Free Printable Geology Lesson Plans, Earth Science Rocks and Minerals Printables

Earth science is a fascinating subject. To help you teach it,in public school or homeschool, here are free printable geology lesson plans. Print charts, graphs and maps to explore geology, rocks and minerals and earth science.Free Printable Geology Lesson Plans, Earth Science Rocks and Minerals Printables

 

Homemade Reading Practice Kit for Homework

Parents, are you worried that kids will forget what they learned in school during summer. Here's an easy, inexpensive alternative to tutoring: learning reinforcement kits. Make these kits and keep them in the car for quick refreshers during car rides.

You will need:

-recycled shoe box
-two dice
-deck of playing cards with face cards removed (great way to recycle those decks of playing cards that are missing cards)
-letter tiles or beads
-calculator
-assortment of game playing pieces, marbles, milk rings, bread tags, twist ties. You will need ten each of 3 different colors. These are used for borrowing and carrying practice. The different colors represent place values (ones, tens, hundreds)
-flashcards
-two pencils
-box of crayons, colored pencils or markers
-cheap notebook ($.10 each at before school sales) or note pad
-Magnetic Poetry words or word stickers or cards (write a variety of words on pieces of index cards or plain stickers)
-snack sized zipper bags
-book at reading level
-printable math worksheets at child's academic level
-printable spelling word lists at child's academic level

How to Use:

Print a summer calendar and attach to the inside of the notebook.

Math practice: Assign child to practice math facts, times tables or addition/subtraction facts three times a week for ten minutes. Child can choose the dice, cards, manipulatives, flashcards or worksheets to practice with.

Spelling: Assign students to practice spelling words three times a week for ten minutes each. Child may write his words or make words with letter beads.

Writing: Assign child to free write at least one paragraph three times weekly in his notebook. Ask that he also illustrate each piece after he's written.

Reading: Assign child to read for ten minutes three times a week at least.

The child should mark off on his calendar on each day he practices. He can use a simple code of R-read, W-write, S-spelling, M-math.

This summer reinforcement system can be used during travel, while waiting at the doctor's office, most anywhere. It will take the child only two hours of his summer week. Parents, older siblings or caregivers can easily check to see that work is completed. He can complete activities as his schedule allows. You may wish to reward successful completion of the summer reinforcement activities. For more lesson plans and homeschool activities, visit me at www.freelessonplans4u.blogspot.com.

Free Printable Travel Games and Puzzles

 "When are we going to get there, Mommy? Daddy, I'm bored!" Uh-oh. When kids start that, you know it's going to be a long car ride. Well, parents, sigh no more. I've got your boredom buster first aid kit right here--free printable travel games and puzzles for children. Make road trips fun with these car game printables. Free Printable Travel Games and Puzzles for Kids

Free Printable Mother's Day Crafts for Kids

Mother's Day is just around the corner and children are thinking about what to give mom. Kids, do you find yourself short of cash this Mother's Day? No worries; if you have a computer with a printer, you've got it made. Here are a bunch of free printable Mother's Day crafts and cards.  Free Mother's Day Crafts for Kids to Print

Best Personal Calendar, Planner, Organizer Apps on the Web

Okay, I admit it--I love to organize. I find it therapeutic to wander the planner aisle in Barnes and Noble. When I get a new cellphone, the first thing I play with is the calendar function. But I am also a tightwad--I won't pay for apps or software. And I don't have to, nor do you, when there are so many free organizers available online. Here are the best organizer apps on the net. Don't forget your email organizer function. I like this because it's right there with my email and doesn't share data.  Best Personal Calendar, Planner, Organizer Apps on the Internet

Best Personal Calendar, Planner, Organizer Apps on the Web

Okay, I admit it--I love to organize. I find it therapeutic to wander the planner aisle in Barnes & Noble. When I get a new cellphone, the first thing I play with is the calendar function. But I am also a tightwad--I won't pay for apps or software. And I don't have to, nor do you, when there are so many free organizers available online. Here are the best organizer apps on the net. Don't forget your email organizer function. I like this because it's right there with my email and doesn't share data.  Best Personal Calendar, Planner, Organizer Apps on the Internet

Free Printable Easter Baskets and Homemade Gift Basket Ideas

Parents, do you get sick of holiday spending? Seems like it was just Christmas, then Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day. Now we're buying for Easter. Call me Scrooge, but I say it's time to curb spending before we drown in debt. Kids don't need more reasons to expect. All that getting sets a dangerous precedent for greed. It makes for entitled (tiresome) children. Instead of bowing to marketing ploys, make your own homemade Easter basket. It's just as nice and saves a lot of money. Here's how.  Free Printable Easter Baskets and Homemade Gift Baskets

Family, School Mission Project to Teach Kids Generosity

 Catholics entered lent on Ash Wednesday. During this season, we fast, pray and give alms (extra tithing). Here's a way to do all three in one activity. Parents and homeschoolers, you might try this.



Fast from shopping and buying luxuries. Quit online shopping. Buy only what you absolutely need. Give up entertainment, shows, movies, Netflix, dining out, clothing, salon visits, sport events, music venues, concerts. You don't have to give up all of these; just pick one or two.

Three in One Lent Almsgiving, Prayer, Fasting Activity - News - Bubblews

Get a Decent Router if You Have Students in the House

A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse? Forget that. Just give me a router that doesn't foul up every six seconds. I've spent more hours than I care to count dealing with this internet router nightmare. First, the router keeps booting my daughter's devices off. So I reset all the internet options. Then I switch search providers. My advice is, if you have students in the house, buy a good dual band router. Costs about $20 more but worth it.   Forget the Horse, My Kingdom for No Router Problems 

Parents Are Responsible for Student Drivers, Then Have to Pay for Driver Education--FAIL

Drivers' education costs about $400 and must be taken from a licensed teacher. Then parents must supervise the bulk of their child's driving time. Then we pay to have the child tested, around $50. We provide the vehicle for testing, which must pass certain regulations. We pay for the gas.



The teen goes through several license levels each with fees and associated parent responsibilities. We have to attend meetings, sign waivers. We pay for auto insurance under which she is covered. We pay more for it when our children turn 15, because the law assumes they're driving. Regardless of whether they do. Why, then, must we also pay for instruction? Why can't we teach our kids ourselves and save class costs? (Picture is my "I don't get it" face.) Why Are Parents Responsible for Student Drivers, but Have to Pay for Driver Education?

  

Ancient Greece Coloring Pages for Sochi 2014 Olympic Games

  Are you following the 2014 Winter Olympic games in Sochi? The Olympics have a long and interesting history, beginning with the original games in ancient Greece. The term "olympic" refers to Mt. Olympus, where Greeks believed their gods dwelt. The games were played in honor of various deities: Zeus, Hera, Hermes, Ares, Apollo, Athena and other Olympians. Those are their Greek names. The Romans renamed the gods and goddesses with their own spin.  Ancient Greece Lesson Plans for Sochi 2014 Olympic Games - News - Bubblews

Free Valentines to Print, Perfect for Snowbound Kids

Where I am, the snow is rising and the thermostat plummets. If my kids were still young, the scene would not be pretty. Bored restless children milling about underfoot, looking for trouble. Too cold to play outside for more than a few minutes. Snow too deep. Irritable mommy (did I say that?). And feel for me, people, this was back before internet! No login-drug. The poor lambie-poos actually had to play with their mountain of toys!



But to un-digress, you modern families have computers, so use them. Not for gaming. Good Lord, kids get way too much of that already. I mean print some crafts for 'em. And with Valentine's Day right around the corner, how's about printing free valentines? Here are a few links. Read on  Free (Yes Free!) Valentines to Print, Perfect for Snowbound Kids

Chinese New Year Lesson Planner and Unit

For many of us, January and February are the longest, coldest, darkest months of the year. Spring vacation seems light years away. It never seems to get light out and the sun rarely ever peaks it head out. This is a great time to pull out a fresh exciting batch of lessons for your class or home school group. Why not explore the Chinese New Year with all its color, festivity, fun and pageantry? Chinese New Year begins on January 31 in 2014. It's the Year of the Horse this CNY. Here is a unit with enough lessons for a two week unit. You'll find social studies, literature, writing, art, music, craft and food lessons. There are also animal activities. Chinese New Year Lesson Planner and Unit