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: 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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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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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: 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: Primary (PK-2) | Academic Subject: English Language Arts | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | Featured Topics: Common Core | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Picture Book Month: Reflections + Lesson Plans

By: Julia Cremin
December 2nd, 2014

I’ve been particularly drawn to picture books recently, and not just because it was just Picture Book Month. Children of all ages love listening to a story, which makes a read aloud an engaging way to introduce a new unit of study at any grade level. As a language arts teacher, I frequently use mentor texts as a springboard for discussion about a topic, or to model reading and writing strategies I want students to emulate. Continue reading to learn how I incorporate picture book read alouds in my 6th grade Reading and Language Arts class.

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Blog Feature

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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Featured Topics: Character Education | Featured Topics: Differentiated Instruction | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Cooperative Learning: A Social Activity

By: Margo Ensz
October 29th, 2014

"The best way to learn is to teach.” As Robert Slavin puts it, this is “the secret behind cooperative learning.” So, what is cooperative learning? It is a form of classroom group work that educators deem extremely effective. Instead of competitive or independent goals in group work, cooperative learning emphasizes working together.

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Blog Feature

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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Academic Subject: English Language Arts | VariQuest Tools: Perfecta 2400 | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Awesome Poster Alert! The Bones of a Good Essay

By: Margo Ensz
October 25th, 2014

This week We Are Teachers released this cool and seasonal poster--"The Bones of a Good Essay." Here's what they had to say:

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Blog Feature

Grade Level: Primary (PK-2) | Grade Level: Secondary (7-12) | Grade Level: Intermediate (3-6) | VariQuest Tools: Poster Maker 3600 | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Back to School Activity: Positing Post-It Questions

By: Margo Ensz
August 16th, 2014

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Featured Topics: Industry News and Trends | Featured Topics: Differentiated Instruction | Featured Topics: Student Engagement | Featured Topics: Lessons and Activities | Featured Topics: Templates for FREE download

Interactive PDF: Anchor Charts in the 21st Century Classroom

By: Margo Ensz
August 12th, 2014

Wondering how to integrate anchor charts and traditional classroom visuals with tablets, classroom computers, and interactive whiteboards? We created an interactive PDF (only 8 pages long) that details ways to integrate anchor charts into the technology-equipped classroom. Here's a sample of the sections included:

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