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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Grade Level: Primary (PK-2) | Academic Subject: English Language Arts | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

End of Year Reading Celebration! Idea & Resources for Primary Classrooms

By: Margo Ensz
May 5th, 2014

This end of year idea is part of our partnership with two super 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 2400 or VariQuest Poster Maker - just be sure you have the latest VariQuest Software v4.0! Lesson: End of Year Reading Celebration Level: Primary Classrooms Objective: Students will celebrate their reading successes for the current school year. Materials: Dr. Seuss Poster Reading awards for each student in the classroom. Snacks and drinks (if desired) Preparation: Print and display the Dr. Seuss poster in your classroom. Prepare individual student reading awards based on observations of student reading behaviors from Reader’s Workshop. We have included some ideas below. Click on each image to download the PDF Celebration Idea: During one of the final Reader’s Workshop times of the school year have the students gather in an area of the classroom to present awards for reading. Serve snacks and drinks (if desired). Take a moment to discuss each student’s successes in reading and present the student with his/her award. Reading Award Ideas: Most improved reader Always uses independent reading time wisely Stays on topic when talking about reading Pays attention during mini-lessons Chooses just right books The teacher might also think about reading skills that are a strength for each child. Here are some skills to consider: Comprehension Fluency Sight words Writing about reading The teacher might also consider what types of books a child reads and understands well (an expert, so to speak): Fiction Nonfiction Animal books History books Mysteries Popular series Did you like this lesson? Leave a comment and let us know what topics you would like us to cover in future posts and we will work on delivering free resources to help you prepare for your lessons!

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Academic Subject: English Language Arts | Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

End of Year Reading Celebration! Ideas & Resources for Intermediate & 7-12 Classrooms

By: Margo Ensz
May 5th, 2014

This end of year idea is part of our partnership with two super 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 2400 or VariQuest Poster Maker - just be sure you have the latest VariQuest Software v4.0! Lesson: End of Year Reading Celebration Ideas & Resources

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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!

Blog Feature

Academic Subject: English Language Arts | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Featured Topics: Common Core | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Staying on Topic (Intermediate) - Lesson Plan + Templates

By: Margo Ensz
May 1st, 2014

This lesson plan is part of our partnership with two super 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 2400 or VariQuest Poster Maker - just be sure you have the latest version of the VariQuest Software! Mini-Lesson: Staying on Topic Level: Intermediate Objectives/CCSS Alignment: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. Visuals & Materials: Interactive Anchor Chart – Staying on Topic (Iditarod) Peer Check: Focus on Topic conferencing form

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Blog Feature

Academic Subject: English Language Arts | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Featured Topics: Common Core | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Character Traits (Intermediate) - ELA Lesson Plan + Templates

By: Margo Ensz
April 24th, 2014

We are excited to have a partnership with two super-creative educators from The Curriculum Corner! You can expect to see more blog posts containing free Common Core aligned lesson ideas, teacher resources and templates you can easily print with your VariQuest Perfecta Poster Design System - and be sure you have the latest version of the VariQuest Software!

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Blog Feature

Grade Level: Primary (PK-2) | Academic Subject: English Language Arts | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Featured Topics: Common Core | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Staying on Topic (Primary) - Mini-Lesson Plan & Templates

By: Margo Ensz
April 16th, 2014

We are excited to announce our partnership with two super creative educators from The Curriculum Corner! You can expect to see more blog posts containing free Common Core aligned lesson ideas, teacher resources and templates you can easily print with your VariQuest® Perfecta® Series Poster Design System - just be sure you have the latest version of the VariQuest Software! Mini-Lesson: Staying on Topic Level: Primary Objectives/CCSS Alignment: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.5 With guidance and support from adults, focus on a topic, respond to questions and suggestions from peers, and add details to strengthen writing as needed. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.5 With guidance and support from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing as needed by revising and editing. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2.A Introduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful to aiding comprehension. *Note: This lesson addresses the part of the standards highlighted in teal only. Teachers will need to address other parts of the standards in future mini-lessons. Visuals: Interactive Anchor Chart – Staying on Topic (Chameleon) Peer Check: Focus on Topic conferencing form

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Blog Feature

Grade Level: Primary (PK-2) | Academic Subject: English Language Arts | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Featured Topics: Common Core | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Character Traits (Primary) - Mini Lesson & Templates

By: Nina Swienton
April 10th, 2014

Thanks to our partnership with The Curriculum Corner, you can expect to see more blog posts containing free Common Core-aligned lesson ideas, teacher resources and templates to easily create using your VariQuest Perfecta® Poster Design System and Software. Check out their first mini-lesson on understanding and building character traits for primary classrooms:

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Academic Subject: English Language Arts | Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities

Grades 6-8: Mapping out a Story

By: Lindsey Graff
December 13th, 2013

A plot diagram aids students in mapping out how a story’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes.

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Grade Level: Primary (PK-2) | Academic Subject: English Language Arts | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities

Grades K-5: Setting the Foundation for Reading Literature

By: Lindsey Graff
December 13th, 2013

Use a graphic organizer to help students identify and describe the characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details. (RL.1.3)

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Blog Feature

Academic Subject: English Language Arts | VariQuest Tools: Design Center Software | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Featured Topics: Common Core | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Close Reading & the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts

By: Lindsey Graff
November 19th, 2013

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Academic Subject: English Language Arts | Featured Topics: Differentiated Instruction | Featured Topics: Student Engagement | Featured Topics: Professional Development

Differentiated Activities for Engaging Students with Spelling

By: Lindsey Graff
October 7th, 2013

by Emma Dorrance

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