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August 2007, Volume 1

	Dear Teacher, While you've been preparing to go back to school, we've been collecting all of our best teaching advice, icebreakers, and printable forms to make your life easier! Plus, our new slideshows will provide an overview of some great teaching tips, and show you some resources you can use from the first day of school to the last. September 3 is Labor Day. Why not celebrate with a unit on important members of the community – like firefighters, police officers, and teachers? You can even hold a job fair to help students learn about different professions, and decorate your classroom with occupation-themed bulletin boards. Open House Night is a great way to connect with parents and lay out your plans for the school year. You can decorate your classroom with your students' favorite work, print homework advice to give to curious parents, and prepare yourself for questions and concerns by reading our guide to hosting a successful Open House. Don't forget: September is National Literacy Month. Best Wishes, The Editors of TeacherVision.com FEATURED THEMES Back to School The first day of school sets the tone for the rest of the school year. Make sure it goes well, with our help. Icebreakers Slideshow FAQs for the First Day of School Self-Portrait Class Book Establishing Trust Lesson Planning Forms and Resources Map Library Class Constitution (Lesson Plan) Rubrics Library New Teacher Awards, Certificates, and Notes Slideshow Behavior Management: Locus of Control Thinking About the First Day of School Math Reference Handouts Weekly Lesson Plan Form Getting to Know You Bingo More Labor Day Help your students understand the meaning of Labor Day – celebrated on September 3 – with these resources and activities. The Story of Labor Day People Who Help Keep Us Safe (Bulletin Board) Occupations with the Largest Job Growth 2004-2014 Jobs that Depend on Other Jobs Labor Day Newspaper (Lesson Plan) Job Fair (Lesson Plan) People Who Help Us Stay Healthy (Bulletin Board) Strides for Women Posters (Lesson Plan) People Who Help Us Learn (Bulletin Board) Kids at Work Rocks in My Pocket (Lesson Plan) People Who Help Us Build Our Homes (Bulletin Board) More National Literacy Month During September, National Literacy Month, focus on reading and language arts – from learning to read, to reading comprehension, to journaling. The Skills Kids Need to Read Reading Strategies Literacy Centers Establishing the Main Idea Reading Carnival Reading Workshop Phonemic Awareness Syllable Awareness Reading Record Chart Phonics Writing Aloud Reading Printable Activities Language Arts Strategies Reading Strategy Inventory Reading Resources Journaling Strategies More TEACHING TOOLS Open House These resources, printables, and activities will help you prepare your students, your classroom, and yourself for a successful Open House. Hosting a Successful Open House First-Grade Open House (Printable) Fourth-Grade Open House (Printable) Help Parents Deal with Homework Organization: Advice for Parents An Autobiographical Poem Getting Parents Involved Invitation to Open House—Sample Letter Bulletin Boards Slideshow Cinquain Mosaics Building Skills Handouts Parents Volunteering Survey Science in Art: Modeling Dough Handprints More				Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows   Our resources on the brand-new Harry Potter book are sure to excite your students. But beware – reading the quizzes will spoil the story! Book Review (Spoiler-Free) Quiz 1 (Advanced) Quiz 2 (Advanced) Quiz 3 (Advanced) Quiz 4 (Advanced) More Harry Potter   Patriot Day To commemorate September 11, 2001, and Patriot Day, review our resources on talking to kids about violence, conflict, and tragedy. Encourage them to express their feelings about these subjects creatively. Word Fun Printables   Get your students excited about Reading and Language Arts with these fun printables, for Grades 1-3. Color the Rhyme Mix and Match Colors A Dear Tale or a Deer Tail? Homonyms the Easy Way Related Words More   Celebrate Roald Dahl Day! Plan a splendiferous event in honor of Roald Dahl's birthday on September 13th, or any other simply marvelous day! Download scrumdiddlyumptious activities and a gloriumptious bookmark. Find everything you need to make Roald Dahl Day a success! Timely Topics   International Art Appreciation Day (August 9) National Friendship Week (August 12-18) Panama Canal Opened (August 15, 1914) Women's Equality Day (August 26) International Blog Day (August 31) Labor Day (September 3) Wizard of Oz Published (September 3, 1900) Babe Ruth Hits First Home Run (September 7, 1915) International Literacy Day (September 8) Grandparents Day (September 9) Patriot Day (September 11) International Chocolate Day (September 13) Alexander Fleming Discovers Penicillin (September 15, 1928) Constitution Week (September 16-22) Mexican Independence Day (September 16) Shel Silverstein's Birthday (September 25, 1930) More August Events More September Events