Free Printable Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Activities

Before there was a movie "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs", there was a book; not a lot like the film, but also cute, nevertheless. I read it to my students when I taught Montessori in the 1980s. I shared with my kids now-grown kids when I homeschooled them. Here are free printable coloring pages from book and movie. read on

Free Dr. Seuss Read Across America Activities

From the Jungle of Nool to the top of Mt. Crumpet, Dr. Seuss offers wisdom in verse, common sense in a spoonful of fun. March ushers in Dr. Seuss's birthday, Read Across America and National Reading Month. I know we're a good way into National Reading Month, but hey, it's never to late to celebrate reading! Here are free activities to do that. Use for Readers Workshop, Readers Theater and reading response journal lesson plans. Read more

Free Printable Eric Carle "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" Activities

Eric Carle is a beloved childrens' illustrator and author of dozens of books about insects and animals. Here are free printable cut and paste crafts, games, activities, lessons, puzzles and coloring pages from Eric Carle's best-loved book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." You'll find printables from other Eric Carle favorites such as "The Very Busy Spider" and others. Click here

Stieg Larsson "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Book to Movie 2011 Adaptation

Stieg Larsson is a man whom controversy follows, even after death. Larsson is the Swedish author of the Lisbeth Salander series "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" (2005), "The Girl Who Played with Fire" (2006) and the "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest", called collectively "The Millennium Trilogy". How will Hollywood handle Stieg Larsson's 2011 "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" book to movie? Read on...

Books, Literature and Movies for Black History Month

During Black History month we need not only to explore the tragedies of Black American struggles, but celebrate the contributions to our society. Here are a list of  literature based movies to explore. I've listed the movie, the companion book, biography or historical source. If the title of the book is the same as the film, I've only noted the author's name. This article is meant to be a tribute to the artistic achievement of the actors and performers who have portrayed these roles so beautifully over the years. To an extent, this is a timeline as well. Read more...

Free Printable Little House on the Prairie Lesson Plans, Activities

When I was a child, every girl read and cherished Laura Ingalls Wilder and her Little House on the Prairie Series. We loved the TV series, too, but the books were extra-special. I remember being 9, in 1974, and walking to "Tom Sawyer's Book Raft" in our little shopping center. I'd saved enough to buy "These Happy Golden Years" (the last I needed to complete the set). How I remember rushing home to read it. Now you can bring early American history into your social studies lessons with free activities from Laura Ingalls Wilder. Here's how

Jon Scieszka's 'Science Verse' and 'Math Curse' Make Math and Science Approachable

On a never-ending quest for science and math lesson plans that appeal to kids and make content user-friendly, the books of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith meet task. 'Science Verse', 'Math Curse' and 'Squids will be Squids' combine learning and fun. Read on

Free printable Sir Cumference' Books activities for Pi Day, Math and Geometry

Math and Geometry Lessons from 'Sir Cumference' Books by Cindy Neuschwander Cindy Neuschwander writes math math books for children. With Wayne Geehan illustrating, Neuschwander has given us books about Sir Cumference, Lady Di of Ameter and Radius their son who solve math and geometry puzzles and medieval mysteries. Read More

Free Printable Book Lesson Plans for Veterans Day

Free Printable Veterans Day Lesson Plans: War History ctivities Veteran's Day is celebrated on November 11, the end of World War One on November 11, 1918. Veterans Day honors those who served in the military. Here are free printable lesson plans on war history, WWI, WW II, Vietnam, Korea and American military. Read More

Alfred Hitchcock Murder Mystery and Dark Literature

My 'Frenzy' for Alfred Hitchcock Movie Memorabilia Alfred Hitchcock reigns supreme as perfecter of the 'film noir' genre. Hitchcock isn't the only director to dabble in the dark "Psycho" drama, but he is "Notorious" for it. I have a predilection for Hitchcock memorabilia. A 'Frenzy' for it, if you will. (Shh- kids, don't tell mom and dad that you love Hitchcock for the spooky murder mysteries; tell them it's educational! Yo, Parents, c'mere. Don't tell the kids that Hitchcock is educational; just tell them he's downright scary!) Read More