Peppermints and Diamonds

"Better Than Book Reports" is an educational resource book by Christine Boardman Moen. It is designed for teachers and parents to make book report assignments more creative, engaging, and enjoyable for students. The book provides ideas for alternative book report projects that move beyond traditional written reports, helping students develop critical thinking, creativity, and a love of reading. Key Features of the Book Creative Activities : The book offers over 40 activities that encourage students to respond to literature in unique ways. For example: Designing book jackets. Writing letters to characters. Creating dioramas or comic strips. Multi-Disciplinary Approaches : The projects integrate reading with other subjects like art, drama, and technology, allowing students to express their understanding of books in different ways. Adaptable for Different Ages : Activities are suitable for a range of grade levels, primarily aimed at elementary a...

Picture Word Lotto by Usborne is a fun and interactive game designed to help children improve their vocabulary and word recognition skills. Here's how to play: What’s in the Box? Picture Boards : Boards with illustrations and words corresponding to specific themes (e.g., animals, everyday objects). Word Cards : Cards with individual words that match the pictures on the boards. Instructions : Provided in the box, but here's a simplified guide. How to Play Setup : Each player chooses a picture board. Shuffle the word cards and place them face down in a pile or spread them out. Objective : Be the first player to match all the word cards to the corresponding pictures on your board. Basic Gameplay : Players take turns picking a card from the pile or selecting a card from the spread. Read the word on the card aloud. (An adult or teacher can help younger children.) If the word matches a picture on your board, place the card over that picture. ...

Some of the best YouTube channels for teaching English to children, offering engaging content that makes learning fun and accessible for young learners: 1. Super Simple Songs Channel: Super Simple Songs Why it's great: Super Simple Songs is famous for its catchy songs that teach vocabulary, simple sentence structures, and basic grammar. The animation and repetitive lyrics make it easy for children to remember new words. 2. Peppy Pals Channel: Peppy Pals Why it's great: This channel offers fun and educational content for kids, focusing on social-emotional learning, problem-solving, and simple English language skills. It uses colorful animations to engage young children. 3. StoryBots Channel: StoryBots Why it's great: StoryBots creates entertaining songs and stories that help children learn English. The characters and songs are engaging, and the topics cover everything from the alphabet to basic concepts like colors and numbers. 4. Learn English Kids - British Cou...

Murphy's Essential Grammar in Use Books are some of the most popular self-study grammar resources for English learners. They are part of the "In Use" series, written by Raymond Murphy, and are designed for beginner to intermediate learners. These books are widely used in classrooms and by independent learners because of their clear explanations and effective exercises. Here’s a closer look at the different editions: 1. Essential Grammar in Use (A1-A2 Level) Target Audience: Beginner to elementary learners. Content: This book covers the fundamentals of English grammar, such as present simple, past simple, future forms, questions, articles, and basic sentence structures. It’s structured to build a strong foundation in grammar. Features: Clear explanations with lots of examples. Practice exercises to reinforce grammar points. Answer key provided for self-study. Illustrations and visual aids to make explanations easier to understand. 2. Inter...

A list of movies that are great for beginner English learners, as they feature simple dialogue, clear pronunciation, and accessible plots: 1. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) Why it's good: The dialogue is relatively simple, and the movie deals with themes of determination and success, which makes it motivational for students. Skill focus: Vocabulary related to work, family, and perseverance. 2. Finding Nemo (2003) Why it's good: It’s an animated film with clear and slow speech, making it easier to follow. The visuals also help with understanding context. Skill focus: Everyday vocabulary and expressions, simple storytelling. 3. Toy Story (1995) Why it's good: The movie is lively, with short and simple sentences, great for beginners. The animation and the voice acting make it easy to understand. Skill focus: Basic vocabulary and expressions, familiar situations. 4. Forrest Gump (1994) Why it's good: The language used in the film is sim...

If you click on the links and then click open, you will go the channel 1. English Addict with Mr. Duncan Channel: Mr. Duncan's English Addict . https://youtu.be/7_qg_KVByS0?si=LLrhXudE4BbaPXT Mr. Duncan has a very engaging and energetic teaching style. His videos cover a wide range of topics, from basic grammar to more advanced English usage, all in an easy-to-follow format. 2. BBC Learning English Channel: BBC Learning English https://youtu.be/wCgPjVzREqs?si=xYvo0bVbWvHLbQez BBC Learning English offers a variety of lessons that cater to beginner learners. They have clear explanations and engaging videos focusing on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. 3. EnglishClass101 Channel: EnglishClass101 https://www.youtube.com/live/hB5YaNzIJBY?si=cRyHygrhnzo-gJLj This channel provides great lessons on English vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, along with a focus on conversation and real-life English situations. 4. EngVid Channel: EngVid https://yout...

Kmart New Zealand offers a range of books from Parragon Books' "First Readers" series, designed to support early readers with simple narratives and engaging illustrations. The available titles include: Jack and the Beanstalk – A classic tale of a boy who climbs a magical beanstalk and encounters a giant. The Three Little Pigs – The story of three pigs building homes of different materials and outsmarting a wolf. The Gingerbread Man – A lively tale about a gingerbread man who escapes his pursuers. Goldilocks and the Three Bears – A girl explores the house of three bears, sampling their food and belongings. The Ugly Duckling – A touching story of a bird who grows from an outcast into a beautiful swan. Sleeping Beauty – A princess cursed to sleep for a hundred years is awakened by true love's kiss. For availability, check Kmart's official website or contact the Christchurch store directly, as stock may vary.

The Big Fat Complete English Language Workbook (UK Edition) is a comprehensive resource designed to enhance students' English Language Arts (ELA) skills. Published by Workman Publishing on September 5, 2024, this workbook spans 432 pages and is part of the acclaimed Big Fat Notebooks series.  This write-in workbook offers concept recaps, annotated examples, and over 130 exercises aimed at helping students think critically, write effectively, analyze texts, and practice essential literary skills necessary for excelling in English class.  The Big Fat Notebooks series is renowned for breaking down complex subjects into accessible and engaging content, making learning enjoyable and effective for middle and high school students.  You can purchase The Big Fat Complete English Language Workbook (UK Edition) from several retailers in New Zealand: Paper Plus: This workbook is available in trade paperback format.  BookHub: The workbook is listed under the reference...

Rainbow Sentences by Junior Learning is an interactive educational tool designed to enhance children's literacy skills through hands-on sentence construction. This magnetic set includes 160 pieces featuring a variety of nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, sight words, and punctuation marks. The color-coded system helps children understand the different parts of speech and how they combine to form complete sentences. The set comes in a portable pop-up box with a built-in magnetic board, making it convenient for both classroom and home use. Rainbow Sentences is suitable for children aged 5 to 8, corresponding to grades 2 through 4. It's an excellent resource for stimulating creativity and making the process of learning sentence structure engaging and fun. You can purchase the Rainbow Sentences resource from several retailers in New Zealand: Junior Learning New Zealand : Available directly through their website for $39.99 NZD. OfficeMax New Zealand : Listed at ...

Some excellent places to find free ESL resources: 1. ESL Library Free Resources While ESL Library is mostly a paid site, it occasionally offers free lesson plans and activities. Check their blog and free downloads section regularly. 2. Breaking News English Free lessons based on current news stories. Includes reading comprehension, vocabulary, and speaking activities. 3. Ellii (formerly ESL Library) Blog Offers free downloads of lesson activities for various levels. 4. Teaching English (British Council) A rich collection of free lesson plans, games, and teaching materials organized by level. 5. ISLCollective A huge database of worksheets and PowerPoint presentations created by teachers for teachers. 6. ThoughtCo ESL Free grammar, vocabulary, and conversation lesson ideas for all levels. 7. One Stop English Includes free lesson plans, worksheets, and teaching tips. Some resources are premium, but their free section is robust. 8. Kibin Offers printable worksheets and lesson a...

The Junior Illustrated Thesaurus is a resource designed for younger audiences, usually aimed at children around 8 to 12 years old. It serves as an accessible tool for expanding vocabulary and improving writing skills by offering synonyms and alternative phrases in an easy-to-understand format. Here are some highlights of the book: Features: Illustrations: The book is filled with engaging pictures, making it visually appealing and easier to navigate for children. Child-Friendly Language: The synonyms and definitions are explained in simple, concise terms to ensure understanding. Thematic Organization: Many editions organize words into themes, such as emotions, actions, or descriptive categories, which helps children connect words to specific contexts. Usage Examples: Example sentences or phrases are included to demonstrate how synonyms can be used effectively. Color Coding: Often, related words are grouped with colors or icons to make it even more accessible. Benefits for ES...

Scrabble is a word game for 2–4 players where you score points by forming words on a game board using letter tiles. Here's how to play: --- Setup 1. Game Board: The board has a 15x15 grid with special bonus squares (e.g., Double Word Score, Triple Letter Score). 2. Tiles: Each player draws 7 tiles from the tile bag. These are your letters. 3. Tile Rack: Place your tiles on a rack, hidden from other players. --- Objective Score the most points by creating words on the board using your tiles. Words must connect to existing words, like a crossword puzzle. --- Gameplay 1. Starting the Game: The first player must place a word that crosses the star square (center of the board). Words can be horizontal (left to right) or vertical (top to bottom). 2. Making a Move: On your turn, form a word using your tiles and place it on the board. All words must be valid (use a dictionary if needed). Tiles must connect to existing words (except the first move). Replace the number of tiles yo...

"My First 1000 Words" is a children's vocabulary book published by Autumn Publishing. It serves as an essential reference tool designed to help young learners develop early vocabulary, which is a fundamental building block of literacy. The book is presented in a hardcover format, comprising 96 pages. Its dimensions are approximately 22.6 x 1.2 x 27.5 cm. The publication date is listed as August 31, 2024. While specific content details are limited, similar vocabulary books typically feature colorful illustrations accompanying each word, organized into thematic sections to facilitate learning. These themes often include topics like animals, household items, and outdoor scenes, providing a comprehensive and engaging learning experience for children. For purchasing options, "My First 1000 Words" is available through various online retailers, including Amazon. Availability and pricing may vary depending on the retailer and your location. "My Firs...

Find Someone Who Students ask classmates questions (e.g., "Do you like pizza?") to find someone matching a description on a worksheet. Two Truths and a Lie Each student shares three sentences about themselves—two true, one false. Others guess which is the lie. Word Association Students take turns saying a word related to the previous one (e.g., "apple" → "fruit" → "orange"). Team and Group Games 20 Questions One student thinks of a word; the others ask yes/no questions to guess it. Charades with Questions A student mimes an action, and classmates ask questions to figure it out (e.g., "Are you dancing?"). Picture Story Relay Groups describe and sequence a set of pictures to tell a story. Who Am I? Students wear a name tag (e.g., "cat" or "teacher") on their forehead and ask classmates yes/no questions to guess it. Taboo Students describe a word without using a list of “t...

Get organized with a planner or calendar Set academic goals Prioritize your time and tasks Create a study schedule Stay focused in class Take notes effectively Ask questions when you don't understand Form study groups with classmates Engage in class discussions Seek help from teachers or tutors Utilize online resources for extra help Practice good time management Break tasks into smaller, manageable parts Get plenty of rest and exercise Eat well-balanced meals Limit distractions while studying Find a quiet place to study Avoid cramming for exams Review material regularly Stay positive and motivated Develop good study habits Take care of your mental health Practice mindfulness and stress-reducing techniques Develop good writing and communication skills Read regularly to improve vocabulary and comprehension Use flashcards to review key concepts Stay organized with binders and folders Set aside time for relaxation and hobbies Attend all classes and participate actively See...

  Vocabulary and Grammar Fill-in-the-Blanks: Provide sentences with missing words to reinforce vocabulary or grammar. Word Matching: Match words to their definitions or pictures. Word Search: Create a grid with hidden vocabulary words to find. Crossword Puzzle: Use clues to complete a crossword with vocabulary words. Sentence Scramble: Rearrange scrambled words into proper sentences. Multiple Choice Questions: Test understanding of grammar, vocabulary, or sentence structure. Cloze Test: Provide a paragraph with missing words to practice contextual vocabulary. Word Formation: Transform root words to fit sentences (e.g., "happy" to "happiness"). Error Correction: Find and correct grammar or vocabulary mistakes in sentences. Reading and Comprehension True or False: Read a short passage and mark statements as true or false. Gap-Fill Paragraphs: Fill missing words in a text to test comprehension and vocabulary. Matching Headings: Match headings to...

Here are several fun and educational games you can play with alphabet flashcards: 1. Alphabet Relay How to play : Spread the flashcards around the room. Call out a letter or the sound it makes, and players race to find the correct card. Skills : Letter recognition, listening, and movement. 2. Letter Match How to play : Mix uppercase and lowercase cards. Players match them correctly. Skills : Matching, uppercase/lowercase recognition. 3. Alphabet Memory How to play : Lay cards face down. Players flip two cards at a time, trying to match uppercase and lowercase letters. Skills : Memory, concentration. 4. I Spy Alphabet How to play : Place cards face up. Say, "I spy a letter that starts with the word apple ," and players pick the letter. Skills : Letter-sound association. 5. Letter Race How to play : Split cards into two piles. Two players race to put the alphabet in order. Skills : Sequencing and speed. 6. Word Builder How to play : ...