Common Sense Press Product Catalog

 

Table of Contents :

Click on links below to be taken to corresponding sections of the catalog.

 

Language Arts

Learning Language Arts Through Literature

Editing Series

Creative Writing

Spelling

Great Science Adventures

 

Math

 

By Katherine S. Koonce, M.Ed

 

Other Authors

 

 

 

Language Arts

Learning Language Arts Through Literature:

The Blue Book Program - First Grade Skills
• Package Contains: Teacher Book, Student Activity Book • 36 weekly lessons divided into easy-to-use daily plans. • Includes all the language arts skills: phonics, reading, spelling, grammar, and higher order thinking skills. 28 readers, and materials packet. • Read-aloud stories and "real books" provide a basis for language arts skills: phonics, reading, spelling, grammar, and higher order thinking skills, even handwriting included! • Games, word-wheels, flipbooks, and MORE hands-on projects and activities are effective for ALL types of learners. • 36 weekly lessons in easy-to-use daily plans that require little or NO preparation!

Price: $98.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-09-X

 

These following materials are included in The Blue Book Program, but may be purchased separately.

Teacher Book
Price: $27 ISBN: 978-1-880892-81-7

Student Activity Book (Consumable)
Price: $27 ISBN: 978-1-880892-90-9

Short Vowel Readers
Price: $17 ISBN: 978-1-880892-57-X

Long Vowel Readers
Price: $17 ISBN: 978-1-880892-58-9

Bridge Readers
Price: $12 ISBN: 978-1-880892-59-6

Materials Packet
Price: $12 ISBN: 978-1-880892-66-4

   
     

The Red Book Program - Second Grade Skills

• Package includes Teacher Book, a Student Activity Book, and 6 readers. • A quick review continues to advanced phonics as well as grammar, and even handwriting. Read-aloud stories and "real books" provide a basis for important reading, creative writing, and higher order thinking skills. Spelling lessons include spelling lists, word puzzles, and spelling tips. • Games, word-wheels, flipbooks, and MORE hands-on projects and activities are effective for ALL types of learners. • 36 lessons divided into easy-to-use daily plans, which require little or NO preparation.

Price: $88.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-09-X

These following materials are included in The Blue Book Program, but may be purchased separately.

Teacher Book
$27 ISBN: 978-1-880892-82-4

Student Activity Book (Consumable)
$27 ISBN: 978-1-880892-17-6

Set of Six Readers
$40

Individual Readers

In, Out, and About Catfish Pond
$8 ISBN: 978-1-880892-93-0

Up, Down, and Around the Rain Tree
$8 ISBN: 978-1-880892-94-7

Forest Fables
$8 ISBN: 978-1-880892-54-1

Underwater Friends
$8 ISBN: 978-1-880892-74-X

All Around the Farm
$8 ISBN: 978-1-880892-53-4

Famous People
$8 ISBN: 978-1-880892-73-2

 

The Yellow Book - Third Grade Skills
• Includes reading, spelling, grammar, higher-order thinking skills, creative writing, cursive handwriting. • Four Book Studies for vocabulary building, reading for content, and comprehension. • Teacher Notes. Skills Index, Reviews Activities and Assessments included. • 36 weekly lessons divided into daily plans. Little or no teacher preparation!

Price: $27.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-22-2

 

The Yellow Student Activity Book

• Perfect companions for The Yellow Book! • Everything in one book: student instruction, a place for writing, and a tool for easy record keeping. • Allows for more independent work, a BONUS for teachers. • Provides Enrichment Activities such as word puzzles, analogies, logic/reasoning activities and more found ONLY in the SAB. (Answers are found in the Teacher Book.)
Price: $22.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-18-3

 

The Orange Book - Fourth Grade Skills

• Includes units and dictation exercises teaching all the language skills: phonics, reading, and spelling (suggested lists included), grammar, and higher order reasoning skills and creative writing. • Four Book Studies contain a summary, vocabulary skills, reading comprehension, and exciting activities. Units provide application of skills through research, creative writing, and journal writing. • Teacher Notes/answers right in the margin of the Teacher Book with a Skills Index, Review Activities, and Assessments included. • 32 weekly lessons divided into easy-to-use lesson plans with little or no preparation needed!

Price: $27.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-84-8

 

The Orange Student Activity Book

• Perfect companions for The Orange Book! • Everything in one book: student instruction, a place for writing, and a tool for easy record keeping. • Allows for more independent work, a BONUS for teachers. • Provides Enrichment Activities such as word puzzles, analogies, logic/reasoning activities and more found ONLY in the SAB. (Answers are found in the Teacher Book.)
Price: $22.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-19-0

 

 
     

The Purple Book - Fifth Grade Skills

• Includes units and dictation teaching all the fifth grade language arts skills: grammar, creative writing, composition, spelling, higher-order reasoning, and study skills. • Four Book Studies contain a summary, vocabulary skills, reading comprehension, and exciting activities. • Review Activities and Assessments provide checkpoints for teachers. • 36 weekly lessons divided into easy-to-use daily plans with little or no preparation needed!

Price: $27.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-85-5

 

The Purple Student Activity Book

• Perfect companions for The Purple Book! • Everything in one book: student instruction, a place for writing, and a tool for easy record keeping. • Allows for more independent work, a BONUS for teachers. • Provides Enrichment Activities such as word puzzles, analogies, logic/reasoning activities and more found ONLY in the SAB. (Answers are found in the Teacher Book.)
Price: $22.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-20-6

 

The Tan Book - Sixth Grade Skills

• Integrated language arts lessons include grammar, spelling, higher-order thinking, and study skills. Strong in dictation, encourages expressive, creative writing. • Four Book Studies contain a summary, vocabulary skills, reading comprehension, and exciting activities. • Two units (Library and Research Skills) provide opportunity to apply skills through research, creative writing, journal writing, etc. Reviews Activities and Assessments help teachers evaluate progress. • 36 weekly lessons divided into easy-to-use daily plans with little or no teacher preparation needed!

Price: $27.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-86-2

 

The Tan Student Activity Book

• Perfect companions for The Tan Book! • Everything in one book: student instruction, a place for writing, and a tool for easy record keeping. • Allows for more independent work, a BONUS for teachers. • Provides Enrichment Activities such as word puzzles, analogies, logic/reasoning activities and more found ONLY in the SAB. (Answers are found in the Teacher Book.)
Price: $22.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-21-3

 

The Green Book - Seventh Grade Skills

• Integrated language arts lessons include grammar, spelling, higher-order thinking, and study skills. • Four units: Grammar Unit (dictation, sentence structure, and diagramming using classical literature); Poetry Unit (encourages appreciation while memorizing, composition, reciting, and analyzing various poetry); Short Story Unit (analyze the elements of a story, develop a plot line of a story, write dialogue and much more); Research Unit (easy step-by-step plan for student and teacher). • Three Book Studies contain a summary, vocabulary skills, reading comprehension, and exciting activities. Reviews Activities and Assessments help evaluate progress. • 36 weekly lessons divided into easy-to-use daily plans with little or no teacher preparation needed!

Price: $27.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-87-9

 

The Green Student Activity Book

• Primarily based on dictation, lessons include grammar, spelling, higher order thinking, creative writing and study skills. • Spelling list included. Vocabulary Building exercises prepare students for college testing. The Writing Unit prepares students for high school writing and research. • Four Book Studies expand understanding through various activities involving reading and writing skills. • Reviews and Assessments are provided for student evaluation. 36 weekly lessons are divided into daily plans with little or no preparation needed!
Price: $22.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-45-9

The Gray Book - Eighth Grade Skills

• Primarily based on dictation, lessons include grammar, spelling, higher order thinking, creative writing and study skills. • Spelling list included. Vocabulary Building exercises prepare students for college testing. The Writing Unit prepares students for high school writing and research. • Four Book Studies expand understanding through various activities involving reading and writing skills. • Reviews and Assessments are provided for student evaluation. 36 weekly lessons are divided into daily plans with little or no preparation needed!

Price: $27.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-88-X

 

The Gray Student Activity Book

• Perfect companions for The Gray Book! • Everything in one book: student instruction, a place for writing, and a tool for easy record keeping. • Allows for more independent work, a BONUS for teachers. • Provides Enrichment Activities such as word puzzles, analogies, logic/reasoning activities and more found ONLY in the SAB. (Answers are found in the Teacher Book.)
Price: $22.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-47-3

The Gold Book - American Literature - High School Skills

The Gold Book - American Literature Teacher / Student Book (All Inclusive) is a tried and true curriculum for high school language arts. It includes 36 weekly lessons similar in format to the other editions of the Learning Language Arts Through Literature series. Written in conversational form, with story summaries and complete answers provided for the discussion questions, this book is easy for any teacher to use. Information has been interwoven into the lessons so that the student becomes familiar with famous American authors. Most lessons include vocabulary-expanding applications.

Price: $27.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-89-3

 

     

The Gold Book - British Literature - High School Skills

The Gold Book - British Literature Teacher / Student Book (All Inclusive) is an all-new curriculum for high school language arts. It includes 36 weekly lessons similar in format to the other editions of the Learning Language Arts Through Literature series. Written in conversational form, with story summaries and complete answers provided for the discussion questions, this book is easy for any teacher to use. Information has been interwoven into the lessons so that the student becomes familiar with famous British authors. Most lessons include vocabulary-expanding applications.

Price: $27.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-11-6

 

back to the top

Language Arts: Editing Series:

Great Editing Adventure Series - Volume I

Teacher Book -- 4th - 6th Grade Skills/ 7th - 8th Grade Review

• Students learn and review grammar rules as they search for the errors in these exciting stories. • Contains three separate stories with a total of 90 lessons. • Editing exercises teach and review grammar, writing mechanics, spelling, vocabulary, finding synonyms with a thesaurus, and dictionary use. • Answers and Teacher Helps Included!

Price: $15.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-75-6

 

Great Editing Adventure Series - Volume I
Student Book -- 4th - 6th Grade Skills/ 7th - 8th Grade Review

• Includes Grammar Activities from Great Editing Adventure series. • Space Provided for Student to Write Corrected Version. • Special Glossary of Grammar Terms, Helps, and Examples Included! • Great Time Saver for the Teacher!
Price: $10.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-76-3

Great Editing Adventure Series - Volume II

Teacher Book -- 4th - 6th Grade Skills/ 7th - 8th Grade Review

• Volume II includes three brand new adventure stories with a total of 90 lessons. • Students learn and review grammar as they search for the errors in these exciting stories. • Editing exercises teach and review grammar, writing mechanics, spelling, vocabulary, finding synonyms with a thesaurus, and dictionary use. • Answers and Teacher Helps Included!

Price: $15.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-77-0

 

Great Editing Adventure Series - Volume II
Student Book -- 7th - 9th Grade Skills/ 10th - 12th Grade Review

• Includes Grammar Activities from Great Editing Adventure series. • Space Provided for Student to Write Corrected Version. • Special Glossary of Grammar Terms, Helps, and Examples Included. • Great Time Saver for the Teacher!
Price: $10.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-78-7

Great Explorations in Editing - Volume I

Teacher Book -- 7th - 9th Grade Skills/ 10th - 12th Grade Review

• Volume I includes two exciting adventure stories with a total of 90 lessons! • Students learn and review high school grammar skills as they search for the errors in these exciting stories. • Editing exercises teach and review grammar, writing mechanics, spelling, vocabulary, finding synonyms with a thesaurus, and dictionary use. • Answers and Teacher Helps Included!

Price: $15.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-79-4

 

     

Great Explorations in Editing -Volume I

Student Book -- 7th - 9th Grade Skills/ 10th - 12th Grade Review

• Includes Grammar Activities from Great Explorations in Editing series. • Space Provided for Student to Write Corrected Version. • Special Glossary of Grammar Terms, Helps, and Examples Included. • Great Time Saver for the Teacher!

Price: $10.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-80-0

 

back to the top

Language Arts: Creative Writing:

Wordsmith Apprentice - Grades 4-6

• Develop Writing Excellence Through Unique, Skill-Building • Students Join the "Staff" of a Newspaper Which becomes the Basis for All Writing Exercises • Students Approach Writing with Enthusiasm As They Develop Skills • Instruction in Three Parts: Nouns, Verbs, and Basic Sentence Structure; Modifiers and More Complex Sentences; Organizing and Reporting

Price: $16.00 ISBN: 1-929683-17-0

 

     

Wordsmith - Grades 7-9

• Easy-To-Follow Exercises, Tips, Guidelines, and Assignments Make Creative Writing Understandable and Fun • Improve and Build Writing Skills Using Systematic and Proven Techniques • Humorous, Student-Friendly Approach reduces the "I can't do it" Attitude and Cultivates a Positive Approach to Writing • Instruction in Three Parts: Word Games; Building Stronger Sentences; Writing; PLUS proofreading, revising, etc.

Price: $16.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-18-5

 

Wordsmith Teacher’s Guide

• Teaching Tips and Answers for Wordsmith.

Price: $7.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-19-2

 

Wordsmith Craftsman - Grades 10 and up

• Self-Directed, Builds, Integrates, and Polishes Practical Writing Skills for High School Students • Encourages Organization, Classification, and Expression of Original Ideas • Perfect College Preparation. Teaches Young Adults to Communicate and Reason Through Writing Skills • Instruction in Three Parts: Everyday Writing; Language Power; the Essay.

Price: $16.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-20-8

 

back to the top

Language Arts: Spelling:

How to Teach Any Child to Spell – Grades 3 and up – Teacher Edition

by Gayle Graham, M.Ed.

• Generally, poor spellers have one thing in common: they cannot visualize or remember how a word should look. Now, a simple solution to spelling problems: Pull the student’s own misspelled words from the context of his own writing. • Misspelled words are categorized and studied using the student’s individualized spelling list. • Focus only 3-5 minutes daily. Watch your child’s spelling skills soar!

Price: $9.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-23-7

 

 

     

Tricks of the Trade: A Student’s Individual Spelling Notebook – Grades 3 and up – Student Book

by Gayle Graham, M.Ed.

• The companion to the Teacher Book, How to Teach Any Child to Spell. • The misspelled words from the context of the student’s writing are classified using tricks, tips, and bits of code (patterns). These classifications provide clues to the consistent problems incurred in spelling. Learning to recognize the problems improves spelling dramatically! • No more excuses for poor spelling! All you need to learn to spell is: Writing samples (your own!), Tricks of the Trade Spelling Notebook, a dictionary, and a functioning brain!

Price: $13.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-24-4

 

     

How to Teach Any Child to Spell – Grades 3 and up – Teacher Edition

Tricks of the Trade: A Student’s Individual Spelling Notebook – Student Book (Set)

by Gayle Graham, M.Ed.

Combination Set of both the above books.

Price: $20.00

 

     

back to the top

Great Science Adventures

Discovering Atoms, Molecules, and Matter

by Dinah Zike and Susan Simpson

The incredible workings of atoms are explored through readings, Graphic Organizers and labs. This material is tied into the study of molecules, compounds, mixtures and matter. The 3D Graphic Organizers fit together to create a perfect science fair type project to share. Labs use daily objects and make the concepts studied come alive for students. A Desktop Project is used to model common atoms, reinforcing the subatomic parts of an atom and how they change for various types of atoms. The Periodic Table is studied and used in the 3D Graphic Organizers.

Price: $24.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-25-3

 

Discovering the Ocean

by Dinah Zike and Susan Simpson

Discovering the Ocean engages students in the geography, water patterns, and marine life of our ocean. Student enjoys learning about the different types of life near and in the ocean, from the smallest crustacean to the largest whale. Graphic Organizers are easy to create and make a beautiful display for family or friends.

Price: $24.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-23-9

 

The World of Plants

by Dinah Zike and Susan Simpson

3D Graphic Organizers make plant concepts - including the process of photosynthesis - into simple lessons, giving students deeper understanding and longer retention. Types of plants are not only studied, but are compared and contrasted by their structure and reproduction methods.

Hands-on activities lead to quantitative and qualitative observations, further increasing understanding, and adding purpose to the lessons.

Price: $24.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-05-5

 

     

The World of Tools and Technology

by Dinah Zike and Susan Simpson

Create a toolbox full of tools; complete with 3D Graphic Organizers, samples, and hands-on activities about the forces of each of the six simple tools. The history of tools comes to life with a Timeline Graphic Organizer used throughout the program.

‘Following directions' is specifically targeted in this study.

Price: $24.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-06-2

 

The World of Space

by Dinah Zike and Susan Simpson

Facts about our solar system are engaging with the 3D Graphic Organizers, tables and charts used in this program. Eclipses and other space events make sense when your students see them in the hands-on activities. This means that the knowledge is retained.

A Timeline Graphic Organizer brings clarity to the history of space investigations.

Price: $24.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-07-9

     

The World of Insects and Arachnids

by Dinah Zike and Susan Simpson

Students are motivated to compare and contrast insects, using an insect collection of either real or paper insects made from reproducible Graphics Pages from this book. Graphing information about species of insects and other animals is emphasized in this program. Insect games and models reinforce the concepts presented, and provide a format for review.

Price: $24.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-08-6

 

The World of Light and Sound

by Dinah Zike and Susan Simpson

Desk Top Graphic Organizers for light and sound provide a format for your students to learn how each travels, reflects, refracts, and affects our daily lives. Labs are designed to show your students the facts that they read about in this physical science studies. Topics also include rainbows, mirrors, shadows, lenses, lasers, and heat.

Price: $24.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-13-0

Discovering Earth’s Landforms and Surface Features

by Dinah Zike and Susan Simpson

Earth’s magnificent landforms, such as mountain ranges, caves, and volcanoes, all begin in the lithosphere, the uppermost mantle and crust of Earth. Students will create a unique 21 Tab Graphic Organizer to record information about the landforms and surface features studied in this book. A Desk Top Project is used throughout the program for students to label record-breaking features. Labs and other activities show students how the forces and power of Earth form these features.

Price: $24.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-12-X

Discovering the Human Body and Senses

by Dinah Zike and Susan Simpson

The magnificent workings of the human body are introduced by the systems where they function.  For example, while studying the respiratory system students learn the parts of the system, how each work individually and with other parts, and the importance of these parts in the entire body.

Labs and other activities show students how these system parts complete their jobs in the body.  3D Graphic Organizers made in each lesson visually present information for all aged students.  Desk Top Projects are created by students for each system of the body.  While the content covered in this study is extensive, as in all Great Science Adventures books, it is appropriate for grades K-8.

Price: $24.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-14-7

back to the top

Math

Grocery Cart Math

by Jaye Hansen

Make grocery store trips a fun part of your school day, with Grocery Cart Math. Students learn basic math skills through regular trips to the grocery store. Each section contains specific activities to do at the store, at home, and questions to discuss with Mom and Dad. This book, wonderfully illustrated and easy to read, is an excellent way for children to learn about different forms of currency with fun learning activities for everyone.

Price: $10.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-67-1

 

     

Three-Way Math Cards – Addition / Subtraction

You’ll love these easy to use drill cards. They not only help students memorize facts, but they also build understanding of basic math operations and are an ideal addition to every math program. Two sets are available, Addition/Subtraction and Multiplication/Division. Each set contains 35 cards and complete instructions. One of two sets available. Each set contains 35 cards and complete instructions.

Price: $7.50 ISBN: 978-1-880892-39-8

 

     

Three-Way Math Cards – Multiplication / Division

One of two sets available. Each set contains 35 cards and complete instructions.

Price: $7.50 ISBN: 1-880892-41-3

 

     

One Hundred Sheep

by Roger Nichols

Skip Counting Songs from the Gospels. We all know how to count by 2, 5, and 10. Learning to count by 3, 4, etc. is important as well. This skill, known as skip counting, is used in every math process from multiplication to algebra. Using exciting and familiar stories from the Gospels as a basis for the lyrics, these original songs teach and reinforce counting for numbers 2-10. Children love to sing these clever and educational songs as they learn number relationships and Bible stories too!

CD & Lyric Booklet:
Price: $14.00 ISBN: 978-1-929683-21-5

 

 

     

back to the top

By Katherine S. Koonce, M. Ed.

     

Helping Children Who Have Difficulty Learning (2 Cassettes & 1 Booklet)

by Katherine S. Koonce

Helping children who have difficulty learning is a matter of looking for those teachable moments when they are most eager to learn. With this easy-to-use program, teachers and parents will be able to create these Windows of Opportunity by developing an environment that encourages a child’s active participation in learning. This program includes two Cassette Tapes and a Record Booklet in an attractive album:

Pinpointing the Problem (Tape One): This audio cassette takes you step-by-step through the process of discovering the specific behaviors that get in the way of students’ learning.

Strategies for Success (Tape Two): After listening to this audio cassette, parents and teachers will have the tools they need to improve students’ organization and problem solving skills. This will help create the optimal learning environment.

Record Booklet: A detailed guide that will become a written record of important observations, discoveries and plans for students’ success.

Price: $20.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-96-1

 

     

Helping Children Who Have Difficulty Paying Attention (2 Cassettes & 1 Booklet)

by Katherine S. Koonce

Helping children who have difficulty paying attention is a matter of looking for those teachable moments when they are most eager to learn. With this easy-to-use program, teachers and parents will be able to create these Windows of Opportunity by developing an environment that encourages a child’s active participation in learning. The program includes two Cassette Tapes and a Record Booklet in an attractive album:

Pinpointing the Problem (Tape One): This audio cassette takes you step-by-step through the process of discovering the specific attention-related behaviors that get in the way of students’ learning.

Strategies for Success (Tape Two): After listening to this audio cassette, parents and teachers will have the tools they need to improve students’ organization and problem solving skills. This will help create the optimal learning environment.

Record Booklet: A detailed guide that will become a written record of important observations, discoveries and plans for students’ success.

Price: $20.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-95-4

 

back to the top

Other Authors

How to Home School: A Practical Approach

by Gayle Graham, M. Ed

• Homeschool teachers learn how to plan and organize lessons, teach reading, writing, and math with ease. Pull together subject areas through unit studies and make sense of curriculum choices. • Practical help to streamline record keeping. Establish weekly assignments, programs of study, as well as yearly and monthly goals! • Learn to plan for SUCCESS, pull it altogether plus tips on teaching language, math and unit studies!

Price: $20.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-40-4

 

     

How to Home School Record Keeping Sheets

by Gayle Graham, M. Ed

• Save time and money with these ready-to-use three-hole punched Record Keeping Sheets. • Sheets are color-coded for three children.

Price: $12.00 ISBN: 978-1-880892-60-X

 

     

back to the top