Joyful Heart Character Curriculum has a total of 38 planned weekly lessons designed to be used during a typical school calendar year (August through May). Each weekly lesson is arranged so it can be used over the course of four days. Each lesson is based on a character trait with a Bible lesson and memory verse. Ages 4-6.
We’ve finished our second week of school! The best part? We’re finally settling into a nice routine. It’s been stressful to say the least… To take off the edge, I’ve started running again… But, I’m excited to see how far I can take my big third graders! We’ve dived right into our curriculum! This week, […]
Y'all, I really like Pinterest. It's one of my very favorite places to get ideas because I am such a visual learner! Having a picture of an awesome anchor chart or math journal or whatever is SO helpful. The problem is, though, that I pin so many ideas and don't get a chance to use them all!! One day, friends, one day. :) For today, though, I'm excited to link-up with Ashley Reed for her top ten pins party! This week the focus is on science and social studies. In no particular order, my favorite ten science or social studies pins with a tiny explanation about why I like them--and a link straight to the source (just click on the picture!!). ONE: Source: Beakers and Bumblebees Thinking about really big distances is a challenge, especially if you're only 6! I love that this representation of the solar system gives kids something concrete to picture in their heads. TWO: Source: Classroom Magic This pin addresses a common misconception that many of our kiddos may believe: mittens are warm. Welllllllll, why does the mitten feel warm? Great scientific inquiry question (are mittens warm?) and you can connect it to children's lit! THREE: Source: Science Bob I did a similar activity as a student and loved it. I mean, who doesn't love an Oreo?! FOUR: Source: Life Is Better Messy I always love a good foldable--and science journal, too! She kept it sweet and simple, which makes it easy for me to implement this into my own classroom. FIVE: Source: Second Grade Shenanigans I LOVE this idea from Hope King. The lesson is all about animal adaptations and would actively engage kids and lead to such good discussion! SIX: Source: Mrs. Williamson's Kinders I just think this idea is too cute. She took a big idea (Presidential elections) and created a smaller election for her classroom. The kids made mini campaign posters, voted on their favorite way to eat corn, and discussed the results. A little bit of social studies + mathematics + lit all rolled into one! P.S. Grace for President is one of my favorite books to read during election time!! SEVEN: Source: Mrs. T The idea of photo-journaling the year in a classroom is just too cute. This timeline could be a great base for writing and it's just so fun to see your year in review! EIGHT: Source: The First Grade Parade I just cannot get enough of this lesson on equality. I LOVE IT. Cara Carroll, for the win! NINE: Source: First Grade To The Core These little nesting cans are, again, a great way to give a big, abstract idea a concrete representation. TEN: After searching high and low, I cannot find the source of this photo. Does anybody know?! Good citizenship and character development are areas that I am really passionate about and I really like this teacher's idea about setting practical goals in different areas! Thanks for sticking with me, folks! Hopefully you found a useful idea for the coming school year!!
Do your kids love science? How about you? What about science experiments? Would you love them even more if those experiments helped teach biblical truths?
Following the Signs – A Lesson in Obedience “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” – Luke 11:28 We are given a road map to life. It is called the Bible. As we teach our kids about obedience, we want them to clearly understand that the signs are there...Read More
Our Landforms Interactive Notebook is a great tool to study and learn about the world around us and learning about landforms and bodies of water.
Super Science Ideas! Bring the fun back into Science with these simple ideas!
This character building object lesson about forgiveness takes a fun science experience and relates it to the risks of choosing not to forgive. This is one more activity in my character building series. Object lessons helps connect a hands-on and visual experience with the heart. A picture like the one presented today is more likely...Read More
Find tons of homeschool printables on The Crafty Classroom blog, including notebooking pages, lapbooks, planning forms, charts, and other learning activities!
We are using Kids of Integrity for our character building lessons. A friend of mine (thank you Jackie) recommended and an awesome site, y...
This character building object lesson about forgiveness takes a fun science experience and relates it to the risks of choosing not to forgive. This is one more activity in my character building series. Object lessons helps connect a hands-on and visual experience with the heart. A picture like the one presented today is more likely...Read More
Smells like snack time! Yes, we’re still talking about our 5 senses around here, and now we’re exploring our sense of smell. I put together this little smelling guessing game for the bo…
Our planet mini reports are perfect for using as part of a study of the planets! Use them to record important information and fun facts too.
We’ve finished our second week of school! The best part? We’re finally settling into a nice routine. It’s been stressful to say the least… To take off the edge, I’ve started running again… But, I’m excited to see how far I can take my big third graders! We’ve dived right into our curriculum! This week, […]
Use a fun science experiment to discuss waiting and what God was doing in this time between the testaments.
Pinay Homeschooler is a blog that shares homeschool and afterschool activity of kids from babies to elementary level.
One of the first projects or themes I find fun, simple and engaging is learning about Communities (2 weeks) and making a map as the culminating activity to end the unit. (For a total of 3 weeks on Community) This week, I started by reading the class a book on maps I got on Amazon. The book was chunked over a period of 2 days to ensure understanding. Maps - Kindergarten Unit After the story, the students were shown real maps that I had saved from going on little road trips. We sat in a circle and talked about what we noticed on them. I had a few kids share out about a time they used a map with their family. Real maps - San Diego, San Francisco I also had some maps from the San Diego Zoo and and some play maps for kids from a teacher supply store. We watched a video on maps and models from the United Streaming's website. Our district purchased user licenses for all teachers to access their videos on our Promethean Boards. I pulled out our old ELD song for communities from Rigby. The red car is on velcro and sticks to the different places in the community. So we fill in the sentence frames depending on where the car lands. On Tuesday, I read the last chunk of the Map book. Then, I pulled out our Writing Web for the power word "go." (The laminated web is from a district purchased program called Learning Headquarters). I taught the sight words "go" under my own structure however as a part of this writing unit in my TPT Store called Rebus Writing using Sight Words. The word "go" is week 5 of the 8 week unit. With a pointer I pointed to the word web and we orally filled out each sentence frame from the word bank. I allowed the kids to draw their own interpretation of a map on a half sheet of drawing paper as a pre-assessment to see where they are. Most kids drew standard pictures of places but some surprised me and had some streets and people walking in the map to different places. On Wednesday, I read them a book on map keys/legends. Map Keys and Legends I put up a class legend on the Promethean board that had four requirements. The sample legend was pre filled and colored and drawn and labeled. I asked the kids to draw a map on a full sized drawing page that had a: school, police station, neighborhood of homes, and a park. The symbol for each was a: building with flag next to it, building with a car next to it, triangles to symbolize a neighborhood, and a slide to symbolize the park. I set the kids to work and could see them looking up and referencing the sample key as they drew their maps. I noticed an improvement in their pictures from the day before. Once all the required components from the class key were on their maps I passed out markers and let them fill in the blanks and put more detail in the map. I cut out small legends that were identical to the one I had on the board and had kids glue it on the corner of their map. They were allowed to take it home. By Thursday, I brought out the colorful construction paper! The neat piles of color coded paper soon got a little messy! I had pre cut them into squares or rectangles. The first to go was blue because everyone was required to put a body of water on their map somewhere. It could be a river, lake, ocean or backyard pool. Also, the black strips I precut were the first to go because those were the streets and kids were allowed to use up to four. Building community maps 1 Building community maps 2 Children got right to work. They were so excited. Each map came out truly unique. As the kids were finished up I had them set up on the rug so the glue could dry and so kids who needed inspiration could come do a carousel walk around the rug and get ideas. Finished maps One of my late finishers added a church to her map even though we never discussed it. Cute! She made her map look like quadrants! She added sand to the beach and a church! The early finishers were doing literacy centers and reading books from the community tub. Building maps was a busy day. On Friday, I handed back their maps and a blank legend key. I asked them to make a legend for their map. Each was different. map key/ legend I had them glue the legends on the back of their maps. I made them a word bank so they could copy. However, some were ready for inventive spelling and didn't need to reference it. If this were done at the end of Kindergarten I would not even offer a word bank on the board. I would ask all kids to use inventive spelling to fill out their legend. If you'd like the free blackline master for the legend see the link at the bottom of this post. IF I HAD IT TO DO OVER AGAIN... I would not have them glue the legends on the back of the maps. I would display it next to the maps because once I mounted them all on the wall I realized they were hidden. LOL! Oh well. Next year I'll have learned my lesson. Wall of Maps! Almost done. Just need to add their name tag underneath each map. After reflection, I wouldn't have just had the kids draw on blank drawing paper. So I created these blackline masters as well. Enjoy! MAPS BLACKLINE MASTERS
Teaching character qualities from Proverbs for kids? Here's everything you need to teach children diligence, based on the hardworking example of the ant! Includes free printable worksheets, and a craft and activity ideas. Perfect for teaching Sunday School, homeschool, or your family devotions!
Explore Mr. Popper's Penguins with your kids! This unit study covers language arts, character, science, and more. For ages 2 - 12.
Memory wheels are a great end of school year activity for upper elementary and middle school students. Learn about memory wheel templates.
This month’s thematic unit is “All About Me”. The first couple weeks we focused on our…
Here's a look at what we did last week in pictures! Our reading story was Jan's New Home, so during social studies, we talked a lot about ...
With this activity you can teach the states of matter in different grades. This craft has been adapted for two levels (one with some writing). It includes: States of Matter Properties of Solids, Liquids and Gases. Examples of the particles. A classify worksheet. And cute characters craftivity. I have also included the Spanish version: Estados de la Materia. See the thumbnails to know what it is included. UPDATED August 2015 You can find similar activities in my store: >SCIENCE FOLD AND LEARN Do you like my Science Fold & Learn activities? Save money, buy THE BUNDLE: >Science Fold & Learn SUPER BUNDLE
This handprint hermit crab craft is a great extension of the Eric Carle book, A House for Hermit Crab and makes a great classroom display!
Hello Everyone!! I think just about every first grade class in the land celebrates Johnny Appleseed. We take the folktale as a lesson in good citizenship. I shared my little mini unit earlier, but I wanted to share with you how the kids responded to the core value of the legend. After reading several books about Johnny, and learning a little song, we brainstormed and created a little chart exploring our thoughts on how Johnny Appleseed demonstrated good citizenship. We decided we wanted to be like Johnny! The kids created a speech bubble with a "good citizen quality" they wanted to show in their lives. Then, of course, I had them don a pot and apple and share their ideas! Here are a few pics I managed to snag!! Love the little drawing of the thumb as a promise to do this! :) I love their ideas!! Thanks for taking a quick peek into our wonderful world! Stay tuned for more amazing kid stuff!! Joyfully! Nancy
We have finally gotten to Olivia's third grade year. She has many projects to complete this year (yay third grade) but the biography pos...
Here is a new worksheet I put together over the weekend for my kids. I have felt so "un" creative lately for some reason, and actually haven't put together a worksheet in a couple weeks. I set myself a goal of covering 4 areas this weekend and finished 3 of them, so not that bad. This one is on citizenship. I hope you enjoy it! http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Citizenship-Skills-Worksheet
Help kids (or even adults) learn about how God created our world! This fun and educational printable matching game will help them learn about the first seven days of creation. Just match the image to the corresponding day on the game sheet. Check your answers on the answer key and read the creation story from Genesis 1:1-2:3. This learning tool is great for homeschool, Sunday school, or just a fun activity to do with your kids! ::: I N S T A N T ♥ D O W N L O A D ::: **This is a DIGITAL DOWNLOAD. No physical items will be mailed to you.** After purchase you will receive an email receipt from Etsy with a link to download your purchase. You can also download your files from the “Purchases and Reviews” section of your Etsy profile. You will receive a PDF file for printing on regular 8.5”x11” paper. I recommend printing on heavy cardstock and laminating for durability. For a list of recommended products I use to assemble my printables (laminator, glue, Velcro dots, etc.) visit this page: https://arrowsandapplesauce.com/shop/supplies/ ::: Y O U ♥ M I G H T ♥ A L S O ♥ L I K E ::: Ten Commandments Matching Game: https://www.etsy.com/listing/610058603/ten-commandments-printable-memory-game Fruit of The Spirit Memory Game: https://www.etsy.com/listing/619505758/fruit-of-the-spirit-memory-game Old Testament Memory Game--> https://www.etsy.com/listing/654796681/old-testament-books-of-the-bible-game New Testament Memory Game--> https://www.etsy.com/listing/646257020/new-testament-books-of-the-bible-game Armor of God--> https://www.etsy.com/listing/743309039/armor-of-god-printable-activity-bible :::S A V E ♥ M O N E Y::: Spend $30 or more in my shop ( https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArrowsAndApplesauce ) and get 25% off your total purchase! Use code LEARN at checkout. Subscribe to my blog ( www.arrowsandapplesauce.com ) and get a 10% off coupon code sent to your email to use on any purchase. As a subscriber, you’ll also receive access to my FREE Printables Library and updates on new blog posts. ::: S H O W ♥ O F F ::: I’d love to see you and your little ones enjoying your new learning activity! Be sure to tag me @arrowsandapplesauce and use #applesaucemama. ::: T H E ♥ L E G A L ♥ S T U F F ::: This printable is intended for personal use only. Not for resale. You may not copy, alter, or share these files. Thank you! See my shop policies for more info.
A science experiment made God's love real to me at my daughter's fourth birthday party in an object lesson I never forgot. My daughter had a science themed birthday party when she turned four. I was searching for a cute gender neutral party theme, and thought science experiments would be something different and extra fun.
I saw this when Dinah Zike presented at NSTA last year (Boston). I thought what a fabulous way to get more space out of your notebook pages! Not only can you present information on the flip up page but then students can write more information underneath. This method is featured in her notebooking book (http://www.dinah.org/). I have been experimenting with glue verses tape. The first picture I taped the map down (taping edge to edge....if you use tape do not go past the edge or it no longer flips up as smoothly) the other two pictures I glued the top portion down (that is probably the best way to go. I was just experimenting with the tape). Picture #1 - I downloaded a map of all the countries that use the metric system verse the standard system. Underneath students created a simple "cheat sheet" to help them remember that a millimeter is approximately the size of your pencil tip, centimeter as wide as your finger, etc. Picture #2 - Students were compairing and contrasting rainforest plants and desert plants. Their written work is underneath the flaps. Picture #3 - I wanted the students to really be able to tell me the difference between autotroph and heterotroph so I isolated those two words from the reading above it and had students create flaps that defined it underneath and then they had to draw a picture to help them remember. My elementary students love the "flip flaps" (that is what they call them).
Human body learning activities and free printables for tots and preschoolers.
A detailed, illustrated timeline from the Stone Age to 1066, ideal for Key Stage 2 history lessons.
The Unfair Game is a totally unfair twist on Jeopardy that your students will LOVE to hate! Learn how to play and find sample game boards in this post.
Bible based object lessons are memorable, fun, and can teach character building. Here are my top favorite Christian object lessons, from teaching honesty to
With all of the wildfires going on in California right now, Fire Prevention week and Fire Safety have really been on my mind a lot. This week in addition to all of our preschool activities, we talked a lot about how to stay safe if there were ever a fire in our house. Here were […]
