Matter Crossword FREEBIE/ Physical Science

Enjoy today's FREEBIE matter crossword from our physical science unit. Print the definitions on the back for vocabulary review. Enjoy!

Download printer-friendly crossword & definitions

Download printer-friendly answer key

The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates: Magic Marks the Spot/ FREEBIE Discussion Questions & Activities

STUDY GUIDE/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

After searching (without luck) for The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates: Magic Marks the Spot study guide, I created my own. And lucky you, I'm sharing!

Download printer-friendly discussion questions, pages 1-4

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

This crossword covers people, places, and things from the story. Answer key included too! 

Download printer-friendly crossword puzzle

Download printer-friendly answer key

CHARACTER COMPARE & CONTRAST

Always interesting to see the students perception of the characters! For this activity, you'll need:  the instruction sheet below (2 instruction pages/sheet), a venn diagram per each student, and paper for illustrations. 

Download printer-friendly instruction sheet

Black and white construction paper make striking but simple frames for character illustrations. Staple the picture frames to each side of the venn diagram. Students label the character's name under the illustration. Simply flip back the frame and write the traits behind the appropriate character on the venn diagram.

MAKE A PIRATE MAP

Have students make a 'good' treasure map according to the principles outlined in Treasure Hunting for Beginners: The Official VNHLP Guide (Chapter 6, p.114-115/hardcover edition). Use this template or have them draw a map from scratch.

Hope your students have a wonderful time working through these activities! Enjoy :)

Science Vocabulary Printable/ Work and Machines FREEBIE Crossword

Studying work and machines in your science unit? Enjoy this FREEBIE crossword puzzle to help reinforce vocabulary! It correlates perfectly with our Physical Science Unit on Forces and Motion.

Download printer-friendly crossword

Download printer-friendly answer key

Happy homeschooling!

American Revolution/ Boston Tea Party FREEBIE Cursive Sheets

Now that M really understands cursive letter formation, I've started creating cursive practice sheets to reinforce our unit studies. For history, we've been learning about the American Revolution!

 Click here to download the printer-friendly version

If you would like to make your own cursive sheets, the font School Script Dashed is available FREE for download. I make the font light gray so M's tracing with colored pens is very visible. If you use black letters, it's difficult to see the student's work.

Enjoy these FREEBIE Boston Tea Party cursive practice sheets ;)

Happy homeschooling!

Vocabulary FREEBIE Activity/Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee

Enjoy this freebie vocabulary crossword as we continue the week with Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy. It was a fun start to all our book club activities! I know your kids will love it, too ;)

The definitions are included on page 2 (which I ran off as the back side of the crossword). 

Download/ Printer Friendly Version:

Vocabulary Crossword & Definitions

Looking for more Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy activities?

Freebie Bingo Cards (People, Places, and Things from the Story)

Bingo Activity FREEBIE/ Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee

If you want to engage discussion about a book, it's fun to use a game instead of formal questions. Why not create a bingo game with people, places, and things from a story? That's exactly what I did for our homeschool book club for Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee. 

Print-bingo.com is awesome! So easy to use and you can create custom bingo cards from your own word lists. All these bingo cards were created at print-bingo.com for FREE!

To make the cards and calling sheet easy to reuse, simply slide them in a plastic sleeve. Students make a line through the word as it is called with a dry erase marker. If you have access to a laminator, you could also laminate the bingo cards instead.

As each word is called, use the opportunity to ask students about their comprehension. If an item is called, who does it belong to or why is it important? Ask students to describe character personality traits or for important events central to that character. Everyone loves chiming in with details - so enjoy!

Download/ Printer Friendly Versions:

Bingo Set 1

Bingo Set 2

Bingo Caller Sheet

Book Review/ Seven Wonders: The Colossus Rises by Peter Lerangis {FREEBIE Activities & Mini-Unit Suggestions}

Incredible action and adventure! 

Each chapter of Seven Wonders: The Colossus Rises seems to end with drama, a secret revealed, or incredible events. It was a huge hit with our homeschool book club. Most kids could not put it down or stop talking about it!

My third grader LOVED this book. She finished in two days, refusing to part with it until she read it all. At the end of the first chapter, she asked if there was a sequel. And then begged for me to reserve it at our local library ;)

The ending was truly shocking. My daughter and our homeschool book club readers COULD NOT believe it!!!! Everyone is clamoring to get Book Two.

One of my favorite parts of this series is the mix of mythology, real history, and original fiction! There are so many jumping off points with this book...the historical seven ancient wonders of the world, the Colossus of Rhodes, Greek mythology, medical ethics, loyalty v. betrayal, honesty v. secrecy.

This is our first read from author Peter Lerangis. He has also authored a few of the 39 Clues books which appear quite popular.

SYNOPSIS
Jack McKinley is not your typical thirteen year old. Jack is one of the Select, children destined to die if the powerful Loculi are not found and returned to Atlantis. The Loculi have been scattered among the seven ancient wonders of the world. If the Select fail, they will perish by age fourteen - and life on Earth will be changed forever.



FREEBIE WRITING PROMPTS (Download printer-friendly version)
SPOILER ALERT - These activities reveal important parts of the plot. Stop reading here if you want to read the book first!

#1/ Jack held onto his mother’s mirror because it had sentimental value (emotional significance). Describe an item that has sentimental value to you, but isn't worth a lot of money. What does it look like? Where do you keep it? Why do you love it so much?

#2/ What do you think of Barry Reese’s behavior? What did Barry do when Jack initially refused to let Barry copy his homework? If you had been Jack, would you have reacted differently or the same? What would you have done?

#3/ How does Jack learn of Aly, Marco, and Cass’s plan to escape? How do Aly’s computer skills help them slip out without being discovered? Does their escape go as planned? Why or why not?

#4/ When the Select find out they've been implanted with a locating device, how did they react? What did Jack think? Would you want to be implanted with a locating device? Why or why not?

#5/ How does Marco get separated from Jack, Aly, and Cass at the top of Mount Onyx? What happened to Marco and the vromaski? How did Jack, Aly, and Cass react? How would you react in their position?

#6/ In the Atlantean maze, why does Marco survive? What do Jack, Aly, and Cass do when they find him? How does his body regenerate?

#7/ Was it a good thing Aly called home? Why or why not? Would you have called home if you were in her situation?

#8/ What do Jack, Aly, and Marco find in the Massarene greenhouse? Describe what happens when Jack touches the flame.

#9/ Imagine you are the Colossus of Rhodes that just came to life. What do you see? How do you feel? What do you want to do?

#10/ What happened to the Loculus at the hotel? Do you agree with Jack’s idea that Marco took it home? Why or why not? What does Jack’s reaction reveal about how he feels about Marco?

BONUS ACTIVITIES FROM THE WEB 

Teacher's Guide via Harper Collins
Interactive Map of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The Colossus of Rhodes Facts
The Story Behind the Statue

BONUS ENRICHMENT SUGGESTIONS
Create your own mini-unit with additional reading selections!

Atlantis: The Legend of a Lost City by Christina Balit

A short, but interesting, mythology of Poseidon's creation and destruction of Atlantis. Based on Plato's writings, but easily read by children. Most picture books do not appeal to my third grader, but this book she reads again and again!

Atlantis: The Search For The Lost City by Mary-Jane Knight

Our favorite part of this book was the last two pages (p. 44-45) - a history of the explorers who have searched for Atlantis and where they believe the actual location to be. Our family (and the kids at book club) found this historical section way more interesting than the fictional story.

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Michael Woods and Mary B. Woods

Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!! A nonfiction account of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The students were absolutely floored that the Colossus of Rhodes was REAL. After discussing the Colossus's true history, we also read about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon - the setting for Book 2. A perfect companion to those who love the Seven Wonders series!!!!

The One and Only Ivan/ FREEBIE Activities

Looking for The One and Only Ivan activities?  Here are two I created for our homeschool book club. Download the free printables! Also read my book review.

ACTIVITY  #1/ WHAT IS A GOOD PLACE FOR A WILD ANIMAL? Children ponder Stella's thoughts about a "good zoo". The next step is to write about a good zoo habitat for either a gorilla or elephant. And lastly, students illustrate their habitat and label each important part of their "wild cage".

Creative Writing and Illustration/ The One and Only Ivan Activity

ACTIVITY #2/ LIVING BY PRINCIPLES
Julia and George had a conversation about principles, or doing what you know is right. Students choose a character who stood by their principles, citing examples and consequences.

Living by Principles/ The One and Only Ivan Activity

If you enjoy these activities, please drop me a note! I'd love to hear about all the fun you and your child had ;)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The One and Only Ivan Discussion Guide by Harper Collins

Fascinating Gorilla Facts via The Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Gorilla Doctors:  Saving Endangered Great Apes, a Scientists in the Field book 

Ivan in his mall enclosure (via Urban Gorilla)

Ivan in his habitat at the Atlanta Zoo

Book Review: The Sasquatch Escape by Suzanne Selfors {Vocabulary & Bingo FREEBIES}

Wow, that was a fast read! 

Our homeschool book club {grades 3-6} read The Sasquatch Escape by Suzanne Selfors for our May meeting. It's a fictional mystery with some fantasy thrown in.

At first, Madeline did not embrace the story. Every time we read one or two chapters, she wasn't eager to read more. That changed once events at Dr. Woo's worm hospital really got going ;)

From that point on, Madeline was hooked. Determined to keep reading until the book was finished! Even though the title is The Sasquatch Escape, the Sasquatch doesn't actually make an appearance for quite some time. We both wish he had appeared earlier!

The humor really picks up in the second half of the book. Sasquatch's escapades are HILARIOUS! The things he does will make you giggle and giggle.

Just toss out what you know about scary Bigfoot. Selfor's gentle giant is sweet, enjoys being cooed at like a baby, and loves his chocolate. You'll love him too.

Although the vocabulary wasn't overly challenging, there were many words new to Madeline. Since we purchased this book via Kindle, it was neat to be able to highlight the word and see the definition pop up!

SYNOPSIS
Benjamin {Ben} Silverstein has been sent to spend the summer with his Grandpa Abe while his parents work out some troubles. Since the button factory closed, Buttonville isn't very exciting. Most families have moved away leaving the town deserted. And worse, the senior center is pretty much the only place to hang out and socialize.

Ben meets Pearl Petal, a girl whose family lives above the Dollar Store. Everyone in Buttonville calls her a troublemaker. But when Ben finds a injured baby dragon, he and Pearl see if the town's new worm doctor {Dr. Woo} can help.

During the visit to the worm hospital, Ben leaves the deadbolt open resulting in Sasquatch's escape. It's up to Ben and Pearl to locate the missing Sasquatch and bring him back to Dr. Woo's hospital - a hospital for Imaginary creatures!

FREEBIES
What a bummer, there is no study guide for this book. Being type-A and all, I've been creating my own study guide. Expect another post with more activities once we meet for book club :)  

Enjoy my vocabulary and bingo freebies:

Click here to download ~ Vocabulary Definitions

Click here to download ~ Vocabulary/Character/Setting Bingo Caller List

Click here to download ~ Bingo Cards Set #1

Click here to download ~ Bingo Cards Set #2

Click here to download ~ Bingo Cards Set #3

RATING
We'd rate The Sasquatch Escape 4 of 5 stars! It's a must-read for any child that loves mysteries, adventure, or animals.

Will we continue with the series? Most certainly!

Chasing Vermeer Activities {FREE Printable Links}

Time flies when you're having fun. And yesterday, book club just flew by! Madeline's selection was Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet.

A member surprised us with pentominoes!

Vocabulary Bingo

Examples of vocabulary bingo cards

I used Print-Bingo to create vocabulary bingo cards. The caller's cards were cut from our vocabulary definitions printed on cardstock.

Print your own vocabulary list and definitions from Scholastic's Chasing Vermeer Teacher's Guide.

To make the bingo cards reusable, I slid them into plastic sheet protectors. The kids circled or drew a line through the called words with a dry erase marker. After there was a winner, they just wiped their cards clean :)

Next book club, it might be fun to add places in the book as well as characters to the bingo cards. I'm always looking to change it up!

Pentomino Rectangle Activity
A book club member surprised us by bringing pentomino sets! The kids tried to make as many rectangles as they could. If they completed a rectangle, they had the option of helping another student or making more rectangles. Most chose to help other students, which I thought was really cool!

Madeline is obsessed with pentominoes thanks to this book. The plastic pentominoes were so addictive, I ordered a set for her. My toddler will probably love working with them too, albeit at her own ability level.

Looking for free pentomino printables? Scholastic has this printable set. The sturdier the pentomino, the easier they are to manipulate. You might want to print on cardstock or construction paper, or possibly even laminate them.

MORE FREE PENTOMINO ACTIVITIES
Puzzling Pentominoes games and scavenger hunt

Pentomino Puzzles for math/geometry

Pentomino Exploration, Construction, Geometry, and Measurement

Character Name Acrostic Poem
We discussed how to write acrostic poems and viewed examples. Then students picked a character name from one of the 12:

• Petra Andalee
• Frank Andalee
• Norma Andalee
• Calder Pillay
• Walter Pillay
• Yvette Pillay
• Isabel Hussey
• Louise Sharpe
• Tommy Segovia
• Zelda Segovia
• Vincent Watch
• Xavier Glitts {a.k.a. Fred Steadman}

Using a character name, they created their own poem describing that character. They could choose to write a descriptive word for each letter or a descriptive phrase. Then each homeschooler read their poem aloud.

Chasing Vermeer Literature Unit 
To save time, I purchased a premade literature unit. It was awesome and totally worth the $10 price for a whopping 98 pages!

I will definitely purchase more units. This was my first time doing so, and I was so impressed by the quality. There is no way I could reproduce this print-ready unit without hours and hours of work.

Some of the activities included was a vocabulary list {students add their definitions}, chapter discussion questions, an art comparison activity {real Vermeer v. fake}, tons of writing prompts, pentomino activities, and more ideas for activities than I could ever imagine.

Here's a complete list of the unit components:

• Short Answer Comprehension Questions
• Short Answer TEST
• 12 Project Challenges
• Cover Analysis (2 cover options)
• Bookmark for writing story elements (2 cover options)
• Art Evaluation and Two Voice Poetry Sheets (2)
• Painting Evaluations and Questions (3)
• Real and Fake Vermeer Evaluation
• Compare/Contrast Two Paintings
• Vermeer Signature Evaluation
• Puzzling Pentomino Worksheets
• Creative Pentomino Project
• Chapter Title Connection Chart
• Character Motivation/Role/Impact Chart
• #12 Coincidences Chart
• Artifact Analysis- for Quill Feather
• Book Quotes Analysis (6)
• Figurative Language Sheets (10)
• RAFT Writing Prompts (10)
• Two Cover Comparison with Questions
• Vocabulary Packet, 54 words and blank sheets
• Frog Beanbag Project
• Frog Report Writing Sheets

There is no way we could ever finish all the activities in this unit during a book club meeting. But I will definitely incorporate these into our homeschool curriculum!

Enjoy all the activities and happy reading :)

Book Review: Raiders' Ransom by Emily Diamand

It's officially finished!
Madeline LOVED Raiders' Ransom, but I had mixed feelings about it.

PROS
It's fast-paced with tons of action once you get past the first few chapters. The conversations with the talking jewel are hilarious. Madeline even fell off the bed because she was laughing so hard!

There are so many different topics you can springboard onto -- English geography and landmarks, English history, climate change, recycling, living without technology. More things to learn more about!

CONS
Amazon has this book marked as recommended for ages 8-12. However, this has some very mature themes including child abuse, slavery, war, underage drinking...well, you get the idea. Most of the reviews talk about how funny the book is, but there are just as many intense moments. The graphic description of corpses from battle could be disturbing to children aged 8-12.

RATINGS
Madeline, 5 Stars
She enjoyed this book as much as Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. When we had 10 chapters to go, she wanted to read it straight to the end. She begged every night to read more!

Mom, 4 Stars
I thought it mas a bit mature and maybe is better suited to more of a young adult {YA} audience. The story was great, but started off slow and depressing. There were even some in our book club who just could not get past the first few chapters and gave up {ages 8-10}. The aftermath of the fleet battle was a bit gruesome for younger readers. More of the talking jewel, please!

Will we continue with the series? Absolutely!
Onto Flood and Fire. Even though some to the themes are a bit mature, they do precipitate many good discussions with my daughter. And to me, that is one of the marks of a really good book!

Enjoy these extra resources to further learn about the setting and themes in Raiders' Ransom.
Madeline is having a blast comparing the book vs. real history and places.

ONLINE FREEBIES
- Games and activities for English, British, and Scottish history via the BBC
- View photos and videos of historical landmarks referenced in the book like the Thames River and Big Ben via National Geographic Kids
- Climate change videos, games, and activities via NASA's Climate Kids
- Free Activity Book: Discover Your Changing World with NOAA includes 10 activities to introduce the principles of climate science

ADDITIONAL READING
- English folklore/ Young Guinevere by Robert D. San Souci
- Famous authors/ Charles Dickens: Scenes from an Extraordinary Life by Mick Manning
- London's historical landmarks/ A Walk in London by Salvatore Rubbin
- English theater history/ Tudor Theatre (Building History) by Gillian Clements
- English monarchs / Good Queen Bess : The Story of Elizabeth I of England by Diane Stanley
- Climate change/ The Magic School Bus And The Climate Challenge by Joanna Cole
- Climate change and the polar ice/ Waiting for Ice by Sandra Markle