Last summer I attended a GT training and was introduced to choice boards! I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! I think that students are more engaged and even challenge themselves more when they are given choices. The great thing is....they aren't just for GT students. Choice boards work similar to tic-tac-toe; the student completes 3 activities in a row {up, down, diagonal} They can be adapted for ALL students and actually lend themselves well to differentiated instruction. On Tuesday, I will be attending another GT training specifically on choice boards and differentiated instruction {I'm super pumped about it!} I can't wait to learn more about these learning tools! {I promise to share what I learn!} Choice boards can be set up in many different ways. You can base them off of abilities, learning styles, intelligences, and even levels of questioning. I have found it easier, if I focus on just one of these types. When creating the board, you want to plan out what type of activity each square will focus on. {You don't want to have 2 of the same type of activities in a row} The goal of the CBs are to have equally acceptable activities that you want the students to complete that are similar end products, but have varying ways to accomplish the final product. {For example, you are studying the Alamo. Students could choose activities from writing a diary from the viewpoint of being in the battle, recreating a model of the Alamo, creating a movie, etc.}The wonderful thing about CBs though...students can choose an activity they are willing to complete {taking into consideration their own likes/learning style/intelligence}, but they will have 2 other activities they will need to complete that will focus on other skills that they possibly may need to strengthen {but at the very least they're practicing other skills}! It's a win-win situation! I recently put the choice boards I created for my homework reader's responses in my shop. My students are required to read 20 min nightly, however I found that many of them weren't really reading every night! These choice boards give student's different options to respond to their books, while focusing on varying skills. I've also included 4 blank {editable} choice boards so that you can create your own boards! .....And I used the adorable sneakers clipart to jazz them up from KPM Doodles {love her stuff!} Here is an example template of how to begin creating a choice board based on Multiple Intelligences: Source: Dare to Differentiate Here are some great resources: Dare to Differentiate (AWESOME site for resources!) PVUSD Choices based on intelligence

Ingredients 2 pounds fresh ground beef 1 quart tomato

Printed by Butler & Tanner, Frome

One of the first posts I pinned to my "Painting Inspirations, Tutorials, and Projects" Pinterest board was an abstract watercolor tutorial from Grow Creative. I have been wanting to try Elise's technique for months, and now that I've done it, I don't think I can stop! The results are absolutely beautiful, and their map-like-qualities appeal greatly to the arty cartophile in me! (I am borrowing the term "arty cartophile" from Jill K. Berry and her book Personal Geographies, which I was inspired to pull off the bookshelf after creating these rubber cement resist watercolor paintings.) I followed Elise's technique pretty much exactly, so you can read her blog post for her directions, but I also took photos of each step of the process as I carried it out, so I thought I would share them with you here: First, I used blue painter's tape to secure my 9x12 cold-press watercolor paper to a piece of palette paper on my work space. (I tried low-tack artist's tape first, and too much watercolor paint seeped underneath it. The blue painter's tape left a gorgeous crisp edge.) Next, I dribbled rubber cement over the watercolor paper. There is no planning, just random dripping in all different directions. Then, I spent a little time with my embossing tool, speeding up the drying process for the rubber cement. This is not a task for the impatient! I get into a kind of trance, watching the rubber cement boil, bubble, pop, and dry. Once the rubber cement is dry, the paper is ready for its first application of watercolor paint. For this particular piece, I used Reeves tube watercolors in "Lemon Yellow." In some of my first pieces, I did a watercolor wash across the entire paper. For the example photographed here, I applied this first layer of watercolor in just some portions of the paper, leaving other parts white. The drying process for the watercolor paint is much faster than for the rubber cement! Now technically, you are supposed to apply more rubber cement, but I actually forgot, and put on a different color of watercolor. This time is was Reeves tube paint in basic "orange." I supplemented with another shade of orange from a set of pan watercolors. I used the orange paint to fill in some of those white spaces I left when I applied the Lemon Yellow. After a bit more drying with the heating tool, I applied more random rubber cement. More drying--which meant more time mesmerized by bubbling rubber cement.  At this point it was time for my final color--Reeves tube watercolor in "Magenta." Gorgeous! After one final drying session with the embossing tool, I was ready to pull back the painter's tape and enjoy the crisp edge along the perimeter of my watercolor paper. The next step is to use the pads of my fingers to rub away all of the rubber cement that has been resisting various layers of watercolor paint. The rubber cement comes away in balls and crumbs, and leaves behind the wonderful pathways that give the art such a map-like quality. When all the rubber cement has been rubbed away...voila! Now, I think this piece looks beautiful, and am tempted to leave it as it is, but there is a final step that makes it look even more beautiful. Using a fine-tipped black Sharpie pen, I outline various pathways around the piece. (I tried Microns, but the "tooth" of the watercolor paper really does them in.) I start with all of the white pathways, and usually move on to the secondary colors, like yellow in this piece. When I was finished deciding which areas to outline in black, I had my finished piece: I think I could sit around and look at it all day! I really love the results of this technique. What do you think? This was my fourth 9x12 art piece using the rubber cement resist technique. Here are the earlier ones I created: These first two have a similar color combination, with more "lake blue" in the first one. I like how they look when I photograph them without the white perimeter: I'm showing these in backwards order, because this last one I am showing you is the first one I tried. Instead of using rubber cement, I used Art Maskoid, which is the same as frisket. But my bottle was almost completely dried up so I was kind of smearing sticky frisket across the page. At first, I thought the result looked kind of terrible, but it has grown on me, and looks like a map of some archipelago far out in the ocean. (You can also see how the artist's tape didn't give as clean of an edge as the painter's tape does.) Stay tuned, because in an upcoming post I will share some pretty cards I have made using this same rubber cement resist technique!

Download these 21 Free Sample Painting Estimate Templates to help you in preparing your own Painting Estimate Form. Generally making a paint estimate is very difficult job yet a necessary one. Understanding key mechanics behind every quote is the basis which might not only enable us to understand nut also do estimation for ourselves. To… Read More »21 Free Sample Painting Estimate Templates

Need an easy to use comprehensive resource for the major landmasses and oceans of the world? This social studies unit is packed full of facts, features, differentiated reading passages and comprehension questions, a research 3D globe craft, a collaborative poster for your hallway display, and much more to help you bring the seven continents and five oceans to life! Find everything you need all in one place! Click the Preview to View More This unit includes: Continents Facts & Features Slide Show Five Oceans Facts & Features Slide Show Informational Continents Mini Book (15 pgs.) Continents Audio Book (MP4 read along with highlighted text) 5 Oceans Flip Book (3 versions) Reading Passages & Comprehension Questions for each continent 3 Differentiated Reading Levels Answer Keys Included for All Reading Passages Label the Map Worksheets Name the Continents & Oceans Activity Fact vs. Opinion Sorting Activity Label the Compass Rose Continents Song Globe Craftivity (research & writing project) Writing Prompts Pocket Chart Cards Bulletin Board Display Collaborative Poster (3 sizes) Assessments (matching & true/false) PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Continents: Facts and Features Slide Show Slide Show with key facts and features for each continent is included Each continent is highlighted on the world map A collage of photos is included for each continent to give your students a glimpse of some of these features You can also print the slides and use as station information or create a wall display Oceans: Facts & Features Slide Show This slide show covers the 5 oceans of the world Facts and features are presented for each ocean This slide show also covers the origin of ocean names Continents Informational Mini-Book (Print & Digital) 15-page mini book that coincides with the facts and features slide show Students fill in the blank, answer questions, and illustrate pictures for each of the continents Keep your students engaged and on target Google slides version provides students an opportunity to conduct online research about each continent Mini Book With Video Read-Aloud (MP4 Audio Book) MP4 video read-aloud file Printable booklet included Each sentence is highlighted in the book so that students can follow along as the book is read aloud Great for Listening to Reading centers Oceans Flip Book 3 flip book differentiated versions included Students compile information in their flip books as they learn about the 5 oceans Reading Passages & Comprehension Questions 50 pages of reading passages 3 differentiated versions Comprehension questions included A separate reading passage is included for every continent Levels I & 2 are single-page reading passages Level 3 is a two-page reading passage Print and digital options Please note that informational text generally includes vocabulary or key terms that may be higher than grade level ANSWER KEYS included! 3D Globe Craft Create a 3D globe craft about the seven continents Each section of the globe has a spot for your students to include information about each of the continents A great way for students to show what they know Single and double-lined options included Cardinal Directions & Lable the Map Worksheets Printable worksheets to practice cardinal directions Label the continents worksheets Label the oceans worksheets Pocket chart cards are included that can be placed on your classroom walls to mark North, South, East, West Continents Song Memorize the continents through a fun song Printable poster and student song sheets included Writing Prompts Writing paper with several prompts are provided in this unit This resource includes both single-line and triple-lined paper to meet your classroom needs Fact vs. Opinion Activity Students read the sentence card about the 5 oceans and determine if it is a fact or an opinion In the digital version, students drag and drop the cards to the correct category. Great for centers or independent work Name the Continent Activity Students will identify the continent based on its shape In the digital version, students will identify the continent and drag and drop the correct label Great for centers or independent work Collaborative Poster Each student colors their own section of the poster 3 sizes (18 pieces, 24 pieces, or 32 pieces) Perfect for a hallway display or bulletin board Great entry task or extension activity Bulletin Board Display Bulletin Board Header "The Seven Continents" in several styles Enlarged continent outlines in color and backline are included Pocket Chart Cards North America South America Europe Africa Asia Australia Antarctica Pacific Ocean Atlantic Ocean Arctic Ocean Indian Ocean Southern Ocean North South East West Color and Blackline included Assessments Seven continents assessment Five oceans assessment Each assessment includes matching, and true/ false Several of the other map worksheets provided can also be used as an assessment tool Please be sure to check out the preview for a closer look! Thank you! Michelle McDonald, B.A.E. Social Studies Education, K-12 Elementary Education K-8 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Connect with Me: Instagram: @mrsmcdonaldsclassroom Website: www.StrategicEducationalServices.com Facebook: Michelle McDonald Consider following me on TpT to be the first to know about new products, sales and discounts. Follow Michelle McDonald

These visual motor integration activities will help your child to learn skills needed for handwriting.

Wonton Soup is a seasoned chicken broth-based soup that is filled with boiled homemade pork wontons.

I hate it when I have a day off and I can't sleep in. My body is just to used to getting up at 5:00 AM. So here I am blogging and blog stalking when I wish I could be sleeping. Maybe I can't sleep because I'm excited about my new packet. I think it's pretty cool. We've been working on Shapes for the past few weeks and I put together a packet of some of the things we did. This is a great activity for analyzing and composing shapes. My kids LOVE! This is a fun game where the kiddos get to use the skills they discovered on the Cover the Shape mat above. I LOVE this book and was sad to find out that it is out of print. But you can find it on some of the used book sites. I read the book and then my firsties used their imaginations and came up with some cute pages for our class book. This is a picture of our class sort with 3D shapes. I'm using this next week in Math Stations with a 4-In-A-Row game. The packet is 31 pages of fun with over 50 pictures of 2D and 3D shapes. You can find the packet at my shops. Just click on the words below for a link. TpT or Teacher Notebook Oh and if you haven't heard, there are BIG sales this weekend on both sites. THANK YOU! At this Thanksgiving time I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be a teacher and work with my little ones. Some days it is VERY hard and I wonder if I'm doing any good. But then one of them gives me a big smile or a high five or a hug and then I know I might have taught them something today. I'm so grateful for this blogging community of wonderful teachers who inspire me to step it up and do a little more. I love the ideas everyone shares and the willingness to collaborate. It makes teaching much easier when I know I'm not in it alone. FREEBIE! Here's a little freebie to say THANKS for following me! It's from my shape packet above. Click HERE to download these 2 pages. GIVEAWAY! Also, as a BIG THANK YOU I'm going to give away my new shape packet to 3 of you. All you have to do to qualify for the giveaway is COMMENT here on this post before MIDNIGHT TONIGHT (Utah time). I will select 3 winners at random and send you the packet so make sure you leave an email address. Winners were Kim, Tina, and Mrs. Brinn. Thanks everyone for your great comments! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, and lots of love.

Looking for inspiration for moody bedrooms? You'll love our list of 19+ hand-picked moody bedroom ideas that are dark, romantic, and cozy!

Learn how to start a forest school in the US, including who should start a forest school, where to start one, and how to access teacher training.

Singing time yoga also known as position cards, singing time review activity providing tons of movement as you sing Primary songs.

I seriously love a good DIY classroom project, especially if it saves me money and meets the individual needs of my students. Assistive tech (or AT) is a very general term and can include a variety of equipment, software, etc. that improves the functional and academic abilities of students with disabilities. AT can cost a lot of money in special education classrooms, and let's be real... we don't have a lot of money! It can also be particularly hard to purchase AT for students with multiple/ severe needs because our students often need VERY individualized AT. I've come up with a few super cheap DIY options for some of the AT needs in my classroom. Clipboard Choice/ Answer Board: Clipboards have SO many functions and possibilities in the classroom! I love to use clipboards as choice and answer boards during instruction and free choice time. I put 2-6 (depending on the student) choices or answer options on Velcro on the clipboard and then present the clipboard to the students so they can select an answer. You can also add a piece of Velcro somewhere at the top of the clipboard to give students a visual/ matching prompt if needed! The left clipboard shows an example without a visual prompt. On the right, there is a "sunny" picture at the top of the clipboard to provide students with a visual prompt of the correct answer. PVC Pipe Choice / Answer Stick: I made this simple PVC pipe stick for students who eye gaze. This is great because it's long (there's about 6 inches between each picture), so students who eye gaze or who have difficulties pointing to small areas/pictures due to a physical disability can easily select answers without confusing staff about what picture they're pointing to. You can also simply attach Velcro and pictures to a ruler or paint stick from Home Depot, but I like this PVC pipe option better because it has a handle. The handle avoids your hand getting in the way/ blocking the view of any picture cards. Choice/ answer stick made with PVC pipe... because we don't have 4 arms ;) DIY Slant/ Communication Board: This might be my all-time favorite DIY piece of AT equipment.... This slant board is made from the cardboard that bed sheet sets come in! I literally just followed the folds/creases that were already in the cardboard, glued the flap down, spray painted it and glued a clip to the top! And voila, a fancy new slant/ communication board holder! Since I a lot of students with physical disabilities, I added Velcro to the bottom of the slant board and then Velcroed it to the table so it doesn't move around when students are using it. The cardboard from bed sheet sets make amazinggg slant boards! What are your go-to DIY assistive tech hacks?

Image 8 of 12 from gallery of Rendering Styles: Different Techniques and How to Achieve Them. Courtesy of Fala Atelier

My Sally-Ann Lynch Training Tried & Tested practice and display boards have become a instant success around the world for many many face painters. The boards can be used over and over again and can be simply wiped clean with just hot soapy water. No stains should occur if the washing guidelines are followed and these can be found via Youtube under my page called Sally-Ann Lynch. You can use these boards to practice your designs on over and over again or use them for displaying your work. You can send them off to potential Clients and this will make any professional face painter look extremely professional. I have over 38 designs currently and sell these products all over the world to many reputable suppliers. I am also a trainer in one stroke face painting and train all over the world teaching ladies this wonderful skill.

The best ideas for how to glow up at 30 including glow up tips, how to have a glow up as a woman, & answering "can you glow up in your 30s!"

If there is one area I want to see grow in my school counseling program, it is college and career readiness. Today, I am sharing a great resource and a

Practice dolch sight words with this FUN, free printable sight word candyland game. Print grade specific cards for prek-3rd grade.

Emily couldn't find a cork board that was both large & fun enough for her daughter's bedroom...so they DIY'd one. Come see this hot pink, extra large board.

Hi! Ann Lauer here for a Technique Tuesday post using my new Cat-I-Tude fabric collection. I love to make bargello quilts. They ha...

Fun classroom Charlotte’s Web activities your students will love! Ideas include character studies, reading comprehension and writing tasks.