Free printable Captain Underpants kids book games: Dav Pilkey graphic novels | Examiner.com

March is National Reading Month--time to celebrate kids' books and their authors. Today's featured book guy is Dav Pilkey, a very silly man with a middle school juvenile sense of humor. Who is Dav Pilkey you ask? Well, adults might not know the name, but kids will recognize Dav Pilkey as the author/illustrator of graphic novels and kids books, notably Captain Underpants. Dav Pilkey has many well-loved kids books and graphic novels to his credit. But his most enduring is the supremely ridiculous "Captain Underpants" stories. Oh and grownups, graphic novels are stories told in cartoons or comics, not dirty books! Jeff Kinney author of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series is another graphic novels writer.   Free printable Captain Underpants kids book games: Dav Pilkey graphic novels

Free printable preschool Valentine worksheets, games, crafts, activities

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, Pinterest, email, and blogs overflow with valentine crafts. Alas, many are also costly. So, don't pay. Here are free printable preschool valentine worksheets, games, crafts, learning activities and lesson plans. Fru-gals and fru-guys, use these for Valentine's Day fun.   Free printable preschool Valentine worksheets, games, crafts, activities

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.

Free Catholic Bible printables, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week coloring pages

Catholics celebrate several special religious days, referred to as holy days of obligation. These days center around a Bible event in the life of Jesus or His Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary. Holy Days are All Saints Day (Nov. 1), Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), Christmas (preceded by the holy season of Advent), Solemnity of Mary (Jan 1), Ash Wednesday (movable feast which kicks of the holy season of Lent and leads up to Easter), Ascension Thursday (movable feast) and the Assumption of Mary (August 15). Here are free printable Catholic coloring pages featuring Bible stories. prayer, sacraments, mass, Gospel, saints, Lent, Advent, holidays and holy days, life of Jesus, Catholic saints' feast days, rosary and stations of the cross.   Free Catholic Bible printables, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week coloring pages | Examiner.com

Free printable Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer coloring pages, Santa Claus crafts

"You know Dasher and Dancer, But do you recall, the most famous reindeer of all? Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!" Here are free printable coloring pages from that beloved Rankin-Bass Christmas cartoon and Little Golden Books. Not part of the original Santa Claus story of eight reindeer in Clement C. Moore's "A Visit From St. Nicholas poem," cowboy Gene Autry added Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a misfit little reindeer who is shunned for his glowing crimson snout . But as karma would have it, bullied outcasts often perform heroic deeds--such is the story of Rudolph. Needs must, Santa Claus finds Rudolph and his shiny schnozz invaluable in guiding the sleigh to deliver Christmas presents. Little Golden Books came out with a book and Rankin-Bass made a feature Christmas cartoon about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer--which has become a classic.   Free printable Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer coloring pages, Santa Claus crafts | Examiner.com

Free printable Advent coloring book and Bible Christmas coloring pages

Advent is the Christian season of preparation before Christmas. It begins four Sundays before Christmas. The Catholic church entered Lent on November 30, 2014. During Advent, people practice gospel virtues of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. They follow Advent calendars with Bible readings and prayers.   Free printable Advent coloring book and Bible Christmas coloring pages

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

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! 

Summer learning reinforcement kit & free printable homework practice worksheets

 One educational issue that worries parents and teachers is summer learning retention. How well will students remember content during the long summer break? Summer tutoring is expensive. Summer school defeats the purpose of a break (plus kids typically HATE it). Here's an easy, inexpensive alternative: summer learning reinforcement kits. Make fun, cheap, easy, homemade summer homework kits. Keep them in the car so kids can practice math, spelling, reading and writing during car rides.Summer learning reinforcement kit & free printable homework practice worksheets

Patriotic 4th of July pageant, vintage Independence Day party & free printable American history lessons

 The U.S. Memorial Day, the last Monday in May is also called Remembrance Day and Decoration Day. Americans honor fallen military and deceased loved ones. Here's a planner for an educational Memorial Day pageant, vintage Remembrance Day party with American history lessons.Memorial Day pageant, vintage Remembrance Day party, American history lessons

Free printable Memorial Day activities, U.S. history worksheets, Remembrance Day printables

 Memorial Day, celebrated the last Monday in May, doesn't just kick off summer holidays. Also called Remembrance Day, the holiday honors veterans and those lost in U.S. wars. It's also referred to as Decoration Day, when family commemorates loved ones lost by putting flowers on graves. Teachers and homeschool parents, here are free printable lesson plans, worksheets, crafts and games to teach kids about this national holiday.Free printable Memorial Day activities: Patriotic Remembrance Day printables

Free printable Cinco de Mayo crafts and activities on Mexico

Cinco de Mayo, or Fifth of May, celebrates the victory of the smaller Mexican army over the mighty French juggernaut, in the Battle of Puebla, 1862. Cinco de Mayo is not the Mexican Independence Day, but many Latino Americans celebrate it. It's an exciting story to explore. Here are free printable Cinco de Mayo coloring pages and Mexican crafts to celebrate this fun ethnic festival. Free printable Cinco de Mayo coloring pages, Mexican crafts and printables

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 Valentine's Day coloring pages, crafts, worksheets, activities - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Valentine's Day, celebrated Feb. 14, usually represents a party, candy and cards for children, So how about some free printable Valentine's Day coloring pages, cut and paste, games, lessons, puzzles and activities? Here are some websites to check out for free Valentine's Day printables. Use in school or homeschool. Tie in with your regular curriculum.   Free printable Valentine's Day coloring pages, crafts, worksheets, activities