Here is another Thanksgiving freebie literacy center for you! I tape the cards around the room and use it as a read the room activity but it can also be put in a tub as a traditional center.
If you have classroom devices, the QR code can be scanned to check the answers but the center can be used without the QR codes, as well. Click HERE to grab your FREEBIE. I also have other center activities if you like this one.
Looking for a cute FREE Thanksgiving literacy center? This cut and paste activity comes in three versions so you can easily differentiate.
Are you teaching or reviewing letter identification and sounds? This Letter Fishing Freebie makes for a fun center or you could even use it whole group with the fishbowl technique. (Ha, ha, pun not intended!)
Did you hear TpT is hosting a BONUS Back-to-School sale?
I have been back for 2 weeks but I know a lot of lucky people go back after Labor Day. Everything in my store will be 20% off, including bundles.
Here are some of the hot sellers at the beginning of the year:
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| Spelling errors introduced 2nd semester. |
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| Super motivating for students! |
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| Now with the ability to add your own words! |
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| I also have a PPT version. |
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| Craft and reusable writing templates with examples. |
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| Check out my many Boom card decks! |
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| Lots if fun math games! |
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| I have assessment checklists for K, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd |
I have over 200 products and lots of freebies so I hope you find something in my store that makes the start of your year great!
Does your school celebrate Earth Day? When I worked at an environmental science magnet we did it up really big with songs, poem recitations, visiting other classrooms to see their projects. I really miss those days. I guess big Earth Day events are also a casualty of this crazy year.
But we can still learn about Earth Day however we can. So I made an Earth Day Syllable worksheet for you. Coloring this printable in was soooo relaxing. Seriously, I forgot what a nice stress reliever it can be!
I also have corresponding digital task cards for Earth Day Syllables as Boom Cards or Google Slides. So one idea might be to assign the task card version as independent practice in Covid-safe literacy centers or distance learning and then assign this free worksheet as an assessment afterward.
I also made this into an Easel by TpT activity by adding circles that can be dragged onto the correct number. You could also change it to using the digital highlighter, if you'd rather. Have you tried Easel yet? I'd love to hear from anyone who has.
Here is the link to grab the FREEBIE in my TpT store. Don't forget to follow me (green star) so you don't miss when I post new items when they are 25% off the first 24 hours.
I'll be honest, when I was a younger teacher, I didn't really know why teaching about syllables was important. Whole Language was all the rage when I was in college so it wasn't until much later that I finally got the training in phonics instruction that led to many light bulb moments for me.
So why do we count (or clap or tap) syllables?
Once children can break a word into its syllables, they can be taught some nifty reading and spelling rules! It takes the guess work out and many children feel comforted to have "rules" to help them. I tell them we are word detectives and if we look closely at the clues, we can solve the mystery!
Step 1 Break the word into syllables.
Teach that every syllable has a vowel. I've found that some children find it helpful to put their hand under their chin. Each time their jaw drops is a syllable.
Step 2 Teach the types of syllables.
It
is helpful to use a door analogy. The consonant is closing the vowel
in, keeping it short. If the door is left open the vowel says its long
sound. I make up a story about a little sister who will sing at the top of her lungs if her brother doesn't shut the door. I can be quite dramatic and demonstrate my awesome opera voice. We practice with words such as me, baby, music, etc. and I let the class use their opera voices, too. Don't you want to be my neighbor? :-)
There are 4 more syllable types (or 5 depending on which program you follow) but I think I will stop here for today. Can you see, even with just teaching open and closed syllables, how it will help your students have a better idea how to read and spell?
Here is a FREE spring-themed syllable sheet to help you practice step 1.
I think I may need to make more of these because I found coloring them in for this picture SO relaxing!!
Click HERE to grab your freebie.
If you are looking for more practice with counting syllables, I have interactive Boom Cards and Google Slides available.
Could you use a free, fun penguin-themed digital activity?
Students love to compete to see how many words they can create from the letters in the word 'penguins.' This is a Google Slide in which the letters can be manipulated and text boxes have already been made for the students to enter their words.
Click HERE to download for FREE. Follow my store (click the green star) so you never miss out!
Could you use a FREE Winter Scrambled Sentences literacy center?
I hope you had a relaxing break. I was a sloth and it was wonderful. Although I missed my family coming to celebrate the holiday, I did notice that not having a houseful of people constantly underfoot kept my inner Grinch at bay. Normally, accidentally using 4 times the amount of garlic powder in my Christmas gravy would make me feel like I ruined the day. But this year, my husband and I just looked at each other, shrugged, and said, "2020!" I managed to salvage the gravy but then in the craziness we forgot to serve the green beans. How did none of us notice they were missing until we were cleaning up? "2020!"
Wishing everyone a great start to 2021!
Unfortunately, I have the nickname Grinch in my family because I have been known to let the holiday rush get to me. Although it is a bummer that my house will not be filled with visiting family this pandemic year, perhaps a silver lining may be that I don't feel as overwhelmed.
Anyway, I saw an image of the Grinch and it reminded me that many years ago I made a bang game and shared it. I haven't met a class yet that doesn't enjoy bang games.
I like cut and glue center activities because not only do they practice the targeted skill but kids these days (wow, am I 90?) struggle with their scissors so they need all the practice they can get!
