educational videos

Sequence Text Structure: Guide With Free Learning Resources

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Sequence text structure is the order of events — what happens first, next, and last. It shows up in writing such as directions, timelines, experiments, and how-to texts. When students understand sequence, they can follow steps, retell information accurately, and explain processes without missing or mixing up key details. Free Resources for Sequence Text Structure […]

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Description Text Structure: A Simple Guide With Free Learning Resources

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The description text structure is all about helping readers visualize a topic. Descriptive texts focus on what something is like, with details that highlight features, characteristics, traits, or qualities. This structure is used in nonfiction topics like animals, locations, historical figures, and scientific concepts. It helps kids pay attention to key details, specific vocabulary, and

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Reading Comprehension: Understanding Nonfiction Text 

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Just as there are ways to examine fiction by studying story elements like plot, characters, figurative language, theme, etc. there are also strategies to help readers make sense of nonfiction. An effective way is to recognize text structures, the patterns writers use to organize information and explain ideas. These structures show up in lots of

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Finding Theme in Literature

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Theme is the message, insights, or truths an author explores throughout a story. Theme encourages readers to contemplate life by examining thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Teaching kids to determine the theme is a key component of literary analysis because it goes beyond retelling and listing of events: (“First this happened; then that happened”),  to thinking

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Rocks and Minerals: Essential Everyday Uses

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From the minerals that give color to gemstones and art supplies to the elements hidden inside our smartphones, the study of rocks and minerals offers a variety of real-world connections. Rocks and minerals show up in surprising places. Earth’s materials are everywhere, shaping our homes, products, and tools. Mineral Scavenger Hunt Chart Minerals In Your

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Thanksgiving Books and Activities: Free Resources for Homeschooling

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As the holidays approach, you may be looking for some ways to keep things light and fun while still keeping the learning going. Check out these Thanksgiving-themed titles aligned with free resources across all the major subjects. From turkey crafts that sneak in measurement and geometry to exploring the science behind parade balloons, or diving

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figurative language simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, idiom, allusion, symbolism

Figurative Language and Imagery: Free Resources for Teaching and Practice

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Figurative language enables authors to turn plain sentences into vivid, emotional, and memorable descriptions. In this section, we’ll explore common types of figurative language, such as metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole, idioms, symbolism, allusion, and imagery. Each element works together to add depth and color to both reading and writing. Overviews and Tutorials Imagery Video (with

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halloween trick or treat jack o lantern

Halloween Resource Roundup

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Fun and Free Halloween-Themed Resources to Drop Into Your Homeschool Week Start with the Crash Course Halloween Playlist to get the story behind the holiday. For a deeper dive, World History’s Halloween article gives you the full historical background. Math Elementary (3rd-6th grade): Jack-o’-Lantern Glyph Activity – Practice following directions and data representation. Halloween Word

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a book with sparks flying out

Analyzing Style and Tone in Stories: Free Resources

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Analyzing an author’s language and word choice within a story is another interesting area for literary analysis. The words an author selects significantly influence the mood of a scene, reveal character traits, and shape the reader’s perception of a story. By understanding things like diction, tone, style, and voice, readers can improve their comprehension and

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