Timeline {FREEBIE} Update!

My Timeline graphic organizer is my most downloaded freebie! I wanted to give it an extra update today... With that being said, I have given this resource a  makeover and added a Top 5 Uses {for this product} page! Timelines are a must have in any classroom, but how are they being used? Do you use them to complete the same task every time, or have you gotten creative with them? I'm going to share how I have used them in my own classroom AND a few new ideas that I thought of over summer break.


See the breakdown below for examples of each use.

#1 Sequence: The main use of a timeline, of course. Timelines are wonderful for using as a sequencing tool for many different learning levels.

#2 Tracking Characters: Track an individual character to show growth/changes throughout the story. Then, compare and contrast the character from the beginning to the end of the story.

#3 Finding Evidence: Have your students answer separate questions of your choice using these six boxes to respond. They can draw a picture in response to the question with evidence straight from the text to support their answer.

#4 Prewriting: Use this simple timeline as a prewriting tool for narratives. Your students can picture the sequence of the main events in their story before they even write.

#5 Novel Study: When it comes to longer books, things seem to blend together. Have your students keep a timeline of the entire book, chapter by chapter.

Download this multi-use FREEBIE right HERE! To view my collection of graphic organizers click here!

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Comparing and Contrasting for Connecting Features

Are you looking for new ways to compare and contrast in your classroom? My Compare and Contrast Graphic Organizer Set includes five different ways to promote a deeper level of thinking.

This set is perfect for literacy centers, novel studies, basil stories, picture books, chapter books, etc. The organizers included are comparing/contrasting characters, character to self, book vs. movie, settings, and text features. Dig deeper with your students by finding similarities and differences with different facets within a text.

I had originally made this to use with my Matilda Novel Study (coming soon!), but then expanded it to fit the needs of my future lessons. For example, I created centers for my students to work on while reading Matilda. I had them compare Matilda to a character of their choice. After we finished the book, we watched the movie and used the Book vs. Movie graphic organizer.

I gave my students different topics to compare in the middle, such as characters or theme, or you could let them choose.

To see the full preview or to purchase this graphic organizer set click the link here.

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Fiction Reading Companion

If you loved my Nonfiction Reading Companion, you are going to love my fictional version of this product! Lately, we have been working on a lot of nonfiction text to prepare for standardized testing. Now that testing is over, *shouts of excitement* we can take a step back and enjoy a different range of literature.

Today, I paired some of our classroom Cricket magazines with our Fiction Booklet. I am always looking for a way to incorporate these magazines in my classroom and this activity is perfect! Not only can you use these magazines, but you can also pair them with your basil reader, picture books, fictional short stories, etc. 

This fifteen page student booklet includes individual graphic organizers and partner pages. You can use one book for multiple pages or a different book for each page. These booklets also work perfectly for weekly reading centers as well. You can assign students to complete so many pages per week with their reading story or with a different text.

To purchase this product follow the link here.

For more information on my Nonfiction Reading Companion click here.

To purchase my Nonfiction Reading Companion click here.

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News-O-Matic + Main Idea = Engaging Test Prep!

Have you tried out the New-O-Matic app yet? Both my students and I would highly recommend it! This app features current event articles that are geared towards third/fourth or fifth grades. All of the articles that we scoped out today were both highly entertaining and informative. It kept my students engaged and wanting to read more, even when we were out of time! I love it when that happens!!! When you log in, it asks you to select the grade level, then the main menu of articles pops up. The most recent articles are at the top. You can scroll down to view all available resources.

The best thing is, new pieces of nonfiction text are uploaded daily! That's what makes this such a great resource for my class. We have been focusing on a lot of nonfiction texts as we prepare for our standardized tests, making this a wonderful tool!

As I played with the app, I noticed several more features that I loved. For example,  each article comes with a fact, video, slideshow, drawing section, and more. Pictured below is the drawing feature for the students to make any notes while they read. It's easy to access and flip back and forth between the article and the drawing board.

Here's where main idea comes in... I gathered a few articles from News-O-Matic and stapled each of them onto separate pieces of construction paper. I made four sets for my class to use. Four sets is the perfect number for my classroom because this makes each group contain 3-4 students. The sample below shows how I set up each article. 

*Note: I ended up copying and pasting the articles into PowerPoint before printing them. This was the easiest way to print them from my laptop. I wanted a paper copy so my students had access to a hard copy that they could easily highlight or mark on. However, each student was still able to pull up the articles on their iPad for easy access. 

Pictured above: I have the construction paper divided into four sections: Main Idea, Detail #1, 

Detail #2, and Detail #3.

Once my students were put into groups, they read aloud each article, one at a time. Then, they came up with a main idea all together. After deciding on a main idea, each group member was in charge of finding a detail to add to their construction paper. The criteria for a detail meant that they had to use words from the text to prove that their main idea was correct.

I love that this is a teamwork activity! My students worked hard and collaborated together to explain what the text was about and how they could prove their thinking. The conversations around the room were right on track and showed me that they were building strong responses throughout the activity.

If you liked this, you can click here to view similar test prep activities! :)

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Comparing Main Ideas: Deeper Thinking

Our second round of testing is right around the corner! Yesterday, we read Double Dutch from our Journey's book and focused on sequence. Today, I chose to compliment our story with an article about a double dutch team that I found online. Our goal for today was to find the main idea of both texts and then compare them. The wonderful thing about this activity is that you can use it with any two types of text. For this example, I chose a nonfiction story and an article. This template is super easy to use, all you have to do is determine which pieces of text you want to use with it. With that being said, this is one of the most crucial parts. Finding stories or articles that best fit your students is what will benefit them the most. 

When we read Double Dutch yesterday, we worked on a sequence activity. {Read about my sequence activity here!} Today, we reviewed a little but added the handout below. First, we worked together to fill out the left-hand side of the paper. We used this as a model for later. Next, I paired up my students having them read over their article together. Finally, they completed the right-hand side independently and turned it in for a quick assessment. In the end, we talked about how both main ideas relate and come together. 

I love that this activity allows my students to develop main ideas and compare them as well. This reinforces and deepens their learning on such a tough skill! Grab this freebie right here! :)

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Nonfiction Reading Companion

Do you need a perfect pairing to your nonfiction texts? This booklet is an excellent companion for any nonfiction article! It can be used in many different ways and with many different kinds of texts. For example, your students can use them with their Scholastic News Magazines, Sports Illustrated for Kids, National Geographic Kids Edition, nonfiction basil stories, nonfiction books, newspaper articles, or any other nonfiction magazine. 

All of the sections in the Nonfiction Reading Companion include: A KWL Chart Visualizing Main Idea Inferring Vocabulary Illustrating Facts and Opinions Compare and Contrast Sequencing Summarizing Asking Questions
This booklet is perfect to use in weekly centers as well. I currently have a Magazine with Friends center in my classroom where my students use this booklet to prove that they have read and understood each article. At the end of the week, they get credit for the sections they have completed. You can break it up into halves if you prefer, where your students will complete half of the Companion in one week and the other half in the following week. Then, they are practicing all of those reading skills within a two week span.

Some of the pages in the Companion are paired together, for instance, the Asking Questions & Answer Time pages. Students will use one article for these two pages to create questions and answer a friend's questions. This gives your students an opportunity to work together and challenge each other.

Grab my Nonfiction Reading Companion here! For more graphic organizers, click here!

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Comparing Two Texts

It's that time of year! The time when teachers prepare their students for their rigorous standardized tests. *Insert eye roll here* Although we dread this, (and so do our students) I try to make it as painless as possible.  Over the last few weeks, we have been practicing juggling multiple texts, including nonfiction articles, literary pieces, newspaper articles, video clips, etc. This week I wanted to take a closer look at a picture book and a video clip. Of course, you can't go wrong by pairing Dog VS Cat (by Gail Fisher) and the ever so entertaining Dear Kitten: Regarding the Dog extended commercial. 

Talk about a perfect pair, these two align wonderfully for this purpose! Don't forget the best part, my students LOVED every minute of this activity! It was engaging, entertaining, and appropriate for our lesson. To tie both of these texts together, I've included a free graphic organizer (Comparing Two Texts) that you can get HERE!

Here's the break down...

First, I read aloud Dog VS Cat to my class. Then, I pass out the graphic organizer, Comparing Two Texts. I discuss the topics included as a whole class. I give them a few minutes to record observations they made during the first read. After going over all topics, I read Dog VS Cat one more time while they record the answers they didn't catch during the first read. I also challenge them to be more specific and detailed from the information that they had already recorded. Once they have completed the entire Dog VS Cat side, we move on to Dear Kitten. 

I have the students set their paper to the side and just WATCH the first time without taking any notes so they can focus only on the video clip. Give them a few minutes to record notes. Watch the video for a second time, recording any details they missed during the first viewing. 

When everyone is finished recording, we are ready to take a look over our graphic organizers as a class. I was super impressed with the responses I was receiving from all of my students. Some of my "hesitant hand raisers" even stepped out of hiding to willingly participate! 

I hope your class enjoys this activity as much as mine. I mean, who doesn't love the Dear Kitten videos?! Don't forget to checkout my other graphic organizers in my store here.

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Compare and Contrast {Happy New Year!}

Looking back at this year, I can't help but compare and contrast my own life. I have enjoyed looking back at 2015 and seeing how far I have come this year as a "teacherpreneur."  I have made so many wonderful improvements along the way! Striving to be the best teacher and creator I can be is the biggest goal that I have in life. Each year, I consider a success because there is always so much to share and learn from others.  In order to celebrate the New Year, I MUST have a freebie for all of my wonderful followers to simply say thank you! Thank you so much for purchasing my products and using them to education your students. I am so appreciative of everyone's feedback and fellowship in TpT. Without anymore wait, I wanted to thank you with a free copy of my Compare and Contrast Graphic Organizers. Get them while you can tonight. This offer expires at MIDNIGHT!

I hope you enjoy this freebie! Don't forget to come back to my store from January 1st-2nd to get 20% off my ENTIRE store! :)

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