December Resources for the Classroom

The December Dilemma

Every December, public schools face the difficult task of recognizing the myriad of religious and secular holiday traditions celebrated during throughout this month. The trick is to promote a greater understanding among students of different traditions by taking care to adhere to the requirements of the First Amendment.

There are great educational benefits to teaching about the diverse religious traditions and cultures of our country, but we must do so in a way that does not give students the impression that one set of holidays or beliefs is more important or more acceptable than others.

That's where these resources come in. Use them to successfully deal with the December Dilemma. The outcome will be student who are more culturally aware and who better understand the differences that make use a unique melting pot.

Morning Work for 5th Grade - December - No Prep - Or 6th Review

NO Prep Morning Work for Fifth Grade – 6th Review - DECEMBER THEMED Each daily ELA and Math
activity is aligned to standards. Powerpoint digital slides provide your students with repetitive and engaging morning work that reinforces standards and skills. Students can illustrate and write their responses in a composition or spiral notebook.

OR PRINTABLE: ALSO INCLUDES A PDF Black and White Printable Version if you don't want to project and have students use their own notebooks.

20 High Interest: Low Level Readings: December Holiday-Themed: For Older Readers

SET 9: 20 - High interest, low level reading passage for grades 5-12. These passages are perfect for older struggling readers.

December Holiday-Themed. These passages are diverse and inclusive to deal with the December

Dilemma.

Passages are at reading level grade 1 - without sounding OR LOOKING like it.

20 High Interest, Low Level reading passage for grades 5-12. These passages are perfect for older struggling readers and are aligned with the middle school and high school English Language Arts CCSS.

This resource contains:

1. A printable PDF for packets or classroom work – with lines for students to complete their work
2. 2- font embedded PowerPoint – in case you want to edit.
3. Form fillable PDF for distance learning assignment or classroom digital learning assignment
4. Easel version

These are 20 HIGH INTEREST-LOW LEVEL READABILITY PASSAGES – perfect for Distance, Digital, Hybrid and Classroom learning. The passages are designed for students to read on their own and complete quick assessments. The assessments contain four to five multiple-choice questions and one or two short constructed-response questions or are otherwise standards-based.

20 reading passages, with comprehension assessments, that are high interest but at accessible reading levels. This resource is perfect for reluctant older readers who need reading practice but are put off by text that looks “young” or “babyish.”

The reading techniques used in this resource are research-based and appeal to students in grades 5 through 12. Readability scores were determined using the Renaissance ATOS calculator.

Passages:

Zuni Winter Solstice page 8

Dong Zhi page 9

Hopi Soyal page 10

Hanukkah page 11

Hanukkah Fun - The Dreidel – Fact and Opinion page 12

Ramadan page 13

A Day During Ramadan – Fact or Opinion page 14

When is Ramadan page 15

Kwanzaa page 16

Christmas page 17

Christmas Tree Facts page 18

Christmas Around the World page 19

Yule page 20

Bodhi Day page 21

Boxing Day page 22

Krampusnacht page 23

Fact and Opinion – Human Rights Day page 24

Three Kings Day page 25

December at School page 26

History of Christmas Carols page 27

The Hanukkah Song page 28

Answers page 29

Daily Reading & Writing Warm-Ups/Bell Ringers that Deal w/ the December Dilemma

Each of the 21 Daily Warm-Up/Bell Ringer passages is aligned with the Common Core State Standards for ELA and are written for grades 5 to 12. They are themed to be inclusive and deal with the December Dilemma. The passages also make great lesson starters. Topics are listed below.

NOTE: If you are looking for differentiation I have a resource with very similar passages that are written at 1-3 grade level - if you have struggling readers in your class. 20 High Interest: Low Level Readings: December Holiday-Themed: For Older Readers.

The Passages:

The questions are both constructed response and multiple choice and help you incorporate the –

communication, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity your students need in order to be successful in school and in life. They are designed to help students think critically and to prepare them for STAAR, PARCC and Smarter Balanced assessments.

The topics are non-fiction and perfect for use as warm-ups, bell ringers, early finishers, unit reinforcers, partner or group work and/or lesson starters. 

Have students work alone, in pairs or in small groups. Encourage dialogue around the questions. If a passage seems particularly difficult for your students – pair up struggling readers with patient proficient readers and writers. Some of the best thinking happens this way.

These passages work for digital learning as well. They can be emailed or uploaded to any platform and assigned as warm-ups, lesson starters or reading assignments.

Table of Contents

Instructions page 3

Informational Text Reader Response Reading Extender page 4

Reading Levels page 5

Zuni Winter Solstice page 8

Dong Zhi page 9

Hopi Soyal page 10

Hanukkah page 11

Hanukkah Fun - The Dreidel – Fact and Opinion page 12

Ramadan page 13

A Day During Ramadan – Fact or Opinion page 14

When is Ramadan page 15

Kwanzaa page 16

Christmas page 17

Christmas Tree Facts page 18

Christmas Around the World page 19

Yule page 20

Bodhi Day page 21

Boxing Day page 22

Krampusnacht page 23

Fact and Opinion – Human Rights Day page 24

Three Kings Day page 25

December at School page 26

History of Christmas Carols page 27

The Hanukkah Song page 28

Answers page 29

Have a great day!

#Decemberresources #december #highlow #reading 

Get Ready for November

November is full on fall, Indigenous People's Month, and the start of the holiday season. The beginning of the year is over, the novelty's worn off and engaging students is more important than ever. Following is a list of resources perfect for the season.

Perfect for Fall!

NO Prep Morning Work for Fifth Grade – 6th Review - NOVEMBER THEMED

Each daily ELA and Math activity is aligned to standards.  Powerpoint digital slides provide your students with repetitive
and engaging morning work that reinforces standards and skills. Students can illustrate and write their responses in a composition or spiral notebook. OR PRINTABLE:  ALSO INCLUDES AN PDF Black and White Printable Version if you don't want to project and have students use their own notebooks.

HUGE Fall Reading Bundle: High Interest Low Level - Differentiated

9 Reading Resources - from Readers Theater to Morning Work - this is the ultimate fall resource for High Interest Low level work for Older Students!

20- High Interest - Low Level Readings: Hauntings

66 Early Finishers for Fall - PDF, PPT and Easel

Algonquin Readers Theater and Cultural Unit: Legends, Close Reading, Fluency

Cherokee Readers Theater and Cultural Unit: Legends, Close Reading, Fluency

Miwok Readers Theater and Cultural Unit: Legends, Close Reading, Fluency

Haudenosaunee Readers Theater and Cultural Unit: Legends, Close Reading, Fluency

October Morning Work

8 Native American Readers Theater PLUS Cultural Units

Eight readers theater scripts with lead in and follow-up assignments perfect for grades 3-8.

The Eight READERS THEATERs are based on NATIVE AMERICAN LEGENDS from the Virginia Algonquin, Miwok, Cherokee, Haudenosaunee.

Each readers theater script is rounded out with fluency passages, comprehension checks, warm-ups, informational reading, close reading and more.

This is a complete unit perfect for fall, harvest, Thanksgiving or anytime. There are also PowerPoint presentations that give an overview of each of the listed tribes.

Non-Fiction Ready Readers - High Interest Low Level AND On Level

Ready Reader Informational Text Packets/Units. These are non-fiction/ informational Text, print-and-go Ready Readers at two levels for turnkey differentiation.

Each reader has approximately FIVE reading passages and 25 pages of activities that include close reading, fluency, comprehension, word work, conventions, informational text skills, writing and more.

The readers are standards-based, engaging and may be used for classroom, take-home packets, online, or a hybrid of any and all combinations. They perfect for whole class, early finishers, centers and more. The "Below Level Readers" may be used for intervention, ESL or coupled with the "At Level Reader" - for all students in your class to access important standards-based activities at their level.Ready Readers are written at two levels – grade level and below grade level. Each reading passage, article, or story in Ready Readers is leveled - so you know exactly which reader to assign to each student. Be sure to check out the preview.

EXAMPLE: In the Kamala Harris Edition, you will find:

25-page Form Fillable PDFs of the Kamala Harris Reader Reader at two levels

• 25-page PDF of the Kamala Harris Reader Reader at two levels for packets

• 2 - 25-page PowerPoints of the Kamala Harris Reader Reader at two levels

• Instructions and Information

• Standards Alignment Chart

• Passage 1: Fluency – page 2 – 1010L - 1200L

• Passage 2: Pages 5-6 – Lexile Level 610L – 800L

• Passage 3: page 9-11 – Lexile Level 1010L-1200L

• Passage 4: page 16 – Lexile Level 1010L-1200L

• Passage 5: page 22 - Lexile Level 810L- 1000L

• Passage 1: Fluency – page 2 – 410L - 600L

• Passage 2: Pages 5 and 6 – Lexile Level 410L to 600L

• Passage 3: page 9 – Lexile Level 410L-600L

• Passage 4: page 14 – Lexile Level 410L-600L

• Passage 5: page 20 – Lexile Level 410L-600L

Tik Tok Famous Ready Reader LevelsReadings:

• Passage 1: page 2 – Lexile 410L-600L

• Passage 2: page 5 - Lexile Level 410L-600L

• Passage 3: page 7 – Lexile Level 610L-800L

• Passage 4: page 9 – Lexile Level 410L-600L

• Passage 5: page 14 – Lexile Level 410L-600L

• Passage 6: page 15 – Lexile Level 410L-600L

Readers - Non-Fiction Units Under $3.00 - GRADES 4-12

Also Available:

FREE: Chadwick Boseman At Level Ready Reader Hybrid, Distance and Packet

FREE: Chadwick Boseman At Level Ready Reader GOOGLE SLIDE VERSION

Kamala Harris High-Low Reader Reader & Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris High Low Ready Reader & Kamala Harris GOOGLE SLIDE VERSION

Tulsa Race Riots - At Level and High - Low Ready Readers

Tulsa Race Riots - At Level & High Low Ready Readers GOOGLE SLIDE VERSION

Frederick Douglas - At Level & High-Low Ready Reader

Frederick Douglas - At Level & High-Low Ready Reader GOOGLE SLIDE VERSION

Marvel Universe High Low Ready Reader - Informational Text for Grades 5-12 - GOOGLE SLIDE

Marvel High Low Ready Reader Informational Text for Grades 5-12

Tuskegee Airmen - Low Level

Maya Angelou High Low Ready Reader

GOOGLE Maya Angelou High Low Ready Reader

And the list keeps growing.

This list will continue to grow as I vet units - and freebies!
On Level Ready Reader:
Below Level Ready Reader:

Fabulous Fall Lessons

The air is crisp, the leaves are turning and children are settling into the school year! The beginning of the year excitement is ending and the time for ultra engaging lessons is upon us. Here are a few that will keep your kiddos attentive.

Native American Studies - Native American Legends. This unit is so much more than Readers Theater.  With eight scrips and Point cultural lessons and printable for several Native American tribes  -  this is an entire, in depth unit. The Eight READERS THEATERs are based on NATIVE AMERICAN LEGENDS from the Virginia Algonquin, Miwok, Cherokee and Haudenosaunee.

Each readers theater script is rounded out with fluency passages, comprehension checks, warm-ups, informational reading, close reading and more. 

Morning Message Slide Freebie Editable Slide Templates with Timers for  Morning Messages, Morning Meetings, Morning Work, Classroom Management, or to use  in Google Classroom for Distance/Remote Learning! The  templates are perfect for: homework reminders, organizing the tasks for the day, putting up writing prompts and/or bell work/bell ringers. There are a variety of themes included, The titles of the slides are not editable, but you can fill in the spaces with your own text.

66 Early Finishers for Fall These are engaging, standards-based activities that reinforce learning. These printable or digital Finishers are perfect for early finishers or daily warm-ups. They are high interest, creative, fun, challenging and offer a broad range of print-in-go puzzles, brainteasers and creative activities to enable practice of CCSS based and 21st Century Learning skills.

The printable activities can be used independently, in pairs, as bell ringers or as early
finishers and more...

Fall Math Riddle Activity Free

20 SPOOKY High Low Passages - Google, Form Fillable PDF - Hybrid Ready

Murder Mystery and Mystery Without the Murder Games for the Classroom

Classroom murder mysteries are the ultimate way to engage students in learning.

Students practice reading, comprehension, inference and other important fiction skills, non-fiction skills and critical thinking as they work together to problem solve. Mystery games are also the ultimate way to introduce a mystery unit or discussion on genre, tone, setting...

The games listed here are interactive mystery games. In interactive games players are free to roam, mingle and interview each other. As players interrogate each other they explore plots and subplots.

Murder mystery offers basic questions for students to answer: Who is the victim? Who is the suspect? Were there accomplices? How did the crime occur? What was the weapon? Where did the murder happen: What is the setting? Why did the murder happen: What is the motive?

Additionally, murder mysteries are engaging. Student love them. Scholastic polled students and found mysteries were at the top of the list for what they want to read. 

The following activities are interactive classroom activities that promote collaboration, logic, inference, critical thinking, character analysis and fun in your classroom. Students work to solve a mystery involving some of the greatest literary characters of all time.

These are great group activity, classroom team activity, or center activity. Again they are great ways to introduce units on mystery, character, literature or just for a fun and engaging activity. They are also great for classroom parties or bonus time. These mystery games have alternative versions where student teams serve as juries and detectives - as well a players.

Who Poisoned Sherlock Holmes -- a murder without the mystery

This game includes two different game versions.  

Scenario: 

The characters of great literary works, including Jane Eyre, Harry Potter, Jay Gatsby, Jo March, Gandalf, Holden Caulfield, Nancy Drew, Hermione Granger, Hamlet, Katniss Everdeen, Juliet Capulet, Simon, Jonas, Victor Frankenstein and Sherlock Holmes gathered at UKTMU (You Know Too Much U) for the Annual Library Association Convention. All have been nominated for the honor of best literary character of all time. The award is more than the prestige of the title. It also comes with a monetary prize of $4 million. The prize is to be given on the last day of the convention.

At dinner last night, this particular group of notables sat at the table of honor. Some knew each other – Juliet, Hamlet and Othello often hang together in the pages of anthologies and Harry and Hermione are old buds. Others were just meeting for the first time.

What they didn’t know, until halfway through the main course, is that Sherlock Holmes had spent the last several weeks gathering information about each and every one of them. Some of the information, Sherlock stated was damaging enough to disqualify that particular character from the competition. He knew if he revealed that information, he would be sure to win the prize. Then he laughed – actually laughed - and said: “Good thing I am of strong moral character. Or am I? One never can tell.”

The characters looked around the table, wondering who the great detective was referring to, and if he would reveal such a secret. Most worried that something in their past, a character flaw or momentary action, could be what Sherlock Holmes was referring to.

After the party, the group returned together to the villa they were sharing. The villa was on a large estate with a lake, horse stables, cottages and a house that could be considered a hotel if not for the meticulous European decor.

At the villa they went their separate ways.

At 8 a.m. the following morning, the county sheriff knocked on the door. The engagement begins.

Two Frankenstein Murder Mysteries

Who  Murdered Professor Waldman?

Scenario: The novel is over, and Mary Shelley is not happy. Someone changed her work. Her work! This does not please her! Mary is very protective of her original story, only someone has ripped original pages from early chapters and replaced them with pages depicting Professor Waldman’s death! Mary did not kill Professor Waldman. Waldman was the link to knowledge and light and now he is gone. One of the characters is the murderer. The page where the murderer is revealed is missing. Mary must now rewrite her story. Of course, the outcome will be different because she can’t bring Waldman back. It is up to students to find the murderer and rewrite the story.

Who Killed the House Maid?  - A Frankenstein Murder Mystery - No Frankenstein Novel Knowledge Required!

Classroom Murder Mystery: Murder in Gold Rush Gulch - 3 Games in One

Thanks for stopping by.

#murdermystery #murdermysterygame #lesson #teaching #teacher #education