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 [...]

Do you find yourself sitting at the computer wishing there was something productive you could be doing with your spare time? Are you simply bored to tears wishing there was something you could think of to research or view? Well I may have found something to fulfill your [...]

A great way to help your students master words with long vowels is to play “Long Vowel Uno.” Write long vowel words (i.e. make, kite, these, those, dune) on index cards that have been cut in half. You will need at least ten word cards and one “wild” card per student. The “wild” card allows [...]

An easy way to get the students quiet within three seconds is to play the “Strike a Pose” game. I say “one, two, three, strike a pose,” and the children freeze in a fun position. I choose the quietest and stillest person and give them a small reward. The kids beg to play this game. [...]

Elementary education students usually have a hard time learning how to count money. To help them master this important skill, start a “money calendar” on the first day of school. Each day of school, put a magnetic penny (or a plastic coin with felt on the back) on the money calendar. When the students receive [...]