Free Video Game Themed Posters for Writing a Complete Sentence

Many kids need reminders to include periods and capital letters when writing a complete sentence. These free video game themed posters can help! Kids can use them to check their work for complete sentences.

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One advantage to having my boys doing online school is that I get to be even more involved in their day to day schoolwork. I can easily see where they are thriving and where they might need some extra support. 

Then I can whip up some visuals or graphic organizers, as needed, or I can find supplemental materials that can explain concepts in different ways to help things stick.

One of my boys was getting regular comments from his teachers about forgetting periods and/or capital letters in his sentences. He's not alone here. I know many kids forget these things. I also overheard the teacher remind the entire class about this as well since many of his classmates were also forgetting to use complete sentences.

Anyway, one morning I had this brilliant idea to take his passion for video games and create him a visual aid. Something that would help him remember to write in complete sentences and check for the most common things that basic sentences need.

And that's where these free video game themed posters for writing a complete sentence come in. He absolutely loves it. As I knew he would! I mean you add video games to anything and he's all over it.

After I made this visual, I snapped a quick photo and shared it in my Instagram stories. Turns out quite a few people wanted a copy for their kids as well. So here we are...

How to Use these Posters to Check for Complete Sentences

The main point of using these posters is to encourage a child to self-check their work for complete sentences. 

In particular, they can use these posters to check that their sentences have a capital letter at the beginning and a period at the end.

Now, since these are video game controller themed, the terminology used on these posters play off the start and select buttons found on controllers. So did they start their sentence with a capital letter? Did they select the correct punctuation to end their sentence with?

Obviously I've paired these statements with some cute video game controller clipart. By the way, it's the same clipart that was used for these coping skills worksheets and this I spy game. You know, in case you want some more interest-based printables for your video game loving kiddo...Can you tell I have some huge video game fans in my house??

Anyway, these complete sentence posters are great to hang up both at home or in the classroom. Just put them somewhere that makes it easy for your child to reference when reviewing their written work. I have one hanging up on my son's white board by his work station for online school.

Download the Free Writing a Complete Sentence Posters

This printable pack includes 3 different posters, each using a different video game controller. Kids can pick and choose their favorite to use when checking their assignments for complete sentences.

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download this free printable

 

Free Printable Mario Themed Graphic Organizer for Writing

Here's a fun graphic organizer for writing that's inspired by Mario! Free printable and digital Google Slides versions available.

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Graphic organizers have been an invaluable tool to help my son with both his reading comprehension and his writing. 

I recently made this hamburger graphic organizer and I wondered if it was possible to take that format and structure and create other themed organizers for my son. Ones that might be even more interesting to him than a hamburger. 

I always try to include his interests in some way, if possible. It increases buy-in. And Mario is a current interest/passion of his.

So, after making the hamburger graphic organizer, it dawned on me that I could adapt the structure of a paragraph to the layout of a Mario level. After all, a Mario level needs supporting details too. Otherwise, it's just a boring piece of land to walk across. 

So if your kids love Mario like mine do, they're going to love this Mario themed graphic organizer for writing paragraphs.

About this Graphic Organizer for Writing

A level in Mario would be pretty boring without details like warp pipes, question blocks, and the flag at the end of the level. The same goes for writing paragraphs. A paragraph without details, isn't much of a paragraph. 

This graphic organizer is designed to help kids plan out and organize their thoughts into sentences and ideas before writing a paragraph by building a level for Mario. 

First, you fill in the topic sentence for the question block by asking yourself, "What is this paragraph about?" Then you add three supporting details, one for each of the different pipes. Then you need to finish the paragraph off by sliding down the flag at the end of the level.

Download the Free Mario Themed Writing Graphic Organizer

This printable includes two Mario themed graphic organizers for writing, one with lines and one without, that your child can fill in to plan out their paragraphs. A digital Google Slides version is included as well.

To get your copy, click the link below.

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Looking for More Graphic Organizers?

You'll find even more graphic organizers for reading and writing in the graphic organizers bundle pack.

Click here to get your copy of the graphic organizers bundle pack

Free Printable Hamburger Graphic Organizer for Paragraph Writing

Use this free hamburger graphic organizer to help kids with paragraph writing.

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Writing paragraphs is challenging for lots of kids, my son included. So we've been making use of graphic organizers to help him with his writing. Basically, I want it to be less stressful and anxiety-inducing for him. 

I really like using this hamburger graphic organizer for writing because it helps my son plan out his paragraphs before actually writing them. It helps break down the writing process into smaller, bite-sized pieces and helps him visualize what his paragraph should look like.

The idea is to make a nice juicy hamburger, loaded with toppings, instead of a boring bunwich with no "meat." As delicious as buns are, they're a bit boring on their own...

About the Hamburger Graphic Organizer

This graphic organizer is designed to help kids plan out and organize their thoughts before writing a paragraph. 

Hamburger paragraph writing follows the format of writing a paragraph with an opening sentence about the topic, supporting it with three details, and wrapping it up or closing the paragraph with a concluding sentence. 

Basically, they're building a hamburger where the buns are the opening and concluding sentence and the meat and toppings are the supporting details. 

The hamburger would be pretty boring with just the buns, right? Same idea goes for paragraphs. A well-written paragraph needs details to support the topic or argument. Essentially, it needs a bit of "meat."

So encourage kids to think about the "meat" of their paragraph ahead of time by writing it down on this blank hamburger graphic organizer and they'll be that much closer to writing a better paragraph.

Download the Free Hamburger Graphic Organizer Printable

This printable includes two hamburger graphic organizers, one with lines and one without, that your child can fill in. A digital Google Slides version is included as well.

To get your copy, click the link below.

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Looking for More Graphic Organizers?

You'll find even more graphic organizers for reading and writing in the graphic organizers bundle pack.

Click here to get your copy of the graphic organizers bundle pack

Free Printable 5 Senses Graphic Organizers

Free printable 5 senses graphic organizers for kids to work on describing and writing. Digital Google Slides versions are included too!

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Graphic organizers are incredibly helpful, especially for hyperlexic kids. I think, at this point, they're becoming the best tools for helping my son with writing and reading comprehension while we're home educating this year. So expect more and more of these types of printables on the blog in the coming months...

One area that graphic organizers are helping with is writing. We've been using graphic organizers to help stretch a sentence with great success. And now we're working on adding more details using our senses to describe the topic, which is where these 5 senses graphic organizers come in.

About the 5 Senses Graphic Organizer

This describing graphic organizer has a space to write the topic your child is writing about and 5 boxes to make a list of ways to describe that topic using the 5 senses: sight, taste, sound, touch, and smell.

How it works is your child writes down all the sensory related things that they can think of before writing a paragraph about the topic as a way to plan out all of their ideas. Then, as they write, they try to incorporate these sensory details into their sentences. It will help give their sentences more depth and interest.

Download the Free 5 Senses Graphic Organizers

This printable includes four describing graphic organizers (with two types of clipart), two with lines and two without, that your child can fill in. It also includes two digital Google Slides versions.

To get your copy, click the link below.

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Looking for More Graphic Organizers?

You'll find even more graphic organizers for reading and writing in the graphic organizers bundle pack.

Click here to get your copy of the graphic organizers bundle pack

Free Stretch a Sentence Poster & Graphic Organizers

Make stretching a sentence a breeze with this free printable poster and graphic organizer worksheets.

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Writing assignments have proven challenging for my son for a variety of reasons, but he has found using graphic organizers and breaking down the task into chunks helpful. 

He has also found the exercise of stretching a sentence particularly helpful because it helps him expand his thoughts and ideas into more detailed sentences and longer paragraphs.

While we use this exercise primarily for writing, it can certainly be helpful for speech and talking as well.

So how does this work? Let's find out!

How to Stretch a Sentence

Basically, you take an idea or thought the child has and use the 5 Ws to help expand the sentence into something longer and more detailed. You are essentially prompting them to ask themselves the 5 questions and write some kind of detail that answers each.

For example, the child wants to write about their dog Charlie. We have the who, but let's touch on the other WH questions to expand it further.

• Who? My dog Charlie.

• Doing what? My dog Charlie ran towards a tree.

• When? Yesterday, my dog Charlie ran towards a tree.

• Where? Yesterday, at the park, my dog Charlie ran towards a tree.

• Why? Yesterday, at the park, my dog Charlie ran towards a tree because he wanted to chase a squirrel.

You can see how the sentence now has a lot more depth and detail. It's more interesting and informative. 

It's a really easy and straightforward exercise, one that my son has found particularly helpful. I created this poster to hang up at his school/homework station so that he can remember to do this exercise on his own when writing. You can grab a copy of the printables below.

Download the Free Stretch a Sentence Poster & Graphic Organizers

This printable pack includes one stretch a sentence poster with an example. It also includes two stretch a sentence graphic organizer worksheets, one with lines and one without, that your child can fill in.

To get your copy of these resources, click the link below.

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Looking for More Graphic Organizers?

You'll find even more graphic organizers for reading and writing in the graphic organizers bundle pack.

Click here to get your copy of the graphic organizers bundle pack

Pokemon Themed Writing Prompts for Kids {Free Printable!}

Looking for Pokemon educational activities? Try these 15 Pokemon themed writing prompts for kids.

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Encouraging my kids to do writing can be a bit challenging. But, like most things, I always try to use their special interests to try and pique their interest.

I've already created some writing prompts for kids that are Mario themed and Sonic themed. So it made sense to make my boys some Pokemon themed ones too since it has been an interest of theirs for years now.

So if you have a little Pokemon fan at your house too, then I hope they'll have with these prompts!

15 Pokemon Themed Writing Prompts for Kids

Grab a pencil and some paper and use these prompts to get your kids writing! And be sure to grab the free printable version of these prompts (available at the bottom of this blog post).

1. Who is your favorite Pokemon character? Write five reasons why they are your favorite character.

2. What is your favorite Pokemon video game? Explain why it’s your favorite.

3. Pick your favorite Pokemon character and write an acrostic poem using their name.

4. Your friend doesn’t know anything about Pokemon. How would you explain Pokemon to them?

5. Imagine you are a Pokemon trainer like Ash Ketchum and it’s time to pick your starter Pokemon. Which starter Pokemon would you choose and why? Explain why you think that Pokemon is the best choice.

6. There are different types of Pokemon: water, grass, rock, fairy, etc. If you could create a new type of Pokemon, what would it be and why? Explain what types it would be strong against and weak against.

7. Create your own Pokemon character. Describe what it would look like, what its name would be, what its evolutions would be (if any), what type it would be, and what moves it would have.

8. Who is your least favorite Pokemon character? Write five reasons why they are your least favorite character.

9. Do you collect Pokemon cards? Write about why you like to collect Pokemon cards and which cards are your favorite and why.

10. Pretend you are a Pokemon captured inside a pokeball. Describe what it would be like to be inside the pokeball and what it looks like inside. How do you think a Pokemon feels when it is captured in a pokeball?

11. If you could be any Pokemon, which one would you be and why?

12. Imagine you are a Pokemon trainer and are going on your first adventure. Write a short story about your first day as a Pokemon trainer, which Pokemon you encountered, which Pokemon was your travel companion, and any other interesting details.

13. Which Pokemon do you think would be the scariest to see in real life and why?

14. Which Pokemon do you think would be the most interesting to meet and why?

15. What is your favorite Pokemon type (water, grass, rock, fairy, etc.) and why?

Download the Free Printable Writing Prompts for Kids

This one page printable has 15 different Pokemon themed writing prompts for kids. They are the same as the ones listed above.

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Sonic Themed Writing Prompts for Kids {Free Printable!}

15 Sonic the Hedgehog themed writing prompts for kids.

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My youngest son asked me to make some Sonic the Hedgehog inspired writing prompts for him when he saw me working on these Mario writing prompts. After all, he absolutely loves Sonic!

So with some help from my Sonic-obsessed son, I compiled a list of 15 Sonic themed writing prompts for kids. He wasn't happy with my one prompt about Sonic being slow instead of fast, but he agreed to keep it on the list anyway. He just assured me he was never going to respond to it. Ever. What can I say except that he's as stubborn as I am!

15 Sonic Themed Writing Prompts for Kids

Grab a pencil and some paper and use these prompts to get your kids writing! And be sure to grab the free printable version of these prompts (available at the bottom of this blog post).

1. Who is your favorite Sonic character? Write five reasons why they are your favorite character.

2. What is your favorite Sonic video game? Explain why it’s your favorite.

3. Pick your favorite Sonic character and write an acrostic poem using their name.

4. If you could add a new character to a Sonic game, who would it be? Describe what the character would look like, what their name would be, and other interesting details about them.

5. If you could be any character in a Sonic game, who would you be and why?

6. If you could design a new level for a Sonic game, what would it look like? Describe the background, the items, the obstacles, and other interesting things about the level.

7. Imagine Sonic was a different kind of animal. What animal would he be and why? Describe what he would look like as this animal.

8. Imagine that you’ve been hired to create the next Sonic game. Describe what the next game would be about or look like.

9. If you could create a new enemy for a Sonic game, what would it be? Describe what it would look like, how it would move, how it would attack, etc.

10. Invent a new special move for Sonic. Give it a name and describe what the new move would look like.

11. Sonic wants a makeover and wants to be a different color. Pick a new color for him and describe why you would pick that color.

12. Imagine Sonic was slow instead of fast. What kind of moves would he have? Would Sonic still be a good name for him or not?

13. If you could put a new item in the item boxes for Sonic, what would you add? What would the special ability be for this item?

14. Pretend that Sonic collects something other than rings. What items would you have him collect instead and why?

15. Sonic’s favorite food is chili dogs. What is your favorite food and why?

Download the Free Printable Writing Prompts for Kids

This one page printable has 15 different Sonic themed writing prompts for kids. They are the same as the ones listed above.

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Mario Themed Writing Prompts for Kids {Free Printable!}

15 Super Mario themed writing prompts for kids.

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My kids love all things Mario and Nintendo, as I have mentioned many, many times before.

It's why we have a Mario climbing wall and have made Mario sensory bottles.

It's even why I've made Yoshi and Super Famicon birthday cakes, which reminds me that I still haven't shared the tutorials for them yet...

Writing, on the other hand, is a big struggle for one of my boys. So I'm hoping that these Mario themed writing prompts for kids are enough to encourage and inspire him to do a little bit more writing each day.

15 Mario Themed Writing Prompts for Kids

Grab a pencil and some paper and use these prompts to get your kids writing! And be sure to grab the free printable version of these prompts (available at the bottom of this blog post).

1. Who is your favorite Mario character? Write five reasons why they are your favorite character.

2. If you could design a new race track for Mario Kart, what would it look like? Describe the layout of the track, how many laps it would have, and any obstacles it would have.

3. What is your favorite Mario video game? Explain why it’s your favorite.

4. Pick your favorite Mario character and write an acrostic poem using their name.

5. There are mushrooms that make you bigger and give you an extra life in Mario games, but if you could make a new type of mushroom for a Mario game, what would the mushroom do to you?

6. If you could add a new item to the item boxes in Mario Kart, what would you add? Explain what the item would do to your opponents.

7. If you could add a new character to a Mario game, who would it be? Describe what the character would look like, what their name would be, and other interesting details about them.

8. If you could be any character in a Mario game, who would you be and why?

9. If you could design a new level for a Mario game, what would it look like? Describe the background, the items, the obstacles, and other interesting things about the level.

10. Imagine Mario was an animal instead of a person. What animal would he be and why? Describe what he would look like as this animal.

11. Imagine that you’ve been hired to create the next Mario game. Describe what the next game would be about or look like.

12. If you could create a new enemy for a Mario game, what would it be? Describe what it would look like, how it would move, how it would attack, etc.

13. Instead of an ice flower or fire flower, come up with a new kind of flower power that Mario could have. Describe the flower and its ability.

14. If you could design a new vehicle for Mario Kart, what would it look like and what would its special features be? Would it be fast or slow? A car or a boat? Big wheels or small wheels? Describe what it would look like.

15. Imagine that Yoshi was a different type of creature. Explain what Yoshi would look like, what they would eat, and how they would help Mario in his adventure.

Download the Free Printable Writing Prompts for Kids

This one page printable has 15 different Mario themed writing prompts for kids. They are the same as the ones listed above.

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download the free printable

 

Journaling with Stickers

My kids have been doing a lot of journaling lately either using these math-inspired journal writing prompts or with this fine motor sticker method that I'm going to show you. The sticker method of journaling works great for both preschoolers and kindergarten aged kids who are learning to write, not only letters and words, but complete sentences. It is also a great method to try with kids who have hyperlexia as it gives them something concrete to write about.

My son struggles to describe and answer questions verbally due to his hyperlexia, especially the "wh" questions. So phrasing questions for him to respond to in a journal won't work great either, unless, of course, it is tailored to his interests like my math journal prompts. But we want (and need) him to start expressing himself about other things. And besides, his ability to write and spell is an asset that we need to tap into while his speech continues to develop. So our starting point is to give him a visual stimulus to write about. In this case, stickers.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

We have been using stickers from this Melissa & Doug Sticker Collection for this sticker journal writing. Both boys received their own sticker pad for Christmas from their Mee-Maw (aka grandma). Peeling stickers is a great way to practice fine motor skills! So the boys simply pick a few stickers and then write a story or words to describe what they see.

Five year old J wrote the following stories (pictured above):

1. It is dark. That is sleep time. There are 2 planets. There are 7 big stars. The planets are Earth and Saturn. (about the planet stickers)
2. How Many bricks do you think there are? Let count them. Let count by 10. There are 104 bricks. (enter our friend hypernumeracy or what?!)

The following two stories below are also by five year old J.

1. Firetruck - Firefrighters drive big red fire trucks. I don't drive fire trucks. (Look he even put a title!)
2. Smitty the pirate found a golden treasure chest and diamonds. (He had some help naming his pirate, but otherwise his own ideas.)

Three year old K also loved to do some journaling, which was more about writing a word or two. He's been writing independently for some time now. He too can read quite a few words and has been for awhile, so he can even spell a few words by himself. Here are his stories:

1. Purple volcano (about the dinosaur and volcano)
2. Van black 29 (about the van)

This post is part of an ongoing weekly Fine Motor Fridays series. Here's some other great fine motor ideas:

Fine Motor Space Alien from Stir the Wonder

Valentine's Sewing Craft from Craftulate

Play Dough Search & Count from School Time Snippets

Fizzing Hearts by Powerful Mothering

Hearts Math Game from Little Bins for Little Hands

Elsa's Gloves for Frozen Inspired Pretend Play from Still Playing School

12 Kids' Valentine's Day Cards for Fine Motor Skills from Lalymom

31 Math Inspired Journal Writing Prompts for Kids {Free Printable}

For 2015, I want to encourage my five year old to start a journal. However, I couldn't quite find the right journal prompts for his particular skill set and interests (i.e., a five year old that has been reading since before age two and does math at least three grade levels above his age). So, naturally, I created my own set of journal writing prompts, tailored to his skills and interests. 

Here are 31 math inspired journal writing prompts that are perfect for kids who love numbers, clocks, money, and math in general.

When I first started searching for journal prompts for his age group, I noticed that they were either too abstract for him or too boring for him. 

Since he is fascinated with numbers and math, I set out to find math based prompts for him. Yet, if I searched for math journal prompts, then I ended up with more math problems than a writing exercise. He certainly does not need extra practice answering math problems considering he's already too far ahead in that department. 

He does, however, need practice writing complete sentences. 

He also needs to practice answering "wh" questions appropriately. Due to his hyperlexia and hypernumeracy, answering "wh" questions orally usually results in a generic response of "I don't know" or "That's tricky." I am hoping that by practicing appropriate written responses to these "wh" questions that we can reinforce what he needs to work on in terms of speech.

About these Math Inspired Journal Prompts

These math inspired journal writing prompts are not math problems that ask for the child to answer addition questions, for example. Although you will find a few that do. 

Instead, these prompts encourage creative, abstract thinking using numbers and math as the basis. I target my son's interest in money, clocks, fractions, and more to encourage him to think outside the box a bit. These writing prompts also encourage some drawing.

To encourage extra fine motor skills, my five year old picks a prompt, cuts it out, and then glues it onto a piece of paper. Then he reads the prompt out loud before writing his answer.

We've tried out a handful of these prompts so far with great success. I have found out that my five year old would like to be the fraction "10/5 or two wholes" or that if he were a shape, then he'd like to be a 23-sided red shape. 

And apparently if he had $1,000,000, he would buy himself a giant trampoline and that he "would buy mommy a laser gun because she wants one." Ha!

For the record, I don't want a laser gun.

Download the Free Journal Writing Prompts

This printable is six pages in length (including a cover image). There are a total of 31 math inspired journal prompts included. Some of the prompts focus on writing poems, thinking of rhyming words, exploring shapes or money, and so much more.

To get a copy, click the link below:

>> Click here to download the free printable

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Shower Curtain Sight Word Activity

I'm back with more shower curtain fun and learning! This time I'm showing how you can use a shower curtain to practice sight words. Today's post is running as a guest post over at Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas.

{Read the post here}

Guitar String Counting Game

Here's a simple counting and drawing game that was inspired by this guitar string game I saw on No Time for Flashcards.  It's a perfect blend of counting, drawing, and writing, all with a musical theme!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

To make this game, I cut out a large guitar shape out of cardstock with my Silhouette Cameo, but you can also just print off a guitar shape using your printer.  I only have a black and white printer, so I prefer to add color by using cardstock and my Cameo.  I then glued the guitar to another piece of cardstock and laminated it.  The other materials that are needed are a die and a dry erase crayon/marker.

To play, simply roll the die, count the number of dots, and draw the corresponding number of strings onto the guitar.  Since J has been writing words, letters, and numbers independently for quite awhile now (which still amazes me since he's only 3 1/2!!), he also wrote the correct number on the sheet.

Here are some pictures of J playing the game.  He had such a blast with this game that he was constantly wiggling, making it impossible to get a decent picture!

For some extra fun and creativity, you can have your child decorate the guitar.

Return to "Four Music Games for Toddlers & Preschoolers"