8/5/2015: Nelson Mandela and the Dream of Freedom

On August 5, 1962 anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela was arrested by South African police. In October of that year he tried and sentenced to five years in prison. While Mandela was still serving this prison sentence, in 1964, he was placed on trial for sabotage, high treason and conspiracy to overthrow the government and sentenced to life in prison.

Mandela was released on February 11, 1990,after 27 years in prison. In 1993 he received the Nobel Peace Prize along with South Africa's President F.W. de Klerk for their efforts to peacefully end apartheid in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was elected the president of South Africa in 1994.  He is held in deep respect throughout South Africa where he is often referred to as “the father of the nation”. He is also honored throughout the world for his lessons of patience, love, and tolerance. 

Learn more about this remarkable activist and politician with my original readers Nelson Mandela's Dream of Freedom (for 1st- 4th grades) and Nelson Mandela: Father of South Africa (for 3rd-6th grades)

8/1/2015: Happy Birthday to Francis Scott Key!

Happy Birthday to Francis Scott Key!

The author of the “Star-Spangled Banner” was born in Frederick County, Maryland in 1779.  During the War of 1812, on September 13–14, 1814 he watched Fort McHenry being bombed by the British forces in the Battle of Baltimore.  In the morning, Key could see that the American flag was still flown over Fort McHenry, showing that the Americans had not lost possession of it. The inspired Key’s to write a poem, which became “The Star-Spangled Banner”   

My first grade Level I reader  Francis Scott Key and The Star-Spangled Banner: First Grade - Level I Reader gives students the interesting background of the United States national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner".   Francis Scott Key and the American Flag are also featured in my First Grade Level I – Set 2 book set.

7/31/2015: Love Back to School Sale

It is hard to believe that August is almost here, and time to think about returning to the classroom for the fall. Teachers Pay Teachers Love Back to School sale runs August 3rd 12:01 a.m. (ET) through August 4th 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Books in my Teachers Pay Teachers store will be 20% off Aug 3 and 4th with Teachers Pay Teachers offering an additional savings using the 10% off Promo code BTS15!

7/27/2015: New Dr. Seuss Book "What Pet Should I Get?"

Do your students have pets, or do they imagine the kind of pet they would like to have some day?  This week a never-before-seen picture book by iconic children’s author Dr. Seuss was released, titled "What Pet Should I Get?"   In this book, the brother and sister seen previously in “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish” visit a pet store and struggle to choose the perfect pet.   In this charming rhyming story, Dr. Seuss imparts the lesson that sometimes you just have to make up your mind, even when choosing is difficult.  

While you read this new book with your class, it is also a great time to enjoy my original  Second Grade Level K Reader All About Dr Seuss- Well-Known Children’s Author This biography tells the story of Dr. Seuss, the beloved children's author, whose books have been enjoyed by millions of readers. Your students will build their vocabulary and improve their reading comprehension as they read this short biography. This reader also be used in literacy circles with other classic Dr. Seuss books.

7/24/2015: Amelia Earhart Day

Mid-July is here, and July 24 is Amelia Earhart Day!  Famous American aviator Amelia Earhart was born in Atchinson, Kansas house in July 24, 1897 in the home of her grandparents, Judge Alfred Otis and Amelia Harres Otis.

Your class can also learn more about this ground-breaking female pilot in my reader “Amelia Earhart - Soaring High.” In this story students will learn facts about one of the most famous women in American history who was a pioneer in the field of aviation.

This book is part of a collection of leveled readers “Famous Women in History” for second through fourth grade features stories about eight women and their contributions to history:

Amelia Earhart -- Airplane Pilot (level L)

Abigail Adams -- First Lady & Crusader for People’s Rights (level L)

Clara Barton -- Founder of the American Red Cross (level N)

Maria Mitchell -- Astronomer (level N)

Helen Keller -- Inspirational Speaker (level O)

Ellen Ochoa -- Astronaut (level P)

Laura Ingalls Wilder -- Pioneer and Author (level P)

Millie Hughes-Fulford -- Scientist in Space (level R)

Each book highlights specific grade-level concepts and vocabulary. An accompanying set of worksheets reviews the targeted literary skills.   

7/20/2015: Moon Day

On July 20, 1969, the first humans, Americans Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, landed on the moon as part of the Apollo 11 space mission.  July 20 is now celebrated as “Moon Day” in honor of this historic event.  

My Fifth Grade Leveled Books: Level U - Set 1 includes a Neil Armstrong biography.  These leveled books cover all CCSS.ELA – Literacy Standards: Key Ideas and Details, Craft and Structure, Integration of Knowledge and Ideas and Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity (RI.5.1 – 5.10).

Kids (and many adults) are fascinated by astronauts and outer space.  My third grade Level N reader Our Planets is a great way to harness this enthusiasm for space, and combine facts about the planets in our solar system with reading, and writing activities in your classroom

The book comes with five accompanying worksheets which reinforce literacy skills involving reading, language, spelling, and writing.

7/14/2015: Happy Bastille Day!

July 4 has come and gone, and now it is time to celebrate France’s national holiday, Bastille Day!  Bastille Day is France’s Independence Day,  it celebrates the storming of the Bastille, a famous prison, during the French Revolution in 1789.  The revolution led to the dissolution of the French monarchy and to the beginning of a representative government.  Holidays can be a fun way to explore other countries and their cultures with your class.  Holidays can also be a good segway to some basic geography.  

Do you study geography with your class?  My book original book Directions - First Grade Level I Reader is great for social studies or geography unit! This book is also included in First Grade Leveled Books: Level I – Set 1.  My first grade Level C reader “A Map and a Globe” is also dedicated to geography.  it can be found in Social Studies Topics – Levels C – E. For higher grade level, the story “Finding the Mississippi – Using a Map and Globe” is included in my third grade level N – Set 1