Education Resources Blog

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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Differentiated Instruction | Lessons/Activities/Templates | Student Engagement | Grade Level: Primary (PK-2) | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | Academic Subject: Social Studies and History | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

"Explore Your World" Lesson Plan Unit

By: VariQuest Visual & Kinesthetic Learning Tools
August 17th, 2017

It's back-to-school time, you're crazy busy, and your brain is being stretched in a million different directions. We want to help! In partnership with The Curriculum Corner, VariQuest® presents a cross-curricular free lesson plan unit for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students titled, "Explore Your World."

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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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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

Grade Level: Primary (PK-2) | Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | Academic Subject: Social Studies and History | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Still Need Resources for Women's History Month?

By: Margo Ensz
March 19th, 2015

"The trouble with Women’s History Month—with all these special months—is that they encourage people to think that problems have been solved. The female heroes of yesterday are acknowledged, the debt paid and the slate wiped clean." -Maureen Costello, "The Trouble with Women's History Month" Use this quote and the resources below to discuss the past, present, and future of women's history in the context of Women's History Month.

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Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | Academic Subject: Social Studies and History | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Women's History Month: Interactive Biography Lesson (3-12)

By: Margo Ensz
March 17th, 2015

March is Women's History Month! While the month is half over, there is still plenty of time to engage students of all ages in the history, struggles, and triumphs of women. Below is a brief, customizable lesson using images from Smithville Elementary Library's public blog. Images of notable women in history paired with one actionable word provide groundwork for biographical research and discussion leading into the contemporary.

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Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | VariQuest Tools: Cutout Maker 1800 | Academic Subject: Social Studies and History | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Grades 6-8: The Symbolism Behind Animals of the Chinese Zodiac

By: Julia Cremin
February 2nd, 2015

In this lesson, students will explore the animals that are symbolic of the Chinese Lunar Zodiac Calendar, then use what they have learned to write a poem.

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Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | Academic Subject: Social Studies and History | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities

Grades 9-12: Chinese Dynasties (1,500 BC-Present)

By: Julia Cremin
January 31st, 2015

In this lesson for grades 9-12, students will analyze the impact of physical and cultural geographies on China’s development. First, download the PDF for each of the Chinese Dynasty maps from the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s “The Art of Asia” website. Use the Perfecta 2400 to print each PDF at poster-size. Print multiple copies of a current map of China and surrounding countries for individual student use. Display the Chinese Dynasty map posters around the room for student exploration.

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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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Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | Academic Subject: Social Studies and History | Featured Topics: Classroom Celebrations/Holidays | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities

Martin Luther King Jr: A Fact or Opinion Mini-Lesson (Grades 3-8)

By: Margo Ensz
January 14th, 2015

Subjects: Arts & Humanities, Civics, Holidays, Language Arts, Social Studies, U.S. History Grades: 3-5, 6-8 In this lesson, adapted from an activity on Education World, students will reinforce their understanding of fact and opinion while learning about the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

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Grade Level: Primary (PK-2) | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Academic Subject: Social Studies and History | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Grades K-5: Polling our Pupils

By: Julia Cremin
November 1st, 2014

With Election Day around the corner, now is the time to get students involved in how the election process works and informed about why it is important for them to be voting citizens.

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Poster Maker 3600 | Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Academic Subject: Social Studies and History | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Grades 6-8: Debating Election Issues

By: Julia Cremin
October 28th, 2014

With Election Day around the corner, now is the time to get students involved in how the election process works and informed about why it is important for them to be voting citizens.

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