Intro to Economics Game

A ____ is the study of the way a place uses its money, goods, and services. a) Buyer b) Seller c) Economics d) Exchange	A A ______ is a person who buys goods and services. a) Buyer b) seller c) economics d) exchange	A Which of the following is a service? a) haircut b) apple c) a telephone d) a ladder
A Which of the following is a good? a) a doctor b) a buyer c) a seller d) a video game	A A ____ is a person who sells goods and services to other people. A) buyer b) seller c) economics d) exchange	A What does it mean to exchange? a) to buy something b) to sell something? C) to buy services with money d) to swap or give up one item for another
A ____ is the number of people who want or need something. a) demand b) supply c) scarcity d) trade	A ____ is the amount of something that is available a) trade b) scarcity c) demand d) supply	A ____ is what happens when an item is hard to find a) demand b) scarcity c) supply d) trade
B Name two services	B Name 2 goods	B What does it mean to trade?

This game is designed as an introduction to economics for lower elementary students. 

Terms included: buyer, seller, scarcity, exchange, trade

This is perfect for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th grades as an introduction, practice, or even to review the lesson/unit/concepts.

You can obtain a copy of this game free on TPT at:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Introduction-Economics-Game

Physical Science Introduction Game

What is physical science?	What kind of scientists study how matter, motion, forces, and energy work together?	Define matter
What is volume?	Name 2 types of energy	What is light?
How do you measure volume?	What is mass?	What are properties?
Can water be more than one state of matter?	Is there a solid form of water? If so, what?	Define- States of matter
What temperature is considered the “freezing point” (answer in C or F)	Freezing is a change of water from what state of matter to what? (Name the first state and the final state)	Evaporation can take place at many temperatures. However, it takes ________   ______ to cause evaporation.

This game is designed to hep with students practice vocabulary and concepts.

The terms included are: volume, mass, matter, changes in matter, evaporation, condensation, solids, liquids, gas, texture, properties, and many more.

The questions range in difficulty- Green are multiple choice. Red are fill-in the blank. Blue require a short answer. 

Game cards are designed to be printed front then back. Personally, I print my game card, board, and die on stock paper (and laminate if possible but not necessary)


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Physical-Science-Intro-Game

Sacajawea Her True Story

                                                            


This lesson goes along with the book Sacajawea Her True Story by Joyce Milton.

Students will learn about Sacajawea, Lewis, Clark, and President Thomas Jefferson. 

The students are asked to choose their character, read the book aloud, break into groups, and rehearse their skit. 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sacajawea-Her-True-Story-Activity

Conserve Water Inside and Out

This lesson plan was designed to teach students way to conserve water inside and outside their home. I have suggested a book to read at the beginning of the lesson. This lesson also includes the SIOP Model strategy "Canned Questions" which is great for English Learners and all students. To demonstrate what they have learned, they will create mini poster boards and create a visual that can teach others how to conserve water.

To download this lesson:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Conserve-Water-Inside-and-Out

Hair for Mama Activity -FREEBIE

It is never too early or late to teach humility. Read to them---teach them---show them--- and let them learn how to help others in the way they can: With their hearts, hands, minds, and words :)

                                      

After reading the book Hair for Mama, children will review cancer fact sheet, complete a whole-class KWL on the topic of cancer, and choose the most important facts they learned to complete the L in the KWL chart.

After completing this the students will watch a video recorded by children at the Seattle Children's Hospital.

The students are then asked to write to children in the hospital battling/recovering from Cancer.
It is also a good opportunity to invite a guest speaker into the room to speak with the children from a local Children's hospital, Locks of Love, or other organization in your area.

I hope this lesson is useful to your class and helps raise awareness, compassion, and forms a sense of humility in your classroom.


Download for Free:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hair-for-Mama-Activity

Esperanza Rising Literature Circle

Show the students a book trailer---get them hooked---and then have them read the book, reflect on the book, and create their own presentation!

                                                                              

This document includes tasks for each group member in the literature circle, suggested reading pages, and individual pages to be printed for group members. There is an optional presentation rubric/grade suggested as well. 

This can be assigned as "in class" reading sections or the teacher can have a class set / one book for each group member (4) 

Literature circles work best if done using the same book or introducing several different books.

I have included an idea of how to introduce the books and allow the students to choose the book for their assignment.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Esperanza-Rising-Literature-Circle

Reading Integrated with Government/Law/Ethics

This unit was designed to integrate reading into lessons on Government and Law. Each lesson focuses on a different issue, using a different reading strategy. 13 strategies are used and each focuses on different components (oral language, word study, comprehension, vocabulary, and writing) The topics covered and suggested with books, journals, and articles are: euthanasia, immigration, child labor, capital punishment, bullying/harassment. Rubrics are provided as well as suggested formative/summative assessments. 
Please contact me and I will send you the corresponding Webquest!

The Reading Strategies used in this unit are:
Say Something, Bookmark, Mind and Alternative Mind Portraits, Venn Diagram, Reciprocal Questioning/ReQuest, Press Conference, List-Group-Label, Semantic Mapping, Readers Theater, Vocabulary Self Selection, Exclusion Brainstorming, Learning logs, and QuIP,


Each lesson includes: Standards (Florida), a description of the reading strategy, rational for using the reading strategy, a suggested book/journal/news article, a short summary of the resource suggested, an example of how to use the strategy with the resource, suggestions for integrating writing and technology, and how to assess the students. 

Example of the grading rubric (for Press Conference)

Grading Rubric for Immigration Press Conference
Score	Description
A	.”A” quality work will be enticing, engaging, and informational to viewers. It will include at least 3 references (2 of which are retrieved from .org or .gov sources). The partners equally distributed oral presentation time. The partners worked together as a team to produce an informative and engaging mock press conference.  During presentations from other partners, the student responded as an audience member at least twice.
B	“B” quality work is informational and engaging to viewers. It includes at least 3 references however, two sites were not retrieved from .org or .gov sources. At least 1 source was from .org or .gov website. The partners equally distributed oral presentation time. During presentations from other partners, the student responded as an audience member twice.
C	“C” quality work is lacking background information. The sources used are either: a) Less than the required number or b) did not include at least two sources from .org or .gov sites along with a .com site. The partners may or may not have distributed the oral presentation time equally. During presentations from other partners, the student responded as an audience member only once.
D	“D” quality work was attempted but did not follow guidelines. The presentation was lacking in all areas and resources were not stated. During presentation from other partners, the student did not use his/her response cards to respond and contribute as an audience member.
F	No response/task not attempted.

To view/download this on TPT:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Integrated-with-Government-Law-and-Ethics

Terry Trueman Author Study Lessons

                                                                           

I’ve always had an interest in psychology and writing. I was pleased to notice that Mr. Trueman has degrees in both areas. His books seem appealing for young adults in middle and high school, especially males.

More information:
http://msmsliteraturepage.blogspot.com/p/author-study.html

To buy/view on TPT:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Terry-Truman-Author-Study

Agricultural Map (of China)

This lesson is designed to teach students important elements of agricultural maps. Students will use hands on materials (soy beans, millet, wheat, and rice) to glue on their map of China.

I would highly suggest using tangible materials/crops/etc when teaching and introducing agricultural maps. In doing so, students will remember this hands-on activity and be able to note the difference from the map they CREATED and the map that is regularly shown on the overhead or hung on the wall.

This lesson goes well if students are discussing Asia/China and have been introduced to fundamental map skills already, such as key, compass, etc. However, the overall idea can be used in any other lesson introducing agricultural maps.

The lesson includes materials needed, resources, delivery methods, accommodations, objectives, and standards (Florida) 
There is an optional short summative assessment and answer key at the bottom. The map itself can be used as a formative assessment. 

You can also find Asia inspired lessons in my store.

The lesson delivery portion is entirely scripted. This is beneficial especially if you want to leave this lesson for a helping teacher or substitute. 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Agricultural-Map-of-China-Hands-On-Experience

ABCD's

This is one of my behavior assessments. Personally, I do not believe in "moving colors" or publicly displaying their names on a board where their name moves "down." I don't believe I need to publicly embarrass the student or draw any more attention to the student. 

This acronym is titled ABCD's of Assessing and Managing our own behavior. (When you have other "card" systems in place--- perhaps for comments, questions, positive behavior cards, etc. Other students in the room would not know which card you placed on this student's desk. This is a private and personal way to allow the student to assess and manage their own behavior)

 It is a checklist the student is asked to complete and provide comments. Usually, I keep this in their file to refer to at parent conferences, meetings with behavioral specialist, other teachers, admin, or social workers. 

Some of their comments help understand the root of their behavior/attitude. These are also helpful when determining the best behavior plan for the student and the "triggers" for that student. The teacher or student can also date this slip.
I usually print the table and paste it on index cards.

Teach your students to manage and assess their own behavior. This allows the students to take a short break from whatever the "problem" is, assess their behavior/attitude/actions, write a comment, and think of a plan of action of how they can change the situation.

Many times, even adults need to take a moment to think about the situation before it escalates any further. 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Personal-Behavior-Assessment

North America Culture BINGO-Freebie!

I have included 10 different Bingo cards (25 spaces). I also included 2 variations using a bingo board with 9 spaces and pictures. 

Some of the vocabulary that inspired this Bingo activity:
transportation, bilingual, culture, generation, artifact, contribution, ethnic group, history, and cuisines.

This would be an fun activity to use before/during/ after North American culture materials/chapters/ unit. 

These are great printed on stock paper. 
Enjoy :)

Free download:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/North-America-Culture-Bingo

Classroom Management and Syllabus-Freebie

This form is given to all students at the beginning of the year. We review it on the first day (and for the first few weeks) I also give them various scenarios and we role play how they are expected to act/ behave. 

It may seem extremely strict, but a well managed class knows the rules, follows the rules, and respects the teacher that sticks to his/her own rules.




Free download:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Management-and-Syllabus

Brief Excerpt from the document:

"Ms. M’s Middle School Classroom

Classroom Management-

In order to achieve all of our academic goals and maintain a learning environment in which all students can learn and flourish there are rules that must be followed.

Rules: All students are expected to learn and know the rules of the classroom. Learning and adhering to these rules ensures everyone in the classroom are superSTARS

Stay on task and follow directions

Team work is encouraged, but talk quietly

Adhere to all classroom procedures and school rules/policies

Respect yourself, our classroom, and everybody around you

Stay seated unless otherwise told "

Earth Space Science Unit Review Game

My daughter was having a hard time grasping vocabulary in her 3rd grade Earth Space science unit. Simply reading the chapter and looking over the bold-print words weren't enough. She loves science, but for some reason she had absolutely no interest in Earth Space studies!

I used all of the vocabulary words from each chapter in her 3rd grade textbook and created this game.
Each space is colored coordinated. Easy questions are written on cards as multiple choice. Medium questions are fill in the blank. Harder questions require a longer answer--perhaps a sentence or two defining or explaining.

Much to my surprise this became a hit for my daughter and her neighborhood friends! They played it four times in a row and even asked me to create more questions! She brought it in to school to show her teacher the next school day. Her teacher followed up with an email asking to borrow it! Games are such a great way to let the kids have fun while learning the new vocabulary and concepts!

This is really very simple and inexpensive to make---and well worth the 10 minutes it takes to put it all together!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Earth-Space-Science-Unit-Review-Game

China and Japan

This lesson was originally taught in a 1st grade classroom. I have since used it in numerous other grade levels and made changes where it was necessary. 

When other teachers saw this displayed on the wall they were begging for the lesson. It was so engaging, hands-on, and the students absolutely loved it! 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Intro-China-and-Japan-Tradition-and-Culture

Check my site for other Asian inspired lessons and activities.

Salt Maps

What happened to good-ol' salt maps? Salt maps are an inexpensive, hands-on, GREAT way to get the children really engaged in learning geography! I usually have a different assignment and theme to go along with each salt map to keep them excited about the activity. If you feel there isn't enough time in the day to do this assignment, you could send home the mixture in a plastic baggie (accompanied with whatever base you are using) and have them do it at home. What a concept! Fun, hands-on, engaging activities to spice up geography!

Visit:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/State-Projects 

or try my free product at:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hands-on-Geography-Map

Don't think for a minute that secondary students wouldn't love this assignment-- They absolutely do!

Identity Map

My Identity Map

This is such a great beginning of the year assignment! It is a way to incorporate art, language arts, and social studies, depending on how you present the assignment!

I would suggest doing this with your students at the beginning and end of the year to see how they have evolved, as people in the short time they are with you!

Far too often, teachers are so focused on meeting school, district, and state guidelines that we forget to really get to know our students. By doing this assignment at the beginning of the year you can learn a great deal about each of your students!