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

Simple Writing Rubric

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Squarehead Teachers

It’s always good practice to let your students know what they’re being graded on. So here’s a generic writing rubric you can use to grade any elementary school writing project. There are 4 on a page, so it won’t waste paper. I always put a stack of these next to the turn-in tray and have students attach the rubric (along with their outlines, rough drafts, etc.) before turning it on. It saves me SO much time having them do it rather than me doing it. If I am having the whole class turn it in at the same time, I pass out the rubrics and send a few staplers around so everyone gets it staples in before they’re passed to me.

Click here for the PDF of the printable rubric: Writing Rubric – 4 per page

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!

Character Sketch/Analysis Graphic Organizer

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

Here’s a simple graphic organizer for elementary school character analysis. Click here for the printable PDF: Character Sketch graphic organizer Enjoy!

Genius Teaching Tips!

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

Desk name tags drive me nuts. So when I saw this idea (source) and just HAD to share it with you! Use an oil based Sharpie Paint Pen (available at craft and office supply stores) to write on the desk. It stays on just like a permanent marker, but you can see it better. Then at the end of the year when you’re ready to take it off, color over it with a whiteboard marker and it wipes off with a tissue! This same idea of erasing permanent marker with whiteboard markers also works on whiteboards, laminated posters, anchor charts, etc.

I’ve been focusing on multiplication facts with my kids lately, so, when I saw this idea I about fell over. (Yes, I’m always impressed by the creativity and pure genius I see in other educators!)! Kids shake the egg carton (above), and then multiply whatever numbers the chips land on. This can easily be switched to addition for younger kids. I love this idea and I’m excited to try it! (source)

This next genius idea (source) helps kids practice writing their letters the right size. It really helps younger students see what space should be used for lower case vs. upper case letters. This would be an awesome activity for kindergarten or first grade, even if you only did it once. You can buy pre-highlighted paper or just make your own using a highlighter. Making a bunch of these pages yourself is totally doable, but I recommend putting on a movie while you do it! 😉

Using Evidence From The Text (Free Poster)

Posted on November 17, 2013 by Squarehead Teachers

Kids often need reminders to use evidence and support from the text when explaining or writing about a piece of text. Here’s a free printable poster for your classroom (near your guided reading table?) to remind kids to use textual evidence! Click here for the PDF: Show the Evidence Poster