Wednesday Weekly 5 under $5 - May 7, 2025

            

     

Every week I put together a list of 5 great products from members of The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative (TBOTEMC) with the requirement that each product must be less than $5.  With a variety of subjects and a wide range of grades, there just might be something that you can use, so continue to read below and see!

In addition, if you're a seller on Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) who would like to get more information about joining TBOTEMC, contact me via email at ReneeHeiss@gmail.com or by simply leaving a comment on this blog post.

Multiplication Bump Games | Baseball Math - $3.00

by Believe to Achieve by Anne Rozell

2nd - 4th grades

Centers, Games, Homeschool, Printables, Seasonal, Spring

Hit a home run with math practice! Baseball Multiplication Bump Games are a fun and engaging way to get your students excited about learning multiplication facts. Perfect for partner play or whole-class review, this set includes game boards for each fact set from x2 to x12—available in both full color and ink-saving black and white.

My Mother - $3.00

by Urbino12
PreK - 7th grades
Activities, Holiday, Printables

Happy Mother's Day!  Included in this file are Mother's Day activities for your class.  Includes:

Simple paragraph for students to complete about their significant female in their lives. Includes a blank frame for students to draw or glue a picture of their special person, Sample acrostic poem, Acrostic poem to be completed as a class or individually, Blank greeting card with butterfly theme, Poem from son, Poem from daughter, Extra poem to color and address to someone other than mother ie: special person, Aunt, Grandmother etc., and Six  coloring pages for you to choose from with messages of love for Mother's Day.  Messages include: I Love You!, I Love You Mom! Happy Mother's Day! and Best Wishes! Two pages are in color with the message Happy Mother's Day! One boy and one girl holding bouquets of flowers.

Two Critical Thinking Crosswords Where All the Answers Begin with "May" - $2.85

by Scipi

7th - 10th grades

Activities, End of Year, Handouts, Printables, Spring

Challenge your mind and expand your vocabulary with these two May-themed crossword puzzles. Both are free form crossword puzzles that feature the same 20 different terms related to May and some of its holidays and traditions. To make solving the puzzles less difficult while keeping the activity engaging, all the answers to both puzzles begin with the word “May”. 

Sentence Patterns Grammar Worksheets | Spring| End of Year| Digital and Print - $4.00

by Charlene Tess

9th - 12th grades

Activities, ESL-EFL-ELL, Handouts

Teach your students to rewrite sentences without changing their meaning. This is good practice for students to vary their sentence patterns. At the same time, they will be reminded of things that are associated with the end of the school year. 

    

End of the Year Read & Write Emergent Readers Expand Sight Words & Vocabulary - $2.49

by Primarily Learning

K - 1st grades

Activities, Centers, End of Year, Homeschool Curricula

This end-of-the-year emergent reader features ten reference graphics & simple text that encourages children to practice reading & writing... while improving their understanding of vocabulary & sentence structure. It is designed to support young readers as they develop comprehension skills.

As always, I encourage comments and any ideas or suggestions by emailing me at reneeheiss@gmail.com

Renee Heiss

All-American Teacher Tools

Check out my Store 

The Broken-Winged Bird: Musings on Poetry & Complex Text

Hold fast to dreams...

"I think he's wearing a mask in the this poem. You know, like he's acting one way, but underneath he's really mad."  INSERT TEACHER GOOSEBUMPS HERE! Just like a marathon runner craves her once-a-week-long-run endorphins, I crave these teaching moments. I know you know what I'm talking about.  This teacher endorphin rush came at a critical point in my teaching week. I was having one of those weeks. You know the ones...when you feel like you're slogging through curriculum quicksand while being attacked by biting horseflies. And then he raised his hand.  And I called on him. And it was as if someone had just handed me a flyswatter and a leg up.

For if dreams die | Life is a broken-winged bird | That cannot fly...

 So how did we get there? Let's go back to that marathon analogy. It took some training.  Some brain training.  It began with one poem and a close read.  I introduced "Dreams" by Langston Hughes to my students by reading it 4-5 times together.  Each time, we looked and listened for something new. Poetry is an oral art, so most of the reading we did together was oral.  The last part of the close read was silent. What happens with this approach is that students eventually zero
in on the poet's figurative language and imagery.  This time was no different. My students picked out the phrases "Life is a broken-winged bird
that cannot fly" and "Life is a barren field frozen with snow." This was the
opportunity I had planned for. I asked the question, "Why do you think Langston Hughes chose those particular images? What is he trying to tell us?"  Those questions led to discussions about negative and positive imagery and a vocabulary exploration about the word barren.  I was also able to reintroduce metaphor to my kids.

Hold fast to dreams...

The next day, we returned to "Dreams."  I think that percolation time is crucial when using complex text with students. What do I mean by this?  Think about a cup of coffee. If you pour it before it's done brewing, it's not a good cup of coffee. It's weak. It might even have some grounds in it, right? It's the same with thinking.  When I read a chapter from a good book and stop for the day, I don't stop interacting with that text.  I think about it over the next 24 hours until I can return to it.  I continue to make meaning while I'm absent from the text. It's no different for my students.

This time, we explored "Dreams" using the CSI routine. CSI stands for Color-Symbol-Image. This thinking routine from Making Thinking Visible (Ritchart, Morrison & Church) is a powerhouse for metaphorical thinking.  We talked about what color we would assign this poem. This led to conversations about mood and what words or phrases contributed to the overall feeling of the poem. Next, we went to image.  What images come to mind when we read this?  My students illustrated the "movie in the mind" visualizations they had from reading it.  Finally, we talked about symbols.  Students created a unique symbol that they felt represented Hughes' message to us. This was not the first time we had used this routine, so I did very little modeling with it like I had previously.

A little more percolation time and it was day three of our unit.  This time, we put ourselves in Langston Hughes' shoes.  We tried to step inside his perspective. One of my favorite things to do with poetry is to think about a poet as a character.  His poems tell us an awful lot about him as a person.  Together, we explored what Hughes' view of the world might be based on his poem.  We used the Step Inside thinking routine for this.

For if dreams go | Life is a barren field | Frozen with snow.

                                                                               ---Langston Hughes

The above are the steps we followed for four of Langston Hughes' poems: "Dreams," "Dream Deferred," "Dream Boogie," and "Dream Keeper."  Each time we explored a new poem, we made comparisons. We began developing a theory about Langston Hughes, using a Theory Tree.  We charted words and phrases from his poems and then asked ourselves, "What does this BIG picture of Hughes' writing tell us about him as a person?"  and "How did he look at life?" and "Do I agree with his perspective?"  This might seem like a triple-decker club sandwich that an 11 year old fifth grader can't get her mouth around.  But, it works. I think it works because I use a slow-release workshop model. That is, I model first.  Then, we work with the support of peers. And finally, we try it independently and report back.  I have found that when students are supported through complex text in this way, we hit a comprehension home run more often than not.

As we continued on through our literature studies about Civil Rights, we went on to use Hughes' poems as mentor texts that connected with the novel and picture books we were reading.  Be sure to stay tuned for more about those connections in the following weeks.

Remember that movie "Field of Dreams?" There's a line in it that keeps pushing me to go deeper in my teaching.  It's this, "If you build it, they will come."  And, they do.

He always ends his poems with a microphone drop. You know what I mean?  Like if we were listening to him recite them, he'd drop the microphone at the end, and we'd be like, 'Wow!'

                                                                                  ---Fifth grade boy in room 9

If you're interested in trying this unit out for yourself, it would be a perfect fit for 5th-7th graders; it's available now, complete with teacher notes, organizers, poems, posters and student response pages. Click on this picture:

You might also be interested in these:

If you're interested in some ideas on getting started with incorporating poetry in your reader's workshop, be sure to check out the link below. It provides some ways to begin. Click the picture!

This month, I'm linking up with some fabulous educators.  Check out their posts below! You won't be sorry.

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

English Language Arts Lessons – "FEBRUARY FLAIR Acrostic: Letter I"

By: Connie Casserly

Grades 6-12

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Connie

Today, February 13th is I day on the English Language Arts Lessons – FEBRUARY FLAIR Acrostic list. 

The I in this post stands for

I

• It’s Time for Cause and Consequence  ( Comprehension, Writing and Critical Thinking Lesson)  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Comprehension-Writing-Activity-Its-Time-for-Cause-and-Consequence-1158319

In this activity, "It's Time for Cause and Consequence," students explore the permanent connection between Character-Conflict-Resolution. By the time that they have completed the required work,they will be more aware of how every action leads to a reaction, and how both impact the Resolution.

With this language arts lesson, students will 
A. demonstrate their understanding of the elements of literature by choosing specific details to complete the activity. 
B. develop their writing skills by showing instead of telling, by creating word pictures, by using concrete, specific nouns and adjectives and by choosing vivid verbs that show both action and the emotion of the person doing the action, and will
C. make connections between cause and effect by revealing characters’ choices and their consequences on themselves and others.

• Into the Wild Unit Plan  ( Comprehension, Writing and Critical Thinking Lesson)  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Into-the-Wild-Unit-Plan-1626

This 33-page packet includes detailed teaching plans (with numerous urls to enhance your lessons) and 14 handouts. All of the handouts and teaching ideas are aligned with the Common Core Standards. I also include a sample daily lesson guide, more essay topics and a good deal of expository and creative writing activities (ten short answer questions, ten essay topics and six projects) that will hook students' interest, engage their thinking and increase their writing skills. 

• Into the Wild PowerPoint  ( Comprehension, Writing and Critical Thinking Lesson)   https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Into-the-Wild-PowerPoint-16724 

     

This presentation includes summaries and notes on the people, places and inspirations in Chris McCandless's life, and illustrates his philosophies, exploits and the issues that lead to his abandonment of his family. It compliments my Into the Wild Unit Plan.

This I trio of lessons and activities will Inflame students desire to read, write and think during February's Intransigence.

Stay warm, stay stress-free and stay lesson-planned.

Happy Teaching,

TEACH IT WRITE - BUILD POWERFUL ACADEMIC HOMES

http://teachitwrite.blogspot.com/

English Language Arts Lessons – "FEBRUARY FLAIR Acrostic: Letter A"

By: Connie Casserly

Grades 6-12

 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Connie

Today, February 12th is A day on the English Language Arts Lessons – FEBRUARY FLAIR Acrostic list. 

The A in this post stands for

A 

• Articles and Layout Rubric & Guidelines (Journalism Lessons)  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Journalism-Article-Layout-Rubric-Guidelines-83579

Consistency in articles and layout is the key for producing quality high school newspapers. The two rubrics posted here have been used by the staff for our school newspaper. After compiling student feedback, I chose to focus on the points that cause the most stress, and those which the class has deemed the most important for creating quality pieces.  The layout guidelines refer to the InDesign CS4 program. Although I sell the Taboo Words and Phrases list as a separate posting, since I referred to it in the Articles Rubric, I have included it here. Also included is a sample News article by a young man who shows consistent quality writing. He has given his permission for me to include his piece.

• Analyzing Newspaper Leads and Articles Activities (Journalism Lessons)  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Journalism-Analyzing-Newspaper-Leads-and-Articles-Worksheets-38548

This is a packet of templates for students to analyze various types of leads and articles studied in Journalism 1 (J1), the introductory course that supports the publication of a school newspaper.Teachers may also use them with any advanced Journalism classes to review and reinforce the standards for leads and types of journalistic writing. After they complete the handouts, each student writes a piece on any topic they choose for each genre: News, Features, Sports, Editorials and Reviews.  A sample Journalism syllabus is also included in this offering.

This trio of A lessons and activities will Appeal to your journalism students during these capricious February days.

Stay warm, stay stress-free and stay lesson-planned.

Happy Teaching,

TEACH IT WRITE - BUILD POWERFUL ACADEMIC HOMES

http://teachitwrite.blogspot.com/

English Language Arts Lessons – "FEBRUARY FLAIR Acrostic: Letter L"

By: Connie Casserly
Grades 6-12
 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Connie

Today, February 11th is L day on the English Language Arts Lessons – FEBRUARY FLAIR Acrostic list. The L in this post stands for

L

•  Literature Task Cards (Comprehension, Writing and Critical Thinking Lessons)  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Comprehension-Literature-Task-Cards-1131263 

     

This product offers teachers a set of Elements of Literature Task Cards when they want their students to reinforce, review and develop their understanding of a text, or any time that their students need to work on expanding their comprehension/higher thinking skills and /or writing aptitudes. These cards are beneficial for individual, small group or whole class study and discussion, for in-class writing and for homework.

• Lesson Ideas – Journalism Whole Course  Year Overview and Lesson Ideas (Journalism Lessons)  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Journalism-Whole-Course-Year-Overview-and-Lesson-Ideas-45173

This 14 page posting offers a chronological order of lessons, by quarter, to teach beginning journalism students the basic concepts of journalistic writing such as What is News?, the various structures and genres of journalistic writing,interviewing, learning layout and design and studying media ethics. It offers lessons and activities that reinforces these concepts and prepares students to write and publish a quality high school newspaper.

• Literature Super Bowl - Score With the Literature Super Bowl (Reviewing a Book Lessons) *  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Comprehension-Activity-Score-With-the-Literature-Super-Bowl-1058494

     

This FREEBIE literature review product, Score With the Literature Super Bowl, ties together all of the elements of literature and how they form the structure of any literary text, while preparing students for the assessment. It energizes students to review the novel or narrative nonfiction book that they have been studying prior to an assessment or anytime comprehension reinforcement is needed. This activity not only checks students’ understanding of facts, ideas and details, but it also assesses their analytic and interpretive comprehension, ergo, it develops their higher level thinking skills. A football-themed literature review activity motivates students any time of the year.

• 
  

This L lessons and activities trio will Lure your students to Learn  during February's Lethargic days.

     Stay warm, stay stress-free and stay lesson-planned.

Happy Teaching,

TEACH IT WRITE - BUILD POWERFUL ACADEMIC HOMES

http://teachitwrite.blogspot.com/

English Language Arts Lessons – "FEBRUARY FLAIR Acrostic: Letter F"

By: Connie Casserly
Grades 6-12
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Connie

Today, February 10th is F day on the English Language Arts Lessons – FEBRUARY FLAIR Acrostic list. The F in this post stands for

• Fact- Finding Scavenger Hunt (Journalism Lesson)  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Journalism-Fact-Finding-Scavenger-Hunt-REVISED-19349

One vital aspect of being a successful reporter is learning how and where to find factual information. With this activity, students will use any source that they can, i.e. the internet, the telephone, in-person interviews, etc., to figure out the needed information. An answer key is included. This product offers students the chance to exhibit a number of reporting skills. Although I use this activity for a Journalism 1 class, teachers could also use this in any language arts class to reinforce a lesson on facts vs. opinions or on research techniques.

• Fiction’s Physique Activity (Comprehension and Writing Lesson)  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Comprehension-Critical-Thinking-Skills-Activity-Fictions-Physique-1270261

This English Language Arts activity- Fiction's Physique- enables Middle and High School students to develop their comprehension and reasoning skills as they show- in writing and orally- a story's buff or flabby qualities. Teachers should offer this lesson after students have finished reading the story. When they have completed this activity, students will reveal the buffness of their thinking skills from knowledge through evaluation. 

This F lessons and activities duet will your students Fight February's Fickleness.

     Stay warm, stay stress-free and stay lesson-planned.

Happy Teaching,

TEACH IT WRITE - BUILD POWERFUL ACADEMIC HOMES

http://teachitwrite.blogspot.com/

English Language Arts Lessons – "FEBRUARY FLAIR Acrostic: Letter Y"

By: Connie Casserly
Grades 6-12
 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Connie

Today, February 9th is Y day on the English Language Arts Lessons – FEBRUARY FLAIR Acrostic list. The Y in this post stands for

Y

• You & Me – Mirror Images or Polar Opposites? (Elements of Literature Lesson)   https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Comprehension-Character-Activity-You-Me-Mirror-Images-or-Polar-Opposites-1263319

Sometimes students meet characters that seem like their alter-egos; other times they feel that these people are their polar opposites. In this Language Arts activity, "You & Me: Mirror Images or Polar Opposites?," Middle and High School students choose the character from the story that they are currently studying or from any book that they studied in class this year with which they most identify. 

• You Are Invited (Comprehension, Writing and Critical Thinking Lesson)  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Comprehension-and-Writing-Activity-You-are-Invited-499158

For You are Invited!, students will choose the type of party, the guest list, and more using the information they have gleaned from a text that they have been studying in class or reading independently. They will showcase their knowledge and comprehension through the invitation they design, the people they invite (as well as the reasons for their choices), five conversation topics that would occur during the party, who would be a part of these discussions and why, and their choices and reasons for the food, drink, music and entertainment. 

• You Sent What Cards- A Valentine’s Day Activity ( Comprehension, Writing and Critical Thinking Lesson)   https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Valentines-Day-Comprehension-Activity-You-Sent-What-Cards-522845

Valentine’s Day isn’t always an occasion showcased by happy hearts, aromatic bouquets of flowers and luscious boxes of chocolates. Because of various conflicts, peoples’ words and actions might be prompted by feelings of revenge, sadness and selfishness instead of forgiveness, joy and giving. In this activity, Valentine's Day You Sent What??? Cards, students must consider the characters and their conflicts in the fiction or non-fiction work they are currently reading or in any other literature that they have read this year in school (teacher’s choice). Their finished project will show how these characters would handle Valentine’s Day.

This Y trio of lessons and activities will Yank your students from their February doldrums and hook them into learning and not Yawning. 

Stay warm, stay stress-free and stay lesson-planned.

Happy Teaching,

TEACH IT WRITE - BUILD POWERFUL ACADEMIC HOMES

http://teachitwrite.blogspot.com/