Search results matching tags 'freebies' and 'treasures'

OO-- These are the bully brothers!

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:29:00 GMT

I am so proud of my students and how well they are performing. I can't say enough how much I love the Phonics Dance (and no, there's no connection between me and the AWESOME Ginny Dowd). I just truly believe that my students have learned/do learn from it.

Our phonics pattern this week is oo (the short sound). We took a spelling pretest today and they did AWESOME!! They only need to practice a few "trick words" this week, and I know they will do well.

This is a CUH-RAZY week in my building as the OAA's are given in my district/state. That means schedule changes and being UBER quiet. My students miss out on their specials (my planning time) for the next 4 days. Our intervention time is also cancelled----so if I'm like not around blogging---it's because I have fallen on the couch and passed out. These are going to be some long days with my littles without having a break----God help me (and them!)

With that said, I am posting my oo goodies for you now! ;) But first, let me tell you how I do the Treasures Phonics/Spelling for the week.

On Mondays, I give my students a spelling pretest. I do this to see what words they know, and they also like to know what words then know. I give them the test, AFTER we do our Phonics Dance and discuss the chunk of the week. After the pretest, students take out a crayon and correct their words as we go along. We underline the vowel pattern for the week, and look for other hunks and chunks in our words.

On Tuesdays, I give them a sort page. I like using picture sorts because they have to listen for the sounds versus using word sorts where they match up the letters, though sometimes I do still use word sorts--especially if it's a crazy pattern. This week, seeing that we're only focusing on one sound of oo, I have created a worksheet where they will match the picture to the word. They will then choose one of the words to write into a sentence.

On Wednesdays, we do a Making Words lesson. I did a post on making words HERE. I really do enjoy doing the making words activities with my students. They seriously LOVE them too. I'm not sure what it is about it, but all classes for the past 3 years I've been doing it this way get all excited for this activity (both my first and second grade classes). By the way, the picture you see below is not the same as in my Vowel Pair Making Words on TpT. This one is just for using with the Treasures words.

On Thursdays, we do word shape boxes and riddles. Sometimes we do little doodle loop activities where students read sentences and draw what the sentences are about. I like doing this because they are actually reading the words for meaning, not just vowel sounds.

Then on Friday we have our spelling test, and students write dictation sentences using high frequency words and words from our word list.

I hope that gives you some insight on how I use the worksheets I create. If you would like to use them, you can click the image below to grab you the whole set. If you would take the time to leave a comment, I would be ever so happy.

Freebies, Easi-Speak Review, and a Giveaway

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:09:00 GMT

What a day!!! How many more days until summer vacation??? :) I feel like I've neglected my blog for a few days. I am soooo sorry. Spring is just a busy, BUSY, BUSY time for the Davis family.

This week in Treasures we were working on the ou/ow sound. I thought I'd get around to making some things this week....but WOWSERS...it's almost Friday. My kiddos seem to like the word boxes and riddles, so I made one up for us to do tomorrow as a review. Here's one below to grab if you'd like it too.

We're also working on fact families---again! We use Envisions Math, and it spirals back around. Earlier in the school year, they had a hard time grasping fact families. But by golly, I think we have it now! Here's a simple cut and paste related facts page that I plan on using for a quick check in the morning. You can click the pic below to grab yours!

On to the good stuff!!! I was thrilled when my Learning Resources asked me if I would try out their Easi-Speak in my classroom. Let me just say, I REALLY enjoyed using this (if I could pry it away from my kiddos--who also enjoyed using this!)

First, let me tell you that this is VERY durable. I would have no worries leaving this at a center for my firsties to use. (I even let my Kindergarten son use it before I took it to the classroom--he, too loved it.) With the easy to understand on/off buttons, clearly labeled, and lights to indicate that it's ready to record, my students were quick to see how this worked.

Another great thing about it is that it requires NO BATTERIES!! Uhm, can we say AWESOME? I hate how my mimio pen, and projector controllers require batteries--and then I not have them to use. Look how easy this thing is to charge.

It's plugged right into my teacher computer--in the USB port. From here I can open it up and listen to my student's recordings. I can file each student separately and save it on my computer.

This is great because I can record their fluency from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. I can keep track of their growth.

I used this to record my students during guided reading groups. I wanted them to hear themselves, and monitor their fluency. (One of my students couldn't wait to use it that he asked his mom, a teacher in my building, if she would borrow it before school started. When he listened to himself back, he said, "I need to read a little faster.") During reading groups, when we played it back, they followed along in their books to monitor their fluency. They also realized they made a few "minor" errors.

The possibilities of using this are endless. With my classroom, now that they know how to use it, I wold have no worries putting it into a reading center. I could then listen back to them when I got a chance. We also have a play coming up. They could use it to get used to handling a microphone, AND practicing their lines.

I can't wait to get my new group of firsties next year and start recording them. I now have a great tool in documenting them. I can show parents the progress that their students have made, and have it in their voice so they too can hear.

Want to know the best part?????????? This too could be yours!! Here's how to enter:

1) Follow my blog using the Google friend connect, and comment. If you already follow my blog (BY Google friend connect) leave me a comment.--1 ENTRY
2) Like Learning Resources on Facebook and leave a comment--1 Entry
3) Follow Learning Resources on Twitter and leave a comment--1 Entry
4) Follow my TpT store and leave a comment--1 Entry

*Please leave your email address with each entry so I can contact you.

I will choose a winner using Random Generator. Contest expires on April 23 at 10:00 pm EST. While your waiting to see if your the winner, check out Learning Resources at the following links.

https://www.facebook.com/learningresources

http://twitter.com/#!/learninghandson

http://www.youtube.com/user/LearningResourcesInc

Thursday Treasures :)

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:43:00 GMT

Hey my dear Treasures friends! :) This is going to be a quick post, because quite frankly, I'm beat! I so LOVE conferences after teaching all day----can you hear my enthusiasm in my voice? I'm ready to veg out in front of the TV with my hubs and just have a do nothing evening. But first---here's a few freebies for my Treasures peeps (though some others of you can use the phonics stuff that I'm posting too)!

Our story this week was Whistle for Willie. I LOVE this story.....it's great for teaching the 7 Habits too, if your school does it. If not, it's just a great story in general to teach how you should NEVER give up. Love the determination he has!!

Homework Worksheet

Story Quiz

If you're looking for some activities to go with the phonics pattern for the week, here's a bundle for you. You will find a word sort between (ar/or), word riddles, shape boxes, and a Making Words activity. It's all in one download because frankly, I'm lazy tonight! ;)

OHH and just a reminder about the giveaway!! It is great if I do say so myself! :) You can click HERE to see how to go about entering.

12 Away---and things for Treasures users ;)

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:17:00 GMT

Hey, I'm 12 away from that giveaway. Slowly, but surely I will get there. I want to have that 500 giveaway that some of my bloggy friends are helping me with! In the meantime, here's a couple things for Kids Invent. I used the graphic organizer information and filled out part of the chart to make it a little easier for my kiddos.

Here's the story quiz (using the Treasures disc and adding a couple of my own).

I've also added a few new products to my TpT store. Here is a sneak peek! :) You can click the picture to check them out.

Hoppy Easter (Math Workstation Activities)

Working *** the Farm with -Ar!

Making Words Activities

Double-ly Delicious Centers

And now for a Freebie ---for my facebook fans!! YAY! :) If you've already liked me on facebook, the direct link for the center below is posted on the fan page. If you haven't joined me on facebook, once you "like me"---you will see the link on the wall! :)

Happy Almost Friday! :)

Flying High with Long I

Anonymous — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 15:12:00 GMT

Our pattern next week is another toughie. It's on the sounds of Long I (as y, i, and igh)---UGH! Not that I would know how to write a basal, but I really wish they would ask me for my input lol--For this week, I didn't do my normal picture sorts of sound patterns. Instead, they will be sorting by word families. I also took the easy way out this week---sorry ya'll---and put everything into one download file. It's been a long week...and I'm thinking I'm in need of some retail therapy!!! Kohl's has 30% off--WOO HOO!! :) Nothing makes me happier than going shopping for my kiddos.....aren't they cute?? :) Plus, it's going to be like mid 70's in Ohio this week people----this is MARCH!!! *eye roll--whatever---I never got my snow day--but I'm ready for ~~spring break~~ SUMMER*

Okay, here's the download. This packet includes the word family sort, word shapes, riddles, word fluency reading and a making words lesson. Click the image below to grab it---but please leave some love if you like it, and maybe if you're not already a follower---you'd like to follow me:)

Olivia, Long O review, and Other..

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 00:19:00 GMT

Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening to my emotional post a couple days ago. I appreciate the prayers, the hugs, the bloggy love. So nice to know there are so many people out there that care!

Our Treasures story this week was Olivia. I LOVE this story---and I LOVE when it's so simple for my kiddos as reality and fantasy. It made a hard week at work easier knowing that my kiddos were enjoying the story. We made cute little Olivias, but silly me, I didn't have my SD card in my phone...so no pics :( MAYBE--JUST MAYBE---I will remember when we go back next week.

Our sound pattern was OA and OW. Thanks to the WONDERFUL phonics dance, my firsties did pretty well with this pattern. Here is a center I plan on using next week. I know the crows are a little fallish----but they are cute--and I was trying to use the sound pattern ;)

Click here

If you want the Olivia story questions and quiz, you can click the images below to grab each.

Questions Quiz

If you're looking for St. Patrick's Day Centers, feel free to check these out in TpT. There's another one called Rainbow of Centers too! :)

A Pot Full of Centers

Vowel Teams

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:00:00 GMT

I was watching youtube videos, trying to scan and preview them for my class (to save on time at school) and I found the ~~OLD~~ (don't want to use that word because I watched it in school lol) School House rock song. How awesome! :) I started a pinterest board with some of those great songs and videos. If you get time, you may want to check it out! I haven't added a lot to it yet, but hopefully as I find more, I will. :)

Our skill this week is long O with OA and OW. I teach these through the phonics dance as well as Treasures. Hopefully my students will find these easier than the silly ee and ea pattern we had a couple weeks ago. Though we have the Treasures workbooks, I feel there is never enough practice in them. Here are a few things that I made to help practice this pattern.

Here are the reading to help with fluency sheets. These have the phonics dance chunk and saying on them. (Actually, the OW is not the one that goes with the Phonics Dance, but I feel it will work better with my kids.)

Here is an OA and OW sort.

Here are some shape boxes and word riddles.

And the winner is.....

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:21:00 GMT

If only you could hear my awesome drum roll that's playing in my head! :)

MELANIE

Melanie, I will be emailing CTP with your email address. They will forward it on to you! :)

Okay---so in Treasures this week, we are working on the story Meet Ben Franklin (which I really enjoy) and long E with ee and ea (which I don't enjoy). My students are doing pretty well with reading the pattern, the spelling--ahh--well reading them is half the battle! :) Below you will find a simple long e sentences for a read and draw, and a riddle page. Click the pic to grab yours.

I have story questions that I typed up, but they are the computer at school. Here's the story quiz though.

Thanks for the comments you all have left me. They cheer me up. One thing I want to leave you with---another quote that I found floating around on pinterest. It's similar to the one from yesterday, but it really does make me stop and think.

I have a lot to be thankful for. I need to focus on the positives, not the negatives in my life. Enjoy your evening! :)

(oh and if you wanna leave a comment---I won't be hatin')

EE and EA

Anonymous — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Seriously? EE and EA together? For my firsties? All in a 4 day week? This basal is NUTS, but they didn't ask me to write it. They just want me to teach it--and have my students Master it so I can assess them on Friday? WOWSA! I know that some words they just have to memorize, so I will get off my little soap box because a girl's gotta do what she's told to do. So here's how I plan on implementing it into my classroom.

I'm not doing my regular picture sorts. We're going to work on the word this week. The need to recognize the pattern. My main focus will be reading the word, recognizing the "chunk". We will be singing a LOT this week. You know---we will sing green to the tune of Row, Row, Row your boat, and practice singing seat to Oh My Darlin'. My students will think I need a recording contract by the time this week is over. They don't know how lucky they are-- ;)

We use the Phonics Dance in my classroom, so there's a little blurb of the phonics dance on both worksheets. I think these will be a good word fluency activity for my kiddos too.

Here's also a little sorting activity. You can click the picture to grab you a copy.

Also, if you missed out on yesterday's post--I'm having a giveaway. You could win this great product in an e-book form (which is super awesome because you can pull them up on your computer and do them together as a warm-up)

You can click the picture to head to the post to see how to win! :)

Sugar High Continues

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:41:00 GMT

I thought MAYBE, just MAYBE things would be back to normal today? But what the heck is normal? This has been a very long week (and unfortunately not as productive as I wold have liked for it to be). Monday (which seems like it was two weeks ago) was our hundreds day. I had all these great ideas, but I most MAJORLY over plan, or my kiddos work slow. It was still a good day though...(I had 5 kiddos absent -MAN was it quiet! lol). Our food drive was a success. Our building (K-5) has about 95% population on free and reduced lunch, so for our students to donate to a food drive was awesome. The first graders set a goal for 100 cans per classroom and we would donate them to Good Samaritan on Valentine's Day for a gift of kindness. We collected 594 cans!! AWESOME! :) We did go through and count the cans by tens and ones, and tossed out the old dates. The kids had fun doing it.

Then yesterday was our party. WOWSWERS I forgot how long it took for firsties to pass out Valentine's :) We passed them out in the morning, then they partied in the afternoon with their substitute. Yesterday was one of our crazy special days so they were at specials for an hour and a half.

I'm finally getting around to posting our ai and ay work and the Treasures Homework/Tests. Here ya go!

Ai/Ay Sort

Ai/Ay Shape Boxes and Riddles

Ai/Ay Task Cards

Treasures Unit 4.3 Stormy Weather Story Questions

Treasures Unit 4.3 Story Weather Quiz

If you are able to use any of this, I sure love hearing about it! :) I also just realized that I'm VERY close to 400 followers.....maybe it's about time for a giveaway? :)