Beginning Sounds and Digraph Count and Graph

In the classroom, I love finding way to integrate math and literacy.  It provides students with real application of skills they are learning as well as more opportunities to practice the skills they are learning. 

One of my favorite activities to integrate math and literacy is through count and graph for phonics skills.

When students are learning beginning sound they color each picture that is the same, count how many of each and graph it.  They also practice tracing and writing the letter.

This activity would work really well as a kindergarten extension activity for students who already know letter sounds or as a great activity for students to practice identifying pictures with the beginning sound you are working on as well as counting and graphing practice.   It will also work well with 1st graders who are still stuggling with letter sounds.  

My favorite part of these is that you can extend it even more by asking math related questions for students to analyze their data, for example, how many more flowers than fans, which is greater the number of fish or frogs?  

You can find these practice activities for both alphabet beginning sounds as well as digraphs. 

You can find the Alphabet Count and Graph here

 

Or try using the Free Digraph Count and Graph here:

The Mitten Activities for Kindergarten Emergency Sub Plans and a Sequencing Freebie

As we enter winter and flu season, taking an unexpected day off as a teacher can always be a time consuming and stressful task.  As a teacher, I always dread getting sub plans together since for me, it is such a time consuming task because I want everything to be perfect.   

I always like to be prepared for my students in case of an unexpected absence.  While I am gone, it is important for my students to have meaningful work that reinforces the skills we are learning... not just busy work.   My winter themed sub plans are all based on one of my favorite stories to share with my students in the winter, and "The Mitten" sub plans and can be easily printed in advance for a stress free day out.  

Included are a full days worth of activities for "The Mitten."  All you need is a copy of the book The Mitten by Jan Brett (affiliate link), and I always like to copy and prepare my resources in advance.  

Or a YouTube version that is read online by the Jan Brett!

The activities that supplement the story will keep your students engaged and challenged for the entire day.  They cover all subject areas with kindergarten appropriate activities, as well as instruction sheets for your sub. 

To begin, I always read the story with the students and then sequencing the events to reinforce the story.  It is always fun for students to put the events in order in a pocket chart and they always enjoy the participation.  

Students can then get their own little hands on their own emergent reader, that is a great way for them to help remember the story sequence independently and get a text in the student's own hands.  

Students at this time are pretty familiar with the story, so we complete a sequencing activity.  (This sequencing sheet is a freebie at the end of the post).  

Also included are quite a few other literacy activities that are common in kindergarten such as labeling, “sentence surgery,” where students create a sentence out of mixed up words and a color by code mitten where students identify the middle vowel sound in a word. 

Writing is also an important skill in kindergarten.  These sub plans cover two different levels of writing activities, based on the needs of your students.  Many times in kindergarten, writing may be just be drawing and telling your story, while some students may be capable of writing to answer a question, so included are activities for both levels.   As a teacher, it Is also to model for students and see what a "correct" sentence looks like so there is also a sentence copying and sentence "fix it" activity as well.  

    

Math is another subject that has so many different skills levels in a kindergarten classroom.  I have included a huge variety of easy to differentiate activities for math as well, based on your students levels and what you have taught in the classroom.  You will see simple skills such as counting and writing the numbers, ordering numbers 1-10, addition, and counting, counting by tens, teens numbers and graphing.  

Finally, there are fun "extras" that can be used to supplement or to substitute out an activity if you wish. Included you will also find a "hat," puppets for students to make and retell the story on their own, a crossword puzzle, maze and "which doesn't belong." 

 

These activities can definitely last you an entire day out, if not two.  Hopefully, these sub plans and everything included will be able to give you peace of mind if you do have to be out of the classroom and your students are able to enjoy the activities while reinforcing skills. 

You can find the whole unit here: The Mitten Full Day Sub Plans

And the FREE sequencing activity by clicking here: The Mitten Sequencing

Virtual Class Expectations for Google Slides™

As a result of Covid, we are preparing for a year of uncertainties with virtual learning vs. in class with safety precautions.  One thing that remains consistent is the need for teachers to set classroom expectations.  Having strong classroom management and letting students know what is expected of them is a great way to start the year off in the right direction.

As a classroom teacher, reviewing classroom expectations is always a priority of mine.  This year, I know it will look different for me, but I know it is still very important. 

To review expectations with students, I have created an interactive Google Slides™ activity that can be used over Zoom so students are certain of what is expected of them.  I have shared common scenarios that teachers may encounter.  

Included are a variety of "happy choices" 

and "sad choices"

Students can give a thumbs up or thumbs down if they agree or disagree on each of the scenarios and as a group you can then talk about them.  It is probably a good idea to review these several times over your first virtual meetings. 

Once you have made students aware of behaviors, you can use this poster/slide that can be reviewed prior to class meetings.  (This chart is a freebie at the end of the post)

I also see the importance of celebrating positive behavior, so there are certificates that can digitally  be presented to students. 

You can grab the interactive classroom expectations game and certificates here: Virtual Class Expectations for Google Slides™

Also available is the FREE virtual class expectations chart here: Free Virtual Class Expectations Poster

Hoping everyone has a safe and healthy school year.  

Kindergarten Reading Fluency for Early Readers

Reading fluency is so important for our early readers to eventually ensure comprehension. Strong letter sound fluency equips students to decode CVC words effortlessly, fostering a smooth transition in their reading journey. While readiness varies among students, consistent practice significantly aids their decoding abilities.    While I know for some students, it is developmental and there may be a readiness that they may not have, many students are able to and need that extra practice to help them with decoding and can empower students to decode CVC words effortlessly, facilitating a smoother reading journey.  

I have always compared fluency practice to running in my own life for my students.  I would run half marathons and have to work up that stamina and "practice" every day to become a better runner.  I noticed that many of my students, without given the practice, will just continue to struggle.  

How we practice fluency in kindergarten?

As a kindergarten teacher, it was important for my students, especially those who were struggling to practice fluency to help them become better readers.  Without providing them this opportunity, I knew many of them would not be practicing letter names or letter sounds  at home.  By practicing and having a resource in the classroom or sending a fluency resource home and explaining to parents the importance, I have seen tremendous gains for students.

I always use a simple and easy practice for my students. I have used whole group, small group or with a partner or even sent home.  I use fluency probes that are similar to AIMSweb or DIBBELS letter name and letter sound fluency.  (A sample is included at the end of the post)

Students are given a fluency probe based on the skill they are working on.  

        

We practice letter names and letter sounds using these probes and I also have them available for CVC words,  nonsense words and onset and rime.  

      

Although I feel "practicing" nonsense words may not be best for some students, for other it may help them become more successful and give us a better picture of where they are as a reader. As we know, there are a limited number of CVC words that students do read and a lot of times, they just have regular CVC words memorized from kindergarten stories and work.  To assess a students true ability to decode, this is why we sometimes switch to nonsense words.    My strongest readers, we always able to decode these nonsense words without struggle and were able to just read them as words, since they have such strong phonics skills. 

Classroom Use 

In my classroom, I copy all of the probes in advance and have them bound.  The resource has 14 different probes available and I will have them all ready for the whole year.   This then becomes a resource I use for the whole year in my students hands that we often use. 

I copy all 4 probes with my students: letter names, letter sounds, CVC words and nonsense words, week by week.  Usually before Christmas, I will use onset and rime instead of CVC words. 

In the classroom, I have the students use the same probe for the week.  We will sometimes do it whole group or in small groups and set a timer for one minute.  

Students use a different color crayon each day and just circle the letter that they stopped on (most of the students are usually pretty honest about this. )  They then work to do better the next day.  While I don't do whole group practice every day, I often will have students practice close to Aimsweb testing so everyone is ready.

In my class, I was also required to progress monitor my students and we would graph their results monthly when I progress monitored as a way of students tracking their data which was stored in the fluency booklet.

 

Partner Practice

I may also use with resource for partner practice for students.  Once my students understand how to practice their fluency, I would also sometimes have students partner up with each other to practice.  Although this partner practice will not work for all students and the students who struggle the most will be practicing with me, this works really well for most students and they love it.     I usually use  sand timer (affiliate link) for this which are one minute each students has a probe and one student will monitor (like I would for errors etc) while the other student practices.  

Take Home Fluency Practice

Another amazing way to use this resource is to copy and send home with students based on what they are working on, especially for my students who are struggling.  I usually send it with a letter about the importance of practicing at home and asking parents to set a timer for one minute and record where students stop.  It is amazing to see the growth that so many students will make with that little extra practice!  I usually will model how to do this at conferences to work with parents as a team.  

I have a freebie of one week of letter name, letter sounds, CVC words and nonsense words available in my TPT store with a link at the end of the post.  This is easy to copy and send home to parents over breaks or if a student is struggling and needs a little more practice.

In my Fluency Packet  there are 12 additional weeks of letter names, letter sounds, CVC words and nonsense words with graphs for students to track progress available as well.  I always made little books for my students and we would work on a new probe every week. 

You can find my fluency packet here, with everything you need to help your students become more successful readers.

You can also find my one week freebie here: Free Fluency Practice

Easter Snap Cube Mats and a Freebie

Engage Kindergarten Learners with Easter Snap Cubes: A Fun Math Center

Are you a kindergarten teacher looking for a creative and interactive way to reinforce counting skills and promote fine motor development in your classroom? Look no further! These Easter snap cubes task cards and mats are the perfect addition to your math centers this holiday season.

Why Choose Easter Snap Cubes?

1. Engaging Learning Experience: These task cards and mats provide a hands-on learning experience that engages students and keeps them motivated to practice their counting skills.
2. Enhanced Fine Motor Skills: Building pictures with snap cubes not only reinforces counting but also enhances fine motor skills as students manipulate the cubes to create the images.
3. Versatile Use: Use them as morning work, for early finishers, or as a dedicated math center activity.
4. Themed Fun: With Easter-themed puzzles like the Easter bunny, eggs, basket, and more, students will enjoy the festive spirit while learning.
5. Easy to Differentiate: Multiple versions are included to help meet the needs of your class and individual students.

What's Included in the Package?

• • Small, easy-to-store task cards

Included are 10 different pictures in small task cards. These are easy to store and perfect for morning work or early finishers.  Since they are not to scale, can be a bit more challenging for students but are great for visual spacial learners.  

• Large mats to scale for students to build the picture

With these to scale mats, students simply build the picture. Included are the same 10 easter themed pictures that are included on the task cards but a bit of a simpler task for students to complete.  

Large mats with counting 

This version works perfect for a math center activity in your classroom.  Students build the picture and count how many of each color is used.  (Students are required to be able to count to 25 for this activity)

• Black and white templates for students to design their own pictures, fostering creativity.

One of my favorite parts of this activity is the creativity they inspire in students. You can begin with the mats where students build using the templates, then progress to more open-ended activities. The black and white templates allow students to design and create their own pictures, fostering imagination and artistic expression.

Freebie Alert!

As a bonus, included are three colored Easter egg templates to inspire students and provide them with ideas for their designs. Download the freebie at the end of the post to use in your classroom!

 

This open ended version will allow your students to create their own individual design.

Students can build directly on the printable sheet and color their picture to show the image they created.  A great math counting activity!   

You can find the entire packet of  Easter Snap Cube Mats here. This kindergarten student friendly , easy prep activity includes all of the above activities for all 10 Easter themed pictures for only $3.

Save With Our Holiday Snap Cube Bundle!

Even better, you can SAVE 35% on this product by getting this product in a Holiday Snap Cube Bundle. This bundle is perfect for a year round math center that your students will be sure to love! It will provide your students will year long counting practice and is easy prep for you as well!

         

You can grab the design an Easter egg freebie here: 

 

January Writing Prompts and a Freebie!

Writing in kindergarten is always so much fun to teach.  It is amazing to see how students are able to develop through the year and gain so much more confidence as writers.  I often see students who in August, cannot even write their name, and by June are writing full stories with 4-5 sentences.  Scaffolding your students learning is important to help them reach their fullest potential.  We are able to do this through modeling, sharing the pen with your students and giving them independence to write on their own.  

It is important to help students reach their fullest potential. You can do this in your classroom by providing students  with different opportunities to write.  Students can write words, lists, stories and more!

Write the room activities  are great for the classroom.  They give students the opportunity to increase their vocabulary and is a fun way for students to interact with the new words.  

We move from words to sentences.  This provides the opportunity for students to help develop their writing skills, by using sight words and focus on correct spacing, capitalization and punctuation.  

Error analysis is a great activity in any classroom.  For this activity, students find and correct errors in sentences.  I focus on common errors students may be making in their writing.

To reinforce using sight words, I love using sentence starters.  I provide students the beginning of a sentence, they finish it and draw a picture to match.

 In addition to having students choose what they want to write about during a writing block, I also love giving students writing prompts.  I support their writing by labeling pictures, to help students gain more confidence as writers and eliminate the "how do I spell...."  This helps to get students writing creatively and encourage them as writers.

Writing also teaches students to have a voice.  From opinion writing to writing that has meaning, students are able to tell us something by their writing.  

 

Students can share their New Year goals for both home and school with this new years resolution writing activity (a link to this freebie is included at the end of the post)

All of these resources work perfect to get you through the month of January and provide your students many different opportunities to develop as writers.  They work great for literacy centers, as homework, or can easily be left for a sub.  You can find all of these activities and more in my January Writing Prompts and Activities

 You can also find the New Year Goals Freebie here:

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you found some helpful ways to encourage your early writers.