I've been looking into a new writing program called KidWriting. I ask a fellow teacher to give it to me in a nutshell... here is her description:
First, you model writing by using chart paper, gathering yourkiddos around you and soliciting their help when you write. Draw a picture first--the book uses (for the first lesson) a picture of a stick figure lying on the beach under a beach umbrella and you write the sentence, "I really wish I was at the beach". When you write "I" ask if anyone knows how to write the word, "I" (occasionally I do have someone), if not, I always say, "Well, want to know MY secret? (they will), 'If you know the letter 'I', you know the word 'I'" (this is a poem I made up for 'a' and 'I' and my kids all learn those two words right away. Then for 'really' I keep saying the word, stretching it out and ask what letter sounds they hear---I call on students and write down whatever they say....same with all the rest of the sentence. It is amazing that this first one, it doesn't even look close to the real thing unless I have real readers, but a few weeks later, there will be a huge improvement. I exaggerate all the sounds as I write adult writing underneath, talking only about what they got right, don't mention anything incorrect.
Oh--I nearly forgot, you also do a spiel on Kidwriting--what constitutes kidwriting, in all it's different forms, zig-zaglines, loopy writing, things that look something like letters, real letters/numbers-----this honors everyone's writing but acknowledges that kidwriting is different from adult writing. Then send them to write by having them draw a picture first, then use whatever type of kidwriting they want to use or are willing to challenge themselves to.
Bring them back together and have 2-4 children share their journals, again, commenting on any positives you can, ignoring any negatives.
There are also supports like the hats that kids can wear while writing---Bat of That, Whiz of Is, Love of 'of', Kiss of This,etc. (these are on the website, downloadable for free...www.kidwriting.com). My students learn all the hat words SO quickly!
Ideally you will have this 40-45 minute writing time everyday, it will really help you to see how children write to read and read to write....they really do need both to move forward and they are terribly integrated.
I hope all this helps, there is a ton of info on the website, but the book is only about $30 and well worth it...so many great ideas.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Reading Hut
Talk about creative- this lady built a hut in her room! I love it- would definitely go with my jungle theme. Could it be a fire hazard?
The Reading Hut
The Reading Hut
Transition Songs
I'm always looking for songs to help with transition. Here is one for the end of the day:
End of the Day Chant
See you later alligator
Afterwhile crocodile
Bye bye butterfly
Give a hug ladybug
Be sweet Parakeet
Blow a kiss jellyfish
See you soon raccoon
Take care polar bear
Out the door dinosaur
So long King Kong
Good bye said the fly
Got in line just fine!
I may change that last part....
End of the Day Chant
See you later alligator
Afterwhile crocodile
Bye bye butterfly
Give a hug ladybug
Be sweet Parakeet
Blow a kiss jellyfish
See you soon raccoon
Take care polar bear
Out the door dinosaur
So long King Kong
Good bye said the fly
Got in line just fine!
I may change that last part....
Spelling Songs
I found this posted online and laughed! I use to make up spelling songs sometimes to the tune of many of these... but as you can tell... someone has put lots of thought into this! Hope it is useful!
If you don't have the CDs, make up your own songs -
Songs to Sing
You sing the letters to the song as if they were the words to the song. Do the whole song since it reinforces the word more often. Point to the word on the word wall, or use flash cards.
Songs for 3 Letter Words:
• This Old Man
• Jingle Bells
• Are You Sleeping (C - A - N can)
• Three Blind Mice
Songs for 4 Letter Words:
• Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
• Skip to My Lou
. YMCA
• Are You Sleeping?
Songs for 5 Letter Words
• Skip to My Lou
• Row, Row, Row Your Boat
• You Are My Sunshine
• BINGO (There was a class that learned to spell, and this is what they sang-o)
Songs for 6 Letter Words
• This Old Man
• Jingle Bells
• Happy Birthday
• Michael Row Your Boat Ashore
• The Farmer in the Dell
• Skip to My Lou
Songs for 7 Letter Words
• She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain When She Comes
• My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
• Twinkle, Twinkle
• Willoughby Wallaby Woo
Songs for 8 Letter Words
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas
• For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow
Songs for 9 Letter Words
• I’m a Little Teapot
If you don't have the CDs, make up your own songs -
Songs to Sing
You sing the letters to the song as if they were the words to the song. Do the whole song since it reinforces the word more often. Point to the word on the word wall, or use flash cards.
Songs for 3 Letter Words:
• This Old Man
• Jingle Bells
• Are You Sleeping (C - A - N can)
• Three Blind Mice
Songs for 4 Letter Words:
• Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
• Skip to My Lou
. YMCA
• Are You Sleeping?
Songs for 5 Letter Words
• Skip to My Lou
• Row, Row, Row Your Boat
• You Are My Sunshine
• BINGO (There was a class that learned to spell, and this is what they sang-o)
Songs for 6 Letter Words
• This Old Man
• Jingle Bells
• Happy Birthday
• Michael Row Your Boat Ashore
• The Farmer in the Dell
• Skip to My Lou
Songs for 7 Letter Words
• She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain When She Comes
• My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
• Twinkle, Twinkle
• Willoughby Wallaby Woo
Songs for 8 Letter Words
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas
• For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow
Songs for 9 Letter Words
• I’m a Little Teapot
Math Graph of Week
This is an idea by Jessica Mecham:
I started this project with my Kindergarteners at the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year. They loved it! Each week, during our Morning Meeting routine, we create a class graph. The graph's topic always related to current classroom theme/skill/topics/interest. The graph took us all week long to create. We read a book each day of the week that related to our graph's topic, and after the read aloud, a few students would respond to the graph's question. At the end of the week, we'd analyze the graph. This can be done in K, 1, 2, or even 3. To challenge the older students, when analyzing the graph, determine the MODE, MEDIAN, and RANGE. With all grade levels discuss MOST, LEAST, MORE THAN, LESS THAN, and EQUAL TO. The graphs were displayed on our classroom walls, and were created on large pieces of tag/poster board. At the end of the school year, the children each took home 2-3 graphs.
Jessica's Graph of Week Page
I started this project with my Kindergarteners at the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year. They loved it! Each week, during our Morning Meeting routine, we create a class graph. The graph's topic always related to current classroom theme/skill/topics/interest. The graph took us all week long to create. We read a book each day of the week that related to our graph's topic, and after the read aloud, a few students would respond to the graph's question. At the end of the week, we'd analyze the graph. This can be done in K, 1, 2, or even 3. To challenge the older students, when analyzing the graph, determine the MODE, MEDIAN, and RANGE. With all grade levels discuss MOST, LEAST, MORE THAN, LESS THAN, and EQUAL TO. The graphs were displayed on our classroom walls, and were created on large pieces of tag/poster board. At the end of the school year, the children each took home 2-3 graphs.
Jessica's Graph of Week Page
Elementary Teacher Resources
The following is the text version of Mrs. Mikesell's Elementary Teacher Newsletter
If you would like to subscribe- click here
Welcome to the Fourth Issue of Elementary Teacher Resources-Pinching Pennies
I don’t know about you, but I spend more money on my classroom than my family. Teachers are notoriously spending hundreds of dollars in their classrooms every year. I want to help you spend less money on storage and organization.
This special supplement of Great Elementary Teacher Resources is all about saving you money so you can buy more important items for your students!
Below are examples of free storage. These are things you can start asking neighbors, friends, and coworkers to start saving now so you'll be ready to go once school starts again.
Water Bottles
I use water bottles for storage of desk items like paperclips, rubber bands, and thumb tacks.
They have a great lid, they don't spill all over the classroom when I drop them, they are easily transportable and they can be stored in a box.
Wide mouth bottles from sports drinks are perfect for pencils, markers and pens. I place these in centers or on tables because they are very durable, the children can see exactly what they want before opening the bottle and they are free. My friend who's an occupational therapist even loves this idea because it builds small motor coordination!
Cat Litter Boxes
Reuse cat litter boxes for book bins, centers buckets and theme storage.
They are extremely sturdy, can be spray painted and have great handles.
I really like these for thematic book bins. They hold a ton of books and can easily be stacked on top of each other.
Laundry Baskets
Pick up a big stack of laundry baskets. Get as many as you can that stack into each other.
They are cheap, stackable, and great for centers, backpacks, puppets, sleeping mats, science tools and math journals.
I always seem to bring a laundry basket full of lunches, first aide kit, coats, and other junk on field trips with me. I don't really care if they get banged up, and they are rarely left behind.
I have a big pile of probably 20 baskets that I use all of the time.
One of my favorite uses is for comfy reading time. It gives students a safe and quiet spot to read.
Milk Jugs
Use milk jugs for storage of math manipulatives like links, cubes and those cute little bears. They have a lid, so they won't spill all over, and they hold up forever.
Egg Cartons
Use egg cartons for math sorting, painting, planting seeds, 2 row graphing, and a million other things. I really like the cartons that are clear plastic because you can store items in them too!
Super Simple Space Saving Center
Tissue Centers
When thinking about easy centers storage, think tissue boxes!
Every school goes through hundreds of these a year - ask teachers to send them your way.
Tissue boxes are made of nice, sturdy cardboard. They can be painted, glued on, or written on.
The access hole is a great size for little hands, and they can hold quite a bit.
I use them for math tubs, magnets, markers, crayons, pencils, literacy centers, cassette tapes, glitter... the list can go on and on. So, next time you sneeze, take the tissue and think about what the box might be in your classroom.
If you would like to subscribe- click here
Welcome to the Fourth Issue of Elementary Teacher Resources-Pinching Pennies
I don’t know about you, but I spend more money on my classroom than my family. Teachers are notoriously spending hundreds of dollars in their classrooms every year. I want to help you spend less money on storage and organization.
This special supplement of Great Elementary Teacher Resources is all about saving you money so you can buy more important items for your students!
Below are examples of free storage. These are things you can start asking neighbors, friends, and coworkers to start saving now so you'll be ready to go once school starts again.
Water Bottles
I use water bottles for storage of desk items like paperclips, rubber bands, and thumb tacks.
They have a great lid, they don't spill all over the classroom when I drop them, they are easily transportable and they can be stored in a box.
Wide mouth bottles from sports drinks are perfect for pencils, markers and pens. I place these in centers or on tables because they are very durable, the children can see exactly what they want before opening the bottle and they are free. My friend who's an occupational therapist even loves this idea because it builds small motor coordination!
Cat Litter Boxes
Reuse cat litter boxes for book bins, centers buckets and theme storage.
They are extremely sturdy, can be spray painted and have great handles.
I really like these for thematic book bins. They hold a ton of books and can easily be stacked on top of each other.
Laundry Baskets
Pick up a big stack of laundry baskets. Get as many as you can that stack into each other.
They are cheap, stackable, and great for centers, backpacks, puppets, sleeping mats, science tools and math journals.
I always seem to bring a laundry basket full of lunches, first aide kit, coats, and other junk on field trips with me. I don't really care if they get banged up, and they are rarely left behind.
I have a big pile of probably 20 baskets that I use all of the time.
One of my favorite uses is for comfy reading time. It gives students a safe and quiet spot to read.
Milk Jugs
Use milk jugs for storage of math manipulatives like links, cubes and those cute little bears. They have a lid, so they won't spill all over, and they hold up forever.
Egg Cartons
Use egg cartons for math sorting, painting, planting seeds, 2 row graphing, and a million other things. I really like the cartons that are clear plastic because you can store items in them too!
Super Simple Space Saving Center
Tissue Centers
When thinking about easy centers storage, think tissue boxes!
Every school goes through hundreds of these a year - ask teachers to send them your way.
Tissue boxes are made of nice, sturdy cardboard. They can be painted, glued on, or written on.
The access hole is a great size for little hands, and they can hold quite a bit.
I use them for math tubs, magnets, markers, crayons, pencils, literacy centers, cassette tapes, glitter... the list can go on and on. So, next time you sneeze, take the tissue and think about what the box might be in your classroom.
Math Journals
Here are some ideas shared on Teachers.Net chatboard
Here is how I did math journals (not every day)
1. Bought spirals on sale, for 10 cents each.
2. Kids picked out a notebook color they liked and I labeled them.
3. First day I taught how to use journal (very specific), tobe on correct page, write date etc. Then we traced our handand counted fingers, some kids wrote the numbers.
4. Continued with drawing and tracing (shapes) and learninghow to use journals
5. Worked up to gluing a math problem in the book (up in themargin and then another one by the hole in the middle of thepage) Showed how to answer problem in the correct space - nextyear I may just do one problem per page, just to fill in moreof the book:) I used a lot of problems http://sewwhat4ucorp.com/teacherresources2006.htm then once Igot the hang of it I made up some of my own.
6. The only thing I had to really watch was to make sure theywere on the correct page. I would check each journal as Ipassed out the problems.
7. The journals were kept in their cubbies. I have tablesupplies (scissors, glue sticks, pencils for them to use)
Here is how I did math journals (not every day)
1. Bought spirals on sale, for 10 cents each.
2. Kids picked out a notebook color they liked and I labeled them.
3. First day I taught how to use journal (very specific), tobe on correct page, write date etc. Then we traced our handand counted fingers, some kids wrote the numbers.
4. Continued with drawing and tracing (shapes) and learninghow to use journals
5. Worked up to gluing a math problem in the book (up in themargin and then another one by the hole in the middle of thepage) Showed how to answer problem in the correct space - nextyear I may just do one problem per page, just to fill in moreof the book:) I used a lot of problems http://sewwhat4ucorp.com/teacherresources2006.htm then once Igot the hang of it I made up some of my own.
6. The only thing I had to really watch was to make sure theywere on the correct page. I would check each journal as Ipassed out the problems.
7. The journals were kept in their cubbies. I have tablesupplies (scissors, glue sticks, pencils for them to use)
Rhyme Time
I found these webpages on Nursery Rhymes and the alphabet. I'm not too crazy about this alphabet rhyme, but think the links at the bottom may be useful.
ABC Rhyme
Hubbard's Cupboard
Here's another link- full of songs and poetry
Songs and Poems
ABC Rhyme
Hubbard's Cupboard
Here's another link- full of songs and poetry
Songs and Poems
Story Souvenirs
I read about this neat idea called "storybits" or Story Souvenirs. Essentially it is a small token sent home with students so that they can recall or retell a story they read that day to their parents. While this is something anyone can easily come up with- several sites on the Internet are dedicated to getting those creative juices flowing. Please visit these sites. I believe I may use this idea once a week- for nightly homework.
Story Souvenirs
StoryBits
More from Four Block
Yet another Four Block
Shari's Site
If you have other ideas or websites please share!
Story Souvenirs
StoryBits
More from Four Block
Yet another Four Block
Shari's Site
If you have other ideas or websites please share!
Beanie Babies
This is such a cool idea! This link shows how you can use beanie babies to teach reading strategies.
Beanie Babies
Beanie Babies
Author Studies
I'd like to do a few author studies with my K folks this year. Here are a few I am interested in.
Eric Carle, Leo Lionni, Ezra Jack Keats, Pat Hutchins, Donald Crews, Lois Ehlert, Maurice Sendak, Mercer Mayer, Laura Numeroff, Kevin Henkes, Audrey and Don Woods, Robert Munsch, Jan Brett, Mem Fox, Dr. Seuss
Anyone have any other ideas?
ABC Schoolhouse has a few authors listed on their sites.
Hedgie's favorite are:
Eric Carle
Ezra Jack Keats
David Shannon
Tomie dePaola
Frank Asch
Donald Crews
Denise Flemming
Mem Fox
Lois Ehlert
Jane Yolen
Robert Munsh
Jonathan London
Eric Carle, Leo Lionni, Ezra Jack Keats, Pat Hutchins, Donald Crews, Lois Ehlert, Maurice Sendak, Mercer Mayer, Laura Numeroff, Kevin Henkes, Audrey and Don Woods, Robert Munsch, Jan Brett, Mem Fox, Dr. Seuss
Anyone have any other ideas?
ABC Schoolhouse has a few authors listed on their sites.
Hedgie's favorite are:
Eric Carle
Ezra Jack Keats
David Shannon
Tomie dePaola
Frank Asch
Donald Crews
Denise Flemming
Mem Fox
Lois Ehlert
Jane Yolen
Robert Munsh
Jonathan London
Bear Unit
I'm always looking for thematic units- and well, here are some resources. Anyone interested in bears? Follow this link for a free unit.
September Ideas
I also cut and pasted the following off of a Teacher Chatboard. It sounds like a cute bulletin board to go with your study:
Anyway, on a BB by my door, I had "Beary Special Students" with a teddy bear cut-out and a photo of each child's head on bear's tummy or you could do it instead of his head. I had them walking on a path to a cut-out of a school building, and pasted on paper with green for grass and blue for sky. Around my door, I took brown kraft roll paper and put a strip on each side of my door. I then drew lines and knotholes with marker to look like wood. On the top, I put a roof cut from black paper. I then had teddy bears cottage door that I purchased from a BB set on my door. I called it Mrs. ----'s Den. I made it to look like the cottage from the book The Three Bears.
September Ideas
I also cut and pasted the following off of a Teacher Chatboard. It sounds like a cute bulletin board to go with your study:
Anyway, on a BB by my door, I had "Beary Special Students" with a teddy bear cut-out and a photo of each child's head on bear's tummy or you could do it instead of his head. I had them walking on a path to a cut-out of a school building, and pasted on paper with green for grass and blue for sky. Around my door, I took brown kraft roll paper and put a strip on each side of my door. I then drew lines and knotholes with marker to look like wood. On the top, I put a roof cut from black paper. I then had teddy bears cottage door that I purchased from a BB set on my door. I called it Mrs. ----'s Den. I made it to look like the cottage from the book The Three Bears.
Need Art Ideas?
I got this link off of a teacher chatboard. It works K-6.
Art Lessons
See if you can find something useful!
Art Lessons
See if you can find something useful!
All About Me!
This all about me page shows all kinds of neat activities one could use during an All About Me unit or at the beginning of the year, as you do King or Queen of the Day.
All About Me Art
It would be really neat to do the height activity at be beginning and the end of the year.
All About Me Art
It would be really neat to do the height activity at be beginning and the end of the year.
K Bootcamp
I love this website! It is very informative for new teachers but hey- I still love it!
K Bootcamp
See what you think!
K Bootcamp
See what you think!
Mini Books
We all love easy readers- here are a variety of mini books. Easy printables that your students can read.
Mini Books
Mini Books
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Resources
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is one of our favorite books at the beginning of K. Here are some resources I found online.
Counting Coconuts Booklet
Chicka Chicka Take Home Chart
Chick Chicka Phonemic Awareness
Chicka Chicka Printables
Chicka Chicka File
Chicka Chicka Alphabet
Chicka Chicka Scissor Skills
Chicka Chicka Alphabet File
Chicka Chicka Numbers
Story Patterns
Coloring Page
Emergent Readers
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Unit
Chicka Chicka Activities
Lots of stuff to accompany good reading!
Counting Coconuts Booklet
Chicka Chicka Take Home Chart
Chick Chicka Phonemic Awareness
Chicka Chicka Printables
Chicka Chicka File
Chicka Chicka Alphabet
Chicka Chicka Scissor Skills
Chicka Chicka Alphabet File
Chicka Chicka Numbers
Story Patterns
Coloring Page
Emergent Readers
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Unit
Chicka Chicka Activities
Lots of stuff to accompany good reading!
Pocket Chart Activities
I love Pocket Charts! I plan to start a pocket chart center this year with my K's. I have found all kinds of activities and surprises on the following sites.
All About Pocket Charts
Jessica's Pocket Charts
KinderKorner Pocket Charts
School Days
Angie's Pocket Chart Site
There are lots of things you can have them do! I have various kinds of ABC flash cards that I'm going to use for them to sequence. I bought 2 sets of ABC strips (the kind you put over the chalkboard.) at Dollar Tree. One set I'm putting in the pocket chart and the other set I'm going to cut apart so they can match the letters and practice sequencing them on top of those. I use rhyming flash cards for them to match the rhyming words. In another pocket chart, I have monthly words (October, for ex.-pumpkin, witch, haunted house, etc.) and 2 sentence starters which reinforces sight words: I like_______. and I see_______. Children have to fill in the blank with monthly words and use sight word cards: I like the pumpkin. I see a witch.I do this for each month. Then they take a pointer and read the sentences they made. You can also have them write their sentence later on in the year and illustrate. The other side of that pocket chart I have some kind of seasonal cutout. (Scarecrow, for example) I write out sentences to describe cutout. See my blue hat. See my yellow shirt. See my red pants. I make the same sentence and cut apart the words for the children to place over the words in the sentence. They read the sentences with a pointer when finished. This idea is from Kinderkorner. Check out Jessica Meacham's site- she has a wealth of pocket chart ideas! www.jmeacham.com
especially at the beginning of the year (but really all year long) I use their names. Anything with their names and they will be engaged for a long while. you can do their pictures and names for a matching gameor do poems where their names get subbed in. ____ be nimble. chicka, chicka boom boom, here comes ______ up the coconut tree. and like the previous posted mentioned color word activities are always good.
I'm using them for making words activities. Check out Jessica Meacham's site-she has pictures of how she turns these pocket charts into making words folders! Click on "Working With Words".
Hope these help!
All About Pocket Charts
Jessica's Pocket Charts
KinderKorner Pocket Charts
School Days
Angie's Pocket Chart Site
There are lots of things you can have them do! I have various kinds of ABC flash cards that I'm going to use for them to sequence. I bought 2 sets of ABC strips (the kind you put over the chalkboard.) at Dollar Tree. One set I'm putting in the pocket chart and the other set I'm going to cut apart so they can match the letters and practice sequencing them on top of those. I use rhyming flash cards for them to match the rhyming words. In another pocket chart, I have monthly words (October, for ex.-pumpkin, witch, haunted house, etc.) and 2 sentence starters which reinforces sight words: I like_______. and I see_______. Children have to fill in the blank with monthly words and use sight word cards: I like the pumpkin. I see a witch.I do this for each month. Then they take a pointer and read the sentences they made. You can also have them write their sentence later on in the year and illustrate. The other side of that pocket chart I have some kind of seasonal cutout. (Scarecrow, for example) I write out sentences to describe cutout. See my blue hat. See my yellow shirt. See my red pants. I make the same sentence and cut apart the words for the children to place over the words in the sentence. They read the sentences with a pointer when finished. This idea is from Kinderkorner. Check out Jessica Meacham's site- she has a wealth of pocket chart ideas! www.jmeacham.com
especially at the beginning of the year (but really all year long) I use their names. Anything with their names and they will be engaged for a long while. you can do their pictures and names for a matching gameor do poems where their names get subbed in. ____ be nimble. chicka, chicka boom boom, here comes ______ up the coconut tree. and like the previous posted mentioned color word activities are always good.
I'm using them for making words activities. Check out Jessica Meacham's site-she has pictures of how she turns these pocket charts into making words folders! Click on "Working With Words".
Hope these help!
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