learning videos

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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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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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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Homeschool Lessons Using Hyperdocs: Ideas and Examples

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If there’s one thing homeschool parents desire and appreciate in a homeschool curriculum, it’s adaptability and versatility to meet the diverse needs of learners. Hyperdocs can do just that, offering flexibility, ease of use, and customization options for homeschoolers. These free digital tools can be used with a variety of age groups, can complement existing curricula,

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Read Stories For Learning & Avoid Dull Textbooks

Leave a Comment / History & Geography, Ideas & Tips, Math Posts, Reading & Writing, Science Posts /

During our family’s time homeschooling, regular trips to the library were among our favorite activities. The kiddos would each return home with an armful of books spanning topics from A to Z. While some were purely for entertainment, others helped to build knowledge about the world. They learned content in all the major subjects without

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