterback, cheerleader, coach, referee, ticket seller) Describe what you would do while you were on the job.

18. What do you like best about your home?

19. If you could be on any game show, what would it be? Describe what happens when you’re on the show.

20. Describe your favorite season (fall, spring, summer, or winter). Tell what kinds of things you like to do during that season.

21. Write a story titled, “The Baby Dragon.”

22. Describe several ways a person your age can earn money.

23. Would you want to visit the moon? Why or why not?

24. If you could spend an afternoon with one member of your extended family, who would it be? Tell why you chose this person and tell what you do together.

25. Which superpower would you most like to have– invisibility, super strength, or the ability to fly? Describe what kids of things you would do with your powers.

26. Think of a time when you’ve won something. Tell what you won and how you won it.

27. Invent a new kind of sandwich. Describe what is on it and how you would make it.

28. Describe one thing you’re really good at.

29. Imagine you were twenty feet tall. Describe what life would be like.

30. If you were a doctor, what kind of doctor would you be? (examples: children’s doctor, veterinarian, eye doctor, dentist) Tell what your job would be like.