What's Blooming In My Store?

I finally finished this packet but it was so huge that I split it up into two parts. Seriously. This has every trick in the book that I have learned to motivate students to work on blending cvc words.The theme is Spring even if it is still snowing where you live! April is here and this is when  I would go into panic mode over what my students couldn't do. Do you get crazy too? I am not interested in first grade teachers storming into my room wondering what I did all year. Right? You can relate to this. So I work on this skill with nutty intensity. It shows up all over the room, in the morning message, and even on the yard when the kids are "trying" to have some recess fun. I have been known to drag out sidewalk chalk to spell out words on the blacktop but the custodian ends up hating me! Oh well. A teacher has to do what it takes. 
These packets introduce just 25 CVC words and students practice using them through games, activities, and literacy stations. The second packet allows students to practice these words through cutting and pasting 
( hello- some have not mastered this even in April) and I even sneak in some letter writing practice known as handwriting. Can you imagine? Check these out if you are a desperate kindergarten teacher, an intervention teacher (aren't we all) or a Special Education teacher. It might help your students learn these important CCSS Foundational Skills and your principal will realize that you are truly  a super hero.
Click on each flower to plant those seeds of knowledge

 

Build Foundational Skills Or It All Falls Down

In kindergarten an important aspect of Common Core is Foundational Skills. As we move away from scripted reading programs teachers are going to need materials that reflect the CCSS but provide our children with systematic learning. I have created a huge cvc packet but have only used twenty five blends. All the activities use the same words so that students can build capacity and understand the crucial concept of blending. In our district if they can't blend this becomes a deal breaker when moving to first grade. I am always looking for ways to enhance their learning, make it interactive, yet keep it systematic. Here is the packet I have created and many of these activities have been huge favorites in my room and with other kinder teachers. I am printing off and laminating the activities now to take into my kindergarten teachers as a surprise! I even created cvc headbands for students as they complete each set of vowels which they can wear home proudly. I will try to grab some pictures and tell you about my differentiation sticks later...

This packet is full of differentiated activities to allow the teacher the flexibility to meet the needs of students with a wide range of skills. It has lots of cut and paste work which our kids must do to build up those fine motor skills! Some children still need practice with beginning sounds, others ending, and some are ready for blending. How many of you have children who still don't hear the difference between sounds and still cannot identify them. Yup! Transitional Kindergarten students and primary special needs kids should profit from a simple packet of this type too.This will not conflict with any reading program. So grab the tools you need to give our kids a strong foundation for learning... Click here to go to my TpT store if this is what you need. What do you like to use for cvc word activities?

Have a happy day of teaching today.

Scissors Are For Cutting Paper... Not Hair!

I bet that title got your attention. If you are a kinder teacher you know exactly what I am talking about. Who has ever seen a child get a fresh haircut in your classroom given by a friend? My heart always sinks when I see this. Naturally it's never a boy but the little girl with the bright red bows and hair down to her waist. These are phone calls I do not enjoy making so my kids always repeat after me..."Scissors are for cutting paper, not hair!"  Here are some cut and paste activities for cvc words. If you are following me it's my way of thanking you.

Click here for your worksheets