Words their Way

 

As I was getting ready for the upcoming school year and looking for videos to show my student teacher how Words Their Way works, I came across this:


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/BUNDLE-Automatic-Spelling-Inventory-Templates-1092641

Now I'm not a fan of sitting there and highlighting every single letter that a student got correct - it's a waste of time when you've got 25 to correct. I typically circle or highlight what they got wrong instead to save ink and my sanity. Plus, I often have a wide range of spellers and need to use at least 2-3 of the inventories throughout each of the 3 benchmark assessments we give during the year. That's why I like this product. It pretty much does it for you once you enter the words as your students spelled them. Check it out!

If you aren't familiar with Words Their Way and want to see what it's all about so you can challenge your kids and differentiate their spelling, head over to the videos on my class website!

Dolch Sight Words Pack

Here are some previews of my 49-page Dolch Sight Words Pack. The pack includes PreK-3 Dolch sight word lists in "bubble lettering" to be used for a word wall, as rainbow words, for ABC order, or as flashcards. Also included are assessment sheets, suggestions for word ladders, and links to resources for sight words. 

I like the idea of adding 5-6 sight words a week to spelling lists. Older children can be asked to write their own story using all of the words either on a test, at a center, or for homework. Speaking of that...have you checked out Spelling City yet?! It allows students to create flashcards, take a test, and play games with their words! Teachers can load their lists and create a class page for students to visit!

Another game I found is from Starfall. I love this site because it's so kid friendly and it talks to them. Another game you can play outside is Sight Word Island Hopping. It's neat because all it takes is some chalk and pavement to play! You can also create construction paper islands for indoors.

Gaga for Games

Have you ever played Gaga at summer camp? My students and campers at Stonybrook Day Camp loooovvveee when we play games. It doesn't matter if they are athletic, computer, or board games, they love to play anything and everything! These games are great for recess, camp, time on a bus or in the car, or during Morning Meeting at school. I also have used some of these with the girls on the soccer team I coached - and they were teenagers!

One of my favorites is Jedi Mind Numbers. On a hot day such as today, students practice patience, teamwork, and counting as they attempt to count to a defined number (usually 10). The catch is that all eyes have to be closed and only one person can say the number at a time. You'd be surprised how much of a challenge is, and how busy it keeps them when the classroom, car, or bus are too hot for movement! Also check out these Rainy Day / Indoor Game videos on how to keep busy!

EveryDay Math incorporates tons of games into its lessons, which can be photocopied or played online during a Game Center literacy station. Spelling and vocabulary words can be turned into word searches and puzzles (Shrock Guide), flashcards (Spelling City), or games either by students or me. My students also love Sparkle, which can also be played in a car or on a bus. The Guess Who board game or question game (see video below) are also great.

Check these sites out... you (or your children, depending on computer access and ability) can create your own Jeopardy games, Who Wants to be A Millionaire, Big Wheel, etc.

      

How to Purchase Everybody Wins: A teachers guide to customizing games for any curriculum Dr. Jeff Ertzberger UNC Wilmington

Click the Game Board to Play Interactive Boggle

Click the Game Board to Play Scrabble