Free Text to Self Student Response Unit 
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day

Need more free ELA resources? Check out my ELA resource page here!

Making text connections. When you think about this important concept we are supposed to teach our kids and classes, it's actually something we do all the time. We might watch a movie and compare it to the book we read (that's text-to-world connection!), we might compare a book we read to another book we read about a similar topic (text-to-text), or we may compare ourselves to a character in book, either feeling what they feel or criticizing their actions (text-to-self). There are many other examples and ways we can make text connections too!

As my own child prepares for sixth-grade English exams for next spring, I realized this is a skill we would need to work on. Although we always talk about these sorts of things in our everyday lives, would she know what to actually do if someone asked her to put that on paper? So here we are with my first text-to-self FULL teaching unit for homeschool or classroom! And with one of my favourite books from my own childhood!

Text-to-self Question Cards

The first part of this unit is all about making your students think of how they connect to the text. In this unit, we'll use a read-aloud version of this story on youtube (you may also just read the book if you'd like!) While you're listening to the story I've made some question cards you can use to get your students thinking and preparing to write their responses. You could use all of the questions or just a few.

These questions all pull your students into the story by trying to connect them to the way the main character, ALexander, feels. Can they relate to him, or not? (If not, don't worry - we've got plans for that later in the unit!). As you ask these questions, your students or yourself can take notes about their responses. You can have them write them down, or discuss them out loud depending on their abilities and how you'd like your lesson to go.

Lesson Plan & Writing Guide

After you've taken the time to dig deeper into how the book might relate to your students feelings, it will be time to write their response. This is included in the lesson plan and includes posters or anchor charts to guide your students through the writing process. It also includes sentence stems that they can use to get started on each part of their paper.

These plans take into account that you'll have students who will feel that they CAN relate to the character, as well as students who feel that they CANNOT relate to the character. There are options for both and they get to choose their own path in their personal response.

Different Options & Independent Work

I've also made sure to include a few different options you can use in your class or homeschool. If you'd prefer to have students write the essay on their own, you can use the personal-sized posters or the one-page response option depending on their response type. This way, if you don't have time to do everything together, kids in grades 5-6 can still easily do this on their own.

I've also included regular-sized and personal-sized posters with strong vocabulary suggestions for some of the emotions they might be expressing in their writing. It's always great to squeeze in some stronger words!

Download the free unit below

You can download this free unit by clicking on the link below. If you do use it I'd love to hear about your experience! Feel free to e-mail me (debbiejeansblog@gmail.com) or send me a message on Instagram!

**TERMS OF USE: This FREE unit is meant to be free and kept free! You may NOT distribute it for profit or sell it for profit. You MAY use it in classrooms (in-person or digital), homeschools, co-ops, tutoring, or pods. You MUST keep my website address (MessyBeautifulFun.com) on each page as it is. Thank you!!**

Download the Text-to-Self Unit Here

Mental Math for 6th Grade Unit 2 
100 Free Exercises

Want more free math resources? Check our my math resources page here!

Are your sixth-graders ready for the next set of Mental Math questions?

Here it is!

If you missed set one you can grab it on my math resource page for free as well! This second unit builds off of that unit and has some all-new fresh questions, with a few new beginning-of-the-year sixth-grade skills too! These questions are great for students following ANY math curriculum or standards, homeschoolers, or classroom teachers.

Take a look at all that is included below and how the units work - then download your free folder to get started!

Mental Math Practice Made Easy!

Practicing mental math exercises is not only important in order to prepare for math exams (especially in Quebec!) but can greatly benefit students as well. Being able to quickly calculate 5.6 x 1000 and coming up with strategies is an important step in students' math journeys. We use quick calculations in daily life every day - allowing students to practice this skill empowers them both in and out of school, well into adulthood.

Mental math exercises can also be beneficial when having to solve larger math problems, like situational problems or project-based learning situations. Students can sort information and make quick calculations to get themselves started and decode math vocabulary much quicker. So whether you're teaching for exams or tests or not, using these slides at home or in school can be a bonus!

The slides included in this unit can be used in any order - so you can mix and match them within this set or even with other mental math sets I've made! This is one way you can eventually re-use these questions later on in the year, doing them in a new order so that students will have forgotten about them and their answers.

Teacher Guide and Student Response Sheets

Mental math isn't a skill that can be memorized - it takes practice and learning new strategies. Included in each unit are different types of student response sheets, a quick-start guide, and responses to the questions for teachers/home educators. It is very important to explain to students that memorizing these answers won't help them answer quicker or be better at the problems. Strategy and practice will help the most - that is why I am hoping to make quite a few of these sets.

You can download this free unit below. You'll be taken to a folder in Google Drive with all of the resources mentioned. These include:

• Google Slides link (to make your own copy) with mental math questions
• PDF version of the slides that can be printed or projected onto a tablet easily
• Student response sheets with 5 or 10 answer spaces and a scorecard below
• Teacher guide with tips and answers

I hope this helps you in your class or homeschool!

**Please note: This FREE resource may be shared for FREE, used in online teaching or in-person teaching so long as my website address (messybeautifulfun.com) remains on every page. You may NOT sell this unit for a fee or distribute it as your own work. Let's keep education free and accessible to everyone! Thank you**

Download the Free Mental Math Unit Here

Quebec Historical Expeditions Unit 2 - Quebec 1905

 Quebec Historical Expeditions Unit 2

Quebec 1905

Want to see more Quebec History resources? Check out my Quebec History page!

Ready for another historical expedition? This time your students will sail over to Quebec around the year 1905. They'll discover the land, the people, the customs and industry, and how it has all changed!

Whether you're a homeschooler or classroom teacher, this resource will make meeting the Quebec progressions of learning for History engaging, fun, and simple!

Google Slides Make Learning an Adventure!

In these digital versions of the units, the student will use their navigation compass to read and research everything they need to learn. It's easy to follow thanks to the compass page that guides kids on their 'expedition' into history. 

Each link corresponds to a response sheet that students will use to show their learning by typing it on Google Slides or writing on the printable version worksheet.

Digital or Printable Options

Every Quebec Historical Expedition unit comes with many options that you can mix and match to suit your learners best. There are printable versions of the texts that students use to research online. This means that you can have them do the research online themselves, OR you can choose to give them the texts on paper or projected onto a screen. There are also both digital and printable student response sheets where kids will get to show what they've learned. These are both perfect for portfolios and can be used with either digital or printable information texts.

Great Rewards for Great Work!

With every unit, students will receive a piece of a map - available in both digital or printable formats. You can choose to use this portion of the program or not, but I highly recommend it! Once they will have completed all 10 of these units for grades 5-6 history, they will complete their maps and have a great way to show everything they have learned.

The best part of this program is how flexible it is. You can choose to have students cover every single progression by completing every single slide, OR you can pick and choose which ones you'd like them to do - and delete the rest. For example, one of my own kids will be using this program this year - since she has already covered part of it, we will do a few pages of unit 1 for review and let her get her first map piece, then move on to the next unit. 

It's completely up to you how much or little they will do.

Progressions? Covered!

Following the Quebec Progressions of Learning for history and geography is a must whether you're a homeschooler or classroom teacher. So I have been sure to include a list of the progressions that each unit covers so you can be assured that you'll be covering them all!

Ready to Download?

I hope this unit will help you in your homeschool or classroom as much as it is helping me! You can download the free unit by clicking on the Google Drive link below. You'll find 4 files including everything I have mentioned above.

**You are free to use this unit in your homeschool, classroom, or digital classroom, so long as my website remains on each page and my credit pages remain in place. You may NOT sell this unit or distribute it for a fee - let's keep learning free and accessible for everyone!**

Click Here to Download the Quebec Historical Expedition Unit 2

 French Sentence Writing Unit for Beginner Learners

Want more free French resources? Check out my French resource page!

Whether or not you're familiar with the French language, teaching kids to write in another language can be daunting! Much of the time, we start by teaching vocabulary and simple phrases - and while that's all amazing, if we ever want our kids to actually write in French they need to be able to build proper sentences - and then string sentences together into paragraphs.

This unit is the perfect place to start if your child has not written in French before or are only just beginning to. It is how I taught my youngest kids to write in French just a year and a half ago, and now they have gone from writing sentences to paragraphs!

Common Words and Nouns

When it comes to common words in language, it is important for kids to memorize these words and how to use them in sentences. Words like I, you, he, she, in front of, behind, a, the - we use them every day. One of the best ways to learn these words is through exposure and consistency - basically using them almost every day. 

This unit includes 162 word cards - most of which are sight words kids can learn. The rest are nouns that are common in our everyday lives that they can add to sentences.

So while 'c'est' (it's) and 'un' (a) might be common words, adding the word 'chat' can turn them into a sentence - "C'est un chat" - It's a cat. 

Every card includes the English translation so that your kids can start by building sentences with those words, and eventually barely need to look at them.

Worksheets for writing and learning

I have also included several worksheets that will help your kid(s) begin to write and use French vocabulary more.

First, there are two sheets where kids can write the sentences they have made using the cards. You can include your own vocabulary words in here too to make even better sentences.

Next, there are sheets for dictations. You could dictate either single words or sentences for them to write down, seeing how well they remember the spelling as well as what the words mean. Afterward, you can go over their writing together and review words if necessary.

Finally, I have included 'My dictionary' page and a page of blank cards where they can keep track of new words they want to add to their sentences. This will be perfect for introducing new vocabulary units and words they learn through reading or speaking.

Quick guides for teachers and parents

I wrote a quick introduction to the unit and how you might use it if your child (and yourself) and not familiar with writing in French. Take as much time as you need to go through each step, until you and your child feel confident expanding their writing.

Download the free unit

To download this unit, simply click on the link below. It will take you to Google Drive where you can download the unit to your own computer or device.

**Please note: This free unit may be shared for FREE so long as my website name remains on every page that it has been placed. You may not sell or distribute this unit for a fee. If you'd like to share this unit online, please do not link directly to the Google doc, but send readers here with a link to this page. Thank you!**

Enjoy learning! 

Download the French Sentence Unit Here

Free Mental Math for Sixth Grade (6th Grade Math Exam prep)

 Free Mental Math for Sixth Grade 

(6th Grade Quebec Math Exam prep) 

Want more free math resources? Check out my math freebie page or my Quebec-specific freebie blog

Math Exams! Do you remember taking math exams in sixth grade? Honestly, I do not - although I know I did! Honestly, at this age, I never pictured my own homeschooled kids taking exams and tests in a building away from home. But over the years our homeschool laws have changed and so we have had to adjust. Now, homeschooled kids in Quebec are required to take exams in grades 6, 10, and 11. 

One of the exams given in sixth grade is the mathematics exam. this exam includes 3 different parts that use regular math problems, situational applications, and situational problems - and mental math! While there is plenty of talk about situational problems in our homeschool groups (and you can find free ones on my math page!) I've had a really difficult time finding mental math problems to practice - and so here we are! I've made some for free :)

The Math Exam and Mental Math

Whether your kids / students are taking the Quebec math exam or not, practicing mental math certainly has benefits! Not only does it make solving math problems in a textbook simpler, but it can really help in kids everyday lives. How many times have you calculated how many quarter cups are in 2 1/2 cups while baking? Or counted how much change quickly the cashier should be giving you? Maybe you've planned a home renovation project and had to estimate how much it would cost, or gone to the store with a budget and shopping list with an estimated total mapped out. We use mental math all the time and having our kids practice it will help them as they grow too.

In the Quebec Mathematics Exam for Sixth Grade, students will have a few mental math questions they will need to answer. (Want to know more? you can see the free guide here!) Although it is not a huge part of the exam, it is always good to help your kids feel prepared and ready when that part of the exam does happen. Practicing mental math strategies and being used to answering simpler questions in 10 seconds or less will allow them to feel confident and good about that portion of the test.

These exercises are meant to replicate that. In the Google Drive you'll access you'll find a few resources:

1. 100 Google slides mental math questions
2. Teacher guide with answers and a how-to page
3. Student response sheets
4. A PDF version of the slides for printing or displaying

Starting Mental Math Slowly and Pacing

This set of sixth-grade mental math exercises will be the first of a few sets that I will be making over the next few weeks. This set is meant for kids who have completed fifth-grade math. The beauty of the slides is that you can choose which ones you will use based on your student's abilities. You can save some for later, skip some completely, or do them all over a few days. 

I have included different student response sheets - one with 10 answers, one with 5 answers, and one blank so that you can choose your pacing and eventually work up to doing 10 exercises per day. Keep in mind if your student has never done mental math before, you may want to start out with a longer time limit or go over some mental math strategies first. 

Download the Free Unit Below

However you use this unit - whether in homeschool or classroom, I hope it benefits you and your learner's educational journey this year! The next sixth-grade unit will be coming soon, so stay tuned for that as well!

DOWNLOAD THE FREE MENTAL MATH HERE

Quebec History for Grades 5-6! Historical Expeditions Unit 1 - Canada Around 1820

 Want to see the units for grades 3-4 or other units in this series? Check out my History Page or Quebec Homeschool site!

I am SO excited to be bringing you this all-new, FREE Quebec-aligned history curriculum for grades 5-6 (elementary cycle 3). One of my kiddos will be in this cycle next year and I'm really excited for her to use this - as well as all of your kids and students!

Just like my Quebec History Mysteries for grades 3-4, this program makes completing the required Quebec history curriculum simple, straightforward, and quick. It allows you and your kids to go at your own pace, and dive deeper into topics you love while getting the rest done.

And since these units are especially for slightly older kids, they have a few more options...

Work Digitally or Offline

For kids in grades 5-6, working more independently is usually a great option, especially if you have other younger kids you need to work with during the day too. These Quebec Expeditions will come in a folder with many options - print OR digital, OR a combo of both!

In the completely digital option, kids can use their Navigation Compass page to answer questions. These compass pages take them to the very awesome LEARN Quebec site that contains all of the information they need to know to fulfill the progressions. They can then show what they have learned by answering questions using Google slides. This allows them to not only work independently but to take the time to explore the Learn QC site more if they wish.

Another option would be to use the included informational texts, which can be printed or projected onto a screen. They can then read the text and fill in their answers. If you don't wish them to use the link at all, you can simply delete the slide that contains the links.

Then there is the printable option!

Here, kids can work completely offline and use only the included informational texts and the printable student answer sheets. You could also allow them to use the links included, but just fill out their answers on paper if they prefer - it's totally up to you and your student(s) to choose how to use this program!

Making Quebec History Motivating

In my Quebec History Mysteries for grades 3-4 I included a reward badge system. Kids collected badges for every unit they completed. In this program, kids will collect pieces of a map. Once they have completed all of grade 5 and 6 units, they will complete their map!

Every map piece contains a title showing the period they have studied as well as a photo or picture from that time. This is a great way to remember everything they have learned and to keep track of their completed units. It's also very motivating! These are also included in both printable and digital formats.

Quebec Progression of Learning Aligned

Whether you're a homeschool parent or a classroom teacher, you no doubt have had to deal with this huge document at some time. While it can seem overwhelming if you've never looked at it before, I can assure you it's pretty straightforward once you get to know it ;) TO make it even simpler to navigate, I've included a  list of all of the progressions that each unit will cover. You can use this to keep track of all of the progressions, or you can use my printable checklist found here alongside this list to check off everything you've covered.

However you choose to use these units, I hope you and your learners enjoy them, and that they make learning history just a little easier and more interesting! The Google drive link below will take you to a folder including all of the options you'll need to use.

For the Google Slides option, simply click on the link included in the document to make a copy of the slide for yourself. These slides will give you everything you need. 

For the printable option, just click on the document, save a copy for yourself, and print it out.

**You may share or print this unit for FREE so long as my website remains on every slide and page and my website pages in the back remain as well. You may NOT sell these products - I made them with the intention of making them accessible for everyone, no matter their budget. Let's keep it that way!**

Enjoy your learning - click the link below to access!

Download the Quebec Historical Expeditions Unit 1 Here

Check out my free Quebec homeschooling site here!

 Quebec History Mystery 23: Thirteen Colonies and New France Around 1745: Similarities and Differences

It's another fun History Mystery for your kiddos to solve! Want to see the other 22 free units? Click here!

Welcome to another History Mystery - the FINAL unit for grades 3 and 4! If you've managed to get through all 23 with your kids, then congrats! That deserves a celebration! They'll have also earned all 23 badges (if you're covering both years)

In this unit, they'll be comparing New France, which they've learned a lot about, to the Thirteen Colonies around 1745.

As always the unit begins with a handy progression of learning checklist so that you know you're covering everything. If you want to keep a full checklist on hand, I have one of those available for free too - you can find them in this folder.

It also includes an easy-to-use QR code that can be scanned with a phone or tablet, or I've included a link if you'd prefer. Here students will need to navigate the page comparing the two societies and do some research to answer the comprehension questions - but don't worry because I've kept that simple to use too!

The comprehension questions are all categorized in the same way that the research page on Learn Quebec is. This way, students can easily locate the pages they need to read in order to answer the questions. 

These questions are perfect for showing what your child has learned in their homeschool or class portfolios - but they're also excellent for keeping things simple. If you'd like to dig deeper into a period in history then you can. If you'd like to just use the unit and answer the questions, then that's all you need to do to follow the progressions.

At the back of this unit, and most others, there are also extra maps and resources you can use during your lesson to get a better look at the societies you're learning about. of course, the badges are also here for your child to collect as they learn about history.

You can download this FREE unit by clicking on the link below.

**All I ask is that when sharing this unit online you share the link to this blog, NOT the google drive link. This helps keep traffic down and the link usable for everyone. If you're sharing a paper version with a friend or class that is fine too, so long as my website name remains in the corners of each page.

Thank you and enjoy learning!

Download the Free Quebec History Mystery 23 Here