I'm Throwing a Sale!

It's that time of year again, the time that all parents look forward to and all teachers dread... back to school!

TPT is hosting a massive sale for one day only on 21st August. Hop on over to grab up to 25% off your favourite resources - just click through the image below.

Happy shopping!

And Now For Something Completely Different... And a Special Introductory Offer

For some time now I have had the idea of writing an online course. So last summer I got down to it. I bundled up the finished product and delivered it to the online platform that had agreed to market it.

One year later and I am still waiting for the online platform to deliver on their promises... Frustration city!  So , having given up on the platform that shall remain nameless,  i decided to take the matter into my own hands and publish it myself in my TPT store. 

This is an entirely new departure for me. Although my expertise is in teaching children with English as an Additional Language (EAL), and delivering training is my bread and butter, it is still a little nerve wracking to publish one's work. I have been teaching for over 12 years in a range of settings, including Primary and Secondary schools and adult learning. My current role is EAL Teacher Adviser for the County Borough which involves not only assessing and teaching children with limited English, but also training teachers and support staff, advising on EAL matters, and ensuring that support is targeted, relevant and delivered where it is most needed. I hope that you will benefit from the teaching tips in the course, as well as gain a better appreciation of what it means to be an EAL/ESL learner.

 If you have ever had to teach children with little or no English you will have experienced a range of challenges, from ensuring that the children can access your content to checking their understanding and developing their speaking and listening skills, and finally to assisting them to acquire the complex skills required to write successfully and at an academic level. Packed with teaching tips and strategies, this comprehensive course will significantly boost your confidence in teaching writing to children, especially those with English as an Additional Language. It can also be used in staff training sessions with teaching colleagues to inform their professional development.

This course is specifically suited for anyone who has contact with children with little or no English, whether in a school setting or for parents of EAL children. It is particularly valuable for anyone with responsibility for ensuring that EAL children are able to make progress in the mainstream setting, and preparing them for their academic journey. No longer worry about whether you are doing the best for EAL children in your care and feel confident with your planning, deliver and assessment.

The course is excellent value for money. It comprises an introduction, 5 full modules and a conclusion, as well as some handy quizzes to test your understanding as you work through the modules. I have had to break the course down into 5 separate resources for the purposes of meeting TPT's upload limit , but please read on for a special introductory offer. The full curriculum is outlined below.

Curriculum
• Introduction and Biography

• Module 1 – Setting the Scene
o Part 1 – ESL/EAL and Educational Achievement
o Part 2 – In Their Shoes
o Part 3 – Challenges
o Part 4 – The EAL Learner’s Task

• Module 2 – The Writing Process

• Module 3 – Planning for Writing with EAL Pupils
o Part 1 – Why Plan for EAL?
o Part 2 – The Cummins Model

• Module 4 – Interventions for EAL Pupils
o Part 1 – Differentiation
o Part 2 – Interventions and Accommodations

• Module 5 – Helping Your Child At Home

• And Finally..

Special introductory offer - for a limited period between 4th August and 18th August all modules can be purchased at a special price of just £5. In addition, buy Modules 1-4 and get module 5 free (just drop me a comment via my Facebook page sos-supply after checkout and I will send your freebie by email).

Remember - contact me via my Facebook page (sos-supply) to receive module 5 after you have checked out the first four modules. Offer valid between 4th August and 18th August only. 

And do remember to leave me some feedback - I'd love to know what you think.

Back to School Sale

Here in the UK we have only just broken for the summer, so it might seem a little premature to be thinking about going back to school when most teachers are still in the process of winding down with a pink gin and tonic on their sun loungers somewhere in the Med... But teachers in the US are hard at work preparing for their return to school in just a week or so.

To help with preparations i am joining in with TPT's Back to School sale. For just two days everything in my store has been reduced. Along with curriculum based resources, you will find a range of resources to help you prepare your classroom and to ease your new pupils into their new routine.

First day Jitters 

A bumper pack of activities for those first days back at school. Based around the popular book "First Day Jitters" by Julie Danneberg, the pack contains everything you need to settle your kiddos in and chase away any "first day jitters". The pack includes pre-reading prediction activity, post-reading discussion activity,visualisation, sequencing. story map, letter to Sarah, "My Perfect Day at School" writing activity, what's in your lunchbox? activity, My First Day Jitters,  two truths and a lie,  word wall, student v teacher venn diagram, compound words, congratulations certificate. 

Back To School Bobbleheads

Back to School Bobbleheads is a fun activity to get to know your class during the first days back to school. It also provides opportunities to assess how well children can understand and follow verbal instructions - great for children with English as an additional language!

The activity is in four parts: designing a head, designing a t-shirt, making a key and using their responses in the key to write about themselves. The answers your children give will create a design that is unique to them. 

When the activity has been completed, cut out both parts, glue together and string on bunting for an unusual classroom display. Or simply pin to a wall or notice board.

The pack contains everything you need - just print and go!

Open House/ Meet The Teacher Slideshows

  

  

  

  

 

  

Classroom Organisation

   

  

Pop on over and check out my full range of products. Or if the design you want is not featured, drop me  line and I will create a bespoke resource at no extra cost.

Happy shopping!

Join us on TPT

Join us between June 16th and June 18th to find some fantastic deals on TPT. Just tap #celebratedeals into the search bar and watch the resources pop up. All deals are just $1 (that's around 75p).

Here are a few of my resources that you can find in the deal. Click on the images to take you straight there.

One day left #Memorial Sale

Just for today get these resources for just $1.

This pack of activities aims to teach children about simple 2D shapes and colours. It is suitable for all children, including those learning English as a second language, as it includes all of the vocabulary they need to talk about 2D shapes and colours.The pack includes a variety of activities designed to engage and interest children.

This 36 page pack has been developed to help children in their school work. The activities provide everything you need to revise and assess knowledge of tenses and verbs at grades 3 and 4, and will build confidence and knowledge in essential Literacy skills.

#MemorialTPTSale

It's a hashtag sale.  Just pop #memorialtptsale into the search bar on TPT to find lots of great products at $1 (UK readers - that's around 75p)

Hurry, though - they're only available Sunday - Tuesday

Catalina and the King's Wall Blog Tour

I love to bring you news of new books, and here is one of my favourites.It's by new author Patti Costello - check her out below. We wish her the very best of luck with her book.

Title: Catalina and the King's Wall

Author: : Patty Costello 

Illustrator: Diane Cojocaru

Publisher: Eifrig Publishing 

Publication date: May 5, 2018 

Genre: Children's Book 

Number of pages: 32

The blurb One day Catalina overhears the king planning to build a wall and fears her family will never be able to visit. Catalina tricks the king into building walls that droop, drip, swirl, and swoosh away. But now the king demands a wall that will outlast even a Twinkie. Luckily, Catalina has the perfect ingredients to bake up a family reunion!

Take peek inside the book...

Amazon ~ Eifrig Publishing

About the Author

Patty Costello lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, a crazy awesome toddler, a dog named Pippa, and a dog named Spencer. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of St Thomas and a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota. She currently works in higher education. Catalina and the King’s Wall is her first book. At all hours of the day (and night) she can be found standing at her desk, helping her university run smoothly and working on her next story.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Instagram 

Cathy Duffy Recommended Reads for Homeschoolers - Reading and Writing

Today I tackled my cupboard under the stairs. It's a real treasure trove of stationery, craft supplies and educational books. At the last count it held 5 full sized bookcases (all crammed to bursting) and numerous heavy duty crates. Until today I had no idea what was in my catalogue but was aghast to find I had duplicates of many books, classroom packs of coloured pencils, glue sticks and sticky notes. And I haven't started on the reading books yet! Thinking back what I really needed was a spirit guide or at least less choice, or some recommendations as a starting point. 

This is where Cathy Duffy comes in. Cathy is the know-all when it comes to homeschool curriculum. She has reviewed hundreds of homeschool resources to help educators like me and you make an informed decision when shopping for homeschool curriculum. So as soon as I see a product has been approved by Cathy Duffy, I am more likely to trust it.

In my last post I brought you a selection of  Cathy-approved maths and science picks available at Educents.com. Today's selection is related to reading and writing. I hope these double-recommended educational resources will relieve you from endless hours of shopping around for the best (and most cost-effective) homeschool curriculum.Elementary Reading & Writing

Grammaropolis

 

I can't say enough about story-based learning. It's one of the oldest ways we've learned from each other - starting with fables that teach us to be good to one another. Grammaropolis is a great tool for K-3rd grade learners on their quest for perfect English grammar, which isn't always straight forward! This set comes with animated shorts, music videos, books, and quizzes, so you've got a lot of learning styles covered.

  

A Reason for Handwriting

 

A Reason For Handwriting provides your students with a truly meaningful way to develop their handwriting! Lessons are each built upon a Bible verse which is chosen for encouragement as well as letter combinations. It's been proven that when kids enjoy a subject, they retain more and learn more effectively. A Reason for Handwriting brings enjoyment to the task of learning to write well.

  

Spelling Workout

 Want to build your child's foundation in spelling? Spelling Workout will help create a solid building block of phonics principles. But don't worry, these lessons are not dull! There are puzzles, riddles, and activities that will keep your student's interest. Each bundle includes a Teacher Edition, Student Edition, and Parent Guide.

  

Cathy Duffy Recommended Reads for Homeschoolers - Maths and Science

Sometimes having too many choices isn't actually the most helpful. I remember a time when I was at Thornton's chocolate shop looking for a gift. There was so much to choose from! I just couldn't make up my mind whether to go for milk, dark or white, lemon meringue, blackberry parfait, chocolate mousse or strawberry delight... What's a girl to do? I just bought the shop! That was a time when I wished I'd had less choice, or at least some recommendations as a starting point. 

The same approach applies to educational resources. I have so many books, schemes of work, work plans, assessment packs etc that I could easily open my own library! I wished I'd had someone to guide me. 

This is where Cathy Duffy comes in. Cathy is the know-all when it comes to homeschool curriculum. She has reviewed hundreds of homeschool resources to help educators like me and you make an informed decision when shopping for homeschool curriculum. So as soon as I see a product has been approved by Cathy Duffy, I am more likely to trust it.

Here’s a handful of Cathy-approved educational picks available at Educents.com. I hope these double-recommended educational resources will relieve you from endless hours of shopping around for the best (and most cost-effective) homeschool curriculum.

Elementary Math & Science

Life of Fred Elementary Math

 

 If you haven't heard of Life of Fred, you're in for a real treat. Dr. Stanley F Schmitt is a maths teacher who developed this story-based maths learning series that has taken homeschooling by storm! Forget rote learning that doesn't resonate; learners follow Fred and his pals through life and learn maths concepts along the way. Kids sometimes don't even know they're learning maths until they're told! Each book has a topic, like Apples, Butterflies, and Cats. I recommend supplementing maths learning with science or social studies on the same topic!

   

Math Lessons for a Living Education

 

 Math Lessons for a Living Education is based on the premise that "content, story, and the ability to show maths in real life" is what makes a great maths curriculum! In everyday life, there aren’t barriers between “subjects.” For example, when cooking or baking, we use the skills of reading, logical thinking, and measuring. This "living" maths series is committed to teaching maths in the same organic way!

 

Math Mammoth Light Blue Series

 

 This homeschooling favourite series constitutes a full elementary mathematics curriculum for grades 1-7! Homeschool parents love Math Mammoth because kids can learn on their own with the comprehensive student books, it focuses on conceptual learning, it is visually engaging, and chapters are organised by topics and themes. But don't just take our word for it! Here's what one very happy homeschool parent had to say: "We have tried three different maths curriculum programs but this one seems the best for the teacher and student."

 

A+ Interactive Math (by A+ TutorSoft, Inc.)

Make your homeschool maths journey EASY! This interactive maths curriculum does it all for you--teaching, grading, and tracking! A+ allows you to personalise the lesson plans to target exactly what your student needs. And you have the option to choose whichever format works the best for you: online, on CD, or eBooks.

 

 

Mathematical Reasoning Level A

Do your kids dread maths lessons and drill sheets? This fun and colourful book engages kids with easy-to-follow explanations, examples, and charts. Your kindergartner will learn foundational concepts through these delightful lessons.

     

enVision Math

This visually rich curriculum centres on a topic at a time, allowing your child to master a concept before moving on to the next. Build a strong maths foundation using fun worksheets and activities! Each enVision Math Homeschool Bundle includes a Student Edition Worktext and a Teacher Edition CD-ROM.

     

Middle School Math

Life of Fred Intro to Algebra

 

I really can't say enough about the Life of Fred series! Kids learning algebra and beyond will enjoy the stories and learn the concepts through holistic learning. If your learner is new to Fred but at a more advanced level, it has been recommended that they start from the beginning. That said, re-learning a few known concepts in the Life of Fred framework will help them get up to speed with story and succeed with the series.

 

Life of Fred Financial Choices

 

 As your kiddos get older you may also want to instil strong financial decision-making. The Life of Fred Financial Choices book is a great intro. And if we're being honest, there's never a bad time for parents to brush up on this either!

 

 

Science for the Family

Magic School Bus Nature Bundle

Summer is a great time to get the whole family involved with experiments to foster learning and family bonding! This set comes with four science kits and covers topics like:

• Weather - learn about rainbows, tornadoes, the greenhouse effect, and more.
• Going Green - learn about recycling, compost, and making new paper out of old!
• Solar Energy - watch solar energy inflate balloons and spin a top.
• Wonders of Nature - build an ant hill, dissolve an egg shell, do an animal tracks exercise.

A Reason for Science

"A Reason For Science® is designed to teach basic Life, Earth, and Physical Science concepts through fun, hands-on activities. Its focus is to make learning both fun and meaningful." This interactive science series can involve the entire family as students and parents engage in group discussions and problem-solving. Students can talk through higher-level cognitive questions with this inquiry-based series that gets both minds and hands involved!

   

Science Detective A1

Help your kids be science detectives while engaging them in mind-building exercises! Science Detective will prepare your students for more advanced science courses and give them opportunities to stretch their reading comprehension and reasoning skills.