Author name: lisa@onthemarkcurriculum.com

Teaching cursive can feel like navigating uncharted waters—especially now that it’s a required part of the Grades 2–4 curriculum. Between perfecting letter forms, ensuring proper spacing, and keeping lessons engaging, teachers need resources that deliver clarity, consistency, and confidence for both modern and traditional cursive instruction. Why Cursive Matters Today Cursive handwriting offers more than …

Unlock Seamless Cursive Instruction with Modern & Traditional Styles Read More »

Each lesson highlights one or more curriculum strands at the top of the page, promoting a cross-strand learning approach that encourages holistic development for students. The lessons are carefully crafted to provide students with opportunities to explore personal safety concepts while actively practicing social and emotional skills. This integrated approach supports both academic and personal …

Empowering Kids Through Safety Lessons for 4th Grade Teachers Read More »

Attention all educators! Are you looking for a fun and engaging way to improve your third grader’s reading skills? Look no further than Yum Yum Poutine! This short story is not only a delicious Canadian dish, but also a fantastic learning tool for your child. With each story and accompanying activities, your little reader will …

#PoutinePerfection: How Yum Yum Poutine Can Transform Your Third Graders’ Non-Fiction Reading Abilities! Read More »

Have you ever stopped to think about what plants need in order to survive? Sure, we all know they need sunlight and water, but what about everything else? In Lesson Nine of our 4th grade life science curriculum, we will delve into the fascinating world of plants and their basic needs for growth. From the …

What do Plants Need to Grow? Lesson Read More »

Did you know that reading can take you on wild and exciting adventures? Well, that’s exactly what happens in the novel Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown. This beloved children’s book follows the story of an ordinary boy named Stanley who, after a strange accident, becomes as flat as a pancake and embarks on a series …

Flat Stanley Novel Study Read More »

Did you know that the average child spends only 3.6 minutes a day engaged in outdoor activities? Yet, studies show that spending time in nature not only improves cognitive skills but also reduces stress, increases creativity, and fosters a sense of wonder and exploration. So how can we inspire children to appreciate and protect our …

Wolf Island Novel Study Read More »

  Did you know that children who are exposed to creative writing at an early age are more likely to develop stronger language and communication skills? As a first grade teacher, I have seen the power of incorporating fun and imaginative activities into the classroom, especially when it comes to writing. That’s why I am …

These Hilarious Illustrations Will Get Your 1st Graders Writing their Best Stories Yet! Read More »

Kids love funny stories. But what if those stories could also help them develop important comprehension skills and expand their creativity? That’s exactly where the wild things are! In this article, we will explore a variety of comprehension activities to accompany the beloved book “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak. From story maps …

Where the Wild Things Are – Comprehension Questions Read More »

Light and Sound: two elusive concepts that surround us every day, yet are difficult to put into words. As teachers, it can be challenging to help our students understand and define these fundamental elements. But fear not, for we have the perfect solution. In this article, we will explore exciting and age-appropriate activities that will …

Introduction of Light Grades 1 to 3 Read More »

Magnetic forces are all around us, from the pull and push of Earth’s poles to the invisible forces that keep our refrigerators and doors closed. It’s a concept that can be both fascinating and confusing for young students in their 1st to 3rd grade years. But what if I told you that you could teach …

Magnetic Strength Grades 1 to 3 Read More »

Did you know that paper is made up of about 50% air? Or that a piece of metal can be both strong and flexible? As children, we often take for granted the objects and materials that surround us, but have you ever stopped to wonder about their unique properties? In this article, we will dive …

Properties of Matter & Materials Read More »

Unlock the power of phonics for 1st graders: 32 weekly lessons for a 100% success rate! Week 1: Initial Consonants: Ss, Mm, Tt Objective: To teach and review the initial consonants Ss, Mm, and Tt The foundation of strong reading skills is built upon a solid understanding of phonics. Research has shown that students who …

Grade 1 Phonics – Week 1 Initial Consonants Read More »

Spelling is one of the fundamental skills in literacy development. In fact, research has shown that a strong foundation in spelling can lead to better reading, writing, and overall communication skills. The teaching guide provides a comprehensive 5-day plan for instructing this unit. This plan includes a skill focus, teaching tips, a comprehensive word list, …

4th Grade Spelling Unit 1: Consonant Blends Read More »

Making Spelling Stick in Grade 3 Many students struggle with spelling because they memorize words instead of understanding how they work. Our Grade 3 Spelling Program solves that problem by teaching the why behind spelling patterns — helping learners connect sounds, letters, and meaning. Each unit follows a simple five‑day teaching plan with clear skill focus, word …

3rd Grade Spelling Unit 1: Review of Short Vowels Read More »

Spelling is one of the fundamental skills in literacy development. In fact, research has shown that a strong foundation in spelling can lead to better reading, writing, and overall communication skills. The teaching guide provides a comprehensive 5-day plan for instructing this unit. This plan includes a skill focus, teaching tips, a comprehensive word list, …

2nd Grade Spelling Unit 1: Short Vowel Sound /a/ Read More »

Looking for practice worksheets to help students with their 2 and 3 letter word families. This free lesson focuses on the _an word family. One of twenty-four-word families included in our curriculum, these exercises are designed to reinforce reading, writing, spelling skills whilst also familiarizing students with rhyming words in each family. The lesson progresses …

The _an Word Family Read More »

If you teach Grade 3, you already know the struggle: Students can decode nonfiction…but actually understanding it, thinking about it, and summarizing it is a whole different story. And when curriculum expectations keep rising — whether you’re following Ontario Language Curriculum (2023) or Common Core — teachers are expected to build critical thinkers, not just …

The One Nonfiction Routine That Instantly Improves 3rd Grade Reading Skills Read More »

Teach Students How Where They Live Affects Their Wardrobe! Ask students this question “Have you ever wondered how where we live in the world impacts our clothing choices?” In this lesson, we’ll delve into how the hemispheres and distance from the equator shape the seasons and ultimately affect our fashion decisions. By the end, students …

Where we live affects what we wear and the seasons! A 2nd grade lesson. Read More »

Ever thought about the science behind your child’s LEGO masterpiece? Join us in this engaging blog post where 3rd-grade students will explore the concept of stability in structures. By altering structures to improve their strength, gathering information through drawings and descriptions, and making connections to real-life examples, students will enhance their understanding of shapes, materials, …

Stability of a Structure – 3rd grade Physical Science Read More »

Have you ever struggled to find engaging and effective ways to teach patterning and algebra to your 2nd grade students? Look no further! Introducing 14 no prep worksheets that will boost your students’ skills in patterning, problem solving, and translating between words and equations. These worksheets cover a variety of topics, from skip-counting patterns to …

Improve 2nd Grade Patterning Skills! Read More »

Do you struggle to find engaging and effective ways to teach word families to your students? Look no further! Students will practice the _ack word family. With three carefully crafted worksheets and a helpful teacher guide, this resource will have your students mastering the _ack word family in no time. Say goodbye to boring exercises …

The _ack Word Family Read More »

Multiplication Tips and Tricks – Starting with Skip Counting Are your 2nd to 5th grade students struggling to master multiplication facts? Look no further – we’ve got the solution for you. As educators, we understand the challenges that come with teaching multiplication, but we also know how crucial it is for students to have a …

Multiplication Facts: Tips, Tricks & Strategies – Starting with Skip Counting Read More »