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VariQuest Blog

The VariQuest Visual and Kinesthetic Learning Suite Blog contains resources on classroom ideas, lesson plans, industry news, events, and offers throughout education.

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Lessons/Activities/Templates | Student Engagement | Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | Featured Topics: Classroom Celebrations/Holidays | Academic Subject: Interdisciplinary | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Academic Subject: Mathematics

[Lesson Plan] Pi Day Activities for Upper-Elementary and Middle School Students

By: VariQuest Visual and Kinesthetic Learning Suite
March 11th, 2024

Circumference, diameter, radius, apple, cherry, rhubarb?! "Pi Day" is celebrated annually on March 14th (Get it - 3.14?!) and we're here to help you celebrate! According to piday.org, the concept of celebrating Pi Day on March 14th was started by physicist Larry Shaw at San Francisco’s Exploratorium science museum in 1988, earning him the title "The Prince of Pi!" Every year there since, a circular parade features each person participating holding one digit in the number pi. In 2009, Congress passed Resolution 224, which designated March 14th as Pi Day hoping to cultivate a higher level of enthusiasm for math and science among American students. In this lesson plan, designed for students in upper-elementary and middle school grades and customizable for the needs of your classroom, students will work through activities coupled with printables to explore the concept of Pi. Created in partnership with Cathy Henry, educator and founder of The Curriculum Corner and Free Word Work, you'll explore common terms and discussion questions related to circles and spheres (and if-you-so-choose, tasty bakery treats!)

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Lessons/Activities/Templates | Student Engagement | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | Academic Subject: Interdisciplinary | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Academic Subject: Mathematics | social-emotional learning | classroom management

[Lesson Plan] Menu Math for Grades 3-6

By: VariQuest Visual and Kinesthetic Learning Suite
February 1st, 2024

Real-world-application learning is where learning takes real flight! We're so proud when our students master a concept, but even more proud when they can apply it to their everyday lives. In this lesson plan, designed for students in grades 3-6 and created in partnership with Cathy Henry, educator and founder of The Curriculum Corner and Free Word Work, students will study, plan, and create their own restaurant menus based on their own family foods and cultural traditions - plus create and solve multi-step math problems in "running" their restaurant. They will use creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills - making this a very useful interdisciplinary activity!

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How to Write a Grant eBook

How to Write a Grant eBook

This helpful guide includes an explanation of the grant process, including a checklist (with samples!), and useful links and resources to find funding!

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Lessons/Activities/Templates | Academic Subject: Interdisciplinary | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities

Dialed In: How to Bring Global Awareness Into the Classroom

By: Carman Le
February 21st, 2019

I remember when I started teaching, my students were acquiring more "life experiences" than I was. They were traveling abroad, going to the beach, hiking mountains...anything and everything. It made for great discussions in class and helped them accumulate a deep vault of background knowledge. However, in the last generational shift, much of the time spent on experiences has moved to scheduled sports or programmed activities. Both are fine, but there may be a gap widening among our students that we need to help fill in our classrooms. The best part about filling this gap with your students involves watching their awe and wonder as they learn things about the world beyond their walls and feeling proud that it was thanks to you. If you would like to start working with students to bring global awareness into your classroom, I've got a few ideas to start you out...

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Academic Subject: Arts and Music | Academic Subject: Interdisciplinary | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Self Awareness: Lesson Plan for Grades 4-8

By: Geena Maharaj
May 18th, 2015

This lesson plan is part of our partnership with two creative educators from The Curriculum Corner, bringing you free Common Core aligned lesson ideas, teacher resources, and templates you can easily print with your VariQuest® Perfecta® Poster Design System - just be sure you have the latest version of the VariQuest Software!

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Featured Topics: Industry News and Trends | Featured Topics: Student Engagement | Academic Subject: Interdisciplinary | Featured Topics: Professional Development

The Importance of Kinesthetic Learning

By: Geena Maharaj
May 13th, 2015

Imagine if educators were required by law to hand out straitjackets to students before school started. There's no filibuster long enough that could save any lawmaker from the angry mob of parents and teachers that would follow. But where's the public outcry when that immobilizing jacket is invisible? Students' ears are constantly being fed with information, and their eyes are getting their fill, too. But without the use of kinesthetic tactics in teaching, retention rates among students plummet.

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VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | Academic Subject: Social Studies and History | Featured Topics: Classroom Celebrations/Holidays | Academic Subject: Interdisciplinary | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

5 Posters for Earth Day!

By: Margo Ensz
April 20th, 2015

Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22nd. This special holiday provides an opportunity to teach children and young adults about sustainability, day-to-day "green" practices and the importance of environmental care. Below are 5 high-resolution, downloadable posters meant to provoke thoughts, lend ideas, and inspire students, staff, and parents to make green choices.

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Featured Topics: Character Education | Featured Topics: Student Engagement | Academic Subject: Interdisciplinary | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

5 Colorful Classroom Management Posters

By: Margo Ensz
February 25th, 2015

What is your classroom identity? What do teachers and staff expect of students? What do students expect when they walk in the classroom? Classroom management is important for every teacher, regardless of subject and grade level. Teachers want to spend their time teaching, so an effective classroom management strategy can help minimize disruptions.

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Grade Level: Primary (PK-2) | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Cutout Maker 1800 | Academic Subject: Social Studies and History | Featured Topics: Classroom Celebrations/Holidays | Academic Subject: Interdisciplinary | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities

Chinese New Year: Compare, Contrast, and Celebrate! (K-5 Lesson)

By: Julia Cremin
January 22nd, 2015

Looking for resources for the 2020 Chinese New Year? Check out our blog post here. The Chinese New Year falls on February 19, 2015. In this lesson, students will read about Chinese New Year traditions, compare them to American traditions, then celebrate by practicing one of the Chinese New Year traditions.

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Academic Subject: English Language Arts | Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | VariQuest Tools: Awards Maker 400 | Academic Subject: Interdisciplinary | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities

End-of-Year Activity for Grades 9-12: Spread the Word!

By: Margo Ensz
May 8th, 2014

Inspire students to share their love of literature by creating a bumper sticker with their favorite literary quote using the VariQuest Awards Maker.

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Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | Academic Subject: Interdisciplinary | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

End-of-Year Activity for Grades 6-8: Advice Column Scavenger Hunt

By: Margo Ensz
May 7th, 2014

What better way to welcome new students in your class next year than to share advice from your current students?

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