Reading, Writing & Education: Video Series

To write a college essay in MLA, APA or Chicago styles, start by brainstorming ideas, research the topic, write a first draft with paragraphs focused on thesis statements, and reference quotes and research material appropriate to the style. Format a college essay according to MLA or APA standards with help from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on essay writing.

Teach sight words, which are words that don't follow the normal rules of phonics, by encouraging daily practice and the use of flash cards. Use repetitive review through daily reading practice to teach sight words with advice from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on reading.

Teaching English requires including writing opportunities for students, teaching grammar and usage rules and making sure students have discussion opportunities. Allow English students the opportunity to learn about group conversation with advice from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on teaching English.

Prepositions are used to show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in a sentence. Use prepositions as an important part of showing relationships in the English language with information from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on prepositions.

Some free brainstorming activities include using a writer's notebook to write down ideas, having students get into groups to come up with ideas and using brainstorming ideas to start a project. Use free association brainstorming to come up with ideas using advice from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on brainstorming.

Basic spelling rules include putting "I" before "E" except after "C," doubling the final consonant in words where the last syllable is stressed and proceeded by a single vowel, and dropping the final "E" when adding a suffix to a word. Improve spelling skills by learning spelling rules, but remember that many rules have exceptions, with information from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on spelling.

Teach third graders fractions by playing relay games that involve matching cards with fractions on them to fractions in other areas of the classroom. Help third graders understand that fractions represent parts of a whole with information from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on math.

To do brain teasers, try to think logically, be methodical, use a pencil, and practice as much as possible to get better. Have patience when trying to solve brain teasers with advice from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on brain teasers.

Make anagrams by moving the letters around until some sort of pattern is made, starting with words that are easier to figure out and using Web-based programs to practice. Try to come up with combinations of letters in anagrams that make sense as words with tips from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on anagrams.

Common flower symbolism is red roses symbolizing love, red carnations symbolizing heart ache, white lilies symbolizing purity and yellow roses symbolizing friendship. Send flowers that have a special meaning by learning about flower symbolism with information from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on flowers.

To teach irregular vowel sounds, think of several words with the vowel sound, teach the words as sight words, and create a word bank with irregular vowel sounds. Have students work on irregular vowels repeatedly with ideas from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on vowels.

Request a letter of recommendation in person, explaining why the person is being asked to write the letter and offering ideas about what to put in the letter. Allow a person to tailor a letter of recommendation to keep it personal with advice from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on recommendation letters.

Write a story in first person by reading other fiction that is written in first person, having the character tell the story, using first person pronouns and revealing information about the character through first person conversations. Revise several drafts of a first person story with advice from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on writing.

The first day of school activities for kindergarten students should include reading a book that makes the students feel comfortable, activities that introduce the students to their new surroundings and the setting of ground rules. Give kindergarten students a tour of the classroom, and introduce them to areas that they will need to know about with advice from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on kindergarten.

A great free-writing activity for kids requires taking the children outside and instructing them to write about what they are observing without worrying about spelling or grammar. Have kids use free-writing exercises to create more structured work with ideas from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on writing.

Creative writing activities for students between the ages of 9 and 11 could include workshop sessions with other children, having the kids write different forms of media and giving the students a challenge to write about. Use workshops with middle school students so they can give each other feedback with tips from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on writing.

Fun creative writing activities for kids could include the writing workshop model that offers children the opportunity to work together. Kids might also enjoy writing and performing a play. Allow children to write about what is going on in their lives with advice from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on writing.

Possible creative writing activities for first graders include using drawing and illustration in the writing process, making books for the children to write and encouraging pre-writing strategies. Have first grade writers work with peers to improve creative writing with ideas from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on writing.

Activities for a school family night should include things directly related to the theme of the night, should have visual components and may incorporate appropriate refreshments. Consider having door prizes for family night at a school with ideas from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on education.

Teach classroom students about stereotypes with fun activities that have the children list adjectives about a certain stereotype, and then identify people who defy the stereotype. Have the class write about what they have done to counteract prejudice and stereotypes with advice from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on stereotypes.

Make thesis findings by including lots of details within a paper, restating the thesis statement and summing up the points that support the thesis. Use a conclusion statement to amplify thesis findings with help from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on writing.

The definition of primary education generally includes the early grades of education from kindergarten to fifth grade or those years spent with one classroom and teacher, as opposed to the multiple teachers in secondary school. Find out how primary education varies internationally with information from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on education.

A progressive verb is defined as a verb that indicates an ongoing action in a sentence. Get examples of present-, past- and future-tense progressive verbs from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on verbs.

The word "progressive" is defined as moving forward and often refers to politics that are more liberal. Learn about progressive education, and how it refers to more individualized study, with information from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on education.

Progressive learning methodology emphasizes hands-on learning, de-emphasizes lecture and often revolves around group discussion. Use progressive learning methodology to focus education on the students with advice from a writing instructor and former classroom teacher in this free video on education.