Sunday, January 27, 2013
I created this Common Core theme packet for teachers who need a generic theme sheet and student friendly rubric they can use with any book or story. I've been receiving very positive feedback from teachers, because to create Common Core student worksheets for every book or story, would be very time consuming! This aligns with grades 4 and 5, but can be used with other grades.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The second grade Language Standards include this standard for letter writing:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.2b Use commas in greetings and closings of letters.
Writing Thank You Notes will give students an opportunity to practice this skill, and it's a valuable tradition!
It's time for the thank you cards!
I made a blank Thank You Note for you to copy. Just run off the pages back to back to make it into card form.
I also have specific information about the parts of a Thank You Note on my blog at Elementary Matters.
Enjoy writing your Thank You Notes!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
I also like the activity Roll A Word. Students roll the beginning sound (on the green cube) and then roll the ending sound (on the red cube). They say the word out loud using the vowel they are working on and then decide if that word is a real word or a nonsense word and record it on their sheet. The recording sheets color coordinate with the letters on the cubes to help you and them to keep all the cubes separate. Just makes it easier for organization since there are 10 cubes- 2 per vowel! Can you imagine the chaos of trying to keep them separated otherwise? :)
Who doesn't love a picture sort? I know my kids love to work picture sorts! On this one, students get picture sorting mats (this one is of an octopus) and they place the short vowel above the mat. Then as they go through the stack of colorful pictures they place them on the mats for the short vowel sound for that picture.
I like having students make short vowel books. They get to decide what words they want to include in their own books It's just another way for them to practice saying and hearing the sounds in words and then categorizing them.
I leave you with this picture of a fun short vowel Bingo game! As you can see, working with short vowels can be a lot of fun for students and of course, it is very important that they get those sounds down very well. These activities can be used with the whole class, small groups, or in literacy centers. I use them not only with my reading groups, but also during RtI. I usually have groups in RtI that are needing short vowel sound practice and these are some fun ways to get that in!
Thank you so much for reading along with me about short vowels. I hope you found some activities that will help your students! Click here if you are needing them. It is all common core aligned and designed to help your students have fun while learning!
Happy New Year!!! Come by and visit me sometime!