Free printable Catholic Lenten worksheets, lesson plans, Bible activities

The Catholic Lenten season begins each year with the Imposition of the Ashes on Ash Wednesday, which in the 2016 calendar will kick off very early on February 10. Lent starts a 40 day journey of fasting, corporal spiritual acts of mercy, spiritual pilgrimage and prayer. A Catholic tries to live, in a humble human way, in solidarity with the Lord Jesus, as he fasted in the desert for 40 days and made his final pilgrimage to Jerusalem. A Roman cross, torture and crucifixion awaited Him. But so did the glory of Easter, the Resurrection. Lent is a season for intense and deep personal and spiritual reflection.  Free printable Catholic Lenten worksheets, lesson plans, Bible activities

Chinese New Year of the Goat books for kids, children's literature from China

Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival celebrates the culture of the Orient. It begins Feb. 19 in 2015 and culminates with a Lantern Festival. What better way to explore Chinese culture in your classroom than with literature? Here is a list of children's books for pre-K to second graders from China. Some books are specifically Chinese stories and others are Japanese Buddhist stories. Chinese New Year encompasses traditional animals of the zodiac so many kids' books in this list are animal-themed. It's CNY Year of the Goat (or Sheep) in 2015.

Chinese New Year of the Monkey 2016: Books for kids, children's literature from China

Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival celebrates the culture of the Orient. It starts late January to mid February, on Feb. 8 in 2016. CNY culminates with a Lantern Festival. What better way to explore Chinese culture in your classroom than with literature? Here is a list of children's books for pre-K to second graders from China. Some books are specifically Chinese stories and others are Japanese Buddhist stories. Chinese New Year encompasses traditional animals of the zodiac so many kids' books in this list are animal-themed. It's CNY Year of the Monkey 2016.  If you were born in 2004, 1992, 1980 (etc.) you're a monkey! Here are Chinese New Year of the Monkey books for kids, children's literature from China | Examiner.com

Christmas stories, kids holiday books: Have yourself a Tomie DePaola Christmas with 30 days of Christmas countdown books by the master!

Looking for the best Christmas stories and holiday books for children? Then have yourself a Tomie DePaola Christmas! Tomie DePaola is a one of the world's best-loved illustrator-authors in children's literature. Tomie DePaola admits that he loves Christmas and it shows in the holiday magic he imbues in his stories and art. Here's the definitive Tomie DePaola Christmas stories collection. Included are Advent books, too: Advent is the Catholic season of preparation leading up to Christmas and Tomie DePaola books indulge that spirit of anticipation. He's done a nice series on saints' feast day that fall in Advent.  Christmas stories, kids holiday books: Have yourself a Tomie DePaola Christmas!

Free printable pilgrims crafts: Thanksgiving pilgrim 3D paper craft projects

Thanksgiving in the US celebrates the survival of the Puritans, also called pilgrims, who came on the Mayflower. Thanksgiving remembers the difficulties the New England pilgrims faced and the help they received from local native American Indians. The Thanksgiving dinner honors the feast shared by the New England pilgrims and native Americans as they gave thanks for getting through their early trials. Images of pilgrims are typical Thanksgiving Here are free printable pilgrim crafts.Free printable pilgrims crafts: Thanksgiving pilgrim 3D paper craft projects | Examiner.com

 

Free printable Halloween masks: Star Wars, celeb, animal, monster, steampunk, 3D

Halloween isn't just for little children. Adults can dress up too. Here are free printable Halloween masks of Star Wars, politicians, celebrities and more. These will be perfect for Star Wars: The Force Awakens fans. Use political masks in fun, educational government current events activities. Or use your Halloween costume to make a statement! Students will love making masks of world leaders, politicians and famous persons. Teachers might assign students to stage mock debates or elections. They could write speeches, debates or dramatizations of historical events and wear masks. Use celeb masks for for creative writing inspiration on satire, parody or essay writing. Use 3D animal masks in science.Free printable Halloween masks: Star Wars, celeb, animal, monster, steampunk, 3D | Examiner.com

Free printable Thanksgiving activity booklets for US, Canada Thanksgiving Day

 Thanksgiving Day is October 12 in Canada and the third Thursday in November in the U.S. Here are free printable Thanksgiving booklets and fall themed activities and lesson plans for Thanksgiving Day. These activities explore pilgrim settlements, early American and Canadian exploration, Acadian settlements and western history. Activities cover native Americans, tribes in Canada and their interactions with Europeans. Then there are cute turkey patterns to color. Print coloring pages of turkeys, pilgrims, Indians, fall and autumn crafts and more. Teach children that the point of Thanksgiving isn't just eating. It's about gratitude for blessings. Make Thanksgiving crafts and send as greeting cards to shut-ins.Free printable Thanksgiving activity booklets for US, Canada Thanksgiving Day | Examiner.com

'Do You Want to Play with my Balls?' Crude kids' books for Literacy Month?

September, National Literacy Month celebrates reading, particularly to children says the Fort Bend Herald on September 15. But there's a trend in children's literature to cater to the lowest common denominator: adult humor. It began when Adam Mansbach published"Go the F to Sleep" and then "You Have to F*cking Eat." Now the latest is "Do You Want to Play with My Balls?" by the Cifaldi Brothers. This ostensibly-child's story features gratuitous references to male genitalia, cloaked as puns. It's supposed to be for adults, but juxtaposed with cartoon pictures of children, it borders on pedophaelic pornography. How appropriate are crude kids books for anyone to read, let alone kids?'Do You Want to Play with my Balls?' Crude kids' books for Literacy Month?

 

Free printable A Series of Unfortunate Events worksheets, book crafts, games - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

 September is National Literacy Month. A Series of Unfortunate Events, is an endearingly popular children's literature series. It's penned by the mysterious and elusive author Lemony Snicket. Despite the gloomy author's grim predictions that no one will like the stories, millions of children and adults continue follow the Baudelaire children, Klaus, Violet and Sunny. Why not read the books your students or homeschooled kids? Here are free printable Series of Unfortunate Events worksheets and activities to supplement.Free printable A Series of Unfortunate Events worksheets, book crafts, games

Free printable elephant crafts, Babar coloring pages, elephant-themed activities

Happy World Elephant Day on August 12! It's tusks up and trunks waving for elephants, or, as Winnie-the-Pooh would say, heffalumps! Children, do you want free printable elephant crafts and activities? Would you like to print coloring pages of elephants (of course you would!) Well, ask mom and dad to print these so you can celebrate Happy Heffalump Day!   Free printable elephant crafts, Babar coloring pages, elephant-themed activities Oh and I believe I forgot to add free printable Dumbo coloring pages, so here they are! 

Harry Potter fans in wizard row over Dumbledore as Death theory

It's a call to wands! Harry Potter fans are in a wizard row over Dumbledore as Death theory, reported Business Insider August 6. Some see it as a plot to malign their much-beloved headmaster. But the theory has merit if you are up on your J.K. Rowling. It originates with a fairy tale told called the "Tale of Three Brothers" which comes from the book "The Tales of Beedle the Bard." The book belongs to Dumbledore who willed the original to Hermione Granger. Xenophilius Lovegood uses the tale to explain the Deathly Hallows mark. Hermione and Harry don't know it (not being full wizards).  Harry Potter fans in wizard row over Dumbledore as Death theory

Free Easter bunny printables, Peter Rabbit printables, Velveteen Rabbit crafts

Easter is probably the most quintessentially preschool holiday of all. Easter baskets, candy, egg decorating, bunnies, baby animals, spring--little children love this festive season. So for the young and young at heart, here are free printable Easter bunny crafts. I've included printable activities based on my two favorite bunnies, Peter Rabbit and the Velveteen Rabbit, too. Parents and homeschoolers, use for preschool lessons; teachers, you'll want these for preschool classroom fun.Free Easter bunny printables, Peter Rabbit printables, Velveteen Rabbit crafts - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

 

Reading enrichment activities: summer book crafts, literature games, printables

 March is National Reading Month, kicked off by "Read Across America." Schools abound with reading opportunities. But what about those long summer months? Here are summer reading enrichment activities to keep kids' noses in books year-round! Included are interactive reading response activities, ELA (English language arts) lessons, book-based crafts and literature response lessons. Use these multi-sensory, cross-curricular Montessori-based lessons for Readers Workshop, special education students, reluctant readers and divergent learners too.Reading enrichment activities: summer book crafts, literature games, printables - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Free printable Very Hungry Caterpillar activities, Eric Carle printables

In honor of National Reading Month (March) I'm going to share free activities based on favorite authors and books. Eric Carle is a beloved children's author. Carle has illustrated dozens of books about insects and animals. Here are free printables from the Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle's best-loved kids' book. Mrs. Spatafora's Kindergarten Blog features dozens of printable cut and paste crafts, games, activities, lessons, puzzles and coloring pages on preschool themes.Free printable Very Hungry Caterpillar activities, Eric Carle printables 

Free Printable Frankenweenie, Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline Coloring Pages

Tim Burton is an enigmatic director. He's given us some wild rides in fantasy. In 1993, The Nightmare Before Christmas gave audiences a whole new vision of Halloween and Christmas. The Nightmare Before Christmas and Jack Skellington gained cult following. Then Tim Burton brought Roald Dahl's children's classic James and the Giant Peach to the screen. In 2005, came another cartoon operatic horror comedy, The Corpse Bride. My personal favorite Tim Burton cartoon is from Neil Gaiman's book "Coraline." Here are printable Tim Burton coloring pages from favorite books.   Free Printable Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline Coloring Pages

Best Historical Fiction Books for Tween, Teen Girls

 Historical fiction is becoming increasingly popular genre with school-aged girls. I've compiled a list from my 20+ year teacher career, highlighting the best historical fiction for tween and teenage girls. You'll note I didn't add American Girls. Those books are excellent, but written for slightly younger girls. But older girls can certainly enjoy them! This list isn't exclusively for girls, but most books have female protagonists so girls may be more drawn to them. Best Historical Fiction Books for Tween and Teenage Girls

.

Free Printable Puppets and Preschool Themed Mini Books to Act Out

When I taught summer enrichment, one class that always went over big was puppetry. Here are free printable finger puppets, stick puppets, paper bag puppets and 3D play sets (to use like puppets). Many have accompanying mini booklets kids can read and act out with their puppets. There are Bible, animal, people, Disney character, monster and other puppet themes. Perfect for Vacation Bible School, summer school, daycare and rainy day fun!  Free Printable Disney, Animal, Bible Finger Puppets

Challenged, Censored Banned Books Arouse Love of Reading in Tweens, Teens

Want to teach kids to love reading? Tell them a book has been banned, censored or challenged by adults. Nothing sends a reluctant reader to the bookshelf quicker than thinking he's doing something verboten! Especially tweens and teens who love flouting authority anyway! Often students who most hate reading speak loudest against censorship and in solidarity with authors. God love them for that. So without further ado, my adolescent friends, here are the Most Banned Books? Authors of Teen, Children's Literature. Now get thee to a library!

Free Printable Memorial Day Worksheets, Literature and History Based Crafts, Games

Memorial Day is the last Monday in May--May 26, 2014. As Remembrance Day, we honor veterans and those lost in U.S. wars. It's also Decoration Day, when we commemorate loved ones lost by putting flowers on graves. Teachers, homeschoolers, scout leaders and parents, here are free printable lesson plans, worksheets, crafts and games to teach kids about this national holiday. Activities are literature and history based. Kids might memorize "In Flanders Field" (link found in article) for a family Memorial Day recitation. Very moving and evocative of the day.  Free Printable Memorial Day Worksheets, Crafts, Games

Free Printable Spider-Man, Marvel Comic Book Superhero Coloring Pages

Hey kids, want free printable Amazing Spider-Man 3 coloring pages? I found some you're going to love (keep reading past the grown-up chatter and click the link at the end). Adults, you might quibble over whether cartoons, comic books and graphic novels qualify as literature. I say at least kids are reading. Pictures and illustrations provide context clues and help children learn to read. When they're ready, they'll start reading more challenging books. But you never outgrow your childhood favorites. I loved comics (still do). In that spirit, here are free printable the afore-promised. Free Printable Spider-Man Coloring Pages