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Brenda Kovich

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United States - Indiana - Schererville

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Critical Thinking

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Critical Thinking

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MY FEATURED ITEMS

27 Fun Mystery Unit Activities for a Detective...

$15.00

$12.00

218

Mystery Writing Projects: 3 Fun Prompts &...

$6.00

Mystery Stories - 5 Reading Passages and...

$10.50

$8.40

311

Mock Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Classroom...

$8.00

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27 Fun Mystery Unit Activities for a Detective Room Transformation or Anytime!

By Brenda Kovich

27 detective activities! Kids love fingerprinting, invisible ink, logic puzzles, observation games, and secret codes. You can use them in your mystery unit, for a detective room transformation, as a theme day, or anytime! Open the previews to take a

Subjects:

Critical Thinking, End of Year

Grades:

3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, Homeschool

Types:

Activities, Printables

$15.00

$12.00

218

Bundle

ADD TO CART

WISH LIST

Mystery Genre Study Unit - Read, Write & Think Like a Detective Activities

By Brenda Kovich

Read, write, and think like a detective! Bulk up your mystery genre study with inference activities, short stories, writing projects, secret codes, observation, logic puzzles, fingerprinting, and invisible ink! This unit is guaranteed to engage your

Subjects:

Reading, Critical Thinking, Writing

Grades:

3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, Homeschool

Types:

Unit Plans, Internet Activities, Printables

CCSS:

RL.3.10, RL.4.10, RL.5.10, RF.3.4a, RF.4.4a, RF.5.4a, W.3.3, W.3.4, W.3.5, W.4.3, W.4.4...

$36.00

$28.80

118

Bundle

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Mock Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Classroom Mystery/Detective Simulation Game

By Brenda Kovich

Stage a mock crime scene investigation in your classroom! Kids solve the mystery through observation and science labs. They study crime scene photos, gather clues, analyze fingerprints, and experiment with powders and chromatography. Students love

Subjects:

Reading, Science, Critical Thinking

Grades:

3^rd, 4^th, 5^th

Types:

Activities, Simulations, Google Apps

$8.00

Digital Download PDF (39.18 MB)

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Engineering Design Process Worksheets for 10 Simple STEM Challenge Activities

By Brenda Kovich

Use engineering design challenges to get kids thinking! This STEM set offers graphic organizers that guide kids through the steps of the process. Worksheets support 10 specific projects. A blank template, review material, and a test are also

Subjects:

Science, Critical Thinking, Engineering

Grades:

3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, Homeschool

Types:

Activities, Laboratory, Printables

$10.00

$8.00

Bundle

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5-Week Mystery Unit - Fun Detective Genre Study for Fourth and Fifth Grade

By Brenda Kovich

Five weeks of detective-themed ELA activities engage fourth and fifth grade students. The unit includes mystery reading, critical thinking, and writing projects; two novel studies; a simulation; posters and book report templates. A complete 25-day

Subjects:

Reading, Critical Thinking, Writing

Grades:

4^th, 5^th, Homeschool

Types:

Thematic Unit Plans, Activities

$62.00

$49.60

Bundle

ADD TO CART

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The Westing Game Novel Study: Activities & Questions to Improve Comprehension

By Brenda Kovich

Support comprehension of The Westing Game (and have some fun!) A detective's journal helps kids keep track of tenants, the obituary, paired heirs, and clues. Additional activities and discussion questions foster understanding of this complex

Subjects:

Reading, Gifted and Talented, Critical Thinking

Grades:

4^th, 5^th, 6^th, Homeschool

Types:

Printables, Literature Circles

CCSS:

RL.4.1, RL.5.1, RL.6.1

$8.00

Digital Download PDF (39.77 MB)

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Hatchet Survival Activities - PBL Search & Rescue Project

By Brenda Kovich

Let your kids search for Brian! In this survival project, they analyze clues from Hatchet, conduct research, and try to locate him on a map of Canada. Staged as a PBL (problem-based learning) activity, students are posed with a simulated real-world

Subjects:

Gifted and Talented, Critical Thinking, Literature

Grades:

5^th, 6^th, 7^th, Homeschool

Types:

Projects, Activities, Google Apps

CCSS:

CCRA.R.7, CCRA.SL.2

$7.50

Digital Download PDF (45.16 MB)

ADD TO CART

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5 Secret Codes to Solve & History of Ciphers: Fun Activities 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade

By Brenda Kovich

After learning the history of ciphers, ask your little detectives to solve five secret codes. These fun activities perfect for your mystery genre study, a detective room transformation – or anytime! These activities were created for students in

Subjects:

English Language Arts, Critical Thinking

Grades:

3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, Homeschool

Types:

Activities, Printables

$3.00

Digital Download PDF (12.28 MB)

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5 Deductive Reasoning Logic Puzzles – Activities for 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade

By Brenda Kovich

Teach deductive reasoning skills with five logic puzzles. Then challenge your third, fourth, or fifth grade students to create their own! These activities work well as a part of a mystery genre study or detective room transformation - but are fun

Subjects:

English Language Arts, Critical Thinking

Grades:

3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, Homeschool

Types:

Activities, Printables

$3.00

Digital Download PDF (13.46 MB)

ADD TO CART

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Just So Stories - Check the Facts with Information from Multiple Sources

By Brenda Kovich

It’s time for some critical thinking! Students read “The Beginning of the Armadillo.” Then, to check its accuracy, they draw on information from multiple kid-friendly websites. Students answer questions and evaluate each site’s text features. As a

Subjects:

English Language Arts, Critical Thinking, Informational Text

Grades:

4^th, 5^th, Homeschool

Types:

Projects, Activities, GATE

CCSS:

RI.4.7, RI.5.7

$5.00

Digital Download PDF (11.81 MB)

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WISH LIST

Perseus, Theseus, and the Hero's Journey - Patterns of Events in the Quest

By Brenda Kovich

Explore the hero’s journey! Students compare and contrast “Perseus” and “Theseus,” identify a common pattern of events, and explore the monomyth. After selecting a novel or movie, kids chronicle that quest. Finally, they write original stories using

Subjects:

Reading, Critical Thinking, Literature

Grades:

4^th, 5^th, Homeschool

Types:

Activities, GATE, Printables

CCSS:

RL.4.9, RL.5.9, W.4.3, W.5.3, W.6.3

$5.00

Digital Download PDF (19.39 MB)

ADD TO CART

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Improve Observation Skills with Fun Activities for 3rd, 4th, or 5th Grade

By Brenda Kovich

Improve kids' observation skills with seven fun activities! Your third, fourth, or fifth grade students will love them. You can use them as a part of a mystery unit, for a detective room transformation – or anytime. Open the preview to take a

Subjects:

English Language Arts, Critical Thinking

Grades:

3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, Homeschool

Types:

Activities, Printables

$3.00

Digital Download PDF (12.99 MB)

ADD TO CART

WISH LIST

Fingerprinting Activities – Fingerprint History, Patterns, Recording & Matching

By Brenda Kovich

Kids learn about fingerprinting and analyze their own! This set of resources includes informational passages on history and patterns, a page for recording kids’ fingerprints, and a matching game. Open the preview to take a closer look at the

Subjects:

English Language Arts, Critical Thinking, Criminal Justice - Law

Grades:

3^rd, 4^th, 5^th

Types:

Activities

$3.00

Digital Download PDF (8.69 MB)

ADD TO CART

WISH LIST

Invisible Ink Classroom Activities – Three Projects for Secret Messages

By Brenda Kovich

Kids try three kinds of invisible ink: white crayon, baking soda, and indentation. These activities are easy-to-use, budget-friendly, and proven to work well in third, fourth, or fifth grade classrooms. You can use these them as a part of a

Subjects:

English Language Arts, Critical Thinking, Criminal Justice - Law

Grades:

3^rd, 4^th, 5^th

Types:

Projects, Activities, Printables

$3.00

Digital Download PDF (7.58 MB)

ADD TO CART

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Problem-Based Learning Activity: Design a Room for Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle

By Brenda Kovich

Stimulate critical thinking with this realistic problem-based learning activity! Students learn that the Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry will add a new room to their popular dollhouse exhibit, Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle. Working as teams

Subjects:

Gifted and Talented, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving

Grades:

4^th, 5^th

Types:

Activities, GATE, Lesson

CCSS:

SL.4.1, SL.4.1a, SL.4.1b, SL.4.1c, SL.4.1d, SL.5.1, SL.5.1a, SL.5.1b, SL.5.1c, SL.5.1d

$6.00

Digital Download PDF (21.77 MB)

ADD TO CART

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Free Mystery Lesson Plans for a 5-Week Genre Study - Fourth and Fifth Grades

By Brenda Kovich

Grab five weeks of lesson plans for a complete mystery genre study. They support six sets of resources from my store: inference activities and short mystery storiesdetective activitieswriting projectsclassroom mystery simulationThe Westing Game

Subjects:

Reading, Critical Thinking, Writing

Grades:

4^th, 5^th, Homeschool

Types:

Thematic Unit Plans

FREE

Digital Download PDF (3.79 MB)

WISH LIST

Cinderella Activities - Creating Carriages for Primary or Intermediate Students

By Brenda Kovich

Are you looking for a creative activity for your Cinderella genre study? Try this! Ask, “What if Cinderella weren’t a country girl?” Then each student draws and/or describes a carriage for a different character. For example, what if he/she were a

Subjects:

Creative Writing, Critical Thinking, Literature

Grades:

1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, Homeschool

Types:

Activities, Printables

$4.00

Digital Download PDF (62.99 MB)

ADD TO CART

WISH LIST

Free Animal Classification Game to Encourage Deductive Reasoning

By Brenda Kovich

This fun game teaches kids the basics of animal classification and encourages deductive reasoning. It's also a great time-filler. You can use it with the few minutes before lunch, after students have packed up, or whenever!How to PlaySay, “I’m

Subjects:

Science, Biology, Critical Thinking

Grades:

3^rd, 4^th, 5^th

Types:

Activities, Games

FREE

Digital Download PDF (5.04 MB)

WISH LIST

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Ask Brenda Kovich a question. They will receive an automated email and will return to answer you as soon as possible. Please Login to ask your question.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Time flies when you're having fun! I taught fourth grade for more than 35 years and loved it. Today, my mission is to create enjoyable, engaging materials your classroom.

MY TEACHING STYLE

I believe in student-centered learning that's seriously fun. In my store, you'll find engaging genre studies and hands-on science, as well as scaffolded ELA and math units that move kids to mastery.

HONORS/AWARDS/SHINING TEACHER MOMENT

I'm proud to be a National Board Certified Teacher (Middle Childhood Generalist) and have received three special awards: Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow, Crystal Apple Award Winner, and Lake Central Teacher of the Year.

MY OWN EDUCATIONAL HISTORY

I received a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.S. in Elementary Education, a Gifted and Talented Endorsement - all from Purdue University.

ADDITIONAL BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Yet to be added

GRADES

1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, Homeschool

SUBJECTS

English Language Arts, Creative Writing, Writing-Expository, Reading, Grammar, Spelling, Vocabulary, Specialty, Math, Algebra, Basic Operations, Fractions, Geometry, Graphing, Measurement, Numbers, Science, Anatomy, Astronomy, Basic Principles, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environment, Physics, Social Studies, Elections - Voting, U.S. History, World History, Arts & Music, Music, Computer Science, Drama, ESL-EFL-ELL, ELA Test Prep, Math Test Prep, Geography, Other (ELA), Gifted and Talented, Critical Thinking, For All Subjects, Literature, Classroom Management, Statistics, Word Problems, General Science, Physical Science, Problem Solving, Criminal Justice - Law, Short Stories, Writing, Reading Strategies, Writing-Essays, Holidays/Seasonal, Back to School, Thanksgiving, Christmas-Chanukah-Kwanzaa, Poetry, Autumn, Halloween, Winter, Valentine's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Decimals, Black History Month, St. Patrick's Day, Spring, Place Value, Tools for Common Core, Earth Day, For All Subjects, Summer, Informational Text, Test Preparation, End of Year, Engineering, Close Reading, Women's History Month, Classroom Community