Using Cootie Catchers for Reading Comprehension

I mean...why WOULDN'T you use cootie catchers in your reading block?  It makes perfect sense.

Ok -  remember last week how I was talking about doing a little spring cleaning with some of my TpT resources?  Well, I did a little spring cleaning in my file folders on my computer as well.  Yikes.  Now THAT'S a bit of a rabbit hole.  I got in a little deeper than I wanted to, but I figured I might as well finish the job.  I got rid of a lot (a LOT) of cringe worthy products that just didn't make the cut anymore, and I got some major organizing done as well.

BUT - you know what I found?  THIS >>>

It's a reading comprehension cootie catcher that I TOTALLY forgot I made!  And since it resurfaced for me - I thought I'd resurface it for you!  I'm sure I made it for you guys in the first place, but I can't for the life of me find it anywhere on the blog.

There's actually 3 different versions.  They have different comprehension questions that can be used with any fictional book.  They work great as a quick partner review game.  You can download them here!

Find any long-lost things in your spring cleaning, lately?

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Force and Motion FREEBIE Game

Have you been doing any spring cleaning?

I certainly have - but not in my house.  I've been doing some MAJOR spring cleaning of some of my resources on TpT.  If you've been over to my store lately, you may notice things looks a little different.  And in the process, a lot of my older, shall I say "well loved" resources got a little face-lift.

I recently redid my Force and Motion unit.  My unit includes a review game and I thought I'd share it all with you.  (Teacher Appreciation Week may be over, but I'm still passin' out the love!)

Click below to download it.  I'll also be adding it to my science game archives for quick, anytime access.

And - if you're in search on a complete unit on Force and Motion (& Simple Machines), then I've got you covered.  Introducing the new and improved unit:

Enjoy!

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Have you tried THESE poetry games yet?

Do you do any mini units on poetry this time of year during National Poetry Month?  I love poetry, but I always found that I never really "got to it" in my school year.  So many other things to cover, right?  Well, I'll try to make it easy for you to fit it in this month with 3 center games that you can pop in to your weekly literacy rotations this month.  Click on any of images below to snag your FREE games!

Similes and Metaphors:

Poetry Elements:

Poetry Discussion:

This spinner is great at the end of your unit on Poetry as a way to bring it all together through small-group discussion.  You can snag this game in my literacy game archives under the poetry category (just scroll down a bit to find it).

Happy poetry reading!

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FREEBIE Updated Science Game - Grab Yours Now :)

Tell me if this sounds like you.

The weather starts to get warmer (or you have those random warmer days toward the end of the winter - like we're having today in Western NY) and you get the urge to de-clutter, clean, and get organized.

I certainly am feeling that way and I'm working on cleaning up some of my old products.  I tend to do this once a year.  I sweep out the looks of some older products and give them a bit of a spring make-over.

I just finished redoing one of my bigger units, actually my #1 seller for a couple years now- My Sun, Earth, and Moon unit.

There's a simple sorting game that I include in the unit (which has been listed in my science game archives all along).  It helps students to identify the difference between rotation and revolution, which can be a tricky concept.

I offerthis game as a freebie as a sample from the whole unit.  Here's a peek at the new look:

 Sorting mat:

There are several cards with different statements.  Students read each statement and decide if it is referring to the rotation of the earth or the revolution of the earth around the sun.  Students place the card on the correct sorting mat.

A recording sheet is provided for easy-peasy assessment!

You'll also find an answer key for students to check their answers.

If you've already downloaded this game, or if you're just seeing this for the first time and want at it, get the latest version here:

Oh - and as a side note - I'll been announcing some BIG news in the CGN newsletter that goes out TOMORROW - so if you aren't already a subscriber you miiiiight want to consider it now! :) You can do so here.  

Bye for now :)

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President's Day Guess Who {FREE TEMPLATE}

Remember last month when I showed you this easy DIY Guess Who Game?  Well, I've got the PERFECT use for this idea that you can use this week: President's Day Guess Who!

First you'll want to check out this post with all the details on how to set it up and how to play.  But then, you'll want to download the freebie game template provided below!  I chose 12 presidents that I think students are most familiar with, including the 2 presidents that are especially in focus on President's Day: Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

Download the template here:

Enjoy!

Oh, PS - here's another President's Day freebie that you might want to snag:

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3 Math Games to Print and Play {RIGHT NOW}

Everyone loves a quick printable!  Below you'll find 3 {FREE} printable math games for you to use right now!  It's as easy as that!

MONSTER MAKE 10
This game is for the younger kiddos who are practicing their math facts fluency up to 10.  The game is provided in color or in shades of gray, as shown below:

SPIN AND SAY
This is a loaded printable with game boards for all 4 math operations.  It also has students practice finding coordinates on a grid.  It is also provided in color or shade of gray.

CLOSE TO 100
You'll want to tuck this game away for your 100 Days of School celebrations!  "Close to 100" is a game of strategy and risk!  The suspense of what they will roll next will make this game a favorite in your classroom!

Download any of the games above instantly by clicking on the pictures!  3 freebies - not a bad way to start off your Monday!

My Top Picks for New Year's Games

Can you believe it - all that planning for Christmas (both in and out of the classroom), and now it's over!?  I guess there's only one thing left to do (other than eat the leftover Christmas cookies ASAP)...

Get ready for the new year!  It wouldn't be the new year here on the Classroom Game Nook blog if we didn't have some fun games and activities lined up for that first week back at school.

Here are my top picks for games to play as you welcome your students back in 2016!

{Note:  The first two games show 2015 in the image, but have been updated by the author to be used for 2016!}

This game is great for older students.  The students simply use all 4 operations to show different ways to make 2016.  Put a timer on and see how fast students can come up with several number sentences equaling 2016!  You can download the printable here, courtesy of lalymom.com

The next game by itself is perfectly fine...but if you want to make it more educational for your students, add just little extra prep.

As written, students roll the printable die (shown above).  They then cover up the number they land on.  The first student to cover up every digit in the year wins.  However, make this game fit your classroom needs by prepping some question cards.  The cards can be for any skill and any content area.  Students first pick a card and answer the question.  If they get the question right, THEN they get to roll the die.  If not, the card is put back into the pile to be answered by another student.  Provide your students with an answer key for easy checking!  You can find the printable here.

The last two are my own games that you can snag for free!  The both make great games for the first week back.  Take a peak:

The first one is a "New Year's SCOOT."  The SCOOT cards ask questions about their goals for the new year and reflections of the year just past.  There are also a few educational ones thrown in there as well.

Grab your free copy here.

The second game is ideal for small groups.  Print off and assemble one die per small group and allow students to reflect on their goals for the new year.  There is a different prompt on each side of the die.

This die is available right here on the blog!

And if that isn't enough for you - you can find even more math and literacy centers and activities with this New Year's themed pack available in my store.

You can even snag a free door display just by checking out the product preview.

Enjoy everyone and relax on your week off!