tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2840342159959778992024-03-18T00:49:17.743-07:00Miss Giraffe's ClassMiss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-25260236148411435692023-10-05T12:04:00.006-07:002023-12-10T15:15:24.023-07:00Place Value Teaching Tens and Ones<p class="MsoNormal">Place value Teaching Tens and Ones is usually one of the first place
value lessons you teach in kindergarten and first grade to introduce place value,
so I love to make it a fun one! And what is more fun than ice cream to learn
base 10 blocks, tens and ones, expanded form, and number words?? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSxu5hfFHJwjz_wwiXYKjBzeqruLkmu411ARNrqwVhI0d9OYj1LhcH1hfZRdz-fi27U78DWtqvOGGnibtb7-j3XDQ8KUS6B1kGzv7A3YL14OCcxJRAQnRETGzXP4EEc88pvC_jk_JPa-tIuZWJz7rbGORFQahZy_BmRcwg5hUDWI9wDCzustV0chCjdbh/s960/Place%20Value%20Ice%20Cream%20Cones.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Place value ice cream cones center is such a fun lesson for teaching tens and ones, base 10 blocks, expanded form, and number words all in one consolidated activity! Great for first grade and kindergarten math time" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSxu5hfFHJwjz_wwiXYKjBzeqruLkmu411ARNrqwVhI0d9OYj1LhcH1hfZRdz-fi27U78DWtqvOGGnibtb7-j3XDQ8KUS6B1kGzv7A3YL14OCcxJRAQnRETGzXP4EEc88pvC_jk_JPa-tIuZWJz7rbGORFQahZy_BmRcwg5hUDWI9wDCzustV0chCjdbh/w480-h640/Place%20Value%20Ice%20Cream%20Cones.JPG" title="Place value ice cream cones center is such a fun lesson for teaching tens and ones, base 10 blocks, expanded form, and number words all in one consolidated activity! Great for first grade and kindergarten math time" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal">For this lesson, you give students 4-5 cones with a number
on them and then they build their ice cream cones by adding the matching scoops.
You can easily make it harder or easier by which scoops you choose for them to
build with and how many. You could do simply 1 scoop per cone to learn number words, 2 scoops
to learn tens and ones and base 10, 3 scoops to add in expanded form, or any
combination!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-WAibfbGKKTemNl1BMOPVnjR4oWI7iBEC0_pVAef1joQNX6cTZLECekSoz2M1uRuLtfhrIrGJlL5chPK7eR6_4nuOvT4-m28j6tHJzsqyTI3qaQ7lZuSnqYNowG-FBgOZidRZ5M0Z_SwXq-QlZI_Y_6PiN5s6iq6RmB4UOYjuEHLNT4ZAZWjOwEXHmjA/s960/Teen%20Numbers%20Ice%20Cream%20Cones%20Place%20Value.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ice cream place value game that is so cute and fun for first grade or kindergarten math" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-WAibfbGKKTemNl1BMOPVnjR4oWI7iBEC0_pVAef1joQNX6cTZLECekSoz2M1uRuLtfhrIrGJlL5chPK7eR6_4nuOvT4-m28j6tHJzsqyTI3qaQ7lZuSnqYNowG-FBgOZidRZ5M0Z_SwXq-QlZI_Y_6PiN5s6iq6RmB4UOYjuEHLNT4ZAZWjOwEXHmjA/w480-h640/Teen%20Numbers%20Ice%20Cream%20Cones%20Place%20Value.JPG" title="Ice cream place value game that is so cute and fun for first grade or kindergarten math" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">The first full set for this center is teen numbers only
(numbers under 20) so they can first practice in a super easy way. I would also
recommend only doing 2 scoops at first (base 10 and tens/ones) and doing only
teen numbers. Then the next week, do the same center (or small group activity
or however you use this) but with any 2 digit number under 50. You can also mix the 2 sets to make a 3rd review center.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What I love most about this place value lesson is how easily
you can differentiate so all of your students can get practice at their level and
feel successful, while all doing the same activity. The amount of numbers you
practice at a time, the number of scoops you choose, and which ones, are all
ways to level this center up or down to meet the needs of each of your kids. The recording sheets come in 2, 3, and 4
scoop options to make this super easy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZC0I11Iw6O5oCklj2V2xeJqTwdz0enKGZRPZ0Qc3izAoRfErt-KbfuWNflXAKb6EoC-ng3jJqhFmCVm5Sz5bOH8NyCdklsHWEpdx6EyBRuOvzJj9A1FU9pyNRJyu3y3fi9FDcHgiUMFRZ7f20nmHDCvDxKOW2TCZ6naFx0LISWKK-0ZjbijQXpQfxMVU/s960/Place%20Value%20Centers%20Fun%20Tens%20and%20Ones.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Place value base 10 blocks, tens and ones, and expanded form is made so easy with these fun math ice cream puzzles" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZC0I11Iw6O5oCklj2V2xeJqTwdz0enKGZRPZ0Qc3izAoRfErt-KbfuWNflXAKb6EoC-ng3jJqhFmCVm5Sz5bOH8NyCdklsHWEpdx6EyBRuOvzJj9A1FU9pyNRJyu3y3fi9FDcHgiUMFRZ7f20nmHDCvDxKOW2TCZ6naFx0LISWKK-0ZjbijQXpQfxMVU/w480-h640/Place%20Value%20Centers%20Fun%20Tens%20and%20Ones.JPG" title="Place value base 10 blocks, tens and ones, and expanded form is made so easy with these fun math ice cream puzzles" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">They also have an example to follow, with the first scoop done for them, so the kids can be self
directed and know what a completed ice cream is supposed to look like :) I put all 4 scoops for
this picture example to show all the possibilities, but if you were using this green recording
sheet with 3 scoops, you’d only have them be matching 3 scoops per cone, so I’d
take out the number words option, for example, for each number if I was using
this sheet.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Also another fun tip is to print the recording sheet on
color paper like this! Slip it in a sheet protector and let them write their
answers on it using a dry erase marker for extra fun! If it’s just a center and
you don’t care about them turning work in, that’s an easy way to make this more
engaging. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUZqaefhdmzCyAVj6XIYuuzRB_IWig6bHaARAGsMmHi6pDkGISW_Tj1FLG7U75q-ZYNWBqoBgYY-N4Hro0B-hGkyPFkUGOgRLNRqN8voo9L1oLxEt2ZnQBk_yyVTwaAZLw_G5CSCqYDJY4F1terNo1fuiocvw7iWQEGxe7xYaB8jzd8P3LJl_WEWsgq2e/s960/Place%20Value%20Activities%20First%20Grade.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to teach place value tens and ones lessons in a fun way" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUZqaefhdmzCyAVj6XIYuuzRB_IWig6bHaARAGsMmHi6pDkGISW_Tj1FLG7U75q-ZYNWBqoBgYY-N4Hro0B-hGkyPFkUGOgRLNRqN8voo9L1oLxEt2ZnQBk_yyVTwaAZLw_G5CSCqYDJY4F1terNo1fuiocvw7iWQEGxe7xYaB8jzd8P3LJl_WEWsgq2e/w480-h640/Place%20Value%20Activities%20First%20Grade.JPG" title="How to teach place value tens and ones lessons in a fun way" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>As you can see, the scoop options for each number cone are:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">* Number words (twenty-five)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">* Base 10 blocks to represent the number<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">* Tens and Ones (2 tens 5 ones)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">* Expanded form (20 + 5)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQNlmqxaPJjem48F3GWfHV9SS9Lqq9QmygOtDXgHvDtmUK2n1b_ezEaS4emJt8QwPKUNjLtTMNd5vaDoSc0I6Iqki8E4dBdYxMtPQ7LC_ok5qEQ2I_-hq5xRNMoRd3Lv1jP-gmW15-G1G3wGq7XPzLss1Pz9N16Gz1yPa88PE0LlSXma6gSq0UCKQ7DoU/s960/Place%20Value%20Base%2010%20Blocks%20Games.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tens and ones worksheets games and centers for kids to play to learn place value" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQNlmqxaPJjem48F3GWfHV9SS9Lqq9QmygOtDXgHvDtmUK2n1b_ezEaS4emJt8QwPKUNjLtTMNd5vaDoSc0I6Iqki8E4dBdYxMtPQ7LC_ok5qEQ2I_-hq5xRNMoRd3Lv1jP-gmW15-G1G3wGq7XPzLss1Pz9N16Gz1yPa88PE0LlSXma6gSq0UCKQ7DoU/w480-h640/Place%20Value%20Base%2010%20Blocks%20Games.JPG" title="Tens and ones worksheets games and centers for kids to play to learn place value" width="480" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>But the recording sheets (which are optional) are also
differentiated so they can show their answers with 2 scoops, 3 scoops, or 4
scoops. What I love, too, is you can reuse this center to teach each part. So
you could do it with the cones and only tens and ones. Then later do it with
tens and ones AND base 10. Then later add in expanded form and just keep adding
a scoop :) Or do 2 at a time but a different 2 scoop types each time.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My favorite way to use these is to use the cones and the
number words only (1 scoop per cone) in the beginning of the year - for simple number words
practice and to teach them HOW to do the activity. Then later, when teaching
place value, do 3 scoops of base 10, tens and ones, and expanded form. (For
kids who struggle, remove the expanded form at first and add it later.) But all
of the ways to differentiate make it a perfect (and fun!) activity that all of
your kids can feel successful practicing place value skills with. Making sure
they LOVE math time is actually more important than them getting the skills
right away. If they keep loving math, they’ll keep working to learn the skills
so math should always feel fun and like an exciting puzzle to solve whenever
possible.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Speaking of puzzles, you know I love puzzles! These puzzles
are another super easy and fun way to practice tens and ones.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43N1DrkbH6MucU39Wsb73PO_80egCg1enZ3ni9HGvRcq9S5C-Bnb4Wz-AGEmOS-_GWhmPr4HgbQPbYWIMdjnAw3isSx-WjluDUpJJOss2OXsKSPYuh6rtw6y6gS6SN0gazDLHSXomGgicyLb_HjXcfIUyQ34Dyf1fmSO9ctbZuvoTYzbv6F-uu-iwIga7/s960/Place%20Value%20Puzzles%20Tens%20and%20Ones.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Place value puzzles to learn tens and ones and base ten blocks representations of 2 digit numbers for lots of great math practice!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43N1DrkbH6MucU39Wsb73PO_80egCg1enZ3ni9HGvRcq9S5C-Bnb4Wz-AGEmOS-_GWhmPr4HgbQPbYWIMdjnAw3isSx-WjluDUpJJOss2OXsKSPYuh6rtw6y6gS6SN0gazDLHSXomGgicyLb_HjXcfIUyQ34Dyf1fmSO9ctbZuvoTYzbv6F-uu-iwIga7/w480-h640/Place%20Value%20Puzzles%20Tens%20and%20Ones.JPG" title="Place value puzzles to learn tens and ones and base ten blocks representations of 2 digit numbers for lots of great math practice!" width="480" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Have kids simply match the number to the base 10 blocks
representation and how many tens and ones it has. Super simple but effective practice!
Just like with the ice cream cones, I have a teen numbers only version of the
center. This is perfect to do first with your lower groups, or just first in
general, or if you’re teaching kindergarten and only doing teen numbers. :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgRfiH7f9N09oM6IZERCQ6uDkhGEjSLURQDvlondeN8chJS8GjJ9n429rq5wyVqpWJ2NRph3oMKanP8M9CZHKY8KOcm41QXePlCpwoGKb8NFPnHLNx9CSJne02YOawDH3AnXck-ghyphenhyphen03m_pw6Uww4X8bR3lRjNL1pTA6kTSJr7O701mE7c01wLULZyvt4/s960/Teen%20Numbers%20Puzzles%20Place%20Value.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Teen numbers place value practice with games and worksheets" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgRfiH7f9N09oM6IZERCQ6uDkhGEjSLURQDvlondeN8chJS8GjJ9n429rq5wyVqpWJ2NRph3oMKanP8M9CZHKY8KOcm41QXePlCpwoGKb8NFPnHLNx9CSJne02YOawDH3AnXck-ghyphenhyphen03m_pw6Uww4X8bR3lRjNL1pTA6kTSJr7O701mE7c01wLULZyvt4/w480-h640/Teen%20Numbers%20Puzzles%20Place%20Value.JPG" title="Teen numbers place value practice with games and worksheets" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Another thing you can do (as seen above) is have the kids
build the numbers with blocks. If you don’t have place value blocks, math cubes
work perfect! There’s a link to the exact ones I use in the right sidebar of
this page if you need some. You’re going to have kids who learn by building,
just like you have visual learners, or kids who learn by listening, or kids who
learn by writing, so you want to try to provide something for all of them to
help ALL of your kids get it in the way that makes the most sense to them.</div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You can do this for any place value activity, including the
ice cream cones. Just have them build the number in blocks (have ten blocks
already formed with 10 cubes linked and they stay that way) next to it. Even while completing a simple place value worksheet, they can build their numbers/answers next to it. Letting
them manipulate blocks helps them deepen their understanding, and also
helps fidgety kids channel their energy in a way that’s connected to the
lesson.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRXi-CM5MJ1U7ZhsETqsXDsowdNMf4-juPt0SnV_rLOBrjpjyU0rCGr6gvXh2T4EVYIKwPN9TIVJWxthsk-Zr68-o81Nvx9uIriZ_TrZkSVfvTuS4aBOhrOnnDYE1BrCMlO9teZpkQiwx7lp2tCLhYCAYZfun03h7fAoavaXKYY1tw4b4olZ33Jkho5hN/s960/Teen%20Numbers%20Place%20Value%20Blocks.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Teen numbers practice with tens and ones, place value blocks, and expanded form to learn ways to make numbers" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRXi-CM5MJ1U7ZhsETqsXDsowdNMf4-juPt0SnV_rLOBrjpjyU0rCGr6gvXh2T4EVYIKwPN9TIVJWxthsk-Zr68-o81Nvx9uIriZ_TrZkSVfvTuS4aBOhrOnnDYE1BrCMlO9teZpkQiwx7lp2tCLhYCAYZfun03h7fAoavaXKYY1tw4b4olZ33Jkho5hN/w480-h640/Teen%20Numbers%20Place%20Value%20Blocks.JPG" title="Teen numbers practice with tens and ones, place value blocks, and expanded form to learn ways to make numbers" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Another way some kids love to learn is by coloring. Coloring
is a hugely impactful learning tool when used educationally!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDfucksOu5u68J0QBGPjJXf7qOsnzqwF2xsjM4UMdjB56r-_94MxQG79OdXWoG9i1_plIQbWA8LM8ysX2cdR2gGesIqzoAE7GKnJNmLr_JllfpOkBQAF1rG08S_Jzt3ld4Kt0cJ0Mhfvb4SEqXadftIdXFN7AeJ6olCghUXckbNecURYAPxjcjcODrOLK/s960/Place%20Value%20Blocks%20Worksheets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Place value coloring worksheets to write tens and ones in fun easy way" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDfucksOu5u68J0QBGPjJXf7qOsnzqwF2xsjM4UMdjB56r-_94MxQG79OdXWoG9i1_plIQbWA8LM8ysX2cdR2gGesIqzoAE7GKnJNmLr_JllfpOkBQAF1rG08S_Jzt3ld4Kt0cJ0Mhfvb4SEqXadftIdXFN7AeJ6olCghUXckbNecURYAPxjcjcODrOLK/w480-h640/Place%20Value%20Blocks%20Worksheets.JPG" title="Place value coloring worksheets to write tens and ones in fun easy way" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For this simple worksheet activity, let them use markers or
crayons (I prefer skinny markers for this) to color in the base 10 blocks to represent
the number then write how many tens and ones the number has. This is an
excellent way to get in tens and ones practice in a very visual and kinesthetic
way.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This particular worksheet is from the Groups of Ten section
of my big <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-First-Grade-Math-Centers-Worksheets-Games-and-Activities-BUNDLE-1220316?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Place-Value-Tens-And-Ones" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Place Value Math Unit</span></a> (that all of these activities I am
showing are included in), but I have these worksheets in a lot of levels and
options for tons of place value practice. The versions inside the unit, where
it looks like this but is only 1 number per page, were so popular that I kept
getting requests to make them for more numbers. So I made <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Tens-and-Ones-Number-of-the-Day-Worksheets-Numbers-1-120-5035517?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Place-Value-Tens-And-Ones" target="_blank">a separate pack of all numbers 1-120</a> so you could do 1 page a day as an easy Number of
the Day morning work activity to do a little place value practice with a new
random number each day. It’s a fun little warm up to get in a little base 10 blocks
and tens and ones practice each day :)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Speaking of Base 10 blocks, these simple little center cards
are my favorite way to introduce and practice base ten.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zmtbcPpmg9iJv_0du0-B1KEn9sJfkHq-I2Brs661Ezy3bRanRzaOaSCwuBRr0qc6XCVXollMVg8-_YLBYKj9688n9mnOb2Vl3wekUKCV5h0s_LWqDxBzaDFsVAv4zwjMcp6VcmpWQHgzQkw-KkvJAMOD64iSH5SVteLd1hqKVotI_bhqnQPms3HIrNdI/s960/Base%20Ten%20Blocks%20Tens%20Ones.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Place value blocks activities to learn numbers in fun ways" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zmtbcPpmg9iJv_0du0-B1KEn9sJfkHq-I2Brs661Ezy3bRanRzaOaSCwuBRr0qc6XCVXollMVg8-_YLBYKj9688n9mnOb2Vl3wekUKCV5h0s_LWqDxBzaDFsVAv4zwjMcp6VcmpWQHgzQkw-KkvJAMOD64iSH5SVteLd1hqKVotI_bhqnQPms3HIrNdI/w480-h640/Base%20Ten%20Blocks%20Tens%20Ones.JPG" title="Place value blocks activities to learn numbers in fun ways" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">You can never get enough place value blocks practice so why
not make it colorful? :) For this center, you cut out these cards and mix them
up and lay them out. Kids simply pick a card, figure out the number the blocks
represent (and build it themselves if you want), and then write it on their
recording sheet next to the matching center. Boom! So easy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrhyphenhyphenfi0VUmwcMFV4u-TANZrrF5pTPOvPNLbrAgtYR1lqsmR5WjzNjPDKq0B0-wFOxtS8MLE6vuEcR8qzzDxVZ5cinP0vmociIvDmhfJWtcHx7H33-IT-GRjUOVdaUAExXL2gD_ALPCmvlAxhfNnOpUgLunG4Fdy1DP3Wly0diCjdxuTaoHsy81Bw1wxa8/s960/Place%20Value%20Math%20Centers%20Activities.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Place value games and centers for first grade or kindergarten" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrhyphenhyphenfi0VUmwcMFV4u-TANZrrF5pTPOvPNLbrAgtYR1lqsmR5WjzNjPDKq0B0-wFOxtS8MLE6vuEcR8qzzDxVZ5cinP0vmociIvDmhfJWtcHx7H33-IT-GRjUOVdaUAExXL2gD_ALPCmvlAxhfNnOpUgLunG4Fdy1DP3Wly0diCjdxuTaoHsy81Bw1wxa8/w480-h640/Place%20Value%20Math%20Centers%20Activities.JPG" title="Place value games and centers for first grade or kindergarten" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">All of the centers, games, and activities in my math units
come with student friendly directions like this so they’re so easy to pull out
and play. They also always come with teacher/homeschooler directions that are
more in depth of how to prep and set it up, ways to make it harder/easier, fun
ideas, or anything I felt would be helpful.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another fun game to teach tens and ones is Place Value Roll!
They roll the (included) dice to see how many tens blocks it has and how many
ones blocks it has.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgk_1UoXIvP9HTZRQRmqfNdCieG4TA3CNSsWzI4v7ozQHHWZzTe7wrSEpgiCIGjlle8ZTE2hgk852mSSJu8kT9O2sr0YP8nDexjXAWFUmOabUI3kdBpKtb7gZfGJdupgGitPdLmUUs6VJuWssxv87OgSOJMDTMqqWukkB2IkLM4t3BZT1q0x8nYXNssAP/s960/Place%20Value%20Roll%20Tens%20and%20Ones%20Game.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fun place value games for math time that kids can play independently, with a partner, or in small groups lessons" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgk_1UoXIvP9HTZRQRmqfNdCieG4TA3CNSsWzI4v7ozQHHWZzTe7wrSEpgiCIGjlle8ZTE2hgk852mSSJu8kT9O2sr0YP8nDexjXAWFUmOabUI3kdBpKtb7gZfGJdupgGitPdLmUUs6VJuWssxv87OgSOJMDTMqqWukkB2IkLM4t3BZT1q0x8nYXNssAP/w480-h640/Place%20Value%20Roll%20Tens%20and%20Ones%20Game.JPG" title="Fun place value games for math time that kids can play independently, with a partner, or in small groups lessons" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">What I love most about this activity is it is a sneaky way
to <b>consolidate</b> the 2 separate skills of looking at base 10 blocks to
know how many tens and ones a number has AND the ability to know what the
actual number is. It sets it up in a vertical way where they see how writing
how many tens and ones is actually simply writing the number. 4 tens and 2 ones
is 42. (This activity is also a great bridge to teaching and learning the value of digits, which I'll write a post about later)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s also an easy game for them to play independently over
and over but get different numbers so this could stay in your centers buckets for
weeks! It's also a great activity to throw in your fast finishers bucket for kids who finish their work early to have another thing to choose from.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One way to make Place Value Roll a fun partner game is to have each
partner have their own recording sheet but share dice. They take turns rolling
the dice to build a number. Whoever builds a bigger number for that roll/round circles their number. Whoever has the most circles wins! You can put the recording sheets in sheet protectors and give them dry
erase markers so they can wipe and play again once they fill all the spots to
make it an endless center. Remember when I said what’s better than ice cream?
Endless centers. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For assessment, there are tons of worksheets to use in my place value unit, but I
also love to use cut and paste worksheets as an informal assessment. They’re
the best, in my opinion, because kids can move around their answers and really assess
their own understanding too. I love that they're self-checking and kids see glue as permanent so they often take a moment to proofread, which is a valuable skill in itself.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They’re also just great straightforward practice.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1R1cLjx3YeTw7l4Cba-JBCcQJF2KJ2A3P4r_t8O8LQJWruCF9ugwwoDrfogW71mAVk0M7c5WvhLKBdZ-gkjnu-XiB_SpjxTIiYRArUMZjnAQn1fRAf1xLh0GU0Dmx8iIdbf-o3yEtv4bwbw0ZQgJ9USrULbulXvVRBvnu8U9AS12OaKhR_qOEJBfbkyw/s960/Tens%20and%20Ones%20Worksheets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Place value tens and ones worksheets for first grade or kindergarten math" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1R1cLjx3YeTw7l4Cba-JBCcQJF2KJ2A3P4r_t8O8LQJWruCF9ugwwoDrfogW71mAVk0M7c5WvhLKBdZ-gkjnu-XiB_SpjxTIiYRArUMZjnAQn1fRAf1xLh0GU0Dmx8iIdbf-o3yEtv4bwbw0ZQgJ9USrULbulXvVRBvnu8U9AS12OaKhR_qOEJBfbkyw/w480-h640/Tens%20and%20Ones%20Worksheets.JPG" title="Place value tens and ones worksheets for first grade or kindergarten math" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">As with everything, I differentiate these too :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tksaQsivHqxNQtiBda4zClgy1OIZx0BftYrlSUapschaqXtLHrKltAAqAIe7uTm1xWocWaWPV_05L46U1AZdyeyqqiYziZepZNFQa2_5Av0ms8_BRmD23wIRS-5_SKQxDTgfX_hIxWxQMih2aMWIU-di3lutDTkgrWGBeRSE9NZtG9w-b7VltLLMjioW/s960/Teen%20Numbers%20Worksheets%20Tens%20and%20Ones.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Teen numbers worksheets for tens and ones practice" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tksaQsivHqxNQtiBda4zClgy1OIZx0BftYrlSUapschaqXtLHrKltAAqAIe7uTm1xWocWaWPV_05L46U1AZdyeyqqiYziZepZNFQa2_5Av0ms8_BRmD23wIRS-5_SKQxDTgfX_hIxWxQMih2aMWIU-di3lutDTkgrWGBeRSE9NZtG9w-b7VltLLMjioW/w480-h640/Teen%20Numbers%20Worksheets%20Tens%20and%20Ones.JPG" title="Teen numbers worksheets for tens and ones practice" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One thing I’ve shown on my blog and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MissGiraffesClass/photos/pb.100050153604151.-2207520000/2581347275427406/?type=3">on
Facebook</a> before is that you can make any cut and paste worksheet into a
reusable center by simply using fastener tape so kids can stick the answers on and can pull them off to reset it to be played again. Laminate the papers, put little strips of fastener tape on the sheet and on the answers, and voila - instant "game" for any skill. Scroll to the red Fact Fluency sheets in my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/01/fact-fluency-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">Fact Fluency in First Grade blost post</a> if you want to see a picture example.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uxatlocEk-oXP0yHYY0eKLw6TO4H_gpp9mDTn-IwLyhoFMDrlJpv9QIYnUVoSHJ_J8MN_Rn4DoJpifACalUN3avAH0z9FpKbbzsz_51Kfyz9y8OF3N9xl_B2g0aCMeWdZ-63Atd_7sMTVpJMwbHY55emFIDzj115l0PAPTOvLdrOpv7OMktmO7SZrSG7/s960/Tesn%20and%20Ones%20Worksheets%20Place%20Value.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tens and ones cut and paste worksheets to make place value fun and engaging" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uxatlocEk-oXP0yHYY0eKLw6TO4H_gpp9mDTn-IwLyhoFMDrlJpv9QIYnUVoSHJ_J8MN_Rn4DoJpifACalUN3avAH0z9FpKbbzsz_51Kfyz9y8OF3N9xl_B2g0aCMeWdZ-63Atd_7sMTVpJMwbHY55emFIDzj115l0PAPTOvLdrOpv7OMktmO7SZrSG7/w480-h640/Tesn%20and%20Ones%20Worksheets%20Place%20Value.JPG" title="Tens and ones cut and paste worksheets to make place value fun and engaging" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">You can also just simply print on color paper to make it
more colorful.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEMvLtp3VOUTKJS09uQguc233emOPxS57jmpxfc77Q7KyIweT-F-Eyqn30LTFj1bFLhZeng8dh0xd-Ufh-SIpTlUwucCNgRKahT_eVFG6P6fH6Gs6HQUor3UjvSJzFhvo27y3NDvpk-aphqI_ZDK4j0oPc7de0uca2ssPPA7GFYu55uNW1pVCZ8kHSDVf/s960/Fun%20Tens%20and%20Ones%20Worksheets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fun place value worksheets to learn tens and ones" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEMvLtp3VOUTKJS09uQguc233emOPxS57jmpxfc77Q7KyIweT-F-Eyqn30LTFj1bFLhZeng8dh0xd-Ufh-SIpTlUwucCNgRKahT_eVFG6P6fH6Gs6HQUor3UjvSJzFhvo27y3NDvpk-aphqI_ZDK4j0oPc7de0uca2ssPPA7GFYu55uNW1pVCZ8kHSDVf/w480-h640/Fun%20Tens%20and%20Ones%20Worksheets.JPG" title="Fun place value worksheets to learn tens and ones" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">It just looks more fun in color, right?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I'm selective about what I print on color paper since it's more expensive but I love to use it occasionaly to spruce up a "boring" skill. </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, there are so many more activities I could show you
for teaching tens and ones during your place value lessons but these are my favorite.
I’ll try to write more for the other place value skills (expanded form, groups
of ten, value of digits, and all that good stuff!) to show you more ideas & activities from my
giant </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-First-Grade-Math-Centers-Worksheets-Games-and-Activities-BUNDLE-1220316?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Place-Value-Tens-And-Ones" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Place Value Math Unit</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnz5DdDIAffdgrko-UxOsZvzxPlB1a0vvnVcSlVI7DQ6_NkdqIlw2o3NpF2SxFZK7aUnR7sMdgbEuYN340-wdzGPMrq3mBmqiwDoiuP144OMQJUGYxVROgq4nu6r8CHFWrWbLp5RfgDCKaEmnehxNyZkGt9I3GQo9iVAvYtVP_yeWlRaEw_HNtfZeG1U3/s960/Place%20Value%20Math%20Unit%20Cover.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Giant place value math unit filled with worksheets, games, activities, and tips for teaching all the concepts to build number sense" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnz5DdDIAffdgrko-UxOsZvzxPlB1a0vvnVcSlVI7DQ6_NkdqIlw2o3NpF2SxFZK7aUnR7sMdgbEuYN340-wdzGPMrq3mBmqiwDoiuP144OMQJUGYxVROgq4nu6r8CHFWrWbLp5RfgDCKaEmnehxNyZkGt9I3GQo9iVAvYtVP_yeWlRaEw_HNtfZeG1U3/w300-h400/Place%20Value%20Math%20Unit%20Cover.JPG" title="Giant place value math unit filled with worksheets, games, activities, and tips for teaching all the concepts to build number sense" width="300" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Everything you have seen in this blog post is from that
unit! :) </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">If you want to see more of what is inside the unit, I also wrote a big <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2014/08/place-value-moving-and-new-blog-design.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Place Value in First Grade blog post</span></a> that shows more place value activities and ideas
too!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You’re also more than welcome to join my free Facebook group
for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/teachingmathinfirstgrade/" target="_blank">Teaching Math in First Grade</a> if you want to get more tips and
ideas for early elementary math! I LOVE sharing tips, ideas, and activities. It's also a great place to ask questions and learn from each other. Just make sure you answer all 3 questions to get approved to join the group. I also have a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/firstgradephonics" target="_blank">First Grade Phonics</a> group and a couple others if you’re interested in phonics
too! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One tip I’ve shared in the math group specifically for
teaching tens and ones is to WRITE the numbers on a “ten” block and a “one”
block. This allows kids to visually see exactly what you’re saying when you say
“ten” – it is simply ten “ones” blocks grouped together to make counting faster.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hNfz-4N_adl44a5GO5fKZ9M1Y_skzE76boL1F-GP54uHZlwphtNuMZuaHJd6uCUbTRivfVl55Xtzr6djHQ3WnhuBaWNfrl2pHkbtGxioDBQJQCZeFMkWNkwo365udzyiO6LJkoKIf8tYkFV4_ecSIXPYA7HyGWK9v7dMsJnj6GasfhLH-XeBkuvtjawq/s960/Place%20Value%20Blocks%20Tens%20and%20Ones.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Teacher hack for learning tens and ones - write numbers on place value blocks for an awesome math visual" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hNfz-4N_adl44a5GO5fKZ9M1Y_skzE76boL1F-GP54uHZlwphtNuMZuaHJd6uCUbTRivfVl55Xtzr6djHQ3WnhuBaWNfrl2pHkbtGxioDBQJQCZeFMkWNkwo365udzyiO6LJkoKIf8tYkFV4_ecSIXPYA7HyGWK9v7dMsJnj6GasfhLH-XeBkuvtjawq/w400-h400/Place%20Value%20Blocks%20Tens%20and%20Ones.jpg" title="Teacher hack for learning tens and ones - write numbers on place value blocks for an awesome math visual" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">This will really help your kids see what the tens and ones blocks actually represent,
so I highly recommend doing this for a set of blocks. Write 1-10 on 5 "tens" blocks and 1 on 20 "ones" blocks - and have kids use those to build the numbers you're practicing when first practicing. This is especially effective to use during lessons at your small groups table (teacher table) if you have one.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">In general, I think it’s helpful to have place value blocks or math cubes
out and available any time you’re learning place value, whether it’s a puzzle or a worksheet or
a game. It’s nice to provide that support whenever possible.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43QoXn2EzJHLc8kDtaRRntDiF_dDZUSArFEpAnPzcQCB463ctwMXckDcPr-k96atBB6_aCc0US906aoY0dm4O3CzOfAt6SEHq3KXx25Z7AhDGG1YrYMMgK4RTiP4_hM662vUFd9Ch-B8GnePa12pKZv1gY5mHnUkwOS8hd3MkjxTppCI553cfsjlAHzfF/s960/Math%20Cubes%20Place%20Value%20Puzzles.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Place value puzzles are fun first grade math centers to learn numbers" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43QoXn2EzJHLc8kDtaRRntDiF_dDZUSArFEpAnPzcQCB463ctwMXckDcPr-k96atBB6_aCc0US906aoY0dm4O3CzOfAt6SEHq3KXx25Z7AhDGG1YrYMMgK4RTiP4_hM662vUFd9Ch-B8GnePa12pKZv1gY5mHnUkwOS8hd3MkjxTppCI553cfsjlAHzfF/w480-h640/Math%20Cubes%20Place%20Value%20Puzzles.JPG" title="Place value puzzles are fun first grade math centers to learn numbers" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">If you want all these fun activities, go grab <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-First-Grade-Math-Centers-Worksheets-Games-and-Activities-BUNDLE-1220316?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Place-Value-Tens-And-Ones" target="_blank">First Grade Math Unit 9: Place Value</a> then join us on Facebook and let’s make math fun!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For more math posts from me, check out:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/09/graphing-and-data-analysis-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">Graphing and Data Analysis</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/04/composing-shapes-in-1st-grade.html" target="_blank">Composing Shapes</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/02/teaching-money.html" target="_blank">Money</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/07/building-number-sense-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">Building Number Sense</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/01/fact-fluency-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">Fact Fluency in First Grade</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/02/telling-time.html" target="_blank">Telling Time</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/03/fractions-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">Fractions</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">& more! :) I also write a lot about phonics, literacy, and classroom management so feel free to browse around! </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks so much!</p></div><br />Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-91299449867341273972022-05-21T13:45:00.012-07:002022-05-21T15:20:09.790-07:00Teaching the OI and OY Sound<p>Teaching the OI and OY sound is a lot of fun! There are many words that make this sound (the oy as in toy sound) that kids know. Plus, it's fun to say. :) Here are my favorite worksheets, games, and phonics activities for learning these 2 common diphthongs! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjjpLqOVgUTZSj-SWbLw9nWdnoFsS_q2AqUep1UrffPR-6CzmIPBMT-oaatH0AE0afV_1zs6_TgOHRpfA4fH_2Yh3L1dmAydp_mve3cJjgtd7ygcZVpWq9umJoZU1LcFNLeejRYSccLEkTBIE43gt4YLYzywZNXz8kbdzUaTMxjs6B7mGjbn3pZc-lw/s960/OI%20and%20OY%20worksheets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OI and OY worksheets for phonics practice of diphthongs which is also often taught during vowel teams lessons too! These are fun interactive and engaging for kids learning to read!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjjpLqOVgUTZSj-SWbLw9nWdnoFsS_q2AqUep1UrffPR-6CzmIPBMT-oaatH0AE0afV_1zs6_TgOHRpfA4fH_2Yh3L1dmAydp_mve3cJjgtd7ygcZVpWq9umJoZU1LcFNLeejRYSccLEkTBIE43gt4YLYzywZNXz8kbdzUaTMxjs6B7mGjbn3pZc-lw/w480-h640/OI%20and%20OY%20worksheets.JPG" title="OI and OY worksheets for phonics practice of diphthongs which is also often taught during vowel teams lessons too! These are fun interactive and engaging for kids learning to read!" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">OI and OY Words Spelling Rule </h3><p>First, I recommend quickly introducing the sound with picture cards that have the words printed largely on them. My <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/OI-OY-Pocket-Chart-Centers-and-Materials-Vowel-Diphthongs-Practice-2356327?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=OI-and-OY" target="_blank">OI and OY picture cards</a> are perfect for this, if you don't have any already.</p><p><br /></p><p>As you're showing them the cards, point out how OY usually comes at the end of words. Show a couple of examples. Then show them some OI picture words. Ask if they notice anything. Hopefully they say that the OI sound is not at the end of the word - it's usually in the middle of the word. If they don't, point that out. :) Super simply way to introduce the sound and its spelling rule in a fun, visual way.</p><p><br /></p><h3>OI and OY Games</h3><div>One of my favorite phonics games is Spin a Word. I have them in almost all of my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Giraffe/Category/Phonics-NO-PREP-Packs-185556?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=OI-and-OY" target="_blank">Phonics No Prep Packs</a> to practice each found with a fun spinner game! Kids put a paperclip on the spinner, with a pencil through it, then flick it to spin! SO fun.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJVEtxBKs2QoQFlg89AYJWippQSZ_5BqGoMy9Q5Idhu43lsOxB7Oefc63eD0XhxhtB5wT80YymODhgo65HQCInvgdD5h4_bJRQbMb-wwyYLIixj7FuvwVsTGjygBB1sjlIuj-5JQQKjx_o3a6N8hSX6HOecXSaxWHSAVUs4VD6wKL9HjT0J6UhUdq_Q/s960/Spin%20a%20Word%20OI%20OY%20phonics%20game.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spin a Word OI OY phonics game for students to learn how to read" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJVEtxBKs2QoQFlg89AYJWippQSZ_5BqGoMy9Q5Idhu43lsOxB7Oefc63eD0XhxhtB5wT80YymODhgo65HQCInvgdD5h4_bJRQbMb-wwyYLIixj7FuvwVsTGjygBB1sjlIuj-5JQQKjx_o3a6N8hSX6HOecXSaxWHSAVUs4VD6wKL9HjT0J6UhUdq_Q/w480-h640/Spin%20a%20Word%20OI%20OY%20phonics%20game.JPG" title="Spin a Word OI OY phonics game for students to learn how to read" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>You can print it on color paper like this to make it look more fun. If you do that, you can also laminate it or put it in a plastic sheet protector so kids can use the same sheet over and over with a dry erase marker and wipe it when they're done. :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This particular game is in my big <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/OI-OY-Worksheets-and-Activities-NO-PREP-Vowel-Teams-Worksheets-Pairs-1812672?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=OI-and-OY" target="_blank">OI and OY No Prep Phonics Pack</a> which has over 55 no prep worksheets and activities for this sound!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrU4iBtsL4eSrRxSNSiMXcrNlnOxUY_iu3fBXj6cl4M-moaKwUeh-RuReyL5zxExK9I9Hphz5isjPEKpgUo_idVyCuZs-g0D-igC1e0vNK7KHd0PE2xleT8slnS0V1y3DecOqIpGlxPrSFH7tlM_HyE8u4dWnihEsnwaF72MKiOThO0ua4nfgP_JHbDg/s3000/OI%20and%20OY%20sound%20worksheets%20pack.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OI and OY sounds phonics no prep pack of worksheets that are fun and differentiated for students learning how to read" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrU4iBtsL4eSrRxSNSiMXcrNlnOxUY_iu3fBXj6cl4M-moaKwUeh-RuReyL5zxExK9I9Hphz5isjPEKpgUo_idVyCuZs-g0D-igC1e0vNK7KHd0PE2xleT8slnS0V1y3DecOqIpGlxPrSFH7tlM_HyE8u4dWnihEsnwaF72MKiOThO0ua4nfgP_JHbDg/w240-h320/OI%20and%20OY%20sound%20worksheets%20pack.JPG" title="OI and OY sounds phonics no prep pack of worksheets that are fun and differentiated for students learning how to read" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br />When they spin the spinner, it'll land on a word ending. They add that to the next line on their sheet. If it makes a real word, they circle it. This is great practice for decoding words (sounding out words). It is especially great practice when it's <i>not</i> a real word, so you know they are actually using the skill of sounding out, not recognizing a word from memory. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also print it on regular white paper, which is what I typically recommend, so kids can turn in their work. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_xc1mLs2GYoTx8hQSPtfhnmbEGF15InGoZ0ODcnKcXcThQyNabi3Ph_0jx0NNiJ5PhzSVmu_ZID6rAJiE8G7ho93nTZqUTFa8tYYvxTFMAOzBYRBa1F3KfLABKkaKUO94Gx7BwPbbptYFBJzzLHOeS57GCFZRDIel1qXPttcQ8RfX-YrJfjHH6iRqQ/s960/OI%20OY%20game%20phonics%20activity.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OI OY game that is a fun phonics activity to practice these sounds! Kids build words and try to make the most! Can be played with a partner, independently, in a small group lesson, and also can be sent home for homework!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_xc1mLs2GYoTx8hQSPtfhnmbEGF15InGoZ0ODcnKcXcThQyNabi3Ph_0jx0NNiJ5PhzSVmu_ZID6rAJiE8G7ho93nTZqUTFa8tYYvxTFMAOzBYRBa1F3KfLABKkaKUO94Gx7BwPbbptYFBJzzLHOeS57GCFZRDIel1qXPttcQ8RfX-YrJfjHH6iRqQ/w480-h640/OI%20OY%20game%20phonics%20activity.JPG" title="OI OY game that is a fun phonics activity to practice these sounds! Kids build words and try to make the most! Can be played with a partner, independently, in a small group lesson, and also can be sent home for homework!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I think it's helpful to have a page kids can show you their work on, so you can quickly scan it and see if the words they circled are actually real words. And help them if you notice they're not doing it correctly. It's a super quick and easy assessment tool to have them turn in their "center" work. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>OI AND OY Sound Bottle Cap Games</b></div><div>Another fun game for the OI and OY sound are my OI and OY bottle cap centers that are included in the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Vowel-Teams-Games-Fun-Vowel-Pairs-Activities-Bottle-Cap-Phonics-Centers-2899684?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=OI-and-OY" target="_blank">Vowels Teams Bottle Cap Centers BUNDLE</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Quick note to homeschoolers - Centers is just a fancy way of saying learning games. It's often used to describe the time a classroom teacher has students play learning games. If you're a homeschooler, if it says centers, that basically means it's a game or activity you can use with your child to help them learn the skill. I have a lot of new homeschoolers reading my blog recently so I wanted to make sure the word centers doesn't scare you away. Both teachers and homeschoolers can do "centers" :) </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5benQrCbbrhciH9gNOhPfp6B3ZL9ldbd4Nn-4GeFABZz6xBqGfskVh2LQVoWpJFwP1iqUQtim3ORs7NVDRPVJIOGXIdn6DBBBBpUiRJJKv2_1Ic45xP6Da61DJ2qE8QB6M2_7BmQ0PZ4RKgjm34W_wpNGqF1RCUSrowAAeBLap5C3xUpBmnqH9-XCvw/s960/OI%20sound%20phonics%20game.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OI sound phonics games to practice reading words with cute picture support - perfect for first grade or 2nd in reading centers, partner games, small group lessons, and also independent classwork time - they can really be used any time of the day!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5benQrCbbrhciH9gNOhPfp6B3ZL9ldbd4Nn-4GeFABZz6xBqGfskVh2LQVoWpJFwP1iqUQtim3ORs7NVDRPVJIOGXIdn6DBBBBpUiRJJKv2_1Ic45xP6Da61DJ2qE8QB6M2_7BmQ0PZ4RKgjm34W_wpNGqF1RCUSrowAAeBLap5C3xUpBmnqH9-XCvw/w480-h640/OI%20sound%20phonics%20game.JPG" title="OI sound phonics games to practice reading words with cute picture support - perfect for first grade or 2nd in reading centers, partner games, small group lessons, and also independent classwork time - they can really be used any time of the day!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>It's such a fun way to recycle water bottle caps and reuse them for learning how to read! :) Reading and recycling at the same time! Use a permanent marker to write letters on water bottle caps and they put them on the picture word cards to finish building the word! You can also use alphabet magnet letters, which is what I used here.</div><div><br /></div><div>They're super easy to differentiate for wherever your little reader(s) are, because they come in 6 levels: where ALL the letters in the word are missing, where NONE of the letters are missing (perfect for kids who need a lot of support - they can simply match the letters on top of them to build the words), where only the first letter is missing, where only the last letter is missing, where only the phonics sound being practiced (in this case, OI or OY) is missing, and also a version where all BUT the phonics sound being practiced is missing. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmMcKrb1oOadsM-mrdZGyYEvBddh8HcgfmrBFobSGFADfFIzsk1tKx3EY8zV7mnYP08jUij7o2ztunrbnkgBNg9gNfz-p2yBsb9xdDuUy8Stfkx7uCYwCJZ2ddFf2TJ4DWvkf804dyS8srpheImg0y9yrdF-51N7uOdVoFAhJ3rC65Y3_2PhWqyh0hg/s960/Building%20words%20with%20OI%20sound%20phonics.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Building words with OI sound during phonics practice is so fun with these picture cards where kids use magnet letters to fill in the missing sound" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmMcKrb1oOadsM-mrdZGyYEvBddh8HcgfmrBFobSGFADfFIzsk1tKx3EY8zV7mnYP08jUij7o2ztunrbnkgBNg9gNfz-p2yBsb9xdDuUy8Stfkx7uCYwCJZ2ddFf2TJ4DWvkf804dyS8srpheImg0y9yrdF-51N7uOdVoFAhJ3rC65Y3_2PhWqyh0hg/w480-h640/Building%20words%20with%20OI%20sound%20phonics.JPG" title="Building words with OI sound during phonics practice is so fun with these picture cards where kids use magnet letters to fill in the missing sound" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This also means you could reuse them to build the skill! First, do the cards with the phonics sound missing so they're putting OI and OY on the card repeatedly to really reinforce it. Then, give them the same cards again but with the beginning sound missing. They will really have to say and read the word to figure this out. Then, you could give it to them with the beginning AND ending missing. Or skip straight to all the sounds missing. Such great practice for word building!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>OI and OY Sound Secret Words Games</b></div><div>A slightly easier word building game for OI and OY are the OI and OY cards from my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Secret-Word-Vowel-Teams-Activities-167-vowel-pairs-center-word-building-cards-2017104?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=OI-and-OY" target="_blank">Vowel Teams Secret Words Games</a>! These have always been one of my favorite games. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to see real pictures of these, I have pictures of the R Controlled Vowels version of this. It's played the same way! :) Those are here: <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2022/02/fun-r-controlled-vowels-activities-and-games.html" target="_blank">Fun R Controlled Vowels Activities and Games</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Kids look at each picture. Figure out it's beginning sound. Put the letter there. Keep going until they've solved all the beginning sounds pictures to reveal the Secret Word! So fun!! I have them for almost every phonics sound and also the short vowel word families! :) The<span style="color: red;"> </span><span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Secret-Sight-Words-Centers-Fun-Sight-Word-Games-Practice-Letter-Sounds-too-1342385?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=OI-and-OY" target="_blank">Secret Sight Words set</a></span> are probably the most popular of all my sets if you want them for sight words! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><h3>OI and OY Worksheets</h3><div>Worksheets are a super easy way to practice the OI and OY sound! These are all from the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/OI-OY-Worksheets-and-Activities-NO-PREP-Vowel-Teams-Worksheets-Pairs-1812672?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=OI-and-OY" target="_blank">OI and OY No Prep Phonics Pack</a> I mentioned earlier. The worksheets are consistent for each phonics sound so, once you teach a kid how to do them once, they know HOW to do them. Then, each week, they can ideally focus on the new skill, without you having to give them directions again. Anything you can do to make learning to read easier = win. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another favorite worksheet type is Circle & Sort! People often tell me this is one of their favorites to do each week from my no prep packs.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uUbCihyyRO1BTaSEja6yZKaxXKrj6Rg3_UOYefkmNBtoMKqRcs7WJ1YwTiW9wAfHWpariOQnz69Ty24M08AgBF_JheidxRqFFv6kFEnP4brPXLg1njjPAF5Ijufv1QUzlOytPES8jdDV0GMOzoJKEwWmqhjzjyUoGKhRf9F8nBruYf3tIoGdufqdzA/s960/Circle%20and%20Sort%20worksheets%20phonics%20OI%20OY.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Circle and Sort worksheets phonics OI OY printables for learning to read" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uUbCihyyRO1BTaSEja6yZKaxXKrj6Rg3_UOYefkmNBtoMKqRcs7WJ1YwTiW9wAfHWpariOQnz69Ty24M08AgBF_JheidxRqFFv6kFEnP4brPXLg1njjPAF5Ijufv1QUzlOytPES8jdDV0GMOzoJKEwWmqhjzjyUoGKhRf9F8nBruYf3tIoGdufqdzA/w480-h640/Circle%20and%20Sort%20worksheets%20phonics%20OI%20OY.JPG" title="Circle and Sort worksheets phonics OI OY printables for learning to read" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>It's pretty simple but it provides a lot of practice. Kids use a different color marker to circle the words with each phonics sound. Then, they sort them by writing them below. Word sorts are a great way to have kids recognize the phonics skill in a word.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another thing I love about it is that it is naturally differentiated. Kids who can read the sentences will. Kids who struggle to read the sentences can still complete the activity successfully and will read as much as they can, so it pushes them right at their level. I LOVE that.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love differentiation, which you know if you've read any of <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">my math and phonics posts</a> before. If not, save that page so you can check those posts out! :) </div><div><br /></div><div>Because of that, I also try to provide the same worksheet in multiple levels, when possible, within my phonics no prep packs. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3TVslwSwdYIfesUPjW5C9W8JKC9DsLR22wsfty3YfW9LF-rFQICWuIuw50-I94_M5xNKbTPEdHzCxYAsIoZ_NQ5gU2AsOV-tgDqraud8z7bsxCHIAeRRnP_Q9VZ1a6PN7zkWhb-LfGfgnZFcbe_BNPgX_8hZDDTeowtqWrMo5zVihC-AJTfhXSaw-g/s960/OI%20OY%20differentiated%20phonics%20worksheets%20reading.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OI OY differentiated phonics worksheets for reading instruction and lessons" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3TVslwSwdYIfesUPjW5C9W8JKC9DsLR22wsfty3YfW9LF-rFQICWuIuw50-I94_M5xNKbTPEdHzCxYAsIoZ_NQ5gU2AsOV-tgDqraud8z7bsxCHIAeRRnP_Q9VZ1a6PN7zkWhb-LfGfgnZFcbe_BNPgX_8hZDDTeowtqWrMo5zVihC-AJTfhXSaw-g/w480-h640/OI%20OY%20differentiated%20phonics%20worksheets%20reading.JPG" title="OI OY differentiated phonics worksheets for reading instruction and lessons" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>See how this one looks so similar but is actually slightly harder words? This is an awesome way to challenge your students who are ready to read harder words, without giving them a totally separate activity. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/03/how-to-keep-gifted-students-engaged-and.html" target="_blank">I was one of those students as a kid</a> and I often felt disconnected from the lessons my teachers were teaching because I was given work that had nothing to do with what everyone else was learning. It also made me feel different, which no kid likes to feel (even if it's a "good" type of different), because my work looked completely different. As if they went to an older grades teacher and asked for a stack of papers.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I try really hard to make differentiated activities look as much the same as possible. You also don't want your struggling students to feel different either. The main goal I always have with differentiating is that kids have no idea there are levels & that they just think there are multiple versions of the same activity. Which is actually the case.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If you feel like sentences might overwhelm your students, simple word sorts are wonderful. You can have them sort words by if they have OI or OY.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7C4Fb6csS5scnpmcy8Rrf9ymRuVTE2FMKz0IwSbyJeNiAtJAnuRUnwjdFTVf9YJd0hRfjqdTGmZzrNzqhSb83bt5xz6Q5T_NVSdqOt6KJdeKlLoNnWjz0EmJ-yhp96ZugWNLZHJP5qH5DgFi1cdDVK6LlgX3SDM2ql4adGqKEqejm_3RdGqtNTZqNnw/s960/OI%20and%20OY%20words%20sort%20phonics%20activity.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OI and OY word sorts worksheets to practice this diphthong sound in fun ways" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7C4Fb6csS5scnpmcy8Rrf9ymRuVTE2FMKz0IwSbyJeNiAtJAnuRUnwjdFTVf9YJd0hRfjqdTGmZzrNzqhSb83bt5xz6Q5T_NVSdqOt6KJdeKlLoNnWjz0EmJ-yhp96ZugWNLZHJP5qH5DgFi1cdDVK6LlgX3SDM2ql4adGqKEqejm_3RdGqtNTZqNnw/w480-h640/OI%20and%20OY%20words%20sort%20phonics%20activity.JPG" title="OI and OY word sorts worksheets to practice this diphthong sound in fun ways" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I chose this one because I wanted to make you aware that "toilet" will make them giggle and enjoy learning the OI sound. :) Any time you can incorporate silly (but appropriate) words, the kids will love it. </div><div><br /></div><div>These are super easy word sorts. Kids cut the words off the bottom then sort them by sound. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If you feel like your kids are ready for reading sentences with the OI and OY sound, I Love to Read is a fun one to do next!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFDjqqhk4SiTh0DaikwOK-tTGSQK2XkAFtnUkMjA2xqsUBcvT7_JF_poCrd4b6-SmHjFBvrtTfBwCWx0TRlxqfkpYO3ZifRZtuIqQupki3v_WOEK_eDL-dJWws-bjZIE-N2by6nNRTt2z5OwEsZvt1u0PP_j92hzlzgXao84eqSyqy6LpcqSrejBRyw/s960/OI%20OY%20sound%20I%20Love%20to%20Read%20worksheet.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OI OY sound I Love to Read worksheet for sentences comprehension practice" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFDjqqhk4SiTh0DaikwOK-tTGSQK2XkAFtnUkMjA2xqsUBcvT7_JF_poCrd4b6-SmHjFBvrtTfBwCWx0TRlxqfkpYO3ZifRZtuIqQupki3v_WOEK_eDL-dJWws-bjZIE-N2by6nNRTt2z5OwEsZvt1u0PP_j92hzlzgXao84eqSyqy6LpcqSrejBRyw/w480-h640/OI%20OY%20sound%20I%20Love%20to%20Read%20worksheet.JPG" title="OI OY sound I Love to Read worksheet for sentences comprehension practice" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>For this worksheet, kids DO have to be able to read the sentence to complete it correctly. For this reason, I recommend doing this one after you've done individual words practice. </div><div><br /></div><div>These are an awesome small groups lesson! You can have them at your table and have kids put the pictures in the correct boxes after reading each sentence. So you can watch and help. :) You could use it as a warm up to your lesson since it'd be pretty quick if they're not cutting or gluing themselves. And you can reuse them with each group! Woooo! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I think most people use them as a center / independent classwork activity though. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobHMSx0yGrFjLCjKi3uokoeZIcM5OucAmE5H3TDsddCdSDnvvN1jN67WcEvg_D9EbT30b5xuHrXbFkq6HvBtldWdsemvv-jibsy5m5PAcWMgWiZPmTYIz8NYtXkSxUvfd6laKdwgNsHktThMjBPzzKh-j6C-uozgomMNjFNClfoFpQiIWYHlSh0zYyg/s960/OI%20OY%20sound%20phonics%20and%20comprehension%20worksheet%20to%20read%20sentences.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OI OY sound phonics and comprehension worksheet to read sentences and match them to each picture" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobHMSx0yGrFjLCjKi3uokoeZIcM5OucAmE5H3TDsddCdSDnvvN1jN67WcEvg_D9EbT30b5xuHrXbFkq6HvBtldWdsemvv-jibsy5m5PAcWMgWiZPmTYIz8NYtXkSxUvfd6laKdwgNsHktThMjBPzzKh-j6C-uozgomMNjFNClfoFpQiIWYHlSh0zYyg/w480-h640/OI%20OY%20sound%20phonics%20and%20comprehension%20worksheet%20to%20read%20sentences.JPG" title="OI OY sound phonics and comprehension worksheet to read sentences and match them to each picture" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>To use them this way: </div><div>- Kids color the pictures at the bottom of the worksheet</div><div>- They cut them out</div><div>- As they read each sentence, they put the picture next to the sentence that describes it</div><div>- Glue them down</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a ton of phonics, fluency, and comprehension practice in one!</div><div><br /></div><div>I recommend telling them not to glue until they place all the squares. Tell them that if they get to the last sentence and it doesn't match the last picture, then they'll know they need to fix one of them. So they'll have to go back and reread and check each one. This is an AWESOME self-correction test skill to teach them!</div><div><br /></div><div><h3>OI and OY Reading Passages</h3><div>I love to practice reading passages in the form of PUZZLES! Yes, puzzles! As you've probably seen in <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/math.html" target="_blank">my math blog posts</a>, you know I love puzzles for everything! That includes reading passages. It makes what is typically a little boring A LOT more fun! </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTcOgsiaFH5F19cPPVWlDx0isVrjHceNEbpH6rq2mlAjSRcHqOdvBESIA1mxFPwhloiSX23M2lvjir4DeKytk2dR_gih5uG3MH66RXvVm1XQeAf8K_1XeJTV27GlTOy91Enk5FvNWEXMIPLR89AymDEqL3vzHesyyrIP5GWLTcRIaABMhFVF2JSRD_g/s960/OI%20and%20OY%20reading%20passages%20puzzles.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OI and OY reading passages puzzles where kids sequence the story by reading it and putting the pictures in order. Fun phonics practice and comprehension at the same time!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTcOgsiaFH5F19cPPVWlDx0isVrjHceNEbpH6rq2mlAjSRcHqOdvBESIA1mxFPwhloiSX23M2lvjir4DeKytk2dR_gih5uG3MH66RXvVm1XQeAf8K_1XeJTV27GlTOy91Enk5FvNWEXMIPLR89AymDEqL3vzHesyyrIP5GWLTcRIaABMhFVF2JSRD_g/w480-h640/OI%20and%20OY%20reading%20passages%20puzzles.JPG" title="OI and OY reading passages puzzles where kids sequence the story by reading it and putting the pictures in order. Fun phonics practice and comprehension at the same time!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>It also makes it look like more of a challenge AND combines more skills into the activity. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>They have to sequence the story to complete the puzzle. Which is an important reading comprehension skill in itself! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNQDqE_w9In-pfNGprbGM9d5bcJd6OQL2SWhK0GG2kdzY35dTSSLdo7X34E1iP3BYIVis6xWoREJiyTPzM4VKEDSFtqGa8r1BIYXhYYeTomlWzNQCIhGPCMZ1QQ6-wiSb-VGDE4mA0v0AfDfKMgFvxuvZn4lYWuTM0qrbuN-c9nJT-tX8S7VZ87RuGQ/s960/OI%20and%20OY%20reading%20comprehension%20passages%20puzzles.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OI and OY reading comprehension passages that are actually puzzles! Kids put the story in order by reading the top then organizing the pictures in sequential order to tell the story. So fun and a lot of literacy skills all in one activity!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNQDqE_w9In-pfNGprbGM9d5bcJd6OQL2SWhK0GG2kdzY35dTSSLdo7X34E1iP3BYIVis6xWoREJiyTPzM4VKEDSFtqGa8r1BIYXhYYeTomlWzNQCIhGPCMZ1QQ6-wiSb-VGDE4mA0v0AfDfKMgFvxuvZn4lYWuTM0qrbuN-c9nJT-tX8S7VZ87RuGQ/w480-h640/OI%20and%20OY%20reading%20comprehension%20passages%20puzzles.JPG" title="OI and OY reading comprehension passages that are actually puzzles! Kids put the story in order by reading the top then organizing the pictures in sequential order to tell the story. So fun and a lot of literacy skills all in one activity!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>They also have to be able to read the passage to complete it, so it's a ton of reading practice and a great assessment. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can also print the MIXED UP versions <b>in black and white</b> to use for notebook activities! (They also come in order in black and white. For extra support or if you simply want them already in order on the page.)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIbV3zT8ZpYkuMRfEIaIX3E91jYDzrZYD7ccHDtBKJ-RKLoCQsu313HML6gES0lO-Jj4_U70IqG-Uf_aBpzs4yu_T6QE3P6x2nBK8GZQF0DDIQ1bTwpv8o7ar76d29cFnoPRnRIffZoxtSd51b6Hr3w9akITT_IIYop4VGGOx7KzdhyT76maHkiwRNw/s960/OI%20phonics%20sound%20reading%20passage.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OI phonics sound reading passage notebook activity where kids color the pictures and put them in order to demonstrate comprehension of the story they read. They also find words with the phonics skill you're learning and write them under it. So many literacy skills at the same time! Perfect for 1st or 2nd grade although older students can enjoy these too!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIbV3zT8ZpYkuMRfEIaIX3E91jYDzrZYD7ccHDtBKJ-RKLoCQsu313HML6gES0lO-Jj4_U70IqG-Uf_aBpzs4yu_T6QE3P6x2nBK8GZQF0DDIQ1bTwpv8o7ar76d29cFnoPRnRIffZoxtSd51b6Hr3w9akITT_IIYop4VGGOx7KzdhyT76maHkiwRNw/w480-h640/OI%20phonics%20sound%20reading%20passage.JPG" title="OI phonics sound reading passage notebook activity where kids color the pictures and put them in order to demonstrate comprehension of the story they read. They also find words with the phonics skill you're learning and write them under it. So many literacy skills at the same time! Perfect for 1st or 2nd grade although older students can enjoy these too!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><div>You can use them for <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/03/phonics-fluency-notebooks.html" target="_blank">phonics fluency notebook activities</a> where kids put it in a notebook! I wrote a whole post about those if you want to see it! :) I put lots of examples in that post so I recommend looking at it really quick if you like these.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4VXvu_BTzAMSgI65w-iiZSexOYpcabBAa3RnEprFGlDRoSm5A_FO5jmQ1ZgiNS7pFVFQtOA_-HUyJaUiktzVRXx59Axt8pB_1CAz8nfxQvy8rbv2APGHVanEhaB_mKG0F29EFTBrd0rOxDpVb4D67vzqNhhzDnRimwDRaivNliL3BgctSfTrz1lTkA/s960/OY%20sound%20reading%20practice%20comprehension%20phonics.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OY sound reading practice comprehension and phonics activity where kids complete a puzzle to sequence the story and also write the words" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4VXvu_BTzAMSgI65w-iiZSexOYpcabBAa3RnEprFGlDRoSm5A_FO5jmQ1ZgiNS7pFVFQtOA_-HUyJaUiktzVRXx59Axt8pB_1CAz8nfxQvy8rbv2APGHVanEhaB_mKG0F29EFTBrd0rOxDpVb4D67vzqNhhzDnRimwDRaivNliL3BgctSfTrz1lTkA/w480-h640/OY%20sound%20reading%20practice%20comprehension%20phonics.JPG" title="OY sound reading practice comprehension and phonics activity where kids complete a puzzle to sequence the story and also write the words" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Have kids find the words with the phonics sound you're learning and write them under it. They also have to put the puzzle pieces in order to sequence the story. So it's a ton of skills in one! Plus, they get to color the pictures which is fun.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a quick list of the TpT resources I mentioned in this post:</div><div><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/OI-OY-Worksheets-and-Activities-NO-PREP-Vowel-Teams-Worksheets-Pairs-1812672?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=OI-and-OY" target="_blank">OI and OY No Prep Phonics Pack</a></div><div><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/OI-OY-Pocket-Chart-Centers-and-Materials-Vowel-Diphthongs-Practice-2356327?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=OI-and-OY" target="_blank">OI and OY Picture Cards</a></div><div><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Vowel-Teams-Games-Fun-Vowel-Pairs-Activities-Bottle-Cap-Phonics-Centers-2899684?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=OI-and-OY" target="_blank">Vowels Teams Bottle Cap Centers BUNDLE</a></div><div><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Secret-Word-Vowel-Teams-Activities-167-vowel-pairs-center-word-building-cards-2017104?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=OI-and-OY" target="_blank">Vowel Teams Secret Words Games</a></div><div><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Vowel-Teams-Game-20-Fluency-Sequencing-Puzzles-BUNDLE-Story-Retell-Activities-2178291?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=OI-and-OY" target="_blank">Vowel Teams Reading Fluency Puzzles BUNDLE</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>You can get all of them in the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Vowel-Teams-Activities-ULTIMATE-BUNDLE-Vowel-Pairs-Activities-galore-2356402?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=OI-and-OY" target="_blank">Vowel Teams ULTIMATE BUNDLE</a> if you want activities like this for all the vowel teams! :) I highly love that bundle!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you enjoyed this post! I have tons of phonics and math posts - browse around! :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-7035092492476622032022-04-24T12:44:00.004-07:002022-04-25T11:21:38.469-07:002 Digit Addition and Subtraction Without Regrouping<p>Teaching 2 digit addition and subtraction without regrouping is fun because kids get to add and subtract "big" numbers. It makes them feel so smart and can be a huge confidence booster for students!</p><p><br /></p><p>Since there is no regrouping, all students are essentially doing is two addition to 10 problems, or two subtraction within 10 problems, that happen to be next to each other. :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzvZxNrVNnLTOIzTlDT6jdJCEPAMFKOdkOb9u0mOJnHCFDeCTi5DSKjyqN1793BZXoaTgCWBEMMP1P77PEj9PdUc2QSdcsbJxOjzi_RWK_svUKKVQk1BPEl6JgNQRKREHjnI7XB8RTveTWR9le7Ocq-r607jbo2rsPg1EVhfZFTW0pqL44mQ1MrvpPQ/s960/2%20Digit%20Addition%20Worksheet.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Digit Addition Worksheets that are easy and fun printable practice pages for math" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzvZxNrVNnLTOIzTlDT6jdJCEPAMFKOdkOb9u0mOJnHCFDeCTi5DSKjyqN1793BZXoaTgCWBEMMP1P77PEj9PdUc2QSdcsbJxOjzi_RWK_svUKKVQk1BPEl6JgNQRKREHjnI7XB8RTveTWR9le7Ocq-r607jbo2rsPg1EVhfZFTW0pqL44mQ1MrvpPQ/w480-h640/2%20Digit%20Addition%20Worksheet.PNG" title="2 Digit Addition Worksheets that are easy and fun printable practice pages for math" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>An awesome trick is to teach them to point out their pointing finger. Place it on top of the 2 numbers in the tens place and simply solve the addition problem in the ones place. For example, in this yellow worksheet, they'd use their finger to cover 1 + 2 so all they see is 8 + 0. How easy is 8 + 0?! Then have them cover 8+0 while they can only see and solve 1 + 2. SO easy!! They'll be amazed at how they added 2 big numbers. :) :) So 18 + 20 is actually just 8+0 and 1+2, which they already know how to do. This is a HUGE confidence builder to introduce it this way!</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">2 Digit Addition and Subtraction Without Regrouping Using Place Value</h3><p>I highly recommend using cubes as place value blocks to show them what 2 digit addition and subtraction without regrouping is actually doing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZimNs6nHEyz3_hWDairolst2QNWQTCCV04JGer2kmfAfMzUmuEZwfNUOV_PXInL7K8p-gJHoHi-QaSsOOh9E3paN7nnW1s7-xLgaUPl6S7vF1xQyJkeUY6-iTfKk5BIX8rHxEfRl1-yH3jkC-JJlKqTrBSKDOSPZgAZqsNapUbMa4q4sgVbnO08YQRw/s960/2%20Digit%20Addition%20using%20Place%20Value.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Digit Addition using Place Value blocks to represent the numbers to help students add. Such a great math lesson for 1st or 2nd grade. Also helps prepare kids for regrouping once they're ready for that!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZimNs6nHEyz3_hWDairolst2QNWQTCCV04JGer2kmfAfMzUmuEZwfNUOV_PXInL7K8p-gJHoHi-QaSsOOh9E3paN7nnW1s7-xLgaUPl6S7vF1xQyJkeUY6-iTfKk5BIX8rHxEfRl1-yH3jkC-JJlKqTrBSKDOSPZgAZqsNapUbMa4q4sgVbnO08YQRw/w480-h640/2%20Digit%20Addition%20using%20Place%20Value.JPG" title="2 Digit Addition using Place Value blocks to represent the numbers to help students add. Such a great math lesson for 1st or 2nd grade. Also helps prepare kids for regrouping once they're ready for that!" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>This will also come waaaay in handy once you DO start regrouping, because they can physically move cubes to regroup! Such an amazing lesson and visual representation of what regrouping is. :)</p><p><br /></p><p>As you can see in the picture above, have them first look at the 2 numbers they are adding. 23 and 34. So they'd build 23 with cubes, in the form of place value blocks. Then, build 34 with cubes. Each ten is a stack of 10 cubes, as if they were place value blocks. This shows them the 2 numbers they want to put together. Then, they literally put them together by putting the tens with the tens and the ones with the ones. Count it up & they have the answer to the addition problem! :)</p><p><br /></p><p>You could also use actual place value blocks since they're smaller & the "tens" are already made, but I highly recommend having them build "tens" out of 10 cubes themselves. It's great <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2014/08/place-value-moving-and-new-blog-design.html" target="_blank">place value practice</a> AND will be really helpful if you also use cubes for teaching regrouping whereas you can't separate/add to the "tens" blocks when they're actual place value blocks.</p><p><br /></p><p>For those of you who use my math units, you may notice that's a Level B worksheet! :) All my math units have 3 levels of worksheets for each concept included in the unit so you can differentiate easily. B is where you'd expect a first grader to be. A is extra support. C is for a challenge.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPj7HV0N4WY5aiyCi6_efqJADJk3tMTESUUWU9fJOOmxwrCUhveZsMbbJYcoaywvjXvx102TwiGSVe5EZMSdnhWSmtmrkuM8au2fjYs9Iw3_JZxPYC1Rdslk9xvO2-0waCm5JX7LZZxX97dlkY3qbeU9_q86ZZozjv79D61FgjbxEoRQpSZ6hwtgBsw/s960/Two%20Digit%20Addition%20without%20Regrouping%20Place%20Value.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Two Digit Addition without Regrouping Strategy using Place Value blocks to build the problems. Such a fun and visual way to learn adding for young kids!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPj7HV0N4WY5aiyCi6_efqJADJk3tMTESUUWU9fJOOmxwrCUhveZsMbbJYcoaywvjXvx102TwiGSVe5EZMSdnhWSmtmrkuM8au2fjYs9Iw3_JZxPYC1Rdslk9xvO2-0waCm5JX7LZZxX97dlkY3qbeU9_q86ZZozjv79D61FgjbxEoRQpSZ6hwtgBsw/w480-h640/Two%20Digit%20Addition%20without%20Regrouping%20Place%20Value.JPG" title="Two Digit Addition without Regrouping Strategy using Place Value blocks to build the problems. Such a fun and visual way to learn adding for young kids!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>If you have students who need a little bit of support, you can also teach them that they can DRAW place value blocks any time they need support. This is great practice for everyone and a GREAT strategy to teach all of your students for how to check their work, especially if they have to take any end of the year tests! </p><p><br /></p><p>You can also use this same strategy for subtraction!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBJVtqWgJyhycvKcQxkyxQQTUnRe0m3dJgAm8fJjgyLiK6Ug_0uMLEGc7T9Tk1ZwEVe6o-mg6Hl2-o4AfnF_XgDZic283drrWqnaZRbZHsjNqCK5uj1nZwozSxVGXAJKoLJyrAtSy0M1cGwJaLTDws1A1alkRP7HUiZntDbdmiJNA25iuUgb6xsvSkg/s1146/2%20Digit%20Subtraction%20without%20Regrouping%20Strategy%20Place%20Value.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Digit Subtraction without Regrouping Strategy for First Grade Math Practice Using Cubes as Place Value blocks" border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="1146" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBJVtqWgJyhycvKcQxkyxQQTUnRe0m3dJgAm8fJjgyLiK6Ug_0uMLEGc7T9Tk1ZwEVe6o-mg6Hl2-o4AfnF_XgDZic283drrWqnaZRbZHsjNqCK5uj1nZwozSxVGXAJKoLJyrAtSy0M1cGwJaLTDws1A1alkRP7HUiZntDbdmiJNA25iuUgb6xsvSkg/w640-h474/2%20Digit%20Subtraction%20without%20Regrouping%20Strategy%20Place%20Value.png" title="2 Digit Subtraction without Regrouping Strategy for First Grade Math Practice Using Cubes as Place Value blocks" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Have them build the first number. Here, it's 55 and, as you can see, 55 is built on the side of the worksheet in cubes. I recommend NOT connecting the cubes for ones by the way. Have them show them as "ones" like this, where they are separate entities. Especially for subtraction problems. </p><p><br /></p><p>After they've built 55, they look at what number is being subtracted. 24. So they would simply remove 4 ones and 2 tens from this in order to get their answer! :) Such an awesome way to show exactly what is happening when they're doing 2 digit subtraction.</p><p><br /></p><p>Again, GREAT place value practice! If they need more work on place value, 2 digit addition and subtraction will be difficult, even without regrouping, so if that is the case, I recommend doing all of the activities from my big <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2014/08/place-value-moving-and-new-blog-design.html" target="_blank">First Grade Place Value Math Unit</a> to really solidify their knowledge of tens and ones. Play the games and do the activities over and over (don't worry, they're so fun!!) until they really get it down. </p><p><br /></p><p>You can also give them a worksheet that shows what to do. For support if needed, they can draw the tens and ones blocks and cross the ones out that they are subtracting. This is a great way to visually show them what they're doing and makes an awesome math small groups lesson! Again, great place value review and awesome for continuing to build their number sense. I love that this shows them what they're actually doing when subtracting.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9G2vz1WdzJmgcghYf1hJ9NSvVAIYUSXUmKzpFO-6pVYnZ6xGES0dJfRcLvbGx__kh0awq5B_EDTDG5Fg1O0cvsmwPqSuAJdn2muIDW7sFhQ0DCCIrSWP79nQZiRNK4lNdtkNXvTaaOzSWxeNycO5Cd_dlWPFPe-vZsWVldlbuAWmkN1yJ50yWrM0Fxg/s960/2%20Digit%20Subtraction%20Practice%20with%20Place%20Value.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Digit Subtraction Practice with Place Value using cubes as tens and ones blocks to represent the numbers in each math problem" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9G2vz1WdzJmgcghYf1hJ9NSvVAIYUSXUmKzpFO-6pVYnZ6xGES0dJfRcLvbGx__kh0awq5B_EDTDG5Fg1O0cvsmwPqSuAJdn2muIDW7sFhQ0DCCIrSWP79nQZiRNK4lNdtkNXvTaaOzSWxeNycO5Cd_dlWPFPe-vZsWVldlbuAWmkN1yJ50yWrM0Fxg/w480-h640/2%20Digit%20Subtraction%20Practice%20with%20Place%20Value.JPG" title="2 Digit Subtraction Practice with Place Value using cubes as tens and ones blocks to represent the numbers in each math problem" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Fun Games and Centers for 2 Digit Addition and Subtraction without Regrouping</h3><p>You can also let them have the support of cubes when doing math centers for 2 digit addition and subtraction! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSS7LiSiqYf8ax3YNdjYkEjf7B6sPdZkipOcIL998rPVDaCDqWlt6mv-GUDd3H2kghuMVsmwiEsiPPC6S6S-uWF5pQJeoQLHchFyg9OiY7-88w7wHse17-YYBWMfm8S42GlHw5z7OlRD-2wH0e6Di4Y2HpDTOR7-kgx7q8P-UyFBkl96OFqBKsDF0ag/s960/Two%20Digit%20Addition%20Game%20with%20Center%20Cards.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Two Digit Addition Game with Center Cards where kids build the math problem on the side with cubes to represent the numbers, such a fun and easy way for first grade (and 2nd) students to learn harder skills in a visual way!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSS7LiSiqYf8ax3YNdjYkEjf7B6sPdZkipOcIL998rPVDaCDqWlt6mv-GUDd3H2kghuMVsmwiEsiPPC6S6S-uWF5pQJeoQLHchFyg9OiY7-88w7wHse17-YYBWMfm8S42GlHw5z7OlRD-2wH0e6Di4Y2HpDTOR7-kgx7q8P-UyFBkl96OFqBKsDF0ag/w480-h640/Two%20Digit%20Addition%20Game%20with%20Center%20Cards.PNG" title="Two Digit Addition Game with Center Cards where kids build the math problem on the side with cubes to represent the numbers, such a fun and easy way for first grade (and 2nd) students to learn harder skills in a visual way!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Let's say they were doing a center game like this where they take a card, solve it, and write the answer on their recording sheet. You could absolutely let them have cubes to help them solve. It really helps build their confidence to be able to "check" their work and "see" that it is correct. Plus, it's so fun to play with cubes! :) Again, I do NOT recommend letting them connect them. Have "tens" be connected ahead of time and are NOT disconnected ever. And the ones are by themselves. Tell them to pretend like the tens are glued if you need to, haha! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4Xz5UXyl5ZG7271wy1QA0YXso5YWxZ5WPdNWoju2Ban0BUGF1oERtw-4qtcO5b54tbbH2rYZl8rsWmhPHXxSrJwPRAKrDIh_JyPeTr1DduWnbl0wjOwFShW42I_kBW3nblE-y16995VARd9otVJfNSjUkU0OD58XteZDIDC7rS1S-ec83C0KJZJIOg/s960/2%20Digit%20Addition%20and%20Subtraction%20without%20Regrouping%20Centers%20Games%20and%20Activities.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Digit Addition and Subtraction without Regrouping Centers Games and Activities" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4Xz5UXyl5ZG7271wy1QA0YXso5YWxZ5WPdNWoju2Ban0BUGF1oERtw-4qtcO5b54tbbH2rYZl8rsWmhPHXxSrJwPRAKrDIh_JyPeTr1DduWnbl0wjOwFShW42I_kBW3nblE-y16995VARd9otVJfNSjUkU0OD58XteZDIDC7rS1S-ec83C0KJZJIOg/w480-h640/2%20Digit%20Addition%20and%20Subtraction%20without%20Regrouping%20Centers%20Games%20and%20Activities.PNG" title="2 Digit Addition and Subtraction without Regrouping Centers Games and Activities" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I have several sets of these to practice each 2 Digit Addition and Subtraction Without Regrouping skill by the way! I recommend putting the regular 2 digit addition in one little box like this. Then, the 2 digit + 1 digit cards in 1 box. The 2 digit - 1 digit in 1 box. Then, the 2 digit subtraction cards where both numbers are 2 digits in 1 box. The multiples of 10 in 1 box. The 10 more and 10 less in 1 box. And so on! This makes SO many different centers that you can pull out and put away super easily! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXJdOLY69snspiiSEkdrvrcXcLc2T5Nzoy2GRX4UJsz4pTQCuDrmDnEuGw0GtxX--MFFPRKtG1fB1O967xKT3s3Uc23JxxoJ5XuyM4Y85TrZO1eWGrjKChlEzW6nVBKWNuT-zhD7UqRqKfWwKZkeX3Vb7E6TtmzdcAFXUsKjqyYE2cbaNLHpPBArTkw/s960/2%20Digit%20Addition%20without%20Regrouping%20Game.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Digit Addition without Regrouping Game" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXJdOLY69snspiiSEkdrvrcXcLc2T5Nzoy2GRX4UJsz4pTQCuDrmDnEuGw0GtxX--MFFPRKtG1fB1O967xKT3s3Uc23JxxoJ5XuyM4Y85TrZO1eWGrjKChlEzW6nVBKWNuT-zhD7UqRqKfWwKZkeX3Vb7E6TtmzdcAFXUsKjqyYE2cbaNLHpPBArTkw/w480-h640/2%20Digit%20Addition%20without%20Regrouping%20Game.JPG" title="2 Digit Addition without Regrouping Game" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>My favorite thing about that is they will know what to do each time, but it's for a slightly different and new skill! Let's say you use the 10 more and 10 less version of these cards and they do an entire center for that. Well, when you later teach multiples of 10 (30+50) and use the exact same center format (cards look the same, recording sheet looks the same), they'll know exactly what to do and can focus only on learning the brand new skill! :) This is something I constantly talk about for my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Giraffe/Category/Phonics-NO-PREP-Packs-185556?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=2-Digit-Addition-and-Subtraction-Without-Regrouping" target="_blank">Phonics No Prep Packs for each phonics sound</a>. Each sound has the SAME activities so, every week, you may be introducing a new sound but your kids already know how to do all of the activities so they can focus only on learning the new phonics skill and not spend time/mental effort figuring out HOW to do it. Love love love that. AND you don't have to give directions. How amazing does that sound?!?!? So, whenever possible, consistent activities are AWESOME. Especially in 1st grade, 2nd grade, and kindergarten! </p><p><br /></p><p>I also love theme centers! How cute are these little monkeys and their bananas? You match the bananas with the addition problem that matches the sum on the monkey! Then, they write the problems under each monkey on their recording sheet.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX57_1ZXspi9Zxztc5WiLrSnqcsUC7jSx2bzUsNpvBWgMZ2TIc11duCAYduDA8_rvsM9ol3s2Z3tm0gU7KBbFJ4ZNEgEigGdX9uH7yAE59y_sWF3Wf6LJ1ip30_1opa6mDdE5m-Omlk200ov9el7dzf_0lnrADPBQOAWJgwyma_n5S4gYMt7m7t4VJA/s960/2%20Digit%20Addition%20Bananas%20Monkeys.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Digit Addition Monkeys Game" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX57_1ZXspi9Zxztc5WiLrSnqcsUC7jSx2bzUsNpvBWgMZ2TIc11duCAYduDA8_rvsM9ol3s2Z3tm0gU7KBbFJ4ZNEgEigGdX9uH7yAE59y_sWF3Wf6LJ1ip30_1opa6mDdE5m-Omlk200ov9el7dzf_0lnrADPBQOAWJgwyma_n5S4gYMt7m7t4VJA/w640-h640/2%20Digit%20Addition%20Bananas%20Monkeys.jpg" title="2 Digit Addition Monkeys Game" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>As you can kind of see in this picture (on the left), I put a student friendly directions sheet with each center so you can set it out at the center. This allows the center to be more independent and reminds kids what to do. It also tells any adult who walks in your room what the students are working on - if they're coming in to help, for example. There is also a teacher directions version of the directions page for each center. This helps explain how to play the center and sometimes fun tips for more ways to play and how to differentiate when possible!</p><p><br /></p><p>Keeping up with the zoo animals theme, there is a subtraction version with elephants and peanuts!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAhTJNCopbIBo4c1cb7j6uKGPP7PlG0gw5OOty2RfukBJFxIrAlGvc28169rUgNoCtX-6I9a2FWOJk1sVbkpGmUMyAEsjJVm5ooNVuMcjJSIxkVC5oc_j7XAtd6BW_bR3LwlnplUQpLLv5AKppkgMkaTD5qD0sMYcJVofixPAqpFmZJsp8ven4uMkmg/s960/2%20Digit%20Subtraction%20Math%20Game.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Digit Subtraction Math Game for First Grade or 2nd where kids sort problems under the correct elephant to solve! So fun and easy for math centers or for working at home with your child on their facts!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAhTJNCopbIBo4c1cb7j6uKGPP7PlG0gw5OOty2RfukBJFxIrAlGvc28169rUgNoCtX-6I9a2FWOJk1sVbkpGmUMyAEsjJVm5ooNVuMcjJSIxkVC5oc_j7XAtd6BW_bR3LwlnplUQpLLv5AKppkgMkaTD5qD0sMYcJVofixPAqpFmZJsp8ven4uMkmg/w480-h640/2%20Digit%20Subtraction%20Math%20Game.JPG" title="2 Digit Subtraction Math Game for First Grade or 2nd where kids sort problems under the correct elephant to solve! So fun and easy for math centers or for working at home with your child on their facts!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>For both of these centers, the kids are doing SO. MUCH. MATH. to sort the foods under the animals but probably won't realize it because it's so cute and fun. </p><p><br /></p><p>Both of these also have the problems in a <b>horizontal way</b> so that makes it a little harder! I think kids should learn how to solve vertical first. They can learn how to line the numbers up to easily solve. THEN, once they feel confident with that, introduce horizontal.</p><p><br /></p><p>I recommend letting them use a piece of paper to rewrite the horizontal problems as vertical. Teaching them to line the two 2 digit numbers up is SUCH a great skill to teach them! They can use an extra piece of blank paper to convert them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHnrsXMJiY29czPajgqtyvoUNFAj7DZ0sbOHkHlUov52LsW-d8vur3xokQKD8m1Yz42258ECIoJAJmxokGwzQ8HzgpxlNZWy6rtELsrhtDz_z_fdw3ICV3hDwTEZF5jaMAbFgJKF0cZmEfi4MdGm4z5zeBRytIgEbXvIoCPV-Ca_o6N0Pcci3H4wSNw/s960/Horizontal%202%20digit%20addition%20math%20problems.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Horizontal 2 digit addition math problems worksheet for early elementary students" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHnrsXMJiY29czPajgqtyvoUNFAj7DZ0sbOHkHlUov52LsW-d8vur3xokQKD8m1Yz42258ECIoJAJmxokGwzQ8HzgpxlNZWy6rtELsrhtDz_z_fdw3ICV3hDwTEZF5jaMAbFgJKF0cZmEfi4MdGm4z5zeBRytIgEbXvIoCPV-Ca_o6N0Pcci3H4wSNw/w480-h640/Horizontal%202%20digit%20addition%20math%20problems.JPG" title="Horizontal 2 digit addition math problems worksheet for early elementary students" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For example, if you gave them a worksheet like this, they may think it looks hard. Show them how to change 26 + 62 to having them on top of each other on a new piece of paper (or on the back of their worksheet) to make it easier to solve. Vertical will make it 6+2 and 2+6. Way easier! <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv2OxYUG5IV2CrjIa5_2JNe7ioMxBna0kan_cOKA1BN1zTedu5tcN-X3M4wwB4a4nPeolrITR-o3PaQwbHuTKy8vDRQxL_4S-Di3VnJLXe-9OPJX_FqJ_v-rL34QdMWP69HS77cSdJBTptUu5DmbnFBGM8BaXdYzceAxGr71TASLNzNy2EWXCzZmsXQ/s960/2%20Digit%20Addition%20Worksheets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Digit Addition Worksheets" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv2OxYUG5IV2CrjIa5_2JNe7ioMxBna0kan_cOKA1BN1zTedu5tcN-X3M4wwB4a4nPeolrITR-o3PaQwbHuTKy8vDRQxL_4S-Di3VnJLXe-9OPJX_FqJ_v-rL34QdMWP69HS77cSdJBTptUu5DmbnFBGM8BaXdYzceAxGr71TASLNzNy2EWXCzZmsXQ/w480-h640/2%20Digit%20Addition%20Worksheets.JPG" title="2 Digit Addition Worksheets" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div>You can also have them bring out the cubes again! Anything they need to feel successful, I recommend! But I do definitely think it's important to teach them how to rewrite horizontal math problems into vertical ones. </div><div><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">2 Digit Addition and Subtraction Without Regrouping Mixed Review Practice</h3><p>I also think it is super important to have a lot of mixed practice for addition and subtraction. That's why there is literally an entire concept inside my 2 digit addition and subtraction math unit for it. It's really important that they look at the symbol, so they know what to do, so I like to provide a lot of worksheets and activities where they have to look to see if they're adding or subtracting.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGruxZnkLOtDTitoLcRIn8xqB-nCjkUrU1sEfwDymSA02ZArJwVWNengyUhmI8TPQGmAKKO1uGEdaBrrGG8YtC_IJXwm9RFgGFy1vZpDOON2p6grSeJ1LCBfC_eOPSwdabuX3gkzgajM6iFpKuVubFqLvewYY7zXyYeLbPL3nkyapELe9m4T6agu5ng/s960/Addition%20and%20Subtraction%20Mixed%20Practice%20Worksheets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Addition and Subtraction Mixed Practice Worksheets" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGruxZnkLOtDTitoLcRIn8xqB-nCjkUrU1sEfwDymSA02ZArJwVWNengyUhmI8TPQGmAKKO1uGEdaBrrGG8YtC_IJXwm9RFgGFy1vZpDOON2p6grSeJ1LCBfC_eOPSwdabuX3gkzgajM6iFpKuVubFqLvewYY7zXyYeLbPL3nkyapELe9m4T6agu5ng/w480-h640/Addition%20and%20Subtraction%20Mixed%20Practice%20Worksheets.JPG" title="Addition and Subtraction Mixed Practice Worksheets" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>This would be an easy time to bring out the cubes again and ask them - are you combining the 2 sets of cubes or taking away cubes? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIK5QW1TGf_Skhv5-dWVvq4Tnxe9JWjB0-T6R7KCaD5LVJEdlC-IjqF960MZ_qZl7Efr2Tsx64gBj3wRdVsPt-Qf3OewUL6aU8KFl9d_8g8UUGRd3ODBRkQLcJ1RPp0uog3oOceIf-k3CQetlhjdOGAaWiT2qQJnksYQFkFABvtvrK1LJ1MBKuG_zh8w/s960/Addition%20and%20Subtraction%20Math%20Worksheets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Addition and Subtraction Math Worksheets with No Regrouping" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIK5QW1TGf_Skhv5-dWVvq4Tnxe9JWjB0-T6R7KCaD5LVJEdlC-IjqF960MZ_qZl7Efr2Tsx64gBj3wRdVsPt-Qf3OewUL6aU8KFl9d_8g8UUGRd3ODBRkQLcJ1RPp0uog3oOceIf-k3CQetlhjdOGAaWiT2qQJnksYQFkFABvtvrK1LJ1MBKuG_zh8w/w480-h640/Addition%20and%20Subtraction%20Math%20Worksheets.JPG" title="Addition and Subtraction Math Worksheets with No Regrouping" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>You can also do mixed practice by simply giving them addition pages sometimes and subtraction pages sometimes. It wouldn't be a <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/math.html" target="_blank">math post from me</a> without a little cutting and gluing! :)</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KN1Av_Yz60CDgYih75D9lktUU-6iig7XPaP3gAKFUxmKwPiYMGygfikCQdBzeG7eSsmjHuxaIEy5xAgBZQiKRnzmw6egWxPzaGTw6WLMsJADJSCuajerHNAkCpFWP4gdv-3BigSq4xTwPpgio-TGHptpPk-PNbDdD0lDBBFEfm5cKLhXGA2BrmnVdw/s960/2%20Digit%20Addition%20Worksheet%20Fun%20Practice.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Digit Addition Worksheet Fun Practice First Grade Math" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KN1Av_Yz60CDgYih75D9lktUU-6iig7XPaP3gAKFUxmKwPiYMGygfikCQdBzeG7eSsmjHuxaIEy5xAgBZQiKRnzmw6egWxPzaGTw6WLMsJADJSCuajerHNAkCpFWP4gdv-3BigSq4xTwPpgio-TGHptpPk-PNbDdD0lDBBFEfm5cKLhXGA2BrmnVdw/w480-h640/2%20Digit%20Addition%20Worksheet%20Fun%20Practice.JPG" title="2 Digit Addition Worksheet Fun Practice First Grade Math" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I genuinely think having to glue answers down makes kids think harder about their answers. It's hard to un-glue paper so they work more thoughtfully, I feel like. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4a611tAYdD_nykbo098xRkhll0jD84zZrApBq-BlcAqCdqT-Kp0U0KQ8Pm0UMuMnbXfbgdlweh_JSnoqEYWMqEurbMkyHmBoyQsT9bBA5tb4RwKOOBoITWwpLYdfH-xCDvZyEQcjgi-lLK8TdwLa6Tu-Kbln_whokGVNTd5t15yc6HJcOJdND0IxIQ/s960/2%20Digit%20Subtraction%20Worksheets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Digit Subtraction Worksheets with no regrouping" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4a611tAYdD_nykbo098xRkhll0jD84zZrApBq-BlcAqCdqT-Kp0U0KQ8Pm0UMuMnbXfbgdlweh_JSnoqEYWMqEurbMkyHmBoyQsT9bBA5tb4RwKOOBoITWwpLYdfH-xCDvZyEQcjgi-lLK8TdwLa6Tu-Kbln_whokGVNTd5t15yc6HJcOJdND0IxIQ/w480-h640/2%20Digit%20Subtraction%20Worksheets.JPG" title="2 Digit Subtraction Worksheets with no regrouping" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Plus it's fun! I love that they can move around their answers. I recommend teaching them to cut out all the answers first, place them (so if one doesn't make sense, they know to check all of them to figure out which one they did incorrectly), THEN glue. This teaches them so many great skills! </p><p><br /></p><p>I like to have a page like this for every concept so it's a center your students are used to doing! For example, if you're learning adding and subtracting 2 digit and 1 digit numbers, you'd also do a page like this for that. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt1KRw4P7M_8S4VJT_M-kSb2ZT6EikSgPLhXIGK58nmomDJEal79bZ4J0CBo737eO12fEZWSv2_B4V_eoaU3P-zSCpz6PG9GeFEqhpQlCBioUhuosQBFoNrsC_RjMVKA4NFg5fcbtKOx_8fDLUjPKgK3ZowP7A2j6JJdBSXyVPsRHHh8BAKZP0t2WIg/s960/Subtracting%201%20digit%20numbers%20from%202%20digit%20numbers%20worksheets%20and%20activities.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Subtracting 1 digit numbers from 2 digit numbers worksheets and activities" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt1KRw4P7M_8S4VJT_M-kSb2ZT6EikSgPLhXIGK58nmomDJEal79bZ4J0CBo737eO12fEZWSv2_B4V_eoaU3P-zSCpz6PG9GeFEqhpQlCBioUhuosQBFoNrsC_RjMVKA4NFg5fcbtKOx_8fDLUjPKgK3ZowP7A2j6JJdBSXyVPsRHHh8BAKZP0t2WIg/w480-h640/Subtracting%201%20digit%20numbers%20from%202%20digit%20numbers%20worksheets%20and%20activities.JPG" title="Subtracting 1 digit numbers from 2 digit numbers worksheets and activities" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>It will look familiar to them. Like a page they've already done and were successful with. So a new, "hard" topic doesn't seem so intimidating to them. :) </p><p><br /></p><p>Another quick tip I have is to print "boring" worksheets on colorful paper! 2 Digit Addition and Subtraction Without Regrouping is kind of a bland concept compared to the other super fun ones kids learn in K-2, but it is SO important. And one they need a ton of repetition and practice with in order to master. One super easy way to make it a little more fun is to print the worksheets on color paper!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOgckIQTqhGBdZxZbsMHlIAjBQ6MVrmCO0Dn4xv5DA-fKDQ_TkoU5hTL1CgJXdem9AawzwXzSm4aEEjACe2ysLGRi0pRThPzoMac1RMdGiRtFcLG2NLQcQsTrhhrtcKcSf2VWM-jOfGIpmnAqRMqZHcAiaD2f0dJd-aRzX8KcKYEkEkhjZ1aiqmTS0A/s960/Colorful%202%20digit%20addition%20and%20subtraction%20worksheets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Colorful 2 digit addition and subtraction worksheets" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOgckIQTqhGBdZxZbsMHlIAjBQ6MVrmCO0Dn4xv5DA-fKDQ_TkoU5hTL1CgJXdem9AawzwXzSm4aEEjACe2ysLGRi0pRThPzoMac1RMdGiRtFcLG2NLQcQsTrhhrtcKcSf2VWM-jOfGIpmnAqRMqZHcAiaD2f0dJd-aRzX8KcKYEkEkhjZ1aiqmTS0A/w480-h640/Colorful%202%20digit%20addition%20and%20subtraction%20worksheets.JPG" title="Colorful 2 digit addition and subtraction worksheets" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>You could tell them they earn a specific color. For example, if they finish a regular worksheet on white paper, they get to do a COLOR one. Ooooh! They'll be EXCITED to finish worksheets! :) It really is great practice. You could also put these in sheet protectors so you don't waste a lot of color paper. Then, they get to use dry erase markers and will love it even more! There are so many ways to make a worksheet fun. Kids LOVE using dry erase markers on sheet protectors so you could definitely do that. AND then you'd also get to reuse these so you're printing and preparing less!</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">All of these activities I've shown here for 2 Digit Addition and Subtraction Without Regrouping (and so much more) are included in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Grade-Math-Unit-13-for-2-Digit-Addition-and-Subtraction-Without-Regrouping-1842672?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=2-Digit-Addition-and-Subtraction-Without-Regrouping" target="_blank">First Grade Math Unit 13</a> on TpT! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFX4sRcslCA3GAa2BIZCx1EjhxkabsQZuOi8HLY50gXaFl8_u_wMoZtEwjiHyUN8GzM8LwiSgM74ExxY2rAg1vWm2neErJZ2MIIQXDpqXFN0CM582P9F4ZQa9PbP8zhU0-vLL2g769d-Djvik79-cH9R2L9hCCIVwLAbQIY37oqt9Du1oVm-9XRrjN7w/s960/First%20Grade%20Math%20Unit%202%20Digit%20Addition%20and%20Subtraction.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="First Grade Math Unit 2 Digit Addition and Subtraction Activities Games Worksheets and Fun Centers" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFX4sRcslCA3GAa2BIZCx1EjhxkabsQZuOi8HLY50gXaFl8_u_wMoZtEwjiHyUN8GzM8LwiSgM74ExxY2rAg1vWm2neErJZ2MIIQXDpqXFN0CM582P9F4ZQa9PbP8zhU0-vLL2g769d-Djvik79-cH9R2L9hCCIVwLAbQIY37oqt9Du1oVm-9XRrjN7w/w480-h640/First%20Grade%20Math%20Unit%202%20Digit%20Addition%20and%20Subtraction.PNG" title="First Grade Math Unit 2 Digit Addition and Subtraction Activities Games Worksheets and Fun Centers" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>If you're familiar with my math units, they are PACKED with fun, differentiated worksheets for <b>each</b> concept in 3 levels (A, B, and C) and centers for each concept too! Also cut and paste worksheets AND an assessment at the end of the unit to review all the concepts. I always include 3 versions of the assessment so you can do one before, during, and after. You can also save them for end of the semester/quarter/period/year assessments if you're required to do that for report cards! :)</p><p><br /></p><p>You can always look at the cover of <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Giraffe/Category/MATH-UNITS-185536?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=2-Digit-Addition-and-Subtraction-Without-Regrouping" target="_blank">my math units</a> to see what's included. The <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Grade-Math-Unit-13-for-2-Digit-Addition-and-Subtraction-Without-Regrouping-1842672?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=2-Digit-Addition-and-Subtraction-Without-Regrouping" target="_blank">First Grade Math Unit 13</a> (which could also be used in 2nd grade) has the following concepts:</p><p>- 2 Digit Addition</p><p>- 2 Digit Subtraction</p><p>- 2 Digit Mix</p><p>- 2 Digit and 1 Digit Addition and Subtraction</p><p>- 10 more and 10 less</p><p>- Adding and Subtracting Multiples of 10</p><p><br /></p><p>This one is absolutely packed with 2 Digit Addition and Subtraction Without Regrouping Worksheets and Activities - here are just a few of the practice pages:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlaiQGo8IGgOnwYnBa8RR1ClzyefW7BRuEuqGtcq8RfL9_OzA_AGMGX77BE_esHhc-qkicuR2TmN1j0bw2AiMkoHwUDV39MEpJ6Xr0bk1QtOu_8Gw0CuPc7goMH5YnihCEceAERK8K-EqSxckxcO77JlD05OKIqPmp-vngkFSJI3na8hhOIVhcOBO3g/s960/2%20Digit%20Addition%20and%20Subtraction%20Without%20Regrouping%20Worksheets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Digit Addition and Subtraction Without Regrouping Worksheets" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlaiQGo8IGgOnwYnBa8RR1ClzyefW7BRuEuqGtcq8RfL9_OzA_AGMGX77BE_esHhc-qkicuR2TmN1j0bw2AiMkoHwUDV39MEpJ6Xr0bk1QtOu_8Gw0CuPc7goMH5YnihCEceAERK8K-EqSxckxcO77JlD05OKIqPmp-vngkFSJI3na8hhOIVhcOBO3g/w480-h640/2%20Digit%20Addition%20and%20Subtraction%20Without%20Regrouping%20Worksheets.JPG" title="2 Digit Addition and Subtraction Without Regrouping Worksheets" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I highly recommend using worksheets for practice and teaching. You can see the level of any worksheets in the top right corner inside of a star (see the A in the star on the page on top here?) so you can quickly grab what each student/child needs. </p><p><br /></p><p>If a worksheet is taking them a long time - or they seem frustrated - go down a level. A is easiest, B is where most of your students will be, and C is for a challenge. </p><p><br /></p><p>If you have students that finish their work quickly who love doing classwork and always ask for more or what's next, having the C level pages for each worksheet that you do is sooo nice to have!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VLYJMdbmYaRd8v2-3Clhu1Fo4Q2la8r2y81ks3Y0x8YKsgOJOKLGNXnoCRP0V0PX7HSFXr5qyxKYRbjwszbp25VZwCNztCmD0J295t2RK403Q9xCQIBzf6WvG0srYuizb13_Z2j50Fs_8OTkEEHdk-lKlJlSuSxDI78XKzO8IgCqmXVk6OoEI_MdHQ/s960/Challenge%20worksheet%20for%201st%20grade%202%20digit%20addition%20with%20no%20regrouping%20practice.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Challenge worksheet for 1st grade 2 digit addition with no regrouping practice" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VLYJMdbmYaRd8v2-3Clhu1Fo4Q2la8r2y81ks3Y0x8YKsgOJOKLGNXnoCRP0V0PX7HSFXr5qyxKYRbjwszbp25VZwCNztCmD0J295t2RK403Q9xCQIBzf6WvG0srYuizb13_Z2j50Fs_8OTkEEHdk-lKlJlSuSxDI78XKzO8IgCqmXVk6OoEI_MdHQ/w480-h640/Challenge%20worksheet%20for%201st%20grade%202%20digit%20addition%20with%20no%20regrouping%20practice.PNG" title="Challenge worksheet for 1st grade 2 digit addition with no regrouping practice" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>The wonderful thing about having worksheets in 3 levels is you can meet each student where they are at, then go to the next level when they're ready so everyone can get to the challenge level in a way that supports them along the way! :) I usually try to make the challenge level conceptually more challenging, where they have to think a little bit more, rather than simply more math problems, but for something so straightforward like 2 digit addition, sometimes it's simply more problems on the page. Which, again, for your kids who finish their work quickly but enjoy doing work, it's perfect for them!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXgEycHO3y8jMtlXMflg62mQ-GEyj6o6S6AUxZ3zphAcWpYkxUYzS05g4dlFvrG7n9E8TXLoaqPFIWWt4LLZkjrnKEhBINNB5YfJ6B1v67Da7gnCepLyeSLKBaw8fC5JlRZOPwRXJFGIf7gi27l7JmeXU1gxOg4vs5gO3XDqSuAgAnvmN4nhuKBoS9g/s960/Differentiated%20math%20worksheets%20for%202%20digit%20addition.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Differentiated math worksheets for 2 digit addition" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXgEycHO3y8jMtlXMflg62mQ-GEyj6o6S6AUxZ3zphAcWpYkxUYzS05g4dlFvrG7n9E8TXLoaqPFIWWt4LLZkjrnKEhBINNB5YfJ6B1v67Da7gnCepLyeSLKBaw8fC5JlRZOPwRXJFGIf7gi27l7JmeXU1gxOg4vs5gO3XDqSuAgAnvmN4nhuKBoS9g/w480-h640/Differentiated%20math%20worksheets%20for%202%20digit%20addition.JPG" title="Differentiated math worksheets for 2 digit addition" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>My goal with differentiating is always for the kids to be practicing the SAME skill, but at THEIR level. The level that challenges them a little, but not too much, not too little. :) </p><p><br /></p><p>I also try to make the pages look really similar too, so it's not obvious, they simply got a different one. All of these look fun and are 2 different levels, for example!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvg_kXZYxgy0q2lMWhz06_K0DL_XM8ptag_Vdo5NjASt46zACFB2xN_5bKyU1ZGd89LGmzkVD9DGB9ANCk39tiCYPPemRdNbfZ1ykHAenwMw-bn1LkwfkYfBgjbFgIF4K0QXkI1FB7bmcVHSKgH2LgEqNQvpEpKzr3lMqCl9bsIjxnJN_GTckiXXyiw/s960/Adding%202%20Digit%20Numbers%20Worksheets%20and%20Activities.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Adding 2 Digit Numbers Worksheets and Activities" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvg_kXZYxgy0q2lMWhz06_K0DL_XM8ptag_Vdo5NjASt46zACFB2xN_5bKyU1ZGd89LGmzkVD9DGB9ANCk39tiCYPPemRdNbfZ1ykHAenwMw-bn1LkwfkYfBgjbFgIF4K0QXkI1FB7bmcVHSKgH2LgEqNQvpEpKzr3lMqCl9bsIjxnJN_GTckiXXyiw/w480-h640/Adding%202%20Digit%20Numbers%20Worksheets%20and%20Activities.PNG" title="Adding 2 Digit Numbers Worksheets and Activities" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Anyway! Then do the fun centers and games for review and more practice! I love math games and centers for each concept because they don't realize how much practice they're actually doing. Especially centers you can reuse over and over. You can also always bring them back out later in the year to review them again. </p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you so much for reading! I hope this gave you some fun new ideas for teaching 2 Digit Addition and Subtraction Without Regrouping. If you'd like to see another post for how to use these same strategies to teach regrouping, let me know! I'd also love to hear from you on whatever platform you love the most! I am on almost all of them! :) </p><p><br /></p><p>Again, you can get ALL of these activities that I showed in</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Grade-Math-Unit-13-for-2-Digit-Addition-and-Subtraction-Without-Regrouping-1842672?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=2-Digit-Addition-and-Subtraction-Without-Regrouping" target="_blank">First Grade Math Unit 13</a>: 2 Digit Addition and Subtraction Without Regrouping</span></p><p>(which you could also use in 2nd grade or in any grade where you're trying to support your students with 2 digit addition and subtraction, including the concepts within that such as 10 more and 10 less, 2 digit and 1 digit addition and subtraction, and multiples of 10)</p><p><br /></p><p>Definitely <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Sellers-Im-Following/Add/Miss-Giraffe" target="_blank">click this to follow me on TpT</a> though! You don't want to miss when I post brand new stuff because it's often at a deep discount for being the first to see/get it! :)</p><p><br /></p><p>I also have FREE math and phonics groups on FB for teaching first grade (K and 2nd grade teachers are welcome too! I think you'd still get a ton of fun ideas!) so join those if you want a lot more tips and also exclusive free stuff for group members! I love chatting with you all in those so we'd love for you to join us! You can also simply <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MissGiraffesClass/" target="_blank">follow my FB page</a>! I absolutely love sharing tips to make your teaching life easier, more fun, and more organized. So if you love that too - and are always looking for fun new phonics, math, writing, and classroom management tips - then I'd love to share mine with you!</p><p><br /></p><p>If you want to "pin" this post to read later, you can pin ANY of the pictures from this post onto your boards! :) I also took a second to make these 2 pins for you so it says what the post is about, if you prefer that! Hopefully they'll help you quickly remember this post! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLxW7Z0ACpl6MOmeEDAesR5GHQxcRICfl9MDYkBGRxMIPfB95mP-__crDzRs_TFebX_X_ojXS-8jvkY5n_hbJ7eQ7IQOiCgM5nZGtpC1yGNN3zcXR2-4e3vvzX0aJnjKOllVavTlVthLi6iOisqcEAhrp_flVE9xoDQZ2MF-cspLuPGFLKSYr50CO4w/s960/2%20Digit%20Addition%20Without%20Regrouping%20Fun%20Ideas%20Activities%20Games%20Worksheets%20and%20Centers.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Digit Addition Without Regrouping Fun Ideas Activities Games Worksheets and Centers" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLxW7Z0ACpl6MOmeEDAesR5GHQxcRICfl9MDYkBGRxMIPfB95mP-__crDzRs_TFebX_X_ojXS-8jvkY5n_hbJ7eQ7IQOiCgM5nZGtpC1yGNN3zcXR2-4e3vvzX0aJnjKOllVavTlVthLi6iOisqcEAhrp_flVE9xoDQZ2MF-cspLuPGFLKSYr50CO4w/w480-h640/2%20Digit%20Addition%20Without%20Regrouping%20Fun%20Ideas%20Activities%20Games%20Worksheets%20and%20Centers.JPG" title="2 Digit Addition Without Regrouping Fun Ideas Activities Games Worksheets and Centers" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>and</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn1uCjj4U9Lm2SA_-Ct6RlmAbgaFBLxD01S5EvTuOQSOhiBYS8wK_vjyCPj-AMHbgdmli7AEtNlVPcrGJ0nCSK-K4XSMdO85xuDnhf41mpuD2gRX1zzJFASaNXqo9iPzvaUq-725DwDBtOy2MEj4bZ8Bq7b5xtdJmAt3d-nKsAq-i6apdYGP576lJhA/s960/2%20Digit%20Addition%20with%20Place%20Value%20Fun%20Ideas%20Activities%20Games%20Worksheets%20and%20Centers.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2 Digit Addition with Place Value Fun Ideas Activities Games Worksheets and Centers" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn1uCjj4U9Lm2SA_-Ct6RlmAbgaFBLxD01S5EvTuOQSOhiBYS8wK_vjyCPj-AMHbgdmli7AEtNlVPcrGJ0nCSK-K4XSMdO85xuDnhf41mpuD2gRX1zzJFASaNXqo9iPzvaUq-725DwDBtOy2MEj4bZ8Bq7b5xtdJmAt3d-nKsAq-i6apdYGP576lJhA/w480-h640/2%20Digit%20Addition%20with%20Place%20Value%20Fun%20Ideas%20Activities%20Games%20Worksheets%20and%20Centers.PNG" title="2 Digit Addition with Place Value Fun Ideas Activities Games Worksheets and Centers" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I also have <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">this page that has an organized list of my blog posts</a>, so you can use it to quickly find any math, phonics, writing, or classroom management topic you need! :) </p><p><br /></p><p>I hope that's helpful!! Thank you again for stopping by my blog! I so appreciate you taking the time to read my teaching ideas and I hope you enjoyed them!</p></div></div>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-3055168809464696742022-03-01T00:58:00.012-07:002023-12-10T15:12:00.860-07:00Fun R Controlled Vowels Activities and Games<p> Need some Fun R Controlled Vowels Activities and Games? Here are my favorites!</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">First, what are R controlled vowels?</h3><p>R controlled vowels, often called Bossy R sounds, are OR, AR, ER, IR, and UR. </p><p><br /></p><p>These sounds are often introduced in first grade. OR and AR are usually taught first, with a week dedicated to each (an entire week of AR and an entire week of OR). Some people teach them together. If you have enough time in your schedule to dedicate a week to each, that's what I personally recommend! :)</p><p><br /></p><p>After OR and AR, ER IR and UR are typically taught together in the same week since they make the same sound. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8OgPrJrE8fbK8vGQRKRINv4HO-6UOQRhxomc3wTYgCSLwi_kPyBH1mj3RT6iTm7d3LqEqZiRYilALMSCNaoxcNUPGA1PBqYN0Vvc6XB-Cf_g3khEu9xynOjCfaBQ1kWWfpR52fWkSbxFOKZ6qD8VtQb18zgIKg3VGp7mO5xn9nbOL6C0aUPunwCCe3w=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ER IR UR Bossy R Sounds Activities and Games that are so fun for teaching R controlled vowels!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8OgPrJrE8fbK8vGQRKRINv4HO-6UOQRhxomc3wTYgCSLwi_kPyBH1mj3RT6iTm7d3LqEqZiRYilALMSCNaoxcNUPGA1PBqYN0Vvc6XB-Cf_g3khEu9xynOjCfaBQ1kWWfpR52fWkSbxFOKZ6qD8VtQb18zgIKg3VGp7mO5xn9nbOL6C0aUPunwCCe3w=w640-h640" title="ER IR UR Bossy R Sounds Activities and Games that are so fun for teaching R controlled vowels!" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>P.S. There are 3 letter Bossy R sounds as well (AIR ARE EAR making the "air" sound, for example), but from the conversations I have had with teachers all around the country and world, they are usually taught in 2nd grade or later on in the first grade year. :) So this post is going to focus only on the five 2 letter R Controlled Vowels sounds. </p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">How to Teach R Controlled Vowels: Start with AR Activities!</h3><p>I recommend starting with AR! It's an easy sound. It's a fun sound (farm! bark! car!) to learn for a week. You can also start with OR, but if your curriculum gives you a choice, I say do AR first.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIkgH3ImJLZF8NsLYW4P0zCDpYdv8PWM5ipZDz9_H7309gwmhfJkcIz1h1BN1IBt0NHwf9jHpf65PpU27pao8W0vW_hNuHV9NC-oDEovFwVXOxIS1P62XJk2fUrxneQGWigOoMczvhOCOq1Gx7LQ0UseoUpi0cVcfb25XAS04ofwNVi0Kc4hW9t6o6-w=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="AR sound phonics activities that are so fun and engaging for kids to learn bossy R controlled vowels! Secret Words are my favorite center for first grade, 2nd, or kindergarten reading!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIkgH3ImJLZF8NsLYW4P0zCDpYdv8PWM5ipZDz9_H7309gwmhfJkcIz1h1BN1IBt0NHwf9jHpf65PpU27pao8W0vW_hNuHV9NC-oDEovFwVXOxIS1P62XJk2fUrxneQGWigOoMczvhOCOq1Gx7LQ0UseoUpi0cVcfb25XAS04ofwNVi0Kc4hW9t6o6-w=w480-h640" title="AR sound phonics activities that are so fun and engaging for kids to learn bossy R controlled vowels! Secret Words are my favorite center for first grade, 2nd, or kindergarten reading!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>This is one of my favorite ways to recommend a new phonics sounds. Secret Words!!</p><p><br /></p><p>P.S. I have shown these for many different phonics sounds and also <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2014/09/secret-sight-words-giveaway.html" rel="nofollow">sight words</a> on this blog for years, but I haven't shown my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Secret-Words-Bossy-R-Centers-2525329?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=R-Controlled-Vowels-Activities" target="_blank">R Controlled Vowels Activities and Games version of them</a> so here they are! :) I have them for over 330 sight words and also soo many different phonics sounds so, if you love these, you can use them as a center game all year! I do have a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Secret-Words-BUNDLE-So-Many-Fun-Phonics-Activities-2316012?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=R-Controlled-Vowels-Activities" target="_blank">Secret Words BUNDLE of them</a> on TpT if you want them for the entire year! The bundle has over 1,000 5 star reviews on TpT and <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Secret-Sight-Words-Centers-Fun-Sight-Word-Games-Practice-Letter-Sounds-too-1342385?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=R-Controlled-Vowels-Activities" target="_blank">the Sight Words set</a> that is included in that bundle has over 3,500 5 star reviews so I am pretty confident that you'll love them too if you try them! :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjI4eQQIUYQ_ROZqX6z7ShpAHisqZ5xCAv4X-yurnDtAajueCZAMIObPQ1XtzWpZxSvSIKqwWGnQxfJgW6FBwJ-GhEZKvkb-MiA8OL5Pby-HRk7zsHv_pMix4iyQuM7XGBNy1qYBvSr-85qbWTYbCtNBhqcZAHIhsFBHTJyMiBK-ZAVJ5jK1Im-F-GOA=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="AR R Controlled Vowel Game to learn R Controlled Vowels!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjI4eQQIUYQ_ROZqX6z7ShpAHisqZ5xCAv4X-yurnDtAajueCZAMIObPQ1XtzWpZxSvSIKqwWGnQxfJgW6FBwJ-GhEZKvkb-MiA8OL5Pby-HRk7zsHv_pMix4iyQuM7XGBNy1qYBvSr-85qbWTYbCtNBhqcZAHIhsFBHTJyMiBK-ZAVJ5jK1Im-F-GOA=w480-h640" title="AR R Controlled Vowel Game to learn R Controlled Vowels!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>The way you use them is you cut them out like this to make each word into its own card. Then, kids look at each picture and figure out its <b>beginning sound</b>. </p><p><br /></p><p>They place a letter (you can use magnets, letters written on water bottle caps, they can write it with a dry erase marker if you laminate them) under the picture. They keep going until they've done it for all pictures. This reveals a <b>Secret Word</b>! </p><p><br /></p><p>Sooo fun and kids get to feel like little detectives while practicing so many skills in one. </p><p><br /></p><p>They're learning the new phonics sound since all the words will be with that sound for that set AND reviewing beginning sounds. They will be SO motivated to read the words with your new phonics sound because they're a mystery they're trying to solve! For first grade, I recommend printing 8-10 words for a center and have all 8-10 be your new phonics sound for the week. Such a fun way to discover and explore with your new phonics sound and read words with it in a fun way!</p><p><br /></p><p>Another fun thing you can do is put the full pages (don't cut them out except to cut the word off on the left) into a sheet protector in a binder! Here's a picture of both ways:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNDknLX5q-2biaNHCLQc_AsVogDEvpMUvwEtyzOUzHbF7zXx4f8XEH-3Smf7l6EiQBdVwxFndmNdnPPRz8uM_G6vC8OXWHz3u-27W148GPsY3PEG6JxJvuw0Lh11lJUKhvS1ileYAaI4YGg23gP10tas_nA3m4XADzUH0PRUJ2JCe8EaBbqolgCa5tTA=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Secret Words Bossy R Activities - Put them in a binder to make it a game kids can flip and build to grow their phonics skills!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNDknLX5q-2biaNHCLQc_AsVogDEvpMUvwEtyzOUzHbF7zXx4f8XEH-3Smf7l6EiQBdVwxFndmNdnPPRz8uM_G6vC8OXWHz3u-27W148GPsY3PEG6JxJvuw0Lh11lJUKhvS1ileYAaI4YGg23gP10tas_nA3m4XADzUH0PRUJ2JCe8EaBbqolgCa5tTA=w640-h640" title="Secret Words Bossy R Activities - Put them in a binder to make it a game kids can flip and build to grow their phonics skills!" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Kids open the binder and each page will have 2 words on it (the way they print! :) woo!) for kids to build to figure out each Secret Word! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitdqknugdChCveQ7x_mS3tWN0dznTPRp3yc1CAwwJP4_nBbV7WxHmJ-whC4SbVxf7CUBUUkXqHLzR1B2INbwlX5BrTyilkhcdSLrIGe0L9hJ0NhK3xYGroLeaCQN5RnCkbcoFxlwdVdCx4NBrQDxMnC40vFRcOK_299aKfDAY5L-557J8-A3ZuqWBsvQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Binder Secret Words AR Sound - check out these fun R Controlled Vowels Activities and Games!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitdqknugdChCveQ7x_mS3tWN0dznTPRp3yc1CAwwJP4_nBbV7WxHmJ-whC4SbVxf7CUBUUkXqHLzR1B2INbwlX5BrTyilkhcdSLrIGe0L9hJ0NhK3xYGroLeaCQN5RnCkbcoFxlwdVdCx4NBrQDxMnC40vFRcOK_299aKfDAY5L-557J8-A3ZuqWBsvQ=w640-h640" title="Binder Secret Words AR Sound - check out these fun R Controlled Vowels Activities and Games!" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It's a fun way to practice. They grab a binder with sets for that phonics sound and can do it independently, with a partner, or in a small group.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5ErBjEVkHucWxvXWBItgt3rm-sAO3NtmjBkQbYyb7oS7d9A_2NGjd7FqWMVEM23K37brE8ZGJeuLU1lYrrcvMaDvVnXsaWqR_DTAvzqJT53ZTWJeOGzLC39oapDKSp3rDCewRJ2y7HYszeW4XNuFhFETvzGKaByYeuLVg-FvLxsAHwRUaCCKprSgW0w=s960" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Secret Words Bossy R Sounds" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5ErBjEVkHucWxvXWBItgt3rm-sAO3NtmjBkQbYyb7oS7d9A_2NGjd7FqWMVEM23K37brE8ZGJeuLU1lYrrcvMaDvVnXsaWqR_DTAvzqJT53ZTWJeOGzLC39oapDKSp3rDCewRJ2y7HYszeW4XNuFhFETvzGKaByYeuLVg-FvLxsAHwRUaCCKprSgW0w=w480-h640" title="Secret Words Bossy R Sounds" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">After AR, I recommend working on the OR Sound!</h3><p>From corn to fork, there are tons of OR words to practice!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUJzpuABeQhj5W0iGMr5zUc4Y3szdc7yhoy58fEV1dn1jtja-yk_AEpSTuk6SBLB9Dxt7rNTnWQSJynsRYt5ecxwe_ikoYSWcGnYwFbaV6kKuXoChUWzEgorrtMU4tKRLEny65GFTcj0PwfCpLbWkLFqoVHwMZSOIlnibAbYZeKue18mevCFY9LeckKg=s960" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OR Sound Phonics Activities for R Controlled Vowels Activities and Games" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUJzpuABeQhj5W0iGMr5zUc4Y3szdc7yhoy58fEV1dn1jtja-yk_AEpSTuk6SBLB9Dxt7rNTnWQSJynsRYt5ecxwe_ikoYSWcGnYwFbaV6kKuXoChUWzEgorrtMU4tKRLEny65GFTcj0PwfCpLbWkLFqoVHwMZSOIlnibAbYZeKue18mevCFY9LeckKg=w640-h640" title="OR Sound Phonics Activities for R Controlled Vowels Activities and Games" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The wonderful thing about using the same type of center every week - Secret Words, for example! - is that the kids already know what to do. They only have to concentrate on what they're learning, not how to do the activity. I talk about the importance of this a lot, especially when discussing my yearlong centers or <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Phonics-Worksheets-No-Prep-Massive-MEGA-Bundle-1701361?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=R-Controlled-Vowels-Activities" target="_blank">Phonics No Prep Packs</a>. The activities are consistent, so kids only have to worry about learning the new sound! :)</p><p><br /></p><p>I recommend upping the difficulty of words slightly with OR. For example, in the example above this, SC is an S blend and SH is a digraph at the beginning of those words. You can use the easier cards, but I recommend trying to stretch them if they're ready! </p><p><br /></p><p>Again, this activity is SO fun that they will be so motivated to figure out the words. They will be trying their best to blend the words and read those tricky R Controlled Vowels!</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Last are the R Controlled Vowels Sounds ER, IR, and UR!</h3><p>I recommend teaching these at the same time. Preferably spending an entire week on the 3 sounds. If you teach one sound a week, you'd teach all of these in the same week. They make the same sound - ER in fern, IR in bird, UR in surf.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhn1l9A6g3gKb4bDQnhsV-XCE-AOcNg0hW0wysF-PdWHbUw9znKM5-ZiV5P7l2ka4UAaw7FkJbVZhdYhzPnNIoOWq0KpSP1oxJJun42Cb6zhpWWcSgdzZPKynCfNlZSrqwrkmVRmNso16wIbDisK6cy1YDEJ48xiGIvfxSxGsFD3OXzDxxyhUPree3ANw=s960" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bossy R ER IR UR phonics sounds activities" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhn1l9A6g3gKb4bDQnhsV-XCE-AOcNg0hW0wysF-PdWHbUw9znKM5-ZiV5P7l2ka4UAaw7FkJbVZhdYhzPnNIoOWq0KpSP1oxJJun42Cb6zhpWWcSgdzZPKynCfNlZSrqwrkmVRmNso16wIbDisK6cy1YDEJ48xiGIvfxSxGsFD3OXzDxxyhUPree3ANw=w480-h640" title="Bossy R ER IR UR phonics sounds activities" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>The ER phonics sound can be a little bit more difficult since most of the words you will practice are 2 syllables, but they learn the pattern pretty quickly since it is part of so many words that they use constantly - including teacher! :)</p><p><br /></p><p>For example, soccer is a pretty long word but I think they can do it! It's a "big" word but it's very easy to blend if they know the ER sound.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR91WKNDigFviIZA_eYhMf8L0WsaO1T5d3wfeFJ2y7rAL7OLraNmh7BRxkbfR25C0aYAeoFd5Y2blB5n3M-AA5QwodJFBWNGy2gUvahHQwsK6xdcBp0MEkLv9TzGqJPJVjQ-YinVL7GO0TwsjqlcEJiPK8JUhTpJwSDUTZjpueJlpvPBAujMsmKorh5A=s960" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="R Controlled Vowels Activities and Games" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR91WKNDigFviIZA_eYhMf8L0WsaO1T5d3wfeFJ2y7rAL7OLraNmh7BRxkbfR25C0aYAeoFd5Y2blB5n3M-AA5QwodJFBWNGy2gUvahHQwsK6xdcBp0MEkLv9TzGqJPJVjQ-YinVL7GO0TwsjqlcEJiPK8JUhTpJwSDUTZjpueJlpvPBAujMsmKorh5A=w480-h640" title="R Controlled Vowels Activities and Games" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I love using really cute, engaging pictures for teaching phonics sounds. The brightness really does make it feel more like a game. The more you can make reading fun, the better! :) </p><p><br /></p><p>Anyway, that was a little peek inside the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Secret-Words-Bossy-R-Centers-2525329?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=R-Controlled-Vowels-Activities" target="_blank">Bossy R version of my Secret Words</a> centers! If you want them for the entire year (and also sight words!), I do recommend getting the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Secret-Words-BUNDLE-So-Many-Fun-Phonics-Activities-2316012?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=R-Controlled-Vowels-Activities" target="_blank">Secret Words BUNDLE</a> instead. </p><p><br /></p><p>You can see some of the cards from more phonics sounds for cards like these <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">in my various "Literacy" posts for various phonics sounds</a> - simply click on the sound you want to see on this sound and have fun doing a little scrolling through pictures of fun activities you can do for that sound! :)</p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you so much for reading! I am so excited to bring you tips and fun ideas and I hope showing you this set of fun R controlled vowels activities and games using the Secret Word centers strategy helped with that! Please browse around - I have <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">tons of phonics and math posts</a> for early elementary! I love sharing tips and ideas - I hope you love using them if you use any of them! </p>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-52267077343313928492022-02-05T17:47:00.003-07:002022-02-08T14:31:32.567-07:00How to Teach Hard and Soft G<h2 style="text-align: left;">
How to Teach Hard and Soft G
Hard and Soft G </h2><div>Hard and Soft G are when first grade phonics sounds start to get tricky! I wrote this little guide to help you navigate teaching these sounds! I hope it helps! :) </div><div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">What is the Soft G sound? </h3><div>The Soft G sound is when the G in a word makes the sound J typically makes. Words that make the Soft G sound are giant, giraffe, gym, gentle. </div><div><br /></div><div>It typically occurs when G is followed by E, I, or Y in a word. </div><div><br /></div><div>This can happen at the beginning of a word like gem or at the end of a word like cage. The E following the G makes the G say the J sound. </div><div><br /></div><div>If the G in a word is followed by A, O, I, or U, it typically says the Hard G sound. Words that make the Hard G sound are gate, go, gift, and gum. </div><div><br /></div><div>They're pretty easy rules for kids to remember once they've had enough repetition, but repetition is definitely necessary to memorize the rule. :) </div><div><br /></div><div>I am about to show you a ton of ways to practice!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgebzJ5VD6ZjxoAUVWetjyA1YuEYiUufI2x23EpTX3M9Yke6lyR-GBez48eFOBIopPpkBr2Up2UieUJbuC_y6W7um6aXKHi-3em8z7zDZHEy7jakf0Tv9wKr-4BwXqHUuGVZB8uJiUTwrfjdMNdo7DGXFtf-D8bU7bNAVqIxZ26X7wA2LIhmoUhksZZlw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hard and Soft G worksheets for phonics instruction and practice" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgebzJ5VD6ZjxoAUVWetjyA1YuEYiUufI2x23EpTX3M9Yke6lyR-GBez48eFOBIopPpkBr2Up2UieUJbuC_y6W7um6aXKHi-3em8z7zDZHEy7jakf0Tv9wKr-4BwXqHUuGVZB8uJiUTwrfjdMNdo7DGXFtf-D8bU7bNAVqIxZ26X7wA2LIhmoUhksZZlw=w480-h640" title="Hard and Soft G worksheets for phonics instruction and practice" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">How do I teach Soft G? </h3><div>Students are going to be used to the G making a Hard G sound like in pig and game. You'll tell them the G can make the J sound when there's an E, I, or Y after it. </div><div><br /></div><div>The E rule (using words with "ge") is the easiest sound to teach first because they are going to already know that E at the end of the word changes sounds in the word because of long vowels (for example: the E in cake makes the A say the long vowel A sound).</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd recommend starting there - with simple CVCe words that end in "ge" such as page and cage. You'll also do this for Soft C where the E makes the C say the S sound, such as in lace and race, so they'll see this pattern a lot in first and second grade.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also teach them if the word ENDS in G, it is almost always the Hard G sound because it doesn't have the E, I, or Y after it to boss it around. :) </div><div><br /></div><div>Example words: bag, Meg, pig, log, hug </div><div><br /></div><div>These words all have the Hard G sound.</div><div><br /></div><div>I recommend doing activities that have them practice differentiating between hard and soft G. This is a super simple word sorting worksheet with easy sentences. They circle the words with hard G in one color and words with the soft G in another color. Then, they write the words to sort them.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQu_N2vInTuWw4gD7JlTMPlEJDrngiGtFaZc6tNUPlr8br2OAnj08FLfoHGHpbspCXqjmw27-NEJDYI6xDm3c-hpxBpw79tBVZLXSdQwLroyq6AgQQPDnAcrB9TtBt-dU9kXfRd8_SDrAXouh_dqtOD8FMCFlmvpYiKbMCWdYXk0IHH6Hf_Kk3VJHtpw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Circle and Sort Hard and Soft G Words Worksheet" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQu_N2vInTuWw4gD7JlTMPlEJDrngiGtFaZc6tNUPlr8br2OAnj08FLfoHGHpbspCXqjmw27-NEJDYI6xDm3c-hpxBpw79tBVZLXSdQwLroyq6AgQQPDnAcrB9TtBt-dU9kXfRd8_SDrAXouh_dqtOD8FMCFlmvpYiKbMCWdYXk0IHH6Hf_Kk3VJHtpw=w480-h640" title="Circle and Sort Hard and Soft G Words Worksheet" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I made a handful of them in different difficulty levels so your students can get a ton of practice at their level. You can also start with the easier worksheets and build up to harder levels during the week.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja7yZo19MkN6AIoShT6JUOyUKBN3zcpXFDYqcINGbWKeAFwuFf9RtgbzIi2oIaVvigFxBtBlmP3sL2JWV_edqhauE_AzrIGvE0dWGM8MoI_eI5etDRUZ1I4o2u0fpHHEZg90HDjWYCzjGyQeHRXf2NgOWC2j6IZK6QUkzv1tMC1KTyGU13_yJ4P2rvaQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Soft G practice worksheets for 1st and 2nd grade phonics reading activities" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja7yZo19MkN6AIoShT6JUOyUKBN3zcpXFDYqcINGbWKeAFwuFf9RtgbzIi2oIaVvigFxBtBlmP3sL2JWV_edqhauE_AzrIGvE0dWGM8MoI_eI5etDRUZ1I4o2u0fpHHEZg90HDjWYCzjGyQeHRXf2NgOWC2j6IZK6QUkzv1tMC1KTyGU13_yJ4P2rvaQ=w480-h640" title="Soft G practice worksheets for 1st and 2nd grade phonics reading activities" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Activity Ideas for Teaching Hard and Soft G</h3><div>I recommend having students spell words ending in G and also in GE. You can use magnet letters for this which makes it a ton of fun! Have them build the word with G and also with GE. </div><div><br /></div><div>Have them read both of them and listen for which one sounds correct and which one sounds silly. This can be an amazing and fun, silly small groups lesson for teaching hard and soft G. Some of the words will sound funny when they try to read them incorrectly so it's a fun exercise.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also simply do it as a worksheet activity that they cut and glue. Also a lot of fun!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjQUslLITLM5i_B5sRkQbYBKXXYxY8fVkGLIDHMSmTCtEcpTGoXHtACE8GeMY7d0cJXCYSOwPwBwel7tefx4RaBatct3xpOELwRmjLOYT7FjskXbpNKuG6P5CYJ6hwJ_geEKpx6gsmBWQ41ACAuoO17iuv8Ya9nCjcObZDU8SEldzDu0X-7Ax1Bqkc3Q=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hard and Soft G Discrimination Worksheets for GE words practice" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjQUslLITLM5i_B5sRkQbYBKXXYxY8fVkGLIDHMSmTCtEcpTGoXHtACE8GeMY7d0cJXCYSOwPwBwel7tefx4RaBatct3xpOELwRmjLOYT7FjskXbpNKuG6P5CYJ6hwJ_geEKpx6gsmBWQ41ACAuoO17iuv8Ya9nCjcObZDU8SEldzDu0X-7Ax1Bqkc3Q=w480-h640" title="Hard and Soft G Discrimination Worksheets for GE words practice" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Also a simple worksheet where they read the word both ways and circle the correct one is AWESOME practice! I call these "Circle the Word" in my phonics no prep packs and try to do them for every sound.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsHD-Iz7kYDLZtuZtTBaqoJnvmhluLni-CqoE8tgUz6LCHwWcX26bthJqwdIgYA0ySrqCTUdIpzAJP3z5aBfHHmPn1B1hRvlwE0S27fUc4-D7Tm14eyF7FqQOd3bAwfiFo5jfBFoS2wI-xtqC-nOyKQO-D5WUwLAwAd1jW7dF9UUnCPWEo32YLGl-dbg=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Circle the Word Hard and Soft G words worksheet" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsHD-Iz7kYDLZtuZtTBaqoJnvmhluLni-CqoE8tgUz6LCHwWcX26bthJqwdIgYA0ySrqCTUdIpzAJP3z5aBfHHmPn1B1hRvlwE0S27fUc4-D7Tm14eyF7FqQOd3bAwfiFo5jfBFoS2wI-xtqC-nOyKQO-D5WUwLAwAd1jW7dF9UUnCPWEo32YLGl-dbg=w480-h640" title="Circle the Word Hard and Soft G words worksheet" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>If you want to make it a center activity, have them build each word with magnet letters as they complete the worksheet. Read it without an E. Then add an E magnet letter and read it again. Which one sounded like the word for the picture? Circle it! :) This can be a silly partner activity or something they do by themselves. Also a fun small groups game.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Teaching GE first (Include DGE)</h3><div>When teaching GE first, you'll also have a lot of words that end in DGE. When words end in DGE, the rule is that the vowel typically keeps the short vowel sound whereas the words that only end in GE will have the long vowel sound. For example, in page, the E makes the G say J <i>and</i> the A say the long A sound. In the word judge, the E makes the G say J <b>but</b> the U remains the short vowel sound. I recommend doing a lot of practice specifically with DGE words so they get a lot of reading practice with the ADGE, EDGE, IDGE, ODGE, and UDGE sounds and memorize them as word families. Here's an example page I'd use to practice it: </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0S11crGunqPTXzLkb3yRLjhTH3pmhjGEbjfNma2Fn90wWNYjcoUEEr10dqGUjK2u2I1L5npJgxkrVpmtEsJYQ_RrnVDmlGzTk9_qrbCNFh0zKkDCjubBDuUGY0uT1NSNXZsYgw8OVX7S4r0DFF-Ci5ahMcPtRsjLSG8edAeToRLHqezgFbir5r85Siw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="DGE Hard G sound words practice worksheets" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0S11crGunqPTXzLkb3yRLjhTH3pmhjGEbjfNma2Fn90wWNYjcoUEEr10dqGUjK2u2I1L5npJgxkrVpmtEsJYQ_RrnVDmlGzTk9_qrbCNFh0zKkDCjubBDuUGY0uT1NSNXZsYgw8OVX7S4r0DFF-Ci5ahMcPtRsjLSG8edAeToRLHqezgFbir5r85Siw=w480-h640" title="DGE Hard G sound words practice worksheets" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Printing on color paper makes worksheets look a lot more fun too! If you're working with a child at home or in a small group, you can print one copy of the worksheet on white paper and one in color and have them place the color on the white or the white on color to make it pop and look more fun. It's the little things to get them excited to work on reading, right?? :)</div><div><br /></div><div>This is what I'm referring to:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhm5vtLi7gYx_jHI82dQiSPkF4_HzW4YV_SY2opXUex8ocjlOeMTbb8x_NwYnX5_SL1g5TQ4DmLovpe0fPLbHpVQwEaSWuGmDy-3EuCvodmelyV7G9urupiWBVVjXM7WmzXKs_LWglVgA1ng2f9FT4YJxHREX7zH0GYl1FY11sAo-bQuh88FF3t_nSr_w=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Secret Word worksheet for Hard G words" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhm5vtLi7gYx_jHI82dQiSPkF4_HzW4YV_SY2opXUex8ocjlOeMTbb8x_NwYnX5_SL1g5TQ4DmLovpe0fPLbHpVQwEaSWuGmDy-3EuCvodmelyV7G9urupiWBVVjXM7WmzXKs_LWglVgA1ng2f9FT4YJxHREX7zH0GYl1FY11sAo-bQuh88FF3t_nSr_w=w480-h640" title="Secret Word worksheet for Hard G words" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>You can also simply print on white paper which is also a lot of fun because then kids can color the pictures! :) That's actually what I would recommend doing unless you're planning to reuse them.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Back to DGE for a moment - Spin a Word is a super fun way to get a ton of practice with those DGE sounds!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxqQmNymy4-zKcYwsqeWZg72wj4Mgm84mgxyB-WcBWqmZWEpGtUw0Tfxo4eDo9TehyG6ZpZnf9SGFgnL03LgO3efVaiVl3bPvmEPXXvxIU7dUd_VzLQqwEpUf4ghRpUCAPJj53oPRL0CV82GajUveVnyVhiNGpxjFnumtdOSsRyOPq1VeHGlWqmj0ySg=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spin a Word DGE words for fun Soft G words practice" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxqQmNymy4-zKcYwsqeWZg72wj4Mgm84mgxyB-WcBWqmZWEpGtUw0Tfxo4eDo9TehyG6ZpZnf9SGFgnL03LgO3efVaiVl3bPvmEPXXvxIU7dUd_VzLQqwEpUf4ghRpUCAPJj53oPRL0CV82GajUveVnyVhiNGpxjFnumtdOSsRyOPq1VeHGlWqmj0ySg=w480-h640" title="Spin a Word DGE words for fun Soft G words practice" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Have students put a paperclip in the center of the spinner. Then, they put their pencil's point right in the center of the spinner. Then, they flick it to spin. SO FUN. They write the word ending that the spinner lands on in the first available line. If it's a real word, they circle it!</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a fun game to play by yourself OR with a partner/in a small group. If they play it with a partner/group, whoever has the most circled real words wins. It really gets them wanting to blend those words correctly to get the most real words! It also encourages their friends to check <i>their</i> work to make sure they're doing it correctly, so it gives great immediate feedback, especially for your struggling readers.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can laminate these and then have kids use dry erase markers on them to reuse over and over. When I am going to laminate something, I often print it on color paper since I'm going to save it! :)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhf-thEdLXqnnNO1Lbr7INOukMXiLFoC8nXxcYXoA6zj1PpOIKqh1n1_dU0MaP4linRmU5gys8fCuWaW01IyRE_MeRpCJhRx6eBwa3kV7kS1CTyyitw3_fkzVkMl6g1-CP2IzLOOxFDYlBnkJ9haK6gIZJPuBBEmzdUGCAJpdLyCBvNLz6DQmJWkBb6Gw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spin a Word on color paper phonics worksheets" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhf-thEdLXqnnNO1Lbr7INOukMXiLFoC8nXxcYXoA6zj1PpOIKqh1n1_dU0MaP4linRmU5gys8fCuWaW01IyRE_MeRpCJhRx6eBwa3kV7kS1CTyyitw3_fkzVkMl6g1-CP2IzLOOxFDYlBnkJ9haK6gIZJPuBBEmzdUGCAJpdLyCBvNLz6DQmJWkBb6Gw=w480-h640" title="Spin a Word on color paper phonics worksheets" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">More Fun Soft G Worksheets</h3><div>Another thing that is SUPER fun is doing phonics crossword puzzles! They are literally just a worksheet where kids look at the picture and write the word BUT they are in the form of a crossword puzzle so they look SO fun! Both a way to make your readers who struggle feel so successful and also a way to keep your advanced students engaged/excited to work, so it is amazingly differentiated while being the same paper for everyone!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkMJFzLaXbxiS66s3Ut7VoZFznnjwP_IqYhpWBjDGfIRmux-HzxgWb-DUB9-yEkA5MqJo9bbQa-2uQn3cgfRPeunQb2F3qT3iuGbunkZ-Si_B2ioFPsCzcKezSumBq9Ns8ZZ_ke_3aIf8aZ82sm8NwuSmFB-LpuJs962YHtJtoVK_wzam2HyohRNrq5g=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Soft G worksheets for advanced first grade students" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkMJFzLaXbxiS66s3Ut7VoZFznnjwP_IqYhpWBjDGfIRmux-HzxgWb-DUB9-yEkA5MqJo9bbQa-2uQn3cgfRPeunQb2F3qT3iuGbunkZ-Si_B2ioFPsCzcKezSumBq9Ns8ZZ_ke_3aIf8aZ82sm8NwuSmFB-LpuJs962YHtJtoVK_wzam2HyohRNrq5g=w480-h640" title="Soft G worksheets for advanced first grade students" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>For students who do struggle with the Soft G sound, I recommend giving them sentences to trace and write like this. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2UERmDTPzOqxunPAkBPbgYqEmKpJ22_MJEW_1_Rkqm9VllCExXgAtaOWtTyKwKDDOLBlFYkFtkmdHtAdetbsEmVsguo2qjEi1iIZCNZCgstxbT5Q9Q0RjgJxoGCDaqR4l4VXCFzFxb0IYqaVWtsdjOKNhw1yexa_Qj24NVHGLylLhbeng0BZRRpM0Tg=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Color Trace Write Read words with Soft G sound for fun phonics activities" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2UERmDTPzOqxunPAkBPbgYqEmKpJ22_MJEW_1_Rkqm9VllCExXgAtaOWtTyKwKDDOLBlFYkFtkmdHtAdetbsEmVsguo2qjEi1iIZCNZCgstxbT5Q9Q0RjgJxoGCDaqR4l4VXCFzFxb0IYqaVWtsdjOKNhw1yexa_Qj24NVHGLylLhbeng0BZRRpM0Tg=w640-h480" title="Color Trace Write Read words with Soft G sound for fun phonics activities" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>It allows them to read a simple sentence with picture support then write it themselves to further solidify it. I LOVE Color Trace Write Read for every phonics sound because of this. They can help your struggling readers feel so successful by supporting them in providing the sentence for them AND providing picture support. They're also great for handwriting practice for everyone! An easy way to sneak in handwriting practice each week while also practicing reading your phonics focus sound. They really are one of my favorite worksheets.</div><div><br /></div><div>For students who are ready to write their own sentences, you could use my Phonics Helper worksheets where it has writing lines and example words down the side so you don't get a ton of, "How do you spell ____?" questions :) It also helps with students who struggle to get started writing, because they have picture prompting on the side. If they're stuck, they can simply pick a picture and write it in a sentence. I have a lines version with a picture box (worksheet on top) then also a 3 separate sentences version with 3 separate picture boxes for easy differentiation (worksheet under that one) where kids write 1 sentence per picture box instead of a story.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnThwp7lekq0daUYH65G-qxFfN4WyD7xfRU5qV1RPIP60SwSqObAvTO4x2w_-asBjmFK-pNs33GR_v2tmVYoCM--gHvgkhx2KEWFmVOwdBxCqMbqtg2rFzkAs3VDxVd3dPuctfsiuGsGZOGga4QQZVhB55h5pNqE0FlhDa4_emzgFGi2U8KmvCDTPACg=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Phonics Writing Worksheets for Soft G words" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnThwp7lekq0daUYH65G-qxFfN4WyD7xfRU5qV1RPIP60SwSqObAvTO4x2w_-asBjmFK-pNs33GR_v2tmVYoCM--gHvgkhx2KEWFmVOwdBxCqMbqtg2rFzkAs3VDxVd3dPuctfsiuGsGZOGga4QQZVhB55h5pNqE0FlhDa4_emzgFGi2U8KmvCDTPACg=w480-h640" title="Phonics Writing Worksheets for Soft G words" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Also, for students who are ready, give them a fill in the missing words style worksheet instead of the Color Trace Write Read worksheet. So everyone can work on sentences at their current reading level! :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFwrmNwJC9Z0HJc7OHGNwLbi6RgQcWRP43xwvSoxqE1cPnhw_mkJbqR_VYHVvRAxs3rPb7axBbykpj9KkRIzSxKrhS8_-Oz2T7M23b_-acbMyVP232HIoEehXZiOK6RP8N5Zbdjj5Q13akfvODONdBS_SvV_6dOVqZhQQlN5oQXv0skqlZUli-ISco_Q=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Soft G Phonics Worksheets" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFwrmNwJC9Z0HJc7OHGNwLbi6RgQcWRP43xwvSoxqE1cPnhw_mkJbqR_VYHVvRAxs3rPb7axBbykpj9KkRIzSxKrhS8_-Oz2T7M23b_-acbMyVP232HIoEehXZiOK6RP8N5Zbdjj5Q13akfvODONdBS_SvV_6dOVqZhQQlN5oQXv0skqlZUli-ISco_Q=w480-h640" title="Soft G Phonics Worksheets" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>A cutting and pasting version of this can also be fun. I love turning anything into a cut and paste! Fill in the missing word worksheets are no exception. :) </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpocx-v0m8det3vQ5-WbIHW-0GwlkFVQ_rMNb0ZMAfbHn-pts8fq3dnNLmcYyI3O2KadNZYvSqPT9fZAjuQmh3fWEfRQuM5AT0aQcGyc2Vg3UxACJCaJbHYdLqLQ5WlCkFEg-AtHjItIK-Ty8E5OJ5JDMYI82gxlLXDcn3vEP_9pveLnw6sBYq70YKeQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Soft G Missing word worksheets for kids" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpocx-v0m8det3vQ5-WbIHW-0GwlkFVQ_rMNb0ZMAfbHn-pts8fq3dnNLmcYyI3O2KadNZYvSqPT9fZAjuQmh3fWEfRQuM5AT0aQcGyc2Vg3UxACJCaJbHYdLqLQ5WlCkFEg-AtHjItIK-Ty8E5OJ5JDMYI82gxlLXDcn3vEP_9pveLnw6sBYq70YKeQ=w480-h640" title="Soft G Missing word worksheets for kids" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>You can also do the color and white versions like I mentioned earlier with worksheets like these! If you laminate these to make them into reusable centers, then you can have one be white with pink answers and one be pink with white answers. I LOVE laminating centers to be reusable - I show that in <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/01/fact-fluency-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">my Addition Fact Fluency post</a> if you scroll down to the red Fact Fluency picture. I explain how I make them in that post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLRpETx0zxqlK8FDrUZlL2Yd9pnRdqmIiypITA4gtvgnPK9u1fKaVg6zHgHt1t0gEk-3-Sj9ZRTiQ1AtqBhSC5DeW6ysnwEyQ3m7h9168KxJCIRDClstUJ1uGZT6eLAXr6gcxbE9lveoglqE0f7_8GwLHTOUnNZe89MAWLfPAl78Aa8uMtKcaO_X0SuA=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fun Hard and Soft G worksheets" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLRpETx0zxqlK8FDrUZlL2Yd9pnRdqmIiypITA4gtvgnPK9u1fKaVg6zHgHt1t0gEk-3-Sj9ZRTiQ1AtqBhSC5DeW6ysnwEyQ3m7h9168KxJCIRDClstUJ1uGZT6eLAXr6gcxbE9lveoglqE0f7_8GwLHTOUnNZe89MAWLfPAl78Aa8uMtKcaO_X0SuA=w480-h640" title="Fun Hard and Soft G worksheets" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Another way to challenge your students is with A-Maze-Ing Sentences! These are a huuuge hit for each phonics sound! Kids have to read words with the phonics sound to solve the maze. Since they are creating a sentence, this is also wonderful sentence structure practice too!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk756Yj9dNdnyVuvudIsnB8F6DkdOgoyuea6EY6y40kHjqy3iHfT5ljGvU-1AuQaLsHv2K_TjoYR4HFDZ7Rzha8uRBZVX4u8TetyOoGSNVsf_51gxCa1zhavtKVddfpdbljxeOKqJyWnfL_e9te145vHJtPEivuZNSIieYkc_E3q3H0VOX1NPc8Pd65w=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sentence mazes worksheets for Soft G words" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk756Yj9dNdnyVuvudIsnB8F6DkdOgoyuea6EY6y40kHjqy3iHfT5ljGvU-1AuQaLsHv2K_TjoYR4HFDZ7Rzha8uRBZVX4u8TetyOoGSNVsf_51gxCa1zhavtKVddfpdbljxeOKqJyWnfL_e9te145vHJtPEivuZNSIieYkc_E3q3H0VOX1NPc8Pd65w=w480-h640" title="Sentence mazes worksheets for Soft G words" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Words Starting with Soft G: Ge, Gi, and Gy Words</h3><div>Make sure you're also teaching a lot of words where the Soft G appears at the beginning of the word. Words like gem, giraffe, gym. These words are typically harder to read. I recommend doing sorts and activities first where they don't necessarily have to be able to read the word to complete the activity successfully. I know that may seem weird, but that practice will have your struggling readers looking out for the pattern (ge and gi in the example below this) in words, which is important practice. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpnTnqgwI1HoWnu-if1reNH47g0NaVGvq6QoXkcLjpOjh2FplSfSyI6T37NyNuDtlGh8HWC05SQVXVSjoxY4g9q8RrcBVlLeXT6pzT6tB0v_CxnLqqaNk1tZ_tEFFPfZ_jKsxVppuoGmd1cZHyxKWyH3d4-6OuM9YuaHvXh6_SPLv7NM5XmkxoJFXkWg=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Words starting with ge gi gy soft g sound" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpnTnqgwI1HoWnu-if1reNH47g0NaVGvq6QoXkcLjpOjh2FplSfSyI6T37NyNuDtlGh8HWC05SQVXVSjoxY4g9q8RrcBVlLeXT6pzT6tB0v_CxnLqqaNk1tZ_tEFFPfZ_jKsxVppuoGmd1cZHyxKWyH3d4-6OuM9YuaHvXh6_SPLv7NM5XmkxoJFXkWg=w480-h640" title="Words starting with ge gi gy soft g sound" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>It will naturally be differentiated because your students who can read the words will, but everyone will be able to do the same activity successfully.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then, throw some of the words in sentences with a worksheet that has picture support. This will slowly introduce them to being able to read words with the Soft G sound at the beginning of the word.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizdwo8Wl9eWnqxhUrLIFuRSbz0-j40ZyoMJzSwY6zqU87SHDwZSBHUcOmJc6_MMaRYgNcefCIfAQeGwKSwlVrwqhkeXj9ntczvV67gss9V_9h9w8S1gX9fnUKhsC2_UIkRiUgpfpznDGhpf6ypwfw0pzDRSvGT1AEfNCasachSR19Kvu7V0OPkoWkF9g=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I Love to Read Soft G worksheet with sentences and pictures for phonics practice for this tricky sound" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizdwo8Wl9eWnqxhUrLIFuRSbz0-j40ZyoMJzSwY6zqU87SHDwZSBHUcOmJc6_MMaRYgNcefCIfAQeGwKSwlVrwqhkeXj9ntczvV67gss9V_9h9w8S1gX9fnUKhsC2_UIkRiUgpfpznDGhpf6ypwfw0pzDRSvGT1AEfNCasachSR19Kvu7V0OPkoWkF9g=w480-h640" title="I Love to Read Soft G worksheet with sentences and pictures for phonics practice for this tricky sound" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The words can get pretty difficult for early readers but if you have advanced students, definitely try to stretch them with the harder pages! Here's an example of one of the worksheet formats they'll be used to but with pretty difficult words:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPlu-FGv9J4nVBHHo5FyFJckfoAf_EKT6Zel_jA-fCt2lAiaidoTlcaZpRdt3uPLQ35Q6W8t0HXU_y6lZX5n_cQ__6MKPS3owLdy-rWrJ3-vEHA5AshnzKPe9zzaLh8IwbW5vA-CXHv6VMhE3V3aDBobKGIk0MopfiTEC1JdaeGpnqvdJrjz9Z-C6S9w=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gifted first grade student phonics worksheets" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPlu-FGv9J4nVBHHo5FyFJckfoAf_EKT6Zel_jA-fCt2lAiaidoTlcaZpRdt3uPLQ35Q6W8t0HXU_y6lZX5n_cQ__6MKPS3owLdy-rWrJ3-vEHA5AshnzKPe9zzaLh8IwbW5vA-CXHv6VMhE3V3aDBobKGIk0MopfiTEC1JdaeGpnqvdJrjz9Z-C6S9w=w480-h640" title="Gifted first grade student phonics worksheets" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Those are some pretty tough words for young readers, but some of your kids will be ready for them!</div><div><br /></div><div>For the majority of your class, I'd do a page like this instead to practice those words:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVtn9mSZC_WWQj9EMif9EM9GoW4YSyecFhTxljdeZS6rNXBFMxifyf--drMRVrnXI8hqAnyU6Umum3URhpFteXmUUOjHQrON_ol-YSkCgmQk9ScaiECJ7RKKX1dIujc0PHE9qUxKXsgDpCQbUt_disUiYSfdDMCkfIzoVG8NYX5CKnmfQxgbGasHRKQw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I Can Read Soft G Words worksheet" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVtn9mSZC_WWQj9EMif9EM9GoW4YSyecFhTxljdeZS6rNXBFMxifyf--drMRVrnXI8hqAnyU6Umum3URhpFteXmUUOjHQrON_ol-YSkCgmQk9ScaiECJ7RKKX1dIujc0PHE9qUxKXsgDpCQbUt_disUiYSfdDMCkfIzoVG8NYX5CKnmfQxgbGasHRKQw=w480-h640" title="I Can Read Soft G Words worksheet" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>It mixes the easier Soft G words like DGE words with some of the more difficult words that begin with Soft G. They'll be able to match the pictures for the easier words then use process of elimination to read and figure out the rest. A great built in support to help them help themselves! The best! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>There are a lot more pages in this pack but I feel like I already showed you a lot so I'll stop this post here! If you want ALL of the pages you saw in this post (and more!), you can grab them in my:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt4XLgIKj5lMzoKbyLyBuk-oIU7Ws9nkEHCtI63CwIDGQhfpSBeYr7Xs2IdoJzh9Q7D8hYtaTdRpqcs2NtV50PR_vyoHLuGthAbhpEPoDajaEyi6suuahipjNw8nFYs8qtBRl_mHgYgUV4BOgxjENYOg1nVHyp_8uYMLKzT-T39c_K4aflk4c2Vx93vQ=s350" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Soft G worksheets and activities for first grade, 2nd, or kindergarten that are no prep, differentiated, and fun. Phonics materials kids enjoy doing for morning work, classwork, small groups work - you can also send them home for homework! Reading comprehension, fluency, matching pictures to sentences, games, writing practice!" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="263" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt4XLgIKj5lMzoKbyLyBuk-oIU7Ws9nkEHCtI63CwIDGQhfpSBeYr7Xs2IdoJzh9Q7D8hYtaTdRpqcs2NtV50PR_vyoHLuGthAbhpEPoDajaEyi6suuahipjNw8nFYs8qtBRl_mHgYgUV4BOgxjENYOg1nVHyp_8uYMLKzT-T39c_K4aflk4c2Vx93vQ=w300-h400" title="Soft G worksheets and activities for first grade, 2nd, or kindergarten that are no prep, differentiated, and fun. Phonics materials kids enjoy doing for morning work, classwork, small groups work - you can also send them home for homework! Reading comprehension, fluency, matching pictures to sentences, games, writing practice!" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Soft-G-Worksheets-Activities-NO-PREP-3568334?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Soft-G" target="_blank">Soft G No Prep Pack</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I have packs like this for so many phonics sounds! The activities in them are consistent so you can use them every time you introduce a new phonics sound and kids already know how to do the activities! I love this because it allows them to focus simply on learning the new sound, not HOW to do the worksheet. I've talked about this a lot in more of my literacy blog posts - you can see them here:</div><div><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">Miss Giraffe Organized List of My Favorite Blog Posts</a></div><div>Look under Literacy :) </div><div><br /></div><div>You can also see all the phonics sounds I have no prep packs for if you scroll down this page:</div><div><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/literacy.html" target="_blank">Literacy</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you found some fun ideas for how to teach hard and soft G from this post!! Thank you so much for stopping by!</div>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-52359510394196190372022-01-30T11:05:00.000-07:002022-01-30T11:05:27.197-07:00Teaching Halves Fourths Thirds and Eighths Worksheets and Activities<p>Fun Ideas for Teaching Halves, Fourths (Quarters), Thirds, and Eighths! Example worksheets and activities to show you engaging, colorful ways to learn fractions!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIwMAaluW--049KY5-Gw0ZAaALycTL97pEM_PaA_rOgpMxOvpQw9ksQh5yQGc3j6xDrkPvTyBNW700TTS1i4I00szZDTjUg6vpCr2latFcTAOoVNxi1R7sEdGCozS9Ueu5vy-LtVT--qQes0LaK-M_hFQRaoRxZzUbHaYgxrkf4GnaLz8UeHZCgSxeIQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fractions Halves Fourths Thirds and Eighths Worksheets that are so cute and fun to practice shapes!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIwMAaluW--049KY5-Gw0ZAaALycTL97pEM_PaA_rOgpMxOvpQw9ksQh5yQGc3j6xDrkPvTyBNW700TTS1i4I00szZDTjUg6vpCr2latFcTAOoVNxi1R7sEdGCozS9Ueu5vy-LtVT--qQes0LaK-M_hFQRaoRxZzUbHaYgxrkf4GnaLz8UeHZCgSxeIQ=w480-h640" title="Fractions Halves Fourths Thirds and Eighths Worksheets that are so cute and fun to practice shapes!" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love learning about fractions so I wanted to take a moment to show you some of my favorite worksheets for practicing halves, fourths, thirds, and eighths!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I personally think it's nice to have an <b>individual worksheet</b> for each kind that is super visual.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For example, an entire worksheet that only practices <b>eighths</b>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYoCRQQKyG1uSPFlpVANTb-JizYnIdrvHwjPci8ihdDCSPsqP4-4Uly9tYqGNaQwFrM3D_8HBvN4Jd8NSUSoXmZouLx9pHhxyDYUHWiFFzooi1t89iyyJgKNpAsohE92uSWiKSH0XeeoaV1C8HgunhNnD_lEgFdV9yDDVxxYu2DMn4w_tBoacMCjzx-Q=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eighths worksheet to practice dividing a shape into eight equal parts for fun fractions practice!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYoCRQQKyG1uSPFlpVANTb-JizYnIdrvHwjPci8ihdDCSPsqP4-4Uly9tYqGNaQwFrM3D_8HBvN4Jd8NSUSoXmZouLx9pHhxyDYUHWiFFzooi1t89iyyJgKNpAsohE92uSWiKSH0XeeoaV1C8HgunhNnD_lEgFdV9yDDVxxYu2DMn4w_tBoacMCjzx-Q=w480-h640" title="Eighths worksheet to practice dividing a shape into eight equal parts for fun fractions practice!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See how they are only practicing situations where you're dividing a shape into 8 equal parts? This will give them a TON of practice for the concept. They'll circle shapes that show eighths, color in one eighth of each shape, AND also partition shapes themselves into eighths! This is so many fractions skills all in one sheet and, because it is so visual, it will really help them see what an eighth looks like.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWANHiJqWFAOMwUqEfPFr4SkvWhasXxrapV6xuVu8EWq5Ca84qBh5IGMurg8319PGaBSb1R4M5Mnu23iUqoDoShFu3IBzLfwnFnjKNQa6Jta-M5h9hHSPyMA1nRnDgUeJ5awsoqXwtlNEjaoi7zzGBEs6DpvoIdCxBBcJOnEfQT8RRZ4OXsAjZDhDxyg=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eighths Worksheet Fractions 2nd grade" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWANHiJqWFAOMwUqEfPFr4SkvWhasXxrapV6xuVu8EWq5Ca84qBh5IGMurg8319PGaBSb1R4M5Mnu23iUqoDoShFu3IBzLfwnFnjKNQa6Jta-M5h9hHSPyMA1nRnDgUeJ5awsoqXwtlNEjaoi7zzGBEs6DpvoIdCxBBcJOnEfQT8RRZ4OXsAjZDhDxyg=w480-h640" title="Eighths Worksheet Fractions 2nd grade" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is what you'll want the worksheet to look like when they've completed it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I recommend starting with Halves since most kids know what a half of something is. :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOEITuFFSsYL0f5pfu-BEysP6_8pqW3RrbB_7CE_vpCDxYrBU0WFBbhWCUPWRwFQhSQGseD4SFM4qJ7lIAIu68ZsS6ofrNb-Y3LzqIhTRHUZHrUfotODbMu1AzJpBq7OsmhLvT-k1LT8vg_vfw2vHNcfO0H9-nDyUw6u8tFK88jmTcOgc8hVblcA3QoQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Halves worksheet to practice half of (fourth of also included!) by circling, coloring, and partitioning shapes! Perfect for first grade fractions or any younger kids learning equal parts" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOEITuFFSsYL0f5pfu-BEysP6_8pqW3RrbB_7CE_vpCDxYrBU0WFBbhWCUPWRwFQhSQGseD4SFM4qJ7lIAIu68ZsS6ofrNb-Y3LzqIhTRHUZHrUfotODbMu1AzJpBq7OsmhLvT-k1LT8vg_vfw2vHNcfO0H9-nDyUw6u8tFK88jmTcOgc8hVblcA3QoQ=w480-h640" title="Halves worksheet to practice half of (fourth of also included!) by circling, coloring, and partitioning shapes! Perfect for first grade fractions or any younger kids learning equal parts" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have students complete the worksheet until it looks like this. They can use markers and crayons to make it more fun! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO4S-raCF-GuwGxQ3N5mM_2SfI8SUo10xKK6NtbNdQRKMSWUMOwGyUX7tACEbdbmugoVSl4Lg3RcmcW6aY05zLU9gE8LrXOamQ1-6nwo3GbxIR0r3ufwp-RBKKh3HxXEGwhiW_y11TWdav1Sm_O9dbTa2zSWT1-lm3NTkpFnDSNYzYHMbNkjsSl7QGlQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Half of fourth of worksheets activities for first grade 2nd or kindergarten practice of dividing shapes into equal parts" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO4S-raCF-GuwGxQ3N5mM_2SfI8SUo10xKK6NtbNdQRKMSWUMOwGyUX7tACEbdbmugoVSl4Lg3RcmcW6aY05zLU9gE8LrXOamQ1-6nwo3GbxIR0r3ufwp-RBKKh3HxXEGwhiW_y11TWdav1Sm_O9dbTa2zSWT1-lm3NTkpFnDSNYzYHMbNkjsSl7QGlQ=w480-h640" title="Half of fourth of worksheets activities for first grade 2nd or kindergarten practice of dividing shapes into equal parts" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have extra copies in case they want to redo any part of it. You could also put this in sheet protectors so they can use a dry erase marker they can easily wipe off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you teach first grade, then you'll probably only use the <b>half of</b> and <b>fourth of</b> worksheets with most of your class. Here's the Fourths worksheet if you want to see it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzzXNDYth-nSThyZXqOPQ8u66HE4Z69OJ7hggC2Q0uB9HQxVd1ywVQH7gQ8Y4sMfXMMvcx83i96NjFhUuX_dx4eZkQb-HiuLXRP869BjOVDtjsTXnSLbMLLX3OKDEsYSJ01-TH1na6jfN_pg-7r82nGZ4QRrLdHhpEjtKk2jRi1bJrXfsIwgrfgvfnMg=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fourths worksheet fractions first grade activities for equal parts of shapes" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzzXNDYth-nSThyZXqOPQ8u66HE4Z69OJ7hggC2Q0uB9HQxVd1ywVQH7gQ8Y4sMfXMMvcx83i96NjFhUuX_dx4eZkQb-HiuLXRP869BjOVDtjsTXnSLbMLLX3OKDEsYSJ01-TH1na6jfN_pg-7r82nGZ4QRrLdHhpEjtKk2jRi1bJrXfsIwgrfgvfnMg=w480-h640" title="Fourths worksheet fractions first grade activities for equal parts of shapes" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To teach fourths, tell students you cut a shape in half. Then cut it in half again. This is a SUPER fun lesson to teach with dough! Check out my big <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/03/fractions-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fractions in First Grade blog post</span></a> with tons of ideas for teaching fractions if you haven't seen the way I recommend using dough to introduce fractions! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also have a Quarters version of this worksheet for those of you who would rather refer to them as quarters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I also included worksheets for <b>Thirds</b> since some first grade teachers also teach thirds. Also, I know a lot of 2nd grade and older teachers use my materials despite them technically being "first grade" since I heavily differentiate so, "big kid" teachers, these are for you too! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2k1XYnWpXhyRkd64gC6ZejaTuXgsBFrAmvRvdm1Ds57SaHXX3eyMcnCUJNowq_9FBUmTr86WIU6dXu6tBEbWqkt_btWJjQxyaN8Q-FdTmodMWvzaIu6NT1OF3N3G7iSt5RzuvpfuTVGpOe0gCJYevNZqrEZMZDxIh07u00CycrSJ-sl5vZ62w8E6kaw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fraction Thirds Worksheets" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2k1XYnWpXhyRkd64gC6ZejaTuXgsBFrAmvRvdm1Ds57SaHXX3eyMcnCUJNowq_9FBUmTr86WIU6dXu6tBEbWqkt_btWJjQxyaN8Q-FdTmodMWvzaIu6NT1OF3N3G7iSt5RzuvpfuTVGpOe0gCJYevNZqrEZMZDxIh07u00CycrSJ-sl5vZ62w8E6kaw=w480-h640" title="Fraction Thirds Worksheets" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If your students are ready, I totally recommend teaching thirds! You could save it for your advanced math group if you teach small groups too! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It helps solidify their understanding of <b>equal parts</b> when they see halves are 2 equal parts, fourths are 4 equal parts, and thirds are 3 equal parts to keep reinforcing that vocabulary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If you want to keep stretching your first graders (or you teach an older grade), you can also try the <b>Eighths</b> worksheet! If you do the dough lesson, it's really fun for students to try to cut the dough into 8 equal parts! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaJobZVOGMFMXd7TOqCQ-a_ngW4LTl2Y6-deIAVbQ4MEsXrAjcW_g6YbI3TaF0bwkoVjDz3WA3php0HDmM41QltGh5k9tHp2wornFd6MPF0Jx8DKov7s9vAUIjWwZh4AVecHSrA5uhnQCv46kDPNY-7wJarNEhOxNuDnzduV8yP8V-NwbqCD2u1M7vdg=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eighths Worksheet Fractions 2 empty shapes" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaJobZVOGMFMXd7TOqCQ-a_ngW4LTl2Y6-deIAVbQ4MEsXrAjcW_g6YbI3TaF0bwkoVjDz3WA3php0HDmM41QltGh5k9tHp2wornFd6MPF0Jx8DKov7s9vAUIjWwZh4AVecHSrA5uhnQCv46kDPNY-7wJarNEhOxNuDnzduV8yP8V-NwbqCD2u1M7vdg=w480-h640" title="Eighths Worksheet Fractions 2 empty shapes" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once you feel like your students have grasped each fraction type, start using worksheets that mix the types! :) This is a fun one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTbJ9Xinvyz5LG9D6vo7yzGGpFnlP5_a5-7InOll82VVlcY7JnM0cw_2OuP-J3kyUa0oo0YfFXqe9NnVhNkaPRT8JqNipX_GxZjN4b8n5TEsBjA039qyUCZjjAQ_n2ZTcgcVrCjf-FrVJKQEzwn8CdVtoMiNKN8ZxHa9lVK3FYRdxEtg55VwsaVedTdA=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Color by Fractions Half Fourth Third Of" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTbJ9Xinvyz5LG9D6vo7yzGGpFnlP5_a5-7InOll82VVlcY7JnM0cw_2OuP-J3kyUa0oo0YfFXqe9NnVhNkaPRT8JqNipX_GxZjN4b8n5TEsBjA039qyUCZjjAQ_n2ZTcgcVrCjf-FrVJKQEzwn8CdVtoMiNKN8ZxHa9lVK3FYRdxEtg55VwsaVedTdA=w480-h640" title="Color by Fractions Half Fourth Third Of" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Anyway! I wanted to show you a couple worksheets from my big <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Grade-Math-Unit-18-Fractions-Activities-Worksheets-Games-1776578?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Halves-Fourths-Worksheets" target="_blank">First Grade Math Unit 18</a> all about Fractions. All of these worksheets are included in <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Grade-Math-Unit-18-Fractions-Activities-Worksheets-Games-1776578?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Halves-Fourths-Worksheets" target="_blank">my fractions unit</a>, as well as A LOT more fun, differentiated worksheets and matching games (and assessments!) to learn fractions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />The big <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/03/fractions-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">Fractions in First Grade blog post</a> I mentioned shows more pictures of the activities in that unit if you want to check it out more! blog post! If you don't teach first grade, I think you'll still find a bunch of fun ideas for your kids! All of the activities I show in that post are also in Unit 18 with these worksheets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If you are new to teaching first grade, I highly recommend <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2018/08/new-to-teaching-first-grade-teacher-tips.html" target="_blank">New to First Grade? Everything You Need to Know!</a> If you're not new to first grade but teach K-2, I think it's still a great post whether you've been teaching 2 or 20 years! I packed it with info and I think it's always fun to see how someone else does/organizes thing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have a ton of math, phonics, classroom management, writing, and more fun blog posts if you want to keep browsing! I love sharing tips and ideas. You can <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">see my favorite blog posts organized here</a>! :) Look under <b>MATH</b> to see more fun math posts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank you so much for stopping by!! :)</div></div></div>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-50384885199331175652022-01-09T20:10:00.013-07:002023-12-10T15:12:44.730-07:00Winter Long Vowels Reading Practice<p>Winter long vowels reading practice is one of my favorite concepts of the year! Firstly, what's cuter than penguins and polar bears? Move over reading passages - these little phonics readers (books) for long a, i, o, and u are my favorite way to practice comprehension skills, long vowel patterns, and fluency all in one! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnWEDmRGeg0WPUX2YMP1d-BMEohQIaMLcEHqyfR-lu2MWYEer0X3TsJLCI-9nC9RACNnUYE0bdcM-wV-YUEIpJnxHm5cBS4JyUIEp1yVc4dfQLeFh5qLRS84EFcQoxND9xkEycqRtZ_iCEZonHZChRvGx9rSkMnNLchmJ9JPWw_maTIIUFyHu0iCcq9g=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Winter long vowels reading practice with these adorable little readers! Fun books for kids to work on comprehension, fluency, and phonics all in one!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnWEDmRGeg0WPUX2YMP1d-BMEohQIaMLcEHqyfR-lu2MWYEer0X3TsJLCI-9nC9RACNnUYE0bdcM-wV-YUEIpJnxHm5cBS4JyUIEp1yVc4dfQLeFh5qLRS84EFcQoxND9xkEycqRtZ_iCEZonHZChRvGx9rSkMnNLchmJ9JPWw_maTIIUFyHu0iCcq9g=w480-h640" title="Winter long vowels reading practice with these adorable little readers! Fun books for kids to work on comprehension, fluency, and phonics all in one!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I wrote a little reader for each vowel sound. For example, this is the Long A reader to practice the a_e sound. The a_e sound is when there is a silent E at the end of the word so the a makes the long a sound (example: lake).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik80girDoGk6ckODR--kKwn-g7YmDcCiNE2dnmwFiXdo2clu5YibsCjyvByk_HEYd105jgBjnQqHHm0XvoEH2bTItP1Vsk7HG9UgGcEwZwiYw2UcM8p6Q7vEJKu7NP9TXTSwlSyRML9QEjgG2HI75mo347pk50kuvjNHreJ2EZYPl5vXuOnivZjzr_FQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long A silent E reading practice with this fun little book filled with a_e sound words!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik80girDoGk6ckODR--kKwn-g7YmDcCiNE2dnmwFiXdo2clu5YibsCjyvByk_HEYd105jgBjnQqHHm0XvoEH2bTItP1Vsk7HG9UgGcEwZwiYw2UcM8p6Q7vEJKu7NP9TXTSwlSyRML9QEjgG2HI75mo347pk50kuvjNHreJ2EZYPl5vXuOnivZjzr_FQ=w480-h640" title="Long A silent E reading practice with this fun little book filled with a_e sound words!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Long-A-Book-6267774?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">"Let's Skate at the Lake"</a> is filled with words with Long A silent E for tons of practice! You could have students underline/highlight the long A words while reading. These are AWESOME for small groups reading practice! </p><p><br /></p><p>I love this little story and try to have a kind, positive message in each of my readers if it's possible to do so while squeezing in as many words with the phonics sound as possible. I love this one because it's a story about helping your friend when they need you and little Kate in the story gets to illustrate both kindness and friendship when a group of friends go ice skating. :)</p><p><br /></p><p>I also made a black and white version of each book! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaO99uTu5Px3eojCsv4jdZ5tlhb1KoK_X3zqYxoeBsbyU-HisESSUUQn3eurBAbjHi4ZobGai_jjibbg4SsZGii8o2fmMIRVJ7vkt7k7-fAvO9mFU0hbszmi9wxt_KARJPdond3yXld7J3voGj9Dcx-4FTontSUAAWqlUzXeE2w_BJLPbqsCzRsM9p4w=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long a silent e book for kids to color! So much fun to use for centers, homework activity, reading to a partner, so many ways to practice this phonics skill along with comprehension and fluency!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaO99uTu5Px3eojCsv4jdZ5tlhb1KoK_X3zqYxoeBsbyU-HisESSUUQn3eurBAbjHi4ZobGai_jjibbg4SsZGii8o2fmMIRVJ7vkt7k7-fAvO9mFU0hbszmi9wxt_KARJPdond3yXld7J3voGj9Dcx-4FTontSUAAWqlUzXeE2w_BJLPbqsCzRsM9p4w=w480-h640" title="Long a silent e book for kids to color! So much fun to use for centers, homework activity, reading to a partner, so many ways to practice this phonics skill along with comprehension and fluency!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Having black and white versions are wonderful for:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Coloring the pictures to help them feel a sense of ownership over the books (plus it's fun!) then keeping a copy (yay!) at their seats to read whenever they have extra time</li><li>Have their own copy to take to their seats to read to a partner or their group during centers</li><li>A center activity all on its own! Read and color the book, highlight/underline the words with the sound they're practicing, read to a friend, read to yourself - there are so many ways you can make these a center activity</li><li>Sending these home to read with their adults (They can also read to their stuffed animals like I did as a kid :) Anything you want to tell them to get them to practice them at home! They will probably be proud to bring these home to read to their family!)</li></ul><div><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDo2mwz2rW66_XCkKCZzXsbphwlrAMm73THLVUehYBoq1Kz3YbrYPzFb5JS1w5gbUi-lQG5PU-_SsslckLbwK2qqz9KAvu52BkpNj5iIweaDy-bJYix6K0UwW0SgUcOo0GQDlLpT3sD1gKDMVznH25l9FN1kTcbnjJhGku0HSK2duI3HrTMIlWqLVh4g=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long A book in color and black and white for learning phonics sounds in fun ways! Practice fluency, comprehension, and retelling stories with these adorable printables!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDo2mwz2rW66_XCkKCZzXsbphwlrAMm73THLVUehYBoq1Kz3YbrYPzFb5JS1w5gbUi-lQG5PU-_SsslckLbwK2qqz9KAvu52BkpNj5iIweaDy-bJYix6K0UwW0SgUcOo0GQDlLpT3sD1gKDMVznH25l9FN1kTcbnjJhGku0HSK2duI3HrTMIlWqLVh4g=w480-h640" title="Long A book in color and black and white for learning phonics sounds in fun ways! Practice fluency, comprehension, and retelling stories with these adorable printables!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I personally think it's nice to have color AND black and white versions of the same materials so that you can use the color versions at your small groups table (only printing enough for 1 small group). Then, make copies of the black and white version for everyone to have their own copy to keep. :) </p><p><br /></p><p>Not all students have books at home. I would also bet that, if they do, they might not have phonics readers that practice a specific skill like these, so they are GREAT to send home for reading practice at home, even for kids who have lots of books at home!</p><p><br /></p><p>I couldn't get enough reading at home when I was a kid. I had a lot of books but I always wanted more, so I loved when my teachers let me take home books. :)</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Long-I-Book-6267773?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">"The Penguin's Kite"</a> is the Long I silent E book I wrote!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXkKDWArbLItgQRy7pzGAF2sIWti9lXKRDebrvIBNEtamDiB9pk6okd7uXmfbpF6qM5qeQdwH5gABUZtUpEMW0NACtE7F1HYqgqeyXYzPi_vg_dVjKK9q2UrA1YlITmirVPS2prH0iaqRfAfn3QgatVZA5-U82pouFW0vrQZkHPsPKlfYEKeCQiES6gw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long I Silent E book about a cute little penguin and his kite! Winter reading practice is so much fun with these materials for homeschooling or in the classroom during small groups!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXkKDWArbLItgQRy7pzGAF2sIWti9lXKRDebrvIBNEtamDiB9pk6okd7uXmfbpF6qM5qeQdwH5gABUZtUpEMW0NACtE7F1HYqgqeyXYzPi_vg_dVjKK9q2UrA1YlITmirVPS2prH0iaqRfAfn3QgatVZA5-U82pouFW0vrQZkHPsPKlfYEKeCQiES6gw=w480-h640" title="Long I Silent E book about a cute little penguin and his kite! Winter reading practice is so much fun with these materials for homeschooling or in the classroom during small groups!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>How cute is that little penguin?? I looove penguins themed anything for winter time! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga6i9bOeBQy-X4eNhrBV7ijfj9qZcBhTF2LCyNa2cSO6jrOPV1N3Q_RmdBv0ty4VID27iWx4VvF5sX1t1mf1_IExwaAzm8JAAa4MwVs4xjKaveJzD2WRle0mflV7FB3i1uiQ-iM9QeHm-q4I0uZBkrzW1ZbEEGP9hH-yREP__OyJSGynluI-rSTdA9BA=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long i reading comprehension passages in a book instead of on a worksheet page! Way more fun!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga6i9bOeBQy-X4eNhrBV7ijfj9qZcBhTF2LCyNa2cSO6jrOPV1N3Q_RmdBv0ty4VID27iWx4VvF5sX1t1mf1_IExwaAzm8JAAa4MwVs4xjKaveJzD2WRle0mflV7FB3i1uiQ-iM9QeHm-q4I0uZBkrzW1ZbEEGP9hH-yREP__OyJSGynluI-rSTdA9BA=w480-h640" title="Long i reading comprehension passages in a book instead of on a worksheet page! Way more fun!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Also in black and white, of course! These are SO fun to color!</p><p><br /></p><p>What I love about phonics readers is that they provide SO much reading practice and are basically winter reading passages but in the form of a book! </p><p><br /></p><p>Each set of 2 pages when they open the book contains the text of a phonics-based reading passage, but with picture support..... and it's a story that's fun to read! So much better than a reading passage. I do love my phonics reading passages too, but I love when I can make reading a little bit more fun. </p><p><br /></p><p>For example, like my <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/03/phonics-fluency-notebooks.html" target="_blank">Phonics Fluency Puzzles</a>! You can use them in notebooks like I show in that post or as full color puzzles. I actually made winter versions of those if you want <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Reading-Fluency-Puzzles-14-sequencing-stories-comprehension-activities-6408420?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">Winter Fluency Puzzles</a> by the way! Also so much fun!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu9CaozCvmlTPd68u2xpo3n5x4v5lnqlHJj8izh8rUZk0NILyTIrpgiInpsbeOjl84bPhDpXv1kgaCJmsKmiJphGkN6RyyvWCWyO4El9DIfL844Gnw708fXv46QdgxakQrdXlaKb5VDB05L9LrQs4Bso7CA--gzJU9j67jq1VWbS6QfChSC9pOwEpT5A=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Winter Fluency Puzzle Penguins Activities for reading practice perfect for first grade literacy centers, small groups lessons, or homeschooling support!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu9CaozCvmlTPd68u2xpo3n5x4v5lnqlHJj8izh8rUZk0NILyTIrpgiInpsbeOjl84bPhDpXv1kgaCJmsKmiJphGkN6RyyvWCWyO4El9DIfL844Gnw708fXv46QdgxakQrdXlaKb5VDB05L9LrQs4Bso7CA--gzJU9j67jq1VWbS6QfChSC9pOwEpT5A=w480-h640" title="Winter Fluency Puzzle Penguins Activities for reading practice perfect for first grade literacy centers, small groups lessons, or homeschooling support!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>These aren't phonics based but I tried to make them at around what I'd expect a first grader to be able to read around winter time! Some are easier and some are a little harder so you can easily differentiate in that way. For example, the bottom puzzle in the picture above is a lot easier than the top puzzle. The top puzzle has more words, is a little longer, and has slightly harder words. The bottom puzzle is really simple. :) Kindergarten students can also enjoy these as a guided activity for practicing retelling / sequencing a story. 2nd grade students can also enjoy these as simply a fun reading activity! It's okay if it's a little easy for them and, for some of your 2nd grade students, this may be just the support they need to feel like successful readers too! :) </p><p><br /></p><p>They're great for a center as puzzles, a small groups activity, and the black and white versions are wonderful for students to color, read, and glue into notebooks! A fun reading lesson you can do in small groups is to simply read the top together and put the pieces together as you read and sequence the story. </p><p><br /></p><p>You can also build a puzzle for them and ask them which pictures are out of order - that's a fun small groups game you can play with these! Here's an example:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTW0f4Tyo2ebWIlBHqpnTMYv9RjBohJIvSFgTbp-uYqoylR8aXhrtKNgAhfGV2lQUw6P7dvwKiU-nFCqTR1H2cIKFQq3cYXP0gVJlowjstqXhnZYQKdVnO5yzvylpw9HikfcXIFU4mYrdXlb_vGTwfFCznRFLseL3MnWA9gJdgCEtmvQthvxeTW3J0nA=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Winter Fluency Passages that are puzzles! Great for comprehension, sequencing, and retelling! These are around a first grade reading level (halfway through the school year) but could definitely be used in kindergarten and 2nd too!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTW0f4Tyo2ebWIlBHqpnTMYv9RjBohJIvSFgTbp-uYqoylR8aXhrtKNgAhfGV2lQUw6P7dvwKiU-nFCqTR1H2cIKFQq3cYXP0gVJlowjstqXhnZYQKdVnO5yzvylpw9HikfcXIFU4mYrdXlb_vGTwfFCznRFLseL3MnWA9gJdgCEtmvQthvxeTW3J0nA=w480-h640" title="Winter Fluency Passages that are puzzles! Great for comprehension, sequencing, and retelling! These are around a first grade reading level (halfway through the school year) but could definitely be used in kindergarten and 2nd too!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Did you guess which ones were out of order? This is such a fun small groups game!<div><br /></div><div>You can grab these cute little reading sequencing puzzles in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Reading-Fluency-Puzzles-14-sequencing-stories-comprehension-activities-6408420?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">Winter Fluency Puzzles pack</a> if you want them!<br /><p><br /></p><p>Anyway! Back to <b>Winter Long Vowel Reading Practice</b>! :)</p><p><br /></p><p>I think my favorite book I wrote in this little pack is <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Long-O-Book-6267772?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">"A Day at Home"</a> about a polar bear who is bored at home after waking up from hibernating. Isn't he adorable?? :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwG4HYCPfcsF4wxd3uZJZ_2EtMIBWBevrldIBC-KG4ewXfk2A9uYHmzpOEs-Bl6RvFWBa0ukEIOlNM4GTeS0v8gNtpP2ebYsBrrK8zPOudcq6ZdTPgIWcRRWwraWxNFVcri08vXzNIgx9rCv9HeeHl-TNEXYHTqxpim1JO4Y4CuGeH3QdL-Y5Axlh3rQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Winter Reading Polar Bear book that practice Long O silent E words with an adorable story with a cute message!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwG4HYCPfcsF4wxd3uZJZ_2EtMIBWBevrldIBC-KG4ewXfk2A9uYHmzpOEs-Bl6RvFWBa0ukEIOlNM4GTeS0v8gNtpP2ebYsBrrK8zPOudcq6ZdTPgIWcRRWwraWxNFVcri08vXzNIgx9rCv9HeeHl-TNEXYHTqxpim1JO4Y4CuGeH3QdL-Y5Axlh3rQ=w480-h640" title="Winter Reading Polar Bear book that practice Long O silent E words with an adorable story with a cute message!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>He wakes up from his "long nap" and goes out to see if his friends are back yet who left for the winter, so it's a great way to start introducing hibernation, migration, and all that fun stuff in a cute first grade-y type of way! :) His friends aren't back yet so he tries to find fun things to do around the house by himself while he waits for them to get back.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjisFbxzygCxLeae1YgoK_T1chcr5TKDoYtyFfEfz1XzSVhnrDA9pWgVQ6Lw1QFQGUWxrfdr5uwiSlkjwvGjKBUdiHp0gn7BQ7TaiCpMDWv1b5zAPK_j0gjUOLR9idj69fEjGtoAmYKWKb9TyV24DN9AV0FwxnjtPH3Z8XW_EVmVTmoSufmX86KK57dLQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long O Silent E reading practice with this adorable reader in black and white and also in full color. Perfect phonics activity for winter! Love the polar bear character in this one!" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjisFbxzygCxLeae1YgoK_T1chcr5TKDoYtyFfEfz1XzSVhnrDA9pWgVQ6Lw1QFQGUWxrfdr5uwiSlkjwvGjKBUdiHp0gn7BQ7TaiCpMDWv1b5zAPK_j0gjUOLR9idj69fEjGtoAmYKWKb9TyV24DN9AV0FwxnjtPH3Z8XW_EVmVTmoSufmX86KK57dLQ=w640-h480" title="Long O Silent E reading practice with this adorable reader in black and white and also in full color. Perfect phonics activity for winter! Love the polar bear character in this one!" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Of course there's a black and white version to color too! :) This shows the color cover, but there's a full black and white version. Can you tell I have a slight obsession with cute winter animals wearing scarves and sledding? I just find it so cute!</p><p><br /></p><p>Another polar bear character in this set is Duke! He is the main character in <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Long-U-Book-6267771?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">"The Duke's Dune"</a> book. He doesn't want to share his dune with a group of friends sledding down hills on tubes. (What sound do you think this is? The tricky Long U silent E sound!! I LOVE finding ways to make this sound easier and more fun, because it can definitely be a bleh sound to learn if you don't have fun materials!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc-Im3ANSKaU4AM97tJrw4sOv9OIQnlcH-fnvaofspLdi-UUOg7sTb30-gPcLbgR3HiuZGmj0PqLWQMR8JIlkTR7PJYlBPRqhIpYF26Abin1SGrq7T-9_gp5lwsJ9Y_I4Y5jVnaUWXEpVrAssNZgPBv6ItXd3piIFHyhDSpvOsKpmYUksobTKyMy9AjQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long U silent E sound phonics book to practice this vowel pattern in a super cute and engaging story about a polar bear!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc-Im3ANSKaU4AM97tJrw4sOv9OIQnlcH-fnvaofspLdi-UUOg7sTb30-gPcLbgR3HiuZGmj0PqLWQMR8JIlkTR7PJYlBPRqhIpYF26Abin1SGrq7T-9_gp5lwsJ9Y_I4Y5jVnaUWXEpVrAssNZgPBv6ItXd3piIFHyhDSpvOsKpmYUksobTKyMy9AjQ=w480-h640" title="Long U silent E sound phonics book to practice this vowel pattern in a super cute and engaging story about a polar bear!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I absolutely LOVE the message in this one. Like I said, I try to instill a positive message into my books and this one is about kindness and sharing. The polar bear tells the friends they can't use his dune. After he doesn't share and is alone on his dune, he sees how much fun the friends are having anyway and feels bad that he didn't let them use his dune. He tells them they can. They are super happy and invite him to tube with them and he is thrilled. I think it's a cute message about sharing and how it's so much nicer to be nice to people and enjoy what you have with friends. :)</p><p><br /></p><p>So those are my Winter Long Vowel Books! You can grab the 4 books (there is not one for Long E because I don't personally believe that you should spend much time teaching that sound explicitly as there are so few kid words with that sound so I don't usually make anything with it) in the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Long-Vowel-Books-BUNDLE-Great-for-Small-Group-Reading-Activities-6267776?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">Winter Long Vowel Books BUNDLE</a>!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXcHaARBJuNJus8fu8Pcmz1Dd3Jd4gShpEij1sfHlE8I--194QeFdfHPs5PrMCNha2BKuf5ebT69-uDqcl8F2Xgykf-s3pJnIvEWrSHQybhJXrFv3hTI6z8wF7yMHpCKDN2kvVrPDbmoBGCCsjuGDKpH9pEiO6R-vx81Rb7umEL_WZT0uyXPsNH8Op0g=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Winter Long Vowel Books BUNDLE of cute readers for long a, i, o, and u!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXcHaARBJuNJus8fu8Pcmz1Dd3Jd4gShpEij1sfHlE8I--194QeFdfHPs5PrMCNha2BKuf5ebT69-uDqcl8F2Xgykf-s3pJnIvEWrSHQybhJXrFv3hTI6z8wF7yMHpCKDN2kvVrPDbmoBGCCsjuGDKpH9pEiO6R-vx81Rb7umEL_WZT0uyXPsNH8Op0g=w400-h400" title="Winter Long Vowel Books BUNDLE of cute readers for long a, i, o, and u!" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>You can also get them individually if you prefer! I linked each one in the spots where I talked about them above this. :) </p><p><br /></p><p>Here's another picture of what the black and white covers look like, since I showed the color cover next to some of the black and white books. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglHqLCYPd4jiTd_mbwt5IQIFZ8szpn-3C0Ln6rNL2bCy-Z2sfoQjv7UJkyHJuaLmnvzfk4UlkbuHY8Oco8siUNW3aunHpuDawAe5BCyLT8UJG00KsOqfJ5s7ZZbGJAV_pJpQjPXMtjomL-_c5ytCKDAZ9A_dPS-F5KWfLpzkEI_mGNvyx3POBFVps0qw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="First grade winter reading practice long vowel readers phonics books" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglHqLCYPd4jiTd_mbwt5IQIFZ8szpn-3C0Ln6rNL2bCy-Z2sfoQjv7UJkyHJuaLmnvzfk4UlkbuHY8Oco8siUNW3aunHpuDawAe5BCyLT8UJG00KsOqfJ5s7ZZbGJAV_pJpQjPXMtjomL-_c5ytCKDAZ9A_dPS-F5KWfLpzkEI_mGNvyx3POBFVps0qw=w480-h640" title="First grade winter reading practice long vowel readers phonics books" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I also have NON-phonics winter readers if you want more cute little stories to read with your students! If you learn different phonics sounds during winter or simply want more books, I have these:</p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Book-Snowman-School-Winter-Reading-Fun-6308179?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">Snowman School</a></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Book-Bunny-Has-a-Fun-Day-Winter-Reading-Fun-6308182?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">Bunny Has a Fun Day</a></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Book-A-Penguin-Came-to-School-Winter-Reading-Fun-6308183?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">A Penguin Came to School</a></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Book-Toss-the-Snowball-Winter-Reading-Fun-6308176?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">Toss the Snowball</a></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Book-The-Polar-Bear-Cubs-Love-Winter-Fun-Winter-Reading-Practice-6308178?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">The Polar Bear Cubs Love Winter</a></p><p><br /></p><p>I also have a LOT of winter math activities</p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Word-Problems-Addition-to-10-Winter-Math-Worksheets-for-Winter-Addition-6303913?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">Winter Word Problems Worksheets</a></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Who-Am-I-Math-Center-Missing-Numbers-Fun-Activity-6461581?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">Winter Who Am I? Math Center</a> (You may recognize this format from my big <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/07/building-number-sense-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">Building Number Sense blog post</a> that shows a bunch of pictures of <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Grade-Math-Unit-1-Number-Sense-Counting-Forward-Ten-Frames-and-more-1288148?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">First Grade Math Unit 1</a>)</p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Missing-Numbers-Math-Centers-2-levels-6464030?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank">Winter Missing Numbers Center</a> (If you have <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Grade-Math-Unit-2-Number-Sense-1311841?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice">First Grade Math Unit 2</a>, you'll recognize this fun winter version too!)</p><p>If you want to see real pictures of these in action, please let me know! I'll probably write some blog posts about them eventually so check back! :)</p><p><br /></p><p>You can also see tons of pictures of the NO PREP writing activities in my<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Writing-Activities-19-NO-PREP-Winter-Crafts-2303861?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Winter-Long-Vowels-Reading-Practice" target="_blank"> Winter Writing Crafts Bundle</a> in my <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/01/january-writing-crafts.html" target="_blank">January Writing Crafts blog post</a>! :)</p><p><br /></p><p>I think that's enough winter fun to show you for now! I hope you loved seeing my winter long vowels reading practice ideas and can use some of them with your kids! I am going to be sharing more tips about winter math and reading in my groups! If you're not in my free <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/teachingmathinfirstgrade/" target="_blank">Teaching Math in First Grade</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/firstgradephonics/" target="_blank">First Grade Phonics</a> groups and you teach any kids at around a first grade reading/math level, I highly recommend joining us!! :) I only approve requests that answer all 3 questions so make sure you do that if you want to join & I will see you in there! </p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks so much for reading!!</p></div>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-66298967376109302422021-12-13T21:37:00.010-07:002021-12-17T00:57:26.737-07:00Christmas Addition Word ProblemsChristmas Addition Word Problems! I wanted to show you some fun worksheets I made to practice and review addition to 10 story problems. Each one has a different theme and pieces for your students to cut out to help them add and solve! :)<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimGZokGETk8TkM9b9OtJzAqgsTL5lRs-89qoIo_SaGjYQ2TriZh6jIKlQcM8w_krC8uAVasfJ36EysfRYu_H5apmv9e__dUaS69eQg4PhbDMxZPObyBtv6qY87M_WU9-tMBp3y_BMOW9yPE-DnC03MfzWG1LOoU8ROLDrea0_gwz92sFmyWMrUAKh7TQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Addition Word Problems worksheets to practice math in December in a super fun way!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimGZokGETk8TkM9b9OtJzAqgsTL5lRs-89qoIo_SaGjYQ2TriZh6jIKlQcM8w_krC8uAVasfJ36EysfRYu_H5apmv9e__dUaS69eQg4PhbDMxZPObyBtv6qY87M_WU9-tMBp3y_BMOW9yPE-DnC03MfzWG1LOoU8ROLDrea0_gwz92sFmyWMrUAKh7TQ=w480-h640" title="Christmas Addition Word Problems worksheets to practice math in December in a super fun way!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Instead of simply plopping Christmas themed pictures on the page, the images they see and work with are actually the objects the passage is talking about. I feel like this is great reading support too and also simply helps them understand the math better too! I dislike when word problems are hard for kids to read so I try to write with simple words so kids can simply focus on the math AND these will have picture support for those who need a little extra help with their reading. :)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHJDNJoarqBAPrRR5ELdQJxAFUTMu14j9pjOUfIfQy7ygg0JB8MD8MLTElCbdDYrPZJ0doAOmAywofTPcVbIqc3UgD6Jbb9OFq5hF8mSLY7iQPKjvWfyRS8JRHkxsjF7S807SPJHb3dxcJrgvIZFsRjcCMGFephNkeVE4SG61aBTxBiysxpyAwwz5Klg=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas addition worksheets with pictures and stories to read and solve word problems" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHJDNJoarqBAPrRR5ELdQJxAFUTMu14j9pjOUfIfQy7ygg0JB8MD8MLTElCbdDYrPZJ0doAOmAywofTPcVbIqc3UgD6Jbb9OFq5hF8mSLY7iQPKjvWfyRS8JRHkxsjF7S807SPJHb3dxcJrgvIZFsRjcCMGFephNkeVE4SG61aBTxBiysxpyAwwz5Klg=w480-h640" title="Christmas addition worksheets with pictures and stories to read and solve word problems" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>So you give them a worksheet like this. They read it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then, they cut out all of their pieces and start building the problem.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6S0RAMTeJMiMYUxFa9vWnvKtlld29On4JRc6uQ1u9prdU3SwWtElBFcSSgx_oGjp8kE17zacPy4f6VNB2sTAUIurd1v4wenqH4kbCw4J6-GN2Z8d5owUFJt8BuKeTQ6YUElRFQKGhghIKsoYVqdF0KTgGrzDgpD_MAVUkOVUIlv5BTND3em-aPaR_2A=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to practice and review word problems in December" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6S0RAMTeJMiMYUxFa9vWnvKtlld29On4JRc6uQ1u9prdU3SwWtElBFcSSgx_oGjp8kE17zacPy4f6VNB2sTAUIurd1v4wenqH4kbCw4J6-GN2Z8d5owUFJt8BuKeTQ6YUElRFQKGhghIKsoYVqdF0KTgGrzDgpD_MAVUkOVUIlv5BTND3em-aPaR_2A=w480-h640" title="How to practice and review word problems in December" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><div>See how the first line is that they put 5 candy canes in the jar? So they put 5 pieces down.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then they'd continue to build the word problem:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbOTOETZx2RPKAwbmWp9L7I9VT4U3RVZ_vTb-p4g6UBbUXWHK82oum7F83QJNMWnLmZPjRk1BAmlyNG99Ux0_Ohxq2KfuHTfRyaXXUT-Rot-HPYl6XiWFX79AcL8vhBeyT0rUHwaSwqfyzOQX8K71Xm6OaP-UPI4mt0ZrKd-KzKL8wc6so94oOZVoyvQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="First Grade Christmas Math Worksheets for Addition" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbOTOETZx2RPKAwbmWp9L7I9VT4U3RVZ_vTb-p4g6UBbUXWHK82oum7F83QJNMWnLmZPjRk1BAmlyNG99Ux0_Ohxq2KfuHTfRyaXXUT-Rot-HPYl6XiWFX79AcL8vhBeyT0rUHwaSwqfyzOQX8K71Xm6OaP-UPI4mt0ZrKd-KzKL8wc6so94oOZVoyvQ=w480-h640" title="First Grade Christmas Math Worksheets for Addition" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Encourage them to keep each number together - a row of 5 then a row of 4 - like this.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then, they simply add up their pieces to get the answer and write 9! Awesome, fun addition learning support! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Another thing to notice is that I didn't put the exact number of pieces they need.... they had 1 extra. This is a purposeful design element. I want kids to count out how many they need for each number and know that they may not use all of the pieces. See how the original worksheet had 10 pieces but they used 9?</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also keep all these pieces to use in games later if you want to reuse them! For example: If you do this worksheet with your students in small groups, they can do this sheet with you. Then, you can have them use the pieces to do tons of addition problems using the candy canes that you all do together. </div><div><br /></div><div>Quick example small groups lesson: Have them put all their pieces in front of them (10 candy canes in this example). Have them take 3 from their pile to put in front of themselves. Then ask them to take 2 more. Ask how many they have now. 5! Repeat for lots of problems for easy Christmas addition word problems practice that you do verbally! Such an easy and simple way to practice that is NO PREP for you because they cut them out already. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>If you wanted them to do this independently or with a partner (or an extension activity for kids who finish their work quickly), you could also give them a piece of paper to write the number sentences they make (or a little board and a dry erase marker if you want to really score some cool teacher points). :) </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7ncciwyaFAZMk14pw0blHpe4yUmSgby4LKVkcimjjFB7urGDA5Vgbmo7BBA7BjeWj-ZJr8b3sICYrqZtsfRJsl2eNR7GD-6HgheFz9PBiLLvWMXpZGJyNiAQsvNN2N6bIxc4DJ_2CHhxkghg-C3tVgmyDgejs7OrMuafTZ58iO2_S4tK01NdqW9WT8g=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas word problems for first grade" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7ncciwyaFAZMk14pw0blHpe4yUmSgby4LKVkcimjjFB7urGDA5Vgbmo7BBA7BjeWj-ZJr8b3sICYrqZtsfRJsl2eNR7GD-6HgheFz9PBiLLvWMXpZGJyNiAQsvNN2N6bIxc4DJ_2CHhxkghg-C3tVgmyDgejs7OrMuafTZ58iO2_S4tK01NdqW9WT8g=w480-h640" title="Christmas word problems for first grade" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>You can also easily differentiate by giving problems with smaller numbers to students who struggle a little. This Christmas word problem only has them add 3 and 3 so it's a little easier.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another way this worksheet is slightly differentiated is that the 2 objects they're adding are technically different (red stockings and green stockings). This helps them visually see the 2 numbers added a little clearer than them simply being separated into piles or rows. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh37SmzCTTyryHhoai7vHfqeCrkzpoHVedsXhdA_a6_jq9OXEOqcIFRGnPXY_CYF0b7c2AaxvEKusJX5s9m7aeLlXfeQuQG3xZ1gCaxolaCs8wFwp1YUCcx5_Y6DBCTRDy5tyBPnox6bslm4M4rHqIc50fpddBXvTMQxvAj-0djuhAobkeqSwPTuoDadw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Solving word problems in first grade December" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh37SmzCTTyryHhoai7vHfqeCrkzpoHVedsXhdA_a6_jq9OXEOqcIFRGnPXY_CYF0b7c2AaxvEKusJX5s9m7aeLlXfeQuQG3xZ1gCaxolaCs8wFwp1YUCcx5_Y6DBCTRDy5tyBPnox6bslm4M4rHqIc50fpddBXvTMQxvAj-0djuhAobkeqSwPTuoDadw=w480-h640" title="Solving word problems in first grade December" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>They'd do the same process, but with smaller numbers and a little bit more of a visual difference between the 2 addends.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is also a doubles fact so that helps too if they know their doubles facts. Speaking of doubles facts, I have super cute <a href="https://wow.boomlearning.com/deck/christmas-adding-doubles-iY5m8X24yYriNXdQY" target="_blank">Christmas Doubles digital math game</a> and also a <a href="https://wow.boomlearning.com/deck/christmas-adding-doubles-plus-one-7CBghxSsCW5L4fMMi" target="_blank">Christmas Doubles Plus One digital math game</a> if you use digital math games in your classroom or at home. Those go directly to them on the platform you play them on. If you want to see all of my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/12/digital-christmas-math-games-and-activities.html" target="_blank">Christmas Math Digital Games</a>, I wrote that little post last year to show them. I made them for place value, missing addends, addition, subtraction, and some more topics because it was fun and made me feel like I was a video game designer. :) I talked in my post yesterday about how writing little Christmas books makes me feel like an author. I have to tell myself these things to get myself inspired enough to make things sometimes, ha! :) </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>All of the Christmas addition word problems worksheets also come in black and white.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM8-XkVH32JgSQZnYpY4BBSaPEGhCLpDMa-DGnFZ3bD7ID6IWkLfedjI227onpAFL-Oxmy73IbWuMgMW_xK2KsmAx-EM-3YrzzhnfWeJeYvgq475w2WUpYEOaw_ZYa2ZQ27EXWeaMY4rNXh2Ss8Zq9vTjQIliojzPfciIaxIaLJPTdfUet-zjvmGLcrQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Addition to 10 Word Problem Worksheets" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM8-XkVH32JgSQZnYpY4BBSaPEGhCLpDMa-DGnFZ3bD7ID6IWkLfedjI227onpAFL-Oxmy73IbWuMgMW_xK2KsmAx-EM-3YrzzhnfWeJeYvgq475w2WUpYEOaw_ZYa2ZQ27EXWeaMY4rNXh2Ss8Zq9vTjQIliojzPfciIaxIaLJPTdfUet-zjvmGLcrQ=w640-h480" title="Christmas Addition to 10 Word Problem Worksheets" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>That makes it super nice to have kids do them as morning work (or classwork anytime during the day) where they also color the pieces to match the story. Plus, it's fun to color the rest of the picture including the border. :) It makes the activity take longer and gives everyone a little bit of a calm rest during these weeks leading up to Christmas.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want these Christmas Addition Word Problems Worksheets, they are in this pack:</div><div><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Word-Problems-Addition-to-10-Christmas-Math-Worksheets-6303916?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Christmas-Addition-Word-Problems" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas Addition to 10 Word Problems Math Worksheets</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I also have a completely WINTER version of these if you have any students who don't celebrate Christmas. They are the same format so they look just like these ones but have no Christmas imagery. They are suuuper cute (in my biased opinion since they're mine :) but I love penguins and snowmen and all of that fun winter stuff so I love these too!) and, again, are winter only.</div><div><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Word-Problems-Addition-to-10-Winter-Math-Worksheets-for-Winter-Addition-6303913?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Christmas-Addition-Word-Problems" target="_blank">Winter Addition to 10 Word Problems Math Worksheets</a></div><div><br /></div><div>If you want extra, then the winter pack is super easy to mix in with the Christmas to extend this activity for longer. For example, if you wanted to do a new word problem each day for morning work, then you could mix the 2 packs to have 2 weeks worth of daily word problems (10 days).</div><div><br /></div><div>I have A TON of winter and Christmas activities in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Giraffe/?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Christmas-Addition-Word-Problems" target="_blank">Miss Giraffe TpT Store</a> if you want to see more of my December and January fun! Make sure you <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Sellers-Im-Following/Add/Miss-Giraffe" target="_blank">follow my TpT store</a> so you see when I post new resources too! </div><div><br /></div><div>I also wrote a post yesterday showing some ideas for <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2021/12/christmas-blends-activities-for-first-grade.html" target="_blank">Christmas Blends Activities (beginning blends)</a> and I also have a big post of <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/12/december-writing-crafts.html" target="_blank">Christmas Writing Crafts</a> if you want to look around more! I love writing and sharing the activities I make with all of you so I hope you enjoyed this post! :)</div>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-15027798795797254182021-12-12T15:05:00.013-07:002021-12-17T01:01:18.356-07:00Christmas Blends Activities for First Grade - 5 Fun Ways to Practice!Christmas Blends Activities for First Grade! I am excited to show you 5 fun ways to practice. Puzzles to match pictures and their beginning blends sounds, cute little readers to practice reading stories with each phonics skill, and fun worksheets that are differentiated!<div><br /></div><div>If you know my resources, you know I have A TON of blends activities. They are always a favorite so I made some Christmas versions! :)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1RZZfA4DO1HcS2ZOfup9DHHJIPacxo4gWUX5vtI6DaODyijHnck1nt28vMMmbvOmrq1ZEYWlzyC8l_r7gU1CWnOL3tZgEdJq2fCpnoFt0uz9IkrQShhw9PI1ZhWnicH2benbGMMvxy9CvlbYKygV9zgKeHRzGY0KPFHGLDrm0cualY6PnAVLvsEYPdA=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas blends puzzles for kindergarten to cut out and practice initial sounds with fun December words" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1RZZfA4DO1HcS2ZOfup9DHHJIPacxo4gWUX5vtI6DaODyijHnck1nt28vMMmbvOmrq1ZEYWlzyC8l_r7gU1CWnOL3tZgEdJq2fCpnoFt0uz9IkrQShhw9PI1ZhWnicH2benbGMMvxy9CvlbYKygV9zgKeHRzGY0KPFHGLDrm0cualY6PnAVLvsEYPdA=w480-h640" title="Christmas blends puzzles for kindergarten to cut out and practice initial sounds with fun December words" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Cut these cute Christmas blends puzzles out and they're an instant reading center or small group activity!</div><div><br /></div><div>Kids simply match the Christmas word to the beginning sound they hear.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnW-lUYnOGr5hJTHn80zIdUI76mdiGUl-yHJG62lep6Ppk62GBS7c_qeIrpjsjeTLCFevBlscJirclCP42oGehNmd86BJ_4gsxmBU5r6zDr5u4PSe2-XXt1vQDsVSORicOsnSxOj-xgSf3w2TaBy_Xqaqo4wsHzmzFs8kHOiMSRUFQkQUCGyumTmecnA=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas blends puzzles for reading practice where kids simply match the beginning sound to the picture of the word. Easy and fun literacy center for kindergarten or first grade!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnW-lUYnOGr5hJTHn80zIdUI76mdiGUl-yHJG62lep6Ppk62GBS7c_qeIrpjsjeTLCFevBlscJirclCP42oGehNmd86BJ_4gsxmBU5r6zDr5u4PSe2-XXt1vQDsVSORicOsnSxOj-xgSf3w2TaBy_Xqaqo4wsHzmzFs8kHOiMSRUFQkQUCGyumTmecnA=w480-h640" title="Christmas blends puzzles for reading practice where kids simply match the beginning sound to the picture of the word. Easy and fun literacy center for kindergarten or first grade!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>If you want them to record their answers, there is a little worksheet they can write the beginning blend in the box next to the picture.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think it's nice to have a recording sheet for centers so you can quickly check their answers later. I also feel as though it helps solidify the practice for kids when they practice writing each blend by writing it next to each picture. It's almost as if they're doing the center twice because they match then record and any time you can have reading repetition without it feeling repetitive, that is a win!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDNGoYr4v3s-omDPWDce0JSAHeZ1E8yfWIlPT4jb7TglvL6FjJ46bdYilYOIKzq3R-QLuvxIgdEcZU5slysiFj61VCT3KXeHZBvJJO-vD0Y0wh5zdllgjRdZqglnDVBdY6dgqXyzfJMx2pelPFywWbbkxsG7spzgTS4yc6fPkdyheh0y7OQkEZm4EzTg=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="First Grade Christmas Blends Activities - cute puzzles where kids match the picture to the initial sound they hear in the word which is great for building phonological awareness in kindergarten and first grade students" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDNGoYr4v3s-omDPWDce0JSAHeZ1E8yfWIlPT4jb7TglvL6FjJ46bdYilYOIKzq3R-QLuvxIgdEcZU5slysiFj61VCT3KXeHZBvJJO-vD0Y0wh5zdllgjRdZqglnDVBdY6dgqXyzfJMx2pelPFywWbbkxsG7spzgTS4yc6fPkdyheh0y7OQkEZm4EzTg=w480-h640" title="First Grade Christmas Blends Activities - cute puzzles where kids match the picture to the initial sound they hear in the word which is great for building phonological awareness in kindergarten and first grade students" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Simple, easy, fun! </div><div><br /></div><div>You can grab these puzzles here if you want them:</div><div><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Blends-Puzzles-Fun-Beginning-Blends-Activity-6308670?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Christmas-Blends-Activities" target="_blank">Christmas Blends Puzzles</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of simple, easy, and fun, you know I love cut and paste worksheets! </div><div><br /></div><div>If you use my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Giraffe/Category/Phonics-NO-PREP-Packs-185556?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Christmas-Blends-Activities" target="_blank">Phonics No Prep Packs</a> for teaching each sound, then you'll recognize this format. I made a Christmas Blends worksheet version of these worksheets! :)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqJJw7me4kWcI0_ZLLbk_Qi41-eJ5J8Pssyel1KWype5cyHaNsq-khw37EzMEF_GF4FOjTmGuJ98t-CPmZhMao6Xedb-FXveOlezMzlAH26UKPnsbd3y_C-GtZeuIozIEjBGd_8-Iy4OFQ06HloO5eFr7zFIHm4ab7pSitxcJWody6HCuSjL5WS_zOIw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Beginning Blends Worksheets" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqJJw7me4kWcI0_ZLLbk_Qi41-eJ5J8Pssyel1KWype5cyHaNsq-khw37EzMEF_GF4FOjTmGuJ98t-CPmZhMao6Xedb-FXveOlezMzlAH26UKPnsbd3y_C-GtZeuIozIEjBGd_8-Iy4OFQ06HloO5eFr7zFIHm4ab7pSitxcJWody6HCuSjL5WS_zOIw=w480-h640" title="Christmas Beginning Blends Worksheets" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Kids simply match each Christmas themed picture to its beginning blend. I also made a word support version. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCnDTVaO7usUhp17AfRhGQ_BqbMZGHxHrtCXDQE62UPHFBZ3qXcH-3CSdUF8uRmJh_Ukn9xDTKON6Sq_YDde2n-O1QjkNOQud6HHPgw6PkFt0cdNxjwlV_4oW0p-Y6spy7tjnb37XAbNq0S2-LAy6QeR7VjN-lelPfS7lWK58kM-k2hlUptnuel0wtuQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Blends Worksheets with Words Support" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCnDTVaO7usUhp17AfRhGQ_BqbMZGHxHrtCXDQE62UPHFBZ3qXcH-3CSdUF8uRmJh_Ukn9xDTKON6Sq_YDde2n-O1QjkNOQud6HHPgw6PkFt0cdNxjwlV_4oW0p-Y6spy7tjnb37XAbNq0S2-LAy6QeR7VjN-lelPfS7lWK58kM-k2hlUptnuel0wtuQ=w480-h640" title="Christmas Blends Worksheets with Words Support" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I personally prefer no words the majority of the time but the word support versions are super helpful for:</div><div>a) differentiating, and</div><div>b) if you send these home at all</div><div><br /></div><div>If you send a page like this for kids to do at home, it's nice to send the version with words. It's really helpful for an adult who may be helping them and not hearing blends words all day so they aren't immediately recognizing them. </div><div><br /></div><div>All kids do is cut out the pictures.......</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkTWp-O0zKg5wYN4tWgjWdGOPxm8S6d9wGZIstdPJmb-iBsgSRa7y9g4kp4x2rzQhBgxPI9VL7F5mSIHS6FCI2LINwOdm8qa99ZosV-C4Pufvuk0wfjcS5_ihKMM7EJWWc8-YHLNoF_2qBLdwlvIU-hlxtXNup_dM-MzUfprTF1AzPAjfAJiitSAf06A=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Blends Activities for First Grade" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkTWp-O0zKg5wYN4tWgjWdGOPxm8S6d9wGZIstdPJmb-iBsgSRa7y9g4kp4x2rzQhBgxPI9VL7F5mSIHS6FCI2LINwOdm8qa99ZosV-C4Pufvuk0wfjcS5_ihKMM7EJWWc8-YHLNoF_2qBLdwlvIU-hlxtXNup_dM-MzUfprTF1AzPAjfAJiitSAf06A=w480-h640" title="Christmas Blends Activities for First Grade" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>then place them under the blend they hear! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTTPJ85gkTZWqEDtts6f7xhDjfabEcvM4fJ5t2t88lMmBItVxxDpGsVgLq6gz4gsr6gyNEwlgvFsdyz-xoCeWRt26y2z7riN1l_VjyP9G_dm9IxW-CKkp-qQ1iqghzHMiNIl4-xAOMZPzzotBSYPlWSna11cEkThaBxIXxFkg7eQhRXyrqmqVDl5FjnQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas phonics worksheets" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTTPJ85gkTZWqEDtts6f7xhDjfabEcvM4fJ5t2t88lMmBItVxxDpGsVgLq6gz4gsr6gyNEwlgvFsdyz-xoCeWRt26y2z7riN1l_VjyP9G_dm9IxW-CKkp-qQ1iqghzHMiNIl4-xAOMZPzzotBSYPlWSna11cEkThaBxIXxFkg7eQhRXyrqmqVDl5FjnQ=w480-h640" title="Christmas phonics worksheets" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>For any cut and paste activity, I highly recommend teaching kids to place all their pieces first. THEN, glue. Tell them not to glue until they put all their pieces where they want and check their work. :) I highly un-recommend allowing them to glue as they work. Arranging and then checking also teaches them great skills such as checking their own work and process of elimination.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you have students who struggle with blends, I included a beginning sounds version with single letter sounds. The format is identical so you can differentiate easily without it being obvious. :)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiz5YQXxVV71fQuPTLkMhNCI2t_Kv55Q2mBtVGOHR5X2Mwf5AMYPsFJuMk0bQIEoxC8PJ3FPyW60iW_0yyZ8TbhVvRUZgEbk3ypQO1tqEraUpycf3DC-5qSTXtVrQyvSVaIk0k_8UQD69jqYUtnr6oEjhodFikXrJbBWsRKG3rl97oet_-253ajjjnYug=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Beginning Sounds and Blends worksheets with words support under each picture" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiz5YQXxVV71fQuPTLkMhNCI2t_Kv55Q2mBtVGOHR5X2Mwf5AMYPsFJuMk0bQIEoxC8PJ3FPyW60iW_0yyZ8TbhVvRUZgEbk3ypQO1tqEraUpycf3DC-5qSTXtVrQyvSVaIk0k_8UQD69jqYUtnr6oEjhodFikXrJbBWsRKG3rl97oet_-253ajjjnYug=w640-h480" title="Christmas Beginning Sounds and Blends worksheets with words support under each picture" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>You can grab both the blends AND alphabet letter sounds version of this worksheet for only $1! :) </div><div><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Beginning-Sounds-Including-Blends-Worksheets-7507743?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Christmas-Blends-Activities" target="_blank">Christmas Beginning Sounds Including Blends Worksheets</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Now that you've done centers and worksheets.... let's read words with blends!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRPKbf20S0rgsnopOIXKpdAtelavjWR69jPJN-YHm4v4q4_FAq95nuH9YID-eVoKpRAYUjZRsJaFVo2EOIep6HlU83BAdPWtyM1AAciVcDjJRsQpafyfOlPh0Sepv7mEIg3u_ZucsYqGeHm_hq0rJtE0BwqVwq32GYe25uSff0lOuWp9rkKDiKVpKNBw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas R S and L Blends Books" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRPKbf20S0rgsnopOIXKpdAtelavjWR69jPJN-YHm4v4q4_FAq95nuH9YID-eVoKpRAYUjZRsJaFVo2EOIep6HlU83BAdPWtyM1AAciVcDjJRsQpafyfOlPh0Sepv7mEIg3u_ZucsYqGeHm_hq0rJtE0BwqVwq32GYe25uSff0lOuWp9rkKDiKVpKNBw=w640-h480" title="Christmas R S and L Blends Books" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I wrote these 3 little blends readers - one for each blend! </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-S-Blends-Book-Santa-Wants-to-Ice-Skate-Christmas-Reading-Fun-6355527?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Christmas-Blends-Activities" target="_blank">Santa Wants to Ice Skate</a> focuses on words with S blends!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhotuYI47Zi-4FAMvK-lV6EuoMeufKnx7DWm096f3SMHDm1bBL9IfPUkJU47ZbnPby04n_ZR-kUZXlRcoE88Dirge_4ZnE4sg__QpphuD5eN27wkOxL_Gww0XNiLv4_1xYFmGzqOv8z9mttzW_v_7Ng2HY69AD-iFmkGBlsld9nGkpLQaQGXiN0RyD1Bw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="S Blends Christmas Book Reading Practice" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhotuYI47Zi-4FAMvK-lV6EuoMeufKnx7DWm096f3SMHDm1bBL9IfPUkJU47ZbnPby04n_ZR-kUZXlRcoE88Dirge_4ZnE4sg__QpphuD5eN27wkOxL_Gww0XNiLv4_1xYFmGzqOv8z9mttzW_v_7Ng2HY69AD-iFmkGBlsld9nGkpLQaQGXiN0RyD1Bw=w480-h640" title="S Blends Christmas Book Reading Practice" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>I absolutely LOVE writing phonics readers. It's like a puzzle for me (and I love puzzles!) because I try to stuff as many words with that phonics sound into the sentences as possible. That can be hard to do while still making it be a cute story, but I was so happy with how these turned out!</div><div><br /></div><div>If you look at these pages, it uses small, skates, skate, small, smiles on one page & skates, small, stop, sledding, steep on the other page. That is SO many S blends words in a short amount of reading. Because some of the words repeat, that really helps with their confidence and fluency too! I also make an effort to make the rest of the words very easily read words. I dislike when readers have hard sight words kids don't know yet in between the phonics sound they're practicing so I try to avoid that and use only easier sight words and words that can be sound out easily. It is a little hard to do with blends especially but I wanted to emphasize how much I do value that and look for that in readers.</div><div><br /></div><div>(P.S. Speaking of sight words, if you've never seen my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2018/08/sight-words-sentences-cards-fun-ideas-centers.html" target="_blank">Sight Words Sentences cards</a>, they are my favorite way to introduce sight words!)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-L-Blends-Book-Reindeer-Class-Christmas-Reading-Fun-6355531?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Christmas-Blends-Activities" target="_blank">Reindeer Class</a> practices words with L blends!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY1NiS_HycISAWP8P_nWmHs5I-pKgJ07nya0s8KDzPoC8rzhJdKO37iUi1KV4e085H1XknbyCVueKja9EWUzzo2ufcgjYrqIY9nCH_cxDJ7_lc97LFWoUootfemHtvF6SsIPziFfhl2gBF-5D3eNNYKiRiNogeIHREFV41Qyh1y-t1AODli6KlU51aEA=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Reindeer reading comprehension book L blends" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY1NiS_HycISAWP8P_nWmHs5I-pKgJ07nya0s8KDzPoC8rzhJdKO37iUi1KV4e085H1XknbyCVueKja9EWUzzo2ufcgjYrqIY9nCH_cxDJ7_lc97LFWoUootfemHtvF6SsIPziFfhl2gBF-5D3eNNYKiRiNogeIHREFV41Qyh1y-t1AODli6KlU51aEA=w640-h480" title="Reindeer reading comprehension book L blends" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This one was my favorite to write! I love the little reindeers. :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-R-Blends-Book-We-Prepare-for-Christmas-Christmas-Reading-Fun-6355530?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Christmas-Blends-Activities" target="_blank">We Prepare for Christmas</a> practices words with R blends!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJ9ToKJkNgLIsj31YoxIrdwVSJrJgKapn7CwsZKlDZMFWvfK3BhZ7ALP19qML9G0wqCLOhSFDM0IBZwdOehZsYtGfqPyzQpAXJRG81bCyfDPee7O21pWFQjCOi7I-G7ECXKElz5nZ9Bwd3TfhGOxnfvG9IRVuibSiJC_40DxtXPBmTv1uXQc6nwohzRg=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas R blends reading comprehension" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJ9ToKJkNgLIsj31YoxIrdwVSJrJgKapn7CwsZKlDZMFWvfK3BhZ7ALP19qML9G0wqCLOhSFDM0IBZwdOehZsYtGfqPyzQpAXJRG81bCyfDPee7O21pWFQjCOi7I-G7ECXKElz5nZ9Bwd3TfhGOxnfvG9IRVuibSiJC_40DxtXPBmTv1uXQc6nwohzRg=w480-h640" title="Christmas R blends reading comprehension" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Anyway! I was so excited to show you all these 3 books. I always wanted to be an author so it makes me sort of feel like I am to get to write these. :)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0_Zho2np-R_ZuSG0dxW__l0MlsprfJb9-H5kmq9uwpElxkpyIzUUTlVmVFw4Porn64Z1eubhJDVBOKiBo3nLugTEo0OVLaHl3ZnzTHqxeeRtdc4dFQcboFuLN8Se8vGY0v9S2kKXlWH83-uRSYijjYk2f4rvKeKbLOURI3abN3tnssqp2PoNNKOQTOQ=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas readers for first grade phonics" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0_Zho2np-R_ZuSG0dxW__l0MlsprfJb9-H5kmq9uwpElxkpyIzUUTlVmVFw4Porn64Z1eubhJDVBOKiBo3nLugTEo0OVLaHl3ZnzTHqxeeRtdc4dFQcboFuLN8Se8vGY0v9S2kKXlWH83-uRSYijjYk2f4rvKeKbLOURI3abN3tnssqp2PoNNKOQTOQ=w480-h640" title="Christmas readers for first grade phonics" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I have more Christmas books than this! </div><div><br /></div><div>For example, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Book-Santas-House-Christmas-Reading-Fun-6302578?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Christmas-Blends-Activities" target="_blank">Santa's House</a> is a cute one that gives a peek inside Santa's house!</div><div><br /></div><div>I would recommend these readers for 1st grade in December or easy 2nd grade reading. It'll be a little easy for some of your class in 2nd grade but I think they would still really enjoy reading them. Loving reading is the best part of reading in my opinion! :) I wrote them for 1st grade but you could also read them <i>to</i> your kindergarten students or send them home to be read with their families.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>All of these books come in black and white too! So kids can color them and make them their own. Perfect for sending home! </div></div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to see a picture of a black and white version of a book, let me know! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I also have <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Long-Vowel-Books-BUNDLE-Great-for-Small-Group-Reading-Activities-6267776?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Christmas-Blends-Activities" target="_blank">Winter Long Vowel Books</a> if you're also reviewing long vowel sounds during this time of year (or after winter break). I also have non-phonics winter books at around a 1st grade level as well that are simply cute stories that take place in winter. Polar bears and penguins are so fun to use in stories and kids love them!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my Christmas blends activities for first grade! These can be used in kindergarten and 2nd grade as well and I also have a ton of other Christmas resources if you need more. I absolutely love creating and I love Christmas so I have a lot! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If you want some WRITING activities for Christmas, check out this blog post <b>full of pictures</b> of December writing activities:</div><div><a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/12/december-writing-crafts.html" target="_blank">December Writing Crafts</a></div><div><br /></div><div>These are super cute prompts for various genres!! Even if you don't want to do the crafts, you can hopefully get some super cute writing prompts ideas for December writing and see my real picture examples! It changes each year but I think "If Santa Rode the Bus" is my current favorite! :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I also have <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Word-Problems-Addition-to-10-Christmas-Math-Worksheets-6303916?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Christmas-Blends-Activities" target="_blank">Christmas Word Problems Addition to 10 worksheets</a> you may love if you like the blends worksheets I showed.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you need DIGITAL activities (for math especially!), I have a lot here:</div><div><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/12/digital-christmas-math-games-and-activities.html" target="_blank">Christmas Digital Math Games and Activities</a></div><div><br /></div><div>and also here is a cute list of books you can read in December! </div><div><a href="https://www.teacherslovelists.com/christmas-books-for-kids/" target="_blank">Christmas Books for Kids Ultimate List</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I have a lot more Christmas activities I love but I think that's enough to show you right now! :) I hope you enjoyed this post!! </div><div><br /></div><div>To read more of my posts, check out <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">Miss Giraffe Blog Posts Organized List</a> and also look for me on your favorite platform! I'm probably on there sharing ideas. :)</div><div><br /></div>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-83691914919476724712021-11-11T12:01:00.016-07:002023-05-05T10:53:21.635-07:00Multiplication Facts Practice Worksheets Games and Fun Activities for Fluency<div>Multiplication facts practice is an activity that can be SO fun if you have engaging math games and worksheets to use! I am excited to show you some of my favorite ways to help kids master their facts. Building fluency and automaticity is really important and it can be made easy with a few secrets.</div><div><br /></div><div>Want to know how to teach multiplication facts? Here are my top 5 tips!</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">1. Make it super fun, of course!</span></div><div><br /></div><div>You can do mazes. Puzzles! I love puzzles for math!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJlm0oPBRIp4Bv7n1-KE743VRIFPP3mzAmmxlnxYeX-h45N6FpUNRP_NiWRjFJAUCae7aBMYmxta94BZ1E4ISw_fdfAjGAb5sklGW9oSNrAhwLa9dluv6VGVR2Sxo_1zZMlKjjF0Rlkbr/s960/Multiplication+activities+games.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Multiplication activities games and worksheets to make mastering 0-12 facts fun, easy, and engaging for kids in any grade! Puzzles, mazes, art - this pack has everything you need to build fluency!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJlm0oPBRIp4Bv7n1-KE743VRIFPP3mzAmmxlnxYeX-h45N6FpUNRP_NiWRjFJAUCae7aBMYmxta94BZ1E4ISw_fdfAjGAb5sklGW9oSNrAhwLa9dluv6VGVR2Sxo_1zZMlKjjF0Rlkbr/w480-h640/Multiplication+activities+games.JPG" title="Multiplication activities games and worksheets to make mastering 0-12 facts fun, easy, and engaging for kids in any grade! Puzzles, mazes, art - this pack has everything you need to build fluency!" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Number searches! Cutting and pasting activities! </div><div>You can use these activities with any age. Even "big kids" will be so excited to get to use scissors and glue during math lessons!</div><div><br /></div><div>There are SO many ways to practice. I'll show a couple of my favorites while I share my tips.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Master ONE number's multiplication facts at a time.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Repetition is what will help students memorize their multiplication facts fast. And it doesn't have to be boring! </div><div><br /></div><div>Use activities that have students seeing the same multiplication problems over and over.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rollin' Facts is a multiplication dice game that is one of my FAVORITE ways to do this!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOGY3Wz_1ppuvQ31u2E33Jmr6V8GAdh-_d72FGXYFafYOGBx3PnGFFIlcENhEVfX0e05L-YfzZp2uUzHWKEizjf_gvJXkVWD22MWRezF_PmWAs4By8edGsRlRAsVru82sMNIx86jbo19D/s960/Multiplication+dice+games.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Multiplication dice games to memorize facts 0 through 12 in super fun ways for kids! Love these tips for activities you can do at home or in the classroom" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOGY3Wz_1ppuvQ31u2E33Jmr6V8GAdh-_d72FGXYFafYOGBx3PnGFFIlcENhEVfX0e05L-YfzZp2uUzHWKEizjf_gvJXkVWD22MWRezF_PmWAs4By8edGsRlRAsVru82sMNIx86jbo19D/w480-h640/Multiplication+dice+games.png" title="Multiplication dice games to memorize facts 0 through 12 in super fun ways for kids! Love these tips for activities you can do at home or in the classroom" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Each page is its own multiplication dice game that focuses on ONE number's multiplication facts at a time. They will roll dice to practice multiplying by ONLY that number (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.... all the way to 12) by whatever number they roll.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>This is such a fun way to get them practicing 0 facts, 1 facts, 3 facts, and so on for each number without it seeming repetitive. Especially if they play it as a game!</div><div><br /></div><div>They can do this independently but I think it's way more fun with a partner! </div><div><br /></div><div>If you're a parent teaching your child at home, you can play it with them and be their partner. Having it be a game you play together is a wonderful way for them to view multiplication facts practice as fun and something you're learning and doing together. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>To play with a partner: Each student would get a sheet for the same number. Then, they each take turns rolling and filling in one equation. After each round (each partner has rolled and written their answer), they look to see who rolled the highest number and that person gets to circle their equation for that round. The person with the most circles when the sheets are filled wins! Super simple and easy game!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJx5-jgwox2YeudITFoXR5k9rcOp-KfhSfnzgwWF4P-tymDOGRq6kqNN73A90aJmVoDl5i_JvIrVMVxa4Jng2VTx2hnEYcxK7xu9o3oAsFT_LMTxYlpHofflFqX2NTVckPprGjVWM1dZ8v/s960/Multiplication+Dice+Games.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Multiplication Dice Games that are so much fun for kids to practice math facts for each number" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJx5-jgwox2YeudITFoXR5k9rcOp-KfhSfnzgwWF4P-tymDOGRq6kqNN73A90aJmVoDl5i_JvIrVMVxa4Jng2VTx2hnEYcxK7xu9o3oAsFT_LMTxYlpHofflFqX2NTVckPprGjVWM1dZ8v/w480-h640/Multiplication+Dice+Games.jpg" title="Multiplication Dice Games that are so much fun for kids to practice math facts for each number" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>One of the great things about games like that is, when they play with a friend, their friend will check their answers too. They want to win so you can basically guarantee they're proofreading each other. It's a great way for them to support each other without it feeling like they're being helped.</div><div><br /></div><div>The goal is for them to do the same problems over and over and over until they memorize them, but without them feeling like they're doing the same problems over and over and over and games like this definitely help with that! The best part is EVERY multiplication problem they roll is practicing the facts for the same number so it gives them so much repetition with the facts while feeling like a game!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">3. Color code the multiplication practice tests you give to kids. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>I recommend printing small strips of printable multiplication quizzes for each number. I have them in 3 sizes (3 to a page, 2 to a page, and a full page). I recommend starting with the 3 to a page size (shown here) so you can print a lot of them. Once they master that one, give them the full page test to officially master the number. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbVX9WN_piYwVWMxD3s_1QRXCRnZJxWAYHRL_SEIpgPeYXeYTXTr5FehpANQp_S0QzT9GQpBYZmJwga5N1jwkVV916oO2OGaGBb6eLQYUbnZaLnJ_4s9bdWdHwgtYuqrfxipctTYsn9iS/s960/Multiplication+facts+quizzes.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Multiplication facts quizzes for kids to master 0-12 facts and fun ideas for helping students learn them with automaticity!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbVX9WN_piYwVWMxD3s_1QRXCRnZJxWAYHRL_SEIpgPeYXeYTXTr5FehpANQp_S0QzT9GQpBYZmJwga5N1jwkVV916oO2OGaGBb6eLQYUbnZaLnJ_4s9bdWdHwgtYuqrfxipctTYsn9iS/w480-h640/Multiplication+facts+quizzes.JPG" title="Multiplication facts quizzes for kids to master 0-12 facts and fun ideas for helping students learn them with automaticity!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Always have the number be the same color so kids can say, "I'm working on my yellow facts" and can quickly see visually which one to grab. This makes it super easy for kids to know/remember the color they're working on.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the record, I would call them worksheets instead of tests. Maybe quizzes. :) You want it to be fun, not stressful.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Quick Differentiation Note:</div><div><br /></div><div>I also recommend letting them master the numbers in ANY order they choose. This helps SO much with kids potentially feeling embarrassed for feeling behind their peers. </div><div><br /></div><div>If they can start on any number, no one knows how many numbers they've mastered and where they are. </div><div>Differentiation is SUPER important to me but I always want to try to be as discrete as possible. </div><div><br /></div><div>Have a bunch of these strips printed out and in a place where they can grab whichever color they need to practice and do it on their own. This will help them build independence and ownership over learning their facts.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">4. Make a couple "rewards" for mastering a specific number's multiplication test or quiz that are technically more practice worksheets but look fun!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Now this is a super tip. :) </div><div><br /></div><div>Act like it's such a big deal when they master the facts for a new number because they EARNED the right to get to do a new MAZE or "Circle the" worksheet! Because they're so super smart, worked so hard, and are ready for it! Play it up like it's a big deal and they'll think it's a big deal. Because it IS a big deal. :)</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCiAWz0cc7teLipJaQzjWqCHqD6iBJnn98WDb4nDL8Q3QZHIu922tEWBLRf_gW08qO575JFQpDHnlh64Pz51yGzlJg7GVwfrKCvjsHjbpnC81O49YrEuZ5jzSDfLgHV8Otg1Bi6QCR05p/s960/Multiplication+math+centers.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Multiplication math centers to practice facts and build fluency in engaging ways kids enjoy. These mazes are so fun and include many problems to solve all on the one worksheet!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCiAWz0cc7teLipJaQzjWqCHqD6iBJnn98WDb4nDL8Q3QZHIu922tEWBLRf_gW08qO575JFQpDHnlh64Pz51yGzlJg7GVwfrKCvjsHjbpnC81O49YrEuZ5jzSDfLgHV8Otg1Bi6QCR05p/w480-h640/Multiplication+math+centers.JPG" title="Multiplication math centers to practice facts and build fluency in engaging ways kids enjoy. These mazes are so fun and include many problems to solve all on the one worksheet!" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I recommend handing out the "Circle the" fun worksheets at first to your students who struggle a little more, starting with smaller numbers. They all look the same except the numbers are different so, again, it's discrete.</div><div><br /></div><div>Give the mazes to your more advanced students, slowly giving the mazes to your struggling students as they master more facts. Make sure it's not obvious you're doing this, if you can, and act like it's more of a what-happens-to-be-in-your-stack as you hand them their reward. "Great job, Martin! You get aaaaaa Circle the 12s!"</div><div><br /></div><div>AND they'll be doing so much more additional practice with this sheet that they view as a reward. How awesome is that?! A TON of problems are packed into just one of these sheets.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">5. Have a variety of activities to practice EACH number and its facts, AND each product, in many ways. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Puzzles, mazes, plain worksheets, more interactive worksheets, games, partner activities - there are so many ways to practice the multiplication facts!</div><div><br /></div><div>I recommend a ton of variety so they get a lot of repetition with each number's facts, and each product, without it feeling like a ton of repetition.</div><div><br /></div><div>It still probably will feel that way a little bit but this helps a lot!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some of my favorite multiplication activities:</div><div><br /></div><div>* Simple games with playing cards and dice!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qcl69izfuQEbLwlsxF5SfllX9CBucOY9KjGd9k-IYnxO73oSTX-WUkeDkpkFNJ0Cpjve7bErWji8YUJepX5GtgBN7qYxLV0ahjTUAO7XdyXeIEouPnAiaUxG45uHcV1kkdHRSzX3OClY/s960/Multiplication+game+ideas+for+kids.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Multiplication card games and more fun ideas for kids to practice their facts. Engaging math activities to do at home or in the classroom at school" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qcl69izfuQEbLwlsxF5SfllX9CBucOY9KjGd9k-IYnxO73oSTX-WUkeDkpkFNJ0Cpjve7bErWji8YUJepX5GtgBN7qYxLV0ahjTUAO7XdyXeIEouPnAiaUxG45uHcV1kkdHRSzX3OClY/w480-h640/Multiplication+game+ideas+for+kids.JPG" title="Multiplication card games and more fun ideas for kids to practice their facts. Engaging math activities to do at home or in the classroom at school" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Here's one example multiplication game you can play! Have kids sit with a partner with an upside down deck of cards with the face cards (king, queen, jack) taken out. They each have their own blank piece of paper.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kids take turns drawing 2 cards, multiplying them, and writing their equation. When both kids have laid out their 2 cards, they see who made the bigger product. That person gets to circle it AND keep all 4 cards.</div><div><br /></div><div>This will give them tons of practice multiplying numbers 1-10!</div><div><br /></div><div>Whoever has the most cards when all the cards are used wins! </div><div><br /></div><div>You could also say the first person to get 5 circles, 10 circles, however many you want depending on how long your math centers are.</div><div><br /></div><div>You could also make it "endless" by not having the winner of each round keep all 4 cards and have them go in a pile to be played with again. When they run out of cards, they shuffle, put them upside down again, and keep playing and writing equation until math time is over.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another variation:</div><div>You can also make it a little more fun by leaving in all the jacks (or all the kings, or all the queens) and saying they're a special card where, if someone draws it, they can make it be ANY number 1-10. This makes the game more exciting but also helps them see the bigger the number they make it, the more likely their product will be higher.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>* Worksheets where kids cut and glue! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRl1jwUq16N_uiFLF1cbaWay0Pyey4m0SpMKxW2rbEUuk7pabbChwa8eogz9b_ZrP_MFxZRtyxVEPr4g8Dty4qQIlGfL3orZSdfnCmm2BCcXi5L-g3Oa-sI0U0F99PrUEb_KG0w-v0bxZ/s960/Multiplication+facts+worksheets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Multiplication facts worksheets that are fun where kids build multiplication problems for each product to get a ton of practice!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRl1jwUq16N_uiFLF1cbaWay0Pyey4m0SpMKxW2rbEUuk7pabbChwa8eogz9b_ZrP_MFxZRtyxVEPr4g8Dty4qQIlGfL3orZSdfnCmm2BCcXi5L-g3Oa-sI0U0F99PrUEb_KG0w-v0bxZ/w480-h640/Multiplication+facts+worksheets.JPG" title="Multiplication facts worksheets that are fun where kids build multiplication problems for each product to get a ton of practice!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I love to throw in a ton of these into <a href="?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Multiplication-Facts-Practice" target="_blank">my math units</a> because they're fun and great practice! Getting to physically move around the numbers really helps solidify the facts. Plus, it's basically like doing art! </div><div><br /></div><div>These also look like a ton of fun if you print them on color paper!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>* Puzzles where kids match the multiplication problems to the correct product. I LOVE puzzles for math! If you read my blog, you know I love to make puzzles for pretty much everything kids learn! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I recommend print them on color paper so they look super fun!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_QkGs46IH9ZIEiCFwzvOUM5x_9vKyix77WMgKjR5qkuhLDXbg5Ns8pXBEPSuge7zglWLXhxIGVm1zZgmdmJggT-1cRE-VjIJazdfIZs-TLB2q9IlicT2lrEW2pd1cCqAkIfv6I8snmYg/s960/Multiplication+facts+puzzles.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Multiplication facts puzzles and more fun ideas for learning each number" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_QkGs46IH9ZIEiCFwzvOUM5x_9vKyix77WMgKjR5qkuhLDXbg5Ns8pXBEPSuge7zglWLXhxIGVm1zZgmdmJggT-1cRE-VjIJazdfIZs-TLB2q9IlicT2lrEW2pd1cCqAkIfv6I8snmYg/w480-h640/Multiplication+facts+puzzles.JPG" title="Multiplication facts puzzles and more fun ideas for learning each number" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I loved puzzles as a kid so I try to bring that fun and excitement that I remember having to the math centers I create as well.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Vct60eIfxZmpdFQJZPOGR1eAa0yNRrWm37fVZeLzV2HksZtHbzItjSvwlvEwiDpmukOEFEkG7_EjSmlhYisPVuFLjPXto4DcJtwp365KrHoGWBcxtUdlRDBYt2gZ5DXL1S15kdOjcBaU/s960/Multiplication+facts+puzzles+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Multiplication facts puzzles and activities to learn each number in super fun ways" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Vct60eIfxZmpdFQJZPOGR1eAa0yNRrWm37fVZeLzV2HksZtHbzItjSvwlvEwiDpmukOEFEkG7_EjSmlhYisPVuFLjPXto4DcJtwp365KrHoGWBcxtUdlRDBYt2gZ5DXL1S15kdOjcBaU/w480-h640/Multiplication+facts+puzzles+2.JPG" title="Multiplication facts puzzles and activities to learn each number in super fun ways" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>You can easily differentiate for students by which puzzles you give them. Some are easy (smaller products) and some are harder with more pieces for the larger products. I am a huge fan of differentiating. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another way you can use these is to print them on regular copy paper and slightly scale them down with your print settings then give them to students to make a FACTS page for each number to glue onto a notebook page to make a multiplication notebook!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>* Circle the ? worksheets where kids do a search to find all the hidden ways to make the product. Each worksheet focuses on 1 product.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhCt_aMAuWL6f6E1Lq2xLshLTEIoqJYwILx_1KExzmxGQCBv0t_QoaBJE7Lt4IsK0VLkpbqgau_zS06QKt0XS9FEehevEyvkTD6_CCULUJ_uc_qobAkwTwVzmsIg4A6XPCCgAXMNRJWWC/s960/Multiplication+Activities+Circle+the+Worksheets.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Multiplication Activities Circle the Worksheets for fun facts practice for each number" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhCt_aMAuWL6f6E1Lq2xLshLTEIoqJYwILx_1KExzmxGQCBv0t_QoaBJE7Lt4IsK0VLkpbqgau_zS06QKt0XS9FEehevEyvkTD6_CCULUJ_uc_qobAkwTwVzmsIg4A6XPCCgAXMNRJWWC/w480-h640/Multiplication+Activities+Circle+the+Worksheets.jpg" title="Multiplication Activities Circle the Worksheets for fun facts practice for each number" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is one of my favorite activities because it's fun but packs in a ton of multiplication practice as they search for the multiplication facts in each worksheet puzzle.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. </div><div>If you need addition facts practice too, check out my: </div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/01/fact-fluency-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">Fact Fluency in First Grade blog post</a></span></div><div>which shows the ADDITION version of these activities :) </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you want ALL of the activities I showed in this blog post (and more!), you can get them here:</span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Facts-Practice-Fun-multiplication-fluency-games-worksheets-2866606?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Multiplication-Facts-Practice" target="_blank">Multiplication Fact Fluency Unit</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3QfUxtejHnzDedTjcbH9wUfLnYRVOaIywCuj76E_LphS6IQxJDw3iL8mTJ3kJW6fAhvtxFYKPoSdHPLOwMfxs-XC85aJzvPy1If-Pw5ia5PNA4j4qG5Et58QjcG-qD-CANkIpwTWERsR/s960/Multiplication+Fact+Fluency+Math+Unit.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Multiplication Fact Fluency Math Unit that is packed with games, worksheets, and activities for practice and mastery of 0-12 facts!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3QfUxtejHnzDedTjcbH9wUfLnYRVOaIywCuj76E_LphS6IQxJDw3iL8mTJ3kJW6fAhvtxFYKPoSdHPLOwMfxs-XC85aJzvPy1If-Pw5ia5PNA4j4qG5Et58QjcG-qD-CANkIpwTWERsR/w300-h400/Multiplication+Fact+Fluency+Math+Unit.JPG" title="Multiplication Fact Fluency Math Unit that is packed with games, worksheets, and activities for practice and mastery of 0-12 facts!" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>It is PACKED with fun multiplication fact fluency activities, including all of the ones I talked about here (except the playing cards you'll need to get separately if you want to play that game). </div><div><br /></div><div>Each game comes with teacher directions, as well as student friendly directions you can set out to have it be more independent.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If you have any students struggling with multiplication or you're trying to teach a child at home, I highly recommend checking out my <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/07/how-to-teach-arrays.html" target="_blank">Arrays activities</a></span> blog post!</div><div><br /></div><div>Rectangular arrays are a fantastic way to introduce kids to the concept of multiplication. It's very visual so it helps students understand what multiplication actually means and is a fantastic introduction.</div><div><br /></div><div>Those activities use cookies, cereal, painting, and games to learn multiplication arrays so it's a really fun way to learn.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you have enjoyed this post! Thank you for reading! :)</div>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-25195946533158028812021-03-24T14:23:00.002-07:002021-12-16T17:24:42.844-07:00How to Teach the OA and OW SoundHow to teach the OA and OW sound is simple. They both make the long O sound and there are so many fun worksheets, games, activities, and reading passages (including in the forms of puzzles!) you can do to help your students learn them. I will show you a couple of my favorite strategies.<div><div><br /></div><div>First, let's go over a couple examples of OA and OW words.</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>OA Words: boat, coat, goat, soap, road, coast, goal, coach</li><li>OW Words: blow, mow, grow, snow, show, glow, throw</li></ul></div><div>If you say these words aloud, you'll notice the OA and OW inside of them says the long O sound. OA usually appears in the middle of a word. OW usually appears at the end of a word. This is a fun, silly worksheet to practice this spelling rule.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsAgGit14aIK_D1_nkBZRu90piOnUgF6SVJNLOsLm1JptoXvkiYGF2UbhRXetAP4SfGr7po28N-oNq6Pll4ZCtnROcyWU786TtOPRNCW0KAvKv3SgAc4ggyt1nI_KfVyGNW1tBe1W8Dml/s960/OA+and+OW+Worksheets.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsAgGit14aIK_D1_nkBZRu90piOnUgF6SVJNLOsLm1JptoXvkiYGF2UbhRXetAP4SfGr7po28N-oNq6Pll4ZCtnROcyWU786TtOPRNCW0KAvKv3SgAc4ggyt1nI_KfVyGNW1tBe1W8Dml/w480-h640/OA+and+OW+Worksheets.PNG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Fun OA and OW Worksheets</h3><div>Worksheets with pictures are the number 1 way I would recommend introducing the OA and OW sound. If the pictures are engaging and kids can easily recognize the words they represent, they are a very effective learning tool for phonics. I make my worksheets super fun so kids don't even realize all of the reading they're doing. They think the pictures are cute and fun to color in, but really they are providing a lot of reading support.</div><div><br /></div><div>I recommend starting with a very simple worksheet like my "Write the Word" style sheets. Kids simply look at the picture and match it to a word at the bottom. Then, they write it on the line.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy1UfV801dyVgBMzqmQBaI2C7_Oegby2CtKDJG3vhKqjk16yD3ZsJME4VKYeXDRiWOrIQe7J1NuPq901isy0welPffOF2KUke5CkwtPefREI2SfRcZj8koLlSej9JszFBzQ9fEu1Y0wKN/s960/OW+sound+worksheet.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy1UfV801dyVgBMzqmQBaI2C7_Oegby2CtKDJG3vhKqjk16yD3ZsJME4VKYeXDRiWOrIQe7J1NuPq901isy0welPffOF2KUke5CkwtPefREI2SfRcZj8koLlSej9JszFBzQ9fEu1Y0wKN/w240-h320/OW+sound+worksheet.PNG" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgQYjO0sX7OhcqCXlKH1dz_wkDQ_ZuPmBOGTysEYFQyNqsRU51oHT-A5Bco5gYmaX7509OO6Oq5to234OZcP6fAhzfS0SNwWkYQ_94Iu495-MfJCnOVywjM3MpmYe-okdfMISOVKJJShj/s960/OA+OW+words.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgQYjO0sX7OhcqCXlKH1dz_wkDQ_ZuPmBOGTysEYFQyNqsRU51oHT-A5Bco5gYmaX7509OO6Oq5to234OZcP6fAhzfS0SNwWkYQ_94Iu495-MfJCnOVywjM3MpmYe-okdfMISOVKJJShj/s320/OA+OW+words.PNG" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I always try to provide differentiation that is effective yet not obvious. As you can see, these worksheets look so similar but the 2nd one is actually a lot harder. It practices OW <i>and</i> OA sounds on the same worksheet. The one on the left only practices OW words. </div><div><br /></div><div>You could give the one on the right to your more advanced students and the one on the left to the students who may need a little more support. This way, every child is practicing on their level and can feel happy and successful while doing the same activity. :) I love this specific worksheet because it's very easy to differentiate, it's simple and it's fun. Kids get to color in the pictures and read the words. </div><div><div><br /></div></div></div><div>Another fun way to practice matching OA OW words to pictures is by cutting and pasting!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOiNC9LDVLyXANOcFkKBu9YfG7aakHVq_NECcsGj0j6-1XBEz_Zg4PRUUHxys0eT3xf3TwrtQ-AOx7-AVJuCbyJtpPLTvSnJVbNXSLApwcMJgwwGKRLF1nCFMDInir2hokHtsDHN_2chO/s960/OW+sound+activities.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOiNC9LDVLyXANOcFkKBu9YfG7aakHVq_NECcsGj0j6-1XBEz_Zg4PRUUHxys0eT3xf3TwrtQ-AOx7-AVJuCbyJtpPLTvSnJVbNXSLApwcMJgwwGKRLF1nCFMDInir2hokHtsDHN_2chO/w480-h640/OW+sound+activities.PNG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>These are a very simple worksheet style where kids cut out the beginning sounds for each word and match it to the ending. Great reading practice!</div><div><br /></div><div>As you can see, it's really great beginning sounds review too!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAQ1VE5a09gTSaAkQOQrKgh7nVyhICaiFzKR5lWnjqN7GGfLiMKbPe-O0a83t5pCffQweOkPb0IQhqCm37Nsb-PPTFcgNd3FXW0FN1LdSSKvP5D12cBv9hLFRqzGrvZC9OeKar9wS9wb_/s960/OA+sound+activities.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAQ1VE5a09gTSaAkQOQrKgh7nVyhICaiFzKR5lWnjqN7GGfLiMKbPe-O0a83t5pCffQweOkPb0IQhqCm37Nsb-PPTFcgNd3FXW0FN1LdSSKvP5D12cBv9hLFRqzGrvZC9OeKar9wS9wb_/w480-h640/OA+sound+activities.PNG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>You can also provide support for your students by having them highlight the sound you're focusing on IN the word so it's a lot easier to read. If they highlight the OA in all these words, they can know right away that it's the long O sound. This is a great <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/03/phonics-fluency-notebooks.html" target="_blank">building reading fluency</a> strategy!</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFLoC3O9sXxmy_tNW934_bEzyR0MHZbb1gcn0AtHE_ish-L2vxewzuMiK5iGQYrg_xbjQr8imj2-OE5yXQfyclOq5s-bBspLjDX1tWx_WMA_KyZo8HsUUcd1rpDRA-bgP5TnFApY81Y8R/s960/Long+O+Vowel+Team+OA.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFLoC3O9sXxmy_tNW934_bEzyR0MHZbb1gcn0AtHE_ish-L2vxewzuMiK5iGQYrg_xbjQr8imj2-OE5yXQfyclOq5s-bBspLjDX1tWx_WMA_KyZo8HsUUcd1rpDRA-bgP5TnFApY81Y8R/w480-h640/Long+O+Vowel+Team+OA.PNG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>See how that makes the OA in each word so obvious? It really helps them be able to zip through the words fluently. Any little trick like that can build their reading confidence like that is GOLD.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>For students who take a little extra time each week to master the phonics sounds, I recommend focusing on a couple worksheets and activities that are all OW first. I feel like it's easier since it's at the end of the word. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then, focus on a few only OA worksheets. Then, have them do sorts where they can complete it even if they technically aren't reading the word first. It's VERY valuable practice, even if they're not even reading the words! </div><div><br /></div><div>They're recognizing the OA and OW within the words and that's a really important skill. It's wonderful if they ARE reading these words while sorting, but the beauty of these is they don't have to. This means ALL your students can feel so successful doing them and, again, it's all about building that confidence. Especially when you start learning the vowel teams.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">OA and OW Sorts</h3><div>Here is a quick sort you can do for sorting OA OW O-E long O sounds.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwewjfuT9NJ1FywK-gupH0yzaQPH2sJPl7ESGzZOuc8E7xs8aAkR0dQDGH8dVXPGugitVRplKrqXK7hW2NqLWdoNlfXGHBEMm8aQyl3bA3pLB1mPF3YDi9-_g8sVFxR7B4sfAL-7vTF9Wr/s960/OA+OW+O-E+Sort+Worksheet.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwewjfuT9NJ1FywK-gupH0yzaQPH2sJPl7ESGzZOuc8E7xs8aAkR0dQDGH8dVXPGugitVRplKrqXK7hW2NqLWdoNlfXGHBEMm8aQyl3bA3pLB1mPF3YDi9-_g8sVFxR7B4sfAL-7vTF9Wr/w480-h640/OA+OW+O-E+Sort+Worksheet.PNG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Like all of the worksheets in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Giraffe/Category/Phonics-NO-PREP-Packs-185556?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Teaching-OA-and-OW" target="_blank">Phonics No Prep Packs</a>, these are NO PREP! :) You simply print them out. Then kids will cut out the words and sort them. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Reading Sentences with OA OW Words</h3><div>Once your students have done a lot of work reading WORDS with OA and OW, start on sentences!</div><div><br /></div><div>Let your students see the words in simple sentences. This is a fun one that gets them thinking and reading!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1X2A5IdWKPgh5iOsOzyXDjGSndXxxuOneHfabHihAv-yHpPn66dtBFI83f5geufIXIvNhYwPwb7GBDYCDC2iwLrC1ePEIMdoWgiYPX7VJ_Fq_v8crDp_UxEyN4qnADt58UBjD7aSDxY2/s960/OW+worksheet.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1X2A5IdWKPgh5iOsOzyXDjGSndXxxuOneHfabHihAv-yHpPn66dtBFI83f5geufIXIvNhYwPwb7GBDYCDC2iwLrC1ePEIMdoWgiYPX7VJ_Fq_v8crDp_UxEyN4qnADt58UBjD7aSDxY2/w480-h640/OW+worksheet.PNG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I love cutting and pasting worksheets for filling in blanks because kids can move them all around. There's no erasing and rewriting. They can move them all around until they all make sense. THEN glue. :) I love how knowing they're going to glue it down makes them check and recheck their answers. Something kids often skip.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you have some students who need advanced work, but you want them to practice the same skill, I love providing higher level activities too! My crossword puzzles are a favorite and also my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Maze-ing-Sentences-BUNDLE-Year-Set-of-Sentence-Building-Phonics-Worksheets-4061224?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Teaching-OA-and-OW" target="_blank">A-Maze-Ing Sentences</a>!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JwG0cQRD_Cx-bdPoVAKpyjHXXWZTHRXFhReOcve_rxFYsbKQfvZ5Q2Uh5Xp3cdLLH8WZhf6edggZ7LQzbJ0GIiSj7WcN_7vQzWD7n1PnxLw5K82nsZMKYfTUu_q2q1sOU8fkQipCXzWi/s960/Reading+Sentences+Vowel+Teams.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JwG0cQRD_Cx-bdPoVAKpyjHXXWZTHRXFhReOcve_rxFYsbKQfvZ5Q2Uh5Xp3cdLLH8WZhf6edggZ7LQzbJ0GIiSj7WcN_7vQzWD7n1PnxLw5K82nsZMKYfTUu_q2q1sOU8fkQipCXzWi/w480-h640/Reading+Sentences+Vowel+Teams.PNG" width="480" /></a></div><br /> </div><div>These provide a lot of reading practice for the phonics sound. As you can see, there are a lot of OA words in the boxes. But it's a maze! Kids have to read through it to figure out the secret sentence. So much fun! Especially for kids who love puzzles and need a little bit more challenging work.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>To sum it up, focus on WORDS first using pictures. Use a lot of pictures! Teach OA and OW at the same time unless it's a student who needs a little extra support. If so, teach OW then OA then mix them. Then, move to sentences. I have worksheets in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Giraffe/Category/Phonics-NO-PREP-Packs-185556?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Teaching-OA-and-OW" target="_blank">Phonics No Prep Packs</a> that practice sentences with picture support, too. That's a nice bridge between words and sentences too. I just didn't want to fill this post with a bajillion pictures like I often do. :) If you DO love scrolling pictures of fun teaching ideas, definitely check out my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">Giant List of My Favorite Blog Posts</a> and click on the topic you want to see my ideas for. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Do you want all of the worksheets you saw in this post for OA and OW? <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/OA-OW-Worksheets-and-Activities-NO-PREP-Long-O-Vowel-Teams-Worksheets-Pairs-1686516?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Teaching-OA-and-OW" target="_blank">Get it here - OA and OW No Prep Pack</a>! I'm so humbled that thousands of people have this pack & use it to teach their students. I hope that you love it if you get it too!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGSS6o8FxXLXBJ-21vwx45PCer1DOVOQ7txO1NHqCAZPNJIU_iA1EFB757k7oNEnjKvSQtj2FhD5ScXnmkaR9SS0GWniiNyJ6FKwoMvaEU5absUwt9IgM-ZYze40u0JMuICsfY4UZq32v/s960/OA+OW+Phonics+Sound+Pack.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGSS6o8FxXLXBJ-21vwx45PCer1DOVOQ7txO1NHqCAZPNJIU_iA1EFB757k7oNEnjKvSQtj2FhD5ScXnmkaR9SS0GWniiNyJ6FKwoMvaEU5absUwt9IgM-ZYze40u0JMuICsfY4UZq32v/w300-h400/OA+OW+Phonics+Sound+Pack.PNG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/OA-OW-Worksheets-and-Activities-NO-PREP-Long-O-Vowel-Teams-Worksheets-Pairs-1686516?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Teaching-OA-and-OW" target="_blank">OA OW No Prep Pack</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I have packs like this for almost every phonics sound. Check out my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Giraffe/Category/Phonics-NO-PREP-Packs-185556?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Teaching-OA-and-OW" target="_blank">Phonics No Prep Packs category</a> on TpT to see if the sound you're teaching next is on there. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This OA OW pack has over 85 no prep worksheets and activities for teaching the sounds. I love making these fun, differentiated phonics packs and I hope you enjoy using them as much as I enjoy making them! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you so much for reading!</span></div><div><br /></div>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-58667679989403854502020-12-13T18:29:00.008-07:002021-12-16T17:28:27.312-07:00Digital Christmas Math Games and Activities<p>Need Digital Christmas Math Games and Activities?? I have you covered! :) I have been working a ton recently to create digital math games with fun Christmas and winter themes for a variety of concepts and skills from kindergarten and first all the way to 5th grade!</p><p><br /></p><p>December is a perfect time to practice all of those math skills you've been teaching but it can be hard to find digital activities that are truly interactive and fun, so I have been trying to share mine in a way that can be used by teachers whether they are teaching completely remotely, in a hybrid situation, or if you simply want games for within your classroom.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Digital Christmas Math Games</h3><p>One of my favorite math skills is <b>Place Value</b>! You know this if you've read my <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2014/08/place-value-moving-and-new-blog-design.html" target="_blank">Fun Ideas for Teaching Place Value</a> post. :) If you need tens ones activities with a fun <i>Christmas</i> theme, though, I made these!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8GuEn6GEdWzvzzFL7xzQVdMTfsUETMAhTtxp9tnlSP9AXIwcNMSy1PtO6vhxCpo2wck9YHAffvSJ2Ip4EbaCoLAVG-aiHbODqTT1z3eEIqIzIjY6AKWr7HbhbdJTq53YTztrIdjvMmqv/s278/1+Place+Value+Teen+Numbers.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8GuEn6GEdWzvzzFL7xzQVdMTfsUETMAhTtxp9tnlSP9AXIwcNMSy1PtO6vhxCpo2wck9YHAffvSJ2Ip4EbaCoLAVG-aiHbODqTT1z3eEIqIzIjY6AKWr7HbhbdJTq53YTztrIdjvMmqv/s0/1+Place+Value+Teen+Numbers.PNG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgtQ3D-9qHJKFQXTegYw-5GLhJDl0nCm_tAOTJg9lnSEsaVF2xzHtBQZgqFM1CDhNpBrRwB14PLvBvoZ_BNFh4aVyrt3vkY_kkbpu-FR7t4Gd62YoMtskEYmXpywbG4Wb4nCA5moMz5-b/s278/2+Place+Value+2+Digit+Numbers.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgtQ3D-9qHJKFQXTegYw-5GLhJDl0nCm_tAOTJg9lnSEsaVF2xzHtBQZgqFM1CDhNpBrRwB14PLvBvoZ_BNFh4aVyrt3vkY_kkbpu-FR7t4Gd62YoMtskEYmXpywbG4Wb4nCA5moMz5-b/s0/2+Place+Value+2+Digit+Numbers.PNG" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bit.ly/christmasplacevalueteennumbers" target="_blank">Place Value Teen Numbers</a> <a href="https://bit.ly/christmasplacevalue1" target="_blank">Place Value 2 Digit Numbers</a></span><br /><p>Sooo I love train themed centers. :) These first 2 games have 1 train at a time where kids match the cars to the number. For example, they match 83 to 80+3 and 8 tens 3 ones. Such easy and simple (but needed!) practice for numbers.</p><p>The first one only practices teen numbers (11-19) for kindergarten or easy practice. The next one practices 2 digit numbers (numbers under 100). I love them because they have to choose the 2 cars that represent the number and <i>not use</i> 2 of the cars.</p><p><br /></p><p>I also have a TWO trains version where kids match all the cars - 2 per train. The teen numbers version is a great game for introducing the concept then the 2 digit numbers game to practice the concept and all the numbers. Then/or the 2 train version for a fun challenge!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZVJja1RLBVUOe8qKJ_KFBm62OOOuiB-MVthO5MpaiaPtMbrHoNGMGMgLBkv07LyhIRkV90WKO3YMJy6rt-8rS0-eXgyZpahv89fRb-ms9HX8-iaSCpBdcH5veN_R0QWzvgdHlcSb-Y_6/s278/3+Place+Value+2+Digit+Numbers+Trains.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZVJja1RLBVUOe8qKJ_KFBm62OOOuiB-MVthO5MpaiaPtMbrHoNGMGMgLBkv07LyhIRkV90WKO3YMJy6rt-8rS0-eXgyZpahv89fRb-ms9HX8-iaSCpBdcH5veN_R0QWzvgdHlcSb-Y_6/s0/3+Place+Value+2+Digit+Numbers+Trains.PNG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEU89GA6pBW1k73ECgUcdO7iNCSzymrrUWJpq350RkKkE1DyLUf3GscS7G5ITlNZNEXBqX6GHrTAvXRIpuxrc26OcJZV2pLBsVVquq6tKHxBm8iMmed3CKNhACkuJRq74BO5MFvyRj-yuu/s278/4+Even+and+Odd+Numbers.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEU89GA6pBW1k73ECgUcdO7iNCSzymrrUWJpq350RkKkE1DyLUf3GscS7G5ITlNZNEXBqX6GHrTAvXRIpuxrc26OcJZV2pLBsVVquq6tKHxBm8iMmed3CKNhACkuJRq74BO5MFvyRj-yuu/s0/4+Even+and+Odd+Numbers.PNG" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bit.ly/christmasplacevalue2" target="_blank">Place Value 2 Digit Numbers</a> <a href="https://bit.ly/christmasevenandoddnumbers" target="_blank">Even and Odd Numbers Sort</a></span><p>This Even and Odd Numbers sort activity to help Santa sort the numbers is also a fun review game. I feel like even and odd numbers is something I sometimes forget about but I knew if I made a game for it that I loved that I would remember it. :) Kids simply sort the presents into the correct train car to decide if it is an odd or even number.</p><p><br /></p><p>Ooooh addition! Can you get enough addition practice in the winter? I don't think so! I made a lot of levels of addition practice so everyone can practice adding. I have Sums to 5 (where "and" is used instead of the symbol) with this cute little reindeer. Kids can use the lights in the snow to help them add. :) (I also have a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Addition-to-5-Clip-Cards-Reindeer-Math-Activities-6351883?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Digital-Christmas-Math-Games" target="_blank">CLIP CARDS version of this</a> if you want a paper version). I thought this little reindeer was so cute that I used him a couple of times! Also for Addition to 10 as you can see:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9w70TLAjq_HWSxh6LZWZLnCcAfUn809DO0-4w9-5dPk6H3GmwxphwJ6KvJ1YK0T6Gf2G26g5RBoSNXuw5wBwuyMCiY2lLWTbZjdqJXd9DxXmV7My7VlYgv6vCxkC7olenmqC6Oc6lwz6/s278/5+Addition+to+5+with+and.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9w70TLAjq_HWSxh6LZWZLnCcAfUn809DO0-4w9-5dPk6H3GmwxphwJ6KvJ1YK0T6Gf2G26g5RBoSNXuw5wBwuyMCiY2lLWTbZjdqJXd9DxXmV7My7VlYgv6vCxkC7olenmqC6Oc6lwz6/s0/5+Addition+to+5+with+and.PNG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscmpDnPg7zNAVlWCMTAY1_s7uc0is7bv9NB_9MX6YBWA3nIJAeJ3Bgq6LX6i77g-ig3WmoX689m1Sch_wKbM_7dO38kZB9fr-Zemp0Xi0pwWbyE2aTOcVM7zy8wZDxvOQz5jtSiPKTZdc/s278/6+Addition+to+10+Reindeer.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Addition to 10 game that is digital and so much fun!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscmpDnPg7zNAVlWCMTAY1_s7uc0is7bv9NB_9MX6YBWA3nIJAeJ3Bgq6LX6i77g-ig3WmoX689m1Sch_wKbM_7dO38kZB9fr-Zemp0Xi0pwWbyE2aTOcVM7zy8wZDxvOQz5jtSiPKTZdc/s16000/6+Addition+to+10+Reindeer.PNG" title="Christmas Addition to 10 game that is digital and so much fun!" /></a><br /></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bit.ly/reindeeradditionto5" target="_blank">Addition to 5 with ''and"</a> <a href="https://bit.ly/reindeeradditionto10" target="_blank">Christmas Addition to 10</a></span><br /><p><br /></p><p>And I used this cute little reindeer again for Addition to 20! </p><p>THEN... I also have <i>another</i> train game for Addition to 10 and guess what?? <b>It's FREE!!</b> Go grab it while it's free!! :) Consider it a Christmas gift from me to you. It's the perfect amount of practice for your kids to practice addition in December!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEZgvcaNdF898wLDhBN8OO48jxTii_85jF3DZPMU5hG6H57QeW8S29KbVKZH8OSteTL17Y9HDbQls81nAerRCUitATxRLiW0hiDHo8cDi6lymXgv0LGX9_EdDoq_aIWqupeajG9zFSW6I/s278/7+Christmas+Addition+to+20.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEZgvcaNdF898wLDhBN8OO48jxTii_85jF3DZPMU5hG6H57QeW8S29KbVKZH8OSteTL17Y9HDbQls81nAerRCUitATxRLiW0hiDHo8cDi6lymXgv0LGX9_EdDoq_aIWqupeajG9zFSW6I/s0/7+Christmas+Addition+to+20.PNG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4inn-Vrx2AjRlc4VTCUNLHHnwI7zNiYsBPJcJUDPe1nWmTYJoPgo-J-VCbA4HXumQa3OOovBT_JhNNjzOGp1ealyPTZkw6GMpUQ5bBzWveSaL2tVLkvd44AXODK855Lief_xR155uln0c/s278/8+Addition+to+10+Christmas.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4inn-Vrx2AjRlc4VTCUNLHHnwI7zNiYsBPJcJUDPe1nWmTYJoPgo-J-VCbA4HXumQa3OOovBT_JhNNjzOGp1ealyPTZkw6GMpUQ5bBzWveSaL2tVLkvd44AXODK855Lief_xR155uln0c/s0/8+Addition+to+10+Christmas.PNG" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bit.ly/reindeeradditionto20" target="_blank">Addition to 20</a> <a href="https://bit.ly/christmasadditionto10" target="_blank">FREE Christmas Addition to 10</a> </span><br /><p><br /></p><p>Then, even more Addition practice! This time, with a cute <b>gingerbread</b> character! :)</p><p>I LOVE gingerbread theme activities. If you need adorable gingerbread books to read, check out:</p><p><a href="https://www.teacherslovelists.com/gingerbread-man-books-list-of-picture-books/" target="_blank">18 of My Favorite Gingerbread Picture Books</a></p><p>I was really excited about these 2... I thought the assortments of the little number answers at the bottom were so cute. Hopefully you do too! A lot of my math games have the answers to choose from along the bottom in cute themed pictures. I think it adds a bit of fun when even the answers are cute.... anything to make math fun, right?? :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08tSelcmotg4_RxEDbliScmqEk-nPbtO2B9On-R9lPH8Drdp-lGhQweLXAJ7EMJ2gL2onzGd9REjNl_aOxioHt6sZhRpQS8lnEng1zYOSVhtbKHTIBtylqkHaHKNSNJ8bWXwrrxtEKP5w/s278/9+Addition+to+10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08tSelcmotg4_RxEDbliScmqEk-nPbtO2B9On-R9lPH8Drdp-lGhQweLXAJ7EMJ2gL2onzGd9REjNl_aOxioHt6sZhRpQS8lnEng1zYOSVhtbKHTIBtylqkHaHKNSNJ8bWXwrrxtEKP5w/s0/9+Addition+to+10.PNG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQX7wNJg9uLPVhifpgedctR4xmIDZ24fRKnfQaX6Q8EgfjSTBt_kMtiCO0B7mOyYoPPiEVPxmnSvrHIdWGzcFM3TRc48IE3E5E8SjGPjEuyvwG_q8zkNkuy8Bq6PHqPjRp831sl_CERu4S/s278/10+Addition+to+20.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQX7wNJg9uLPVhifpgedctR4xmIDZ24fRKnfQaX6Q8EgfjSTBt_kMtiCO0B7mOyYoPPiEVPxmnSvrHIdWGzcFM3TRc48IE3E5E8SjGPjEuyvwG_q8zkNkuy8Bq6PHqPjRp831sl_CERu4S/s0/10+Addition+to+20.PNG" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bit.ly/additionto10gb" target="_blank">Addition to 10</a> <a href="https://bit.ly/additionto20gb" target="_blank">Addition to 20</a></span><br /><p><br /></p><p>Another skill I think is important to keep practicing is Adding Doubles and Doubles Plus One! I thought a really fun way to practice it would be adding presents! If you notice, the piles of presents represent the number they're adding, much like my Adding Doubles Pumpkins games from my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/11/digital-math-games-that-are-fun.html" target="_blank">Fall Digital Math Games</a>! Kids look at the math problem and click the stocking with the correct answer at the bottom!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvaxnD_kb5G0_Z78avFXoY47fZDt2cVuRGRhP7RlHbhMT9NSE3UubzrsXaSwji2BXISVJGI3QTnzlUAHrjyPrEV868Oe_9Q_tWbjzCs_pVBNlHWDNL6oAPfZlw8WyzPw638ZF_lBCLF5T/s278/11+Adding+Doubles.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvaxnD_kb5G0_Z78avFXoY47fZDt2cVuRGRhP7RlHbhMT9NSE3UubzrsXaSwji2BXISVJGI3QTnzlUAHrjyPrEV868Oe_9Q_tWbjzCs_pVBNlHWDNL6oAPfZlw8WyzPw638ZF_lBCLF5T/s0/11+Adding+Doubles.PNG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1tq-i9Ic6EDph8ZLQ-Lv934Ol1S2eLMVdUPCM_D3ahqG9aivCK-XoRaVChuCz64JWZ4R9VM-ZW9z5rLGQffZmsKVD_aS-wN_DTjqWkdjamn2wS9FSBCGXM6RRwPak7AL9G349mO-TCPT/s278/12+Doubles+Plus+One.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1tq-i9Ic6EDph8ZLQ-Lv934Ol1S2eLMVdUPCM_D3ahqG9aivCK-XoRaVChuCz64JWZ4R9VM-ZW9z5rLGQffZmsKVD_aS-wN_DTjqWkdjamn2wS9FSBCGXM6RRwPak7AL9G349mO-TCPT/s0/12+Doubles+Plus+One.PNG" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bit.ly/christmasdoubles" target="_blank">Adding Doubles</a> <a href="https://bit.ly/christmasdoublesplusone" target="_blank">Doubles Plus One</a></span><br /><p><br /></p><p>I went back to the cute little reindeer again to practice subtraction too! Both Subtraction within 10 and Subtraction within 20 so you can easily differentiate or use both to build upon the skill.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDa7u6UiWBZCSY6ccUkjHyR5DeYRimbBFqyOHqrhwHpFAGCEkjBlGVaSZVIqCjw-ykkl4q8FU5K56y5lVVW6JjYMYPiGDONCbKjnF1t7QdSXQKfEMNjhnNOJtQrbFeaklzoLrFrDwalfNv/s278/13+Subtraction+within+10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDa7u6UiWBZCSY6ccUkjHyR5DeYRimbBFqyOHqrhwHpFAGCEkjBlGVaSZVIqCjw-ykkl4q8FU5K56y5lVVW6JjYMYPiGDONCbKjnF1t7QdSXQKfEMNjhnNOJtQrbFeaklzoLrFrDwalfNv/s0/13+Subtraction+within+10.PNG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaEQ4W5vc6ce2_j-U1-7v_TLT6Wce7jO5XTzErQdKAY8MacN4ImptRJpky_RtduOavOKUunX3DxfsDYJfRfmTELdREN_xSnw2LhsGLgz9k7tB5iDQuCqU8-RKW5b4wIUzWX7yK-1xoOCb/s278/14+Subtraction+within+20.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaEQ4W5vc6ce2_j-U1-7v_TLT6Wce7jO5XTzErQdKAY8MacN4ImptRJpky_RtduOavOKUunX3DxfsDYJfRfmTELdREN_xSnw2LhsGLgz9k7tB5iDQuCqU8-RKW5b4wIUzWX7yK-1xoOCb/s0/14+Subtraction+within+20.PNG" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bit.ly/reindeersubtractionwithin10" target="_blank">Subtraction within 10</a> <a href="https://bit.ly/reindeersubtractionwithin20" target="_blank">Subtraction within 20</a></span><br /><p><br /></p><p>Another tricky concept is Missing Addends! One of the first <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/math.html" target="_blank">math units</a> I ever made was my missing addends unit and I was shocked how many people expressed how grateful they were for having materials for it so I've always tried to include it in anything I do.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNJsd-BRC2ESvfACJ5WJ8v995kfyVMTQIKE9ukx1eVmCqgdFrH9kkhKxOufPK5jQAgEXqqGp3zL2VHIR8JhRUYlBUSM2Q45BjTgK3Z1YJY7huthOD1FioUkJuQG3lFGdJqNEYSTEDYe5l/s278/15+Missing+Addends+Sums+to+10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNJsd-BRC2ESvfACJ5WJ8v995kfyVMTQIKE9ukx1eVmCqgdFrH9kkhKxOufPK5jQAgEXqqGp3zL2VHIR8JhRUYlBUSM2Q45BjTgK3Z1YJY7huthOD1FioUkJuQG3lFGdJqNEYSTEDYe5l/s0/15+Missing+Addends+Sums+to+10.PNG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdzq5ZwlFYPUUCV4oHMXtsvBiXB6bhthaDEbLLcKpdMnIlwAnkqoUIEtcTeXQpb_XZKZWZ2aO0qZ7tLyh-egf-qpyXbaKafQDIius0c0A-_9g9P_1Y6t72oCuYo-uvUz1uxNdVBappu5K/s278/16+Missing+Addends+Sums+to+20.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdzq5ZwlFYPUUCV4oHMXtsvBiXB6bhthaDEbLLcKpdMnIlwAnkqoUIEtcTeXQpb_XZKZWZ2aO0qZ7tLyh-egf-qpyXbaKafQDIius0c0A-_9g9P_1Y6t72oCuYo-uvUz1uxNdVBappu5K/s0/16+Missing+Addends+Sums+to+20.PNG" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bit.ly/christmasmissingaddendsto10" target="_blank">Missing Addends Sums to 10</a> <a href="https://bit.ly/christmasmissingaddendsto20" target="_blank">Missing Addends Sums to 20</a></span><br /><p><br /></p><p>I also did Missing Minuends and Missing Subtrahends. Basically, fancy terms for missing words in a subtraction problem. :) <b>Missing minuends</b> are when the first number in a subtraction problem is missing. A <b>missing subtrahend</b> is when the number being subtracted is missing. You may already know that but I didn't for the looongest time, so just in case :) I usually do them as separate activities because I personally use a different math strategy to solve each type. If that's something you'd like me to write a blog post about, let me know! I like the way I teach it and, although it's relatively simple, I think it'd take an entire post to explain. Anyway!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh242AR9_AeJ7livFZH2qZBWgokp5x4tnmGXT7pp5HSJOo2wun3DLdcAT-_xHxYEkCWKKoBicCMZqE0fPQfPTE-jr6uIbmOkyZ489jxO6utnhtvoUV44WXx3TjY9zWb06g6q-DfLc0Eu0Tm/s278/17+Missing+Minuends.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh242AR9_AeJ7livFZH2qZBWgokp5x4tnmGXT7pp5HSJOo2wun3DLdcAT-_xHxYEkCWKKoBicCMZqE0fPQfPTE-jr6uIbmOkyZ489jxO6utnhtvoUV44WXx3TjY9zWb06g6q-DfLc0Eu0Tm/s0/17+Missing+Minuends.PNG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGwtFJb6cWSNShL3WI-S8ROAgAy2cs4hx-_YR4ee5JHt5RnZdxpqSpgkpCG5peJqf-A80KRp0UyiEZc3hW6zqaS6wyawV4RbPrPEbvK9Xv17ycnM1uDtfHbwdnsvMRbjyuqvANeVQL4JK/s278/18+Missing+Subtrahends.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGwtFJb6cWSNShL3WI-S8ROAgAy2cs4hx-_YR4ee5JHt5RnZdxpqSpgkpCG5peJqf-A80KRp0UyiEZc3hW6zqaS6wyawV4RbPrPEbvK9Xv17ycnM1uDtfHbwdnsvMRbjyuqvANeVQL4JK/s0/18+Missing+Subtrahends.PNG" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bit.ly/christmasmissingminuends" target="_blank">Missing Minuends</a> <a href="https://bit.ly/christmasmissingsubtrahends" target="_blank">Missing Subtrahends</a></span><br /><p><br /></p><p>I've been making more "big kid" games recently as well! A lot of people write to me and tell me how much they loved using my resources in first grade or second grade or kindergarten and now they're in 3rd, 4th, and even 5th and want to still use my things.... so I am trying to help them out! :) It's been fun to explore concepts I hadn't thought about in a long time. Here are a few examples... division!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QF9ng0Qa7IaKg9dwswaF__9he-KqKvUav8stUf33JNriVOmnNCEF_uhhe2fGRdO9HnEHf_UUyHiaa1c24uz2O9D7swjTpmANueLWzHApShDCGaniBXcnO0aYQOkgKOHr9ruPeNLKgVwr/s278/20+Division+1+Digit+by+1+Digit.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QF9ng0Qa7IaKg9dwswaF__9he-KqKvUav8stUf33JNriVOmnNCEF_uhhe2fGRdO9HnEHf_UUyHiaa1c24uz2O9D7swjTpmANueLWzHApShDCGaniBXcnO0aYQOkgKOHr9ruPeNLKgVwr/s0/20+Division+1+Digit+by+1+Digit.PNG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcOdkAchOGiYUB2u9phmRiKVR9Y8ZlzMDZV8BO2f6-vqLzevcZF9TCU-Ab6g3Xirj309L02qeiuFOIuTsrjAalFLVUWMR1DWcAWnXqq4QGJeLLKLFGV1f9iL73Xag2sslsHIcxyBkm8Al/s278/19+Division+2+Digit+by+1+Digit.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcOdkAchOGiYUB2u9phmRiKVR9Y8ZlzMDZV8BO2f6-vqLzevcZF9TCU-Ab6g3Xirj309L02qeiuFOIuTsrjAalFLVUWMR1DWcAWnXqq4QGJeLLKLFGV1f9iL73Xag2sslsHIcxyBkm8Al/s0/19+Division+2+Digit+by+1+Digit.PNG" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bit.ly/christmasdivision1digitby1digit" target="_blank">Division 1 Digit by 1 Digit</a> <a href="https://bit.ly/christmasdivision2digitsby1digit" target="_blank">Division 2 Digits by 1 Digit</a></span><br /><p><br /></p><p>If there are concepts you'd like to see me make games / activities for, especially "big kid'' stuff (I forgot factors even existed, ha!), please don't hesitate to ask! I always welcome suggestions and love creating!</p><p><br /></p><p>Another thing I have done recently is convert my <b>readers</b> into digital versions! I am REALLY excited about these!! You can share them on your screen to read TO or WITH your students, small groups.... send them to your students to read independently.... put them on a computer during literacy rotations for kids to read... there are a lot of ways you can use them! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzunLaOreTtOqzQjYuyApjUHqItHnwPJUHpv1yn30zKa4irUT9BK5oq4gSOcM49yUNgguAxEBUHD_KPsTgvBEnWAj14YNuHXy-l4G4dMFdDtDCumZ6Tw2z5TiF530LAMURbjG0QX9X39tq/s278/21+Christmas+Book+Reindeer.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzunLaOreTtOqzQjYuyApjUHqItHnwPJUHpv1yn30zKa4irUT9BK5oq4gSOcM49yUNgguAxEBUHD_KPsTgvBEnWAj14YNuHXy-l4G4dMFdDtDCumZ6Tw2z5TiF530LAMURbjG0QX9X39tq/s0/21+Christmas+Book+Reindeer.PNG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglM43B-VU6zIJyieFCS8yBOKv5aUCjYzEwDPiBB4Mfv9Tc5jw1yCk67qkaGNaNZrqU2gBSoYL7Zd0OTFOq7JkYVLobKWdvI5ZpFlcLIZipjSXTlqW0H5PrZ-A5KphKI8-qXdXCvGAE6KRt/s278/22+Christmas+Book+Santa%2527s+House.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglM43B-VU6zIJyieFCS8yBOKv5aUCjYzEwDPiBB4Mfv9Tc5jw1yCk67qkaGNaNZrqU2gBSoYL7Zd0OTFOq7JkYVLobKWdvI5ZpFlcLIZipjSXTlqW0H5PrZ-A5KphKI8-qXdXCvGAE6KRt/s0/22+Christmas+Book+Santa%2527s+House.PNG" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://bit.ly/christmasbookareindeerday" target="_blank">Book - A Reindeer Day</a> <a href="https://bit.ly/christmasbooksantashouse" target="_blank">Book - Santa's House</a></span><br /><p><br /></p><p>These are 2 of my favorite Christmas stories! You can read the first 4 pages by going to them and doing the preview. You can play the first 4 cards of any of these games, by the way, in case you're not familiar with the platform, to preview them! That's one thing I really love about getting games from there... I love to try things first before I use them.</p><p><br /></p><p>I also have PAPER versions of these books here:</p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Book-A-Reindeer-Day-Christmas-Reading-Fun-6302580?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Digital-Christmas-Math-Games" target="_blank">Christmas Book - A Reindeer Day</a></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Book-Santas-House-Christmas-Reading-Fun-6302578?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Digital-Christmas-Math-Games" target="_blank">Christmas Book - Santa's House</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Like all my readers, they come in a full color version AND a black and white version that kids can color and take home :) Make sure you <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Sellers-Im-Following/Add/Miss-Giraffe" target="_blank">FOLLOW ME ON TPT</a> so you see when I post new activities. I have been posting a lot of fun winter resources recently!</p><p><br /></p><p>Anyway! I am super excited to have some of my books be digital too! I made 10 of my WINTER books digital too, including the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Long-Vowel-Books-BUNDLE-6267776?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Digital-Christmas-Math-Games" target="_blank">Winter Long Vowel phonics books</a>! You can check out the digital versions of those, along with more of my digital games here:</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://wow.boomlearning.com/author/missgiraffe?collection=Decks&sort=publishDate&order=-1" target="_blank">Miss Giraffe</a> </span></p><p><br /></p><p>If you need cute <b>Christmas WRITING activities</b> to do, check out my NO PREP ones I love!</p><p><a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/12/december-writing-crafts.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">December Writing Crafts</span></a></p><p>Even if you don't get/want the packs, you can use the fun writing prompt ideas with your class as things to write about! From funny creative writing to opinion writing to how to writing.. there are lots of ideas! "How to Be on the Nice List" is one of my favorite ones for a bulletin board because it's cute AND reminds kids of all of the behavior expectations that, um, well, can be easily forgotten in December sometimes :)</p><p><br /></p><p>If you are looking for <b>cute Christmas books</b> to read, here is a list of awesome Christmas books to read to your students:</p><p><a href="https://www.teacherslovelists.com/christmas-books-for-kids/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">My Favorite Christmas Books Ultimate List</span></a></p><p><br /></p><p>I hope you found some fun ideas on this post! I have been having a lot of fun making digital items - I resisted it for so long and I am surprised how much I've actually enjoyed these digital activities so I am excited to share them with you. There are so many ways to use them and I really love how they're self-grading. These were just a small amount of them - my digital Christmas math games and activities only. You can check out my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/11/digital-math-games-that-are-fun.html" target="_blank">Digital Math Games that are so Fun!</a> post if you want to see more of what I've made. </p><p><br /></p><p>I also made A LOT of winter themed games for everything from addition to multiplication. I may write another blog post to show those ones too, but you can check them out now if you want! :) They're in the same place as all of these Christmas ones and I add more all the time!</p><p><br /></p><p>If you're simply looking for fun teaching ideas, rather than digital activities, you can also check out ALL my favorite blog posts by going here: <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">Miss Giraffe Blog Posts List</a> </p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you so much for coming by!! </p>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-50545777625915841712020-11-08T17:42:00.008-07:002020-11-08T20:51:53.959-07:00Digital Math Games that are SO fun!<p>Digital math games that are fun can be hard to find, so I created a ton of them! From kindergarten to first grade concepts... all the way to multiplication and division! I have been making digital math games that kids can play to learn math skills in a fun, interactive way.</p><p><br /></p><p>My favorite thing about these games is that they are not only colorful and fun, but practice important math skills. Kids can play them anywhere (home, school) on a computer or tablet.... and they are self-checking! YES!! Isn't that the best? They can even grade for you and give you reports if you're a teacher / homeschooler that wants grades. :) :) You can also simply play them for fun!</p><p><br /></p><p>The math concepts get harder as you scroll so if you teach older grades, keep scrolling :)<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">You can PLAY the first 4 screens of any of the games by going to it then clicking on its full-size preview. Enjoy!!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cUrMXcCB9pD44uBzdkIsQmHnuKlnK2Qia6Zjw66Oy0o2YgD3EM-TFousWjjzDmkA1TwKJLzixdUTnTVgqnQ5KiYHpkA1RvKu_nDg8eDrVAvwfUweDUVZx2qMUn1lrX8k6bGqU91DFjw7/s278/1+Before+and+After+Numbers+to+10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Before and after numbers activities that are digital games for kids to play on a computer or tablet" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cUrMXcCB9pD44uBzdkIsQmHnuKlnK2Qia6Zjw66Oy0o2YgD3EM-TFousWjjzDmkA1TwKJLzixdUTnTVgqnQ5KiYHpkA1RvKu_nDg8eDrVAvwfUweDUVZx2qMUn1lrX8k6bGqU91DFjw7/s16000/1+Before+and+After+Numbers+to+10.PNG" title="Before and after numbers activities that are digital games for kids to play on a computer or tablet" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUrZVzkp0wqg8Ai7wumYf2SqTIrrcctA6SFNcvE5PSJK_EptCETTDLZNTCbPIh_WYakwB-IHVNNjh2M9t0DcM0RzOocKniRBA8RKfF3D5y7FT6oEBqlMjvBRaMrfZYDxWBIVJyz65D1Ei/s278/2+Number+Words+1-10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Number words 1-10 digital math game! So fun!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUrZVzkp0wqg8Ai7wumYf2SqTIrrcctA6SFNcvE5PSJK_EptCETTDLZNTCbPIh_WYakwB-IHVNNjh2M9t0DcM0RzOocKniRBA8RKfF3D5y7FT6oEBqlMjvBRaMrfZYDxWBIVJyz65D1Ei/s16000/2+Number+Words+1-10.PNG" title="Number words 1-10 digital math game! So fun!" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/beforeandafternumbersto10" target="_blank">Before and After Numbers to 10</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/numberwordsto10" target="_blank">Number Words 1-10</a></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P1wVDVWvXkv_lm7W6wP6ZO5MAXeZ1Y9Ztq1TJPLrDLGoZXQZq6M2NFj5DOtZX9_UFDvxPbUfahZIM6o1u2JASGd2lOe1LykNiG6Veor8KsAXAnw_TpIHUP0NfqrtSUnByrWuShm4u5Ys/s278/3+Missing+Numbers+to+10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Missing numbers 1-10 activities that are digital and so much fun!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P1wVDVWvXkv_lm7W6wP6ZO5MAXeZ1Y9Ztq1TJPLrDLGoZXQZq6M2NFj5DOtZX9_UFDvxPbUfahZIM6o1u2JASGd2lOe1LykNiG6Veor8KsAXAnw_TpIHUP0NfqrtSUnByrWuShm4u5Ys/s16000/3+Missing+Numbers+to+10.PNG" title="Missing numbers 1-10 activities that are digital and so much fun!" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoO2j5H8mqqLUGTUpAgPkjfImEFajjFAmFh2Fe96UEVZ7_vM1YGxtLGlOAUKDxf1hCJULv5wSXSV6UXUhxon2sttj5SHbnihP0AbnkhAG3j2ct5S40JIZ1EP7JQY8aa1mFilvtKneMi302/s278/4+Missing+Numbers+to+20.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Missing numbers to 20 activity that is perfect for your virtual math centers!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoO2j5H8mqqLUGTUpAgPkjfImEFajjFAmFh2Fe96UEVZ7_vM1YGxtLGlOAUKDxf1hCJULv5wSXSV6UXUhxon2sttj5SHbnihP0AbnkhAG3j2ct5S40JIZ1EP7JQY8aa1mFilvtKneMi302/s16000/4+Missing+Numbers+to+20.PNG" title="Missing numbers to 20 activity that is perfect for your virtual math centers!" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/missingnumbersto10" target="_blank">Missing Numbers to 10</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/missingnumbersto20" target="_blank">Missing Numbers to 20</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSL0QIdfDDxBqiaimGd6cmIPdoPYx1DNXd13EScXdnTuqu7Jz1ujbEqZg_Exnodphyphenhyphen9uTOLRxZd8U0B7Vh7BCVEe0asTDpRujVD7yxVZJXQlMFiyLIuxUZnP7WAYkLc9iXKsiOVDoTr4h/s278/5+Counting+Backwards+from+20.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Counting backwards from 20 activities you can play on a device!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSL0QIdfDDxBqiaimGd6cmIPdoPYx1DNXd13EScXdnTuqu7Jz1ujbEqZg_Exnodphyphenhyphen9uTOLRxZd8U0B7Vh7BCVEe0asTDpRujVD7yxVZJXQlMFiyLIuxUZnP7WAYkLc9iXKsiOVDoTr4h/s16000/5+Counting+Backwards+from+20.PNG" title="Counting backwards from 20 activities you can play on a device!" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwIUjKZCpUUjQPneQnYxRgVZF7HjHpwRb4sLONGZcNK28cNsduY3WeV_90pgF9lKTeaxpeLqSjTpkjaA5vePKXDm-h9poPT2xUeuYyd0dpZlz0T8EoUQelr1q4fr1Eppz7233d3RONr2Z/s278/6+Counting+Backwards+Missing+Numbers.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Missing numbers counting backwards" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwIUjKZCpUUjQPneQnYxRgVZF7HjHpwRb4sLONGZcNK28cNsduY3WeV_90pgF9lKTeaxpeLqSjTpkjaA5vePKXDm-h9poPT2xUeuYyd0dpZlz0T8EoUQelr1q4fr1Eppz7233d3RONr2Z/s16000/6+Counting+Backwards+Missing+Numbers.PNG" title="Missing numbers counting backwards" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/countingbackwardsfrom20" target="_blank">Counting Backwards</a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/countingbackwardsmissingnumbers" target="_blank">Counting Backwards</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/countingbackwardsfrom20" target="_blank">from Numbers to 20</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/countingbackwardsmissingnumbers">Missing Numbers</a> (any position)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6jm3E-gMTQnaVcWQfXE2oXxDEc4gm11dFsOtPeElOxQNrSOML6_1rlWtJ1FEtHUGQXLJfllmo18C6T4F90AEDsd_LIHXqvWqSUXdwYTj9Ndhqmv6BnRtddfyAUYaDCa6SmtsrFoFuKmX/s278/7+Addition+to+10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Free Addition to 10 digital math game for first grade or kindergarten! So cute and fun!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6jm3E-gMTQnaVcWQfXE2oXxDEc4gm11dFsOtPeElOxQNrSOML6_1rlWtJ1FEtHUGQXLJfllmo18C6T4F90AEDsd_LIHXqvWqSUXdwYTj9Ndhqmv6BnRtddfyAUYaDCa6SmtsrFoFuKmX/s16000/7+Addition+to+10.PNG" title="Free Addition to 10 digital math game for first grade or kindergarten! So cute and fun!" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeihZC9VZnLuyn1UdUtpb6aXhf0myJpIJn6gtT95Le85zuoCB8uRZmNddhbLYBKTUM922BKD0WY3BulY0OA7irZpknuykT1iUs2UKZdF7bZLWo52zwbc8JwMovtnwUiWVhsu_U_4Hp9Y9/s278/8+Addition+to+20.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Addition to 20 digital math game in a cute apple theme!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeihZC9VZnLuyn1UdUtpb6aXhf0myJpIJn6gtT95Le85zuoCB8uRZmNddhbLYBKTUM922BKD0WY3BulY0OA7irZpknuykT1iUs2UKZdF7bZLWo52zwbc8JwMovtnwUiWVhsu_U_4Hp9Y9/s16000/8+Addition+to+20.PNG" title="Addition to 20 digital math game in a cute apple theme!" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/additionto10" target="_blank">Addition to 10</a> (FREE!) <a href="http://bit.ly/additionto20" target="_blank">Addition to 20</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkVdWo4JAC1A-DIjRzDtYX16Q7te3RHCmgBiGa4rh_ZPeJ_AMvJqppOYlrhM90fgwvSsbeT37OrZcsl4pOlOH4S61uJGLkg7AWHcWi8GNUAIDU704lB2uCIpSly71A1VVDtYYxPzuB4GD/s278/9+Adding+Doubles.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Adding doubles activities" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkVdWo4JAC1A-DIjRzDtYX16Q7te3RHCmgBiGa4rh_ZPeJ_AMvJqppOYlrhM90fgwvSsbeT37OrZcsl4pOlOH4S61uJGLkg7AWHcWi8GNUAIDU704lB2uCIpSly71A1VVDtYYxPzuB4GD/s16000/9+Adding+Doubles.PNG" title="Adding doubles activities" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsSMfj_fNQ0mCKE7SDbzP-OB9XhIYkMRH321Ff0w_iFB-te3yKYehBydjDPxF6YvACZPrBCIdJQk0I_64TyV4EBB0XZSYAQom-lI4mT3C_McO1aj7TaLXglsSb4s0mQkoAPeM2o-ioHL0/s278/10+Doubles+Plus+One.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Adding doubles plus one activities" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsSMfj_fNQ0mCKE7SDbzP-OB9XhIYkMRH321Ff0w_iFB-te3yKYehBydjDPxF6YvACZPrBCIdJQk0I_64TyV4EBB0XZSYAQom-lI4mT3C_McO1aj7TaLXglsSb4s0mQkoAPeM2o-ioHL0/s16000/10+Doubles+Plus+One.PNG" title="Adding doubles plus one activities" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/addingdoubles" target="_blank">Adding Doubles</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/addingdoublesplusone" target="_blank">Doubles Plus One</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7v0TZFAMle-QDwUzMKjKelSza5NFa47nWtxogSYkpg1YXnGDza9uMjO-6e11lTY4oUeUv5mUy9bN7hMWIjHCVHKJFnvCW1hGDUuBER3kPbosdI526qwSwjoL0wEpX14FfaKheHRJS4SC_/s278/11+Missing+Addends+Sums+to+10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Find the missing addend activity that is so cute that kids can play on a computer or tablet - love!!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7v0TZFAMle-QDwUzMKjKelSza5NFa47nWtxogSYkpg1YXnGDza9uMjO-6e11lTY4oUeUv5mUy9bN7hMWIjHCVHKJFnvCW1hGDUuBER3kPbosdI526qwSwjoL0wEpX14FfaKheHRJS4SC_/s16000/11+Missing+Addends+Sums+to+10.PNG" title="Find the missing addend activity that is so cute that kids can play on a computer or tablet - love!!" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvrTWXF0rMPaSsqqoqHx7tPgEjGjJen2tGVegKVgnSn_ijSbG0SaGwdec-we-yWJ8ggf5VcFc3zsy_2vzc3P03licISddYOyyJzwHQK2Zpvl7r7z94s7k2EAzvJItPpk_CMH5AFTgHIhe/s278/12+Missing+Addends+Sums+to+10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Missing addends digital math activity for first grade or even 2nd to practice addition equations" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvrTWXF0rMPaSsqqoqHx7tPgEjGjJen2tGVegKVgnSn_ijSbG0SaGwdec-we-yWJ8ggf5VcFc3zsy_2vzc3P03licISddYOyyJzwHQK2Zpvl7r7z94s7k2EAzvJItPpk_CMH5AFTgHIhe/s16000/12+Missing+Addends+Sums+to+10.PNG" title="Missing addends digital math activity for first grade or even 2nd to practice addition equations" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/findthemissingaddend" target="_blank">Missing Addends Sums to 10</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/100missingaddends" target="_blank">Missing Addends Sums to 10</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjtu4uRjPHgsvc9yPeMYJ39v8VZSEH_HSpsHnJCbZKjIxTcHS5HS0zC5h0rrSzmmAdeZzyHf4W1_tOGKcWEJjRv9V7hqOo3h_zugmT4aKq8v2dZ425K84_X_eEdmnGg_XO7YD2L6yPvmn/s278/13+Missing+Addends+Sums+to+10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Missing addends first grade games" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjtu4uRjPHgsvc9yPeMYJ39v8VZSEH_HSpsHnJCbZKjIxTcHS5HS0zC5h0rrSzmmAdeZzyHf4W1_tOGKcWEJjRv9V7hqOo3h_zugmT4aKq8v2dZ425K84_X_eEdmnGg_XO7YD2L6yPvmn/s16000/13+Missing+Addends+Sums+to+10.PNG" title="Missing addends first grade games" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SqBdfE6TYVvYMvUYqIzocEE4kfJnFsZtD4lByTT3mawM8oEX1WLtRCALvyUR7dzAQYiYNUvIQXXW9jWlPwleUxWrdjc3bfDY7_hzI9GJNmBJPEPCiMLhmYa_JoNQ9xpLcVm84zEbiNOO/s278/14+Addition+to+10+and+20.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Addition to 10 and 20 practice with these cute digital math games kids can play to practice adding in a fun way!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SqBdfE6TYVvYMvUYqIzocEE4kfJnFsZtD4lByTT3mawM8oEX1WLtRCALvyUR7dzAQYiYNUvIQXXW9jWlPwleUxWrdjc3bfDY7_hzI9GJNmBJPEPCiMLhmYa_JoNQ9xpLcVm84zEbiNOO/s16000/14+Addition+to+10+and+20.PNG" title="Addition to 10 and 20 practice with these cute digital math games kids can play to practice adding in a fun way!" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/missingaddendssumsto10" target="_blank">Missing Addends Sums to 10</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/additionto10and20" target="_blank">Addition to 10 and 20</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthNVLNvuCrDldvhl1BxOuhSujtzFKlUe7522GyenS93zbbDdHUCGe8CdA_bgEk_fca4wjvvdbx5r0IW6wwO9RHPx2LAudAn0ujUgpVzUOymd_Di1IPnJ_EgMuRTmmH5lQnrbQi9gCKB7r/s278/15+Balancing+Equations+Addition+to+10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Balancing equations first grade level for addition to 10 - perfect and easy practice to understand what the equal sign means" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthNVLNvuCrDldvhl1BxOuhSujtzFKlUe7522GyenS93zbbDdHUCGe8CdA_bgEk_fca4wjvvdbx5r0IW6wwO9RHPx2LAudAn0ujUgpVzUOymd_Di1IPnJ_EgMuRTmmH5lQnrbQi9gCKB7r/s16000/15+Balancing+Equations+Addition+to+10.PNG" title="Balancing equations first grade level for addition to 10 - perfect and easy practice to understand what the equal sign means" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrdrDxCKmQF2c5phkW0yuS6khBDR6zJ21ekXBL5ai8GdglvOW1UTq4hVABp6gsT1JBDsnnXWCiCONbO68NNFW8UM3Lz0ELkFxCzKu0hfqQIOhwjN3FKVRgrQqTTiwHt5l6cm-SyXga2s7/s278/16+Commutative+Property+of+Addition.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Commutative property of addition activity where kids balance the 2 addition equations to make them true" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrdrDxCKmQF2c5phkW0yuS6khBDR6zJ21ekXBL5ai8GdglvOW1UTq4hVABp6gsT1JBDsnnXWCiCONbO68NNFW8UM3Lz0ELkFxCzKu0hfqQIOhwjN3FKVRgrQqTTiwHt5l6cm-SyXga2s7/s16000/16+Commutative+Property+of+Addition.PNG" title="Commutative property of addition activity where kids balance the 2 addition equations to make them true" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/balancingequationsaddition" target="_blank">Balancing Equations Addition to 10</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/commutativepropertyofaddition" target="_blank">Commutative Property of Addition</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Cp0t34e_gwfRmMM1ev8Nocb5UEXbDBnm0rvqzg6iXu00cmklUHa8IVzZ7vbcwdPT9iFcMqczjGfW1j52XCwD-cfhpF5RoshtVBfbFi-RwuoMk_vkEVAJjvLvD0Ec4JSUxrkr247VVZ8r/s278/17+Subtraction+within+10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Subtraction within 10 practice where kids can help the cute little squirrel solve the math problems and pick the acorn with the correct answer" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Cp0t34e_gwfRmMM1ev8Nocb5UEXbDBnm0rvqzg6iXu00cmklUHa8IVzZ7vbcwdPT9iFcMqczjGfW1j52XCwD-cfhpF5RoshtVBfbFi-RwuoMk_vkEVAJjvLvD0Ec4JSUxrkr247VVZ8r/s16000/17+Subtraction+within+10.PNG" title="Subtraction within 10 practice where kids can help the cute little squirrel solve the math problems and pick the acorn with the correct answer" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfRoYx-yzRGBtfokYGa6axbhB2odURvmdN_-VjHU5ZK9Xw9WQQ3-k1_fZFmCjlPXx5p5lsw4Ncx4RHlQgld0a5d0DPbcxpk9hymuB3lWINDNv2LEUpla9UIzfvPaeB4QRfBX0Hf21ZWeD/s278/18+Subtracting+from+10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Subtracting from 10 game for easy practice to master this important fact fluency skill." border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfRoYx-yzRGBtfokYGa6axbhB2odURvmdN_-VjHU5ZK9Xw9WQQ3-k1_fZFmCjlPXx5p5lsw4Ncx4RHlQgld0a5d0DPbcxpk9hymuB3lWINDNv2LEUpla9UIzfvPaeB4QRfBX0Hf21ZWeD/s16000/18+Subtracting+from+10.PNG" title="Subtracting from 10 game for easy practice to master this important fact fluency skill." /></a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/subtractionwithin10" target="_blank">Subtraction within 10</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/subtractingfrom10" target="_blank">Subtracting from 10</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76sgT482WAx57rWnIxiTKmBuLch-e95sD9tgXcB5RZBMVQWlDF2SbSLx0mN_knTPQ9FiKcgTn5YIZrbPoAQxhciEZzMI03nvSVTf8dI6t1mH69ZRHUbKWQc8mSZ5z398MqbiCQe7dSFY5/s278/19+Subtraction+within+10+Word+Problems.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Subtraction word problems activities with pictures to help them solve! So cute and fun!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76sgT482WAx57rWnIxiTKmBuLch-e95sD9tgXcB5RZBMVQWlDF2SbSLx0mN_knTPQ9FiKcgTn5YIZrbPoAQxhciEZzMI03nvSVTf8dI6t1mH69ZRHUbKWQc8mSZ5z398MqbiCQe7dSFY5/s16000/19+Subtraction+within+10+Word+Problems.PNG" title="Subtraction word problems activities with pictures to help them solve! So cute and fun!" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvuLENVZ3XqiN5J31DlyLRsUpUrke87uYaqhcQzsob9WAHES6nAf9Iejo7d4CTOEdiXkMt_M9vPaJunVPe7T7uQErakqCnkB9gV203MsAgK6v1_ONaXJB0bfYWJeYKv4vLEwMgz0bFT2z/s278/20+Subtraction+within+20+Word+Problems.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Subtraction within 20 word problems that are games kids can play on a computer or tablet! I love these!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvuLENVZ3XqiN5J31DlyLRsUpUrke87uYaqhcQzsob9WAHES6nAf9Iejo7d4CTOEdiXkMt_M9vPaJunVPe7T7uQErakqCnkB9gV203MsAgK6v1_ONaXJB0bfYWJeYKv4vLEwMgz0bFT2z/s16000/20+Subtraction+within+20+Word+Problems.PNG" title="Subtraction within 20 word problems that are games kids can play on a computer or tablet! I love these!" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/wordproblemsubtractionwithin10" target="_blank">Subtraction within 10</a> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bit.ly/wordproblemssubtractionwithin20" target="_blank">Subtraction within 20</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/wordproblemsubtractionwithin10" target="_blank">Word Problems</a> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bit.ly/wordproblemssubtractionwithin20" target="_blank">Word Problems</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFWZ7BJJ275XYJHhy3v5C3bPFys7CKOTsFZXNbOqeTth7MGkKbcy8wPxSJNh_L1r6r82dz_spwC8lv2XR8rZwDDQYktP_SEKEn60iypsuY4BBZET6oLSAwZXI3RRGiqmQ_c4Ze9l80gvz/s278/21+Missing+Minuends.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fun missing minuends game kids can play to find all the numbers in a subtraction problem" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFWZ7BJJ275XYJHhy3v5C3bPFys7CKOTsFZXNbOqeTth7MGkKbcy8wPxSJNh_L1r6r82dz_spwC8lv2XR8rZwDDQYktP_SEKEn60iypsuY4BBZET6oLSAwZXI3RRGiqmQ_c4Ze9l80gvz/s16000/21+Missing+Minuends.PNG" title="Fun missing minuends game kids can play to find all the numbers in a subtraction problem" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNofaGVM6aSmeANG-xwu6QiStpB8DVE44mraWK7k3IrhFuikB7O5yj7PCdOkZA7lMd8O7813RF6fg0jjz8F13r5YatyWLx46mTB7puACqv8L9Tlp5F2t2f6iwb7aX_Qkj81FLOQimSCJbd/s278/22+Missing+Subtrahends.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Missing subtrahends digital game kids can play to practice this difficult math skill in a really fun way!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNofaGVM6aSmeANG-xwu6QiStpB8DVE44mraWK7k3IrhFuikB7O5yj7PCdOkZA7lMd8O7813RF6fg0jjz8F13r5YatyWLx46mTB7puACqv8L9Tlp5F2t2f6iwb7aX_Qkj81FLOQimSCJbd/s16000/22+Missing+Subtrahends.PNG" title="Missing subtrahends digital game kids can play to practice this difficult math skill in a really fun way!" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/missingminuends" target="_blank">Missing Minuends</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/missingsubtrahendsgame" target="_blank">Missing Subtrahends</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXlcLVE1mUL54GyM3pkxk_qtxN0Hs7sxkb8nV8VFlWFr6kBmyASqNSX3IqWAOFQqivK9vPlvns9PFkwepDlgB5HnrY1h-ofoIj09kmU2GiOuJ9pG3I1hd64jQdSrCQrWC2N1fm84E2CEf/s278/23+Missing+Minuends+and+Subtrahends.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Missing minuends and subtrahends game!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXlcLVE1mUL54GyM3pkxk_qtxN0Hs7sxkb8nV8VFlWFr6kBmyASqNSX3IqWAOFQqivK9vPlvns9PFkwepDlgB5HnrY1h-ofoIj09kmU2GiOuJ9pG3I1hd64jQdSrCQrWC2N1fm84E2CEf/s16000/23+Missing+Minuends+and+Subtrahends.PNG" title="Missing minuends and subtrahends game!" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEoQOwKioqnxmxq7gKyKlheX41Id2AcTyXCk5SHs6o93IcZnO13XVJKJuVSfbNxCZ2heybBKtcQ-DFHvByJFd4eaQX9AwKv31E364c41nmq2Q3jO0opVDOAQMAQ_TERLhDy1GpS21QTb5/s278/24+Adding+3+Numbers+Sums+Less+than+10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Adding 3 numbers with sums under 10 to make this hard first grade concept a lot easier! Plus it's a digital math game so kids can play it on a computer or tablet" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEoQOwKioqnxmxq7gKyKlheX41Id2AcTyXCk5SHs6o93IcZnO13XVJKJuVSfbNxCZ2heybBKtcQ-DFHvByJFd4eaQX9AwKv31E364c41nmq2Q3jO0opVDOAQMAQ_TERLhDy1GpS21QTb5/s16000/24+Adding+3+Numbers+Sums+Less+than+10.PNG" title="Adding 3 numbers with sums under 10 to make this hard first grade concept a lot easier! Plus it's a digital math game so kids can play it on a computer or tablet" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/missingminuendsandsubtrahends" target="_blank">Missing Minuends and Subtrahends</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/adding3numberssumslessthan10" target="_blank">Adding 3 Numbers (Sums under 10)</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfXyJKNdovbDKKy9CcdH0Xeq8GBh9u6kyyUjtEIUz23YNe1RcwVAtYr8jMe2Gg7uUruMpSoamrHFxiC2ljAk9tnMCPADDiQJjd8-ltuG0pmy5Hr2uwA9Q-EQRP84DWlj7XizhSiMtfwXC/s278/25+Adding+3+Numbers+Word+Problems.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Adding 3 numbers word problems with pictures to help kids have a fun visual for the math they are doing" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfXyJKNdovbDKKy9CcdH0Xeq8GBh9u6kyyUjtEIUz23YNe1RcwVAtYr8jMe2Gg7uUruMpSoamrHFxiC2ljAk9tnMCPADDiQJjd8-ltuG0pmy5Hr2uwA9Q-EQRP84DWlj7XizhSiMtfwXC/s16000/25+Adding+3+Numbers+Word+Problems.PNG" title="Adding 3 numbers word problems with pictures to help kids have a fun visual for the math they are doing" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS42iVi6UWn-5h7wPY2srDH4FcBtsRmHrKjDFlBJr1B-Ig6Qug7xjMN5Z-RFnFi9fFhViiAliAAU9HtjBW8jL8-Kg-aGmOqlyKMwqVyCr_ZZ-3fr-16j9mPrQRNy1NdhfIV2zQKlbQs_1V/s278/26+Adding+3+Numbers+Missing+Addends.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Adding 3 numbers missing addends where kids have to figure out the number that makes the equation true" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS42iVi6UWn-5h7wPY2srDH4FcBtsRmHrKjDFlBJr1B-Ig6Qug7xjMN5Z-RFnFi9fFhViiAliAAU9HtjBW8jL8-Kg-aGmOqlyKMwqVyCr_ZZ-3fr-16j9mPrQRNy1NdhfIV2zQKlbQs_1V/s16000/26+Adding+3+Numbers+Missing+Addends.PNG" title="Adding 3 numbers missing addends where kids have to figure out the number that makes the equation true" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/adding3numberswordproblems" target="_blank">Adding 3 Numbers</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/adding3numbersmissingaddends" target="_blank">Adding 3 Numbers</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/adding3numberswordproblems" target="_blank">Word Problems</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/adding3numbersmissingaddends" target="_blank">Missing Addends</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you want more fun ideas for teaching these Adding 3 Numbers concepts, I have a huge blog post full of fun pictures and ideas here: </span><a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2014/12/adding-3-numbers.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Adding 3 Numbers</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAUMgGBOp1ucaZKhnxqOHIg8DW99_8UV3lbhQxcx2oWKz7bU-1iR7fZhx1-jc-PFSv1yVJCtGuQaFd0c_VaMZtHD0JWdCihJ0xcIHVgkTnFKH-oUe3f1Y4sb9PHb0XeXO5fIu3FX22HQk/s278/27+Making+a+10+to+Add+Full+Lesson.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Full lesson for Making a 10 to add that will teach this difficult concept then give practice - so perfect!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAUMgGBOp1ucaZKhnxqOHIg8DW99_8UV3lbhQxcx2oWKz7bU-1iR7fZhx1-jc-PFSv1yVJCtGuQaFd0c_VaMZtHD0JWdCihJ0xcIHVgkTnFKH-oUe3f1Y4sb9PHb0XeXO5fIu3FX22HQk/s16000/27+Making+a+10+to+Add+Full+Lesson.PNG" title="Full lesson for Making a 10 to add that will teach this difficult concept then give practice - so perfect!" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08TFK92GmLzwRYUahjxeDVSIa_Xli5QLysxgT_wziTWOrXW0AUtIgQJ723kaRG2qx7w_BthhwXAWYUcexohn_Jzi-pQW69xuPs5nT8fbbNxHZYusihMtLL8GSKLbgodLAqxmNjxy-yMGN/s278/28+Making+a+10+to+Add+Practice.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Making a 10 to add strategy for first grade students to practice how to use this skill to solve bigger math problems" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08TFK92GmLzwRYUahjxeDVSIa_Xli5QLysxgT_wziTWOrXW0AUtIgQJ723kaRG2qx7w_BthhwXAWYUcexohn_Jzi-pQW69xuPs5nT8fbbNxHZYusihMtLL8GSKLbgodLAqxmNjxy-yMGN/s16000/28+Making+a+10+to+Add+Practice.PNG" title="Making a 10 to add strategy for first grade students to practice how to use this skill to solve bigger math problems" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/makinga10toaddlesson" target="_blank">Making a 10 to Add - FULL Lesson</a> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bit.ly/makinga10toaddpractice" target="_blank">Making a 10 to Add - Practice Only</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I am SO excited about these 2 sets for Making a 10 to Add. It is a really difficult concept to teach so I made a "Full Lesson" activity that literally walks kids through every step. If this is a concept you struggle to teach (or simply don't enjoy explaining), this activity will do it for you. I highly recommend the "Full Lesson" version so it teaches the concept then has practice at the end. If you </span><i style="font-size: large;">only</i><span style="font-size: medium;"> want practice and have taught it already, then the "Practice Only" version is great for practicing and reviewing it. I also have a big blog post for fun ideas for teaching the skill here: </span><a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/01/making-10-to-add.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Making a 10 to Add</span></a><span style="font-size: medium;"> if you want a ton of activities and ideas for the making a 10 to add strategy!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynT6FSMp0W9i5_X5lH74rj-WYz0PJLJZVKT3gUcXyAAGJf_rvM2_c7fDRKqtFThJlWSlY8mRgmYWlh8zrrcP8rckeUQZ-mupJkaxnmtXRE5czNvOULiJAd9hJGMbIKcLjy0DtSv5oB0JK/s278/29+How+Many+More+to+10.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How many more to make ten kindergarten game where kids pick the pumpkin to fill in the addition problem" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynT6FSMp0W9i5_X5lH74rj-WYz0PJLJZVKT3gUcXyAAGJf_rvM2_c7fDRKqtFThJlWSlY8mRgmYWlh8zrrcP8rckeUQZ-mupJkaxnmtXRE5czNvOULiJAd9hJGMbIKcLjy0DtSv5oB0JK/s16000/29+How+Many+More+to+10.PNG" title="How many more to make ten kindergarten game where kids pick the pumpkin to fill in the addition problem" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHPhkqga0LcD2pAfUdXmTmf3hmq10PCMBWDBSqKbcLnEPIzzBAxSH7gvkyuRaJe8t2fcwfzvqWgMCPov-VIYWhTaH1u-PQfUM7RUkG6hbAaOmfgUCxsBbpnOI9hNHNbIWIY-DaXwpVTtV/s278/30+Missing+Numbers+2+Digit+Numbers.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Missing numbers game kids can play on a computer or table to figure out what secret number each animal is! So fun!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHPhkqga0LcD2pAfUdXmTmf3hmq10PCMBWDBSqKbcLnEPIzzBAxSH7gvkyuRaJe8t2fcwfzvqWgMCPov-VIYWhTaH1u-PQfUM7RUkG6hbAaOmfgUCxsBbpnOI9hNHNbIWIY-DaXwpVTtV/s16000/30+Missing+Numbers+2+Digit+Numbers.PNG" title="Missing numbers game kids can play on a computer or table to figure out what secret number each animal is! So fun!" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/howmanymoreto10" target="_blank">How Many More to 10?</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/missingnumberscuteanimals" target="_blank">Missing Numbers (2 Digit Numbers)</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9LsF81Zwv8mUqprgZ_e4MYlg4eI9XZ_ViRfJYEtPLWMvco0vSIE-aKMs-nOoaaiAKEyhF5C9ULNIw8gTRX9Vu7Sj3FCW5X16GEVf6FmRpS_tKrPYljzcRnv9zWQzmcc6BYUvIO2MwVlV/s278/31+Picture+Graphs+Favorite+Animals.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Picture graphs game kids can play on a computer or tablet to practice data analysis in kindergarten or first grade by answering questions about the graph" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9LsF81Zwv8mUqprgZ_e4MYlg4eI9XZ_ViRfJYEtPLWMvco0vSIE-aKMs-nOoaaiAKEyhF5C9ULNIw8gTRX9Vu7Sj3FCW5X16GEVf6FmRpS_tKrPYljzcRnv9zWQzmcc6BYUvIO2MwVlV/s16000/31+Picture+Graphs+Favorite+Animals.PNG" title="Picture graphs game kids can play on a computer or tablet to practice data analysis in kindergarten or first grade by answering questions about the graph" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMkrZeuj5GqR7U4-jcm5zHnRbpC-Iz7O3PC3AtWYzc3AGDaMH4UMOpQzXRBu9mM8k8cQKoj79Opuz0mghGekgAevgorX6Rm7KzKlW9AXNmRVYjJLSM_8yiXiwLMPMVzIHyKrOXZdID7WP/s278/32+Picture+Graphs+Favorite+Sports.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Digital math game for graphing where kids answer questions about the graph by looking at the pictures" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMkrZeuj5GqR7U4-jcm5zHnRbpC-Iz7O3PC3AtWYzc3AGDaMH4UMOpQzXRBu9mM8k8cQKoj79Opuz0mghGekgAevgorX6Rm7KzKlW9AXNmRVYjJLSM_8yiXiwLMPMVzIHyKrOXZdID7WP/s16000/32+Picture+Graphs+Favorite+Sports.PNG" title="Digital math game for graphing where kids answer questions about the graph by looking at the pictures" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/picturegraphsanimals" target="_blank">Picture Graphs: Favorite Animals</a> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bit.ly/picturegraphssports" target="_blank">Picture Graphs: Favorite Sports</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">You may recognize these cute graphing activities from my big </span><a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/09/graphing-and-data-analysis-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Graphing and Data Analysis in First Grade</span></a><span style="font-size: medium;"> blog post. That's a fun post full of fun ideas for teaching graphing in kindergarten or first grade! You could use the ideas in second grade too. Graphing is always a fun one and I am excited to have digital versions of my printable resources! :)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaJ3P-FEMnZEPY9Oce6t1sRXD-WEg8JO0q5iv8C8myqsWD9E5opkGoui8Y-i8PI-6t3W_j0ZgrGuqbPMEDlUuE4mWj7B6v20Ilp7Ow6MZEOY11gECt0LwBiXctzmJNHc8ajJhljbfMspZ/s278/33+A.M.+or+P.M.+Concept+of+Time.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Telling time activity of whether an activity is done in the A.M. or P.M. - a fun way to practice this concept of time for young learners" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaJ3P-FEMnZEPY9Oce6t1sRXD-WEg8JO0q5iv8C8myqsWD9E5opkGoui8Y-i8PI-6t3W_j0ZgrGuqbPMEDlUuE4mWj7B6v20Ilp7Ow6MZEOY11gECt0LwBiXctzmJNHc8ajJhljbfMspZ/s16000/33+A.M.+or+P.M.+Concept+of+Time.PNG" title="Telling time activity of whether an activity is done in the A.M. or P.M. - a fun way to practice this concept of time for young learners" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q8TyRn22LlsIPAB7iyZSyh7hwAbLwGRV31N_LwSjtaRYqYQAVQ_XnVMwktvUw13DnRn7CFUK6_1TpQySAwN4InY7qOOIrHJxGeIhHMLyarOARnqPMUC-uhlKhU4ydL6EqzuWi-dDU2Iu/s278/34+Multiplication+Numbers+0-9+Products+within+18.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Multiplication of numbers 0-9 practice where all the products are within 18" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q8TyRn22LlsIPAB7iyZSyh7hwAbLwGRV31N_LwSjtaRYqYQAVQ_XnVMwktvUw13DnRn7CFUK6_1TpQySAwN4InY7qOOIrHJxGeIhHMLyarOARnqPMUC-uhlKhU4ydL6EqzuWi-dDU2Iu/s16000/34+Multiplication+Numbers+0-9+Products+within+18.PNG" title="Multiplication of numbers 0-9 practice where all the products are within 18" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/tellingtimeAMPM" target="_blank">A.M. or P.M. (Concept of Time)</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/multiplicationproductswithin18" target="_blank">Multiplication of Numbers 0-9</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> (Products within 18 for easy practice)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The A.M. or P.M. sort from my </span><a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/02/telling-time.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Telling Time blog post</span></a><span style="font-size: medium;"> has been super popular so I made a digital math game for the skill! :) </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAXQv4Pk2KofaI6HG-qOyKbOLmi2qiCZ0TsDWFUbRAI97TjpOoBPIWk-V0yRG4uaibCAdMmwkhf9qufonJB15vHyoyvoruEE3UmBdS6NJ-cz7pMCx3wAt2NMtkpeqh3EP7DqU-x6x61um/s278/35+Balancing+Multiplication+Equations.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Balancing multiplication equations game for kids" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAXQv4Pk2KofaI6HG-qOyKbOLmi2qiCZ0TsDWFUbRAI97TjpOoBPIWk-V0yRG4uaibCAdMmwkhf9qufonJB15vHyoyvoruEE3UmBdS6NJ-cz7pMCx3wAt2NMtkpeqh3EP7DqU-x6x61um/s16000/35+Balancing+Multiplication+Equations.PNG" title="Balancing multiplication equations game for kids" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93afYlcH4KEuZe-c_NQUySYguueV0fnoJdDpVKEwiTNbqK6UhOZNFQRvY5MHI7RB17YD9YaONXRaAH-V3SQonHODBIbRTL2JokSfBs3MdbzAmqmipmvEQAy3vHZzHfOWlFhbn6PvUMKQF/s278/36+Commutative+Property+of+Multiplication.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Commutative property of multiplication game that is so much fun!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93afYlcH4KEuZe-c_NQUySYguueV0fnoJdDpVKEwiTNbqK6UhOZNFQRvY5MHI7RB17YD9YaONXRaAH-V3SQonHODBIbRTL2JokSfBs3MdbzAmqmipmvEQAy3vHZzHfOWlFhbn6PvUMKQF/s16000/36+Commutative+Property+of+Multiplication.PNG" title="Commutative property of multiplication game that is so much fun!" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/balancingmultiplicationequations" target="_blank">Balancing Equations</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/commutativepropertyofmultiplication" target="_blank">Commutative Property</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/balancingmultiplicationequations" target="_blank">Multiplication</a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://bit.ly/commutativepropertyofmultiplication" target="_blank">of Multiplication</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_COU5fAGFeUasxXQJjLey7WeD0ULsU8hyOhWJHZpqFZ3CX9DSOWc69QrrCsvXoyzp540ceQKmh2H2sCWwivLYlu5Mn5vP435Lf-wUT93H0-KsDMYwxpLlBW_r6Pdmz8YczgYtUvCp29zv/s278/37+Division+1+Digit+by+1+Digit.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Division 1 digit by 1 digit game that is so cute and fun!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_COU5fAGFeUasxXQJjLey7WeD0ULsU8hyOhWJHZpqFZ3CX9DSOWc69QrrCsvXoyzp540ceQKmh2H2sCWwivLYlu5Mn5vP435Lf-wUT93H0-KsDMYwxpLlBW_r6Pdmz8YczgYtUvCp29zv/s16000/37+Division+1+Digit+by+1+Digit.PNG" title="Division 1 digit by 1 digit game that is so cute and fun!" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0IgqKhxPRJdoF3lLgA2zmBf2H9WuUN63DLtRM32yaJW0igEJSNZvOL6Q-fW3GPkNZ1NVFydsAVDSWvIiuxZmPquJOZlqGe5Uk74pNBYZM3qSquieRwuNeoHJujGzAlU80PJ8QvCMpi3A/s278/38+Greatest+Common+Factor.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Greatest common factor game for finding the gcf of 2 numbers in such a fun way! Kids can play this cute game on a computer or tablet as many times as you want them to!" border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0IgqKhxPRJdoF3lLgA2zmBf2H9WuUN63DLtRM32yaJW0igEJSNZvOL6Q-fW3GPkNZ1NVFydsAVDSWvIiuxZmPquJOZlqGe5Uk74pNBYZM3qSquieRwuNeoHJujGzAlU80PJ8QvCMpi3A/s16000/38+Greatest+Common+Factor.PNG" title="Greatest common factor game for finding the gcf of 2 numbers in such a fun way! Kids can play this cute game on a computer or tablet as many times as you want them to!" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/division1digitby1digit" target="_blank">Division 1 Digit by 1 Digit</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/findthegreatestcommonfactor" target="_blank">Greatest Common Factor</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">How fun are these???? They have been so fun to make! You probably notice a lot of the concepts from my math units, so if you use those, these are a great supplement. If you don't use my math units, check out </span><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/math.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">my MATH page</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> to see an organized list of posts by concept - even if you don't use the math units, there are TONS of ideas for how to teach those math skills to your student or child at home. :)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">If there are skills you would like to see me make games for, please let me know! I love making these for you.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you have enjoyed looking at my digital math games that are so fun post. It was fun to put them all in one place (you know how I love to organize, ha). </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I have so many fun math and phonics activities that I love sharing with you all. Go to the right hand side of this page to find fun ways to follow me. You can also take a second to</span> <a href="http://eepurl.com/1WAO9" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">join Miss Giraffe's Class</a> <span style="font-size: medium;">so you can stay up to date with fun tips, ideas, and exclusive FREE items only for subscribers sent straight to your email! :) Thank you so much for stopping by!</span></div></div></div>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-9805932363183647752020-08-25T23:58:00.011-07:002021-12-16T17:35:31.469-07:00Free Kindergarten and First Grade Worksheets and ActivitiesAre you ready for a bunch of FREE kindergarten and first grade worksheets and activities?! I have compiled a list of my favorite 100% free math, reading, and writing resources for kids!<div><br /></div><div>All you do is download and print :) So please sit back, scroll, and find some awesome new pages for your students or child... enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Let's start at the very beginning of phonics instruction after <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/07/teaching-letter-sounds-kindergarten.html" target="_blank">teaching letter sounds</a>... Short A!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some easy and fun <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Short-A-Activities-Clip-Cards-Centers-2065570?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">Free Short A Clip Cards</a>! All kids do is read the word in the middle of the card then put a clip on the correct picture. Fast, fun, easy reading practice. I absolutely love clip cards and made them for pretty much every phonics sound :) </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYr5OGs7o11EAw3h_nH599wVFcyz8rwrIWPHwbWcELUdYPjFpjx7GFyRCpk1ONwqpFSU3weEz1Ypc-RThoOmEUivs5cdzajvgU4skGlb5sonaD8kEQRud3ADvDu0HhudFzAqvU2Znl0fe/s864/Free+short+a+activities.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Free short a activities - adorable clip cards for reading CVC words practice!" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYr5OGs7o11EAw3h_nH599wVFcyz8rwrIWPHwbWcELUdYPjFpjx7GFyRCpk1ONwqpFSU3weEz1Ypc-RThoOmEUivs5cdzajvgU4skGlb5sonaD8kEQRud3ADvDu0HhudFzAqvU2Znl0fe/w427-h640/Free+short+a+activities.JPG" title="Free short a activities - adorable clip cards for reading CVC words practice!" width="427" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I have an <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/09/short-activities-and-resources.html" target="_blank">absolutely massive post showing all the fun ideas I love for teaching Short A</a> if you want more cute ideas for short vowels! It is packed with pictures and tips! </div><div><br /></div><div>Another fun activity I love to do for every sound are my Secret Word worksheets! I made a set of <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Free-Short-A-Secret-Word-Literacy-Centers-1174492?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">Free Short A Secret Word Worksheets</a> that you can grab. I absolutely love them! </div><div><br /></div><div>How they work: Kids cut out the letters and then use them to build each picture. THEN, they'll have letters left that they unscramble to figure out the secret word! So. much. fun. Like I said, I have these for every sound because they're such a fun activity!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>For practice <i>writing</i> words with short A word families - I made a little book for each word family and have this cute <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/-at-Word-Family-CVC-Words-Little-Book-3776090?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">-at word family book</a> for free! Kids look at the picture on each page, read the word, and then write it on the lines. You can also have them write a sentence using the word to differentiate for your kids who are ready for sentences! :)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqIkrVrvrfI8upxWJx1VRajZA-bZ9bdSboUMP5NHU9cOpw55HSKImMYyL8YNymKpXqu6J6dO75D0isAkubzr_OteYyshYc2AnWwVkBlN_DuKE5RDlJTvsTNrlXzEjOjWS_NmP69RsqGFq/s960/Free+short+a+books.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Free short a books with pictures for each word for kids to color and then write easy sentences on the lines" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqIkrVrvrfI8upxWJx1VRajZA-bZ9bdSboUMP5NHU9cOpw55HSKImMYyL8YNymKpXqu6J6dO75D0isAkubzr_OteYyshYc2AnWwVkBlN_DuKE5RDlJTvsTNrlXzEjOjWS_NmP69RsqGFq/w480-h640/Free+short+a+books.JPG" title="Free short a books with pictures for each word for kids to color and then write easy sentences on the lines" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>That book is from a big bundle of short vowel word family books! :) </div><div><br /></div><div>I also made little books like this for each <i>phonics</i> sound in a big bundle so I have this fun <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/My-Little-SH-Digraph-Book-FREE-Digraphs-Activity-1278290?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">Free SH Digraph Little Book</a> as a free sample too!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRj5xBBD8cmW-JYHx011ugyq51rxjdU_r9THZzTLQRwsEdTdVlrxf98H10H-vWcUrIx_i6ISsIcUbhR2fdVlM9tr4S0s4z3W5BCWNqPHODZVj4N2F8_lGKYwjs1FGCFDqyZubxuFO56bq/s864/Free+digraph+book.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Free digraph book" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRj5xBBD8cmW-JYHx011ugyq51rxjdU_r9THZzTLQRwsEdTdVlrxf98H10H-vWcUrIx_i6ISsIcUbhR2fdVlM9tr4S0s4z3W5BCWNqPHODZVj4N2F8_lGKYwjs1FGCFDqyZubxuFO56bq/w427-h640/Free+digraph+book.JPG" title="Free digraph book" width="427" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of phonics, I have a few little packs you can download! Each of these is a type of worksheet I typically put in <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/literacy.html" target="_blank">my no prep phonics packs</a>. I use consistent activities throughout my packs so all you have to do each week is hand them the worksheet with the new sound since they know <i>how</i> to do it already, so if you use my no prep packs for other sounds, then you'll recognize these! :)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6wUVpC8dk3cpdUhPWP7g1gL2UmITSEVUGlIuszwh44aAnqwO11MTsAIpDYV_PeNmtJzwbNonwNQEI6XXC0NdZNDkGzzZRzhVF0k60vPldPf2S_eqSGA1QYCPs0IRyAwS77Y-YMvx6Yrx/s864/Free+Bossy+R+worksheets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Free Bossy R worksheets" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6wUVpC8dk3cpdUhPWP7g1gL2UmITSEVUGlIuszwh44aAnqwO11MTsAIpDYV_PeNmtJzwbNonwNQEI6XXC0NdZNDkGzzZRzhVF0k60vPldPf2S_eqSGA1QYCPs0IRyAwS77Y-YMvx6Yrx/w427-h640/Free+Bossy+R+worksheets.JPG" title="Free Bossy R worksheets" width="427" /></a></div><br /><div>These <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Differentiated-Color-Trace-Write-Worksheets-ar-sound-1330506?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">Free Bossy R worksheets</a> are super simple! Students trace the provided letters and then fill in the missing letters to complete the word. Then, they write the word they created on the lines below and color the picture. There are several levels, including a level where students simply trace the word (without any missing letters) for super easy differentiation to meet every little reader where they're at. :) If you've <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">poked around here at all my posts of ideas</a>, you know I care a lot about differentiating so that all kids feel successful but challenged, so you'll notice that a lot of my activities will have multiple levels...</div><div><br /></div><div>Which is especially important in kindergarten and first grade since some phonics sounds are so tricky! This makes it very important for these hard reading concepts to be FUN and engaging. The pictures make them a lot more engaging while also providing support for young readers so you'll probably also notice that I use a lot of pictures, especially for difficult and/or complex sounds.</div><div><br /></div><div>A great example of a relatively difficult, complex phonics skill is...</div><div><br /></div><div>Reading words with the Vowel Sounds of Y! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUg0vBxKqmLPVcAgeIILCYUyjRHxlZ6JBOpdtOWSYpSFf1q5tUS3EFr7PNFrZJIEq50yko2b4IqpfHwuupBQLBDdbkEB7RjxYDqOatoKzpXH547KNeCoU_WEOS-UQZgyQRIxuWrvcmOhiP/s864/Free+Phonics+Worksheet+Vowel+Sounds+of+Y.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Free Phonics Worksheet Vowel Sounds of Y" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUg0vBxKqmLPVcAgeIILCYUyjRHxlZ6JBOpdtOWSYpSFf1q5tUS3EFr7PNFrZJIEq50yko2b4IqpfHwuupBQLBDdbkEB7RjxYDqOatoKzpXH547KNeCoU_WEOS-UQZgyQRIxuWrvcmOhiP/w427-h640/Free+Phonics+Worksheet+Vowel+Sounds+of+Y.jpg" title="Free Phonics Worksheet Vowel Sounds of Y" width="427" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This is another tricky concept... although probably not as tricky as Bossy R! This <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sounds-of-Y-Word-Sort-Worksheet-1237100?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">Free Sounds of Y Worksheet</a> is a super quick and easy way to introduce the concept.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kids sort each picture as to whether the Y in the word says the Y sound (yarn), the E sound (bunny), or the I sound (fly).</div><div><br /></div><div>It also comes in a black and white version like the pages in <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/literacy.html" target="_blank">my no prep packs</a> so kids can color the pictures. All the pages in my no prep packs are black and white so that they're... well, no prep :) </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of no prep... I LOVE no prep activities for every subject... including writing!</div><div><br /></div><div>This is one of my favorite writing prompts - If I Met an Alien! I love how creative kids get with their stories :)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6enn2IxI6mK6b-5oWoSDrx5EanzSrh3Ceza0a1WXvxODYTpK8Qy_HKWCbaYHnee8rNIikYu6jPmKnEZw7EtbU2MLKS93KTgTBHzehyY6UhK4llX1Vf3CcAYpnNwCC3ljhxhoySgoqoadb/s960/Free+writing+prompts+for+first+grade.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Free writing prompts for first grade" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6enn2IxI6mK6b-5oWoSDrx5EanzSrh3Ceza0a1WXvxODYTpK8Qy_HKWCbaYHnee8rNIikYu6jPmKnEZw7EtbU2MLKS93KTgTBHzehyY6UhK4llX1Vf3CcAYpnNwCC3ljhxhoySgoqoadb/w640-h640/Free+writing+prompts+for+first+grade.jpg" title="Free writing prompts for first grade" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This page is from my big pack of <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Space-Writing-Craft-Activities-NO-PREP-Solar-System-Fun-2105874?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">Space Writing Crafts</a> if you want more for that theme BUT this exact craft is one of THREE super adorable crafts you can get for free (woohoo!) in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Back-to-School-Writing-Prompts-No-Prep-Crafts-2074602?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">Free Back to School Writing Crafts</a> pack! I hope you love them!</div><div><br /></div><div>I just wrote about how to use these fun NO PREP writing crafts in my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/08/how-to-make-writing-fun-for-1st-graders.html" target="_blank">How to Make Writing Fun for 1st Graders</a> article that shows how easy and awesome these are to make! That post shows the 4 easy steps to making these and how you literally only have to hit print to create beautiful crafts to put on your bulletin board. I think you'll love these and I'm so excited to be able to give you 3 of them for a ton of fun, free writing time!</div><div><br /></div><div>I also have a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Valentines-Day-Writing-Craft-NO-PREP-2337877?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">free set of Valentine's Day Writing Crafts</a> for seasonal fun! I also have <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dia-de-San-Valentin-NO-PREP-Writing-Crafts-2340764?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">these in Spanish</a>!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_Wg0FwxZZpcaMAN6_svgPPQTIlycbrAYbENFmCRZwCNDDUzrCWb65V9aJIjz4bngPw3I6Zza8kMb853PcDJuND0hVENa7zQq3jvtQKv-d3TuTGXaBs5_U3k_M44VRG9wkZDXwknJQRw-/s960/Free+Valentines+Day+crafts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Free Valentine's Day crafts" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_Wg0FwxZZpcaMAN6_svgPPQTIlycbrAYbENFmCRZwCNDDUzrCWb65V9aJIjz4bngPw3I6Zza8kMb853PcDJuND0hVENa7zQq3jvtQKv-d3TuTGXaBs5_U3k_M44VRG9wkZDXwknJQRw-/w640-h640/Free+Valentines+Day+crafts.jpg" title="Free Valentine's Day crafts" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>These make such a cute and easy activity to do for Valentine's Day! I show a few more pictures of them in my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/01/february-writing-prompts.html" target="_blank">February Writing Prompts</a> post if you want more fun writing ideas for February!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Another holiday I have a cute free item for is my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Free-Christmas-No-Prep-Worksheets-1592369?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">Free Christmas No Prep Worksheets</a> Pack!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaddtUQmbtRhumVmJEYt83lPBdxKBrLt0EBgEIOJKRvNv0-NXO2_DxDNjaB4hsnkO4tCuNonp4IZpqd3UdUzwVGkCVTRc7GANCM507SMQmpiUvh4FvR6M3b6JaOc3oy_Ko-nXMuJSPsKUZ/s864/Free+Christmas+Worksheets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Free Christmas Worksheets for first grade! Easy and cute reading and writing printables kids can do in December!" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaddtUQmbtRhumVmJEYt83lPBdxKBrLt0EBgEIOJKRvNv0-NXO2_DxDNjaB4hsnkO4tCuNonp4IZpqd3UdUzwVGkCVTRc7GANCM507SMQmpiUvh4FvR6M3b6JaOc3oy_Ko-nXMuJSPsKUZ/w427-h640/Free+Christmas+Worksheets.JPG" title="Free Christmas Worksheets for first grade! Easy and cute reading and writing printables kids can do in December!" width="427" /></a></div><br /><div>It comes with super cute Santa writing paper in a few levels, as well as reading activities like putting Christmas words in ABC order and reading simple sentences. I hope you love them!</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't show them in my big <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/12/december-writing-crafts.html" target="_blank">December Writing Crafts post</a> since they're not writing crafts but that post has a lot more fun Christmas activities if you want to see more Christmas themed writing ideas. That post has A LOT of ideas for writing prompts you can do if you need easy December craft ideas. </div><div><br /></div><div>Plus, it shows "If Santa Rode the Bus" which is one of my absolute favorite creative writing activities... and it's so fun to do it again in March for "If a Leprechaun Rode the Bus" which you can see in my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2017/02/march-writing-activities-and-bossy-r-activities.html" target="_blank">March Writing Activities and Bossy R Activities</a> post. Those 2 prompts are just too adorable with the silly things kids come up with that I couldn't <i>not</i> mention them! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>For more seasonal fun, I love these <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Free-Snowman-Fact-Families-1019061?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">Free Snowman Math Fact Family Worksheets</a>!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7JzPhsSZVXmshUgxc3paY76qwl9XYFz6QaedeOy6JXa4xjkAlqxW8_ZzRdhHK_ddlq6YbktUUO7-w_dcCQGWJI0jlDAczPyDboeNQs3bmVV47MBQLMdSus5G6KDjdAUD57MrwdQqi5jo/s960/Free+Snowman+Math+Worksheets+Fact+Families.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Free Snowman Math Worksheets Fact Families Activity" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7JzPhsSZVXmshUgxc3paY76qwl9XYFz6QaedeOy6JXa4xjkAlqxW8_ZzRdhHK_ddlq6YbktUUO7-w_dcCQGWJI0jlDAczPyDboeNQs3bmVV47MBQLMdSus5G6KDjdAUD57MrwdQqi5jo/w640-h640/Free+Snowman+Math+Worksheets+Fact+Families.JPG" title="Free Snowman Math Worksheets Fact Families Activity" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Okay so this isn't really a worksheet or activity BUT it is SO helpful for 1st grade and kindergarten classrooms! Do you have kids hand you the most random objects that don't have a home?? Make an "I'm Lost!" bin!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68p6fNShMeZznhe2R833_Oa9o8ydLm7NdQLt8ttETBEJ4xxuNv0HaFfI5BYvqam9hMOBeBC2Uy3UltcU8faPjaFu0YuFNMypl5zWxHT-SOJrHoEap6Hygw122VcBRqNBkVQMjk6r6GfY3/s960/Classroom+labels+free.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Classroom labels free printables" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68p6fNShMeZznhe2R833_Oa9o8ydLm7NdQLt8ttETBEJ4xxuNv0HaFfI5BYvqam9hMOBeBC2Uy3UltcU8faPjaFu0YuFNMypl5zWxHT-SOJrHoEap6Hygw122VcBRqNBkVQMjk6r6GfY3/w640-h640/Classroom+labels+free.JPG" title="Classroom labels free printables" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This free classroom label is from my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/04/classroom-management-strategies.html" target="_blank">20 Classroom Management Strategies You Can Use Right Away</a> article! There are some more fun downloads in that post too :) </div><div><br /></div><div>You could also use this at home for anything kids find on the floor that they're not sure where it belongs. Way more helpful than bringing it to you when you're in the middle of doing something like cooking. It allows kids to be a bit more independent while cleaning up while also giving you the space to find the object's home at a time when you're less busy. It actually makes a cute lesson to put all the items in the bucket away together in a batch so they learn where they can put each thing the next time they find it, so it's a very teachable situation too :) Putting away the items is a fun thing you can do together and you can do it at a time when you have the energy to express appreciation for them having picked it up - sometimes it's hard to do that when they hand you a random hair tie while you're stirring spaghetti sauce, so this lets them handle those situations on their own and then allows space for you to get to it when you can give it your attention. I just love this handy little bucket if you can't tell! The lotion label in that post is also a favorite label of mine for the classroom or for at home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some more fun and FREE kindergarten and first grade items I have available:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fractions-Bowling-Center-1783625?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">Fractions Bowling Center</a> (check out my <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/03/fractions-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">Fractions in First Grade post</a> to see pictures of it being played!)</li><li><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Printable-Math-Manipulatives-5889868?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">Printable Place Value Blocks and Counters</a> (These are awesome to send home to parents to use at home or if you are making individual math kits for your students)</li><li><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Printable-Number-Lines-to-20-Number-Lines-to-10-and-Number-Lines-to-5-5894843?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">Printable Number Lines to 5, to 10, and to 20</a> (This and the set above come with a parent letter, too, so that you can send them home easily)</li><li><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Sounds-of-ED-Reading-Comprehension-Passage-2086265?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Free-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Worksheets" target="_blank">Sounds of -ed Reading Passage</a> (You can read more about these in my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/09/prefixes-and-suffixes-teaching-ideas.html" target="_blank">Prefixes and Suffixes Teaching Ideas for First Grade and Kindergarten</a> post)</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, I think that's all I'll show for now! I may add to this post so feel free to check back for more free kindergarten and first grade worksheets and activities. I hope you were able to grab a bunch of fun new resources to use in your classroom or with your child at home!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd love if you took a second to follow me in the places you hang out the most if you enjoyed this post and want to see when I post fun new things! The little icons at the top right of this page are a few of the places on social media you can follow along :) </div><div><br /></div><div>I also highly recommend you <a href="http://eepurl.com/1WAO9" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">join Miss Giraffe's Class</a> so you can get fun ideas, tips, and exclusive FREE items only for subscribers sent straight to your email. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you so much for coming by and I hope you love all of the new resources!</div>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-75939514351329758962020-08-18T23:59:00.020-07:002021-12-16T17:40:53.444-07:00How to Make Writing Fun for 1st GradersSo you want to know how to make writing fun for 1st graders? I have the answers! :)<div><br /></div><div>Writing should be engaging and exciting and a way for a child to express their creativity and personality... but what if your first grade students just <i>don't</i> enjoy writing?</div><div><br /></div><div>There are plenty of ways to make it fun for your reluctant writers!</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">1. Make writing into a craft activity!</h3><div>I absolutely love writing crafts! I have them for pretty much every theme, holiday, and topic you can imagine. </div><div><br /></div><div>Kids write a story, color the picture, cut it out, then glue it onto a piece of bright construction paper to make an instant, easy craft! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4CyrHEFpIWTyaL8bZ43qswMGyWphEL-qmK3gQ_SNtFJxITbPAptd1GQ2wdLq7Y20JrBsaa_u_iVMMUV1rSINXzvQG39qY3LXYTEpu2vt00oB1ZFS1XhIJnHBVLX4htKpfHeDPeBA_HSr/s960/First+grade+writing+activities.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="First grade writing activities that are so fun and NO PREP!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4CyrHEFpIWTyaL8bZ43qswMGyWphEL-qmK3gQ_SNtFJxITbPAptd1GQ2wdLq7Y20JrBsaa_u_iVMMUV1rSINXzvQG39qY3LXYTEpu2vt00oB1ZFS1XhIJnHBVLX4htKpfHeDPeBA_HSr/w640-h640/First+grade+writing+activities.JPG" title="First grade writing activities that are so fun and NO PREP!" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>You read that correctly... Only 4 steps!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>They can write as much or as little as they want then cut it out and it's such great writing practice.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPUtc8p755gJZ0KvcOh93B3REci8rROEwGFuKfuroEp_GdMqsFLp4och24uV-pC8dtJU2OsqjwKGHwH2z9CmeX-DQTf3h0CT4XMScj96duuBE_OD80RR0CMDXehjUDKw3NIFCequphXM9/s960/Making+writing+fun+elementary.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Making writing fun elementary tips and ideas" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPUtc8p755gJZ0KvcOh93B3REci8rROEwGFuKfuroEp_GdMqsFLp4och24uV-pC8dtJU2OsqjwKGHwH2z9CmeX-DQTf3h0CT4XMScj96duuBE_OD80RR0CMDXehjUDKw3NIFCequphXM9/w640-h640/Making+writing+fun+elementary.JPG" title="Making writing fun elementary tips and ideas" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As you can see above, there is the main page that is connected to a picture. It's all ONE piece, which makes it extremely easy for cutting out that even kindergarten students can do. Then, there are also additional pages if they have more to say! </div><div><br /></div><div>Because the page attached to the picture they color only has 4 lines and because the image is so huge, it looks really inviting to kids... and, more importantly, doable, whereas a sheet of blank lines can look really daunting.</div><div><br /></div><div>The picture can inspire them to write as well as make it simply <i>look</i> more fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you have some 1st graders who love to write, I actually have each craft in 3 difficulty levels: a 4 lines version (like the one above), a 5 lines version, and a 6 lines version so that you can pick "harder" versions if you have kids who like to write a lot! The picture gets smaller as the amount of lines increases.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_NzG-e5OJ1TsMRIq_YrKqzEMSULuAttyo_76sCqLfS115LTBm_yEGDu5fpnpAoZJlZa-fZu3_vQTVaPumYbgGAMC5J1XT9LYZM18DDCnXJoP4i6QukLY5PrGy8bblZalyUlqS-7TDlWO/s960/Differentiating+writing+first+grade.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Super cute ideas for differentiating writing in first grade" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_NzG-e5OJ1TsMRIq_YrKqzEMSULuAttyo_76sCqLfS115LTBm_yEGDu5fpnpAoZJlZa-fZu3_vQTVaPumYbgGAMC5J1XT9LYZM18DDCnXJoP4i6QukLY5PrGy8bblZalyUlqS-7TDlWO/w640-h640/Differentiating+writing+first+grade.JPG" title="Super cute ideas for differentiating writing in first grade" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>You can differentiate it even further by how many pages they can write for the same craft... which is limitless, really! </div><div><br /></div><div>They simply glue the pages together by putting a line of glue in the space where the title normally is and placing pages on top of each other. I very much prefer glue sticks for this! <a href="https://www.teacherslovelists.com/best-glue-sticks-for-crafts/" target="_blank">These are the glue sticks I love to use</a>. In my experience, they roll on soo easily across that title area and stick on super easily. It makes the crafts beautiful!</div><div><br /></div><div>The "extra" pages get glued to the back of the main page (the picture/lines combination page) so that the pages go in order.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I love when kids can add pages to it because then it becomes a story they can flip through and it simply looks way cooler too!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Back-to-School-Writing-Prompts-No-Prep-Crafts-2074602?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=How-to-Make-Writing-Fun-for-1st-Graders" target="_blank">THREE fun, FREE writing crafts</a> you can do right away! I hope you love them :)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwJYOM_sGMyM5rvxaVWVowYDuny5tlF68V2ECYkzq5W_EFzjchlGbpo4L2rTRO0ptdug9nDeyByC4TZOX_tea-1fTCIqadQhVcCJjmGxwzC2wcCAt8kwAYBhRuijWNSXubmjE8o8De4AH/s960/Fun+writing+first+grade+how+to+be+a+friend.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fun writing first grade how to be a friend activity" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwJYOM_sGMyM5rvxaVWVowYDuny5tlF68V2ECYkzq5W_EFzjchlGbpo4L2rTRO0ptdug9nDeyByC4TZOX_tea-1fTCIqadQhVcCJjmGxwzC2wcCAt8kwAYBhRuijWNSXubmjE8o8De4AH/w400-h400/Fun+writing+first+grade+how+to+be+a+friend.jpg" title="Fun writing first grade how to be a friend activity" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Back-to-School-Writing-Prompts-No-Prep-Crafts-2074602?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=How-to-Make-Writing-Fun-for-1st-Graders" target="_blank">This free pack</a> includes How to Be a Friend, If I Met an Alien, and The Best Field Trip so you have a procedural writing (how to), a fun creative writing prompt, and a narrative for the best field trip they ever went on. You could also use the best field trip for them to write creatively to describe what <i>would</i> be the best field trip ever.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you love them and decide that you want more of them, you can <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Giraffe/Category/Writing-Crafts-221669?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=How-to-Make-Writing-Fun-for-1st-Graders" target="_blank">browse all the writing crafts I have available</a> if you want to check them out! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>These make such a great bulletin board as well!!! AND IT'S SO EASY. All you do is print them and hand them to kids and all they do is write, color, cut, and glue for an instant new bulletin board display!</div><div><br /></div><div>If finding the time to keep your bulletin boards up to date and cute is a struggle for you at all, these will save you SO much time. Not having to think of a new project, prep that project, actually <i>do</i> the project, and then arrange it all cutely on your board... so nice to not have to do all that! </div><div><br /></div><div>Having these for each holiday / theme going on makes it so easy to switch out bulletin boards quickly and easily. Plus the kids LOVE to see their writing and finished work and they look so beautiful on your board, especially if they add the "extra" pages that can be flipped. People who walk by will be thinking, "How did they have the time to do <i>another</i> cute writing project??" </div><div><br /></div><div>I love that it makes kids proud of their work, too, and it's also a great display for parents to see. Parents love to be able to see their child's work and read it and kids are proud to point it out. I could go on and on about this, but making kids PROUD of their writing & excited to show it off really helps it be fun too! You could even encourage teachers who walk down your hall to compliment kids / your class on their writing so they know people who walk by are looking at it and admiring it. Ask a teacher friend to come in your room and say, "Oh my goodness Miss Giraffe, your students' writing out there about If I Lived in an Igloo is SO fantastic! What great writers you have in here!" Seems silly, but your kids will be beaming. Beaming, I tell you. And it takes 5 seconds. A compliment seems to mean 1000x more to them when it's from a random adult outside your room.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>A few bulletin board hacks for you since we're on the topic:</div><div><br /></div><div>- Since these crafts will always be the exact same size (the size of construction paper), you can space them out perfectly ONE TIME. Then, each time you switch out the bulletin board, take down 1 craft at a time and immediately replace it in the exact same spot with the new one. So you only ever have to line them up perfectly <i>one time</i>. Or at least until you want to change the background color :) Isn't that amazing though?! Extra tip: Draw the tiniest little line around the 2 top corners of each one with a pencil (ever so lightly so you can't see it) so you know exactly where each one was.</div><div><br /></div><div>- If you do the tip above, you'll also have the same amount of space for the title of your display each time. Make your own letters so you can pick the exact size! I wrote <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/08/diy-classroom-decor-bulletin-board-letters.html" target="_blank">this really easy tutorial for how to make your own bulletin board letters</a> so you can always have the exact title you need. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>- This is <a href="https://www.teacherslovelists.com/bulletin-board-borders-storage-ideas/" target="_blank">how I organize my actual borders</a> - if you have a lot of them, you may find it helpful. I recommend picking one in a color that goes with A LOT of potential displays so that you don't have to change it often... or ever. Same with the background! Pick a color you can leave up all year if you're fine with that! :)</div><div><br /></div><div><h3>2. Inspire your young writers with a lot of pictures!</h3><div>If you want your kids to write, you have to inspire them! One of the easiest ways a child begins to dislike writing and becomes a reluctant writer is that they feel frustrated with not knowing <b>what</b> to write about.</div><div><br /></div><div>So put out writing charts wherever they write!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBsaBJEC5g0r9SxMt-h143tiJk6j-lBMmDWSXqDrAj6N0fJSf-ziIcG3bDyNP3ZhOThP1jHgPW_08XlRXFlxV1F1jENAcYxGXV_o1woS2vu6aR6qVkJKsFftAwuFmW3fiBinP1dhZtVs0/s960/Writing+Charts+for+first+grade.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Writing Charts for first grade are so wonderful to help kids write words they may not know how to spell" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBsaBJEC5g0r9SxMt-h143tiJk6j-lBMmDWSXqDrAj6N0fJSf-ziIcG3bDyNP3ZhOThP1jHgPW_08XlRXFlxV1F1jENAcYxGXV_o1woS2vu6aR6qVkJKsFftAwuFmW3fiBinP1dhZtVs0/w640-h640/Writing+Charts+for+first+grade.jpg" title="Writing Charts for first grade are so wonderful to help kids write words they may not know how to spell" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I have <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Themed-Writing-Charts-23-fun-word-charts-for-your-writing-center-1268577?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=How-to-Make-Writing-Fun-for-1st-Graders" target="_blank">THEMED writing charts</a> that I love for writing centers. They have topics like ocean animals, farm animals, construction, zoo animals, bugs, pets, beach words, and so on. </div><div><br /></div><div>They make it really easy to find a topic and start writing!</div><div><br /></div><div>(I actually <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Themed-Writing-Charts-SPANISH-2165168?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=How-to-Make-Writing-Fun-for-1st-Graders" target="_blank">have a set of these in Spanish</a> too!)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I also have them for each alphabet letter sound. Each letter has its own page. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you scroll down in my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/07/teaching-letter-sounds-kindergarten.html" target="_blank">Teaching Letter Sounds post</a>, you can see some of them in the picture I showed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Those are my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Charts-Writing-Center-Charts-for-Each-Alphabet-Letter-2706349?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=How-to-Make-Writing-Fun-for-1st-Graders" target="_blank">Alphabet Writing Charts</a> set so if you're reading this for help with a kindergarten student that is learning a letter a week, then those are great!</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're reading this for first graders, then I'd recommend the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Phonics-Charts-Writing-Charts-Center-for-the-Entire-Year-2696012?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=How-to-Make-Writing-Fun-for-1st-Graders" target="_blank">Phonics Sounds Writing Charts</a> instead. Each chart has pictures and words for the phonics sound(s) you're learning that week so they can write using those.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>One fun thing that you can do is put the writing charts in sheet protectors in a binder then prop up the binder like my example above. </div><div><br /></div><div>What I love about this set up is that you can display the chart on whatever theme / letter / phonics sound you're focusing on that week, but kids can also FLIP through the pages in the binder if they want to find words they've done before or for more inspiration.</div><div><br /></div><div>I absolutely love these because you can put out a fun themed writing chart about farm animals, for example, and now they have a fun topic to write about. The fun pictures can inspire them to know what to write about and it really helps their writing skills and confidence to have words already there for them.</div><div><br /></div><h3>3. Remove any frustrations for reluctant writers</h3><div>On that note, besides not knowing what to write about, another common writing frustration for 1st graders can be <b>not knowing how to spell words</b> they want to write. </div><div><br /></div><div>Having the words written for them on those charts alleviates that barrier.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also have picture word cards in the area that they write so they can pick them up, look at them, and write them. </div><div><br /></div><div>You could also simply have them pick up 2 or 3 and write a story about them. I have a ton of picture word cards (I show a lot of examples in my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2017/06/how-to-organize-phonics-pocket-chart-centers.html" target="_blank">How to Organize Phonics Pocket Chart Centers post</a>) so those are easy for kids to look at and know how to spell.</div><div><br /></div><div>As many places as you can have words for them to copy <i>with pictures</i>, the better!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>You can even put the words for them to use right on their writing paper!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxdB0FCj7siwAEhfOhGLum10tYmxdqSPrOr228b2I4Kb3RFzoL4-_OSmxkZdx1AJVqVQVihtfp9aUiPZTehkxoa4jcKUKRWd02sZFjUHYJW8VFL1jxknXZYYVwzb2j1FVFnZSVFbubryQ/s960/Writing+helper+words+first+grade.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Awesome support for reluctant writers in first grade or kindergarten! You could even use these in 2nd!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxdB0FCj7siwAEhfOhGLum10tYmxdqSPrOr228b2I4Kb3RFzoL4-_OSmxkZdx1AJVqVQVihtfp9aUiPZTehkxoa4jcKUKRWd02sZFjUHYJW8VFL1jxknXZYYVwzb2j1FVFnZSVFbubryQ/w640-h640/Writing+helper+words+first+grade.JPG" title="Awesome support for reluctant writers in first grade or kindergarten! You could even use these in 2nd!" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This picture is from the post <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2019/10/phonics-sounds-binders.html" target="_blank">where I showed my Phonics Sound Binders</a> using my Long I binder as an example so that's why it's in a binder if you're wondering. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>These 2 pages above are a great example of the 2 styles of writing sheets I put words down the side of.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you look closely, you'll notice both sheets have the exact same words - all words with the long I with a silent E sound. One has a picture box with writing lines. The one on the left side has 3 separate picture boxes and writing lines areas so that they only have to come up with 3 individual sentences, rather than a whole story. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is an easy way to easily differentiate and not overwhelm your struggling writers. The more you can support your beginning writers, the better. Having the words literally on their paper is so, so helpful.</div><div><br /></div><div>The words down the side give them topics to write about, as well as lets them know exactly how to spell the words. They can simply focus on writing, rather than, "How do you spell...?" :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I have these pages in each No Prep Phonics Pack for each sound (<a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/literacy.html" target="_blank">scroll this page slightly</a> if you want to see all the sounds I have) and then I also bundled them separately in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Phonics-Picture-Helpers-Writing-Paper-for-the-Entire-Year-2110726?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=How-to-Make-Writing-Fun-for-1st-Graders" target="_blank">Phonics Pictures Writing Helper Pages pack</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I waayyy recommend the phonics packs instead if you want those pages, though. There are a ton of fun activities in each pack. Even if you think you only want the writing pages, I encourage you to try 1 phonics pack instead, for whatever sound you're doing, and try them out first. Because if you end up wanting the phonics packs later, then you'll already have all those pages for each sound.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can see a lot of pictures of the no prep worksheets / activities in those packs in my <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/12/digraphs-activities-for-first-grade-and.html" target="_blank">Digraphs Teaching Ideas</a> post, <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/03/ew-ue-ui-activities.html">the EW UE UI activities</a> post, and also the <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/09/short-activities-and-resources.html" target="_blank">Short A activities</a> post. They show other fun activities for those sounds but all 3 of those show a decent amount of the worksheets in those packs. The activities are consistent from pack to pack (so you only ever teach <i>how</i> to do them once) so it'll give you a great idea of what they're like :) </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway! The point I am trying to make is: provide LOTS of pictures of words that are spelled for them to support them in their writing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another quick note - </div><div>Make sure they are comfortable while they're writing. You want them to be able to write in a comfy spot, even if it's just at their desk. They need space and quiet. You could allow <a href="https://www.teacherslovelists.com/flexible-seating-classroom-ideas-and-seating-options/" target="_blank">flexible seating</a> for them to choose a spot where they are comfortable (if you're able to) and allow them to freely write. Don't correct how they're holding their pencil while they're trying to write creatively. Yes, they're still learning <i>how</i> to write at this age but you want them to focus on only one hard task at a time. If they are left handed especially, let them hold their paper however they want to. You want their focus to be as much on their writing as possible and limit any distractions, frustrations, and discomforts in order to make writing as fun as possible.</div></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">4. Let your students write about topics they're interested in!</h3><div>If a student loves space, let them write about space! The writing crafts I mentioned above are AWESOME to throw into a writing center so students can <b>choose</b> the topic they write about.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSE9833lLcM6j7nb7fmlOEPrCwUg-NSg07wwyncKdrtobACaT3puVUsqsoyo8lxCTJxNjUX2xSeuNrSyOmEOCZyALGZllDl51x_K9B5TpbdAQGwGkgn2lG3C7g8ATFofBlitv-WYJy1suJ/s960/Space+writing+prompts+first+grade+kids.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Space writing prompts first grade kids love!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSE9833lLcM6j7nb7fmlOEPrCwUg-NSg07wwyncKdrtobACaT3puVUsqsoyo8lxCTJxNjUX2xSeuNrSyOmEOCZyALGZllDl51x_K9B5TpbdAQGwGkgn2lG3C7g8ATFofBlitv-WYJy1suJ/w640-h640/Space+writing+prompts+first+grade+kids.JPG" title="Space writing prompts first grade kids love!" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I show more of these <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Space-Writing-Craft-Activities-NO-PREP-Solar-System-Fun-2105874?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=How-to-Make-Writing-Fun-for-1st-Graders" target="_blank">Space Writing Crafts</a> in my giant <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2018/08/new-to-teaching-first-grade-teacher-tips.html" target="_blank">New to First Grade? Everything You Need to Know! post</a> that explains how you can incorporate science into your day by integrating it into other subjects... like writing :)</div><div><br /></div><div>That post also shows a few more writing crafts for back to school and classroom management if you want to see more of them. I also have posts that show some of the crafts I like for each month. You can see links to them under the "Monthly Writing Crafts and Ideas" section of this page:</div><div><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">Miss Giraffe - Organized List of Posts</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Those are showing mostly seasonal ones but I have them for a ton of different creative writing, how to writing, narrative writing, and opinion writing topics too! </div><div><br /></div><div>I recommend printing out a bunch of random ones and putting them in a place where kids can choose the one they want. This makes an AWESOME fast finisher bin that kids who finish their work early can grab and do a fun little project. Just the fact that they can pick the one they do makes it all of a sudden seem like a reward. I'm sure you've noticed that too! :) Even if it's <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/08/first-grade-math-ideas-for-entire-year.html" target="_blank">a math center</a> they <i>had</i> to do at one point... now, if they get to choose it, it's all of a sudden a treat. Such a fascinating first grade phenomenon. And kindergarten phenomenon. And, if I'm being honest, adult phenomenon lol :) Yes, it works on us too!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I hope this post gave you some fun ways for how to make writing fun for 1st graders in your class or for your first grader at home. These ideas really apply to any elementary aged child, so no matter what age student you're trying to encourage to be a good writer that enjoys writing, I think these ideas will help! The main focus is to keep it as fun and silly and creative as possible and to limit any frustrations getting in the way of those 3 things. Happy writing! :) </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-20388817000973202312020-08-11T23:59:00.014-07:002021-12-16T17:45:39.022-07:00Teaching Singular and Plural NounsTeaching plural and singular nouns to kindergarten and first graders seems easy at first... until you realize there's no such thing as foxs and teeth are not tooths. <div><br /></div><div>It's actually fun to teach, I think, because you get to realize how silly English can be when a kid asks you why you can have cows but not sheeps. And your answer is probably, "That is a great question." :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Irregular plural nouns can make it tricky <i>BUT</i> most words do follow some pretty basic rules so <b>using pictures</b> to give a lot of examples of each rule is my favorite way that I recommend to teach plural nouns.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNo5YzEDJfRVJ8paCHZC80f-PLUZh3YkF_F3TY3WzRmgRPPlypmHyhhh712QKbxL1FtJYedp5HKAoF6z-nlIQYhC8KT7RlPPwJX3Prop-T4TnaHrZm2HhqphlnjYgxb5bE_8LEHYIO1WY/s960/Plural+Nouns+Activities.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Plural Nouns Activities" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNo5YzEDJfRVJ8paCHZC80f-PLUZh3YkF_F3TY3WzRmgRPPlypmHyhhh712QKbxL1FtJYedp5HKAoF6z-nlIQYhC8KT7RlPPwJX3Prop-T4TnaHrZm2HhqphlnjYgxb5bE_8LEHYIO1WY/w480-h640/Plural+Nouns+Activities.JPG" title="Plural Nouns Activities" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Start with simply introducing a word that you have a picture card of (for example: cats). Then, ask them if you would say, "I have three cat." They'll giggle and say nooo, so you'll ask them what you say then. "Cats!" Repeat, "Ohh catSSSS. What did we add to the end of cat?" and hopefully they say "S!" If not, reinforce the "s" sound really quick. Introduce the "cats" card. Have them look at the 2 cards. Ask them how the words are different. They'll point out the S and you can explain how, with many words, all you have to do is add an S to the end to make it mean more than one. Tell them that is called <i>plural</i>. Plural is when there is more than one of something.</div><div><br /></div><div>Repeat this with a few more words. Look at the picture above for examples. </div><div><br /></div><div>"If you can read dog, you can read dogs!" so now you know 2 words.</div><div><br /></div><div>Give a handful (10-15) of singular and plural versions of simple nouns and have them match them. As they match each one, have them say it: "Car... cars"</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also play a fun matching game where you put all the cards upside down in a grid pattern (if you used 12 cards, do 4 x 3 for example). Then take turns flipping them over to make a singular/plural match. If they make a match, they keep the cards. If they don't, they flip them back over and it's the next person's turn while they try to remember where the matches are.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's super fun practice!</div><div><br /></div><div>Make sure to use the word "singular" to describe only one while learning this lesson so they learn both vocabulary words. I also recommend using the headers I show above while sorting/matching so they get used to the new terminology. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's also a really quick sort they can do to review those terms. Give them the headers and have them sort pictures as to whether the picture noun is singular or plural.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next lesson is to introduce words that become plural by adding -es to the end of it. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtCPWaePQ-teSBHue-JAG94a7xmPv5fLLO65aTrbdgc-V9CqE_WBapbnqA5e0SeWY4IlMl6xs-i5uKFhZXEDSG1IFfhesGhhLTyfe3LvUtV-p_gGd04iJx34RWsLYHVE7NWc-cMXk22nS/s960/Singular+and+Plural+Nouns+kindergarten.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Singular and Plural Nouns kindergarten" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtCPWaePQ-teSBHue-JAG94a7xmPv5fLLO65aTrbdgc-V9CqE_WBapbnqA5e0SeWY4IlMl6xs-i5uKFhZXEDSG1IFfhesGhhLTyfe3LvUtV-p_gGd04iJx34RWsLYHVE7NWc-cMXk22nS/w480-h640/Singular+and+Plural+Nouns+kindergarten.JPG" title="Singular and Plural Nouns kindergarten" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Let them know that <i>sometimes</i> you add -es to a word to make it mean more than one.</div><div><br /></div><div>I recommend starting with foxes and boxes since those are probably words they can spell, so they can see the "es" on the end of it. Break "es" into short e + ssss so they hear essss. Say "lunches" and ask if they hear "lunchs" or "lunchES" - repeat with benchES. CouchES. Let them hear the "es" and the difference to "cats." Say "CatES" and ask them if that sounds correct. Be silly, they'll love it :) </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, have them sort the PLURAL cards as to whether they have "s" at the end or "es." I recommend giving them the words with the pluralizing suffix already on it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnk_zWMnmpixYPXg42oSqgoygQh_g9xWSQaVQ4tRrrjXpEJVh2P1usqlc99KcwxosIvlUeUWrO6bNGjww9g0GUpTF6Z22n1Af3PajEQjYQpqSW0N5RaMsdCqjRHJcQfaj1t9icGT6ZpnG/s960/Singular+and+Plural+Nouns+Activities.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Singular and Plural Nouns Activities" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnk_zWMnmpixYPXg42oSqgoygQh_g9xWSQaVQ4tRrrjXpEJVh2P1usqlc99KcwxosIvlUeUWrO6bNGjww9g0GUpTF6Z22n1Af3PajEQjYQpqSW0N5RaMsdCqjRHJcQfaj1t9icGT6ZpnG/w480-h640/Singular+and+Plural+Nouns+Activities.JPG" title="Singular and Plural Nouns Activities" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Although you can make it more difficult (or differentiate for more advanced students) by giving them the singular cards and have them decide if they think it's -s or -es like this:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaCloej_jpjDPJwMuChgqQm3989L77fsIuvv42pFzxmhULHYrdJAke5-bXhyY3CevmnUxDn3MXKO_vlztteSZCyH0zBYwkxQ54_f8t9kGfhsaYfIrJIikzNTwG73810bpAUy21ExGm5Vc/s960/Singular+and+Plural+Nouns+for+Kids.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Singular and Plural Nouns for Kids" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaCloej_jpjDPJwMuChgqQm3989L77fsIuvv42pFzxmhULHYrdJAke5-bXhyY3CevmnUxDn3MXKO_vlztteSZCyH0zBYwkxQ54_f8t9kGfhsaYfIrJIikzNTwG73810bpAUy21ExGm5Vc/w480-h640/Singular+and+Plural+Nouns+for+Kids.JPG" title="Singular and Plural Nouns for Kids" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>That's pretty tricky! This is a great assessment, though, if you want to see whether they understand the rule.</div><div><br /></div><div>They should know the rule where, typically, if a word ends in X, S, SH, CH... you add -es to make it plural.</div><div><br /></div><div>Practice this a lot before moving on. This is possibly several lessons and rounds of practice before you move on to -ies words.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also give them a lot of support by giving them both versions of the card so they can properly sort it but also self-check it. This makes it a much more independent activity (since they can verify if they are correct) while also providing a lot of support.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7O9GnbYWnx6shZij8KnuUnQB7fZi3kkd-xbi8_Epz1RcGV2ZIGrKu4c4pvTlYUb3RUlOYnPykNhNgYhrX6FWOk39LZSLQTGwS8JtkJcqvKrrvxCScHw-Mok18qGi1wW8pHu3GQdWVRRo/s960/Plural+Nouns+s+and+es.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Plural Nouns s and es" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7O9GnbYWnx6shZij8KnuUnQB7fZi3kkd-xbi8_Epz1RcGV2ZIGrKu4c4pvTlYUb3RUlOYnPykNhNgYhrX6FWOk39LZSLQTGwS8JtkJcqvKrrvxCScHw-Mok18qGi1wW8pHu3GQdWVRRo/w480-h640/Plural+Nouns+s+and+es.JPG" title="Plural Nouns s and es" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There are so many ways you can do it - it really depends on where you feel your learner is.</div><div><br /></div><div>I like this approach because they can see exactly how the word changed.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Words that end in Y add IES</h3><div>Once they've solidified -s and -es words, start with words that end in y!</div><div><br /></div><div>There are several smaller lessons for this rule. I recommend starting with simple 2 syllable words that end in y: bunny, puppy, cherry, candy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ask what you have if you have more than 1 puppy... puppies!</div><div>What do you have if you have more than 1 cherry? Cherries!</div><div><br /></div><div>Have them hear the IES sound at the end of the word & tell them it's spelled -ies.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do another match to show how the y turns into -ies at the end of the word.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MrOu_extqMdvg2vhLkSMWISUe6aF7-eSCn6LHcD2pl4KZKTsO-dtMp6SpdLTTet996nNBr4Gatnh3prMic8Ur_zPFuGVxNwG22jbaSR1B1iRbcw6_KO5o3LiK6-jhcRx5nVZaRJZY2-j/s960/Plural+nouns+y+to+ies.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Plural nouns y to ies" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MrOu_extqMdvg2vhLkSMWISUe6aF7-eSCn6LHcD2pl4KZKTsO-dtMp6SpdLTTet996nNBr4Gatnh3prMic8Ur_zPFuGVxNwG22jbaSR1B1iRbcw6_KO5o3LiK6-jhcRx5nVZaRJZY2-j/w480-h640/Plural+nouns+y+to+ies.JPG" title="Plural nouns y to ies" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I recommend ONLY using words that make the long E -ies sound at first to keep it simple for younger students. Skip the long i -ies words for now.</div><div><br /></div><div>For example: candies, bunnies... NOT fries, flies. Not yet at least. :) More on that later!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now that they have learned the 3 plural endings to words, I recommend doing a sort of TWO of them. You can do 3 if you really want to, but sorting -es and -ies is a great lesson.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1dQnc5guKRjzpZ_NbGBzLcodwHCiTmxxGpJfQ4FUSiuuGwNjCCq_BrD6AafIldRNaDwekAQTT6vMQ6l83QtpX8PblXDVILeyqzzG4YnfrB94LTjSfwKH141LZlTAgViI1et3ziaXr03R/s960/Plural+nouns+y+to+ies.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Plural nouns y to ies - check this out! Fun activities, ideas, and how to teach the rules for this grammar concept to kids as young as kindergarten and first grade" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1dQnc5guKRjzpZ_NbGBzLcodwHCiTmxxGpJfQ4FUSiuuGwNjCCq_BrD6AafIldRNaDwekAQTT6vMQ6l83QtpX8PblXDVILeyqzzG4YnfrB94LTjSfwKH141LZlTAgViI1et3ziaXr03R/w480-h640/Plural+nouns+y+to+ies.JPG" title="Plural nouns y to ies - check this out! Fun activities, ideas, and how to teach the rules for this grammar concept to kids as young as kindergarten and first grade" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then, you can sort all 3 that you've learned!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcTy-YzLUE1KRnFmbE1VBIPorjXknt6s-8OdcFPTDRG0wfeVYB8z4eqtw6eNrwotmoV2EgTkwyXgNaZJy-KccDReHQSKjPfNz5-lbtg6frABLcz-Day3wlhnUmiXgNC3T4-NK1t04idqT/s960/Plural+nouns+s+es+ies.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Plural nouns s es ies" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcTy-YzLUE1KRnFmbE1VBIPorjXknt6s-8OdcFPTDRG0wfeVYB8z4eqtw6eNrwotmoV2EgTkwyXgNaZJy-KccDReHQSKjPfNz5-lbtg6frABLcz-Day3wlhnUmiXgNC3T4-NK1t04idqT/w480-h640/Plural+nouns+s+es+ies.JPG" title="Plural nouns s es ies" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>You can do this by giving them the already plural version of words (cats, buses, bunnies) for them to sort by the word's ending OR you can give them the singular version of the word (cat, bus, bunny) and have them decide how to make it plural.</div><div><br /></div><div>You could also do it with the plural words first then later without to assess/practice more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Having the word already be plural (buses) definitely gives a lot more support but it is still great practice, especially when first learning these rules. </div><div><br /></div><div>Important Note: The picture above shows long I -ies words (example: flies). I still would only include -ies words with the long e sound (skip words like flies) for this sort at this point.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also make this sort easier by giving both versions of each word like we did for the -s -es word sort:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVFH1EbgZOR1q8VZBX_4c4NTBiuRrtdOUofTKaFjbloKfA4cUmh2UcWOkK0jW-Yu-Q7CotkCmXz-bvGttELWGJuyJAPNO3B9KPIid-h1m-s5W0kIf7pP7bZmA5grlRNgPTsAadCKgoENe/s960/Activities+for+singular+and+plural+nouns.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Activities for singular and plural nouns" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVFH1EbgZOR1q8VZBX_4c4NTBiuRrtdOUofTKaFjbloKfA4cUmh2UcWOkK0jW-Yu-Q7CotkCmXz-bvGttELWGJuyJAPNO3B9KPIid-h1m-s5W0kIf7pP7bZmA5grlRNgPTsAadCKgoENe/w480-h640/Activities+for+singular+and+plural+nouns.JPG" title="Activities for singular and plural nouns" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This is my favorite way to do the sorts because they can see both ways and how the word changes. It's a great visual representation of what they're actually doing when they add a plural ending. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Once they've really internalized those 3 concepts (add S for most words, add -ES if the word ends in S X CH SH, and replace the Y with IES if it ends in Y)... NOW is when I would introduce long E -ies words. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Long E -ies Words</b></div><div><br /></div><div>These are words like fly and fry that turn into flies and fries.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPM1uXTw0IpYsWHNR8vs6VMPskSCeHhBEjIhd0wxKKCuKsZ8dgDqwOdbXMNLmy7ldkZ3iGxrgYE45wWTl31UUH32RzWWLXIDsn5BHo9USTyw7Sj8UbgOfd3Td9WdE37bKvCXbOC7L_qOna/s960/Plural+nouns+with+ies.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Plural nouns with ies" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPM1uXTw0IpYsWHNR8vs6VMPskSCeHhBEjIhd0wxKKCuKsZ8dgDqwOdbXMNLmy7ldkZ3iGxrgYE45wWTl31UUH32RzWWLXIDsn5BHo9USTyw7Sj8UbgOfd3Td9WdE37bKvCXbOC7L_qOna/w640-h640/Plural+nouns+with+ies.JPG" title="Plural nouns with ies" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>When introducing dropping Y to add IES words, you only did Long E sounds. Now you can include words where IE makes the long I sound.</div><div><br /></div><div>I recommend a simple sort like this to show them how Y can say eeee or I & when they change it to IES, it follows what the Y did.</div><div><br /></div><div>Quick note - if you already learned the 3 Sounds of Y, then you could include them all from the beginning. If you need help teaching that skill, I have a lot of Sounds of Y resources! I have this <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sounds-of-Y-Pocket-Chart-Centers-and-Materials-2312807?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Singular-and-Plural-Nouns" target="_blank">awesome set of picture cards</a> so you have a lot examples. I also have <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Vowel-Sounds-of-Y-Worksheets-Activities-NO-PREP-1671193?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Singular-and-Plural-Nouns" target="_blank">a HUGE pack of worksheets and no prep activity pages all focusing on Vowel Sounds of Y</a> if you need to introduce and practice it. If you've already learned it and just need a super quick review, I have <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sounds-of-Y-Word-Sort-Worksheet-1237100?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Singular-and-Plural-Nouns">this free little worksheet</a> to practice Sounds of Y. I prefer using word cards if you haven't already explicitly taught it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Plural nouns are usually taught <i>before</i> knowing those phonics skills, though, so that's why I think the Long I -ies words should be saved for well after you've learned the foundation skills for singular/plural nouns. It's just too confusing to do them both at the time time, I feel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Same with how you're probably teaching this skill <i>way</i> before learning the IE sound that -ies uses. If you need help with that skill, I have a giant <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/IGH-and-IE-Worksheets-Activities-NO-PREP-2398468?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Singular-and-Plural-Nouns" target="_blank">IGH and IE No Prep Pack</a> as well as <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/IGH-IE-Long-I-and-E-Pocket-Chart-Centers-and-Materials-2312802?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Singular-and-Plural-Nouns" target="_blank">IGH and IE picture cards</a> and <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/IGH-IE-Clip-Cards-Center-Activities-2319623?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Singular-and-Plural-Nouns" target="_blank">IGH IE Clip Cards</a>! I *love* phonics so I have fun stuff for every sound honestly. If I have something for one sound, I probably have it for all of them :) </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't recommend doing all of those vowel sounds of Y and IE activities with this. I'm simply pointing out how those are sounds they'll learn later and probably don't know yet. Eventually they'll learn how there are both long E and long I sounds for Y and IE. </div><div><br /></div><div>All they need to know right now is how Y can say eeee or I and the IES will say whatever the Y did.</div><div><br /></div><div>For now, I'd simply tell them how Y can say E or I & that, in both cases, they drop the Y and add -IES to make it plural.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>ADVANCED!</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a somewhat advanced rule. It's helpful though. If you're teaching kindergarten, I'd probably skip this lesson entirely.</div><div><br /></div><div>You don't <i>always</i> drop the Y to add -IES. Only if the Y is after a consonant.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLx3ObWfMUdP0ubU_VjcLTAbNocvONFM-H8n1ZVzv6G6xd2l8uW029Mqcq6hIH1iFWC980j-QokhI4oF7BcCQ5YmqhWO2zCPDqXgbovjtuDKmnbMQ764AJr1oQzQsmSp7KHVU6epe2EDr/s960/Plural+nouns+ending+in+Y+rules.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Plural nouns ending in Y rules to add IES or S to a word" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLx3ObWfMUdP0ubU_VjcLTAbNocvONFM-H8n1ZVzv6G6xd2l8uW029Mqcq6hIH1iFWC980j-QokhI4oF7BcCQ5YmqhWO2zCPDqXgbovjtuDKmnbMQ764AJr1oQzQsmSp7KHVU6epe2EDr/w640-h640/Plural+nouns+ending+in+Y+rules.JPG" title="Plural nouns ending in Y rules to add IES or S to a word" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If the Y has a vowel right before it, you simply add an S.</div><div><br /></div><div>Again, this is a pretty advanced rule but I wanted to include it for the sake of being thorough.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There are a lot more random rules!</div><div><br /></div><div><h3>Words that end in E add S</h3></div><div>Another time you simply add S is when the word already ends in E. So, technically, the words <i>does</i> end in -ES but you only added -S to the word to make it plural.</div><div><br /></div><div>For example, cake becomes cakes. It technically ends in es but adding an S is what made it plural.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once you're ready to get a bit more complicated, you can show them how sometimes there is ALREADY an e at the end of a word, so all you do is add an s! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_A1pF4lrCtQdhhimtRouWgDJEjVyw-x258cKBYR89CHAv5c6b5QxrjObTrKT6buUd51rj9762eT162NuccHmjCdVGD3HnodCYD_UeMthCFLuO3oWuPqPBkDeFlEa27Emm1Y2X-Wae3Sg/s960/Singular+vs+plural+nouns.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Singular vs plural nouns activities and awesome explanation of the rules" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_A1pF4lrCtQdhhimtRouWgDJEjVyw-x258cKBYR89CHAv5c6b5QxrjObTrKT6buUd51rj9762eT162NuccHmjCdVGD3HnodCYD_UeMthCFLuO3oWuPqPBkDeFlEa27Emm1Y2X-Wae3Sg/w480-h640/Singular+vs+plural+nouns.JPG" title="Singular vs plural nouns activities and awesome explanation of the rules" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>For example, above, "cake" becomes "cakes" not "cakees" which they will think is funny if you say cake-es :)</div><div><br /></div><div>If you haven't <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/08/long-vowel-games-for-first-grade-and-kindergarten.html" target="_blank">learned long vowel CVCe words</a>, then I would wait until then and bring this out then. By then, it'll seem really easy to them and can be a fun review. Plus you'll have all these cards for learning long vowels!</div><div><br /></div><div>It's not just CVCe words, though. If you notice in the picture above, words like "apple" also apply to this rule.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Plural F to VES</h3><div>Another random seeming rule is how words that end in F often drop the F and add VES.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1qWnl7iO29qQwHyw2LXaumqsVgBfDiWfn5-l7QR_6TrNT35AabeJ7tQhR27no6TKpjlRPwKKg3py3XAcfg9y661uW4eTtELnuokyrIuOpuyBqFnuu6w2SiAtkgf31-xagVOaDP1ZtJlD/s960/Plural+nouns+f+to+ves.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Plural nouns f to ves rule" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1qWnl7iO29qQwHyw2LXaumqsVgBfDiWfn5-l7QR_6TrNT35AabeJ7tQhR27no6TKpjlRPwKKg3py3XAcfg9y661uW4eTtELnuokyrIuOpuyBqFnuu6w2SiAtkgf31-xagVOaDP1ZtJlD/w480-h640/Plural+nouns+f+to+ves.JPG" title="Plural nouns f to ves rule" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This is another skill you can choose to do now or address later or if it comes up. I wouldn't overwhelm a child with all of these rules at once unless they're an older student and you want to make a quick list of all the possible rules.</div><div><br /></div><div>I like learning to be organic so while you're teaching -s -es -ies... if they happen to come upon wolf and you need to explain why it's not wolfs, then you could do this as a quick 10-15 minute activity to explain this rule.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>and then there are the totally, completely...</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Irregular Plural Nouns</h3><div>Nouns that don't follow the rules at all! :) They enjoy finding these!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdb3CUmjEzTi5L0BPZWL0EO_CAN-HzP5i24NEf7ndVf2qnIqkBvUH9h35wXGVJYL8ByX9pccVh7YADWCT6MRJlSSllPBxqOVBH2MCD3RQ0XSUVR8MxsD61aOe2B-s6-_wIhKK6CQ8Q7gjk/s960/Irregular+plural+nouns.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Irregular plural nouns activities and ideas that are so fun!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdb3CUmjEzTi5L0BPZWL0EO_CAN-HzP5i24NEf7ndVf2qnIqkBvUH9h35wXGVJYL8ByX9pccVh7YADWCT6MRJlSSllPBxqOVBH2MCD3RQ0XSUVR8MxsD61aOe2B-s6-_wIhKK6CQ8Q7gjk/w480-h640/Irregular+plural+nouns.JPG" title="Irregular plural nouns activities and ideas that are so fun!" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I have a lot of games I like for practicing these words! </div><div><br /></div><div>I recommend bringing the "Singular" and "Plural" headers out again and have them simply place the singular version of the word and plural version of the word side by side like they did when you introduced -s -es and -ies. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tooth & teeth. Person & people. Woman & women.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a great lesson to play the matching game I talked about earlier where you flip all the cards over and try to make matches. The pictures are obviously a huge help, but make sure they're saying both "ox" and "oxen" when they make a match.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also include a "Same" header so you could put that at the top and use it as a column where words stay the same (such as fish, sheep, deer). This is a fun column you could throw into any sort (-s and Same... -es and Same) to teach the concept of how some words stay the same.</div><div><br /></div><div>Irregular plural nouns are simply ones they have to memorize. You can point them out when you come across them in conversations naturally. This is another easy way to make the concept of plural nouns silly and fun. Call mice meeses and deer deeries and let them correct you :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you found this post helpful!</div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">If you want these picture cards I am using as examples, they are here:</span></div><div><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Singular-and-Plural-Nouns-Sort-Pocket-Chart-Activities-for-s-es-and-ies-suffixes-4105713?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Singular-and-Plural-Nouns" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Singular and Plural Nouns Pocket Chart Activities</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div>All of the cards you see in this post are from that pack. It includes A LOT of cards and a lot of sorts with the headers already made for you. You can use these to simply introduce the concept, use them to play games, have kids sort them, have kids write them... I have heard of so many different ways people use my grammar and <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2017/06/how-to-organize-phonics-pocket-chart-centers.html" target="_blank">phonics pocket chart centers</a> so it's really up to you! </div><div><br /></div><div>I also show more ideas for plural nouns in my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/09/prefixes-and-suffixes-teaching-ideas.html" target="_blank">Prefixes and Suffixes Teaching Ideas blog post</a> including my plural nouns puzzles and posters if you want to explore this topic more :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I am very excited that I have been posting a blog post every week this summer, starting at the beginning of July. I absolutely love sharing ideas with you and it has been a fun challenge! It has definitely been a challenge but one that I have enjoyed.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to read my most recent posts... So far this summer I have posted:</div><div><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/08/long-vowel-games-for-first-grade-and-kindergarten.html" target="_blank">Long Vowel Games for First Grade and Kindergarten</a></div><div><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/07/teaching-letter-sounds-kindergarten.html" target="_blank">Teaching Letter Sounds</a></div><div><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/07/tech-tips-for-teachers.html" target="_blank">Amazing Tech Tips for Teachers</a></div><div><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/07/must-have-short-vowel-word-family-games.html" target="_blank">Secret Words: Short Vowel Word Families Games</a></div><div><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/07/fun-cvc-word-families-games.html" target="_blank">CVC Word Families Word Rolls</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I also have A TON of blog posts where I share my favorite ideas that you can find organized here:</div><div><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">Miss Giraffe: Organized List of Posts</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for stopping by! I appreciate you coming to my little corner of the internet for a bit and hope you come back again soon! :)</div>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-76629494904863612662020-08-04T14:06:00.002-07:002021-12-16T17:50:06.061-07:00Long Vowel Games for First Grade and KindergartenLong vowel games for first grade and kindergarten that make reading SO much fun!<br />
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Having engaging activities kids can play in order to learn and solidify their phonics skills make reading so much fun... but also <i>teaching</i> reading so much more fun!</div>
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If you are looking for ideas for long vowels with silent E, this post is for you. :) I have A LOT of pictures to share so be sure to scroll through!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7spE3StrpH-Eb9vmQvPhw98lAZt-Z2aKoNpEjb5KhEeCoSXSWDxaQ7KNfpJH_XWVGaALltbWAcN-OcqykdOSijWr5hyvbwki595X9kTNIksyIOdXjcWYFT0_BB1ZTAq67jHqu7T1YNAw6/s1600/Long+Vowel+Games.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long Vowel Games that are so fun to practice reading words with silent e!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7spE3StrpH-Eb9vmQvPhw98lAZt-Z2aKoNpEjb5KhEeCoSXSWDxaQ7KNfpJH_XWVGaALltbWAcN-OcqykdOSijWr5hyvbwki595X9kTNIksyIOdXjcWYFT0_BB1ZTAq67jHqu7T1YNAw6/s640/Long+Vowel+Games.JPG" title="Long Vowel Games that are so fun to practice reading words with silent e!" width="640" /></a></div>
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For these activities, kids take the 2 dice and a game board to play. They can play independently or with a partner. There are 5 versions of the game board for each long vowel (a, i, o, and u).</div>
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They take the 2 dice and roll them to make a CVCe word!</div>
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When they read the dice to figure out the word they rolled, they get to <b>COVER</b> that picture once on <i>their</i> board.</div>
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Then, it's their partner's turn to roll! Their partner rolls and covers the word they roll on their own, different board.</div>
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Whoever covers all their pictures first wins! OR whoever makes 1 full line first wins - however you want to do it! Easy differentiation built right in! If they are playing by themselves then they win when they cover their entire board. :) </div>
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If you're playing this with your child at home, I recommend getting a board for yourself and playing. It's just like if you were playing a board game with them and most kids love a little competition and will love it if you play it with them :) </div>
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You can use any small object to cover the picture. I personally love <a href="https://www.teacherslovelists.com/best-teacher-tools/math-must-haves/" target="_blank">math cubes</a> because they're a great size and heavy enough to stay on the page.</div>
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Another option is to have them <b>COLOR</b> the picture they roll!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68-tHukvXSeGIlobxwn5Lrg1ap3RzE9CIGy2_PmD5GCR-jZhxu-MDWLLq0Sb0NcLLp15ZpylQk0JGKmUa7Ksqfvjcb5LUwfa26J0qdctm-6his3sKJhEqlT7LzWXYT2O1J9V5fh0qKzVg/s1600/Long+vowel+activities+for+first+grade.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long vowel activities for first grade and kindergarten where kids roll the words with silent e to build and read! Such fun pictures to color while they play!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68-tHukvXSeGIlobxwn5Lrg1ap3RzE9CIGy2_PmD5GCR-jZhxu-MDWLLq0Sb0NcLLp15ZpylQk0JGKmUa7Ksqfvjcb5LUwfa26J0qdctm-6his3sKJhEqlT7LzWXYT2O1J9V5fh0qKzVg/s640/Long+vowel+activities+for+first+grade.JPG" title="Long vowel activities for first grade and kindergarten where kids roll the words with silent e to build and read! Such fun pictures to color while they play!" width="480" /></a></div>
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(If you spell it "colour" then, no worries, I also included a version with "UK Spelling" for you if you want these for your class)</div>
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I made all of the boards come in both a COLOR and in a COVER version so you have a lot of options!</div>
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Each vowel a, i, o, u has 5 boards with 20 pictures AND 5 boards with 12 pictures so you can also make this game much easier for beginning readers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7a8rABTf2HMoTd7L52DpWK0ThVzMofniY1Ia21sgyi0F1gDCqW4QuLCynxb8iT1Gqx52oOlM7HMKP1dGka7Q8QExAdImwMfn2ktDR8MfObaknbotJQq11yqfqJOv0wlbdWjGcmLYcY79O/s1600/Long+vowel+word+family+activities.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7a8rABTf2HMoTd7L52DpWK0ThVzMofniY1Ia21sgyi0F1gDCqW4QuLCynxb8iT1Gqx52oOlM7HMKP1dGka7Q8QExAdImwMfn2ktDR8MfObaknbotJQq11yqfqJOv0wlbdWjGcmLYcY79O/s640/Long+vowel+word+family+activities.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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See how the activity looks so similar but is a much easier level? This makes it so easy to differentiate in the classroom where your students won't even notice that they have an easier level. </div>
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If you're using these at home with your child, I'd start with these easy 12 word ones as you're learning each vowel. THEN, when you go through each long vowel again for review later, as they've built more skills and learned all of the CVCe families, pull out the 20 words boards for a challenge!</div>
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If any of your students are ready for the challenge boards, though, go for it!</div>
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I made them for vowels a, i, o, and u. I didn't make e because I don't know anyone that really teaches that sound explicitly. There aren't many words with the long E silent E sound that kids know and even fewer that have illustrative pictures so I typically skip it in my packs since it's not really taught. Or at least in my opinion. :)</div>
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So I showed you Long I! Let's look at the other vowels!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1S7BihwfAknx50qZHXxnirhuhNUN7ZmqFN-y0UrdAiQDJOHX2YnLA9OuZbAL4ZovjPU3uojbCz0P0FEuipvxVaQNHEGg6OIf4vzRqkdF4t6fgRgyDdrxC6Sni6I3b9sq4Wny4L_3rrTw/s1600/Long+vowel+silent+E+games.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long vowel silent E games that are such fun printable activities where kids roll, build, and read words to cover their pictures to win!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1S7BihwfAknx50qZHXxnirhuhNUN7ZmqFN-y0UrdAiQDJOHX2YnLA9OuZbAL4ZovjPU3uojbCz0P0FEuipvxVaQNHEGg6OIf4vzRqkdF4t6fgRgyDdrxC6Sni6I3b9sq4Wny4L_3rrTw/s640/Long+vowel+silent+E+games.JPG" title="Long vowel silent E games that are such fun printable activities where kids roll, build, and read words to cover their pictures to win!" width="480" /></a></div>
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One thing I love most about these is that they focus on WORD FAMILIES so, as they play and keep rolling, they really start to memorize those chunks...</div>
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Which is AMAZING! You may remember I talked about this in my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/07/fun-cvc-word-families-games.html" target="_blank">Short Vowels Word Family Rolls version of this post</a> where I showed the short vowels version of these. Teaching sounds in word families really helps kids master the sounds faster, in my opinion, and makes it so much more automatic. I recommend trying it, especially if you have any struggling readers in your class or if you're teaching littles in general. :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZ4aPnpaziCBj3YKKUXajy0CelGbnYyXOUhUN_BpcEnC52fi9bIkCSI1eCVnc49F5celE60TPmGTvfKiAG_Pi00owGU5qlDTDMlArqv9KxD7gppok6yKm9L6s1dHDBk0YH-RpcTr68qlr/s1600/Long+a+activities.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long a activities for reading vowel word families in a super fun and engaging way! Check these out!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZ4aPnpaziCBj3YKKUXajy0CelGbnYyXOUhUN_BpcEnC52fi9bIkCSI1eCVnc49F5celE60TPmGTvfKiAG_Pi00owGU5qlDTDMlArqv9KxD7gppok6yKm9L6s1dHDBk0YH-RpcTr68qlr/s640/Long+a+activities.JPG" title="Long a activities for reading vowel word families in a super fun and engaging way! Check these out!" width="640" /></a></div>
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See how, in the picture above this text, the dice say "wave"? You can also see another beginning sound letter is C. So they can also spell cave. You can <i>also</i> see "came" and that the dice could also roll "wame" which is obviously not a word. This is a GREAT thing and awesome practice for an entirely different and important reading skill - determining if a word is a real word or not.</div>
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Even though "wame" is not a word (or at least not one that is used where I am), they still have to blend it to read it. That's still blending practice <i>and</i> practicing sorting whether a word is a real word or not. </div>
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If you want to extend the practice of this particular skill, you could have them fold a piece of copy paper in half then unfold it. This will create a line down the center of the paper. Have them write "Real" on the left side and "Not Real" on the right side of the paper. As they roll, have them sort and write the words. I recommend <i>not</i> having a writing component to this activity to keep it fun and light, but you do have that option if that's a skill you're working on specifically!</div>
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I love having these for Long O and U because those sounds, for some reason, don't seem to register as being as much fun as Long A and Long I seem to.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KQaYTK8LQKhammbDCG8AjWpf45YxuYWGZqn485JQVHIozscbguxTvPNDKBr4MKwMazicnpTI8AyB_ewLliRaOAFLWMQgk95nqz-3xdJss4VOFvtFfIRUuzPHr-4FN2E-X9VSUepfS_RS/s1600/Long+u+activities.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long u activities and games to practice this tricky silent e sound! Fun picture support while kids roll and read words with this challenging phonics skill!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KQaYTK8LQKhammbDCG8AjWpf45YxuYWGZqn485JQVHIozscbguxTvPNDKBr4MKwMazicnpTI8AyB_ewLliRaOAFLWMQgk95nqz-3xdJss4VOFvtFfIRUuzPHr-4FN2E-X9VSUepfS_RS/s640/Long+u+activities.JPG" title="Long u activities and games to practice this tricky silent e sound! Fun picture support while kids roll and read words with this challenging phonics skill!" width="640" /></a></div>
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So it's nice to have these to be able to pull out and make O and U fun! I mean, how adorable is that mule? :) </div>
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Okay, so now that you've practice the 4 sets of word families for each vowel... it's time for a challenge! Review what you've learned by adding ANOTHER piece. </div>
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This set has 3 dice! AND practices the 4 long vowels at once!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmE8ouuDPNeWkRXci2JVCcfY7lY_J8AKqBV6V8ez6SNSKj5G-YEuoyaXbXneH-YcKmd7KvQlpd9gy0VMOpg554f4w3kj0JBAYY1Ya0FemZvHtmbfDkblBsSMwM75biaKImeL77fsZdLQ7/s1600/CVCe+words+games+activities.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmE8ouuDPNeWkRXci2JVCcfY7lY_J8AKqBV6V8ez6SNSKj5G-YEuoyaXbXneH-YcKmd7KvQlpd9gy0VMOpg554f4w3kj0JBAYY1Ya0FemZvHtmbfDkblBsSMwM75biaKImeL77fsZdLQ7/s640/CVCe+words+games+activities.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Instead of focusing on word families with 2 dice, this set reviews ALL of the 4 long vowels you've practiced and learned.</div>
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See how you can see hive & gate in the picture above this text? This provides so much fun review.</div>
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This set has been a best seller in my TpT for years. It's a lot of fun and makes <i>a lot</i> of words! It does make a lot of non-words, too, so I do recommend doing the word family ones first. You can jump straight to this one, though, if you've already taught the long vowels. A lot of people have! :) </div>
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It also comes in color and cover versions. This one has 4 easier level (12 pictures) and 3 harder level (20 pictures) game boards for easy differentiation!</div>
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Just like the word family rolls I've shown you, it also comes with teacher directions AND student friendly directions so you can make this independent during centers and to simply have a visual!</div>
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This is a great activity to do to consolidate their learning! It really helps you see if they mix up e/i (common) and little things like that. :) </div>
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I love long vowels because they can read SO many words once they know both short and long sounds!</div>
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If you want ALL of the fun activities I showed in this post plus more, I JUST created this big bundle of them!</div>
<div><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-Vowel-Word-Rolls-BIG-BUNDLE-5870099?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Long-Vowel-Word-Rolls" target="_blank">Long Vowels Word Rolls BIG BUNDLE</a></div>
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They are ALL also included in the even bigger <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Phonics-Games-Word-Rolls-with-Dice-MEGA-BUNDLE-3273991?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Long-Vowel-Word-Rolls" target="_blank">Phonics Word Rolls MEGA BUNDLE</a> as well as the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-Vowels-ULTIMATE-BUNDLE-2005222?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Long-Vowel-Word-Rolls" target="_blank">Long Vowels ULTIMATE BUNDLE</a> if you're looking for a ton of activities!</div>
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I also have each vowel available separately if you want to try out just Long A, for example, and see how your child/students like it, you can do that :) </div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-A-Silent-E-Words-Roll-3501226?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Long-Vowel-Word-Rolls" target="_blank">Long A Words Roll</a></div>
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&</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-I-Silent-E-Words-Roll-3501228?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Long-Vowel-Word-Rolls" target="_blank">Long I Words Roll</a></div>
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&</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-O-Words-Roll-3501232?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Long-Vowel-Word-Rolls" target="_blank">Long O Words Roll</a></div>
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& of course:</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-U-Silent-E-Words-Roll-Game-3501233?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Long-Vowel-Word-Rolls" target="_blank">Long U Words Roll</a></div>
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as well as the review CVCe center:</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/CVCe-Words-Roll-1526455?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Long-Vowel-Word-Rolls" target="_blank">CVCe Word Roll</a></div>
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Thank you so much for making it all the way to the end of this post! I hope you found some fun ideas!</div>
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I have A TON of long vowels activities. I show a lot of the pages from my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-I-Worksheets-and-Activities-NO-PREP-1487050?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Long-Vowel-Word-Rolls" target="_blank">Long I no prep worksheets pack</a> and how you can turn phonics worksheets (for any sound) into reusable centers in this post if you feel like looking around some more! :) </div>
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<a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2019/10/phonics-sounds-binders.html" target="_blank">Phonics Sounds Binders</a></div>
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I also have a lot of other phonics posts where I try to share a lot of teaching ideas. For example:</div>
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<a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/12/digraphs-activities-for-first-grade-and.html" target="_blank">Fun Teaching Digraphs Activities and Ideas</a></div>
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You can also see an organized list of my posts by category here:</div>
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<a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">Miss Giraffe: Organized List of Posts</a></div>
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I hope you find some ideas you love! You can also find all my social media on the right side of this page if you want to follow along for more! :) Thanks so much!</div>
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Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-65728000812437848152020-07-28T23:59:00.002-07:002021-12-16T17:53:51.437-07:00Teaching Letter Sounds to Kindergarten and First Grade KidsTeaching letter sounds to kindergarten and first grade kids is such a fun topic! You can even introduce it to preschoolers and they "get it" because it's something that's all around them. :)<br />
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Kids love it because alphabet letters are everywhere and, most importantly, once they have letter and sound recognition - they can start to READ! So exciting!</div>
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Teaching Letter Sounds </h2>
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I am going to share my favorite ideas for teaching beginning sounds with you and how you can make it so fun and engaging, whether you're teaching your own child at home or to a classroom full of students.<br />
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Teaching Letter Sound Correspondence</h3>
The first thing you're going to do is simply to tell your child how each letter makes its own sound.</div>
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Pick the first letter you're going to learn and tell them its sound. I love the idea of starting with either A or a sound with a very obvious sound like T or C. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYp9BBBPP9u8d7x3r9TYwnqjsU1ZIHR5FQScM7yV6E1T-8U-d6xM1Jd3IGFgIDLlsur5LDGs5t-UdB5KdGGHVWdgFV7Dlfo5a3xDnuPyUP5lZLoCK2RaKi1utV6qSPX8s2KTmGpcdxNYW/s1600/Letter+C+Activities.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Letter C Activities for Kindergarten perfect for teaching letter sounds and recognition in fun ways" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYp9BBBPP9u8d7x3r9TYwnqjsU1ZIHR5FQScM7yV6E1T-8U-d6xM1Jd3IGFgIDLlsur5LDGs5t-UdB5KdGGHVWdgFV7Dlfo5a3xDnuPyUP5lZLoCK2RaKi1utV6qSPX8s2KTmGpcdxNYW/s640/Letter+C+Activities.jpg" title="Letter C Activities for Kindergarten perfect for teaching letter sounds and recognition in fun ways" width="426" /></a></div>
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If you teach your alphabet letters in order, then A is a perfectly fine example. Apple, alligator, animal, am, at. Stretch it out when you say the "a" sound at the beginning so you're emphasizing the beginning sound.</div>
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In this example, I used C because the sound is harsh so it is really emphasizing the initial sound when saying the word. Cow, car, cat, cake. Hear how obvious that first sound is?</div>
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Go through each picture word card together while looking at the picture and saying the word for them, then hand them the card to look at. This is such a great way to introduce any letter.</div>
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Then, you can come up with words for that sound together and notice them during the day. For C, they may come up with K words and you can simply say how C and K make the same sound so now they already know 2 letter sounds! :)</div>
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Once they've learned a few letters, you can do a sort of 2 sounds. Have them sort the pictures as to whether the word starts with C or P. For example, the P side may look like this: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKE2W7wHGARFwOxKk5iRUqPQOLnbddWFGL-XcWw6zx1hL4fPs56lQ_9evAZ2st4PPBLGPdjs5AdhnWHaE7KdmT8dTDihAjgCBBchOePqmpSafj38ON8UGEN6TsQ3u9nfSonlcych7mbsG/s1600/Letter+P+activities+for+preschool.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Letter P activities for preschool or kindergarten that are awesome alphabet picture cards with fun words that kids love to "read" and sort. There are so many games you can play with these!" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKE2W7wHGARFwOxKk5iRUqPQOLnbddWFGL-XcWw6zx1hL4fPs56lQ_9evAZ2st4PPBLGPdjs5AdhnWHaE7KdmT8dTDihAjgCBBchOePqmpSafj38ON8UGEN6TsQ3u9nfSonlcych7mbsG/s640/Letter+P+activities+for+preschool.jpg" title="Letter P activities for preschool or kindergarten that are awesome alphabet picture cards with fun words that kids love to "read" and sort. There are so many games you can play with these!" width="426" /></a></div>
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Put the header for "Starts with P" and the header for "Starts with C" on a table. Have them put the correct pictures under each header.<br />
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Such a quick and easy activity! Encourage them to also emphasize the first sound when saying the word. P-opcorn, p-enguin, p-encil. I also love the letter P because of how much it POPS when you say it :)</div>
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There are a lot of ways you can match this to the level of your child/class.</div>
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A quick way to differentiate is whether you leave the word on the bottom of the card (for support) or if you cut it off. I always print/make 2 sets: one with words and ones where I've clipped them off.</div>
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Here are some example levels of ways you can use these for SORTS while teaching a "focus letter" (the alphabet letter you're focusing on at the time):</div>
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- Super easy sort: With the words still attached, take a handful of the cards with your focus letter and random cards from other letters and do a "C" and "not C" sort (for this & any levels below, make it harder by simply cutting the words off the bottom)</div>
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- Another super easy one: 2 letters at a time - take a letter you've already learned (for example: T) and have them sort if the card is a M word or T word<br />
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- Slightly harder: 2 letters at a time - using focus sound (M) and a sound you've never learned before<br />
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- A little harder: 3 sounds at once (adjust difficulty by which letters you choose) so they sort words starting with M, P, or R for example, under the correct "Starts with" header<br />
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- Hard: Sorting 4 sounds at once. If you're sorting this many, I recommend doing it in a pocket chart or on the floor so they can spread out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0L-rNhB4lESWNNIa5LGEMpkyMy4pLmAVmBpES9NOEr6PIvuhxJ4x3F4oPUnNr5QYPJGBWvjRO6-PdH2OuNiZPVSEjhSvTgJ2XovHq5kGGlK_EftNmLMj0mh-_A44Zzus4RxrUtZuolrZ2/s1600/Alphabet+Activities+Kindergarten+Pictures.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Alphabet sorting activities kids love because the pictures are so fun and are words they actually know" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0L-rNhB4lESWNNIa5LGEMpkyMy4pLmAVmBpES9NOEr6PIvuhxJ4x3F4oPUnNr5QYPJGBWvjRO6-PdH2OuNiZPVSEjhSvTgJ2XovHq5kGGlK_EftNmLMj0mh-_A44Zzus4RxrUtZuolrZ2/s640/Alphabet+Activities+Kindergarten+Pictures.jpg" title="Alphabet sorting activities kids love because the pictures are so fun and are words they actually know" width="425" /></a></div>
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If you have really advanced students (be sure to read my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/03/how-to-keep-gifted-students-engaged-and.html" target="_blank">How to Keep Gifted Kids Engaged and Learning Post</a> if you do!), then here are some ways to make it challenging for them while still having them practice the same content as the rest of your class...<br />
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For all the word cards for your focus letter, have them:<br />
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- Have them put all the words from a particular letter in alphabetical order (explain how you start on the 2nd letter and sing the alphabet to figure out which letter comes next... if two words have the same 2nd letter, you look at the 3rd letter and sing the alphabet to figure out which comes next - this is a pretty advanced skill but an advanced student can pick it up quickly if you explain it well)<br />
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- Have them sort the words by how many syllables they have (teach them how to clap the word if you haven't taught syllables yet - advanced kids will pick that up super quick even if you haven't learned it)<br />
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- Have them sort them by the number of letters in the word and put in piles by how many<br />
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There are so many ways to differentiate when learning alphabet letters... or anything, really! If you read my articles, you know I love finding 20 levels of the same activity - I consider it a challenge... and find it fun. :)<br />
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You can also use these cards for easier activities!<br />
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If you have magnet letters, you can set out some cards that start with different letters (and have the words clipped off the bottom... or not) and have them put the letter the picture starts with on top of the picture. Only do a few at a time, as many as they can handle without feeling overwhelmed and keeping it fun.<br />
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You can also have them build the entire word with alphabet magnets next to the card. That's fun and you can say each letter of the word with them after if you want, or have them tell them to you as a review. It's great alphabet practice since they have to look at each letter in the word and find the magnet for it. It also reinforces the idea that words are made up of individual letters.<br />
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Another fun game I like is to pick 2 easy words from each letter from about 8 letters. Since you have 2 cards that each start with the same letter, you'll have 16 cards total. Arrange them upside down in a 4 x 4 grid. Take turns flipping over 2 at a time - if they make the same sound at the beginning, you get to keep them!<br />
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Make this game easier/harder by how many cards you put down in a grid. Also by whether or not you keep the word at the bottom or cut if off. You may think it's giving the answer to keep the word on the bottom but it's still awesome for them to <b>see</b> the letter and associate it with the sound, so as long as they're saying the word out loud, it is still awesome practice. Plus, it gives them picture support and confidence if they need a little.<br />
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I have these cards for the entire alphabet. You can grab them here if you want them: <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Cards-Beginning-Sounds-Pocket-Chart-Centers-and-Materials-2705935?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Teaching-Letter-Sounds" target="_blank">Alphabet Cards Beginning Sounds Pocket Chart Centers</a><br />
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For even more ideas for how to use them, you can check out my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/09/short-activities-and-resources.html" target="_blank">Short A Activities post</a> where I showed a lot of the ways I use the Short A cards! It has a lot of fun teaching ideas including stamping words, building them in a pocket chart, writing them in sand, and a lot more ways that you could use for these too. :)<br />
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Recognizing Letters in the Environment</h3>
Constantly point out words you use and see in their environment! Learning is so much more meaningful when they see that what they're learning is all around them.<br />
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When you introduce D, for example, point it out everywhere!<br />
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"Oh, look at our cute dog! Hey, that's a D word. D-og, dog!"<br />
"Hey, look at your book about dinosaurs. That starts with a D! D-inosaurs!"<br />
"I wonder if your Uncle Dan knows his name starts with a D. D-an, Dan!"<br />
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(Say the <b>sound</b> D makes, not its letter name, when you say "D-og" to point out the sound. Try to say "duh" without the "uh" if you can. A sharp "duh" with as little "uh" as possible to emphasize the D sound. I hope that makes sense!)<br />
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"Time for dinner! Hey, that's a D word! D-inner, dinner!"<br />
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I know it sounds cheesy, but pointing it out everywhere really helps them to realize the alphabet is all around them and in all the words they already use.<br />
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Especially point it out if it's in their name! You can even ask that each time you introduce a new one - is it in your name? This is a great opportunity to have their first and last name written down somewhere and to reference it constantly. I recommend you write it somewhere in bold letters so it has nice letter formation for each letter and is easy to read. If they can look at it each time and decide if that letter is in their name, it's a great quick name recognition activity each time too!<br />
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Point out your focus letter if you see it on magazines, books, street signs, signs at the grocery store, signs of store names, names of T.V. shows if it displays the name, on movie covers, on food packaging. When they point it out to you in their environment, make a big deal about it and act enthusiastically excited that they found another one! :)<br />
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You can also do a little search around the house/classroom together to look for items.<br />
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If your child/class is competitive, you can also make it a race! Say, "Let's look for objects in the room that start with _" and see who can find it first. If you're a parent at home, run through the house and race them. Have them bring it to you if they find something and you do the same and make a pile together. You can do it multiple times too!<br />
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If you're in a classroom, they're racing each other while you stand at the front of the room. When someone brings something to you... say loudly, "Oooh, Jax found a Pencil. P-encil, pencil! What else can we find?" "Sophie found a Paper! P-aper, paper!" so they can hear you while you search. Then, when you're all done looking, have them sit on the carpet and go over all the objects you found, saying them out loud so they can hear each word. I also recommend writing the words down together so they can see them too.<br />
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Pick a Memory Word for Each Letter Sound</h3>
I love this trick! Have a specific word/picture that you ALWAYS use to remind them of a certain letter's sound. If it's always the same one, I personally believe that they're more likely to remember it.<br />
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"M says mmmm like monkey, remember?" or simply "mmmm monkey"<br />
"C says "k" like cat" or simply "'k' cat"<br />
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For many kids, it's easier to say only the sound and word. Saying the letter name too may confuse them so if that's the case, do the 2nd options above.<br />
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Associating each letter with an animal is probably easiest. :) Pick animals they know/love. ONLY 1 for each and this is the one you'll always use when they need a quick reminder.<br />
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A = alligator<br />
B = bunny, bird, beaver, bear (pick 1 & always use the same one)<br />
C = cat (don't pick ones like crocodile, crab. You <i>can</i> but technically that's consonant blend CR and sounds slightly different. You want a vowel to be the 2nd letter to ensure it's not a blend.)<br />
D = dog, dolphin, donkey, duck, deer<br />
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and so on! If you want me to make a list for all the letters, let me know below and I can add that for you :)<br />
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You could also grab that word card from the set above with that animal for that letter and have a master set of just those cards to have a visual reminder. You could even punch a hole in the corner and put them on a ring. You could also hang them in order on the wall in a line so they can "review" it each day. They can point to it and say: "'a' alligator, 'b' bear, 'c' cat" to say their alphabet each morning. OR you can have it hung up so, when they are trying to blend words together later and come across a letter they forgot the sound for, they can look up at the wall.<br />
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By the way, if you see letters between " symbols, I am referring to the <b>sound</b> for the letter instead of the letter name. I figured it was the easiest way to show that. If you think another way is easier, please let me know and I'll consider it because I realize it may look confusing. If I say A then I mean the letter name, pronounced AY. If I say "a" then I mean "aaah" (the sound you'd make if you were holding out your tongue at the dentist).<br />
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Have visuals everywhere</h3>
I recommend having visuals everywhere and referring to them often. My favorite to display are these <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Charts-Writing-Center-Charts-for-Each-Alphabet-Letter-2706349?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Teaching-Letter-Sounds" target="_blank">Alphabet Charts for each letter</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFElu2F4A5e_jtLdqmMtLcSG7Eg8b2hinrAA0lixdNB4aWvEm4RH6QuVpredymT7ZwOGszlFO8O5wfhnGyL5klReNSbr3nTkXTWmexYFTPiu4lBI_9BSRJxduyScuA6zPjT9ey_kHF8tfL/s1600/Alphabet+Charts+Letters+2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Alphabet Charts for each letter for so much reading practice! These are so nice to have when teaching kids beginning sounds so you have a lot of great word and picture examples all on one sheet!" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFElu2F4A5e_jtLdqmMtLcSG7Eg8b2hinrAA0lixdNB4aWvEm4RH6QuVpredymT7ZwOGszlFO8O5wfhnGyL5klReNSbr3nTkXTWmexYFTPiu4lBI_9BSRJxduyScuA6zPjT9ey_kHF8tfL/s640/Alphabet+Charts+Letters+2.png" title="Alphabet Charts for each letter for so much reading practice! These are so nice to have when teaching kids beginning sounds so you have a lot of great word and picture examples all on one sheet!" width="426" /></a></div>
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If you have a writing center, these are awesome to hang up each week. You could also print a couple and put them in sheet protectors on the table. If you have access to a laminator, that's another great option to make these last a long time if a lot of kids are going to be handling them.<br />
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I also recommend keeping one at your small groups table. They're just SO nice to have when teaching beginning sounds because you have a bunch of great picture examples all on one page.<br />
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If you're using these to homeschool, keep one wherever you teach.<br />
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You could also print it poster sized to display it huge - simply select "Poster" in your print settings when printing! Did you know you can do that?? It's an awesome trick for printing a single page poster sized! (For more printing tricks, check out my "<a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/07/tech-tips-for-teachers.html" target="_blank">Tech Tips for Teachers</a>" post)<br />
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Another really fun idea for how to use these is to cut them up!<br />
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You can do this with any alphabet charts you already have too! Put them to use! :)<br />
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Cut a page of words into the little squares... or even have them cut them out if you think they can! That's great fine motor practice and they're straight lines so it's possible :) If they don't have scissors skills, though, I recommend doing it quickly yourself.<br />
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These come in <b>black and white</b> versions as well so you could have them color the pictures then cut them out to play with.<br />
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You could also use them for a sorting activity!<br />
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Pick 2 letters and have them cut the pictures out (or you do it - it would take me approximately 2 minutes to cut 2 pages of words out so it's quick for you to prep ahead of time for them if you want them to not see the "answers"). Then give them 2 pieces of paper to sort the words. Cut the tops off where it says "Letter C" and use those as headers. You could even open a notebook so it shows 2 pages at once and have them sort it on either side of the notebook ring. :) Such an easy and fun activity!<br />
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You could also cut them into strips of 4 words and use it as a bookmark in their notebook or books you're reading. :)<br />
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Or make them into drill strips. Randomly pull out a drill strip of 4 words and have them "read" each picture, pointing to each picture as they say the word. Congratulate them on what a great reader they are! Quick and easy way to pull out words with the letter you're learning, practice the sound, and build their reading confidence!<br />
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If you're using these in a classroom, I recommend laminating the sheets before cutting them out. Then you have drill strips you can use in small groups over and over. If you use it as a sorting activity, having them laminated is AWESOME because then you can put all the pieces into a bag for each letter (buy a box of small little sandwich size bags and write the letter on the front with a permanent marker for easy organization and storage). Then you can use these year after year!<br />
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If you have a bunch of laminated little word boxes cut out, you can also use them for reading practice in small groups, as well as games! There are so many games you could make up using them. (I recommend leaving the words at the bottom.)<br />
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You can also do a bazillion different sorts with them. C or R. C or T. C or M. C or J or M.... seemingly infinite! You can also pull them out again when you do vowels.... A or E. A or I. You name it!<br />
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The black and white versions can also make a great <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/03/phonics-fluency-notebooks.html" target="_blank">reading notebook activity</a> like I said above, by having them color and sort words by the letter they start with on either page of a notebook and glue them down.<br />
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These make great little books they can take home and "read" all their words to their families!<br />
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<h3>
Practicing Writing Words that Start with Each Letter</h3>
Speaking of books, I LOVE little books for phonics! I have them for all the different phonics sounds but I also made one for each alphabet letter!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLb7wtGG12ARzIw3iRWLhZrU_lMLXVnqngxAkmlgdbnZpQGBR2jKDB8Kb3kRhV8_n46wthYQOon4EQx5x2NxCoH7dekQart6r46WVmFdZMj8t1lR9EjEdHd1H-bmPAJZ56su0J9DTpv8qG/s1600/Alphabet+Books+Letter+Sounds.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Alphabet books to practice letter recognition and writing words that start with each! These are SO cute and perfect to use each week in kindergarten or preschool for kids to take home and "read" to their families!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLb7wtGG12ARzIw3iRWLhZrU_lMLXVnqngxAkmlgdbnZpQGBR2jKDB8Kb3kRhV8_n46wthYQOon4EQx5x2NxCoH7dekQart6r46WVmFdZMj8t1lR9EjEdHd1H-bmPAJZ56su0J9DTpv8qG/s640/Alphabet+Books+Letter+Sounds.png" title="Alphabet books to practice letter recognition and writing words that start with each! These are SO cute and perfect to use each week in kindergarten or preschool for kids to take home and "read" to their families!" width="480" /></a></div>
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This <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Letters-A-Z-Little-Books-BUNDLE-2166393?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Teaching-Letter-Sounds" target="_blank">Alphabet Books Little Books Bundle</a> has a little book for each week!<br />
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Each book has 10 words for each letter that kids can color then write on the lines. You can easily match it to their level by having them simply write the word once, write the word 3 times (once on each line), OR - to really challenge them - have them use the word in a sentence. If they're only ready to color each picture right now, have them do that. They can come back to it later. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts8DxfRdaEUohzX3GIz3iTdaDt4AgRKQSLcYk-80sagSWd1Eys0BcLWcUeNGpEai5xbNT_ngK-oQSZtGuI4Hq7uy72GbwjEv12mCF5Lb8JNTSmiRna7nXJNPoPEozobk-zpdWgD4WyF-L/s1600/Letter+P+book.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Letter P book to practice words that begin with that sound in a super fun and visual way! Kids can write it on each line OR even use it in a sentence if you want to challenge them! Check out these super awesome alphabet ideas!" border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="1138" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjts8DxfRdaEUohzX3GIz3iTdaDt4AgRKQSLcYk-80sagSWd1Eys0BcLWcUeNGpEai5xbNT_ngK-oQSZtGuI4Hq7uy72GbwjEv12mCF5Lb8JNTSmiRna7nXJNPoPEozobk-zpdWgD4WyF-L/s640/Letter+P+book.png" title="Letter P book to practice words that begin with that sound in a super fun and visual way! Kids can write it on each line OR even use it in a sentence if you want to challenge them! Check out these super awesome alphabet ideas!" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a peek inside!<br />
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It uses primary writing lines to encourage good handwriting. All you do is print these and fold them to make them so they're quick and easy prep. I personally staple them too so they stay together because they are a lot of fun for kids to take home and read to their families... or anyone who comes in the room because they're so proud :)<br />
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If you're using these with your child at home, you could have them present them by reading them to the dog, cat, a stuffed animal, a family member.<br />
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Review Often with Learning Games</h3>
Once they've learned them all, you can play so many games to review! Matching games are one of my favorites, such as these <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Centers-Alphabet-Matching-Beginning-Sounds-Puzzles-1374636?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Teaching-Letter-Sounds" target="_blank">Alphabet Beginning Sounds Puzzles</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6dE7NmIINIURIFKvVfsbxGqCYVrItaspbx-npVhrgNAcMvBaEUKgTQeLh4KFe6fp0uGJbjxP05_WEgYI42p3p7ZvfCaeHK5WDQpROmLtR6Ss6c2Vv7jroC_v3I4_zgIVApkyzIEw9eTQ/s1600/Alphabet+Puzzles+Beginning+Sounds.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beginning Sounds Puzzles that make learning alphabet letter sounds so much fun for kids! They're great practice with highly engaging pictures to match to both lowercase and uppercase (it comes in 2 versions) so you can have a lot of review! Perfect for preschoolers, kindergarten literacy centers, homeschooling, or to supplement at home." border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6dE7NmIINIURIFKvVfsbxGqCYVrItaspbx-npVhrgNAcMvBaEUKgTQeLh4KFe6fp0uGJbjxP05_WEgYI42p3p7ZvfCaeHK5WDQpROmLtR6Ss6c2Vv7jroC_v3I4_zgIVApkyzIEw9eTQ/s400/Alphabet+Puzzles+Beginning+Sounds.JPG" title="Beginning Sounds Puzzles that make learning alphabet letter sounds so much fun for kids! They're great practice with highly engaging pictures to match to both lowercase and uppercase (it comes in 2 versions) so you can have a lot of review! Perfect for preschoolers, kindergarten literacy centers, homeschooling, or to supplement at home." width="300" /></a></div>
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I LOVE puzzles for learning. If you read <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/07/building-number-sense-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">my post all about learning numbers and building number sense</a>, you know what I mean... I use them constantly! I think at least 5 of the number activities I show in that article are puzzles... I love them! Kids love them so it just makes learning feel like a game.<br />
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They come in both a lowercase and uppercase version so you can play them both ways to maximize practice and knowledge. I chose the cutest pictures I could to make them highly engaging :) I try to use the same pictures throughout my resources for consistency. Consistency is SO helpful for emerging readers.<br />
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Beginning Sounds Worksheets</h3>
I recommend moving to worksheet based activities to have <i>them</i> practice what they've learned in a more independent seeming way. Activities that involve cutting and gluing down the correct answers are a great way to accomplish this. They'll still have pieces to manipulate but get to sort them into the correct locations so you can assess how well they're absorbing the skills.<br />
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If you want paper practice, these <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Beginning-Sounds-Sort-Worksheets-1225797?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Teaching-Letter-Sounds" target="_blank">Beginning Sounds Worksheets</a> are one of my favorites!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRj-VA3_jbe2Z9IWMXLKq4xVe9R_ak8prLHkziZD21oZA5NVQyQsXoskbYxrVpoBK2uxsSv2UtN6sQNp9hqjzfO7_cBh7UIPB8WAyqYJDMbnxd9vYNwyy26MQ0twC0hVWbqFbprOWJfcE/s1600/Beginning+Sounds+Worksheets+Kindergarten.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beginning Sounds Worksheets Kindergarten or Preschool that are great review in these cute little picture sorts!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRj-VA3_jbe2Z9IWMXLKq4xVe9R_ak8prLHkziZD21oZA5NVQyQsXoskbYxrVpoBK2uxsSv2UtN6sQNp9hqjzfO7_cBh7UIPB8WAyqYJDMbnxd9vYNwyy26MQ0twC0hVWbqFbprOWJfcE/s640/Beginning+Sounds+Worksheets+Kindergarten.png" title="Beginning Sounds Worksheets Kindergarten or Preschool that are great review in these cute little picture sorts!" width="640" /></a></div>
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These are really simple, easy, and fun practice. A great way to assess as well!<br />
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Sorting by sound is actually a pretty important and sometimes difficult skill, so you may have to help them hear the sounds. This is such crucial knowledge to know if they're struggling with this, though! If they struggle with this doing this sort, you know you need to work more on <i>hearing</i> the sounds in a word <b>without seeing letters</b>. Have them close their eyes and listen to you say a word emphasizing the beginning sound. Ask them to tell you what sound they hear at the beginning. "What letter makes that sound?" This is a great listening activity to do regularly anyway. :)<br />
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If you <i>really</i> want to challenge your little learner, these <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Letter-Sounds-Starts-With-or-Ends-With-Picture-Word-Sorts-2770985?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Teaching-Letter-Sounds" target="_blank">Starts With or Ends With Worksheets</a> are a fun challenge!<br />
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They start out with a worksheet page like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70YpEUfnm6NAyRiiUKLKOi_RwLeoDHhoSWnmjwXb5ynfusBlpEjNYQ6XE7nDsVc8-7beIqzh9GaGfjtCJ_gduztqHE32biY46gbqlUUUFMlBmXCq8YmydQ9SaYPPqRJEZcS6NWsXttLqR/s1600/Beginning+and+Ending+Sounds+Activities.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beginning and Ending Sounds Activities where kids sort pictures! This is an amazing consolidation for the learning you've done on letters!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70YpEUfnm6NAyRiiUKLKOi_RwLeoDHhoSWnmjwXb5ynfusBlpEjNYQ6XE7nDsVc8-7beIqzh9GaGfjtCJ_gduztqHE32biY46gbqlUUUFMlBmXCq8YmydQ9SaYPPqRJEZcS6NWsXttLqR/s640/Beginning+and+Ending+Sounds+Activities.png" title="Beginning and Ending Sounds Activities where kids sort pictures! This is an amazing consolidation for the learning you've done on letters!" width="480" /></a></div>
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You say the first word with them ssssooooCK (stretch the word then say the CK abruptly). "Do you hear K at the beginning of this word? ssss-ock?" "No" "Or is it at the end of the word?" "sssssooooCK" "Yes!" so you put it on the "Ends with K" side.<br />
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Go through the rest of the pictures with them until all of the pictures are sorted. This is also a great independent consolidation activity for all the work you've done so far! You can also use it as an assessment to figure out whether they are truly <i>hearing</i> the sound in the word. Excellent practice either way!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93DYf4vehXFVocar5GY6ZU9lvz0H8GC9q5gRDWEvfabH80nFgP5uS6Yg4vXI-foP2vmnt1XZVzDY3Ag3DJiVtKpJKfktglCwGCYpF6xe-bpj7q-98eh2JTOUonILxhIORS1y0qSUT_iql/s1600/Beginning+and+Ending+Sounds+Worksheets.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beginning and Ending Sounds Worksheets that are perfect consolidation activities to practice, review, and assess all the alphabet letter knowledge you've learned so far! I absolutely love these for independent work too. They're great for so many things and the fun pictures keep kids super engaged" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93DYf4vehXFVocar5GY6ZU9lvz0H8GC9q5gRDWEvfabH80nFgP5uS6Yg4vXI-foP2vmnt1XZVzDY3Ag3DJiVtKpJKfktglCwGCYpF6xe-bpj7q-98eh2JTOUonILxhIORS1y0qSUT_iql/s640/Beginning+and+Ending+Sounds+Worksheets.png" title="Beginning and Ending Sounds Worksheets that are perfect consolidation activities to practice, review, and assess all the alphabet letter knowledge you've learned so far! I absolutely love these for independent work too. They're great for so many things and the fun pictures keep kids super engaged" width="480" /></a></div>
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They are awesome for figuring out if the word starts with P (pig) or ends with P (mop), for example. This is a great way to explain how you can find P at the end of words too and sets them up for beginning to read words.<br />
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Once they can <i>hear</i> the sounds in words and where they are, they can begin spelling words out. SO EXCITING.<br />
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I hope this has given you some fun ideas for teaching letter sounds that you can use with your child or your students! These activities can be used for preschoolers to kindergarten to reviewing in first grade and above. Because I offer a lot of picture support in the resources I create, these can be used for so many ages so if you have an older child at home or that you tutor, try these ideas with them too! Because I show a lot of pictures, you can also start these skills in early preschool too! I hope I gave ideas for reaching all of these levels but if you have any questions, please let me know so I can try to help make this more inclusive for all learners. :) Thank you so much for reading!<br />
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If you want ALL of the activities I showed you in this post, they're all in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Activities-ULTIMATE-BUNDLE-2737042?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Teaching-Letter-Sounds" target="_blank">Alphabet ULTIMATE BUNDLE</a> which is absolutely packed with fun activities!<br />
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Every activity I've talked about here is in this bundle if you want all of them!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYkMHgV6equcOTttyN0B1mMU4vvuC-R1-doXEu_AMm-07InfQKjf4bURMP7LFMrcdEeZ64wDjbb1ahg0g98fVbealWpz2Rh0bEJcCn21pCWt-xhOWmSZb7ZRAtyembJfbOJNvEH2nn18q/s1600/Alphabet+Activities.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYkMHgV6equcOTttyN0B1mMU4vvuC-R1-doXEu_AMm-07InfQKjf4bURMP7LFMrcdEeZ64wDjbb1ahg0g98fVbealWpz2Rh0bEJcCn21pCWt-xhOWmSZb7ZRAtyembJfbOJNvEH2nn18q/s320/Alphabet+Activities.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have so many more fun ideas posts if you want to see more ideas! This page has them organized for you for super easy browsing:<br />
<a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">Miss Giraffe Organized List of Blog Posts by Topic</a><br />
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A few of my most recent from this month are:<br />
<a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/07/must-have-short-vowel-word-family-games.html" target="_blank">Short Vowel Word Family Games</a> (these actually combine beginning sounds & reading!)<br />
<a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/07/fun-cvc-word-families-games.html" target="_blank">Fun CVC Word Family Games</a><br />
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I'd like to take another moment to thank you again for stopping by and reading! I appreciate you taking the time to visit! I absolutely love sharing teaching ideas and hope you found some great ones. Go to the top of this page and look on the right to find ways you can follow me on social media if you want to keep in touch. Also feel free to email me with any questions you have as well, I am happy to help! :)</div>
Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-55257820759607924312020-07-21T14:18:00.006-07:002021-12-16T17:59:23.814-07:00Tech Tips for TeachersWant to learn a few of the best tech tips for teachers in 2021? I've got you covered! I use so many little tricks to get things done faster that I am SO excited to share with you!<br />
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I have a lot of amazing shortcuts for you that will help you save so much time planning, prepping, and even when you're simply reading or playing on the computer.</div>
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I am going to organize this article (you know me, I love to organize!) into sections so you can save this as a reference and easily find the hacks again if you forget any of them. </div>
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Best Teacher Tech Tips of 2021 will have 4 jam-packed sections:</div>
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- PDF Tricks</div>
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- Super Helpful Keyboard Shortcuts</div>
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- Browser Tricks</div>
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- Printing Ideas</div>
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Okay, first up!</div>
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PDF Tricks</h3>
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If you find teaching resources online (who doesn't?!), you probably have A LOT of PDFs. But did you know there are so many ways you can use them?</div>
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<b>Viewing all of the pages at once</b></div>
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One of my FAVORITE things I can't believe I didn't know for so long is how you can see ALL the pages in a PDF very easily (as big or small as you want) by simply clicking the arrow to the left of the page you're on then clicking on the 2 stacked pages.</div>
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This will show you ALL of the pages in the PDF at once and you can use the little slide bar to zoom in and out! You can't even imagine how excited I was when I discovered this.</div>
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Simply click the 2 stacked pages again to go back to the normal page view.</div>
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You know what this makes very easy? PRINTING!</div>
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Have you ever scrolled through a big PDF, one page at a time, writing down page numbers to print? That takes so much time! There is such an easier way.</div>
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<b>Printing multiple pages in this view</b></div>
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After clicking on the pages stack to see all the pages at once, click on the first page you want to print. This will highlight it. Use CTRL + P to bring up the print box and hit enter. Done!</div>
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Want to print a bunch of pages from the same document? This is where it really saves you time.</div>
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- Hold down the "Ctrl" button on your keyboard when you click on one of the pages, keep holding it down while you click on more pages. This will keep highlighting the pages to save them as selected. </div>
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Extra tip: You can let go of it and it'll save the ones you've selected as you scroll through. </div>
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Just make sure you hold Ctrl down again before you click anywhere or use an arrow to go down. If you do that by accident, it will deselect the pages you've picked. I typically press Ctrl only when selecting a page then I scroll with my mouse. If you don't have a mouse that scrolls, you can drag the bar on the right side to scroll and it'll save your pages :)</div>
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This is SUCH a quick way to print a big document! So let's say you have one of my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/08/first-grade-math-ideas-for-entire-year.html" target="_blank">giant first grade math units</a> open and want to print just 1 activity but not all of the pages of that activity. You want the kid directions, teacher directions, ONLY the challenge level puzzles, and ONLY the challenge level recording sheets. You could look at all the thumbnails visually to quickly find that center, hold down Ctrl while you pick just those pages out, go to File > Print, and it will have those pages already filled in the print box for you! Woohoo!</div>
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Seriously don't ever waste time writing pages down to print on a little note! </div>
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I love being able to see all the pages, too - it helps me plan in my head :)</div>
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<b>The Home button</b></div>
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I LOVE the "Home" button on my keyboard. Did you know that it will bring you back to the very 1st page if you click on it? This saves me sooo much time - I actually used to scroll all the way back up to the top of giant files. Ahh!</div>
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An example of a way this would be super helpful is if, let's say, you were using my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2018/08/sight-words-sentences-cards-fun-ideas-centers.html" target="_blank">Sight Word Sentences Center Cards</a> and you wanted to print the new sight words for the week.</div>
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Well, it's a HUGE document because it has over 220 sight words cards included. They're listed in a big table of contents that you can click on from the 2nd page to immediately take you to the page that word is on. (The preview pictures of this resource on TpT will show you the word list so you know what I mean: <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sight-Words-Bottle-Cap-Centers-BUNDLE-Kindergarten-and-First-Grade-Sight-Words-3864547?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Tech-Tips" target="_blank">Sight Word Bottle Cap Centers</a> - look at the 2nd picture)<br />
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This sounds super convenient, right? But what about <i>after</i> you click on a word?</div>
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If you clicked on "these" to print it, now you're all the way on page 115 but want to go back to the table of contents to pick the next word to print because you learn 5 new sight words every week...</div>
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Click the "Home" button!</div>
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This will take you to the 1st page immediately! Looooove this trick.</div>
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The table of contents is on the 2nd page so you'd click Home then the down arrow once and you're back to the table of contents! So easy!</div>
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This is one of the big reasons why I love to include a table of contents page as one of the first few pages in big resources... because I personally use them this way! It's so much easier than using the bar or scrolling/clicking to get back to the top.</div>
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(If it doesn't work when you try it, click in the gray margin just off to the side of the page to make sure your mouse isn't clicked on a specific part of the page)</div>
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Also, if you want to get to the bottom of a PDF really quickly, the "End" key on your keyboard will take you to the last page of the document instantly. :)<br />
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Bonus tip: This works on websites too! Click Home to go back to the top of a page you're reading.</div>
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<h3>
Super Helpful Keyboard Shortcuts</h3>
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I am obsessed with keyboard shortcuts. O.B.S.E.S.S.E.D.</div>
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I use them constantly when I am on the computer. I use them so often that it's completely natural for me to use my keyboard to do pretty much everything for me while I'm working. I honestly hardly use my mouse because I have so many of them memorized.</div>
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If you use them enough, they become just as intuitive as typing. So I am going to share a few of my absolutely favorites with you! </div>
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I've already mentioned a few of them (Ctrl + P to print, the Home button) and there will probably more throughout this article in other sections since I use them so frequently.</div>
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To use them, you hold down a button then press the next one. For example, to copy a sentence from this article, you already know that you highlight the text then you would hold down Ctrl and press C to copy the text. Then, you'd go where you want to paste it, and hold down Ctrl while you press V to paste it. The way I'm going to present them is Ctrl + C. This would mean you hold down Ctrl then press C. Okay, let's get started!</div>
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<b>Key that looks like 4 boxes + L to lock your screen quickly</b></div>
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This one is super handy for teachers in case you want to lock the computers back to the screen that makes you log in. It will lock your screen when you press it. For me, it takes me to a picture where I have to type in a password to log back into my screen. I set this up on my computer so I can quickly password protect my computer when I'm not using it. Being able to press this in literally 1 second so I can jump up and off the computer quickly, while locking my computer so no one else can use it, is awesome!</div>
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<b>Alt + Tab to switch between screens</b></div>
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I use this one so often that I forget that it even exists. I use it all day, every day... seriously.</div>
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Let's say you're working with 2 different programs but you want both of them to be full screen. Do not waste time using your mouse to click back and forth. </div>
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When you're on one of them, simply hold down Alt then press Tab and let go. This will immediately take you to the other one. Do it again to go back. You can hop back and forth between the 2 windows so quickly and easily this way. </div>
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Like I said, I do this ALL day without even thinking about it, to the point that I almost didn't include it in this list because I forget that it's not something everyone does constantly. </div>
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Another fun fact: When you press Alt + Tab but don't let go of Alt, you will see all the windows you have open on your computer. If you continue holding down Alt and press Tab but DON'T let go of Alt, it will let you press Tab as many times as you want to go to each window to pick the one you want. I also use this all the time.</div>
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<b>Ctrl + A to select all</b></div>
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This works in so many places. For example, me typing this right now... if I want to select everything I've written so far, I could hold down Ctrl and press A and it would select all of it.</div>
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If I'm inside a folder of files, if I press that, it highlights all the files. I use this a lot for renaming all the files in a folder quickly which brings me to...</div>
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<b>F2 to rename a file</b></div>
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I rename files all the time so this saves me a lot of time. If you click on a file in a folder then press F2, it lets you immediately rename the file. Then press Enter when you're done typing to officially rename it. You can use the left and right arrows to go to the next file to rename it.</div>
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Let's say you just uploaded pictures of your kids doing <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2014/08/place-value-moving-and-new-blog-design.html" target="_blank">my place value ice cream cones activity</a> and you want to name all the new photos you just uploaded to something that describes that.</div>
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You can rename them ALL at the same time by pressing Ctrl + A that we just learned to select all the pictures in the folder THEN, press F2. Type in the image title you want (for example: Place Value Game) and press enter. </div>
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This will rename ALL of your pictures Place Value Game (1), Place Value Game (2), and so on!</div>
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(Extra bonus: Ctrl + Z can undo renaming a file, moving a file, deleting a file... if you click it right after doing so)</div>
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Sooo much better than having 50 pictures named something like IMG_1004, IMG_1005... It makes it so much easier when you want to find a specific picture on your computer to be able to search by the name. (& I don't want you to waste time renaming each picture individually - oh my goodness the amount of time that would take to do!)</div>
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Which leads me to the next one...</div>
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<b>Ctrl + F to find anything!</b></div>
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You can press Ctrl then F to find words. This works on websites. This works in anything you're typing into.... It works in a lot of places! It even works within the folders on your computer. I use it all the time to find files. </div>
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<b>Shift to select a specific row of files in a folder</b></div>
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Remember how I told you about Ctrl + A to select ALL the files in a folder? Well, you can also select just a row of them, or rows of them, with a simple keyboard trick.</div>
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Ready for it......?? In the folder, you click on the first picture/file in the series that you want THEN hold down Shift and click on the last picture in the row that you want. </div>
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This will select all the pictures from the first one you click to the last one you click. Can you believe that?? It also works in other places! Use it right now to select words in this paragraph! Click the word "Use" then hold down Shift and click on paragraph! Did it just select that chunk for you? Isn't that cool? I've always clicked and dragged! I don't really use it for selecting text but I use it for selecting images all the time now that I know it exists.</div>
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My husband actually just recently shared this gem with me and I was equal parts excited to have discovered it & equal parts angry that he never told me it existed haha. Sometimes he randomly drops those little tech tip gems on me and I'm like, "Thank you so much... but WHY have you never told me that button existed?! But thank you!" :) </div>
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You can use this tool to simply select a row of 5 pictures, let's say, without having to click on them all individually... or 5 rows of pictures where you know you want from the file to this file.</div>
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Bonus: You can also use the holding down Ctrl while clicking individual pictures/files to select the exact ones you want like I explained in the PDF section. This works for files in a folder too :)</div>
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Advanced tip: You can combine those 2 tricks too! Let's say you have a giant folder of pictures and you want to select a bunch of random ones. Click on the first one and hold down shift then click the last one in a series.... then hold down Ctrl to individually select another one you like... or hold down Ctrl AND shift to keep all the ones you already have selected but do the Shift trick again. I hope that makes sense! This will allow you to select multiple chunks of pictures and individual pictures while skipping the ones you don't want to select.</div>
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Okay, <i>another</i> bonus (I told you I love my keyboard!): One thing I do a lot is sometimes I want to select all but a couple pictures in a file, I'll hit Ctrl + A to select them all... then I'll hold down Ctrl (so they all stay selected) then click on the ones I DON'T want to deselect them.<br />
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<b>Ctrl + W</b></div>
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Now please don't do it on this window because I just rambled a bunch in the previous section :) but you can click out of a lot of things by using Ctrl + W! </div>
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If you have a folder of files open, this will close it for you.</div>
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It doesn't work with all programs but it does work with some. I use it to close a lot to close things. Most often I use it for closing tabs I'm done reading.</div>
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Please don't do that right now, though, I have so much more to share with you! :) Especially if you like this one because browser hacks to save you time while online is next!</div>
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<h3>
Browser Tricks</h3>
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These are all my favorite browser hacks I use! They may be different on your browser but this is how they work on mine!<br />
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<b>Ctrl + T</b></div>
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So I just told you about Ctrl + W to close the current tab you're on. Well, Ctrl + T will open a brand new tab for you. I use this one constantly. If I'm reading on a website and want to search something really quick, I press Ctrl then T to open up a new tab instantly.</div>
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I am one of those people who has a million tabs open all the time, by the way... which I have solutions for you for that as well! </div>
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<b>Ctrl + N</b></div>
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This does the same thing except it opens the new tab in a brand new window.</div>
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I use this one a lot too if I want to start a new group of tabs.</div>
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<b>Ctrl + Shift + T</b></div>
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This is probably my favorite of all of them....</div>
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Do you ever click out of a tab you're reading by accident? Hold down Ctrl then keep holding it down while you also hold down Shift then press T then let go.</div>
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This will re-open the most recent tab you've closed!</div>
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I. love. this.</div>
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Like I said, I have so many tabs open and sometimes I click out of them by accident. Or, more often, I click out of it then change my mind and want to reference it again really quick so I use this keyboard shortcut to reopen it.</div>
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You can also repeat this over and over to keep opening your most recent tabs you've closed until you find the one you're looking for.</div>
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<b>Ctrl + R</b></div>
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I'm sure you already know this one but this will reload the page you're on. Saves you a few seconds rather than having to find the little button with your mouse. :)</div>
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<b>Ctrl + clicking on a link to open it in a new tab</b></div>
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I pretty much open every link in a new tab while I'm reading so it doesn't leave the page I'm reading.</div>
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A quick way I do this is you hover over the link, hold down Ctrl, THEN click the link. This automatically opens it in a new tab while not leaving the one you're currently on. :) </div>
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Let's say you're reading this article and I mention my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/01/fact-fluency-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">Fact Fluency in First Grade post</a> and it's linked in the text you're reading like that... and you really want to read it, but later... right now, you want to finish what you're currently reading... but you don't want to forget about that link. Well, you can simply hover over that link, hold down Ctrl, then click it to open it in a new tab, so you have it ready for you for when you're done reading this.</div>
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I hope that makes sense - it's how I always read websites! I don't like to get distracted while I'm reading a page I am interested in, but I often want to save something they mention for reading later, so I do that to put it in a new tab so that, when I click out of the one I am on, it's ready for me to read next.</div>
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This is also why I end up with a ton of tabs open, haha :)</div>
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<b>Browser Extensions for Managing the 9389437543 tabs you have open</b></div>
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If you're like me and open a lot of tabs while you're reading/planning, you may want to look at a browser extension that will save them all for you. </div>
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I use one where I click the little button and it saves all the tabs I have open in a list of links for me. I can go back to that list any time to find that link again. I can name the group of tabs I saved, too, or use Ctrl + F to quickly find an article I saved in my groups of lists if I remember what it was about. </div>
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Sometimes I'm reading and open a lot of new tabs but then I want to get off the computer before I've read them all, so I'll use my extension to save them all in my list to read later.</div>
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Check out this list for helpful extensions including a tab management one:</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherslovelists.com/best-browser-extensions-for-teachers/" target="_blank">Best Browser Extensions for Teachers</a></div>
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<b>Setting up the Row at the Top with Websites you go to often</b></div>
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I go to the same websites constantly - my email inbox, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Giraffe?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Tech-Tips" target="_blank">my store on TpT</a>, the <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">list I have of all my blog posts</a> (to grab links), my favorite websites to read, and so on.</div>
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So I have all the ones I go to frequently saved in my row, so all I have to do when I open my browser, is click on the icons in that top row to go straight there.</div>
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If you find yourself going to the same websites constantly, don't waste time typing them into the URL bar. Make a little button for them.</div>
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If you use the same browser I do, clicking Ctrl + Shift + B (hold down Ctrl AND shift then press B) will hide and unhide your row. </div>
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If you see it bouncing in and out of view while you press that, woohoo you have a row you can use! If not, you may be using a different browser than I do.</div>
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To add a website to your row, go to the website exactly where you want it to go - all the clicks to get directly to your inbox while logged in, for example. </div>
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- Then, do Ctrl + D to bring up the save box</div>
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- Rename it to something simple like "Mail" so it doesn't take up a ton of space in your row</div>
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- Under "Folder" make sure it is putting it in your bar</div>
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- Hit enter</div>
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This adds it to the row across the top so you can click on it any time to go straight to that page. I do this a lot for specific pages that take multiple clicks to get to, so it goes straight there!</div>
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Use Ctrl + Shift + B to hide your bar if you don't want to see it & the same thing to display it if you do! I always leave mine up typically because I use it so often. I have so many in mine, though, that I've started naming them like Mail, FB, IG, P, Blog, TpT so that they're super short and I can save more in there.</div>
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<b>Moving tabs</b></div>
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Since I mentioned I often have a lot of tabs open, sometimes I don't want to see them all. So I'll click on the tab (literally, the tab for the tab) and drag pulling down so it takes it out of the group of tabs into a new window. Quick little tip! You can click and hold and drag down to put it back into a group too :) </div>
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You can also hold down Ctrl to select multiple tabs then drag down to move them all out of the group of tabs at the same time.</div>
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You can also use the shift trick I taught you to quickly select multiple tabs in a row by clicking on the first tab, holding down shift, then the last tab you want to select a row of tabs. A lot of these tricks I'm telling you (like holding down Ctrl to select multiple items) work in a lot of places so, once you know them, you can use them for a lot of things! For example, Ctrl + S is the "save" button for so many different programs. I click it constantly when working on almost anything to save as I work without having to stop and click. It's a habit by now. :)</div>
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<b>F11 to make a website take up the full screen</b></div>
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This one is so helpful for when setting up activities on the computer for kids where you don't want them to have the ability to go to another website or click on something in the bar. Plus it looks less distracting for them. If you press F11, it'll get rid of the top part so it makes just the website full screen. Pressing F11 again will bring it back to the normal view. </div>
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Bonus: If they want to go "back" on the website they're on, they can press Alt + left arrow. It's easy for them to remember because they know the left arrow means go back if they play any computer or video games. Kids learn these sorts of things ridiculously fast which, much like with my husband, I go, "Wait, how did you do that just now??" :)</div>
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Okay, I honestly have even more than what I've shared that I use but I feel as though I've written a ton in this section so let's move on to....</div>
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<h3>
Printing Tricks for Teachers</h3>
There are a lot of fancy things you can do with a little tech help with your printer!<br />
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Some of the things I've already mentioned involved printing, but here are some more:<br />
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<b>Making Your Own Bulletin Board Letters</b><br />
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Firstly, you don't have to spend a penny on bulletin board letters. They are SO easy to make and print yourself!<br />
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Plus, when you make them yourself, you can choose the exact font, size, color, style that you want.<br />
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I wrote this incredibly easy guide for making your own a few years ago:<br />
<a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/08/diy-classroom-decor-bulletin-board-letters.html" target="_blank">DIY Bulletin Board Letters</a><br />
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It's super easy! So many teachers have shown me the absolutely adorable letters and bulletin boards they've made using my guide which is so cool to see. Please tag me @missgiraffesclass if you share pictures of yours - I love seeing them! :)</div>
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<b>Printing Posters Half the Size</b><br />
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Do you have classroom posters you've bought? You can probably use them in more ways than just posters!<br />
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Maybe you want to make them half page posters so they fit easier in your room?<br />
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For example, I absolutely LOVE my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-Vowels-Word-Families-Posters-2730734?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Tech-Tips" target="_blank">Long Vowel Word Families Posters</a> but if I were to hang them all up full page sized, they'd take up a lot of space.<br />
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So I print them 2 to a page so they are half the size!<br />
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All I do is Ctrl + P to print then click on "Multiple" and where it says "Pages per sheet:" I put 2.<br />
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This will put 2 pages on the sheet. In the "Pages" box I put the exact posters' page numbers I want if it doesn't automatically select them. You can also use the PDF page selecting trick I taught you for picking the exact posters to print :) See what I mean about how I use the same ones over and over?<br />
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I love this because I can make posters half the size if I want to.<br />
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<b>Making Full Page Posters into Little Cards for Teaching</b><br />
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I ALSO make them into little teaching cards!<br />
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This is a great way to take posters you've bought and double them as center activities too!<br />
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To do this, select the posters you want and do the exact same thing but for "Pages per sheet:" put 6. You can also do 9 if you want them even smaller.<br />
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There's actually a lot of ways you can use these! Here are some fun examples:<br />
- Make them into little playing cards (use 6 or 9 to a page) where kids can hold them up and quiz each other<br />
- Use them yourself as little cards for reviewing at your small groups table<br />
- If they're posters for a particular skill like my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Prefixes-Posters-and-Picture-Cards-for-Center-Activities-1178913?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Tech-Tips" target="_blank">Prefixes Posters</a>, for example, tape the little cards around the room and let kids find and read them or write them down as a center activity.<br />
- Numbers posters and <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Shape-Posters-Chevron-Classroom-Decor-2043370?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Tech-Tips" target="_blank">Shapes Posters</a> you may already have bought can also be doubled as a super easy center this way too! They can put the number posters in number order, put little tiny card versions of <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Posters-and-Phonics-Posters-Huge-Bundle-1392816?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Tech-Tips" target="_blank">Alphabet Posters</a> in ABC order... there are all kinds of ways you can make them into games! They can build the number with cubes or blocks next to the little number poster.<br />
- Send them home as study cards (this is a really useful way to use them, especially <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Word-Families-Posters-BUNDLE-2730723?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Tech-Tips" target="_blank">Phonics Posters</a>!)<br />
- Laminate them, punch a hole in the corner, and put them on a ring so kids can use them as reference<br />
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I always like to get a lot of uses out of anything I buy so I figured these tips may be helpful for you if you already have posters you've bought over the years. You can reuse them in fun ways by simply printing them smaller! I put links to some of the sets I have to give you visual examples of what I mean, but I encourage you to look at the posters you already have and see if you can reuse them!<br />
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I know I have a ton of posters sets and so many of them can be repurposed into centers, study cards, small group reviewing cards, and so on!<br />
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<b>Using the Same "Multiple" Feature to Create Picture Sheets of PDFs</b><br />
You can also use this feature to print the pages in a PDF all on one sheet by selecting 16 "Pages per sheet:" so that it prints all the pages of the PDF on a single page (multiple pages if it's a big one) as little pictures.<br />
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This lets you see 16 pages of the PDF all at once! So visual and awesome for finding specific worksheets when you want them.<br />
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I actually do this when I print giant PDF resources sometimes so I have a little reference sheet of all the pages included. It helps me quickly find the page I'm looking for.<br />
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I actually print a page like this for ALL my big PDFs and keep them in a binder for each subject, organized by concept, so I can quickly find worksheets I want visually. For example, in my math binder, I have a reference sheet for each of my graphing PDFs all next to each other so I can flip to the little graphing section, visually look at all the pages within each unit and find the exact center or worksheet I'm looking for on my computer in minutes.<br />
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I hope this is making sense! It's just an extra way I like to organize my binders sometimes. If you read my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2019/10/phonics-sounds-binders.html" target="_blank">Phonics Sounds Binders post</a>, you know I love my binders! :)<br />
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Another example of how to use the printing 16 pages to a page idea:<br />
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Let's say you have <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/02/teaching-money.html" target="_blank">my big teaching coins and money math unit</a> but you also have several other PDFs of money worksheets and activities from other bloggers... print each one of the PDFs with the pages set to 16 to a page then slip those into a binder or in your "Money and Coins" file folder in your cabinet, so that when you need to find and print one of the worksheets or activities, you can use your little reference sheets to know the exact pack it's in to find it and print it.<br />
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You can also JUST take home those little reference sheets if you do planning at home, rather than your entire folder of coin activities.<br />
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This saves me a lot of time looking for worksheets! I even sometimes will print that page and clip it to all the pages I've printed from that pack, like I said, so I can just look at ONE page in my files to see if it's little picture is on there since it's on top of the papers it's clipped to. Super helpful for if I have a ton of printed pages for the same topic.<br />
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Bonus Tip: Did you know you can also print pictures in this way? If you have a folder of pictures on your computer: Select all the ones you want on the page. Use the right button on your mouse to click one of them then select print and then tell it how many you want on a page. It's a fun and easy way to print a little sheet of pictures straight from your folder :)<br />
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Okay I still have so many more but now I <i>really</i> feel like I've probably overwhelmed you with ideas! Or at least I hope you got a lot of new ideas! :)</div>
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Please let me know below if you learned any new tricks!! If you tried one and it didn't work for you, please ask so I can help clarify! These are all such huge time savers for teachers that I want to make sure you have all of them in your toolbox :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is A LOT of information here - I highly recommend you save it to reference later! </span><br />
How to do that: Hover over this picture & click "Save" or <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/457959855862638659/" target="_blank">click here to go to the pin directly to save this to your boards</a> so you can come back to it if you forget any of the keyboard shortcuts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxym6f-2M04RFOh_of65HL8c8q9VEDrIH9KaK31hnrqFzblvlk_9A3XCCks7cqLxWJewy2bWp0Bt0FJGgzL_oKG5gWkBk8KnPDUOY4nPWjZsIpDYi-kzd4bsdIX9tTVJyuuOC41UWIjFEA/s1600/Tech+Tips+for+Teachers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tech Tips for Teachers - amazing list!!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxym6f-2M04RFOh_of65HL8c8q9VEDrIH9KaK31hnrqFzblvlk_9A3XCCks7cqLxWJewy2bWp0Bt0FJGgzL_oKG5gWkBk8KnPDUOY4nPWjZsIpDYi-kzd4bsdIX9tTVJyuuOC41UWIjFEA/s640/Tech+Tips+for+Teachers.jpg" title="Tech Tips for Teachers - amazing list!!" width="480" /></a></div>
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If you think you'll use a lot of these ideas and to save this to your row we talked about, that's also a quick way to get back to this page when you need it!<br />
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I absolutely love sharing these sorts of ideas so if you loved this, you may also enjoy:</div>
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- <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2017/05/teacher-tricks-for-math.html" target="_blank"><span id="goog_892609717"></span>Teacher Tricks for Math<span id="goog_892609718"></span></a></div>
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- <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2017/04/teacher-tricks-for-reading-and-writing.html" target="_blank">Teacher Tricks for Reading and Writing</a></div>
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and really any of my blog posts! I sprinkle fun ideas to make things more fun and save you time throughout my posts :) You can see a big organized list of all of them here:<br />
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<a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">Miss Giraffe Favorite Blog Posts List</a><br />
(You could also save this list into your row to come back to it :) Just saying! ha)</div>
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I also post lots of ideas as pins & on social media so you can go to the top of my sidebar to the right (click Home to go straight to the top!) ------></div>
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to follow me where you hang out the most :) I do post different ideas on different platforms, though, so if you use more than one, I recommend following in more than 1 place so you don't miss anything. I also recommend <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Sellers-Im-Following/Add/Miss-Giraffe" target="_blank">following me on TpT</a> so you see when I post new resources if you teach the primary grades. I love making resources and filling them with fun ideas too :)</div>
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Anyway, I'd love to hear from you below! Let me know if it was helpful or if you want to let me know more tech tips you want to hear about! You can also <a href="http://eepurl.com/1WAO9" target="_blank">fill out this quick form</a> (please make sure to check the box) to join Miss Giraffe's Class to receive fun emails from me so we can keep in touch! :)<br /></div><div><br /></div>
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Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-54524283589705866492020-07-14T10:40:00.005-07:002021-12-16T18:04:46.348-07:00Must Have Short Vowel Word Family GamesI absolutely love playing games to learn each short vowel word family to make reading a breeze!<br />
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If you are looking for a way to make your kids EXCITED to sound out words, this is for you!</div>
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This center game is one of my favorites because each word is a mystery.... and kids love to be detectives!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsad_JeEzlR5QYW0863p901-6vPQ4tYHAFn7ksNni2CYGdCaaGwURjXb1zyQrRgEPGYTZzYdg-1SQvEoqrdoBdihYxW5YTwDpLw49mtdxhrIDPBvg4EAQVjIaFtUOsUpYjqfnNeRlvuALz/s1600/Short+vowel+word+family+games.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Short vowel word family games" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsad_JeEzlR5QYW0863p901-6vPQ4tYHAFn7ksNni2CYGdCaaGwURjXb1zyQrRgEPGYTZzYdg-1SQvEoqrdoBdihYxW5YTwDpLw49mtdxhrIDPBvg4EAQVjIaFtUOsUpYjqfnNeRlvuALz/s640/Short+vowel+word+family+games.JPG" title="Short vowel word family games" width="640" /></a></div>
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Secret Words!</div>
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I've been talking about how I love these for years, but these are extra exciting to me because they can be used for even the youngest of readers. Both homeschooling parents and teachers tell me how much their kids love these and don't even realize they're reading, which I absolutely love to hear. </div>
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The way they work is...</div>
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A kid takes card and looks at the first picture and figures out its beginning sound. For example, if it's a picture of a butterfly, they know it's the /b/ sound so it starts with a letter B! So they put a b on their card. They do this for each picture to figure out the secret word!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_yqOfhckJnfxnkWX49jQ-XHeuOthWStJ3QJs8oRHWMxTXG8fEhkafKIqYMksfZ0zYd7Af1p822WO1T8RIkmumi3Axoy3ddPGwhVuoJ1x_hPAwse-JyuFHl7VxUi3ct3F-SIFyhlIoLyM/s1600/Secret+Words+activity.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Secret Words activity where kids look at the beginning sound for each picture to figure out the letter and reveal the mystery! These are specifically for short vowels but they come for a ton of phonics skills!" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_yqOfhckJnfxnkWX49jQ-XHeuOthWStJ3QJs8oRHWMxTXG8fEhkafKIqYMksfZ0zYd7Af1p822WO1T8RIkmumi3Axoy3ddPGwhVuoJ1x_hPAwse-JyuFHl7VxUi3ct3F-SIFyhlIoLyM/s640/Secret+Words+activity.JPG" title="Secret Words activity where kids look at the beginning sound for each picture to figure out the letter and reveal the mystery! These are specifically for short vowels but they come for a ton of phonics skills!" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, not only is it A LOT of reading and blending words, but it also gets in a ton of beginning sounds practice. Even up to first grade, I think it's important to constantly be enforcing the beginning sounds of words to create strong readers.</div>
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I specifically made these to practice each word family so I have MANY cards!</div>
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You can only practice VC and CVC words if you want to keep it super easy for really early readers...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7kEzxrjxmxGZ3mUSa4Q_KhDFDxCryw4qLgvElEfjIaDdcd58eGZoNCaV4RazadxKlQHB2CmnrQLwBt7g24D2p1ugoDnmkMjOyf9zmGJRqj63zT7Z2j7hIkesdbq0dww_Xe0QMLvhn0XN/s1600/an+word+family+activity.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="an word family activity that she shows for all the short vowel families! Such fun and engaging games for learning to read!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7kEzxrjxmxGZ3mUSa4Q_KhDFDxCryw4qLgvElEfjIaDdcd58eGZoNCaV4RazadxKlQHB2CmnrQLwBt7g24D2p1ugoDnmkMjOyf9zmGJRqj63zT7Z2j7hIkesdbq0dww_Xe0QMLvhn0XN/s640/an+word+family+activity.JPG" title="an word family activity that she shows for all the short vowel families! Such fun and engaging games for learning to read!" width="480" /></a></div>
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... or you can also throw in some CCVC words to challenge your reader! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBKQqFVSQlebhWunUpY9_kJmlmRmM23WpXVbFLKoHEUinq5Ov3nZJQRZKK9XtKfd8jmPB_HtGvDQhlub42QuKaKxx_dEIb-Z6CpnBV4U9j0LyhxODpjgt_aDpMtkD9VAoWd-Oy6jrjh_T/s1600/ap+word+family+game.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ap word family reading practice that looks like a game! Perfect for kindergarten, first grade, and even preschool kids to build their fluency skills by being detectives! The beginning sound for each picture will reveal each letter to solve the mystery!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBKQqFVSQlebhWunUpY9_kJmlmRmM23WpXVbFLKoHEUinq5Ov3nZJQRZKK9XtKfd8jmPB_HtGvDQhlub42QuKaKxx_dEIb-Z6CpnBV4U9j0LyhxODpjgt_aDpMtkD9VAoWd-Oy6jrjh_T/s640/ap+word+family+game.JPG" title="ap word family reading practice that looks like a game! Perfect for kindergarten, first grade, and even preschool kids to build their fluency skills by being detectives! The beginning sound for each picture will reveal each letter to solve the mystery!" width="480" /></a></div>
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See how they are still practicing the -ap family but with a consonant blend (clap) at the beginning? This is a fun way to challenge students that are ready.<br />
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You can also start with the easier ones then build up to the harder ones and do them later. I wanted to provide a lot of options so you could use these with any age.</div>
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Short A Word Families</h3>
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Each vowel is its own set and has sets within it!</div>
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For example, I included 7 families in the short A set:</div>
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-ab, -ad, -ag, -am, -an, -ap, -at</div>
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I made TEN words from each family<br />
so there are 70 word cards total... and that's just for A!<br />
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I just absolutely love having so many cards for each so that you can do an entire center of JUST -am words. You can put the 10 -am cards in a bag or bucket and that's an entire center!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxWWfTkQf-Q8CdNOesa9lX5jW42hCGJtaTgAwgLNJ10Hbmae1yMBShyphenhyphennToiOhalbAtpV8PYCorCRl_wwHK9d4knKxj0USGHj9rTgu4GS1NPNCKnA6Nc-UKYYYggD1MA1t8KDuGYnnOvvs/s1600/am+word+family+centers+activities.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="am word family centers activities and so many more amazing teaching short vowel ideas" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxWWfTkQf-Q8CdNOesa9lX5jW42hCGJtaTgAwgLNJ10Hbmae1yMBShyphenhyphennToiOhalbAtpV8PYCorCRl_wwHK9d4knKxj0USGHj9rTgu4GS1NPNCKnA6Nc-UKYYYggD1MA1t8KDuGYnnOvvs/s640/am+word+family+centers+activities.JPG" title="am word family centers activities and so many more amazing teaching short vowel ideas" width="480" /></a></div>
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You could do that for each of the families to create 7 separate centers just for short A. That is SO. MUCH. READING. PRACTICE. eeee! I love it! </div>
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It's such a confidence boost for a kid to be able to sit down and read TEN words with ease because they all sound similar. Doing this with each of the 7 sets would build a ton of reading fluency and confidence that is simply priceless. Keeping that love for reading is so important to me and I think making it fun and easy-seeming is such a big key to that!</div>
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If you want these, all of the short A cards are in the:</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/SECRET-WORDS-Short-A-Word-Families-Centers-4808724?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Secret-Words-Short-Vowel-Word-Families" target="_blank">SECRET WORDS Short A Word Families Centers </a></div>
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There's a bundle of all the sets I am going to show you here:</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/SECRET-WORDS-BIG-BUNDLE-of-Short-Vowels-Word-Families-Centers-4808723?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Secret-Words-Short-Vowel-Word-Families" target="_blank">SECRET WORDS BIG BUNDLE of Short Vowels Word Families Centers</a></div>
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If you know you want them all - every single thing I show in this article will be in that bundle :)</div>
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Normally I wait until the end-ish of an article to tell you where you can get the examples I use because my focus is on sharing my ideas, but I know people are SO busy right now trying to figure out the school year, so I wanted to let you be able to stop here if you don't want to listen to me continue to ramble and show pictures. If you follow along, you know I love to ramble and show a ridiculous amount of picture examples in my posts. I'm a visual person so I feel like it helps me express my ideas. :)</div>
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I do have some <b>fun teaching ideas</b> to share for these, though, so if you do get them, I recommend coming back and at least scroll the pictures to find some more fun ways to use them!</div>
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One fun idea I'll share with you really quick is - using a magnetic cooking tray of some kind to build the words on!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwUJ9Oc3YRQ3AaOMmDCe-CI6ZTVz-IM8NqBWWOI3kqM8gAeDTKEyISdvrBd4kFZnFB383N6gZRPYR76GpTZGhXEfjNOKRVkd8OfqstkZUftOVFzC6RLQEK_PADG9s7MGdAx5sG0us2_35/s1600/Word+building+activities+kindergarten.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Word building activities kindergarten kids absolutely love because they are a mystery! Student look at the beginning sound for each picture to determine the letter and solve the secret! Fun!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwUJ9Oc3YRQ3AaOMmDCe-CI6ZTVz-IM8NqBWWOI3kqM8gAeDTKEyISdvrBd4kFZnFB383N6gZRPYR76GpTZGhXEfjNOKRVkd8OfqstkZUftOVFzC6RLQEK_PADG9s7MGdAx5sG0us2_35/s640/Word+building+activities+kindergarten.JPG" title="Word building activities kindergarten kids absolutely love because they are a mystery! Student look at the beginning sound for each picture to determine the letter and solve the secret! Fun!" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you have any magnetic cooking trays in your kitchen, you can have kids build the words on them! I've shown this with the small rectangular ones I have before, but the cool thing about a round bowl shaped one is you can put the word cards AND magnet letters inside the bowl for storage too!<br />
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Then, kids can simply grab the bowl with all the center contents in it already, take it to their seat, and flip it over to use it as a little table to build the words on. If you have multiple bowls, each filled with different center cards, you have a bunch of centers prepped and ready to be used at any time. How cute is that??<br />
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Tricky Short E Centers</h3>
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The short E sound is one of the toughest sounds for young learners! It sounds a lot like the Short I sound to some kids... and the words simply aren't as exciting to kids for some reason. I personally think E should be taught <i>after</i> O and I, but that is up to you!<br />
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That's why I think it's so important to have fun centers for it like these secret words activities and the <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2020/07/fun-cvc-word-families-games.html" target="_blank">CVC Word Family Rolls</a> I blogged about last week. Fun and bright practice materials are key!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEd_g9vrj2QyiK22kqccLBQxSRoecYkmo-07GWVWMFlkobn0Mmi5WzrpKFvZLFYGthll-eoOPs1G-jvwok3-Q-sn183mG1xJYGy0b4uuXhx0ZzzP3GXsSzsMmjQBpHAIVvnaKXEs5PHDa/s1600/CVC+words+kindergarten.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CVC words kindergarten" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEd_g9vrj2QyiK22kqccLBQxSRoecYkmo-07GWVWMFlkobn0Mmi5WzrpKFvZLFYGthll-eoOPs1G-jvwok3-Q-sn183mG1xJYGy0b4uuXhx0ZzzP3GXsSzsMmjQBpHAIVvnaKXEs5PHDa/s640/CVC+words+kindergarten.JPG" title="CVC words kindergarten" width="480" /></a></div>
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Seeing that cute little whale and putting a W under it all of a sudden makes reading Short E words a lot more engaging.<br />
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The list of Short E word families included is:</div>
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-ed, -eg, -en, -et<br />
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There aren't as many short E words that kids can read and illustrative pictures exist for, so there are only 30 words in this set but that is still a ton of practice. & Honestly, once you get to E, they are so much better at blending since you've probably already done a lot of short A, I, and O words before starting on E so I think it's more important to have a lot more word examples for those 3 first.<br />
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All of these are in the bundle and in a smaller pack here:<br />
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/SECRET-WORDS-Short-E-Word-Families-Centers-4840377?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Secret-Words-Short-Vowel-Word-Families" target="_blank">SECRET WORDS Short E Word Families Centers</a></div>
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Word Families: Short I</h3>
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List of short I word families:<br />
-ib, -id, -ig, -im, -in, -ip, -it<br />
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Each set in the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/SECRET-WORDS-Short-I-Word-Families-Centers-4840379?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Secret-Words-Short-Vowel-Word-Families" target="_blank">SECRET WORDS Short I Word Families Centers</a> has 10 words except -ib that has 4 since there aren't as many :) That makes for 64 different words in that set!<br />
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I love short I! For some reason, these words seem to click with kids. Maybe because they've already done a lot of blending practice with A and the /i/ sound just seems easier to say for some reason. The CVC words seem "sharp" if that makes sense (zip, fin, kid) so kids seem to read them more confidently than other sounds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbbTdjQRB-TUF9Z6rF4KjvZ52pPzI2s3DWr-FhZgFBGTny9srQ0lNNxOuoYOnX7ZI4akp_buVg5rZupRKKN7aGoK1_WxCplnT6VVQtw-SsTUDMshbFagUCfoHUSnkTK9NB6ZTinr8WhXG/s1600/Short+i+word+families.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Short i word families games and activities" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbbTdjQRB-TUF9Z6rF4KjvZ52pPzI2s3DWr-FhZgFBGTny9srQ0lNNxOuoYOnX7ZI4akp_buVg5rZupRKKN7aGoK1_WxCplnT6VVQtw-SsTUDMshbFagUCfoHUSnkTK9NB6ZTinr8WhXG/s640/Short+i+word+families.JPG" title="Short i word families games and activities" width="480" /></a></div>
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See what I mean? tip zip sip... they're simply fun to say for kids :)<br />
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The fact that they are doing these cards BY family will really help build their confidence in reading and blending the words. Since the words technically rhyme, they find it way easier to determine the mystery when the word sounds so similar to the one they just read.<br />
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Here's a great example of how you can use these to stretch a reader into blending harder words:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxUbF-XiB2Oj4EDw44bM9HwOaNk6SU4YWESg-YgMn3xuMMJluPZbZm3vFsCUb6M35xPOPHj-x6V7uzPy8AP9FlLX9Bp3EQOy3DBAxN5oO91ohaQUMAMLXb2v7CBKps4C6XcdEx9sbC3Le/s1600/Short+i+activities+kindergarten.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Short i activities kindergarten students can do! These even practice beginning sounds for a ton of reading practice! Kids look at each picture to determine what alphabet letter it starts with, then continue to reveal the mystery!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxUbF-XiB2Oj4EDw44bM9HwOaNk6SU4YWESg-YgMn3xuMMJluPZbZm3vFsCUb6M35xPOPHj-x6V7uzPy8AP9FlLX9Bp3EQOy3DBAxN5oO91ohaQUMAMLXb2v7CBKps4C6XcdEx9sbC3Le/s640/Short+i+activities+kindergarten.JPG" title="Short i activities kindergarten students can do! These even practice beginning sounds for a ton of reading practice! Kids look at each picture to determine what alphabet letter it starts with, then continue to reveal the mystery!" width="480" /></a></div>
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In this example, they've already read "sit" and "pit" and now they are reading "spit" which is so similar. Normally, it would appear to be a much more difficult consonant blend. However, since they had the scaffolding of the first 2 words, the word actually seems easy now! The beauty of word families :)<br />
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<h3>
Short O Word Families</h3>
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<div>List of short O word families:<br />-ob, -og, -op, -ot</div><div><br /></div><div>Each word family in the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/SECRET-WORDS-Short-O-Word-Families-Centers-4921227?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Secret-Words-Short-Vowel-Word-Families" target="_blank">SECRET WORDS Short O Word Families Centers</a> pack has 10 words, except -ot which has 11! This allows you to make each word family its own center if you want!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWLosoDrMWKay2y8-su0OaoG0oEnq7NOlXzRR0STDTA_1vOVAWkRF_IujmZ80AyP9N2PldfQ6aPJ8CuJU3ce4cmOKJ_5JV1wPtJK5VoCKqaNG_15kyFplTn6Rc-0QlINm31C5dk2f3bS-/s960/Short+O+games+activities.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Short O word families are so much fun with these Secret Word games where kids look at each beginning sound to solve the mystery phonics puzzle!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWLosoDrMWKay2y8-su0OaoG0oEnq7NOlXzRR0STDTA_1vOVAWkRF_IujmZ80AyP9N2PldfQ6aPJ8CuJU3ce4cmOKJ_5JV1wPtJK5VoCKqaNG_15kyFplTn6Rc-0QlINm31C5dk2f3bS-/w480-h640/Short+O+games+activities.JPG" title="Short O word families are so much fun with these Secret Word games where kids look at each beginning sound to solve the mystery phonics puzzle!" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>How cute is that little otter? :)</div>
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and, of course, Short U word family games!</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPQPgxhDer7t77FIvq6xMEDMP4ydXRgTcgpRoA9CpCD87JAz3QHKQoP8otziGHVU225hZ6vQM2dQSyA0YIbvm8jGsir3z9Se9r1311BZAK5kou8fjOh_mzSFcXN9A8uSMg5HBje3yuzhW/s1600/Short+u+word+families.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Short u word families fun! Check out these adorable activities where kids look at the beginning sound of each picture to figure out the mystery CVC!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPQPgxhDer7t77FIvq6xMEDMP4ydXRgTcgpRoA9CpCD87JAz3QHKQoP8otziGHVU225hZ6vQM2dQSyA0YIbvm8jGsir3z9Se9r1311BZAK5kou8fjOh_mzSFcXN9A8uSMg5HBje3yuzhW/s640/Short+u+word+families.JPG" title="Short u word families fun! Check out these adorable activities where kids look at the beginning sound of each picture to figure out the mystery CVC!" width="640" /></a></div>
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Short U is a fun one. By the time you get to U, they've had a lot of blending practice so it seems to be a lot easier.<br />
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This is a fun time to mix the sets to create a review that is all the U sound. I actually recommend doing that for all of the vowels after you do all of the sets for that vowel. For example, once you do each of the 7 short A sets, grab 10-15 of them from the sets to mix into a Short A review center. Since there are so many cards, you could even do 3 or 4 rounds of review if you wanted to.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1slvMOsh-9lsF_4bN-unZ1mxc7ObYWxhgrkpEHlfjZHqbrZfSwCItcf-CfM7HwMJrtK8UEkwGnzE9T6FiLX3NFN8681Y1CGn0nA3Vurt7po4iPBy5kU2bQkbkN3D4WQ_LWO7klFVPHSNO/s1600/Short+u+activities.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Short u activities to practice and review CVC words in such a fun way!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1slvMOsh-9lsF_4bN-unZ1mxc7ObYWxhgrkpEHlfjZHqbrZfSwCItcf-CfM7HwMJrtK8UEkwGnzE9T6FiLX3NFN8681Y1CGn0nA3Vurt7po4iPBy5kU2bQkbkN3D4WQ_LWO7klFVPHSNO/s640/Short+u+activities.JPG" title="Short u activities to practice and review CVC words in such a fun way!" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can also make 3-4 mixed sets and put them in buckets or bags that kids can grab any time to review. This makes an amazing early finisher activity for kids who finish their work early and are looking for something fun to do.<br />
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I recommend doing that for any center you have, even if you're a parent teaching at home. You'd be surprised how kids will grab a game they've already done to work on during their "play time"! Especially if it's been awhile since they've done it.<br />
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I suspect it's also fun for them to go back and do a short A review set after they've done e, i, o and see how easy the A words seem now :)<br />
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So excited to share these with you!<br />
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/SECRET-WORDS-Short-U-Word-Families-Centers-4921228?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Secret-Words-Short-Vowel-Word-Families" target="_blank">SECRET WORDS Short U Word Families Centers</a><br />
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<br /></div><div>If you want ALL of the Short Vowel Word Family cards (including all the ones I showed here), you can grab them in the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/SECRET-WORDS-BIG-BUNDLE-of-Short-Vowels-Word-Families-Centers-4808723?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Secret-Words-Short-Vowel-Word-Families" target="_blank">SECRET WORDS BIG BUNDLE of Short Vowels Word Families Centers</a>!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfICPxx30dUK_FffpJEvWuCh8R5qKXUtS30hWjJZSXs3CcfM06lKk3NlBD3VE-T40-oXzYLTciQdcpkVb21xYEcUSV9w-2qPa54WT4TNYIjQDZrdqUbIRvj6FAwEUmlxUezOMVMAxdETob/s960/Short+Vowels+Word+Families+Bundle+Cover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfICPxx30dUK_FffpJEvWuCh8R5qKXUtS30hWjJZSXs3CcfM06lKk3NlBD3VE-T40-oXzYLTciQdcpkVb21xYEcUSV9w-2qPa54WT4TNYIjQDZrdqUbIRvj6FAwEUmlxUezOMVMAxdETob/w400-h300/Short+Vowels+Word+Families+Bundle+Cover.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
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I hope you enjoyed this post! </div>
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If you enjoyed this, check out my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">Big Organized List of Miss Giraffe Blog Posts</a> and look around! I always try to share fun ideas with lots of pictures. I have a lot more CVC and short vowel ideas (my giant <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/09/short-activities-and-resources.html" target="_blank">Teaching Short A post</a>, for example, as well as fun math and classroom management ideas!)<br />
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Thank you for reading! Definitely come back if you want to see more of these activities as I add to this post. You can also <a href="http://eepurl.com/1WAO9" target="_blank">fill out this quick form</a> (please make sure to check the box) to <b>join Miss Giraffe's Class</b> to receive fun emails from me so we can keep in touch! :)</div>
Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-55879297738180837112020-07-07T20:04:00.008-07:002021-12-16T18:15:50.939-07:00Fun CVC Word Families GamesFun CVC Word Families Games make learning to read CVC words so much more fun!<br />
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Especially when they include rolling dice :)</div>
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I am excited to show you the phonics games I love for teaching kids how to read simple short vowel words and work on blending words in SUCH a fun way!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUdinOE1aTLHSUhyphenhyphen6Ufk_9NU4mp45t__T6DVNZR1CKl4e2hc4L1GH7HxCJ8bUbS12Uk254weO-hEHjeMS_ptF1hyphenhyphen7u5rEdH1FCyksgQpp5tG8QEYEbSULERElntTJPcnNIYsOIbP8vdRg/s1600/Fun+CVC+Words+games.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fun CVC Words games to practice reading and blending word families" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUdinOE1aTLHSUhyphenhyphen6Ufk_9NU4mp45t__T6DVNZR1CKl4e2hc4L1GH7HxCJ8bUbS12Uk254weO-hEHjeMS_ptF1hyphenhyphen7u5rEdH1FCyksgQpp5tG8QEYEbSULERElntTJPcnNIYsOIbP8vdRg/s640/Fun+CVC+Words+games.JPG" title="Fun CVC Words games to practice reading and blending word families" width="480" /></a></div>
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I made these because people really loved my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2014/10/cvc-words-roll.html" target="_blank">CVC Words Roll game</a> and told me how much their kids loved it.<br />
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I originally designed that first set thinking it would be a REVIEW of CVC Words for first graders after learning all of the short vowels.<br />
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Then, I started noticing that SO MANY kindergarten teachers were telling me that their kids loved it...<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">BUT - the kindergarten teachers were mostly saying how it was a perfect review for midway through the year and at the end of the year.</span><br />
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Since so many K teachers seemed to be using it, I tried to think of how I could make it a bit easier so their kids could play the games sooner in the year. I had only intended it to be a first grade activity, but so many K teachers were using it...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I created Short Vowel Word Family Rolls!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5q7ttm1U933BXLMXXoFBVEZCE-A_iSQEilnfCy0PUO9EE-CUyfAOrVQrepO7arumX6hRedkuTPb8rzKBpnqumxExlQOaNd3nl5HIbkaYCcNQd2gqSeiAjBSaTOEDCN-jAqr6deAdbK2AK/s1600/Word+families+short+a+games.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Word families short a games and ideas" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5q7ttm1U933BXLMXXoFBVEZCE-A_iSQEilnfCy0PUO9EE-CUyfAOrVQrepO7arumX6hRedkuTPb8rzKBpnqumxExlQOaNd3nl5HIbkaYCcNQd2gqSeiAjBSaTOEDCN-jAqr6deAdbK2AK/s640/Word+families+short+a+games.JPG" title="Word families short a games and ideas" width="640" /></a></div>
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Each set comes with a student friendly directions sheet so you can lay it out and they know what to do.<br />
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I was SO excited about these because, not only were they perfect for kindergarten (I've even had preschool teachers use them!), but they're also SO nice for first grade students who need that extra word family support.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdrYS0JemKBBBpFxXlU9i6bucLry14FJF9CxqpHsClrox4wcQssNwUrwPT2PnoAVJEGjLXj5BrlIRTphADhnJ-Gd2_mlJKYVo0ixyPUoSc4EUHWPQoKH7wwNMllgZFocmX4-d36MOfhyphenhyphenb/s1600/ug+and+ut+word+family+practice.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ug and ut word family practice (and a bunch more short vowel word families too!)" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdrYS0JemKBBBpFxXlU9i6bucLry14FJF9CxqpHsClrox4wcQssNwUrwPT2PnoAVJEGjLXj5BrlIRTphADhnJ-Gd2_mlJKYVo0ixyPUoSc4EUHWPQoKH7wwNMllgZFocmX4-d36MOfhyphenhyphenb/s640/ug+and+ut+word+family+practice.JPG" title="ug and ut word family practice (and a bunch more short vowel word families too!)" width="480" /></a></div>
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For example, the picture above practices only TWO short U word families at a time: the -ug word family and the -ut word family. Some of the pictures on this sheet even repeat so that they get extra reading practice with those words. They only get to color/cover it once per roll so the fact that they can roll the same word twice gives them extra fluency practice and confidence, which I love.<br />
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Kids learn the word families SO quick because they really want to cover their picture (or color their picture, depending on which kind you're using) and because it's a game!<br />
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Also, they are only rolling TWO dice, instead of 3 like in the CVC Words Review Roll, so that helps it be a lot easier for blending.<br />
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Just like with the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/CVC-Words-Roll-1504049?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=CVC-Word-Family-Rolls" target="_blank">CVC Words Review Roll</a>, each set of game boards and dice comes with a "Color" version and a "Cover" version. For the "Color" version, they get to color in the picture on their sheet:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS_AnOOp9pIvH466fog_EiRDJzV2eKnJx7VCSUkDMxUargb1LBaCGq8UEaRq3K0yP7JFb4ckJWguLZFet9ct7jDvijLFvwX9tb3YIbwwqpQoYPDbLGvMkqcXWSo8sSczmEW0914y0s6sO/s1600/Short+E+Word+Families+Games.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Short E Word Families Games" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS_AnOOp9pIvH466fog_EiRDJzV2eKnJx7VCSUkDMxUargb1LBaCGq8UEaRq3K0yP7JFb4ckJWguLZFet9ct7jDvijLFvwX9tb3YIbwwqpQoYPDbLGvMkqcXWSo8sSczmEW0914y0s6sO/s640/Short+E+Word+Families+Games.JPG" title="Short E Word Families Games" width="640" /></a></div>
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One thing I was also really excited about is that some of the game boards have 12 pictures and some have 20.<br />
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For the game sets that practice ONLY TWO word families at a time, the game boards have 12 pictures.<br />
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Each short vowel's pack has a REVIEW set for that short vowels' word families. Those come with the standard 5 game boards with 12 pictures…. Then I also included 5 game boards with TWENTY pictures each for those ones for an even bigger, more fun challenge!<br />
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For example, this is the ALL word families set for Short U families in the “Cover” version:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadGgRDo8n4Ecjok9Wp_11q7FYaZqgdMe8tDIl9PUWfTaWAS7S_8mQpgT3AeecSgSrEuyu0CZyc8GwNsg2D6dSMi4PXQ3ByTw_w09Bl9ORwY5d0jkZtF7XygEfrOcBgeeiA95fxsmqoS3j/s1600/Short+U+word+families+game.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Short U word families game that is super fun!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadGgRDo8n4Ecjok9Wp_11q7FYaZqgdMe8tDIl9PUWfTaWAS7S_8mQpgT3AeecSgSrEuyu0CZyc8GwNsg2D6dSMi4PXQ3ByTw_w09Bl9ORwY5d0jkZtF7XygEfrOcBgeeiA95fxsmqoS3j/s640/Short+U+word+families+game.JPG" title="Short U word families game that is super fun!" width="480" /></a></div>
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There are 5 versions of the game boards in each set where they cover 12 pictures.<br />
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Then there is also a “Color” version of all 5 of the game boards if they would rather color the pictures than cover them:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNWFGmCnTwu3cqY9-J8R4_6niUkf1WdCW6cHyjyxlGIpZcTqy3k18J3XB6RVaTqMLLEB9Yuchhy3Enl7OQqtuETA-rL5JSClaP_Oye1vfcpTujS96dy64RY7SFjg8gR60oPzD7AftEpW9/s1600/Roll+and+color+short+U+words.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Roll and color short U words game for kids" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNWFGmCnTwu3cqY9-J8R4_6niUkf1WdCW6cHyjyxlGIpZcTqy3k18J3XB6RVaTqMLLEB9Yuchhy3Enl7OQqtuETA-rL5JSClaP_Oye1vfcpTujS96dy64RY7SFjg8gR60oPzD7AftEpW9/s640/Roll+and+color+short+U+words.JPG" title="Roll and color short U words game for kids" width="480" /></a></div>
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But if you really want to challenge your little learners, give them the same activity using the same dice but with the 20 picture board:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8v8ZYqUJJFXBu1R2g-DjuHfj8NzI9vzFHDo61Pi-NPylSawDo2q2bU2pGxJHLkMN5fyYLKzMbUHFYergD3iAtXlqsle3QlAfNWhW1wkLM4ovtwMX-ZIr7kEJjJEzyMjJ0Ov7Ck5hFU2aw/s1600/Word+families+short+u+words.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Word families short u words game!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8v8ZYqUJJFXBu1R2g-DjuHfj8NzI9vzFHDo61Pi-NPylSawDo2q2bU2pGxJHLkMN5fyYLKzMbUHFYergD3iAtXlqsle3QlAfNWhW1wkLM4ovtwMX-ZIr7kEJjJEzyMjJ0Ov7Ck5hFU2aw/s640/Word+families+short+u+words.JPG" title="Word families short u words game!" width="480" /></a></div>
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There are 5 of those as well as 5 in the coloring version as well:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjGC-O-jjplJz7Qbpu3PFKlUSbbqVyXFClacW8QixaVIKktEHpUUlgMLM9MlHsQqFgVLg0teYuZ6yUk7SikbygOmXgYqCn-5ayFRxMz0fZrK8PFAXhAyiXIZePs_efEf2kedESOMNpNK1/s1600/Short+U+CVC+words+game.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Short U CVC words game and so many cute word rolls!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjGC-O-jjplJz7Qbpu3PFKlUSbbqVyXFClacW8QixaVIKktEHpUUlgMLM9MlHsQqFgVLg0teYuZ6yUk7SikbygOmXgYqCn-5ayFRxMz0fZrK8PFAXhAyiXIZePs_efEf2kedESOMNpNK1/s640/Short+U+CVC+words+game.JPG" title="Short U CVC words game and so many cute word rolls!" width="480" /></a></div>
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I think it’s so nice to have a lot of options so you can meet the child you’re working with at their level - that’s what makes it not only fun but efficient for learning!<br />
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Plus, you can also start easy and work your way up to the harder levels for a ton of practice!<br />
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For the color version, they color the picture they rolled. For the cover version, they cover it with an object. Pretty much any small object works!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqxhxUZuxKTqWoDYufALP9-8g6JsPl7JeBTHnvVpeOKq0JXg-H_hjSQIFEDWQNvvAt34ZhFLgokii380IGtyfOcUPzTfRWWQXiAR5humL23WLwSgcv0lLxO2UPycJhdqrSgj6IXKWhFq-/s1600/Short+i+word+families+games.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Short i word families games" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqxhxUZuxKTqWoDYufALP9-8g6JsPl7JeBTHnvVpeOKq0JXg-H_hjSQIFEDWQNvvAt34ZhFLgokii380IGtyfOcUPzTfRWWQXiAR5humL23WLwSgcv0lLxO2UPycJhdqrSgj6IXKWhFq-/s640/Short+i+word+families+games.JPG" title="Short i word families games" width="480" /></a></div>
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Each center has multiple sets and each set includes 5 different game boards. This makes it so easy to play as a small group game or partner game. It also makes it super easy to play multiple times with different games boards by simply switching who has which one.<br />
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If you're playing with just one student, then woahh, you have A TON of games and game boards to play so many times. :)<br />
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You can also play these over and over anyway because the fact that they roll words makes every game different so they are truly an endless center. My favorite kind!<br />
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This is only some of them I laid out as an example:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeqVSZyf0zpqvtrdCc1bxWpoIJDLdCdDLHHWtFaqsEOpoBQiDAAlo4cvM28uqMLufR1VEKuYoURUwM_9pRzhRyBSo39xY0xGOyDPyClIpR_dlZJzXvme993C3W9E3e1xZ1V4GLFzzIIFB/s1600/Short+vowel+word+family+games.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Short vowel word family games to practice reading CVC words!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeqVSZyf0zpqvtrdCc1bxWpoIJDLdCdDLHHWtFaqsEOpoBQiDAAlo4cvM28uqMLufR1VEKuYoURUwM_9pRzhRyBSo39xY0xGOyDPyClIpR_dlZJzXvme993C3W9E3e1xZ1V4GLFzzIIFB/s640/Short+vowel+word+family+games.JPG" title="Short vowel word family games to practice reading CVC words!" width="480" /></a></div>
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Also, I don’t have a picture of it currently because I didn’t print them out but I also included <b>UK spelling versions</b> of all the sets for those of you who need “Roll and Colour” versions :)<br />
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There are A BUNCH of games so I tried to make them super easy to prep by writing what color to print the dice ON the paper, as you can see in this picture:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKLuz2710Fe-cWxALeBEOk1Sfv_F2PbeOesOCEEiQh6Oj7RDQK9yZs4XqKHoGpRl92zrvS-v03qlw8jGTAbuJ0kawnqO_eFhF_Y6KK2evNm9QS8VtzFdHK66zfiAtV_1IimdIroaj-iGz/s1600/Teaching+planning+cat.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKLuz2710Fe-cWxALeBEOk1Sfv_F2PbeOesOCEEiQh6Oj7RDQK9yZs4XqKHoGpRl92zrvS-v03qlw8jGTAbuJ0kawnqO_eFhF_Y6KK2evNm9QS8VtzFdHK66zfiAtV_1IimdIroaj-iGz/s640/Teaching+planning+cat.JPG" title="" width="640" /></a></div>
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As you can also see, I have a furry teaching assistant who likes to help me cut out centers :) You may have seen him on this blog or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/missgiraffesclass/" target="_blank">on my IG</a> before - he's quite the character and we had fun making them together. Do you have a little pup or kitty friend who supervises your center prep? Tell me below! :)<br />
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<br />
I hope this was helpful for looking at how to use my word roll games for word families! They are a lot of fun and make reading a game so I love them.<br />
<br />
If you want them, they are here:<br />
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Short-A-CVC-Words-Roll-Centers-2118649?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=CVC-Word-Family-Rolls" target="_blank">Short A CVC Words Roll</a><br />
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Short-E-CVC-Words-Roll-Centers-2131440?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=CVC-Word-Family-Rolls" target="_blank">Short E CVC Words Roll</a><br />
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Short-I-CVC-Words-Roll-Centers-2179391?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=CVC-Word-Family-Rolls" target="_blank">Short I CVC Words Roll</a><br />
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Short-O-CVC-Words-Roll-Centers-2179402?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=CVC-Word-Family-Rolls" target="_blank">Short O CVC Words Roll</a><br />
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Short-U-CVC-Words-Roll-Centers-2179414?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=CVC-Word-Family-Rolls" target="_blank">Short U CVC Words Roll</a><br />
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I also have a big bundle of them if you know you want them all!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/CVC-Word-Rolls-BUNDLE-2179433?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=CVC-Word-Family-Rolls" target="_blank">CVC Words Roll BUNDLE</a></span><br />
<br />
They're also included in the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Phonics-Games-Word-Rolls-with-Dice-MEGA-BUNDLE-3273991?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=CVC-Word-Family-Rolls" target="_blank">Phonics Word Rolls MEGA Bundle</a> if you want even more of them. That bundle is huge and also includes long vowel word families and more! That's for the suuuuper fan of these :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-SXMt3cA6dylCSNCqL8Jdop_MMD20hpyMpfCdk1M7GVK8yzxn-3-n78X7SAyXlfsG8kk_n68vL6ZDTSnwUHcsRLs3hkt2F-d-zbuPfhLvSQKnjuw7_OcWxXcQwO7atosNaEZhFup5Uig/s1600/CVC+words+games.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="CVC words games" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-SXMt3cA6dylCSNCqL8Jdop_MMD20hpyMpfCdk1M7GVK8yzxn-3-n78X7SAyXlfsG8kk_n68vL6ZDTSnwUHcsRLs3hkt2F-d-zbuPfhLvSQKnjuw7_OcWxXcQwO7atosNaEZhFup5Uig/s400/CVC+words+games.JPG" title="CVC words games" width="400" /></a><br />
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<br />
If you liked this post, you may also like:<br />
<a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/06/bottle-cap-cvc-word-building-centers.html" target="_blank">Bottle Cap CVC Word Building Centers</a><br />
<a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2014/10/cvc-words-roll.html" target="_blank">CVC Word Rolls (to see the original one!)</a><br />
<a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2018/08/sight-words-sentences-cards-fun-ideas-centers.html" target="_blank">Sight Word Sentences Fun Ideas and Centers</a><br />
<br />
Thank you so much for reading!! :)<br />
<br />
If you haven't already and enjoy reading my ideas, you can join Miss Giraffe's Class by <a href="http://eepurl.com/1WAO9" target="_blank">filling out this quick form</a> to get on my email list. I'd love to have you! :) </div>
Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-22771685212618685712019-10-25T10:14:00.001-07:002021-12-16T18:20:13.032-07:00Phonics Sounds Binders<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Phonics Sounds Binders
are one of my favorite secret tools for teaching reading! Keep reading to peek
inside one of them :)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXr0_DNkFyVAAWUbyeNt5U7wlHippqzCazMLHGKmH0pgRNVP2dsdNtu3JxQx_N2kwcFefL-OYhBux6FQiIADNM1xpZZdPUUocabCpo5Dcwu-rTNEFr4sseNNjWOQFOlxIKiu2LMz7uqeAe/s1600/Phonics+Sounds+Binder.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Phonics sounds binders - peek inside mine!" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXr0_DNkFyVAAWUbyeNt5U7wlHippqzCazMLHGKmH0pgRNVP2dsdNtu3JxQx_N2kwcFefL-OYhBux6FQiIADNM1xpZZdPUUocabCpo5Dcwu-rTNEFr4sseNNjWOQFOlxIKiu2LMz7uqeAe/s640/Phonics+Sounds+Binder.JPG" title="Phonics sounds binders - peek inside mine!" width="426" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;">They are so great for
helping students who are struggling readers (whether it's with a specific
phonics sound or in general). They're also awesome activities you don't ever
have to prep once you do it once for those "I'm finished!" moments
during centers. They can grab a binder off the shelf.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, <i>they</i> can
grab it!! I recommend making one for each phonics sound you learn and putting
them on a low bookshelf students can easily grab and take them to their seats.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Put them in the order
that you learn the sounds so it is easy for them (and you) to put them back.
You could also have a ruler, pointer, or long object they put in between the 2
binders they took it out from so that they know exactly where to put it back
when they're done :) That's a <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2017/04/teacher-tricks-for-reading-and-writing.html"><span style="color: blue;">teaching trick</span></a> I absolutely love and makes
shelf organization something the kids can do!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They do take a little
bit of time to prep but once you do it once, you have it to use with your
classes year after year!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They are also fantastic
for, if you have a volunteer or someone who comes in to help in your classroom,
you ALWAYS have something prepared for them to work with a student. Phew!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay, so let's look
inside one of them!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Phonics Worksheets Section of Binder</span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjlfiV61oVMihzc1YoKV5bMUrHY6WAnlTSOFbORV9KU76D1sFcf5laAsjOGKWDzMEXuam6-w91RS7Xgr05y8jK6lTRqeiuQVJy8_dq8Jhyphenhyphenmcn_Xlls3-oMcAfvOwkVXsN0iEkMXB2tEfw/s1600/Long+i+worksheets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long i worksheets in a binder for easy write and wipe practice!" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjlfiV61oVMihzc1YoKV5bMUrHY6WAnlTSOFbORV9KU76D1sFcf5laAsjOGKWDzMEXuam6-w91RS7Xgr05y8jK6lTRqeiuQVJy8_dq8Jhyphenhyphenmcn_Xlls3-oMcAfvOwkVXsN0iEkMXB2tEfw/s640/Long+i+worksheets.JPG" title="Long i worksheets in a binder for easy write and wipe practice!" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The beginning of the
binder has worksheets they can simply write the answers on with dry erase
markers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMX-R62HVI63PmWYcDX4b4oqkehQmBKupiUSK_xcsX7TEaai41b9edfjbKkqUppOmZsWgD07MRhJ1ZcZyDrA6NuLmuAS7dB3jG0y9joQXEeLhDvcCYshlecylnvfh8xNPl1ePdZoplTKF3/s1600/Long+i+sound+words+practice.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long i sound words practice... look at this fun way to do this in a binder!!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMX-R62HVI63PmWYcDX4b4oqkehQmBKupiUSK_xcsX7TEaai41b9edfjbKkqUppOmZsWgD07MRhJ1ZcZyDrA6NuLmuAS7dB3jG0y9joQXEeLhDvcCYshlecylnvfh8xNPl1ePdZoplTKF3/s640/Long+i+sound+words+practice.JPG" title="Long i sound words practice... look at this fun way to do this in a binder!!" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They can go through and
do the pages in the binder (or as much as they get done before clean up time)
then wipe it when they're all done! So instead of printing copies of
worksheets, they can use this same one over and over and over and over and over
:)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg617juokTzzhbyeIEpvF_8PXqvKgl7PIHhn_oudw1smRCq3ykKwVy19PPnhBcUffmgF15J8BFmC2EWoGVSj3sFFHA4oCWOjfMn_5J2MBw4sisO4uM8Ys9-JiTwpXDXGbsoEq_mHmsaBcMG/s1600/Short+and+long+i+worksheets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Short and long i worksheets where students look at the fun picture then circle the correct spelling of the word for simple and easy practice!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg617juokTzzhbyeIEpvF_8PXqvKgl7PIHhn_oudw1smRCq3ykKwVy19PPnhBcUffmgF15J8BFmC2EWoGVSj3sFFHA4oCWOjfMn_5J2MBw4sisO4uM8Ys9-JiTwpXDXGbsoEq_mHmsaBcMG/s640/Short+and+long+i+worksheets.JPG" title="Short and long i worksheets where students look at the fun picture then circle the correct spelling of the word for simple and easy practice!" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's so funny, you put
the worksheets in sheet protectors and give them markers and all of a sudden, a
regular worksheet feels like a game or challenge they're so excited to do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Put the sheets in back
to back (2 worksheets in each sheet protector) so you can fit as many pages as
possible in the binder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvG9nsUxnUMbjuV9cxxrnOUg27Qn3EGOjQOY7_BNZz8vlbfCMZ7c1wvto6QzslH8PJozyhXT6-PYe3BxEASr6OgDdgzFvjEmtJA30wl9e7V0_P6rmfqOqIo1FJHI2iRLRmKQuLnr3gnmmF/s1600/Long+i+word+families.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long i word families worksheets and activities for easy and fun practice" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvG9nsUxnUMbjuV9cxxrnOUg27Qn3EGOjQOY7_BNZz8vlbfCMZ7c1wvto6QzslH8PJozyhXT6-PYe3BxEASr6OgDdgzFvjEmtJA30wl9e7V0_P6rmfqOqIo1FJHI2iRLRmKQuLnr3gnmmF/s640/Long+i+word+families.JPG" title="Long i word families worksheets and activities for easy and fun practice" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All of these pages so
far are out of my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-I-Worksheets-and-Activities-NO-PREP-1487050?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Phonics-Sounds-Binders" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Long I No Prep Phonics Pack</span></a> which has over
65 different long I worksheets to choose from and is heavily differentiated so
you can pick the exact worksheets you want for the binder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I recommend picking just
1 or 2 of each kind of worksheet so the binder stays exciting. If you're new to
my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Phonics-No-Prep-Massive-MEGA-Bundle-1701361?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Phonics-Sounds-Binders" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Phonics Packs</span></a>, I have them for almost every
phonics sound and the activities are consistent throughout them so you'll never
have to explain HOW to do each worksheet once they've done it before.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, even though the
sound may change, the activity is the same so they can spend all their focus on
learning the new sound, rather than <i>how</i> to do the activity.
Plus, like I said, you don't have to explain directions for any of the binders
and they can truly manage it themselves.... SO nice.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAp_brrfEZMfeKqn96vRBrUjreA-ZWKDOT3MLwjwT87L9mc1D0wIIkxZjnG9xeFfv9xzQUQ1ULnEdWN7koeNK73jFrNjsc9WmG42m0p-b2IMIeMNfbjcIFBlQCtnOuqaMS61IH8KgocqX/s1600/Short+i+or+long+i.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Circle and sort long i words and short i words in this super fun activity for long vowel practice!" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAp_brrfEZMfeKqn96vRBrUjreA-ZWKDOT3MLwjwT87L9mc1D0wIIkxZjnG9xeFfv9xzQUQ1ULnEdWN7koeNK73jFrNjsc9WmG42m0p-b2IMIeMNfbjcIFBlQCtnOuqaMS61IH8KgocqX/s640/Short+i+or+long+i.JPG" title="Circle and sort long i words and short i words in this super fun activity for long vowel practice!" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes I put more
than one version of the same activity though! The Circle & Sorts above are
a great example of that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first one I showed
you was having them read sentences and sorting the words in the sentences by
Long I word family. I like to include a sort for all of the word families so
they get a ton of practice reading and sorting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a favorite
activity because you get to use 2 colors of markers to sort the words :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY4OlUQHerACB6p-gL3V59jAiWG2Xu5A6nDouztrNYu245hK-27iDNykbL7GmyuEenhzDpCfLj1o_64aEeEtwrgDpGrV1E2rphix5Y85sP38pdvgN6GLNVZmUEChgY-963PCDwENIjJbb/s1600/Long+i+crossword.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long i crossword worksheet puzzle that kids love to practice phonics sounds - these are one of my favorites!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY4OlUQHerACB6p-gL3V59jAiWG2Xu5A6nDouztrNYu245hK-27iDNykbL7GmyuEenhzDpCfLj1o_64aEeEtwrgDpGrV1E2rphix5Y85sP38pdvgN6GLNVZmUEChgY-963PCDwENIjJbb/s640/Long+i+crossword.JPG" title="Long i crossword worksheet puzzle that kids love to practice phonics sounds - these are one of my favorites!" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The crossword is another
favorite! If you think your kids might not be able to do it, try it! You'll
probably be shocked how even your struggling readers can do this and it is
adorable how proud of themselves they are for completing a crossword. I love
it!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These are just some of
the worksheets from my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-I-Worksheets-and-Activities-NO-PREP-1487050?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Phonics-Sounds-Binders" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Long I No Prep pack</span></a> that I would include.
Other great ones to include are any of the word and sentence practice sheets -
pick out whichever ones you want!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A favorite I love to
include are the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Maze-ing-Sentences-BUNDLE-Year-Set-of-Sentence-Building-Phonics-Worksheets-4061224?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Phonics-Sounds-Binders" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">A-maze-ing Sentences</span></a> sheets. At least 1 of
those is in each no prep pack and they're a lot of fun!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Reading Activities Section<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The next section is SO
fun! Once they get past the worksheets section (or however many worksheets you want them to do first), they get to
do the ACTIVITIES section!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2ltGPSexb0IwklWbE1s-VuVjdPAgP4w1tE3WLW2vRiBYstgakglbizZlhRQX1D5EH20DpaiY1AN9fRBjIJ8K0qzyivf_k7vdT6LQT598xhGPbmJjF42Vy8sIIL18fPh5_5PQO2g6GqlK/s1600/Short+or+Long+Vowel+Sort.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Short or Long Vowel sort of fun pictures by the phonics sound they represent plus easy directions for how to make this into a game as you see here" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2ltGPSexb0IwklWbE1s-VuVjdPAgP4w1tE3WLW2vRiBYstgakglbizZlhRQX1D5EH20DpaiY1AN9fRBjIJ8K0qzyivf_k7vdT6LQT598xhGPbmJjF42Vy8sIIL18fPh5_5PQO2g6GqlK/s640/Short+or+Long+Vowel+Sort.JPG" title="Short or Long Vowel sort of fun pictures by the phonics sound they represent plus easy directions for how to make this into a game as you see here" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I grab a handful of cut
and paste worksheets also from my no prep pack and turn them into binder games!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All you do to make them is:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Print <b>TWO</b> copies
of the cut and paste<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Slide 1 of them in
a <b>heavy duty</b> sheet protector<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Laminate the 2nd copy
and cut out just the answer pieces<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Use <a href="https://www.teacherslovelists.com/fastener-tape-teacher-supplies-list-must-haves/"><span style="color: blue;">fastener tape</span></a> to put the <b>fuzzy</b> side
directly onto the sheet protector where you want that answer to go. Also put a
fuzzy side on each answer in the answer bank. This is where the pieces will
start and where they put them back when they're done.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Note: Fastener tape is
one of my favorite things!! If you've never used it - it comes like a roll of
tape and you cut off the exact size you want. Then you peel it apart and it'll
have a fuzzy side and a scratchy side that lock together. When you cut off a
piece, I recommend making it slightly smaller than the box you're putting the
answer in like below and putting it directly in the middle of the box.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Put the scratchy side
that is the exact same size of where the answer goes onto that answer piece.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWDLNeKKEU5BqyQT3j_Xdpo8aTbCNuQUr9bnlxaSXcMH-oDYmwSNWuzC45oGDDgO7KXIWIYKGZGo8Qi6uN6xbb0yD1sB0s1QIOJAqp_VS3Q94D1z2AEqGBaRHI0u-cKLi7-WNdDVjjQG3/s1600/Long+vowel+word+families.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long vowel word families -ive -ite and -ide sort and so many other fun activities for long i" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWDLNeKKEU5BqyQT3j_Xdpo8aTbCNuQUr9bnlxaSXcMH-oDYmwSNWuzC45oGDDgO7KXIWIYKGZGo8Qi6uN6xbb0yD1sB0s1QIOJAqp_VS3Q94D1z2AEqGBaRHI0u-cKLi7-WNdDVjjQG3/s640/Long+vowel+word+families.JPG" title="Long vowel word families -ive -ite and -ide sort and so many other fun activities for long i" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See how there is a fuzzy
side in each of the answer boxes? The answer pieces all have a scratchy piece
that matches in size on the back of them. I don't recommend doing it the other
way around because then your pages are scratchy and it'll scratch up the sheet
protector next to it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See how you can see past
the fuzzy pieces at the bottom where the answers were on the original cut and
paste? This is SO nice and why you print 2 copies instead of putting a half
sheet in the sheet protector. It makes putting the pieces back to reset it SO
easy. They know exactly where to put them. AND if a piece ever falls on the
floor, you can find what sheet it went to & exactly where it goes in order
to put it back! You can also easily tell if a piece was put back in the wrong
place (and this waayy limits that from happening). This. is. everything. haha<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-aAtUsqA1OGs9sqQGKLrEo-qRbi1lnxv738E_K8HmS9EZav0V1ybz0UPBl0jWvIVTx7gDtVRs_IkBm1EigXmZITsOdW2SFiH72ZOx5HywgTY9EOQx_19ylajplYMfK6V8KsDJt3dTuzF/s1600/Long+i+activities.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long i activities binder - easy directions for how to make it!" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-aAtUsqA1OGs9sqQGKLrEo-qRbi1lnxv738E_K8HmS9EZav0V1ybz0UPBl0jWvIVTx7gDtVRs_IkBm1EigXmZITsOdW2SFiH72ZOx5HywgTY9EOQx_19ylajplYMfK6V8KsDJt3dTuzF/s640/Long+i+activities.JPG" title="Long i activities binder - easy directions for how to make it!" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I like to put a handful
of them in there and have 2 showing at once when you open the binder like this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They can practice
matching the picture to the word with the "I Can Read" sheet...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjk9AX2k9wtTzzzxBkyDDNpBWgbaXIFwnjgj_6cAzWoqolo4bMsbn6c4pHh5trf9zHkkea2fd9svpEPbVJprYaM18chvaqrG-HV6lMp9AwAUHde1RRq5xlUqQuqwD4SHNzp-JNaQbW0FW/s1600/Long+i+words+practice.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long i words practice - easy directions for how to make this into a fun phonics center!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjk9AX2k9wtTzzzxBkyDDNpBWgbaXIFwnjgj_6cAzWoqolo4bMsbn6c4pHh5trf9zHkkea2fd9svpEPbVJprYaM18chvaqrG-HV6lMp9AwAUHde1RRq5xlUqQuqwD4SHNzp-JNaQbW0FW/s640/Long+i+words+practice.JPG" title="Long i words practice - easy directions for how to make this into a fun phonics center!" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and then be challenged a
little bit more when they work on the Secret Word activity. The Secret Word worksheets are another one
of my favorites.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bHayfTJScAIgGg8S3CIZVDunCU3jMYPgY2N5uReMPjc7ParoD0fjG5XqxQMCxlPiTsSsEiHeBQEJxXDN5-Rlc8sZNkN3EDU3hLzCsogDYRJzcJpbFDOBunagCJpH6-GYTW5uzfzMYrm6/s1600/Long+i+games+DIY.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long i games DIY centers, so easy and fun!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bHayfTJScAIgGg8S3CIZVDunCU3jMYPgY2N5uReMPjc7ParoD0fjG5XqxQMCxlPiTsSsEiHeBQEJxXDN5-Rlc8sZNkN3EDU3hLzCsogDYRJzcJpbFDOBunagCJpH6-GYTW5uzfzMYrm6/s640/Long+i+games+DIY.JPG" title="Long i games DIY centers, so easy and fun!" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They build the picture
they see with each letter (in this example, they can use the activity they did
next to this for assistance) and write the word. Once they're all done building
the 3 pictures, they'll have leftover letters! They unscramble them to figure
out the secret word! It's a lot of fun!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpTskmzixUdc0amwmZFGbxSZCP5Nkge9_AURZYJ9DvaViWFjtLmgz8TJ3jMzcWwwp9SenykO9zhqRK7ssgfNd-8lpKKxuz8stxy45Q56mP0_KAeAdw0R4EslNMaRfGTN-BO9iIOsWBKdZ/s1600/ABC+order+long+vowels.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ABC order with long vowels words and other fun long i activities" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpTskmzixUdc0amwmZFGbxSZCP5Nkge9_AURZYJ9DvaViWFjtLmgz8TJ3jMzcWwwp9SenykO9zhqRK7ssgfNd-8lpKKxuz8stxy45Q56mP0_KAeAdw0R4EslNMaRfGTN-BO9iIOsWBKdZ/s640/ABC+order+long+vowels.JPG" title="ABC order with long vowels words and other fun long i activities" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I also like having 1 ABC
Order sheet in every phonics binder to keep that skill fresh!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They simply move the
words from the answer bank in alphabetical order in the boxes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYJdjaZSD7cUGLnbPFqMoXuZwxUSwUtsa3grl_LTGFlUtlfIBmQCTxJV59oQ7FS7PaM9WpKsBKKDX8s2xSeLwmPz2DIOwuo4mOuzT_gwhhjZLI_ydab7b-B-ZRLfLNuO15Nui9_ycm2tm/s1600/ABC+order+fun.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ABC order fun and easy practice" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYJdjaZSD7cUGLnbPFqMoXuZwxUSwUtsa3grl_LTGFlUtlfIBmQCTxJV59oQ7FS7PaM9WpKsBKKDX8s2xSeLwmPz2DIOwuo4mOuzT_gwhhjZLI_ydab7b-B-ZRLfLNuO15Nui9_ycm2tm/s640/ABC+order+fun.JPG" title="ABC order fun and easy practice" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;">I wanted to show a close
up picture of this one so you can see the tape is a smaller, more rectangle
shaped piece for this activity sheet. That's the awesome thing about the tape -
you can cut it to the exact size you want! Play around with it to figure out
the size you like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once they have a lot of
word practice, I definitely recommend putting in 1 or 2 of the cut and pastes
from the no prep packs that practice <b>sentences</b>. It's great that
they can read the words but it's so important for them to read them in
sentences too. It's especially great if you can give them picture support with
something like this:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6da0-F7LMeNGvn1461OKQ35peNMoaz0xXmeLSeX5V3w4Ee_CkLvBQ6T2pjqjR-ndNFBY3vmyOQZD-PqzjekyEeyoDNsANohC0Ra9WA2Q4fq-frIU4PIjvFS_d6kWc1UDzd6QxCFyVmBA/s1600/Long+i+sentences+practice.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long i sentences practice with picture support - love these for building reading fluency and confidence!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6da0-F7LMeNGvn1461OKQ35peNMoaz0xXmeLSeX5V3w4Ee_CkLvBQ6T2pjqjR-ndNFBY3vmyOQZD-PqzjekyEeyoDNsANohC0Ra9WA2Q4fq-frIU4PIjvFS_d6kWc1UDzd6QxCFyVmBA/s640/Long+i+sentences+practice.JPG" title="Long i sentences practice with picture support - love these for building reading fluency and confidence!" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For this activity, they
read the sentence then put the picture that matches what they read next to the
sentence. Easy but wonderful practice for moving from words to sentences.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Reading Comprehension Section<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now that they are ready
for sentences, they are ready for the next section of the binder: Reading
Comprehension Practice!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXV2hEsA5ptSIziSlazt6LxBeXFdpi8iN7PDA5Tij8a1QlYyIsc3yOEQzqKbK6tLeHRStNCrfpXvVmoTrzUOoSz7BREQWeu7lLxmNksDVu7UkkRPGD2O8nVIl3Eu2fkpF5Tnstmc-XcU-/s1600/Long+i+reading+passage.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long i reading passages that focus on 1 long vowel word family at a time for super focused fluency practice" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXV2hEsA5ptSIziSlazt6LxBeXFdpi8iN7PDA5Tij8a1QlYyIsc3yOEQzqKbK6tLeHRStNCrfpXvVmoTrzUOoSz7BREQWeu7lLxmNksDVu7UkkRPGD2O8nVIl3Eu2fkpF5Tnstmc-XcU-/s640/Long+i+reading+passage.JPG" title="Long i reading passages that focus on 1 long vowel word family at a time for super focused fluency practice" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;">Put all the word family reading passages for that sound in here and it's a great resource to grab anytime to practice reading that sound with a kid. Perfect to have available if you have anyone come in the room to work with and read with struggling students.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can use your own or whatever your kids are used to.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Reading-Fluency-Passages-Long-Vowels-Reading-Comprehension-1296586?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Phonics-Sounds-Binders" target="_blank">These simple long vowel word family passages</a>
are perfect for practicing reading words with each phonics sound. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you
notice, that passage focuses on the -ike word family, not all long i sounds.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to include your
own passages, I highly recommend only putting ones that focus on a word family
at a time while working on short and long vowels. If it's ALL long i words,
that might feel overwhelming or hard to read for some kids. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;">This binder is
meant to be a support and the quickest way to discourage a little reader is to give them something they can't read.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;">Plus, if the passages feel easy for them, it will
build their fluency AND confidence. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you need word family
passages, these are from the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Reading-Fluency-Passages-Long-Vowels-Reading-Comprehension-1296586?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Phonics-Sounds-Binders" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Long Vowels and More Word Families Reading Passages</span></a> set.
I also have a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Reading-Fluency-and-Comprehension-Passages-1194912?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Phonics-Sounds-Binders" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">short vowels word set</span></a> as well as sets for
vowel teams, bossy R, beginning blends, ending blends, digraphs, soft c and
g... that are all in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Comprehension-Passages-and-Questions-ULTIMATE-BUNDLE-3006411?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Phonics-Sounds-Binders" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Reading Comprehension Passages ULTIMATE BUNDLE</span></a> if
you want a ton of these for the year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If they're doing it
independently in the binder, you can have them circle the word family or sound
they're working on in the corner like in the picture above. Then highlight
words they come across with that sound while reading. Then, they read it a 2nd
time with fluency. Last, they answer the comprehension questions at the bottom.
It's great phonics, fluency, and comprehension practice all in one if you have them do that. :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you already have your
own passages then you can use those. Just make sure they're easy and fun ones
so the binder stays fun. Bonus points if they have pictures like mine. They can
color those with the marker after they're done if they want.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Writing Practice<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The next section is
writing practice with words with the phonics sound - woohoo!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU_FgG2ka_q3hEz9lbxPs8aKWcMdxqOVb0J7-Nv1e9vTWUoGBhLwexae7ndeuwbKhApgDdCE7BkxikiKK-uNeMnovagb6xquACaZt0ah-o0ptCKKIT9xpAKz0z4aksLgb8z3OZ5XJ2Q2O/s1600/Long+i+writing+paper.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long i writing paper with words down the side to make writing stories or even simple sentences super easy and fun!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU_FgG2ka_q3hEz9lbxPs8aKWcMdxqOVb0J7-Nv1e9vTWUoGBhLwexae7ndeuwbKhApgDdCE7BkxikiKK-uNeMnovagb6xquACaZt0ah-o0ptCKKIT9xpAKz0z4aksLgb8z3OZ5XJ2Q2O/s640/Long+i+writing+paper.JPG" title="Long i writing paper with words down the side to make writing stories or even simple sentences super easy and fun!" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let's be real, it can be
so tough to get some kids to write. Some kids love writing and other kids
absolutely hate it. The solution?? <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Phonics-Picture-Helpers-Writing-Paper-for-the-Entire-Year-2110726?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Phonics-Sounds-Binders" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Phonics Picture Helpers Writing Paper</span></a>! They help
SO much with the "I don't know what to write about!" and "I
don't know how to spell it" objections. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They're included in each sound's
no prep phonics pack and have words with that phonics sound down the side.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kids use the words down
the side to write a story!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For kids who struggle
with writing, need more inspiration, or simply like having 3 separate little
stories, they can use the version below with 3 boxes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyyMYRDu7IMMxMCh65syLlj9ufkt0sXi42mSuUu_QcWi_Cwco-08riaPc5Jh_lmEI7cA_slMvENKZ7ZIsp7X453e-uaAsp5cQNlsGaG4OiL_UlGdjVGg-BT9HdUOcZdBNZnDSQtKjzqJx/s1600/Phonics+writing+paper.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Phonics writing paper in different levels that helps kids by providing pictures and words to include in their story!" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyyMYRDu7IMMxMCh65syLlj9ufkt0sXi42mSuUu_QcWi_Cwco-08riaPc5Jh_lmEI7cA_slMvENKZ7ZIsp7X453e-uaAsp5cQNlsGaG4OiL_UlGdjVGg-BT9HdUOcZdBNZnDSQtKjzqJx/s640/Phonics+writing+paper.JPG" title="Phonics writing paper in different levels that helps kids by providing pictures and words to include in their story!" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The 3 boxes versions are great for the
kids who really struggle to come up with writing. They can pick 1 picture from
the side for each box to write a sentence about and draw a picture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most of your kids will
probably use the sheet on the right, though. You can challenge your high kids
with it by seeing how many of the words they can fit in their story and make it
a fun challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Phonics Games<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay the last section...
games!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can put any games
you have for the sound in here! As long as they are a page, they will fit! Spin
A Word from my no prep packs is a fun option or anything where they roll dice
to complete the page.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mine has <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-Vowels-with-Silent-E-Reading-Fluency-Centers-1628225?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Phonics-Sounds-Binders" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Long I Word Families Roll and Reads</span></a>!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhvxhaX9DGEHzwEEKaHEEH_umUcdxegjhk636t-Vxrf1K3BV_5CqY6_NDZRbLTKX74oOofo7IePRg4xOHbyXPak_TAWvkU_MV2hPiFUVIUvPvAQbCBGMoUpMUmRYMS8VLaNhfN28YbXr5/s1600/Long+i+reading+practice.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long i reading practice in the form of a game! Kids roll the dice to read long i words then sentences with them!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhvxhaX9DGEHzwEEKaHEEH_umUcdxegjhk636t-Vxrf1K3BV_5CqY6_NDZRbLTKX74oOofo7IePRg4xOHbyXPak_TAWvkU_MV2hPiFUVIUvPvAQbCBGMoUpMUmRYMS8VLaNhfN28YbXr5/s640/Long+i+reading+practice.JPG" title="Long i reading practice in the form of a game! Kids roll the dice to read long i words then sentences with them!" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I include level A (top
left corner) of each word family (top right corner) in the binder in the words
version first then the sentences version that includes those words.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They roll the dice then
read the line for the number they roll on. Simple and easy reading practice!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeGKTjNwuw5OYvbONwokQVJUQSP6jQRSkAcUvYDdsriXEsC_C5kneWqXuqZ9dLgpPw7czoFo7GBF1GxBZfIGcW2r4cHQTJQLV00axXzE7_ElKv5BQAF3l5neJB0W7Wo4aanEQKwxPLGSc/s1600/ide+word+family+reading.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long vowel reading games to help build fluency and phonics skills!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeGKTjNwuw5OYvbONwokQVJUQSP6jQRSkAcUvYDdsriXEsC_C5kneWqXuqZ9dLgpPw7czoFo7GBF1GxBZfIGcW2r4cHQTJQLV00axXzE7_ElKv5BQAF3l5neJB0W7Wo4aanEQKwxPLGSc/s640/ide+word+family+reading.JPG" title="Long vowel reading games to help build fluency and phonics skills!" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want, you can put
the level A version AND the level B version in there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMJASShRUiLKum3Z3gHMzrsh2ZU2L_YFeJ1cjIS8mtGdDFKfAcwDUfmjU8L1-aQf27Gz777FoS8fagL1xbTpf53BkgUqvXI-ABbnYaEDfKI3D5qLTZT3nGyTTOgusRyDis_E0cQ9ZJ2pM/s1600/ide+word+family+sentences.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Long i word families like -ide in words and sentences for a ton of reading practice" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMJASShRUiLKum3Z3gHMzrsh2ZU2L_YFeJ1cjIS8mtGdDFKfAcwDUfmjU8L1-aQf27Gz777FoS8fagL1xbTpf53BkgUqvXI-ABbnYaEDfKI3D5qLTZT3nGyTTOgusRyDis_E0cQ9ZJ2pM/s640/ide+word+family+sentences.JPG" title="Long i word families like -ide in words and sentences for a ton of reading practice" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kids can roll and read
independently, with you, or with a partner.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That's what I put in the
back of my binder but you can also stuff any center activities you have in a
sheet protector if you want to put centers in the back. You may not have room
though - these fill up quick! It's really easy to put a center into a sheet
protector though and adds to your binder's fun!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You may remember these
roll and read games from my <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/09/short-activities-and-resources.html" target="_blank">Short A Activities blog post</a> where I show the
short vowel versions of these :) They're a fun center!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">So that's my Long I
Binder!!</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope you enjoyed
peeking inside of it! I am going to list some of the most common questions
below with my answers but if you don't see yours, ask me in the comments
section so I can help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope you've enjoyed
this post! If you want to see an organized list of other blog posts by
me, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">be sure to check out
my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Miss Giraffe's Blog Post List</span></a> page!</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;">FAQ </span>(feel free to ask me more below!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Do you always use white
copy paper for the binders?</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I do. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I absolutely love
using bright colored paper typically and usually love having colorful activities for
centers. You may remember my explanation of how I use fastener tape to turn cut and paste
activities, much like the ones above, into colorful and reusable math center games
in my <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/01/fact-fluency-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Fact Fluency blog post</span></a> (scroll
to the red "Fact Fluency" center to see it).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, for the phonics sound
binders, I like to use white paper.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If a student is using
the binder, it may be because they're struggling with the sound. I don't
want them distracted by bright colors. I have had binders of colored centers
and it's just too messy and overwhelming looking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, having only white
copy paper makes all of the activities look like the same "fun level"
and they go through it so much quicker and thoroughly. A piece of colored paper
sticks out in a stack of white paper. They'll race to get to it, thinking it
looks more fun. Kid psychology, I don't know haha.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">When do I use them?</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Any time you want!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I think it's fun to make
it a super exciting thing like, "Oooh Bailey, you finished your work?? You
can pick a binder if you want!" so they're all excited to do them. Or
even, "You can find a friend, pick a spot, and do a binder if you
want!" </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If using it as a fast finisher activity like that, don't pick what
pages they do or which sound they pick, let them do whatever they want. Even if your most advanced reader picks the Short A binder. Even if they skip right to the
activities section or the game section, that's totally fine, they're still busy
reading and learning! You can also have it be one of many fast finisher options
so it keeps its allure. If it's always available (like anything in a
classroom), kids can lose interest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What I love them for
most is helping a student struggling with a certain sound. They're fantastic
for your struggling students to go back to any sound they need help with and
specifically practice that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let's say you have a
student that is on grade level but really struggles with beginning blends -
grab that binder and work with them for 5 minutes or so after their
small group is finished or during centers. It's so nice to have something to
grab for those situations that is already prepped for you. Flip to reading
passages... or do the activities with them... or write a silly story together
using the words. It's an easy way to squeeze in a whole lot of practice!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You could also have a
struggling student work on the binder for the sound for the previous week (or
any sound they struggle with) as their center work a day or two. Instead of,
not addition to. If they're struggling, you don't want to add to their work
pile. They'll probably be very happy to skip their normal work to work on a
binder instead and they'll get a lot of practice with the exact skill you want
them to work on. If their normal work is something social or fun that they
wouldn't want to miss out on or really enjoy (like reading with a friend), I'd keep that instead
of the binder though.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If a parent shows up at
your door in the morning wanting to volunteer without notice for you to prepare
anything (eek!), you can have them grab a binder and work with a student. Then
you don't have to scramble to figure out something for them to do. This is one
of my favorite reasons for making binders. I find that ahh-what-can-I-have-you-do
scramble so stressful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have advanced
students who finish their work super early and ask for more things to do (<a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/03/how-to-keep-gifted-students-engaged-and.html" target="_blank">I was that kid</a>), act like they're getting special VIP access to pick a binder
for a sound you haven't even learned yet... gasp! It will challenge them and
probably make them feel special. This is a lot of extra work (only once though!) but if you have
either of my Phonics No Prep Packs bundles and there are sounds in there your
curriculum doesn't teach (for example: <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/03/ew-ue-ui-activities.html" target="_blank">the EW UE UI sounds</a>), you could make a
small binder for that sound that they can do. It will help extend their
learning and reading skills AND they'll feel so cool they're working on a sound
their grade doesn't even do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Ways I DON'T recommend
using these:</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As a punishment or what
they use if they 'fail' work for a particular sound. They shouldn't know
they're doing the binder because they struggle with that sound or it loses
aaaaall its fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I also don't recommend
making it a mandatory activity they have to finish. If they don't finish
multiple pages, that's okay! They're for fun and practice! They can pull them
out and put them back, do 1 page or do 10 pages. I recommend keeping it
laidback to keep it fun. You can "check" it like I said above so they
don't just sit there but I'd make that a super quick skim and not stressful for
them. Actually skimming it to see how they did is a great and quick formal
assessment though too!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the cool things
about it being a binder is they can take it to their seat and easily carry all
the work they did to you to show it to you if you call them up to see it! This
is probably me being cheesy as usual but try to act enthusiastic and super
proud of them if they show you they completed a page or want you to flip
through the worksheets or activities they did to show you :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Can I send these home
with a struggling student to work on at home?</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I really, really,
really, really don't recommend doing that. Did I say really enough? haha! They
take a lot of prep work for you to send it home, not knowing how they're going
to treat it or if you'll get it back. They could take out or move pages, lose
activity pieces in their home or in their backpack, or damage it. It's just
such a huge and wonderful resource that I recommend not ever letting it leave
your classroom. Not even within the school.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What size binders do you
use?</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That is up to you! Mine
are 1" and 1.5" depending on the sound. I highly recommend making ONE
and seeing how thick yours is. You don't want it to be so stuffed that is hard
to turn the pages.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The activities section
makes it a lot thicker faster since the <a href="https://www.teacherslovelists.com/fastener-tape-teacher-supplies-list-must-haves/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">fastener tape</span></a> is not
flat. They also take the most time to prep compared to simply sliding pages
into sheet protectors. An easy way to make your binder less thick (and spend
way less time prepping) is to limit the number of those. BUT they are part of
what make the binders so fun and game-like so I recommend including a handful
of them at least.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once you pick out the
binder size you want, I recommend buying bulk sets of binders so they're all
the same. I use white binders but you could do pink binders for short vowels, green binders for long vowels, blue binders for digraphs, and so on. That would make it a lot faster to find the binder you want and be really pretty on your bookshelf. :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What if a student
doesn't wipe it and reset it?</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can train them to
always wipe it and reset it when they're done OR you can have a specific place
they put the "done" binder so you can "check" it then put
it to another specific place where fast finishers can grab it to reset it. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can also make it a classroom job for one of your fast finisher kids to reset any binders that
land in the Reset Pile. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want accountability (again, I recommend keeping that as
light as possible if you can) for doing the binder, you can do it that way so
they know you're going to look at what they did. Totally up to you whether you
do or not, they won't know if you skimmed through it before putting it in the
Reset Pile. :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I recommend having a
Reset Pile either way so if there are times where a student doesn't have enough
time to finish resetting it (ex: they get picked up early), someone that's not
you can reset it. You could even have them put it there even if they think they
reset the whole thing for the person with that class job to check it before
putting it back on the shelf.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The less you have to
manage it, the better!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Can I make these for
other skills?</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course! I make
something similar for each concept in my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/math.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">math units</span></a>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/04/composing-shapes-in-1st-grade.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Composing Shapes</span></a> binder
is probably my favorite one! You could also make them for grammar skills or
whatever you want!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Where do I get the pages
to put in them? </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can use your own or I have No Prep Phonics
Packs for almost every phonics sound. You can get them for each sound you want
to teach or I have them in 2 big bundles. <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/literacy.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">This Literacy Page</span></a> shows all the sounds I
have if you scroll down a tiny bit. The specific pack I used in this example
was the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-I-Worksheets-and-Activities-NO-PREP-1487050?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Phonics-Sounds-Binders" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Long I No Prep Pack</span></a>. I have
them for a ton of different phonics sounds so you can use them to keep your
binders the same all year if you want!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I also showed pages from
the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Reading-Fluency-Passages-Long-Vowels-Reading-Comprehension-1296586?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Phonics-Sounds-Binders" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Long Vowel Word Families Reading
Passages</span></a> and <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-Vowels-with-Silent-E-Reading-Fluency-Centers-1628225?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Phonics-Sounds-Binders" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Long Vowel Word Families Roll and Read
Centers</span></a>. I also have those in the other sounds as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a TON of phonics
activities and, if I have them for one phonics sound, I usually have them for
the other sounds too so you can keep your activities consistent all year. You
can see a lot of pictures of my phonics activities in my <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/09/short-activities-and-resources.html" target="_blank">Short A Activities</a> and <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/12/digraphs-activities-for-first-grade-and.html" target="_blank">Digraphs Activities</a> posts. If I show something for those sounds, I
probably have it for the sound you're looking for too. I absolutely love
reading and phonics as well as writing about them so I hope you enjoy those posts
if you read them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can also use your
own worksheets and activities and simply use this idea, of course! My biggest
recommendation is to make sure the activity types aren't new in the binders so kids
can do them independently without needing directions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Any additional advice?</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I already mentioned this
but make sure you get <b>heavy duty</b> sheet protectors if you're
going to make the fastener tape activities so they don't rip when kids take the
pieces on and off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also - I already
mentioned this too but these DO take a bit of time to prep each one. I recommend making ONE
to see how long it takes you before you commit to making one for every sound
you learn. You can really adjust how much you put in them to make prep take
longer or less time as well. You could easily start out with binders that only
have 10 pages in them - a few worksheets and a few activities. You can build
them later and slowly make them thick like mine have become. Mine didn't start
out that way! I added to it as I thought certain worksheets or activities would
be fun to include. The great thing about a binder is you simply unclick and
click it to add or take away pages. A 10 page binder for each sound is still
AWESOME.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know many people don't
but if you do have volunteers, you can give them the sheets you want in the binder
in order and have them slide them in the sheet protectors back to back for you.
That would save a ton of time prepping! Prep them for the volunteer by putting
the papers for each binder in an empty binder (be mindful of which ones will be
back to back and next to each other when you're putting them in order) and have
them stuff them. I personally like doing that myself so I can make the binder
exactly how I want it but it really would save a lot of prep time to enlist
help putting the pages in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Make sure you pull out
the 2nd copy of any of the activities sheets you want to use fastener tape to
make so the 2nd copy doesn't end up in the binder. Set those aside to be
laminated and the answers cut out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This may sound silly but
I recommend YOU put the fastener tape on the sheet protectors and answer pieces
because, let's face it, many of us are perfectionists with that sort of thing
and you can NOT pull that off in a pretty way once it's on there so you want it straight and in
the right places.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">& Lastly, don't
stress yourself trying to make these each week. Make them as you make them and
add them to your shelf. Maybe it takes you a whole year to get them done and
you use them only a little this year. No worries! You'll have them already all
done all year the next year. :)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Happy phonics binder making!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Feel free to ask any
other questions you have below and I will try to answer! :)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 18px;">If you want to save any of these ideas for later, I made it so you can hover over any of the pictures and click the red "Save" button to pin them to your Pinterest boards. </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">You can also follow me </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/themissgiraffe/pins/" style="font-size: 18px;" target="_blank">on Pinterest</a><span style="font-size: 18px;"> if you want to see more fun ideas like this as I share them! Thank you so much for reading!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-21150013610056746802019-04-14T18:12:00.002-07:002021-12-16T21:52:12.443-07:00Tips for Changing Grade Levels<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Changing grade levels and need some tips? I can help! First, with some sympathy, and then with a lot of advice to get you started on this new journey :)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Switching grades is extremely
overwhelming. Especially if it wasn’t your choice. It feels like you’re being
asked to start all over again. Even if it was your choice, it can still seem daunting. Those somehow still so familiar feelings of
panic and inadequacy you had as a first year teacher arise when you remember your first year
of teaching and have the sudden fear that this might be like being a brand new
teacher all over again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t be afraid though! First of all, it’s <i>not</i> your first year teaching again and
this might actually end up being your favorite grade you never knew you loved (just go with me on this). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even if you’re leaving a grade you love, and
are so comfortable with, for what seems like a whole other world, I promise I have
both words of comfort <u>and</u><u>
practical advice</u> for you that I hope can help you make an easy transition
to your new grade level.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Although scary at first, this change might
refresh and renew your love of teaching and halfway through the year you’ll
wonder how you could ever go back to kindergarten… or fourth grade, or wherever
you came from. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope I can comfort you in this transition
but also give you actionable tips that you can use today to help you in your
new adventure next school year… but I am going to start with comfort because,
let’s face it, that’s what you need most right now. At least for a minute. I’d
hug you if I could. Having to change grade levels is really tough. You go
through a range of emotions that you have every right to feel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you are moving to first grade,
definitely check out:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2018/08/new-to-teaching-first-grade-teacher-tips.html" target="_blank">New to First Grade? Everything You Need to Know!</a></span><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I already laid out e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. for
you! :)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you are switching to kindergarten or
second grade, I still think it’d be a really helpful read for you! I laid out
everything a teacher new to first grade would want to know – from how to teach
math and set up your math block, to all the components to teaching reading, to classroom management, to classroom set up, to how to fit
in science and social studies… with a lot of pictures to help guide you! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay, let’s get started. This post is long
but I think you’ll find it helpful if you read it through.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Step
1: First, Give Yourself Permission to Feel However You Feel<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You may feel angry that you’re being asked
to move. You may feel sad about it. You probably feel both, depending on the
day. You may feel panic and fear. You may feel like you’re scrambling. You may
wonder, with everything else you have going on, how you’ll be able to “start
over.” You may feel really, really down. It is normal to feel these things.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Give yourself permission to feel every way
about it that you do. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What grade you teach can feel like a big
part of your identity. “I teach third grade!” is something you’re not only used
to saying but it’s really part of who you are and who you’ve been. It is
perfectly okay to mourn the loss of your old grade level, of that identity
you’ve become so accustomed to. Cry if you need to, go in your backyard and let
out a scream if you need to. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let yourself feel all those emotions so
that you can get it out of your system and get to the next one – <b>excitement</b> for your new grade level!
Once you’re ready for the excited phase (and you may have to fake it at first),
push away any thoughts about how you’ll miss your old grade level or team or
whatever – and focus on your exciting new adventure!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Step
2: Remember what a good teacher you already are.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This isn’t starting all over. You’re not
reliving your first year. Back then, you were new to the grade level <i>and </i>new to teaching. Yes, the content
you’re teaching is a bit different but kids are kids. So many of the <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/04/classroom-management-strategies.html" target="_blank">classroom management tricks</a> you’ve picked up
and used in kindergarten will work in third grade too, and vice versa. If
anything, it’s probably a slightly different approach than the kids are used to
and might work really well because of that. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your time management skills, organization
systems, etc. have grown so tremendously
since your first year and they are still intact. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The vast majority of teacher awesomeness
skills you’ve accumulated are <i>not</i>
grade level specific and are completely transferable to this new grade. Some
may need a few tweaks but many don’t need any tweaking at all. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is <b>not</b> like your first year. I repeat: This is <b><u>not</u></b> like your first year. Keep reminding yourself of that!
If you are a GREAT teacher, you’re a great teacher. Period. & Before you question that you’re a great
teacher, don’t. A great teacher is the one who reads blogs like you are right
now and is always trying to improve. What this tells me about you is that you
care and are also possibly hard on yourself <i>because</i>
you care so much. It’s really easy (and normal!) when being faced with a grade
level change to question your abilities in all aspects of teaching so if you’re
doing that, know that it’s perfectly normal to do so but it is also silly so
tell that voice to shhh :) You will rock this new grade level. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even if this is just going to be your 2nd
year teaching, you still have a whole year of tricks you’ve learned and
personal experiences of what worked and what didn’t to bring into this new
year. So, above all, I want you to not be hard on yourself. This IS going to be
a lot of work. It <i>will</i> be
overwhelming at times (when is teaching not though?) but you’ve got this.
You’ve totally got this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">…and
you might just love it!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay I promise I will get to the actionable
tips really soon but I feel like mindset is half the battle here and switching
grade levels can be a really emotional thing so it’s important to nurture your
feelings, not just your bulletin boards.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Step
3: Use your current grade level expertise to plan for this one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take a second to write down your absolute
favorite activities or things you do in your current grade level. You’re
probably thinking, “I can’t do ___ in [new grade]!” Actually, you probably can!
Just take a moment to sit down with a pen and notebook in hand and think of your
favorite activities from this year or previous years, write them down on a
piece of paper with a line space in between. A writing prompt kids really liked, a
craft you did for a holiday, a math center the kids really enjoyed, a fun
activity you all did together, a book they really loved that you read aloud, a
science topic they thought was interesting… etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then, for each one, map quickly how you
could modify it to do it in your new grade level. I bet you can and that
modifying it for your new grade will actually make it better. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is especially easy to do for your
favorite seasonal and holiday activities. Think of the fun things you did this
year and see how you could do them in your new grade level. Even if you’re
moving 4 or 5 grade levels up or down, you can still do this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you’re moving down in grade level, you
can take that activity and make it way more fun by making it craftier or more
hands on or less writing lines or less difficult ways to show their knowledge.
If you’re moving up in grade level, you can make it way better by digging
deeper and exploring more… doing cooler, more complex projects about the topic.
If it’s a writing activity, it might just be more or less lines or a little
tweak to the directions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have trouble coming up with ways to
make it in your new grade, search that topic and your new grade level together
on Pinterest. I bet someone has come up with something! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You’ll be so surprised to see you can still
do the vast majority of your favorite activities from your previous grade
level. I feel like that brings a lot of comfort and helps you see you’re not
totally starting over.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Seriously try it, have an open mind, and
start planning there :) Even if it’s a multiplication project and now you’re
moving to first grade, I bet you can find a way to make that activity for
addition and/or subtraction. In fact, I know you can because if you read my <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/01/fact-fluency-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">Addition Fact Fluency blog post</a><span style="color: #00b0f0;"> </span>with all my ideas for how to help kids master all
their addition facts, I literally made that unit and its activities into a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Multiplication-Facts-Practice-Fun-multiplication-games-to-build-fluency-2866606?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Changing-Grade-Levels" target="_blank">multiplication fact fluency unit</a> and I
actually think that unit is even better! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because I make teaching resources, I
constantly have teachers in different grade levels asking me to make an
activity I have but for their grade level. 9 times out of 10, it’s actually
easy to do! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Step 4:
Utilize Your New Team and/or the Current Teacher(s) in that Grade<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have a team you’re joining, ask them
how they do things! Go into their classrooms, look at their set up – how do
they organize centers? How do they do small groups? How do they do everything?
Ask them questions! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you find out you’re changing grade
levels <i>before</i> the current school year
ends, go into those classrooms during your specials or any breaks you have
during the day to see what it’s like with kids in that grade in the classroom.
Go visit the teacher and low key spy on the class to see what that age is like.
It’ll give you an idea of what that grade level is like, what to expect from
the kids, etc. Even more awesome if you can see them during centers or an
activity. Look over their shoulders to see where they are. Don’t let it scare you if the class you visit is a little crazy –
that teacher is not you and you might run your classroom way differently –
plus, it <i>is</i> the end of the school
year and, let’s face it, everybody’s tired :) It’ll give you a great idea,
though, of what the grade level is like. If you’re teaching a different grade
level, you most likely have specials/lunch/etc. at different times so that
makes it easy to pop in and say hello for a few minutes to that teacher and do
some undercover work :) Don’t stay a long time, just pop in and say hello, say
you wanted to check out what __ graders are like. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You could also pop into the grade level of
the kids you’ll have next year to see where they’re at. If you’re going to be
teaching third grade next year, pop into the 2nd grade classrooms. That’s
actually a great way to see where they are at academically, behaviorally, level
of independence, etc. Even if you’re moving to a new school, it still will give
you an idea of that grade and where they’re at toward the end of the year which
gives you a good idea of how they’ll be when they come back in the fall.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Step
5: Utilize Social Media<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you’re reading my blog, you probably
already do this but utilize social media! There are SO many great ideas out
there ready to be found. There are also so many wonderful people sharing how
they do things, tips for pretty much everything, and many of these people are
so willing to help you! Find the ones in your grade level and/or that inspire
you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you see something cool on social media,
even if it’s in the background of a photo, don’t be afraid to ask them what it
is, how they use it, what they recommend, etc. A lot of people are so willing
to help! You know those teacher hearts. Teachers love to help. I type out
novels when people ask me questions sometimes and it makes me feel good to know
I helped someone… and I know a lot of other people feel the same. I never feel
like you’re bothering me and I’m sure others feel the same so don’t be afraid
to reach out for help. If you don’t get a response from someone, please try not to be upset
though – they may get hundreds of questions a day (especially if they have a
large social media following) and simply miss your question or maybe they
simply don’t have an answer they feel is good enough to give you so they let your message sit until they feel like they have something helpful to say. Search your
question first though – there are probably already blog posts about it! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Step
6: Start Planning By Subject Now<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the <b>biggest tip</b> that will help
launch you into feeling ready. I love this one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t just plan and gather materials for
each new concept as it comes up in your curriculum during the school year. That can leave you feeling overwhelmed all year long, with that feeling of
always scrambling to catch up, which is probably one of your fears going into
this new journey. There’s an easy way to solve that! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Look at your standards in your new grade
level. Create a Pinterest board for each subject or major standard for the
entire year. This is super quick to do. Simply create the empty boards first. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I recommend breaking it way down – have a
board for <b>each</b> math skill – a board for fractions, a board for
addition, a board for measurement, a board for telling time, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I do this and it helps me so much! You can
look at <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/themissgiraffe/boards/" target="_blank">my organized boards here</a> (make sure you're currently logged in to see the boards organized; if you're not logged in, they'll look like a big mess) and feel free
to save any or all of my pins to your own boards if you teach K-3 and would use
any of the ideas. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See how my boards are organized by topic? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a board for each type of phonics
skill. I have a short vowels board, a long vowels board, a vowel teams board, a
digraphs board, and so on. I also have a board for each math skill (a board for
number sense, a board for adding 3 numbers, a board for geometry, etc.), a
board for classroom management, a board for grammar. You could break each
grammar skill too into boards with a board for nouns, a board for prefixes and
suffixes, etc. and do that for any subject – science, writing, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I also recommend separate boards for each holiday
you do in the classroom. Yes, this is a lot of boards BUT it makes it so much
easier to find what you’re looking for when you have such specific boards.
Then, when you go to teach that skill, you can go straight to that board and
have a bunch of ideas you personally picked out to help you feel excited, inspired,
and ready to teach it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you just have a huge “2nd grade” board,
you’re going to scroll and scroll and scroll and get so distracted by ALL the
things you’ve ever pinned that you won’t get much done when you go to plan.
This digital organization of each concept will save you so much time during the
year!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Throughout the summer, as you’re looking
online for fun ideas, save them to the board they fit on and then when you go
to teach that skill, you’ll have all these ideas already all there for you! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Plus, this will help get you excited for
your new grade level! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now it’s time to fill your boards!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Search each standard you have to teach by
typing in the concept (for example, type in “Digraphs activities”) and scroll
through a little bit and save ideas and activities you like. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t make it a chore to fill your boards.
Let it be fun! Fill them as you see things you love. Only save things you
really like. Especially save things if they’re already made for you and
available on TpT so when you go to teach that concept, you already have
resources made for you lined up to possibly use.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Again, if you’re moving anywhere within
K-2, I’ve already done a lot of the work for you by gathering ideas by subject and these are the boards I add to when I find fun new things. You can follow me by clicking this:
<br />
<a data-pin-board-width="400" data-pin-do="embedUser" data-pin-scale-height="240" data-pin-scale-width="80" href="https://www.pinterest.com/themissgiraffe/"></a>
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Feel free to check out my boards and how they're organized and save as much as you want to your own boards :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Step
7: Buy Year Sets of Things<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is so, so helpful to buy year sets of
things. Make sure it is a quality resource from a TpT seller you trust that
makes resources for that grade level, then buy a year set of it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If it’s a set of math units, try out a unit
and if you love it, buy the full year set. If it is a type of morning work or a
certain activity to do at centers, buy a year set. The consistency is SO
helpful and will help both you <i>and</i>
your new students get into a routine that lets you transition into these new
things to teach with ease.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I used to think piecing together free or cheap things here and there was saving me money but really it was SO much work and not worth my time to constantly be searching. Find a few TpT sellers you know, love, and trust, and buy their bundles.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you’re switching to first grade and don't know where to start, I recommend my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Phonics-No-Prep-Massive-MEGA-Bundle-1701361?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Changing-Grade-Levels" target="_blank">Phonics No Prep Packs</a> because I have them for all the phonics sounds and the pages are the same –
only the sound changes each week – so you don’t have to ever give directions
after the first week or two because they know how to do the activity and can
focus on the new skill (let’s say the CH digraph) for that week. It’s so much
easier for both you and the students. I have that bundle but also a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Phonics-No-Prep-MEGA-Bundle-Part-2-3568333?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Changing-Grade-Levels" target="_blank">Phonics No Prep Packs Part 2 bundle</a> with the
less common sounds in case you have to teach those too. All of the packs also
come individually so you can try them out and get them as you need them too. A
lot of people do that :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whether you get resources from me or
someone else though, either buy year sets or buy something individual to try out that also
comes in a year set so that you can have it for the entire year whether you
upgrade to the bundle or keep buying the individual sets piece by piece so that
you can have that consistency. Consistency, consistency, consistency. I can’t
stress that enough! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It will help so much with avoiding that scrambling feeling. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Having to constantly scramble for resources
every week for your new grade level is stressful. Don’t do that to yourself. If
someone already did the work for you, let them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">& Trust me, someone already did the
work for you. There are so many amazing sellers and resources on TpT that no
matter what you are looking for, I bet someone not only already made it but
made it look really nice and colorful and ready for you to just hit print and
enjoy the rest of your summer. Yes, maybe you can make it yourself but you’re
probably making pennies per hour in how long it takes you and actually you’re
probably losing money. & If you’re spending HOURS searching for free things
to avoid buying anything (so tempting) and piecing together all these
mismatched free things… honestly, you’re creating more work for yourself IN the
classroom because you’ll always have to explain to students this new
style/activity... and are you actually saving money? If you spend 3 hours looking
for free things to do that you could’ve gotten already made for you and way
better quality for $4.. you’re paying yourself about $1.33 per hour. Isn’t your
time worth more than that? That is some looow pay for someone as highly
educated as you. I was born and raised to search for bargains (I still have paper towel rolls for crafts in my cabinet) so <b>it took me so long to realize this</b> but it was such an AHA!
moment when I did. I used to scour for free things when I needed something and would feel
so accomplished when I found something cute (like that rush when you find a really cute shirt way marked down on sale) – then I realized that I was really cheating myself out of
so much time I could spend doing something else (and wondering why I always felt
like I wasn’t getting things done) and really devaluing my time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Plus, piecing together a bunch of free
items doesn’t have a flow to it. Your students might feel like they’re
scrambling too, to figure out how to do the new thing or if things don’t match
even for the same concept. If you use my math units, for example, you know the
centers practice exactly the concept the classwork and worksheets practiced.
The fun cut and paste worksheets practice the same skill. The assessments are
straightforward and exactly what they’ve been practicing all week/weeks in
their classwork, homework, center work. It’s cohesive. If you’re teaching them
[whatever math skill] and piecing together a bunch of different things, it’s
going to feel all over the place, especially if your assessment doesn’t
accurately assess what they’ve actually been working on. You know?? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope that didn’t sound like a lecture.
There are some awesome free things out there but I am SUCH a frugal person that
it took me a long time to realize how important this is. Once I did and realized that was a huge part of why I felt so stressed, I wanted to shout it from the blogtops :) Now I pretty much only
use free things to see if I like something enough to buy a full set of it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since this is a new grade level to you,
though, you may want to try things out for a few weeks first by only getting a
few resources while you get to know your new students and this grade’s ability
levels and what works for them. Personally, I’m the type of person that would want
to have my worksheets and centers prepped several weeks in advance at least,
especially for the first few crazy weeks of school, so I would buy year sets up
front so I could get them in bundles and prep them way ahead of time. I want to sit on my couch
and watch junk TV while I cut out centers waaay before I need them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Step
8: Read teaching blogs!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Any time you come across a new concept
you’re unsure how to teach, search it (type in something like “How to teach multiplication third grade”) and click on teaching blogs that come up in the first few search pages.
I bet several people have written posts about how to teach it to help you! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t be embarrassed to type in a topic you
think you should know. Who in the world knew what a diphthong is before they
were told to teach it? I have searched many kindergarten and first grade level
topics I feel like I should’ve known from my own schooling but didn’t and am
not ashamed :) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I personally love writing those types of
helpful blog posts and have done them for a lot of different concepts like <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/07/building-number-sense-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">How to Build Number Sense</a> or <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/09/graphing-and-data-analysis-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">How to Teach Graphing and Data Analysis</a> or <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/07/how-to-teach-arrays.html" target="_blank">How to Teach Arrays</a> or <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/02/teaching-money.html" target="_blank">Teaching Money</a> (and so many more!)
for math… or <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/12/digraphs-activities-for-first-grade-and.html" target="_blank">Digraphs Ideas</a> or <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2018/08/sight-words-sentences-cards-fun-ideas-centers.html" target="_blank">Sight Words Activities</a> or whatever for literacy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have A LOT of different How-to-Teach type
posts – if you teach K-3, check out this organized list by concept to see fun
ideas for teaching many different topics:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Miss Giraffe Organized Blog Posts List</span></a><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let other people inspire your teaching and
show you fun ways to teach the concept! There are sooo many teaching bloggers
out there! I am just one of many, many :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you find a post that’s really helpful,
keep reading more on that person’s blog, I bet it’s not the only great thing
they’ve written! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Step
9: Enjoy the new age!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Are they younger than you’re used to? Enjoy
how sweet and cuddly and silly they are. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Are they older than you’re used to?
Rejoice in how much more independent they are. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Going from 1st to 4th? OMG they
can read directions! Going from 4th to 1st? OMG I can read adorable silly
picture books in fun voices and giggle with them like I’m 5 at the funny
pictures. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Every grade level has its absolutely wonderful, amazing things about
it and I’m so excited for you to find them in your new grade level!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Again, if you’re switching to first grade
(or Kinder or 2nd), DEFINITELY check out this huge post I wrote breaking down
everything you need to know to teach first grade:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2018/08/new-to-teaching-first-grade-teacher-tips.html" target="_blank">New to First Grade? Everything You Need to Know!</a></span><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you so much for taking the time to
read all of this. This post was a lot more ramble-y than usual but I have had
so many people telling me they’re switching grade levels this year and I wanted
to try to offer some words of comfort and advice! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have SOO many blog posts planned out to
post now – from reading to classroom management to math to more teacher tricks
– I am really excited!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Let’s talk! Let me know in
the comments if you’re switching grade levels (from what to what?), how you’re
feeling, how you’re preparing, or just anything you want to share! If you see
someone moving to your grade level (or old grade level), feel free to reply to
their comment and give them tips! Let’s help each other! :)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you enjoyed this, you may also enjoy these posts:</span></span><br />
<a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/10/25-chatty-class-classroom-management.html" target="_blank">25 Chatty Class Classroom Management Strategies for Overly Talkative Students</a><br />
<a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/03/how-to-keep-gifted-students-engaged-and.html" target="_blank">How to Keep Gifted Students Engaged and Learning</a><br />
<a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/01/how-to-tackle-tattling-in-classroom.html" target="_blank">How to Tackle Tattling in the Classroom</a><br />
<a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2018/08/classroom-routines-and-procedures-for-elementary-checklist.html" target="_blank">Classroom Routines and Procedures Checklist</a><br />
<a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2019/04/how-to-have-quiet-line-ideas-and-activities.html" target="_blank">How to Have a Quiet Line</a><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's an image for you to pin if you want!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37DvHoembe3TF992T6S2u41L4WZs9BI1c2siaFikxSEryBBKSiFMxrrBj777BegfdQNOnHH2pZfdQPxGif37E8F7f3R89KLSPrTlredC6uCB1n52aVuhbHSOJ8QBC_9JLRZRgHlUnWYMh/s1600/Changing+grade+levels+teachers.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Changing grade levels tips for teachers to make switching grades an easy and fun transition!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37DvHoembe3TF992T6S2u41L4WZs9BI1c2siaFikxSEryBBKSiFMxrrBj777BegfdQNOnHH2pZfdQPxGif37E8F7f3R89KLSPrTlredC6uCB1n52aVuhbHSOJ8QBC_9JLRZRgHlUnWYMh/s640/Changing+grade+levels+teachers.png" title="Changing grade levels tips for teachers to make switching grades an easy and fun transition!" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! As I said, I have a lot more blog posts planned out so stay tuned! :)</span></span><br />
<br />Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-87102483593223732372019-04-07T19:32:00.004-07:002021-12-16T21:55:44.667-07:00How to Have a Quiet Line Ideas and Activities<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you struggle with how to have a quiet line? Is it hard to get
your students to clean up quickly and get in line quietly? Then when you try to
walk somewhere, they’re super chatty or have trouble walking straight. If so,
no worries, I have A TON of ideas and activities I’m about to share with you to help
you have the nicest looking, silent line in school!</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/10/25-chatty-class-classroom-management.html" target="_blank">25 Chatty Class Classroom Management Strategies for Overly Talkative Students</a> post
went viral back in 2016 (and it still gets so many views every day!), I
realized that I’m not the only one who wants classroom management tips for the
chatty ones! I have received so many wonderful messages about how Blurt Beans
or Blurt Cubes or the other strategies I talked about in that post have
transformed their classroom and it makes me so happy. Thank you to all of you
who have reached out and shared your stories! I love, love, love hearing them! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One question I constantly get, though, is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What about when they’re in line? How do I
keep them quiet?<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So I have a lot of tips to share with you to expand on
that post – What do you do when they’re OUTSIDE the classroom… walking in line…
for the whole school to see?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">First,
Ditch the Line Order!</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you’re using a line order where students always line
up in the same order every time, stop that right away! I have NO idea why
people do this. They’re always next to the same people and there is SO. MUCH.
POWER. in the actual act of lining up! Line order ruins that by having a
predetermined place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Think about it – when going somewhere, kids LOVE to be
first. They also love getting to be by their friends. If they already know
their place in line is predetermined, why would they do anything for you to get
in line? Why would they behave in line once they get there? There is no
incentive. They’re going to take their time during clean up, not clean up as
well as they could, talk to their friends, tap their friends, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If they know their behavior makes all the difference as
to their spot in line, they will work for those coveted first spots. They want
to be the first in line to go to lunch, first to recess, etc. so it is <u>always</u>
something earned and has so much power.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kids will clean up so much faster in transitions if you
tell them you’re looking for the best <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i>
quietest cleaners to line up first. It’s gold.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not only will lining up be so much less stressful but
your classroom will look so much nicer and transitions will be so much faster!
No one lines up until their table is clean and super organized… the quietest
cleaners with the tidiest table line up first. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Line order has so much classroom management potential.
Don’t give that up!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL9iO0igvU7_rtXiDtyase20OUdUMSD0MevgNfz7QTXeoX7l0Zr8jHpammqXd1o11P-bpw_e-AwzTiUw0Wj9OPQXFfBZAqI5TWiRvBbsib8r__6XUdlPhDVPx1lJEF681K6CwusmI0dDJ/s1600/Quiet+line+up+classroom+management+tips.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Quiet line up classroom management tips" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL9iO0igvU7_rtXiDtyase20OUdUMSD0MevgNfz7QTXeoX7l0Zr8jHpammqXd1o11P-bpw_e-AwzTiUw0Wj9OPQXFfBZAqI5TWiRvBbsib8r__6XUdlPhDVPx1lJEF681K6CwusmI0dDJ/s640/Quiet+line+up+classroom+management+tips.png" title="Quiet line up classroom management tips" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How this actually works:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As they’re all cleaning, you can say, “Wow, red table
is looking really nice! They’re so quiet!” “I love how green table is making
sure there’s nothing under their table. They’re almost ready to line up!” “Wow,
yellow table is almost done! All the supplies in their caddy are in the right
compartments and look so organized.” to basically tell them exactly what you
want without sounding bossy. Their directions are to completely clean their table
and its area, then sit in their seats quietly with their hands folded to show
they are ready to line up. Then, once you actually pick the first table to push
in their chairs and line up, the other tables will really scramble! Let the
other tables keep cleaning while that table lines up. You’ll only call one
table at a time, with time in between each one, so the quicker they’re ready,
the sooner they get to line up. Then call the next table once they’re ready: “Wow,
purple table looks perfect! Thanks for being so quiet! You may line up.” If you
think the kids at a table would fight for spots, you can pick a certain table
then call individual students from that table 1 by 1. I think they can handle
all going at once though. Make sure they know they’re not allowed to run or
push to the line. If they don’t walk quietly to the line, they sit back down. Doing
it by table gives them a sense of pride over the cleanliness of their table
and, most importantly, peer pressure to help even if they’re the random 1 in a
million kid who doesn’t care about their place in line. Their friends will
probably (silently) encourage them to help since they know the more hands that
are helping them clean up, the more likely they’ll be done first and get called
first.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Teach
Them HOW to Line Up & Wait<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay so now you actually have kids in line waiting for
other kids to line up. Hopefully you have a designated place in your classroom
kids go to line up. It’s best if you have any sort of line they can stand on to
stay straight. If your classroom has tile, choose a specific crack in the tile
for them to stand on, a carpet edge, up against a wall, etc. If you have
nothing like that, put a line of tape on the floor! That’s a super easy way to
have them exactly where you want them. You can buy super cute tape with
patterns and designs at craft stores.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once they’re chosen to get in line, they can NOT talk.
If they talk even once, they’re sent back into the class to help other tables
clean up. Zero tolerance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the beginning of the year or on wacky days, you may
have to send 5 kids back to cleaning. Make sure you select a few kids ahead of
them to line up before you pick them to line up again so they don’t get their
same spot back. In the beginning of the year, your entire class might be chatty
in the line and you may have to say, “Oh man. We’re talking in line! Everybody
go sit back down and we’ll try this again. I hope we’re not late to recess.”
and literally start all over. You may have to do that multiple times during the
same lining up in the beginning of the year and it stinks but once they realize
you’re always consistent and there’s no tolerance for talking, they’ll get it.
Don’t accept anything less than your expectations, ever, not even once,
especially in the beginning of the year – they are perfectly capable if you
have high expectations. Be kind & loving always (don’t ever use a nasty or
sarcastic tone) but consistent and firm with your expectations. They should
feel like you’re on their side and want them to succeed and get it right and
know that they’re going to practice practice practice until they do. It feels
rough at first but it makes the rest of the year sooo much easier. I think it
helps to use pronouns like “we” and “us” instead of “you” or “you guys” to help
them feel like you care and you’re in it together. Tiny difference that makes a
big difference, I think. :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If someone is doing an amazing job cleaning or standing
in line quietly, you can clip them up! I love behavior clip charts and think
they are worth more than their weight in gold if you use them to proactively
manage your classroom and for rewarding positive behavior. I talk all about
this in my <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/04/classroom-management-strategies.html" target="_blank">20 Classroom Management Strategies You Can Start Right Away post</a> and also show you how I recommend
changing your behavior chart to a new, fun theme every month. It keeps it fresh
and kids LOVE it. It’s super easy to change out if you use the same colors (all
my charts with different holidays, seasons, themes, etc. use the same colors)
so you can simply just swap them out on the wall and don’t have to explain
anything. Plus kids get SO excited when they see you’ve changed it because it
has new levels to aspire to and they’ll all want to get to the new top and get
the new certificate! Anyway, I talk all about it on that post and show some of
the different charts I use, check it out! :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Say, “Wow! Jessie is standing SO nice in line, quietly
and with her hands behind her back. Go ahead and clip up!” Jessie going to her
clip and moving it up a level will encourage others to do the same. I always
say to look for the stars during any activity and give them praise. It helps
everyone know exactly what you’re looking for/expect and gives them the
motivation to do it. Plus they love getting to go clip up so it’s nice to reward
the kids who are on task. Especially try to notice when your students who sometimes struggle with behavior
are exceeding expectations to clip them up – it makes such a huge difference!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One more thing about this -<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Try to make cleaning up transitions fast (it will be
much faster if they’re competing for line space) so the kids who line up early
don’t have to stand quietly long. They are still wiggly little littles after
all. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Clean up for transitions should be quick – they’re
simply putting away whatever they were working on, making sure their tables are
organized (nothing on top that can be put away, no scraps under the table,
etc.), then sitting down in their seats quietly with their hands clasped in
front of them on the table waiting to be called to join the line. The entire
table must be sitting and quiet to be called.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When standing in line, they should always face forward,
mouths closed, staring at the head of the person in front of them, with their
hands clasped behind their back. Stress the importance of watching the head of
the person in front of them because the line can stop abruptly at any time and
you don’t want them to run into the person in front of them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whenever the line leader’s table gets called, they go
to the front spot. Everyone should know that that’s what they do. It’s not
cutting. The person at the front of the line accepts the fact that there is a
line leader before them. Door holder also goes straight to the door and stands
at it quietly until you’re ready to leave. They don’t get to go to those job spots
until their table is called though. I definitely recommend having these
classroom jobs for about a week at a time so it’s a routine. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My favorite job for this time though is THE LINE
MONITOR!</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Have
a Line Monitor<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When you announce that it’s clean up time, say that
you’re looking for a line monitor. That’s an easy way to get everyone working
hard for that job! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After everyone is in line, announce the line monitor. Once
a line monitor is selected, they know to go grab the pass from wherever you keep
it, put it on, and get back in line. I recommend choosing the best and quietest
cleaner to be the first line monitor! Again, so much classroom management
power! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhTuR1MnYBIPuZarTFbsPPcmtZTwrwL7bpfSFwNU6KOjBZNk49OjdAjdJxONEIVjmgz7NtqEF9CUJw-CBZnWc41gdARoFYryLMjuWDCKrxb-T6AbVwsXoPTYYYpv6fzWHUojlNI1uEd-J/s1600/Quiet+Line+Monitor+badge+for+hallway+behavior.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Read about this awesome classroom job! Line monitor badges are the best classroom management trick to have your students walk in a quiet line!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhTuR1MnYBIPuZarTFbsPPcmtZTwrwL7bpfSFwNU6KOjBZNk49OjdAjdJxONEIVjmgz7NtqEF9CUJw-CBZnWc41gdARoFYryLMjuWDCKrxb-T6AbVwsXoPTYYYpv6fzWHUojlNI1uEd-J/s640/Quiet+Line+Monitor+badge+for+hallway+behavior.PNG" title="Read about this awesome classroom job! Line monitor badges are the best classroom management trick to have your students walk in a quiet line!" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Simply print the Line Monitor pass <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/How-to-Have-a-Quiet-Line-Pack-4496464?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Quiet-Line" target="_blank">(you can get my line monitor passes here if you want the ones I made)</a>, laminate it, hole punch a hole in the top, and clip it on a lanyard. You
can do it in a fancy lanyard or a simple lanyard like mine. I typically buy lanyards in 12 packs or bigger because I use them for a ton of things! For other passes and math and reading activities too! </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I recommend making at least 2 or 3 of
the Line Monitor passes so that if you leave it somewhere by accident after walking somewhere, you
have a back up one readily available. Having them in different colors also is an incentive to be chosen as the very first line monitor for that day because they get to choose the color it'll be :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This class job is also GOLD. It is somewhat similar to
the Quiet Monitor job I talk about in my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/10/25-chatty-class-classroom-management.html" target="_blank">Chatty Class post</a> which is so, so helpful for in-class chattiness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay so you’ve picked the best behaved cleaner to be
the line monitor. They put on the lanyard and are back in line with everyone
else. Once the line goes out the door, they pop out to walk up and down the
line slowly to make sure no one is talking AND, most importantly, because
they’re searching for the next line monitor. Tell kids the line monitor is
looking for people walking straight, looking at the head in front of them,
hands clasped, mouths closed, etc. Remind them that if they look at the line
monitor, they’re not looking forward so the line monitor probably won’t choose
them :) They feel super important inspecting the line. It’s up to you when they
pick the next person – it could be that they only pick 1 the whole journey or
several people. Up to you. Just say something like, “Line monitor - Switch”
that you say every time so they know to pick a new person. They must pick
quickly – no tapping their chins in contemplation and giving everyone a second
look – they should already have in their minds who they’re picking because
they’ve been watching the line. I recommend 1 or 2 switches depending on how
far you’re walking. To switch, the line monitor takes off the lanyard and
quietly walks to the person in line who walked the nicest and hands it to them.
This can easily be done while the line is moving so it’s not distracting. The
person they hand it to pops out of line, puts the lanyard on, and starts their
line monitoring. The previous line monitor who just got off duty picks where
they want to be in line. No one can ever cut the line leader so they can pick
the 2nd spot if they’d like but not the very 1st spot. This is a HUGE perk
because they can go get in line by a friend or be 2nd in line if they’re one of
those always-want-to-be-first kids. It may seem like a lot of shifting around
but the kids get seamless at it and it becomes hardly noticeable. Teach your
kids that we NEVER say, “He cut me!” if someone pops in line in front of them -
they should always assume that it’s because the person was told to by a teacher
or they were supposed to. If your line constantly moves like I recommend,
they’ll get used to that quick (someone popping in front of them in line)..
which also solves the “She cut me!”
type tattles (check out <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/01/how-to-tackle-tattling-in-classroom.html" target="_blank">my post on Tackling Tattling</a> if that's also an issue in your classroom) so you’re accomplishing getting rid of that too! We
always assume the best intentions within our classroom family. :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This leads me right into another super helpful trick:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Pick
Your Spot Trick<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So you know how the line monitor gets to pick where
they get into line when their job is done? You can also move the line around as
much as you want <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">during your walk</i> for
a super easy and effective management trick.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let’s say you’re walking to lunch and a few kids are
talking, say, “Thanks so much Ken for not talking in line! You can pick your
spot.” Ken can immediately pop out and pick a new spot. Again, never in front
of the line leader but any other spot is fine! This does an immediate reset in
your line. Everyone wants to pick their spot so they’ll check themselves. This
trick honestly works magic every time! & You can use it as much or as
little as you want.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A note about “cutting” - <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course, whoever he pops in front of cannot say
anything about him “cutting” because it’s not cutting – he earned the right to
pick his spot. You can do it several times in a trip. I actually think it’s
nice to do it a lot in the line to lunch every day because that line order
really determines where and who they sit by at lunch and, honestly, they work
so hard all day that I want them to get to sit by their friends and chat. It
may feel like you’re playing musical lines but who cares? It’s nice for them to
get that movement in any way and distracts from the mundane quietness of
walking in line and they get to sit by their friends at lunch. This can be done
even as young as PreK in a calm and organized manner. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is so easy and a great trick to get them to be
quiet because eeeveryone wants to pick their spot. Some kids will always pick
the 2nd spot but most will go stand by a friend they want to be by. If anyone
moans because someone stood in front of them (let’s say the 2nd spot kid just
picked his spot to be there and got put in 3rd spot by another
always-have-to-be-first kid picking 2nd spot right after him), they are not
allowed to moan. Any moaning is sent to the back of the line just like you
would for talking. Again, all done nicely but firm, staying kind always but
matter of fact :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is up to you if you want to be this “cool” but you
could also give out “Pick Your Spot” passes for excellent behavior. It could be
something earned by reaching the top of the clip chart (given with the
certificate for that chart) or something they earn another way but these are
some great incentives! It could also be something they purchase with their
tickets, tokens, etc. if you have a classroom currency.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ozI2RwzeaG1peVbqx0dYQ2eD90dBQiTIB_LH88oBvm91OwLWSMJTT5Hc1NzMGbnBRSSsrjzGmiinSzFB8VWo47HKdxtvkV1WEldZU-vgXPax7GvRSOEzQ0N76X0ML3GDURaICWd0cI0v/s1600/Quiet+Line+Pick+Your+Spot+Passes.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pick Your Spot passes are AWESOME for line behavior! Classroom management tricks for how to have a quiet line in this post!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ozI2RwzeaG1peVbqx0dYQ2eD90dBQiTIB_LH88oBvm91OwLWSMJTT5Hc1NzMGbnBRSSsrjzGmiinSzFB8VWo47HKdxtvkV1WEldZU-vgXPax7GvRSOEzQ0N76X0ML3GDURaICWd0cI0v/s640/Quiet+Line+Pick+Your+Spot+Passes.PNG" title="Pick Your Spot passes are AWESOME for line behavior! Classroom management tricks for how to have a quiet line in this post!" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Laminate these so you can reuse them OR simply print them then tear them
up when they use them so they can't be used again. Give them very sparingly!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If a kid has a Pick Your Spot pass, they can use it any
time you line up and they also get to have the final say in their spot once you
reach your destination (in case anyone pops in front of them during the
journey). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can have it be a one time use for one line only or it
can be something they get to wear all day on a lanyard (I made the cards to fit
inside a lanyard just like the Line Monitor pass) and use it in all the lines
they stand in that day. If it’s an all day thing, I recommend they only get
something like that for doing something amazing like reaching the top of the
clip chart.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is an awesome reward for getting to sit by your
friends at an assembly or even just for lunch or being first out the door to
recess.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Any of these tricks that you do, I recommend doing
whatever works at the moment and switching it up often. Tricks lose their shine
(but it’s easy to get back with a break here and there) so that’s why it’s nice
to have a lot of them and rotate doing only one at a time :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Teach
the Basics of Walking in Line<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By the way, if you’re teaching preschool or
kindergarten or first grade, you also sometimes have to teach them <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how</i> to walk in line. & Honestly, the
older grades often need a refresher anyway so here are some basic tricks:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At first, you’re going to want to walk backwards to
watch the line. As they learn the rules more and see how consistent you are
with your expectations, you can trust them more… but for now, walk backwards!
It’s surprisingly easy but make sure you look back constantly – students can be
surprisingly slow to warn you that you’re about to walk into a wall haha.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your kids should eventually learn how to walk without
you even needing to be there. This is why the line leader is actually a super
important job.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It depends on the set up of your school but basically,
teach your line leader to keep walking until they reach a building corner (if
you’re inside, the corner edge of the hallway wall at the end of the hallway;
if you’re walking outside, the end of the wall before reaching a corner of a
building) and then stop. This really keeps your line looking so nice because no
one can really trail behind and leave those big gaps since you stop every so
often and it gives everyone a moment to catch up. The line leader stops for a moment
until you say “Go ahead” or “Next corner” or whatever your signal is and does
this at EVERY corner, always. It actually isn’t that many stops and it really
keeps your line looking nice. Plus it teaches your students that they have to always
pay attention and look at the person in front of them in case they stop. This
also allows you to walk up and down the line if you want to while the line is
walking. You don’t ever have to stop the line to go talk to someone who isn’t
behaving properly. The line is a machine that runs without you. I highly,
highly recommend this approach of walking in line. It is super efficient. It’s
also a quick and easy way for you to connect with your kids. Walk down the line
and smile at someone and whisper, “Nice job” – trust me, the other kids will
hear and notice and strive for the same positive attention. So much less
stressful than walking backwards trying to watch 2 dozen kids standing in front
of each other at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">When
You See Other Classes Walk By</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The other class in your grade level may walk by with a
bunch of their friends in it or their previous teacher they want to wave to.
Teach them that the nicest way to say hi to their previous teacher is to show
them how nice they walk. Tell them they can smile and nod at their friends in
another class, of course, but no waving or talking. Show them how they can
smile and nod to say hi then immediately go back to looking at the person in
front of them so they don’t run into them. Do role playing of the smile and nod
in little mock scenarios in the classroom. They’ll think it’s funny to act out
(act out both what to do and silly examples of what NOT to do) and it’ll help
them learn the concept of Smile and Nod. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, if your class passes by another class that is walking in a nice line, make it a point to compliment the other class about how nicely they are walking. If there are classes you constantly
walk by, ask the teacher the next time you see them without kids if they’ll
also do that if they see your class walking nicely. Students loooove to be
complimented by other adults that aren’t their teacher. If they do get a
compliment from another adult, teach them to smile and nod as they continue
walking then make a huge deal about how proud you are of them for getting a
compliment on their walk whenever you get to where you’re walking to.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Have
a Quiet Turtle<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">If you read my Chatty class post, you know what a hit
the Quiet Turtles are! Get a big, comfy stuffed animal turtle and tell your class this is the mama turtle to all
their little quiet turtles if you use my quiet turtle system. You can also
simply have this quiet turtle stuffed animal for line walking. Either way, this
turtle needs quiet to feel comfortable so we want to help her. The quietest
kiddos in line can hold her in a hug while you walk somewhere. When it’s time
to switch who has the turtle, you go up to the kid in line with the turtle and
act like you’re tip toeing over and put your finger to your lips to signal
“Shhh!” all carefully and maternally and hold out your palms for them to place
it there. They can give her a little squeeze for a hug goodbye then place her
gently in your hands. The moments you’re holding that turtle about to give it
to the next person to hold are the quietest moments ever :)</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Like I said before, all of these tricks are to be used
interchangeably. Some days you might take the quiet turtle, some days you might
have a line monitor, other days you might just switch people in line. All
classroom management tricks, no matter how awesome they are, can lose their
shine if you use them all the time so use different ones on different days.
Don’t do the quiet turtle EVERY day or they’ll get over it.. maybe a few times
a week at the most to keep it special. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The quiet turtle also allows you to tie it all in to
your voice level chart if you use the one from <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chatty-Class-Classroom-Management-Tools-for-Talkative-Students-2841044?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Quiet-Line" target="_blank">my Chatty Class pack</a> where the quietest level is the Quiet Turtle,
which helps them manage their voice levels when you’re in the classroom too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">What
to Do When You’re Stuck in Line</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you ever gotten in line, walked your kids
somewhere and it went so well and quickly that you realize that you’re 5 or
even 10 minutes early?! The dread creeps in of, “Oh gosh they were being so
good and now I have to somehow keep them quiet out in the hall for 10
minutes?!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Never??! Please tell me you have. Anyway! If that ever <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">does</i> happen to you and you’re stuck
outside the music room door while another class finishes up for 5 or 10 more
minutes with 24 six and seven year olds to entertain, that’s okay! Do some fun <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Silent Activities</b>!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Try to get them up against a wall if you have one
available so you’re out of the way of anyone else who wants to walk by. It also
helps keep them in line and not spread all over. Then stand in front of them,
in front of the middle of the line.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some easy silent activities are:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">* The obvious <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Miss
Giraffe Says”</b> game but with your name. Miss Giraffe says, “Touch your
nose.” Miss Giraffe says, “Hop on one foot.” Miss Giraffe says, “Stop.” etc. If
they do a command you say without you saying “Miss Giraffe says” first, they
have to sit down in their place in line. Have them sit out for 2-4 more
commands only or they’ll get restless. Just say, “Miss Giraffe Says Everybody
Up” to invite anyone sitting down back in the game. If you have a super
well-behaved class, you could play until there’s a winner (once they sit down,
they’re out until 1 person is left standing) but most classes will get restless…
and it’s more fun for everyone to keep playing anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">* My favorite thing to do is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SIGN LANGUAGE Sight Words</b>! Or spelling words.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you use my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sign-Language-Sight-Words-Centers-335-high-frequency-words-included-1418285?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Quiet-Line" target="_blank">Sign Language Secret Sight Words</a> or <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Secret-Sign-Language-Centers-BUNDLE-2316106?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Quiet-Line" target="_blank">Sign Language Secret Words for the various phonics sounds</a><span style="color: #00b0f0;"> </span>then your kids already know the sign language
alphabet letters from all the fun game cards they practice during centers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have no idea what I am talking about, definitely
check out my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2014/09/secret-sight-words-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Secret Sight Words blog post</a>
to see pictures of what I’m talking about. I also show some of the phonics ones
in my <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/09/short-activities-and-resources.html" target="_blank">Short A: Teaching Short Vowels post</a>, my <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/12/digraphs-activities-for-first-grade-and.html" target="_blank">Teaching Digraphs post</a>, and my <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/03/ew-ue-ui-activities.html" target="_blank">How to Teach EW UE UI post</a> showing the sign
language secret word centers in action for those sounds. I have them for almost
every sound but those posts show the activities for those particular sounds but
if I have something for one sound, I most likely have it for all the others too
– I love making phonics materials :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All of my sign language secret words packs come with my
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/American-Sign-Language-Alphabet-Chart-1456065?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Quiet-Line" target="_blank">Sign Language Alphabet Chart</a> plus I
also have my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sign-Language-Alphabet-Posters-1451151?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Quiet-Line" target="_blank">Sign Language Alphabet Posters</a>
hanging right above <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Posters-and-Phonics-Posters-Huge-Bundle-1392816?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Quiet-Line" target="_blank">my regular Alphabet Posters</a>
so it’s everywhere and it’s a super fun thing to learn in the classroom! My
sign language A poster is right above the A alphabet poster, the sign language
B poster is right above the B alphabet poster, etc. so it’s an easy quick
reference. I also talked about it a little bit in my <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/03/how-to-keep-gifted-students-engaged-and.html" target="_blank">How to Help Gifted Kids Engaged and Learning post</a> but it’s
really fun for everyone! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So anyway, stand in front of the line in the middle
while they stand against a wall. Use your fingers to finger spell a word. Have
them copy each letter with their hand and try to remember what letter that is. Make sure to tell them to not say anything out loud because it's a secret word they're trying to figure out :) Spell a simple word (3 or 4 letters max)
letter by letter than have them hold it in their heads. Spell it quicker 1 more
time. Give them a tiny bit to think then tell them to whisper it to each person
next to them if they think they know what it is. Then say, “Whisper share!” and
they will chorally whisper the secret word. It’s super fun! You can do it with
the sight words you’re learning that week or your spelling words.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you think that is too hard for them (they can do it
in first grade and up if they normally do my Secret Sign Language word centers)
or you don’t use my sign language centers, you can simply tell them you’re
going to teach them a secret language and teach them how to sign the letters of
the alphabet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whisper A and make A on your hands and let them all
copy you. Then do B. Then C. Then have them do A, B, C together. Do this in
groups of 3 letters at a time (DEF then GHI then JKL, etc.) to learn the
alphabet. This will keep them super interested and occupied. If you don’t know
the alphabet, bring a Sign Language Alphabet
Chart with you to reference. It’s an awesome way to keep them quiet!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once they know the alphabet well because you’ve done
this a few times, you can then finger spell their spelling words or sight words
like I said above later on in the year. Make sure you go over the word after
they’ve told you what it is for the kids who might not have gotten it. Finger
spell it together, whispering the letter this time as you make it, and then say
what the word is. Finger spell as you say “T” “H” “I” “S” we spelled THIS! Go
slow enough so they can finger spell it with you as you make and say the
letters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">* Math problems. Ask them a math problem (Ex: 3+5) and
have them make it on their hands and put them behind their back. When everyone’s
hands are behind their back, tell them to either show you all at once or share
with the person next to them then all share at the same time. Go over each
problem in a whisper to explain the answer so it’s great learning too.
“Awesome! We had 3 (hold up 3 fingers) and we added 5 (count up 5 more on your
fingers) to get 8 so our sum is 8! Okay next one…” Easy and quick way to get a
little math practice in!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Phew okay, that is a lot! Did you know someone could
talk this much just about lining up?? I am notorious for super long blog posts
so you probably expected it from me. :) I really hope this could help give you
some great tips on how to have a quiet, well behaved line! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyq-mlf54sk72KPJ57F4DVDnrPh9PpqkKFmO90IzcrdG9T_cnSIbuHEvKovrRGVsth5EhAbz76X8BYhZlRqcmntFGOxR0uUs4hcUiZ6YXYmu04blK5swnpHIz383KqLYFO9CWMeP-I_Rhm/s1600/Quiet+Line+Ideas+and+Activities.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to Have a Quiet Line Ideas and Activities" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyq-mlf54sk72KPJ57F4DVDnrPh9PpqkKFmO90IzcrdG9T_cnSIbuHEvKovrRGVsth5EhAbz76X8BYhZlRqcmntFGOxR0uUs4hcUiZ6YXYmu04blK5swnpHIz383KqLYFO9CWMeP-I_Rhm/s640/Quiet+Line+Ideas+and+Activities.PNG" title="How to Have a Quiet Line Ideas and Activities" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want the Pick Your Spot passes and the Line Monitor badges, they're here:</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/How-to-Have-a-Quiet-Line-Pack-4496464?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Quiet-Line" target="_blank">How to Have a Quiet Line Pack</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have A LOT more helpful blog posts if you need help
with classroom management!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I also have a ton of posts about how to teach various
math concepts, reading skills, classroom decorating tips, and so much more. This
one had a lot of words but I usually show a ton of picture examples too so
definitely check out my other posts if you want some inspiration and ideas!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is an organized list of ALL my favorite blog posts
organized by math/literacy/classroom management/etc.:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="color: #00b0f0; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">Miss Giraffe Blog Posts</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to see when I post new teaching resources,
you can <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Sellers-Im-Following/Add/Miss-Giraffe" target="_blank">follow me on TpT</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MissGiraffesClass/" target="_blank">follow me on Facebook</a> if you want to know when
I post new blog posts and for other fun ideas.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Feel free to pin any of the images from this blog post on Pinterest or this one to save this post to read later!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcFO-cd1hsqSSPYx3y68Eo9R6-t8su38dzZmru6HQ08TuULsjn-0bBMuC6ggWi9sdmjJ2e7-imlU8J8847syKR8zz2EMl1INTbpodQ5C1cHfNJjuLxbR7C-TZAr7VMFiNK4LJm7KgSti9/s1600/Quiet+Line+ideas+and+activities.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Quiet Line Activities and Ideas to help your students have amazing hallway behavior!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcFO-cd1hsqSSPYx3y68Eo9R6-t8su38dzZmru6HQ08TuULsjn-0bBMuC6ggWi9sdmjJ2e7-imlU8J8847syKR8zz2EMl1INTbpodQ5C1cHfNJjuLxbR7C-TZAr7VMFiNK4LJm7KgSti9/s640/Quiet+Line+ideas+and+activities.png" title="Quiet Line Activities and Ideas to help your students have amazing hallway behavior!" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;">Thanks so much for reading!! I have a lot more blog posts planned for this summer so stay tuned!! :)</span></div>
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Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284034215995977899.post-84931342610404312812018-08-27T17:16:00.002-07:002021-12-16T22:00:45.105-07:00Sight Words Sentences Cards Fun Ideas and CentersSight Words Sentences Cards Fun Ideas and Centers for First Grade, Kindergarten, or really any age that you want to teach sight words to! I could see these being fun centers in preschool all the way through 2nd grade... kids love building words at all ages :) I'm so excited to show you these sight word sentences cards and fun ideas for how to use them!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlzbuaju31IvuSSugapcD8tBbYUIVpfIt3JWp602Z-efBYzfBXpJjFIbit5ULXAVmJjwIabPgxrAzHV81ZRZqKWNEVx9EhJtVoLQTm4XhGxzBXTQkGwsBj7ViP8CJ0bIPZHyeKUTRPzlC/s1600/Color+words+practice+green.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Teaching color words, number words, and other sight words are so much fun with these sight words sentence cards perfect for first grade or kindergarten learning" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlzbuaju31IvuSSugapcD8tBbYUIVpfIt3JWp602Z-efBYzfBXpJjFIbit5ULXAVmJjwIabPgxrAzHV81ZRZqKWNEVx9EhJtVoLQTm4XhGxzBXTQkGwsBj7ViP8CJ0bIPZHyeKUTRPzlC/s640/Color+words+practice+green.JPG" title="Teaching color words, number words, and other sight words are so much fun with these sight words sentence cards perfect for first grade or kindergarten learning" width="480" /></a></div>
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I am in love with these sight words sentences center cards I made because, well, they took me a long time to make! ha :) That's not the only reason but I did take a <i>ton</i> of time to pair an engaging picture to illustrate each sight word in a simple sentence. They are great visuals for kids who learn through pictures but also have the building aspect for kids who learn by doing. Plus, even though it took me a long time, I just really enjoyed making them! I love great visuals so it was fun for me and I'm excited to show them to you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSTnl1kqFIakAPqsuIdst4_Tg801tH-5h0d7ghVLuMjjHODUd1e_bNNrsqRbghBYk7yWMTvY0T-F9RTKC378r0YqUivcIiBSwV3i2CH5gs8eWyUDZeLML17XR5nrD8ZPiqtW1RB7afmy9/s1600/Building+sight+words+magnet+letters+have.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sight words activities with fun pictures and simple sentences that make teaching sight words so much fun and engaging for kids" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSTnl1kqFIakAPqsuIdst4_Tg801tH-5h0d7ghVLuMjjHODUd1e_bNNrsqRbghBYk7yWMTvY0T-F9RTKC378r0YqUivcIiBSwV3i2CH5gs8eWyUDZeLML17XR5nrD8ZPiqtW1RB7afmy9/s640/Building+sight+words+magnet+letters+have.JPG" title="Sight words activities with fun pictures and simple sentences that make teaching sight words so much fun and engaging for kids" width="480" /></a></div>
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So normally I use these sight words cards using bottle caps but today I want to show you some fun ways I use them using alphabet magnet letters!<br />
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If you want to see how I use water bottle caps to practice word building, check out my <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2016/06/bottle-cap-cvc-word-building-centers.html" target="_blank">Bottle Cap CVC Word Building Centers</a> post. Typical water bottle caps fit perfectly in the circles so they're a super easy way to recycle and learn at the same time! I made them for all the different phonics sounds past CVC words too so you can use them as a center all year.<br />
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What I want to show you is how I also love to use my alphabet magnet letters with these!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-jYUFV4zWDZ9XBHrMvPRSaxLasLMJ8q5zALzaU6bL4nE16cU7oV8Fcw2JZzr77JnBnNcTc0AdUopyPOi8uCSwPDTORj4tYTy66P1ha6QBuwVdRySTX6fhygYo7aiBpUvzwZ59EFeRqNp/s1600/Building+sight+words+magnet+letters+my.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Building sight words activities that are so much fun with alphabet magnet letters and other fun ideas" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-jYUFV4zWDZ9XBHrMvPRSaxLasLMJ8q5zALzaU6bL4nE16cU7oV8Fcw2JZzr77JnBnNcTc0AdUopyPOi8uCSwPDTORj4tYTy66P1ha6QBuwVdRySTX6fhygYo7aiBpUvzwZ59EFeRqNp/s640/Building+sight+words+magnet+letters+my.JPG" title="Building sight words activities that are so much fun with alphabet magnet letters and other fun ideas" width="480" /></a></div>
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I recommend going to a craft store and getting a multiple compartment box like this to store your letters in! It makes word building so much quicker AND is great practice for kids when they find the letters or put them back to practice ABC order, letter recognition, etc. I bought a few of them so I could have multiple boxes of letters to grab and use.<br />
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Do you see how my sentences are <i>very </i>simple? This is something that was so important to me when making these cards. It drives me c.r.a.z.y. when sight words are used in hard sentences. Learning sight words is hard enough! If a kid is learning "my," they're not going to be able to read "My family lives in a house." Am I right?? ha! So I tried very hard to keep the sentences really easy to read, especially for the early sight words like "my" and "see" as seen below:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpZ64cy48Reuny2fIP00uOHeUrADoVfE3UEfoBg0UlKWs8wwq2qhHs5nBmT0lORgjA-Ohgrlawhyphenhyphenc9-dHXPHEVHhKkqw6rHOx7V4VPNUVjQKSeOpWRuVTEOUrOt19CLwCDbnBxFGf1SBL/s1600/Sight+Words+Sentences+Kindergarten+Pictures.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sight words activities for kindergarten first grade or even second grade that use adorable pictures AND easy simple sentences to make learning sight words a lot of fun!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpZ64cy48Reuny2fIP00uOHeUrADoVfE3UEfoBg0UlKWs8wwq2qhHs5nBmT0lORgjA-Ohgrlawhyphenhyphenc9-dHXPHEVHhKkqw6rHOx7V4VPNUVjQKSeOpWRuVTEOUrOt19CLwCDbnBxFGf1SBL/s640/Sight+Words+Sentences+Kindergarten+Pictures.JPG" title="Sight words activities for kindergarten first grade or even second grade that use adorable pictures AND easy simple sentences to make learning sight words a lot of fun!" width="480" /></a></div>
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Have your kids use the magnet letters to put a letter in each circle to build the sight word. Then, I recommend having them spell it out loud while pointing ("m, y, my") then reading the sentence for it. They are just so much fun to build the words that kids don't realize how much practice they're getting. Plus, it's a huge sense of accomplishment, especially for struggling readers, to not only read the sight word.. but read a sentence that it's in. The pictures and the fact that the sentences are so simple really help with letting them be able to do that.<br />
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I also like to laminate and put the new sight words for each week on a binder ring. This makes it super easy to have all the new words that week available right away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkaArVWXAPX0MpQchYS5spu_kE7-ttsdK-MEfK9qr5LJIR41cP9l_ZK8hw_loJsEehq5IodmrkkFpiRDnnJ1Pal8RkQFJA_H8ulRfd9RvCbztil2HfK-XLkT87hSHmVwKSx1jR2XGESNp/s1600/Sight+words+binder+ring.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sight words sentence cards on a ring so kids can grab the new sight words you're teaching that week and practice! A ton of ideas for how to use these cards at the link!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkaArVWXAPX0MpQchYS5spu_kE7-ttsdK-MEfK9qr5LJIR41cP9l_ZK8hw_loJsEehq5IodmrkkFpiRDnnJ1Pal8RkQFJA_H8ulRfd9RvCbztil2HfK-XLkT87hSHmVwKSx1jR2XGESNp/s640/Sight+words+binder+ring.JPG" title="Sight words sentence cards on a ring so kids can grab the new sight words you're teaching that week and practice! A ton of ideas for how to use these cards at the link!" width="480" /></a></div>
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You can take the ring of words to the front of the carpet to use to introduce the new words by showing them the word, the picture, and reading the sentence.<br />
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Students can simply grab it and practice the words for that week. They could also use a dry erase marker to write the letters in each circle to spell each sight word. Then when they're done, go through and read each word and sentence and then wipe it when they're done for the next person.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-mnvW7MZmreAr9A-ulOfuzueIVTGhwOZgP9UjVI7_aYHXVTN7WS7F96Pup5cnS66O5hZCYIMMu9jMoDlP-PMSkygy050Yh8ii-yNkp6ruzJ3BjOA_wCznQXA2sCzsBYHhjkCD6WNgi_R/s1600/Sight+words+binder+ring+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sight words sentence cards are awesome for so many things! Click this to read all the different ways I use them!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-mnvW7MZmreAr9A-ulOfuzueIVTGhwOZgP9UjVI7_aYHXVTN7WS7F96Pup5cnS66O5hZCYIMMu9jMoDlP-PMSkygy050Yh8ii-yNkp6ruzJ3BjOA_wCznQXA2sCzsBYHhjkCD6WNgi_R/s640/Sight+words+binder+ring+2.JPG" title="Sight words sentence cards are awesome for so many things! Click this to read all the different ways I use them!" width="480" /></a></div>
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You could also keep them at your small groups table to quickly go over them each day when you call a group back. You can hold it in front of you upside down and have the kids watch as you flip to each new word, read it together, then read the sentence together.<br />
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One thing I also love is to have all the new sight words for that week pulled out to start each group. When they come to your small group table, there will be a word at their spot. They will read the word and its sentence then you can have them either build the word with magnet letters OR write it using a dry erase marker. Then, they pass it to the right (the person on the end passes it to you and you pass it to the first person for seamless passing and no reaches across the table) and do the same thing for the next word. Simple but efficient and fun sight words practice!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPW36htjsEYWjZJ35_nR2Y2rcLdK68Ae_BPCpkHns5Gpl3DGTsgtRxZI-QHpblexuUfSbDCqq4CK6eHRMEVXRXQi04_udrYHX30g3Pe908vd2YKocwfD84OK1vFWU6Nh4bkzpJRxrhcPo/s1600/Sight+Words+Activities+Small+Group.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sight words small groups lesson - put a sight words sentence card in front of each kids' spot and have them read it, build it, then pass... so much fun for learning sight words in first grade and kindergarten!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPW36htjsEYWjZJ35_nR2Y2rcLdK68Ae_BPCpkHns5Gpl3DGTsgtRxZI-QHpblexuUfSbDCqq4CK6eHRMEVXRXQi04_udrYHX30g3Pe908vd2YKocwfD84OK1vFWU6Nh4bkzpJRxrhcPo/s640/Sight+Words+Activities+Small+Group.JPG" title="Sight words small groups lesson - put a sight words sentence card in front of each kids' spot and have them read it, build it, then pass... so much fun for learning sight words in first grade and kindergarten!" width="480" /></a></div>
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It's actually a really awesome way for every single kid in your class to practice every single one of your new sight words for the week. You can do it at the beginning of your small groups to warm them up a few times during the week. Maybe the first time they build it with magnet letters since that takes the longest and will give you/them time to truly practice spelling the word, reading and recognizing it, etc. Then the next time they write it with a dry erase marker. Then the next time they can simply read it and read the sentences then pass to the next person. However you want to do it!<br />
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Speaking of writing on them with a dry erase marker, this is what I mean!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbxzHUswMn1nJGxzaDu_xYCoeuzy6XEL8gsuwdNS8mvCvgza0P7Wy6KkGZzvpRWGS0637ojSPPOdeK8TUJGT24oBcF3_bdHEJoJ3VFP0-bnFRZY27HO65zmL9Ct_RnkXxa02IlaLstWDI/s1600/Write+sight+words+marker.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Writing sight words practice is so much fun with these sight word sentence cards... check out all the fun ways I use these!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbxzHUswMn1nJGxzaDu_xYCoeuzy6XEL8gsuwdNS8mvCvgza0P7Wy6KkGZzvpRWGS0637ojSPPOdeK8TUJGT24oBcF3_bdHEJoJ3VFP0-bnFRZY27HO65zmL9Ct_RnkXxa02IlaLstWDI/s640/Write+sight+words+marker.JPG" title="Writing sight words practice is so much fun with these sight word sentence cards... check out all the fun ways I use these!" width="480" /></a></div>
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So this isn't the prettiest example because I didn't laminate these and instead put them inside a sheet protector but hey, it works! I know I try to show you <a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2017/04/teacher-tricks-for-reading-and-writing.html" target="_blank">fun teacher tricks</a> a lot but this is what I call a lazy teacher trick... and I am not ashamed :)<br />
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Have kids use a dry erase marker to write the words' letters inside each circle. Having it broken down by letter really helps them solidify the spelling - that's why I encourage using these cards for your week's sight words in multiple ways during the week so they really get a lot of practice spelling the word. Make sure they read the word and the sentence each time too so they're truly internalizing it.<br />
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You can also use them to introduce your new sight words each week!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxBeV9PYHqxgNDW7gWlwFqNe7kj0i5E3jdY1b9LDBdRReeMiL8n5qKwTszlWPehkWGo9oS9KuVkqwGVdQifbJrf8h_SYiXWlfAiL1BIXGRUzdpn5uZLZIOJ3zW2XyLokwhwF3NIazgv3a/s1600/Introduce+Sight+Words+Activities+4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to introduce new sight words in a fun way with picture support for your struggling readers.. and fun for everyone!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxBeV9PYHqxgNDW7gWlwFqNe7kj0i5E3jdY1b9LDBdRReeMiL8n5qKwTszlWPehkWGo9oS9KuVkqwGVdQifbJrf8h_SYiXWlfAiL1BIXGRUzdpn5uZLZIOJ3zW2XyLokwhwF3NIazgv3a/s640/Introduce+Sight+Words+Activities+4.JPG" title="How to introduce new sight words in a fun way with picture support for your struggling readers.. and fun for everyone!" width="480" /></a></div>
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On Monday, put the sentence cards for the new sight words for that week in your pocket chart.</div>
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You could also put them on your easel or whatever you use to teach.</div>
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Call the kids to the carpet and introduce them to each new word. Show them the card - point to the word and read it. Then read the sentence for them and let them take a second to look at the picture (hold it in front of them like you would when showing them the pictures from a book you're reading to them). Then say, "Spell it with me!" and point to each circle as they say each letter in the word. Make sure they can see the card and you pointing as you do it. The words on the card are pretty bold so all of your kids should be able to see it if you hold it up. You could also project it if you have a camera that does that.</div>
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This is my favorite way to introduce new sight words because it has an illustrated sentence to go with each word. I personally learn a lot better when I have a picture to go along with something new I've learned so I think it helps a lot of kids too!</div>
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You can also spell the words with your students to practice the sight words.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Z356UJTxyp8xVuf7ojJrFblx5yL7VRGegm9CT4bDoJOooHUB_bTAnkZDh6uVJNlJJwA6KsCxA0uO6B-gly-TnSaB4tVyzZiTXJsvDyWbJ5GjEGqY9SREOKfx2PTG8Yqz8J5pqHNkhuLB/s1600/Introduce+Sight+Words+Activities+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spelling sight words in the pocket chart center and so many fun ideas for teaching sight words in first grade or kindergarten!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Z356UJTxyp8xVuf7ojJrFblx5yL7VRGegm9CT4bDoJOooHUB_bTAnkZDh6uVJNlJJwA6KsCxA0uO6B-gly-TnSaB4tVyzZiTXJsvDyWbJ5GjEGqY9SREOKfx2PTG8Yqz8J5pqHNkhuLB/s640/Introduce+Sight+Words+Activities+2.JPG" title="Spelling sight words in the pocket chart center and so many fun ideas for teaching sight words in first grade or kindergarten!" width="480" /></a></div>
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Please note!! Super important! These letter cards DO NOT come with the Sight Words Sentence Cards. You can use your own letter cards or get mine in any of my Phonics Pocket Chart Centers sets. This is the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Phonics-Centers-Pocket-Chart-BUNDLE-2357636?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Sight-Words-Sentences" target="_blank">Phonics Pocket Chart Centers Bundle</a> but you can find all the individual sets within its description to buy a smaller set if you only want the letter cards. They come with each set. Although I really recommend those if you need more phonics activities - they're a lot of fun if you need pocket chart centers!<br />
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Anyway, I love to spell out the new sight words. You could also make it a center for them to grab the sight words from that week and spell them in the pocket chart like this.<br />
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They also just make a super fun center in general. Give kids the sight words you want them to practice and some magnet letters...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGsTbJFZDmZt1pw6Sj-lOVeMphX2D5ye75BBTCQXIa61I40SS4OJFYUs1hczKiV371I_nrzj26mmYkiRWAP_w-DuDvtvfXPDAy4vvIT8c5Zt6VPyUbnWwiWoF6TLhuihfL8S6Ks7yEI3V/s1600/Sight+Words+Sentences+Cards+First+Grade+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sight words sentence cards are such fun sight words centers for kids to build each sight word with magnet letters or bottle caps.. read this blog post to check out all the fun ways to use these cards!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGsTbJFZDmZt1pw6Sj-lOVeMphX2D5ye75BBTCQXIa61I40SS4OJFYUs1hczKiV371I_nrzj26mmYkiRWAP_w-DuDvtvfXPDAy4vvIT8c5Zt6VPyUbnWwiWoF6TLhuihfL8S6Ks7yEI3V/s640/Sight+Words+Sentences+Cards+First+Grade+1.JPG" title="Sight words sentence cards are such fun sight words centers for kids to build each sight word with magnet letters or bottle caps.. read this blog post to check out all the fun ways to use these cards!" width="480" /></a></div>
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and let them build the words like this!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Zhl0RPd-PKQDaW2NDZFUNAs8ABQQRdFrrf_XevQwJq__f1212eVGJgkwZI4aAHBq_gUwvU5cpgc7QjLqMK31lKKwFQwAXgOSSkdE_89towlLk2qFdGa3pkGBwjxfmKbNJY4sE_qkuMNj/s1600/Sight+Words+Sentences+Cards+First+Grade+3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Teaching sight words is so much fun with these picture and sentence cards!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Zhl0RPd-PKQDaW2NDZFUNAs8ABQQRdFrrf_XevQwJq__f1212eVGJgkwZI4aAHBq_gUwvU5cpgc7QjLqMK31lKKwFQwAXgOSSkdE_89towlLk2qFdGa3pkGBwjxfmKbNJY4sE_qkuMNj/s640/Sight+Words+Sentences+Cards+First+Grade+3.JPG" title="Teaching sight words is so much fun with these picture and sentence cards!" width="480" /></a></div>
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They make a great independent center like that.<br />
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I made A TON of sight word sentence cards so, no matter what list you use, I probably have your words :) Currently there are 224 words included!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzsQzye0odTaZq1ekDEtMyT2ZUrjWwGBHjA1qclmPGi0LCqqPSftvtorHykQdIDn-F2uWXAMtUJPM6CFosMZmKC9rjNQfDxHWHw4NJLVXIgewozeL6FLnArXEOyXDqApihpE6LM2-92yO/s1600/Sight+Words+Activities+First+Grade+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sight words sentence cards for soo many high frequency words!! Read this to check out all the fun ways to use them!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzsQzye0odTaZq1ekDEtMyT2ZUrjWwGBHjA1qclmPGi0LCqqPSftvtorHykQdIDn-F2uWXAMtUJPM6CFosMZmKC9rjNQfDxHWHw4NJLVXIgewozeL6FLnArXEOyXDqApihpE6LM2-92yO/s640/Sight+Words+Activities+First+Grade+1.JPG" title="Sight words sentence cards for soo many high frequency words!! Read this to check out all the fun ways to use them!" width="480" /></a></div>
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I'm not sure how many sight words you personally introduce each week but I prefer 5-7 new words a week. That's a lot of new words each week so that's why I love having activities like these or my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Secret-Sight-Words-Centers-1342385?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Sight-Words-Sentences" target="_blank">Secret Sight Words Centers</a> to practice the words.<br />
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Like I said, give kids the new words for the week and let them go to town writing them, building them, reading them with their partner, etc.!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jByL3ArhFRVtUhpIvFJnw2CWySRf2P2pMRbs_QHarVZSIU0BMewg1gtH6p_FDLeE9mDz0R5H5gZVU1l5LexenvOfDQiGLDWnhE-V2EKNkfFuDzfEjYSC_ROm8lTnncHWDsWlVKoBNnsh/s1600/Sight+Words+Activities+First+Grade+3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sight words activities for first grade or kindergarten where kids look at the picture and sentence to help read the sight word then build it by spelling it with magnet letters - absolutely love this fun sight words center!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jByL3ArhFRVtUhpIvFJnw2CWySRf2P2pMRbs_QHarVZSIU0BMewg1gtH6p_FDLeE9mDz0R5H5gZVU1l5LexenvOfDQiGLDWnhE-V2EKNkfFuDzfEjYSC_ROm8lTnncHWDsWlVKoBNnsh/s640/Sight+Words+Activities+First+Grade+3.JPG" title="Sight words activities for first grade or kindergarten where kids look at the picture and sentence to help read the sight word then build it by spelling it with magnet letters - absolutely love this fun sight words center!" width="480" /></a></div>
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I wanted to say you can also use these for teaching certain concepts... not just sight words!<br />
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For example, in the beginning of the year, teaching color words is important!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3p3KInaH5fQSskTsYydddJdBCTNUMREFfEwkYpXgPGfLUqS1cQ68Dr1ciDJWvg6qtasXmbdsnt2U5zEQieKNmHx9e4Y-wzBW7kk4pAKq9ONjpsZ5F3LT9mXYBSI_jaaWvVjipuP9urIQP/s1600/Building+sight+words+magnet+letters+pink.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Color words activities and ideas for how to learn the colors and spell them in fun ways!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3p3KInaH5fQSskTsYydddJdBCTNUMREFfEwkYpXgPGfLUqS1cQ68Dr1ciDJWvg6qtasXmbdsnt2U5zEQieKNmHx9e4Y-wzBW7kk4pAKq9ONjpsZ5F3LT9mXYBSI_jaaWvVjipuP9urIQP/s640/Building+sight+words+magnet+letters+pink.JPG" title="Color words activities and ideas for how to learn the colors and spell them in fun ways!" width="480" /></a></div>
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Kids can take the cards for each color, build them, write them, etc. and get a lot of practice with spelling that color word. Since there is a picture to guide them, they'll figure out pretty easily what color word they're building.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUDmPXUbdaIvFYlShIkvVNN-JOEwOJnbmxVNBZ1Jzk5HYOnyshcoaiBK_4STEg2I96LblQfqhOJHMY4qspJRUNXdFJknPb2KrhxoXHIN8mDcbpsi6OuNdKhAeMajsn9N4FV_Oh_K0H00y/s1600/Color+words+spelling+green.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Color words activities kindergarten preschool or even first grade students can enjoy learning how to spell the colors with!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUDmPXUbdaIvFYlShIkvVNN-JOEwOJnbmxVNBZ1Jzk5HYOnyshcoaiBK_4STEg2I96LblQfqhOJHMY4qspJRUNXdFJknPb2KrhxoXHIN8mDcbpsi6OuNdKhAeMajsn9N4FV_Oh_K0H00y/s640/Color+words+spelling+green.JPG" title="Color words activities kindergarten preschool or even first grade students can enjoy learning how to spell the colors with!" width="480" /></a></div>
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You may also notice in this picture that there is a number word too! Number words are also really important for when you're first teaching about numbers (check out this post if you are: <a href="http://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/2015/07/building-number-sense-in-first-grade.html" target="_blank">Building Number Sense in First Grade</a> - no matter what grade you teach, if you teach numbers, I shared a lot of tips!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHylfL9583FociN_16ZabN521pkuHUP9K5PRRNFxNa2kSCqN_FHZ4ZWCI3tZluAmzKPaLYZ9zbBzNyipgrgtHuzJTj9HzW8aqfT41Qk5tpIyYDbWdz4t4xuIbXQKErUpATVDHX9Mm-Vod/s1600/Color+and+Number+Words+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A ton of fun ideas for learning color words and number words.. and other sight words as well!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHylfL9583FociN_16ZabN521pkuHUP9K5PRRNFxNa2kSCqN_FHZ4ZWCI3tZluAmzKPaLYZ9zbBzNyipgrgtHuzJTj9HzW8aqfT41Qk5tpIyYDbWdz4t4xuIbXQKErUpATVDHX9Mm-Vod/s640/Color+and+Number+Words+1.JPG" title="A ton of fun ideas for learning color words and number words.. and other sight words as well!" width="480" /></a></div>
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I also love using these cards for teaching number words! I made a sentence card for numbers zero to ten. Kids can easily look at the picture if they have trouble figuring out which number it is then build/write the number word.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18SopejehspS1one753zlYyV_GrpMpHYsIQXEUlzpcnHfKASGCe-4qr57cgVDhrLrjWvo9ocAnd4rEDu-D6ifoibjy34R58HK3uOmlLixERhZ64mjYpE4n4DOEUE5uDnU8T5BluxkQkCq/s1600/Number+Words+Cards+Kindergarten+Activities.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Number words activities cards to practice spelling numbers in their written form! Love the ideas on this post!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18SopejehspS1one753zlYyV_GrpMpHYsIQXEUlzpcnHfKASGCe-4qr57cgVDhrLrjWvo9ocAnd4rEDu-D6ifoibjy34R58HK3uOmlLixERhZ64mjYpE4n4DOEUE5uDnU8T5BluxkQkCq/s640/Number+Words+Cards+Kindergarten+Activities.JPG" title="Number words activities cards to practice spelling numbers in their written form! Love the ideas on this post!" width="480" /></a></div>
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So for this number word (four), it is also a homophone! I LOVE using these to teach hard concepts like homophones because pictures are e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_MF50HEDDMK7prwQGHha6ZLVFQYoLZEsc1UgCtc_ClTs-iRd41472ZeBQKWsHGmMC4HRdMWYksvXM869QPl7ojYQSImkir9lfjsQFZuWq3YNRyh0Nlc6xVd-gPcR56AN4mdhsaPQNOni/s1600/Homophones+for+four.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fun homophones activities for first grade or any age that loves literacy center games and building words! Check out these activities ideas you can use for centers, small groups, or even independent practice! Love the pictures and simple sentences to practice each homophone" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_MF50HEDDMK7prwQGHha6ZLVFQYoLZEsc1UgCtc_ClTs-iRd41472ZeBQKWsHGmMC4HRdMWYksvXM869QPl7ojYQSImkir9lfjsQFZuWq3YNRyh0Nlc6xVd-gPcR56AN4mdhsaPQNOni/s640/Homophones+for+four.JPG" title="Fun homophones activities for first grade or any age that loves literacy center games and building words! Check out these activities ideas you can use for centers, small groups, or even independent practice! Love the pictures and simple sentences to practice each homophone" width="480" /></a></div>
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When you're teaching homophones, show them the card for "four" and read the sentence and evaluate the picture together. Then, do the same for "for" and point out how the 2 words sound the same but are spelled different<i> and</i> have different meanings.<br />
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I also recommend this for to, too, two:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Agxei5sdmLEkliCaHQ7nOwg3xjrHVQytX7Je-Ilwi6b-3bO3u0bagsVMyuoBtZvN_beNkCplj5ma0vq9u-yQm5EC1rTuLBNnJNIEYC76BEwi8KFgnRBtNFNoQl7kxtTV89dxJLPpkh7J/s1600/Homophones+to+too+two.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homophones to too two activities and games that make teaching homophones way more fun! These are perfect for a small groups lesson or independent literacy centers in first grade or 2nd or even kindergarten because of how simple the sentences are that match the pictures - love these!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Agxei5sdmLEkliCaHQ7nOwg3xjrHVQytX7Je-Ilwi6b-3bO3u0bagsVMyuoBtZvN_beNkCplj5ma0vq9u-yQm5EC1rTuLBNnJNIEYC76BEwi8KFgnRBtNFNoQl7kxtTV89dxJLPpkh7J/s640/Homophones+to+too+two.JPG" title="Homophones to too two activities and games that make teaching homophones way more fun! These are perfect for a small groups lesson or independent literacy centers in first grade or 2nd or even kindergarten because of how simple the sentences are that match the pictures - love these!" width="480" /></a></div>
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Those are definitely tricky ones!! If you teach homophones, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Homophones-Worksheets-26-fun-homophone-activity-sheets-1128569?utm_source=Miss-Giraffe-Blog&utm_campaign=Sight-Words-Sentences" target="_blank">these worksheets</a> have also been one of the most helpful things for teaching homophones. I am all about words in context.. in simple sentences kids can actually read.. can you tell? :)<br />
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Question words are also a tough skill! When teaching question words, pull them out of your stack and use them to introduce them to your class. Point out how each sentence ends with a question mark.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9_vp7Ox0ISRm-50eoPjhncAQw3-bCxVp4BIJqhlZvSxJ7KQSGW-UzRuMfx2F26KjFv3d5kRWUGEHK8oVOQKevjGpeQHSiCyLQZIkp6AOLYMwmWEMj7tj_kpMaDUczlBcH7zsu22IQm1l/s1600/Question+Words+Activities+First+Grade+3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Question words activities for first grade (or any grade that loves building sight words!) that make learning question words super fun for small groups lesson, literacy centers, or even introducing them since there are such cute and fun pictures with simple sentences to go along with them!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9_vp7Ox0ISRm-50eoPjhncAQw3-bCxVp4BIJqhlZvSxJ7KQSGW-UzRuMfx2F26KjFv3d5kRWUGEHK8oVOQKevjGpeQHSiCyLQZIkp6AOLYMwmWEMj7tj_kpMaDUczlBcH7zsu22IQm1l/s640/Question+Words+Activities+First+Grade+3.JPG" title="Question words activities for first grade (or any grade that loves building sight words!) that make learning question words super fun for small groups lesson, literacy centers, or even introducing them since there are such cute and fun pictures with simple sentences to go along with them!" width="480" /></a></div>
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You can also point out to them how each question word is at the beginning of the sentence, remind them about capitalization, etc. to make a little lesson out of it.<br />
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Then let them build them! :) This is also a great small groups lesson.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8vO6jZ-4Rx_Vmr5PrGFgRHzVJ-5uf5iNsq9X_5fr2xp5UqhSBB6Uhj_XOWfYQZN7DBHTDfVkWY_EZfbHWW1MV070hZ5TfFObN28E5id5eRlHZbUf9xx8yiSI9iIDPdqxvt4KYdpbsRMa/s1600/Question+Words+Activities+First+Grade+4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Teaching question words? These games and activities are so much fun!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8vO6jZ-4Rx_Vmr5PrGFgRHzVJ-5uf5iNsq9X_5fr2xp5UqhSBB6Uhj_XOWfYQZN7DBHTDfVkWY_EZfbHWW1MV070hZ5TfFObN28E5id5eRlHZbUf9xx8yiSI9iIDPdqxvt4KYdpbsRMa/s640/Question+Words+Activities+First+Grade+4.JPG" title="Teaching question words? These games and activities are so much fun!" width="480" /></a></div>
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There are so many cards to choose from so you can really use them any way you choose. I just wanted to show you this one because that little mouse peeking at the cheese makes me giggle. It's the little things, right?? I think part of the reason why I love kids so much is because I am just a big one myself sometimes :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJT43IlYIRhrI99F-vCjzVvotfDaGEE9ZCVilRRxUl-MW72VM6aZEkP8tW0dVpoM02BB2-xkqVLgfhPKb0hlCbP016AQpXXCfYa1OskMfffJhBbpnkUs28I88MuxHquFwSUAE53dsyo88L/s1600/Sight+Words+Activities+First+Grade+4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sight words printables with easy sight word sentences with pictures to make learning and spelling high frequency words a lot of fun!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJT43IlYIRhrI99F-vCjzVvotfDaGEE9ZCVilRRxUl-MW72VM6aZEkP8tW0dVpoM02BB2-xkqVLgfhPKb0hlCbP016AQpXXCfYa1OskMfffJhBbpnkUs28I88MuxHquFwSUAE53dsyo88L/s640/Sight+Words+Activities+First+Grade+4.JPG" title="Sight words printables with easy sight word sentences with pictures to make learning and spelling high frequency words a lot of fun!" width="480" /></a></div>
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What I love most is you start the year with some pretty easy words - like, my, see, to... then move on to some pretty tough ones that kids really start to depend on the picture and sentence to figure it out. As the sight words get harder, having quality pictures and easy to read sentences becomes a lot more important.<br />
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For example, "full" and "air" are not really easy to sound out for a lot of kids.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvMps6KyyIQRuaPV_Tm1LB-L499eKcrIlCJkvt0Gn2xLYU2ukdcZhjwDi1Rr8aEJf-Zoy0J_W7o5p6LsmXaKYBQZIrkl1P8yoKDH1tt3TguUrVD4p8E4nIpU1ckoROHflzgnGSZNGyZIG/s1600/Teaching+Sight+Words+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sight words centers kids love! Check out the fun ways to use these to teach sight words!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvMps6KyyIQRuaPV_Tm1LB-L499eKcrIlCJkvt0Gn2xLYU2ukdcZhjwDi1Rr8aEJf-Zoy0J_W7o5p6LsmXaKYBQZIrkl1P8yoKDH1tt3TguUrVD4p8E4nIpU1ckoROHflzgnGSZNGyZIG/s640/Teaching+Sight+Words+1.JPG" title="Sight words centers kids love! Check out the fun ways to use these to teach sight words!" width="480" /></a></div>
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"Air" is a tough word. If they don't know the AI sound yet (or AIR sound), that's not one they're likely to sound out.. but having a sentence that shows a little boy jumping into the air that says, "I jump in the ___!" will help a kid use the picture and context to figure it out independently. Those are the magical moments!<br />
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Same with "drink" - that can be a tough word but the picture is of a little girl drinking milk so they will probably be able to figure out the word pretty easily.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxhBRbSl_nsgbtfzm74PSEomqbMy2YNCNDf73hBCH5aVZ_L7Jw155AjHeOHMt0YRzW_WSolGhArDovy6blgo9MCworH5hFh_Fb0TvS3kvL6f_jaEe_yJGFYo3mxMfw719GHTI48RjUBcV/s1600/Sight+Words+Sentences+drink+4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sight words games for first grade - activities your students will love! Read this for how to use these awesome cards for literacy centers, small groups, and more!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxhBRbSl_nsgbtfzm74PSEomqbMy2YNCNDf73hBCH5aVZ_L7Jw155AjHeOHMt0YRzW_WSolGhArDovy6blgo9MCworH5hFh_Fb0TvS3kvL6f_jaEe_yJGFYo3mxMfw719GHTI48RjUBcV/s640/Sight+Words+Sentences+drink+4.JPG" title="Sight words games for first grade - activities your students will love! Read this for how to use these awesome cards for literacy centers, small groups, and more!" width="480" /></a></div>
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This makes them able to be used independently. Kids can figure out the words themselves then be proud of themselves. What's more amazing than that?? Especially when your students who are struggling readers can look at a tough sight word and rather quickly know what it is. Love, love, love when that happens!<br />
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So anyway!! I am rambling yet again!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVd-aRmnFVQLA-cM8-6W32VL4E2u4IWCaCngYskXXRBt1Pq8XCH95Bf2OuqejZFYkUAVGSLmLK6i9KKk3CUe5pFfRxa7Xa-A7p2A9YmtDcLbm5pAsvOjy8B5_WzTPzmi1StjW8NH4MAG-/s1600/Sight+Words+Sentences+Cards+First+Grade+5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A ton of ideas for teaching sight words!! Save this!" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVd-aRmnFVQLA-cM8-6W32VL4E2u4IWCaCngYskXXRBt1Pq8XCH95Bf2OuqejZFYkUAVGSLmLK6i9KKk3CUe5pFfRxa7Xa-A7p2A9YmtDcLbm5pAsvOjy8B5_WzTPzmi1StjW8NH4MAG-/s640/Sight+Words+Sentences+Cards+First+Grade+5.JPG" title="A ton of ideas for teaching sight words!! Save this!" width="480" /></a></div>
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I hope you found some fun ways to learn sight words from this post!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">If you want ALL 224 of my Sight Words Sentence Cards, grab them here:</span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I will put them *ON SALE* for a super limited time for those of you who read my blog regularly to grab them up!! :) </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">A really fun way to follow along is to <b>join Miss Giraffe's Class</b> by</span> <a href="http://eepurl.com/1WAO9" target="_blank">filling out this quick form</a> (please make sure to check the box) to receive emails from me so we can keep in touch! :)<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to keep reading & seeing ideas, I have all my favorite blog posts I've written organized by topic here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://missgiraffesclass.blogspot.com/p/miss-giraffe.html" target="_blank">Miss Giraffe Blog Posts List</a></span><br />
I share A LOT of teaching tips in those posts so definitely check them out to read more fun ideas! :)</div>
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Thank you so, so much for reading!!!!! Please feel free to leave a comment or ask questions - I love hearing from you guys! </div>
Miss Giraffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16186555636262226562noreply@blogger.com10