So, in an effort to make life easier on myself I started jotting down and copying short literacy ideas to send home to my kiddos parents. I had a few struggling students that I wasn't ready to put in books but I wanted them to practice letters and literacy skills in a meaninful way.They have enjoyed this so much that I decided to type it all out on cute cards and make a unit for Teachers Pay Teachers. I fugure, like myself, there must be some other teachers with students like mine who are not ready for true reading groups but would benefit from some practice at home. The great thing about these activities is that they also do double duty when you use them in your classroom during small groups. 5 Minute Literacy
5 Minute Literacy has 22 different cards with an easy, fun activity for parents to do with their children. Each card is labeled with a number so you can use the included log to track which student has done which activity. (this also means you can print them out in cute color on cardstock because the parents will give them back to you, hopefully:))
For increased letter work have your students complete the 30 letter finds which include a visual discrimination letter find for each letter of the aplhabet, a vowel/consonant letter find and a letter/number find.
The last section of 5 Munite Literacy is 9 minicenters. All you will need is 9 baggies to put the pieces in and you have easy to transport, fun centers. These centers cover uppercase/lowercase matching, rhyming, CVC words, missing letters and more.
What I like best about this packet though is the way it opens some parents eyes. They come in and say "they knew this, but not this" or "I see we have to work on this, any ideas?" I think this is a good way to get the parents involved in their child's reading. The kiddos are so excited, they ask me "what is our homework today?" and it builds their self-esteem. Escpecially for those who are a little behind or that struggle with their letters.
NOW... for the giveaway! I will give this away to one follower who leaves a comment on how they build small spurts of literacy into their day. Don't forget to leave your email address so I can send one lucky winner the file!
Blessings,
Christine
Lately, we have had a lot of interruptions during our school day- presentations, field trips, etc.- which ends up being a lot of hurry up and wait. During our wait time, I will go through the line, either showing flash cards for the student to name the letter and sound, or having the student blend a word, maybe rhyming words. Anything to squeeze in a little practice.
ReplyDeleteHeather (heathernnance@yahoo.com)
This year we've had to adjust to a new timetable - which inevitably means I'm either running late or too early and have to fill in a few minutes. One of my favourite activities, similar to Heather's above, is to use phonics flash cards with my class - each card has an action and a chant, and we'll name the letter and sound, then think of words that begin or end with a sound. In the case of vowels we'll think of words that contain short or long vowel sounds. (This is also fun as a dismissal process for recess and lunch - students must give a word with the focus sound before they can go outside.) It's just good for reinforcement (for my lower students) and encouraging extension for my stronger students.
ReplyDeleteWe also love to play Hangman and have great discussions on word building as we go.
Stef @ Miss Galvin Learns
galvin.stefanie.s@edumail.vic.gov.au