Free Online study aids, Homework Help apps

Back to school--three words kids hate and parents (let's admit it) look forward to. Too much unstructured summer vacation gets old. But no parent looks forward to school homework battles. And no kid does either. Here are free online study aids and calendar apps to motivate students. The penny pincher in me loves that these apps cost nothing and save money on school supplies. Students, you're going to love these apps--they're helpful, they make sense and they don't treat you like a little kid.  Read more Read on

Free Native American Lesson Plans, Free Printable Activities from The Indian in the Cupboard Books

If you're an educator and or parent and you're discouraged from battling with kids to read instead of stare at a screen, don't give up. Here's a fantasy genre book list sure to attract, nay delight 3th to 6th grade children, especially boys. I've detailed the books and created a literature discussion guide to use. "The Indian in the Cupboard" series (including also The Secret of the Indian, The Return of the Indian, The Mystery of the Cupboard and The Key to the Indian) blends Native American culture, history, adventure and fantasy.  Use this Native American Literature Lesson Planner--The Indian in the Cupboard unit. Free printable activities included.

Free Printable Rainbow Magic Fairy Crafts

 "Rainbow Magic" is a series of books from the UK, about fairies, created by a collection of authors writing under the pseudonym "Daisy Meadows." Rainbow Magic is illustrated by Georgie Ripper. There are several dozens stories. Here are free printable fairy crafts from Rainbow Magic. Use with lesson plans and to encourage reading. Read more

Dystopian Books, Utopian Literature like "The Hunger Games"

 You read "The Hunger Games","Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay." You saw "The Hunger Games" movie--six times. Until Suzanne Collins writes another book or the "Catching Fire" movie comes out, how will you satisfy your lust for dystopian literature? You'll take this handy list of best futuristic dystopian/utopian books to your local library and get busy reading. Not all of these are kids books, but most could be read by mature 8th graders (barring "A Clockwork Orange"--it has obligatorily graphic descriptions and should not be read by kids) Books like "The Hunger Games"

Free Printable Diary of a Wimpy Kid Activities

 Jeff Kinney is a very popular guy. Author of the wildly popular kids book series Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The series follows Greg Heffley's personal journal of life as a middle school kid. What makes these books so oft-read? The series is a sort of graphic novel. The pictures are simple and poke fun at everyone in Greg Heffley's life, including himself. We can all identify with Greg's harried mother and easily-annoyed father. We can laugh at Greg's tuned-out teenage brother Roderick and his lisping, ever-innocent younger brother Manny. Kids love the all-too-realistic situations Greg finds himself in. Greg is the perfect protagonist because he is not perfect and neither is his family. Happily, Kinney just came out with another book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel. This book joins DOAWK Cabin Fever, The Last Straw, The Ugly Truth, Dog Days, Roderick Rules and the original. The third Wimpy Kid movie came out on Aug. 3, 2012. Here are free printable activities from the books and movies. Free Diary of a Wimpy Kid Printables 

Free Printable Literature Activities, Reading Games, Writing Prompts

Looking for inspiring back-to-school activities to get kids excited about learning? Or maybe you need to supplement homeschool or classroom curriculum? Look no further. Scholastic is your one-stop source for free printable hands-on lessons and activities. Use these activities during the summer to keep kids reading through vacation.  Free Summer Learning Enrichment Activities

Best books, authors to ignite a passion for reading in tween boys - Yahoo! Shine

As a teacher and homeschool parent, reading for research and pleasure is elemental. Each person in my family, male and female is a passionate bibliophile. I'm surprised when parents say that their kids, especially the boys, don't like to read. I suggest that this is less a distaste for reading and more that they haven't found books that engage them. To remedy that, I've created a list of favorite books and authors, in several genres, geared to boys ages 10-14. Most of these books have some mature content and that's one reason boys love them so much. They feel respected and not talked down to. I recommend reading these stories with kids.  Literature for preteen boys

Help, my child hates to read! Tips to inspire the reluctant reader

Habits, both good and bad, are generational. Children absorb, by osmosis, the vices and virtues of their parents. I'm a reader, as were my parents before me. My husband's family were bibliophiles. Our children grew up reading and being read to. Now in middle school and adulthood, our kids have continued the reading habit. Are you struggling to find ways to spark a love of reading in your kids? Here are some tips and tricks to help. Books for kids who hate to read

Book to Movie Educational films for American History

In education, we are moving toward connection and continuity across the curriculum. We are incorporating literature and response writing into subjects that are normally not literature based classes, such as social studies, math and science. Teaching American history and need some great literature based movies for your class? Here is a timeline of book-to-movie combinations to read and watch with your class. Most of these films are based on books.

Only a few of these are documentaries, because let's face it most documentaries are pretty dull. But I've listed movies that are not too 'Hollyweird' also. I've listed the book title separately if it has a different title. I've also listed the author and leading actor of the movie for reference. I've noted the movie rating and scenes to watch for also. Read more at Literature-Based Movies for an American History Curriculum.

Note: When I wrote this article, I wrongly listed "The Crucible" as being rated R when it is, in fact, rated PG-13. Also, I incorrectly stated that "Patriot" is PG-13 when it's R. My apologies.

For elementary and middle school or special needs high school students, I also recommend the book "Sign of the Beaver." "My America" and "Dear America" are both good history series, too.

Free Printable 'Where the Wild Things Are' Coloring and Activities

Maurice Sendak said of himself that he wasn't a children's author. He just portrayed childhood honestly. Nevertheless, Sendak holds a place as a favorite kids' author and illustrator. He passed away on May 8 and as we bid farewell to author Sendak, let's remember him by his books. The Where the Wild Things Are movie premiered October 16, 2009. Based on Sendak's beloved childrens' book, the movie is 'wildly' popular, too. Need free printable coloring, games, activities and lesson plans from WTWTA? Then you have come to the right place. Read on for links to free printable coloring pages, word search, crossword puzzle, lesson plans and activities. Let's start with the free printable "Where the Wild Things Are"coloring pages, because that's typically what people want most. Read more