Free Printable Weather Activities and Coloring Pages

Speaking as a veteran teacher and homeschooler, I have found that children learn best when they are actively engaged. One of the best ways to make lessons interactive is with printable coloring pages. Planning a unit on weather, science or safety? Here are free printable coloring pages and activity booklets from the National Weather Service. Click here Free Printable Weather Activities and Coloring Pages 

Poetry Writing Guide: How to Write Free Verse Poetry

 Poetry gives voice to the soul. Writing poetry is like singing;it should flow from the spirit, as a lament, a rhapsody or an aria. Unlike tangible things poetry is not so easy to dissect, critique or explain. There are some devices that poets employ to create poems. Having created some poetry myself and taught courses in poetry in creative writing, I'll try to distill the essence of poetry in this guideline. Poetry Wrting Guide: How to Write Free Verse Poetry

Free Printable Palm Sunday, Lent, Catholic Easter Coloring Pages

 For Catholics and Christians, Easter is about more than just bunnies and candy. Easter is about the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here are free printable stations of the cross, rosary, saints and Easter bible story coloring pages. The Catholic and Orthodox churches, and some protestant Christian churches, observe the season of Lent for forty days before Easter. Lent "follows" Jesus's during forty days of fasting in the desert when He was tempted by Satan. in preparation for His sacrifice on the cross. During Lent, we pray, fast and do acts of mercy, almsgiving and penance to imitate Jesus. We follow the "Way of the Cross" or Stations of the Cross and pray the rosary. Free Printable Lent and Catholic Easter Coloring Pages

How To Write an Introduction

Have you ever walked in on the middle of a play or movie?  You generally have no idea what is going on and unless someone explains it to you, you often never really understand the plot.  That is what happens when an author leaves out the introduction of a piece of writing. An introduction serves several purposes Read more at How To Write an Introduction

Free Lessons Plans for Dr. Seuss The Lorax

Dr. Seuss's The Lorax is obviously an indictment against corporate waste, pollution and lack of environmentally friendly or green practices. What may be less obvious for teachers and homeschoolers is exactly how to implement Dr. Seuss's book The Lorax into a science curriculum. Here are several literature-based text to text connections, lesson plans and activities using Dr. Seuss's The Lorax. These lesson plans and activities are useful across the grade levels. As always, I include lessons plans that meet the different learning modalities. I also tie in material from many subject areas. Explain that The Lorax is like a parable or allegory. Characters represent ideas or people. As you read the Lorax ask students to decide who these characters represent:Read more at Free Green Lesson Plans: Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

Romney, Santorum Example of How Not to Debate

In another battle of wits (figuratively speaking), GOP frontrunners Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum have embarrassed both themselves and our nation, once more. In Arizona, says Real Clear Politics, each had his barbs tipped and both managed to speak very much, say very little and accomplish nothing more than to give viewers a collective brain ache. Their behavior is juvenile and a bad example to kids about how to debate or even interact with each other. Read more at In Arizona Debates, Romney and Santorum Represent Juvenile Posturing

Free Printables for Election, Voting, Super Tuesday Lessons and Activities

I remember back in 1972 during the Nixon-McGovern election, our school immersed us in the political process. We staged debates, mock elections, explored voting booths and campaigned for our candidate. It was a great experience for me and I know other students felt the same way. Now in 2012, we have the opportunity to bring the whole election and political process into our classrooms or home school environment. And we have years of technology to help us. Just in time for Super Tuesday, here are lessons about voting, elections, primaries, caucuses, campaigns, politics and government. Linked are some resources with free materials and printables for parents, educators and group leaders to explore with students. Each site offers free printable lessons, puzzles, quizzes, games, writing prompts and more. There are materials for all ages offered on these sites. Read more at Free Printables for Election Lessons and Activities

Free Valentine Printable Lesson Plans and Activities

Valentine's Day represents a party, candy and cards for children, but for teachers, it may not have such positive images. Kids overloaded with yet another sugar rush, another missed day of instruction time and a messy classroom when the bell rings at 3:30. And for parents, the dark days of February can mean another snow day and bored kids. How about some free printable Valentine's Day coloring pages, cut and paste, games, lessons, puzzles and activities to keep the kids at home or students in school engaged and productive? Read more at Free Valentine Printable Lesson Plans and Activities

Free Printable Black History Month Lesson Plans and Activities

Carter G. Woodson created the idea of Black History Month in 1926, but it wasn't until 50 years later when the first February Black History Month was celebrated during the United States bicentennial. Here are free printable black history lessons. Black History Month explores the history, culture, struggles and contributions of the Aftrican diaspora (displaced or forced immigration population) in the US, Canada and UK (they observe African-American history month in October). Use these activities in your classroom or homeschool. Read more here: Free Printable Black History Month Lesson Plans and Activities

Free Printable Chinese New Year, Year of the Dragon Activities

Chinese New Year for Parents and Kids Chinese New Year begins today. The Chinese zodiac is distinguished by 12 animals. 2012 is the Year of the Dragon. Here are activities and ideas for teachers and parents to explore Chinese tradition. You'll find recipes, history, culture, free printable dragon and paper lantern crafts, games, coloring pages and literature connections. Read more...