I use what I call “Build-Write-Say” spelling to help my students master their weekly spelling words. During my reading center rotations, I present the words to the students (my spelling words are differentiated according to what phonics skill the group is working on) during the teacher-led group. Then, for a follow-up center, I give each [...]

A great way to help your students master their sight words is to play “Sight Word Tic Tac Toe.”
Materials:
~index cards or flashcards
~game pieces or markers of two different colors or shapes (I just cut out squares of colored paper)
Prepare the game:
1. Write at least 9 target sight words on the index cards (one word per [...]

Here’s a quick and easy way to get the students involved in decorating the classroom for holidays and special occasions. Find a simple outline of a character or object that goes along with the current holiday or celebration (i.e. hearts for Valentine’s Day, Christmas trees and ornaments for Christmas, and four leaf clovers for St. [...]

Here’s an idea of how to help your students create their own Christmas (or Holiday) cheer. Instead of having a traditional “Secret Santa” gift exchange this year, which most of your low socioeconomic students could not participate in anyway, have a “Secret Santa” greeting card exchange instead. Have each student draw a fellow student’s name, [...]

Adjective Necklaces: Mini-lesson on Adjectives

Grade Level: 3rd Grade
Topic: Adjectives
Children’s Book:
Cannon, J. (1993). Stellaluna. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
Materials: yarn (20”-piece per student), Mostaccioli noodles (8-12 per student),
permanent markers of various colors, example of finished necklace, poster
of some of the adjectives used in the story
Introduction:
We have been learning about the parts [...]