Lesson Plan Directory

Penmanship: The Art of Teaching Handwriting

As a child I remember Mrs. Thompson, my first grad teacher, gently putting her hand over mine and guiding me in forming the letters. We wrote on green lined paper with dotted lines down the middle. After we had practice for a whole week we were allowed to use the white paper to prove how beautiful o...2 points

Beginning Reading

Learning to read is an exciting time in life. Reading is also one of the most important skills your child will every learn. For some children it comes very easy, for other children, it can be a bit more of a struggle. Here are some resources for parents to help their children get off to a good start...2 points

Beginning to Read

Mrs. Wishy Washy and The Big Bad Pig are inviting you all beginning readers to join them in the adventure of learning to read. Learn how to make Word Walls, Literacy Bags, activities for Center Time and lots, lots, more.You will find suggested beginning reading books, games, and activities to promot...1 point

Tips for Teachers

Teaching is not my first career. When I graduated from college, I worked as a graphic designer developing production, creating advertising, and working with models. Although there were many interesting components to the field, working in this field wasn't a good match for me. Eventually, I found mys...1 point

Christmas Literature by Illustrator - Author Jan Brett

One of my most favorite illustrators and authors of children's books is Jan Brett. Her illustrations are amazingly beautiful! The traditional and original stories she illustrates have all become favorites to many children. Mrs. Brett has a very contagious energy that her fans can not resist. My...1 point

A Christmas Carol Unit Study

The classic story "A Christmas Carol" ~ a famous author, Charles Dickens ~ creative animation genius, Walt Disney Productions ~ & one uniquely facinating actor, Jim Carrey ~ what else can I say!?With the new Disney Christmas Carol movie coming out soon, what a great time for educators...1 point

Christmas Unit Study 3 - Language Arts

A Christmas Unit Study (Language Arts) ~Christmas is such an amazing time of year to celebrate the birth of the blessed baby, Jesus. While parents and teachers who are teaching about the events of the Bible, and the events of the seasons, why not turn it into a fun unit study? Add some math, science...1 point

Multimedia Poetry Performance Can Be Child's Play

A llama talked to me on the internet this morning, and a yak did as well. Those talking animals briefly rendered me speechless. The talking photo animation site Blabberize appears to be designed primarily as a source of entertainment, much like other photo effect sites. It has powerful educational a...1 point

Beginning to Read and Write with Word Walls and Pointers

Word walls are a collection of words for beginning readers to use to promote learning in reading and writing.Word Walls are most effective when the children help to generate them. This lens will point out various types of Word Walls used in classrooms, how they can be used to promote reading and wri...1 point

Verbs: What ARE You Doing?

No matter where or when, verbs are action words. They tell what we are doing, what's happening, or how we are.Whether you are reading, writing or rhyming,Jumping, swimming or crawling,Twittering, Squidooing, or DIGGing,There is a verb tells what you are doing.Come explore all the fun, hands-on ways...1 point

Swat the Fly Verb Frog Game

Grab your fly swatters, the verbs are on the loose!We all know that frogs eat flies but did you know that frogs won't eat dead flies? A frog could starve to death if given only a bowlful of dead flies. This fact leads us to today's learning center game about verbs, the words that describe action and...1 point

Hilarious Turkey Poem

I first heard Jack Prelutsky's hilarious poem, The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven, when I attended a book signing in Brookline, Mass. while homeschooling my older children. We had fallen in love with his poetry books, It's Halloween and It's Thanksgiving and were eager to meet him in person. Jack Prelu...1 point

Hands-on Math Activities

Children learn and truly understand mathematical concepts best when engaged in hands-on activities and games. By manipulating everyday objects, playing games and finding out ways of solving everyday problems children gain a true understanding of the concepts. Only with this understanding does the me...2 points

Skip Count, Skip Count, Count by Two's

Skip Counting is what you do when you count by 10's, 5's or 2's. All young children learn to Skip Count but did you realize that this is one of the beginning steps to learning multiplication.This lens has rhymes, songs and activities for teaching Skip Counting, skills that lead to understanding of m...1 point

Sand Dollars: Math on the Beach

One day at the beach in Costa Rica my daughter and I were digging in the sand making sandcastles when we ran across a live sand dollar. Finding a dead exoskeleton would have been exciting but finding a live sand dollar was unbelievable!We held it in our hands and felt the tiny hairs on the underside...1 point

Blueberries for Sal Unit Study

As the sun rises higher in the sky the blueberries start to ripen. Plump, ripe and delicious blueberries are one of my children's favorite berries to pick so when we ran across Robert McClosky's classic tale, Blueberries for Sal, we just had to turn it into a Unit Study.We will read about blueberrie...1 point

Frog Pattern Math

When planning activities for your Frog Unit Study you might think that math would be an abstract subject that has nothing to do with frogs. In this lens we will explore ways to integrated math into your study of frogs and tadpoles. Mathematics is based on patterns. Mathematicians use numbers and sym...1 point

Frog Geometry

As teachers and homeschoolers we often think of math a subject totally unrelated to the theme we are studying. In this lens I hope to dispel l this myth. Using the frog theme we will explore geometric shapes. From the circular bubbles rising up from the frog pond to making origami frogs, this lens i...1 point

Froggy Math Facts

Continuing the Frog Unit Study this lens is all about adding and subtracting with frogs. Children learn best when given hands-on multi-sensory projects and games that relate to the overall subject being studied. With dozens of frog related addition and subtraction activities, matmats, workjobs and g...1 point

It's Turkey Time!

Wild Turkeys nearly became extinct in the 1930's but times have changed and turkeys have benefited. Now turkeys are often found in fields and on the edge of the woods.In this unit you will learn about Wild Turkeys, read turkey facts and stories, play some turkey games and do some turkey projects.The...1 point

Pumpkins and Place Value

Pick the biggest pumpkin you can find. Cut off the top and smell the fresh pumpkin smell. Carving a Jack O'Lantern leads into a mathematical unit study of place value that incorporates all five senses. Counting pumpkin seeds into groups of 10's, 100's etc. helps children understand our d...1 point

The Fun and Games of Pre-Algebra

Over time children learn to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Hopefully they have been taught using creative math manipulatives so that they have a concrete understanding of those skills.As a final step before Algebra, children are taught fractions, percents, decimals and ratios while perfecting t...1 point

The Mouse Ran Up The Clock

It's time to learn how to tell time. Here is a unit study that teaches children to tell time, understand lapse in time and the evolution of the understanding of time through history. Learn about devices for measuring time, clocks, egg timers and calendars. Wind up your watch it's time to fin...1 point

Natural Math Manipulatives

A hands-on approach to learning new concepts involving all 5 senses makes understanding easier and quicker for learners of all styles. Here you will find manipulatives that intrigue, excite and encourage exploration.From wooden blocks to needle felted gnomes, Cuisenaire Rods to pebbles, feathers and...1 point

Understanding a Billion

Everyone is talking about spending billions of dollars to save the economy but how much is a billion?We all know how to count to 100. We count by 10's, 5's and 2's but when the numbers get higher it becomes more and more difficult to comprehend just how much that number means.Here you will find book...1 point

Learning Math While Playing Yahtzee

It is amazing what you can learn while playing a seemingly simple game like Yahtzee. It's not just rolling the dice. In the game of Yahtzee you try to score the highest points by rolling a combination of numbers. These numbers are added up and the highest score wins.In strategizing how to record you...1 point

Maple Math

Look at this beautiful collage of a Maple Leaf with buttons on softly colored paper.The leaf was cut in half at the line of symmetry.The buttons are also arranged with three on each side of the Maple Leaf also creating a symmetrical pattern.The colors of the paper are opposite from one side to the o...1 point

Skip Counting Crabs by 10's

Stroll along the seashore early in the morning or just after the sun has set and you will see crabs scuttling across the sand; waving their claws. They slip down into their holes as you approach. Each of those crabs has ten legs. As we walk down the beach we begin to count the number of legs skip c...1 point

Woodchuck Math for Groundhog Day!

The woodchucks are busy getting ready for Groundhog Day and all around the classroom the children are busy creating stories, doing science projects and researching facts about woodchucks. Math time is no exception. There are dozens of groundhog themed activities the children enjoy as they practice t...1 point

Gallon Man Teaches Liquid Measurement

Measuring liquids is one of the concepts taught in elementary school. For children who have not had experience with measuring in gallons, quarts, pints and1 point

December Calendar Pattern Pieces

Gather the children in the Number Corner and guess the pattern. Create holiday and seasonal patterns on your math calendar to help promote mathematical thin1 point

Who Layed THAT Egg?

Everyone knows that chickens lay eggs. Most people know that all other birds do as well but have you ever thought about all the other animals that lay eggs?This unit explores eggs and egg layers. You will find dozens of ideas for teaching about Oviparous animals across the curriculum from learning t...2 points

Robin in the Rain!

It's springtime and one of the most popular signs of spring is the robin. Robins, with their cheery tweets and bright red breasts stand out against the disappearing snow.Cheerio, calls the robin as the rain starts to fall.This lens is a unit study of robins that will get kids reading and writing, ad...2 points

Cows Aren't The Only Ones

Sure you know that milk comes from cows but did you know people around the world milk other animals as well?There are many books about milk and milking to start off a Unit Study about dairy animals and their products. Finding a friendly farmer who is willing to let you try your hand at milking is in...1 point

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

How do you feel about Gray Wolves? What do you know about wolves in general? Do wolves really dress in Grandma's clothes and eat little girls?Learn about the anatomy of these fascinating canines, where they live, their distinctive features and how they raise their young as well as the ways that wolv...1 point

Raccoons in the Corn

Raccoons love to investigate. In this unit study we will be investigating the lives of raccoons with both fiction and non-fiction books, sensory table explorations and even a visit from a wild raccoon.Let Bobby Coon teach you about life on the Green Meadow and find out what threatens the farmer's co...1 point

Painted Lady Butterflies

My son and I raised two Painted Lady Butterflies from caterpillars, to chrysalises, to beautiful orange, brown, black, and white Painted Lady Butterflies! In the process, we learned a great deal about butterflies! For example, did you know that butterflies need the sun in order to fly? It's true! I'l...1 point

Dinosaur Discovery

If you're a parent with a child who loves dinosaurs, this is for you. It was designed as a homeschool Unit Study around the biggest theme on Earth - The Story of Life. Teachers can find ideas for lessons and you can have fun making dinosaur robots, fossil hunting and watching the Walking With Di...1 point

Beaver Unit Study

Paddy the Beaver knew perfectly well that he would have visitors just as soon as he began to build his dam. He expected a lot of them. You see he knew that none of them ever had seen a Beaver at work unless perhaps it was Prickly Porky the Porcupine, who also had come down from the North. So as he w...1 point

Animal Tracks Unit Study

When you study nature it is often hard to get close to the animals you are studying but often they leave their tracks. Learning to recognize the tracks of the animals that live near you will let you know which ones are visiting you.Animal tracks are are also clues to the animal's habits. They may te...1 point

River Otters: Playful Friends of the Woodlands!

Learn about River Otters through games and hands-on learning centers. Decorate your classroom with a Woodlands Riverbank Theme.Learn the habits of River Otters, the food they eat and how they raise their young. You will find suggestions for both fiction and non-fiction books about river otters and d...1 point

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

How do you feel about Gray Wolves? What do you know about wolves in general? Do wolves really dress in Grandma's clothes and eat little girls? In the Wolf Unit Study you can learn about the anatomy of these fascinating canines, where they live, their distinctive features and how they raise their...1 point

Whitefoot the Wood Mouse: A Mouse Unit Study

Whitefoot welcomes homeschoolers, teachers, parents and children to turn into mice, scurry through the tunnels and sniff out learning opportunities in every corner.Whitefoot the Wood Mouse welcomes everyone to his nest where learning never ends. He has dozens of mouse related activities to teach you...1 point

Baby Lamb's First Drink

It is spring. The pastures are green and lambing season is upon us. The baby lamb has just been born and the mother ewe is carefully looking after her baby. With beautiful illustrations and simple words, Beverley Randall tells the tale of a baby lamb's first day. Baby Lamb's First Drink beco...1 point

Camels: One Hump or Two?

The three wisemen come traveling across the desert to Bethlehem. They ride on camels and hanging off the sides of the camels backs are gifts for the newborn child. There are two kinds of camels that live in two different kinds of deserts. The Bactrian Camels of Mongolia live in the cold, dry Gobi De...1 point

Acorns for the Squirrels

Thanksgiving is coming and the squirrels are counting their acorns. Read tales of squirrels who are preparing for Thanksgiving by making place mats, toilet paper tube squirrels and other Thanksgiving decorations.What will they be thankful for and will they remember their manners at the Thanksgiving...1 point

Florida Alligators

I know what most of you are thinking, big, ugly, and an all together scary creature. The American Alligator is usually very misunderstood. The American Alligator is a magnificent creature that not only deserves our understanding, but our respect. My hope is by reading the story of the American Allig...1 point

The Florida Manatee

All over the world more than 10,000 animal species are in danger. Some are in danger because their homes are being destroyed. Many are in danger because people hunt them. Among these are the manatees.Manatees are gentle creatures that some call Sea Cows1 point

Skip Counting Crabs by 10's

Stroll along the seashore early in the morning or just after the sun has set and you will see crabs scuttling across the sand; waving their claws. They slip down into their holes as you approach.Each of those crabs has ten legs. As we walk down the beach we begin to count the number of legs skip c...1 point

Industrial Waste in the Frog Pond

Are Vernal Pools in remote rural areas of Vermont being destroyed by industrial waste? Come on a walk in the early spring. Walk through the cold wet mud and try not to slip on the remaining spots of ice as we go on a hunt for frog eggs and discover a very scary substance. Come on a search for frog e...1 point

Brook Trout

Unit Study with a Brook Trout theme based on the Vermont State Fresh Water Fish.1 point

Constitution Lapbook

As young future American voters, children need to learn about forms of government, laws, and choices we can make in America. The following is a unit my children and I studied this spring to help them make wise decisions in the coming years.2 points

Western Expansion

Travel back in time to the western frontier of the United States with us to learn about the brave men and women who traveled the hard trails to make the west their new home! Why would they move far from their families and homes, push through the unknown dangers, risk their lives, and work so hard to...2 points

Beep, Beep Goes the Bus

One of the most popular themes for preschoolers is transportation. Listen to the sound of a bus going beep, beep, beep. Hear the roar of the bus as it pulls up to the bus stop. Notice the hiss of the air coming from the brakes.With their bright colors and flashing lights, buses are fascinating for y...2 points

Garner Rix and the Royalton Raid - 1780

Garner Rix was just 12 when he moved with his father, pregnant mother, two sisters and three brothers from a farm in Connecticut to a log cabin on the banks of the White River, a place that would one day be called Royalton, Vermont.He helped his father dig stumps and built roads.He was captured by t...1 point

Map Skills

Learning map skills can be a fun way to learn about the world. There are many hands-on learning experiences that lead to true understanding of the world, it's countries, political divisions and the ways that countries are divided up into states and provinces.As a teacher or homeschooling parent you...1 point

Garner Rix Dewey's Old Barn

Garner Rix cleared his land with oxen and ax. He built a sawmill and used the trees that he cut to build a house and a barn. When his grandson,Garner Rix'Dewey took over the farm, he too used the trees from the land to build his house and barn. This is the story of Garner Rix Dewey's barn.This barn...1 point

All 50 States

If you were given a blank piece of paper and a pencil right now, could you name all 50 States? What about their capitals?Learning the 50 States and their capitals can be lots of fun.What follows are a wide variety of games, puzzles and activities for leaning the 50 States and their capitals.1 point

United States in the 1800's

So many things can happen during a short century of history! Exciting people interacting positively and negatively upon each other ~ changes in governments and geographic borders ~ artists, musicians, authors, and architects recording their time and preserving the past with their arts ~ and new disc...1 point

Transportation Unit Study

Young children are always on the go so it only follows that some of their favorite toys are cars, boats, planes and trains. This transportation theme can wheel us along with games, math activities and science projects that keep your child busily learning no matter where you go.While you are on the g...1 point

18th Century Threshing

Garner Rix had a house built by 1798 and probably had been girding trees and clearing land for several years. Once enough land was cleared, Garner Rix, like his neighbors, gathered the wheat and oats into shocks to dry. He was busy all year and wintertime was no exception. Wintertime was threshing t...1 point

Choo! Choo! A Train Unit Study

Have you ever stood near a railroad track and watched a train? Trains are fascinating. They seem to be going so slowly at first and then faster and faster as they get closer. No matter what age you are, everyone loves trains.As your child chugs along the way to reading, trains, train books and other...1 point

Building Bridges Unit Study

Garner Rix and his family moved from Connecticut to Vermont in 1780 by oxcart. During his captivity he walked to Montreal and back. What was it like to travel in the 18th Century? There were few roads and even fewer bridges. The bridges over streams were usually built of wood. Rivers were forded at...1 point

Bela Hall was a Blacksmith

On a windy day in 1839, sparks that flew from the forge of Bela Hall's Blacksmith Shop landed on the Meetinghouse and Academy building in the small village of Royalton, Vermont. Bela Hall's forge was blamed for the fire that burned the 1790 meetinghouse building and the 1807 Royalton Academy next do...1 point

Astronomy Activities: It's a Starry Starry Classroom

From Astronomy to Art this lens will give you dozens of ideas, resources, hints and tricks to create starry-themed activities for both homeschool families and classrooms.Learn about Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Starry Night painting technique. Listen to Don McClean's tribute to Van Gogh. Sing Twinkle T...1 point

Go Away Big Green Monster

Go Away,Big Green Monster! is a book of cut out pages that page by page reveal a monster and then make it disappear. The simple cuts and the bold colors appeal to both young children and older artists and because of this is a delight to read to groups of children or individually. I have used Go Away...1 point

Frog Art Center

Art for your Frog Unit Study from how to draw frogs to painting, clay, sculptures, origami, frog cakes, Moche, Totem Poles and much much more... Children thrive with a hands-on. creative learning experiences that help them illustrate all that they are learning in the Frog Unit Study. These multi-sen...1 point

Pete Seeger - The Power of Song

Pete Seeger has sung for peace and justice for generations.Now there is a documentary of Pete Seeger's life entitled Pete Seeger - The Power of Song being shown on PBS and a Film festivals from Oklahoma to Vermont. But don't stop there.The lessons that Pete has been teaching need to be passed on to...2 points

Reading Music

Do you play music, but have wanted to learn how to read music? Here is a lens with resources and materials about reading pitches and rhythms for my students, anyone who wants to read music, and anyone who teaches music. My hope is that the resources will help and encourage you in your studies!Playin...2 points

Salsa for Kittens and Puppies

Written by Andy Blackman Horowitz Salsa for Kittens and Puppies introduces young children to Salsa. With Spanish rhythms and dance, children are introduced to the music of Latin Americans who brought their music from Cuba, and Puerto Rico mixed it with African roots and launched it into the world.Co...1 point

Orchestra: Brass Family Lapbook Unit

Imagine ... a breezy, beautiful day below the big blue sky ... a brass band begins to step to the bold beat of the bass drum. The sun brightly bounces off the bells of the beaming brass instruments ... then you hear it, the boisterous, blowing of the buzzing brass ... what a breathtaking blast!If yo...1 point

What happened to RECESS?

Do you remember the games you played during recess as a child? Think about all the physical activity that involved and what you learned from those recess games.Did you know that more and more recess is being replaced by testing and homework? While children are becoming fatter and fatter, schools are...1 point

Cover Your Cough

With outbreaks of Swine Flu cropping up all across the country, how can you help young children remember to take the steps to prevent passing this fast spreading disease on to others? We tell our children to wash their hands and cover their cough but they don't always remember.Here you will find a g...1 point

Should schools eliminate RECESS?

Did you know that more and more recess is being replaced by testing and homework? While children are becoming fatter and fatter, schools are eliminating the time for children to exercise, socialize and think creatively.Do they need all this time to study? Studies have shown that homeschoolers spend...1 point

November Turkey Bulletin Boards

Today we will be creating an interactive turkey themed bulletin board to enhance your November math and language arts circle time activities. Create a wild turkey habitat and lead your children through hands-on games, songs and activities that focus on the Turkey Day theme.We will count turkeys by o...1 point

Bulletin Boards for Resident Advisors

Creating college bulletin boards can often times be a daunting task for resident advisers however they do not need to be. By simply following these easy steps you can be impressing your supervisors in no time.Create eye catching bulletin boards that will attract college students, inform them of up c...1 point

Frog Themed Bulletin Boards

A frog themed Unit Study needs a catchy bulletin boards to capture your children's attention, brighten up the room and highlight skills that you are learning.More than just decoration, these frog themed bulletin boards will invite the children to interact with the skills being taught while continual...1 point

Interactive Bulletin Boards

Bulletin Boards can be more than just decoration on the wall. By making it interactive, a bulletin board can become another center in your classroom. You will find bulletin boards to teach math at calendar time and word walls for learning to read and spell. Bulletin Boards that invite interaction ma...1 point

Frog Unit Study: Hopping to Learn

Take trips to the frog pond, play games and sing songs, gobble up the insect words and swat the fly verbs.Children will remember these lessons that allow them to manipulate objects and preferably get a little dirty in the process.This lens will give you dozens of ideas, resources, hints and tricks t...2 points

Orchestra: The String Family Lapbook Unit

Super, spectacular symphonic string instruments! Soothingly sing along with the slow, slippery, sliding bow strokes or skip along with the spirited, sparkling, staccato sounds of strings!Beautiful string instruments have existed far back in human history. The Bible contains the first record of music...2 points

Orchestra: Brass Family Lapbook Unit

Imagine ... a breezy, beautiful day below the big blue sky ... a brass band begins to step to the bold beat of the bass drum. The sun brightly bounces off the bells of the beaming brass instruments ... then you hear it, the boisterous, blowing of the buzzing brass ... what a breathtaking blast!If yo...2 points

Orchestra: Woodwind Family Lapbook Unit

Wonderful wild whistling woodwinds winding through the wind! Come find out more about them!2 points

Lemmings: Falling into the Sea of Knowledge

When the winds start to howl and the snow begins to blow you can capture your student's attention with this innovative Arctic Unit Study focusing on lemmings.Your little lemmings will be excited to learn with a theme that includes little furry creatures that eagerly follow along as you lead them thr...1 point

Acorns for the Squirrels

Thanksgiving is coming and the squirrels are counting their acorns. Read tales of squirrels who are preparing for Thanksgiving by making place mats, toilet paper tube squirrels and other Thanksgiving decorations.What will they be thankful for and will they remember their manners at the Thanksgiving...1 point

Theme Activities For Young Children's Groups

Hi- I'm glad you stopped by! I hope you find lots of ideas and inspiration here for your group of children, to make it more fun and rewarding. It is so much more fun when organizing and running children's groups if a theme is running through from one time to the next. This not only creates a sense o...1 point

Orchestra: Percussion Family Lapbook Unit

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Make Way for Ducklings Unit Study

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey is a wonderful introduction to a unit study about ducks. As a homeschooling Mom as well as a classroom teacher I found Make Way for /Ducklings to be an exciting way to explore all areas of the curriculum.Rubber ducks can line-up in ABC order. Observe the ha...1 point

Garner Rix and the Royalton Raid - 1780

Garner Rix was just 12 when he moved with his father, pregnant mother, two sisters and three brothers from a farm in Connecticut to a log cabin on the banks of the White River, a place that would one day be called Royalton, Vermont. He helped his father dig stumps and built bridges and roads. Garner...1 point

Making Maple Syrup

One of my earliest memories is helping my grandfather to tap trees and then collect the maple sap during sugaring season. When I was little there were huge Maple Trees growing on either side of the road. My grandfather explained that the number of buckets that could be hung on a tree depended on the...1 point

Unit Studies Headquarters

Unit Studies: Fun, Active, and Creative LearningJoin our group to share your ideas for making learning fun, active and creative for all.Reading each of the lenses in this group will help each of us discover new ideas and inspire new lenses. Please read and rate several lenses each week. I intend to...1 point

Beaver Unit Study

Paddy the Beaver knew perfectly well that he would have visitors just as soon as he began to build his dam. He expected a lot of them. You see he knew that none of them ever had seen a Beaver at work unless perhaps it was Prickly Porky the Porcupine, who also had come down from the North. So as he w...1 point

Blueberries for Sal Unit Study

As the sun rises higher in the sky the blueberries start to ripen. Plump, ripe and delicious blueberries are one of my children's favorite berries to pick so when we ran across Robert McClosky's classic tale, Blueberries for Sal, we just had to turn it into a Unit Study.We will read about blueberrie...0 points

The Lighter Side of Home Education

Given the recent media attention to the growing movement of home-education, I thought it might be a good idea to straighten out a few misconceptions. One of them is that we do-it-ourselves parents are all a bit intense and serious. This couldn't be further from the truth. In fact the whole home-ed e...1 point

John Holt: Unschooling

After teaching for several years, striving to keep children engaged and focused on what he was trying to teach, John Holt realized that children learn best when the are learning what they want to learn. He also realized that this could not be accomplished in a traditional classroom setting. He then went on to write many books about Homeschooling, started the magazine Growing Without Schooling and coined the term "unschooling". Unschooling is learning based on the student's interests, needs, an.....1 point

The Decision to Homeschool

Making the decision whether or not to homeschool can seem like a daunting task. With all the information bombarding us about teaching, education, learning styles, public school, private school, charter school, preparing your child for college, the perfect pre-school etc. How do you make the right de...0 points

Frog Unit Study: Hopping to Learn

Take trips to the frog pond, play games and sing songs, more...3 points

Take trips to the frog pond, play games and sing songs, gobble up the insect words and swat the fly verbs.

This lens will give you dozens...3 points

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

How do you feel about Gray Wolves? What do you kno more...3 points

How do you feel about Gray Wolves? What do you know about wolves in general? Do wolves really dress in Grandma's clothes and eat little gir...3 points

Evelyn Saenz: Lensography of a Teacher

My passion is teaching and finding ways to teach c more...3 points

My passion is teaching and finding ways to teach children in fun, hands-on, creative ways. The unit studies I make on Squidoo reflect my vie...3 points

Raccoons in the Corn

Raccoons love to investigate. In this unit study w more...3 points

Raccoons love to investigate. In this unit study we will be investigating the lives of raccoons with both fiction and non-fiction books, sen...3 points

Skip Count, Skip Count, Count by Two's

Skip Counting is what you do when you count by 10' more...3 points

Skip Counting is what you do when you count by 10's, 5's or 2's. All young children learn to Skip Count but did you realize that this is ...3 points

Verbs: What ARE You Doing?

No matter where or when, verbs are action words. They more...3 points

No matter where or when, verbs are action words. They tell what we are doing, what's happening, or how we are.

Whether you are reading, ...3 points

Old Black Fly Unit Study

Old Black Fly's been buzzing around and lands on a more...3 points

Old Black Fly's been buzzing around and lands on an alphabet's worth of spilled drips and drops of food. This poem is fun to read aloud wi...3 points

The Mouse Ran Up The Clock

It's time to learn how to tell time. Here is a more...3 points

It's time to learn how to tell time. Here is a unit study that teaches children to tell time, understand lapse in time and the evolution...3 points

Garner Rix and the Royalton Raid - 1780

Garner Rix was just 12 when he moved with his fath more...3 points

Garner Rix was just 12 when he moved with his father, pregnant mother, two sisters and three brothers from a farm in Connecticut to a l...3 points

Starry Starry Night: A Unit Study of Stars

 From Astronomy to Art this lens will give you do more...3 points

 From Astronomy to Art this lens will give you dozens of ideas, resources, hints and tricks to create starry-themed activities for both...3 points

Sand Dollars: Math on the Beach

One day at the beach in Costa Rica my daughter and more...3 points

One day at the beach in Costa Rica my daughter and I were digging in the sand making sandcastles when we ran across a live sand dollar. Find...3 points

Penmanship: The Art of Teaching Handwriting

As a child I remember Mrs. Thompson, my first grad more...3 points

As a child I remember Mrs. Thompson, my first grade teacher, gently putting her hand over mine and guiding me in forming the letters. We wro...3 points

Mapping the World

Learning map skills can be a fun way to learn abou more...3 points

Learning map skills can be a fun way to learn about the world. There are many hands-on learning experiences that lead to true understanding ...3 points

Acorns for the Squirrels

Thanksgiving is coming and the squirrels are count more...3 points

Thanksgiving is coming and the squirrels are counting their acorns. Read tales of squirrels who are preparing for Thanksgiving by making pla...3 points

Who Layed THAT Egg?

Everyone knows that chickens lay eggs. Most people more...3 points

Everyone knows that chickens lay eggs. Most people know that all other birds do as well but have you ever thought about all the other animal...3 points

Robin in the Rain!

It's springtime and one of the most popular signs more...3 points

It's springtime and one of the most popular signs of spring is the robin. Robins, with their cheery tweets and bright red breasts stand out...3 points

Cover Your Cough

With outbreaks of Swine Flu cropping up all across more...3 points

With outbreaks of Swine Flu cropping up all across the country, how can you help young children remember to take the steps to prevent passin...3 points

Go Away Big Green Monster Unit Study

Go Away,Big Green Monster! is a book of cut out pa more...3 points

Go Away,Big Green Monster! is a book of cut out pages that page by page reveal a monster and then make it disappear. The simple cuts and the...3 points

How I came to Love Teaching Math

Math has always been easy for me but it wasn't unt more...3 points

Math has always been easy for me but it wasn't until I started taking classes to get my teaching certificate that I came to truly love math...3 points

Old Vermont Barn

The old barn on our farm in Vermont was built by m more...3 points

The old barn on our farm in Vermont was built by my Great-great grandfather in about 1870. He learned to build from his father and grandfath...3 points

What happened to RECESS?

Do you remember the games you played during recess more...3 points

Do you remember the games you played during recess as a child? Think about all the physical activity that involved and what you learned from...3 points

Beginning to Read

Mrs. Wishy Washy and The Big Bad Pig are inviting more...3 points

Mrs. Wishy Washy and The Big Bad Pig are inviting you all beginning readers to join them in the adventure of learning to read. Learn how to ...3 points

All 50 States Group Headquarters

If you were given a blank piece of paper and a pencil more...3 points

If you were given a blank piece of paper and a pencil right now, could you name all 50 States? What about their capitals?

Learning the 50...3 points

Lemmings: Falling into the Sea of Knowledge

When the winds start to howl and the snow begins t more...3 points

When the winds start to howl and the snow begins to blow you can capture your student's attention with this innovative Arctic Unit Study fo...3 points

Cows Aren't The Only Ones

Sure you know that milk comes from cows but did you more...3 points

Sure you know that milk comes from cows but did you know people around the world milk other animals as well?

There are many books about m...3 points

Pete Seeger - The Power of Song

Pete Seeger has sung for peace and justice for generations.
more...3 points

Pete Seeger has sung for peace and justice for generations.

Now there is a documentary of Pete Seeger's life entitled Pete Seeger - The ...3 points

Lesson Plans Headquarters

Lesson Plans

Squidoo is full of wonderful lenses about more...3 points

Lesson Plans

Squidoo is full of wonderful lenses about teaching. This group is an index of the best teaching lenses. These lenses were wr...3 points

A Christmas Carol Unit Study

The classic story "A Christmas Carol" ~ more...2 points

The classic story "A Christmas Carol" ~ a famous author, Charles Dickens ~ creative animation genius, Walt Disney Produc...2 points

Dinosaur Discovery

If you're a parent with a child who loves dino more...1 point

If you're a parent with a child who loves dinosaurs, this is for you. It was designed as a homeschool Unit Study around the biggest...1 point

Christmas Crafts & Gifts for Children

Children have an instinctive ability to produce more...1 point

Children have an instinctive ability to produce interesting artwork. They allow their imaginations to explore multiple areas witho...1 point

Christmas Unit Study 4 - Bible

A Christmas Unit Study (Bible) ~Christmas is such more...1 point

A Christmas Unit Study (Bible) ~Christmas is such an amazing time of year to celebrate the birth of the blessed baby, Jesus. While parents a...1 point

Christmas Literature by Illustrator - Author Jan Brett

One of my most favorite illustrators and authors o more...1 point

One of my most favorite illustrators and authors of children's books is Jan Brett. Her illustrations are amazingly beautiful! The tradit...1 point

Christmas Unit Study 3 - Language Arts

A Christmas Unit Study (Language Arts) ~Christmas more...1 point

A Christmas Unit Study (Language Arts) ~Christmas is such an amazing time of year to celebrate the birth of the blessed baby, Jesus. While p...1 point

Native American Legends Thematic Unit

Native American culture is rich with wonderful fol more...1 point

Native American culture is rich with wonderful folktales and legends. I have featured three of my favorites and written a mini thematic unit...1 point

The French Revolution

A series of revolutions have occured throughout th more...1 point

A series of revolutions have occured throughout the world during all of history. Groups of people seeing things differently have unfortunate...1 point

Lewis & Clark Expedition

The Lewis & Clark Expedition ~ how exciting! D more...1 point

The Lewis & Clark Expedition ~ how exciting! Doesn't it send tickles down your spine? A journey on the way across a broad new land! ...1 point

Christmas Unit Study 1 - Science

A Christmas Unit Study (Science) ~Christmas is suc more...1 point

A Christmas Unit Study (Science) ~Christmas is such an amazing time of year to celebrate the birth of the blessed baby, Jesus. While parents...1 point

ESL GAMES$$$$$

Hi. This Website has some ESL Games that youcan st more...1 point

Hi. This Website has some ESL Games that youcan start to use in your classroom today!We want you to learn as much as possibleso that you wil...1 point

Pioneers & the Oregon Trail

Imagine going back in time to visit the pioneeers more...1 point

Imagine going back in time to visit the pioneeers traveling across the country. So many exciting adventures they must have had! Let's st...1 point

Reading Music

Do you play music, but have wanted to learn how to more...1 point

Do you play music, but have wanted to learn how to read music? Here is a lens with resources and materials about reading pitches and rhythms...1 point

Constitution Lapbook

As young future American voters, children need to more...1 point

As young future American voters, children need to learn about forms of government, laws, and choices we can make in America. The following i...1 point

Community Helpers ~ Labor Day

Lesson Ideas & Resources for Teaching about La more...1 point

Lesson Ideas & Resources for Teaching about Labor Day, Community Helpers, & Neighborhoods1 point

Around the World in 80 Books

This site is designed as the online companion piec more...1 point

This site is designed as the online companion piece to "Around the World in 80 Books," presented by Keith Schoch at the 2009 ...1 point

Western Expansion

Travel back in time to the western frontier of the more...1 point

Travel back in time to the western frontier of the United States with us to learn about the brave men and women who traveled the hard trai...1 point

Orchestra: The String Family Lapbook Unit

Super, spectacular symphonic string instruments! S more...1 point

Super, spectacular symphonic string instruments! Soothingly sing along with the slow, slippery, sliding bow strokes or skip along with the s...1 point

Christmas Unit Study 2 - Social Studies

A Christmas Unit Study (Social Studies) ~ Christma more...1 point

A Christmas Unit Study (Social Studies) ~ Christmas is such an amazing time of year to celebrate the birth of the blessed baby, Jesus. While...1 point

Orchestra: Woodwind Family Lapbook Unit

Wonderful wild whistling woodwinds winding through more...1 point

Wonderful wild whistling woodwinds winding through the wind! Come find out more about them!1 point

The United States Flag

"This flag, which we honor and under which we more...1 point

"This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no ...1 point

Pumpkin Picking Time

 Pumpkins seem to fascinate children, whether the more...1 point

 Pumpkins seem to fascinate children, whether they are growing in a field or carved as a jack-o-lantern on the front porch. This them...1 point

Awesome Learning Games!

Learning and studying doesn't have to be dry a more...1 point

Learning and studying doesn't have to be dry and boring. There are many ways to brighten up a lesson or concept for students. Creating...1 point

United States in the 1800's

So many things can happen during a short century o more...1 point

So many things can happen during a short century of history! Exciting people interacting positively and negatively upon each other ~ changes...1 point

Orchestra: Brass Family Lapbook Unit

Imagine ... a breezy, beautiful day below the big more...1 point

Imagine ... a breezy, beautiful day below the big blue sky ... a brass band begins to step to the bold beat of the bass drum. The sun brig...1 point

Painted Lady Butterflies

My son and I raised two Painted Lady Butterflies f more...1 point

My son and I raised two Painted Lady Butterflies from caterpillars, to chrysalises, to beautiful orange, brown, black, and white Painted...1 point

HOW TO USE A COMPASS – the best place on Squidoo to learn HOW TO USE A COMPASS!!

HOW TO USE A COMPASS - A round dial, an artistic f more...1 point

HOW TO USE A COMPASS - A round dial, an artistic face, and a magnetic needle... profoundly uncomplicated, yet this very simple device can he...1 point

The Cycle of the Seasons: A Calendar for Kids

As soon as one birthday is gone, the questions sta more...1 point

As soon as one birthday is gone, the questions start: When is my birthday? How long is that? When is Christmas? How long is that? A countdow...1 point

History Lesson Resources

History is such an important subject ~ what we can more...1 point

History is such an important subject ~ what we can learn about the past will help us no doubt in the future. To be honest, I never liked s...1 point

The Importance of Preschool Academics

This lens highlights some great resources, tips, a more...1 point

This lens highlights some great resources, tips, and products to prepare your preschooler for learning. Spend time interacting, reading, and...1 point

Orchestra: The Percussion Family Lapbook Unit

The percussion family ~ what a broad range of inst more...1 point

The percussion family ~ what a broad range of instruments! Percussion instruments are used in every style of music from classical, rock, f...1 point

Johnny Appleseed Thematic Unit

The legend of Johnny Appleseed (aka John Chapman) more...1 point

The legend of Johnny Appleseed (aka John Chapman) is filled with fact and fiction and Steven Kellogg's humorous retelling of the story is p...1 point

Preschool Lesson Plans

Ready to use preschool lesson plans are a HUGE rel more...1 point

Ready to use preschool lesson plans are a HUGE relief and eliminate a LOT of stress. Especially when the one in charge of educating the litt...1 point

Orchestra Lapbook Unit

The grand sounds of a symphony orchestra ~ especia more...1 point

The grand sounds of a symphony orchestra ~ especially a live one ~are so beautiful! Come find orchestra websites, teaching resources, kid's...1 point

Masks in Drama

A drama lesson plan to teach students how to use m more...1 point

A drama lesson plan to teach students how to use masks in drama1 point

Music in Drama

Free teaching resource for drama and music student more...1 point

Free teaching resource for drama and music students aged 13-14yrs.1 point

'Five in a Row' Literature-Based Unit Studies: Easy, Inexpensive, Fun!

As an educator, mother, and homeschooler, I have a more...1 point

As an educator, mother, and homeschooler, I have a rave review for all you new (and seasoned) homeschoolers out there. Five in a Row is the ...1 point

HOW TO READ A MAP

HOW TO READ A MAP is a very important bit of educa more...1 point

HOW TO READ A MAP is a very important bit of education to take on when you are out camping, hiking, backpacking, or for any other reason you...1 point

Salsa for Kittens and Puppies

Written by Andy Blackman Horowitz Salsa for Kitten more...1 point

Written by Andy Blackman Horowitz Salsa for Kittens and Puppies introduces young children to Salsa. With Spanish rhythms and dance, children...1 point

USING A MAP AND COMPASS to Navigate Your Way

MAP AND COMPASS This is the third lens page so far more...1 point

MAP AND COMPASS This is the third lens page so far, in a series about navigation. The first in this series is How to Use a Compass, and the ...1 point

Patriotic Music Lesson

A country's music can tell you much about the coun more...1 point

A country's music can tell you much about the country. Music can shape one's emotions, sense of nationalism, and give a feeling of pride o...1 point

Drama Resources

Looking for drama teaching resources? This lens co more...1 point

Looking for drama teaching resources? This lens contains a free lesson plan (Pirates, for students aged 11-12 yrs) which introduces middle s...1 point

Organic Education

How we spend our time free from curricula and timetables.
more...1 point

How we spend our time free from curricula and timetables.

As parents, my partner and I made an amazing discovery - children actually enjo...1 point

At Last- "Great Ideas And Learning Resources For Children's Groups"

Hi- I'm glad you stopped by! I hope you find lots more...1 point

Hi- I'm glad you stopped by! I hope you find lots of ideas and inspiration here for your group of children, to make it more fun and rewardi...1 point

Tips for Teachers

Teaching is not my first career. When I graduated more...1 point

Teaching is not my first career. When I graduated from college, I worked as a graphic designer developing products, creating advertising, an...1 point

Ann Brundige, Author of Annie's Resource Attic

I've created this page to help parents and teacher more...1 point

I've created this page to help parents and teachers find Ann Brundige's website, Annie's Resource Attic, a great resource for free, educa...1 point

Eggs and Easter Teaching Unit

Eggs and Easter mean lots of fun, but they also pr more...1 point

Eggs and Easter mean lots of fun, but they also present many learning opportunities for children. I have written a fourth grade, inter-dis...1 point

Busy Teacher Resources

Ok you found my site now what?  Well as the site more...1 point

Ok you found my site now what?  Well as the site grows you will be able to click on links to useful websites for reading, math and lang...1 point

How to Have Fun Teaching Children Spanish

You recognize the tremendous benefits and importan more...1 point

You recognize the tremendous benefits and importance of your children being able to communicate in a language other than English. You unders...1 point

Writing 5-Paragaph Persuasive Essays

Over the past three, I've read around 1,500 papers more...1 point

Over the past three, I've read around 1,500 papers from college students and have noticed some common structural problems. Because of this ...1 point

Reading. It Matters.

Reading IS learning!  Try to read without learnin more...1 point

Reading IS learning!  Try to read without learning--it simply doesn't happen.  That's the exciting news.  Now, for the sad ...1 point

Top Rated Elementary School Learning Tools

In today's world it is essential to have the best more...1 point

In today's world it is essential to have the best educational resources for your child. My goal is to provide you with the best selling...1 point