Saturday, October 26, 2013

Trick or Treat!

Can you believe it is almost Halloween?  The leaves are falling, the air is getting cool....  and I am sad to say we actually had some of that white stuff falling from the clouds.... I can't even say the word.... it's WAY too early!

My kiddos are so excited about Halloween!  This week, we had many conversations about Halloween costumes and candy!  There are no words to tell you how excited they are about the Halloween party!  Oh My!  We are so lucky to have a fabulous PTO at my school!  The room moms take care of all the party planning!  We are looking forward to a great time!

Here is a treat for you!   Click on the pictures to get your freebie!  


Happy Halloween! 

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Sort It Out!



Word study is a big part of our day in first grade! 

Sorting words is an essential skill. Brain research shows human beings learn better when they are able to classify and assimilate things into categories. Teaching young students to do this helps them make sense of the world around them.  I love watching my students make connections with how words work.  Of course the *ULTIMATE GOAL* is to have students reading and writing words containing the features that we have studied.  Using the words in context of their reading and writing deepens their understanding of how words work.

I love using word sorts with my students and have created a sorting bundle for my kiddos to use during Daily 5.  It is now available on TpT! 


Click the image to see it on TpT!

Click the image to see it on TpT!


Click the image to see it on TpT!

Click the image to see it on TpT!

Click the image to see it on TpT!
 In this unit you will find:
• 17 short vowel word families:
-at, -an
-ap, -ag, -ad
-en, -ed, -et
-ip, -in, -it
-ot, -og, -op
-ug, -un, –ut
• 2 pages of sort recording extension pages to write and use the sorted words in sentences (for both two way sort and three way sorts)
• A directions page
• Sorting mats with pictures for each word family


Happy sorting! 

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Daily 5: Word Work

I'm linking up with First Grade in Foxwell Forest to talk about Daily 5!



This month's linky is all about Word Work!

First of all, if you have not ready The Daily 5, I recommend that you get the book and read it!  It is a quick and easy read!  


When I first implemented Daily 5, I searched all over Pinterest for ideas on how to organize it.  Everyone has their own twist on it.  I tried a few different ways and found that a board works the best for me!
Here is a picture of my Daily 5 board:

 Each child is assigned a "secret agent number" for the year.  I change the numbers on the board daily to indicate which activities they will do during our guided reading block.  Students go to the activity closest to their number first, then after 25 minutes they switch to activity opposite their number.

I begin introducing Word Work on the first day of school.  I show the kids how to find materials and use them appropriately. Then we practice doing an activity together.  We practice, practice, practice while we build stamina on working independently.  Each day, I ask my kids to tell me something that worked well at Daily 5 and then we share things that didn't go so well.  We then work together to problem solve.  This really helps the kids take ownership in what they are doing and they are better able to remember what to do if a problem arises. 

Here is how I organized the Word Work activities:


Each bucket is labeled with the activity and a corresponding number.  I have all the materials that are needed for the activity in the bucket, along with a completed model for the kids to refer to (I usually take the page that I completed when introducing the activity and put it in a plastic sleeve.)  Each child has a Daily 5 folder with a checklist inside.  Each morning, they look at the checklist to see what activity they need to complete.  In the beginning of the year, students choose one of 12 activities.  Students must do the five word wall words of the week (We call these "Must Do Words!").  Then, they may choose any other words on the word wall to practice.

Here are some of the activities:

Stamp A Word



Hidden Words



Boggle


Word Steps



Are you looking for some new Word Work activities?  Or are you just getting started with Daily 5?  I have just the thing for you! 

Click HERE to get this!
 This packet includes 12 activities, labels for bins, student checklist, and teacher checklist!
Activities include:
Word Steps
Hidden Words
Cell Phone
Scrabble
Word Work Sentences
Rainbow Words
Boggle
Roll A Word
ABC Order
Word Shapes
Stamp A Word
Secret Code

As the year goes on, I may change the activities to meet the needs of my students or to reinforce skills that we are working on in class.  The kids love to play Roll and Read to work on reading fluency!  I have three to choose from sight word, CVC words, and CVCe words!
  
Click HERE to get this!





Click HERE to get this!
I'd love to hear what you do for Word Work!