Literacy Gems: Make Learning Fun

Can you believe it? I actually created another packet that I really love. How many of you have been making letter gems to use in your classroom? They are all over the internet. I decided to make a packet that used these gorgeous gems to make word work throughout the year more fun for the kids. As an extra bonus I threw in a few math activities just because... Do you want to check this out? Take a peek at this.

In this packet I show you how to make the gems with photographs to help support my directions. They are easy to make and hopefully you won't go crazy and make endless amounts... just sayin'.

I also give you advice about organizing these treasures (maybe I was a pirate in a previous life) so they will be easy to manage.

This packet also included cards (many, many cards) that provide students with word work practice that is more fun and more engaging than what I typically provide. Who knew it could be so much fun? Lots of skills are covered, from letter identification to cvce words. Sight words are included and building sentences is included too.

Many teachers have told me they like having related response sheets and I recommend using this for assessment purposes or homework. Good idea, right? Use them anyway you want. They too me a long time to create but I plan on using this packet throughout the year. I might have to make more sets of gems which are quick and easy to do my way. * This packet has word and vowel gems in case you need them. You can't have too many!

I am going to let my students use these gems and cards with a partner. I really believe that students grow faster academically when we allow them to use a collaborative model. These cards lend themselves to this and would make partner work so much more engaging. So if this "floats your boat" click on the picture below and it will take you right to the TpT mall so you can shop. Yup the sale is on until the end of today so what are you waiting for?

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Happy Teaching friends!

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.

Celebrate My Birthday!

Today is my birthday so I am giving everyone who checks out my blog a gift you can use in your classroom tomorrow! We are working on blending in our classroom right now and here are some cards to use for practicing this important standard. Enjoy them! It was a great day!

  Click here to download these cards