So Much Going On!

It's never too early to teach a grammar rule that is broken ALL OF THE TIME by adults (including my husband- love ya babe).  I noticed as we were learning these words in our sight word books that they were difficult to explain.  So, I made some posters, a sentence sort, and a practice sheet!

Writing Descriptive Sentences

Are you as frustrated with these types of sentences from your students as I am??? 

"It is fun."

"I like it."

"She is nice."

But... it's MY fault they are were writing like that. It's my job to teach them how to make descriptive sentences. So, we started learning about adjectives. I love Kristin's Parts of Speech Cards!

And then we snuck in some synonym work! You can read about my Fancy Word Pack {here}.

And we finished up with learning about BLAH sentences and WOW sentences with Kelley's Pack! It was SO MUCH FUN.  You can read more about how she uses it in her classroom {here}. 

*The BLAH and WOW words with the 2 boys clipart is not in Kelley's pack. 

We did a LOT of practice and modeling before I let them loose to turn a BLAH sentence into a WOW.  After we did some of Kelley's practice pages, my students were ready to try on their own.  I had them read the BLAH sentence that was given to them (they all got a different one).  Then, on a piece of scrap paper, they brainstormed ideas and details that they could add to their BLAH sentence.  They even practice writing their sentence before they got to write it on their final drafts.

I had them illustrate their WOW sentences (see how I snuck in a little visualizing with this).

I hope this helps your students build great sentences!

Keyboarding Skills

I've been trying hard all year to help my students become more proficient at their keyboarding skills. We work hard in class to improve our speed and accuracy, but it's also helpful if students can practice at home. 

Here are some websites that you can use to help your students (or own children) practice their keyboarding skills:

Online Lessons:

•Dance Mat Typing 

•Learn to Type {Big Brown Bear} 

•Keyboarding Tutor 

Practice Games:

•Typing Test 

•Popcorn Typer 

•Alpha Quick 

•Keyboarding Games 

Speed Tests:

•Typing Test 

•Power Typing 

If you want a paper note to print out to send home with parents, you can use this one I typed up. It includes the Utah benchmark goals (per grade level) for words per minute, to help give parents an idea of where their children should be. 

{Download here}

Guided Reading Mini-Lesson {Storage & Organization}

Today I'm sharing how I store all of my games and supplies that I use for guided reading mini-lessons. 

I made these storage benches a few years ago.  I've finally stocked them up with some guided reading materials so that I can have quick access. 

I keep marker boards inside of the storage benches.  I also have markers and erasers in one container in the next bench. We use marker boards a lot!

I also have container after container of games and centers.  Some of them I store in the benches, and some are in my cupboards.  They are all labeled. And yes, we spell words with Fruit Loops. 

I just used bulletin boarder to spice up my drawers.  In the bottom two drawers, I keep the games that I use all of the time.  They are labeled comprehension, fluency, vocab, and word work. 

Any supplies we *might* even need can be found in the drawers next to my desk.  Witch pointer finger, reading rock star glasses, pencils, markers....  all be found in these drawers. They are labeled so that my students can easily find what we need.

 Many of my graphic organizers and posters are in the file box behind my desk. 

My comprehension graphic organizers are all separated in folders. I keep enough graphic organizers copied to last me months! :) 

 Sometimes, because we don't like to waste trees, I have my students fill out their comprehension graphic organizer in a page protector with a dry-erase marker. They love it!

Here's how I organize those graphic organizers in a binder (there are 6 of the same graphic organizers ready to go). 

I keep word work card games in soap containers!

I am just overwhelmed with the sweet feedback I've received on my Guided Reading Mini-Lesson Pack. :)  I just really NEEDED this pack for my classroom and I hope you can use it in yours too!  It's perfect for Kinder and 1st graders....and at over 250 pages, there's something for everyone!

Check it out HERE!