Six Syllable Types

One of the big goals for our third graders is to be able to read multi-syllabic words. One of the most helpful things we can teach them is to learn to recognize the six syllable types so that they can break apart multisyllabic words into decodable units.

If you need a refresher course in the six syllable types, start by visiting the Reading Rockets website by clicking {HERE}. Read their article on the six types of syllables for some background knowledge. Be sure you click on the link for syllable games, too.

For some ready-to-print syllable activities for your literacy stations, check out the information at the Florida Center for Reading Research by clicking {HERE}. If you visit only one website this summer as you are preparing for next year, this should be the site!

I've posted a quick freebie for reviewing closed syllables on my blog. Click on the pic below to get your copy!

Summer Toolkits

This year I wanted to make a summer packet for my students that they couldn't ignore! It's not so much about what's inside for some of these kids, but how you present it.  If they are excited to open it and show their parents, I'm hoping they are motivated to dig in and actually do it. (If anything, I hope parents are guilted/pressured inspired to motive their kids to do it.)

We've been dabbling in close reading this year, so I wanted to incorporate that into their summer packs. 

They really love sticky notes and highlighters, so I had to include those two things! The magnifying glass was more of a prop that they really enjoyed. We'd read the first time to "get the gist", then pick up our magnifying glasses to show we were ready to read closely. Sometimes they'd put their magnifying glass around the words that gave text evidence to one of my questions too. Here is a picture of what I put in their packets:

You can download my summer toolkit covers for free over at my blog.

I'd love to hear some other ideas for this summer toolkit. If you have some ideas, leave a comment for me. :)

Free Font For You!

First of all, Happy Father's Day to the dads out there and moms that are doing Dad's job. :)

It is a gorgeous day here with lots of celebrating, so this is going to be short and SWEET!

I made you all a free font- just click the picture to download!

Want more free fonts? Head to my FREEBIES FOR FANS tab on my Facebook page.

Also, I am having a HUGE GIVEAWAY involving Tiffany & Co. earrings, gift cards, and word work bundles! Click the pic to go enter this super easy giveaway- no extra info is needed in the rafflecopter.'

Have  a lovely Sunday!

Hey Y'all! It's a New Face - and a Freebie!

Hello Class*y Peeps!

I'm so excited to be a part of this phenomenal group of bloggers! I'm pretty sure the ideas I've found here have saved my teaching tail at least twice  three times who knows. A LOT.  :)

I'm Abby from Third Grade Bookworm, and I live in Georgia with my sweet husband (Mr. Bookworm) and our 4 fur babies.

Mr. Bookworm and I on a hot date. He's a keeper. ;-)

We have a real LIVE baby on the way in September and I am spending a LOT of time this summer getting ready for his arrival.

I just finished my 12th year of teaching, and I'm coming out of the classroom to work as an EIP teacher (Early Intervention Program) at my current school. I'll go in to classrooms and pull small groups of kids that teachers have identified as "at risk" for falling behind in math or reading. It's going to be really different, but I'm super excited to give it a try!

To celebrate joining the crew here, I have a brand new common and proper noun freebie pack! It will be perfect for back-to-school and fall when we head back. (Gulp.)

Click Me!

I hope it's something you can use! See you soon!

Get the Most Out of Your Spelling Tests

I love so many things about teaching… but I’ll be honest. Grading isn’t my favorite! I am constantly looking for ways to give and grade assignments more efficiently. Not only does it mean I spend less time grading, but I’m copying less papers and my students are doing less worksheets! Win-Win! : )

While I was student teaching, my cooperating teacher took two grades on her spelling test- spelling and handwriting. Simple, right? Students write the words once, but you take a grade twice. It was a genius idea- and one I still use, especially because I hate having my students spend very much time writing random words!

On my spelling test form, I simply put spaces for the two grades in the corner of the page, and then used a double-sided marker so I could grade spelling in one color and handwriting in another. This was really helpful for students and parents to see where each grade came from (although I did explain it at Open House!)

Towards the end of the year, I started using my spelling test as a sort of “exit ticket” as well. I asked the students a question- usually something simple like, “What did you learn this week?” but sometimes more specific, like “What are the three branches of government?” The students were encouraged to look at our anchor charts around the room for assistance if they needed it.

 

Sometimes, I would even use the bonus space on the page to gauge my students’ interests or feelings, such as, “What are you proud of yourself for doing this week?” or “Tell me how you think you’re doing with regrouping.”

 

Finally, one of my colleagues shared the most amazing idea with me. Her spelling words were based on a phonics skill (which makes the most sense, I think!) and her students would read and write words with that phonics pattern all week. On Fridays, they would be tested on some words from the Spelling List… and a few words that were not on the list, but followed the same pattern. With these “Mystery Words,” she was able to assess not only whether they had memorized those words, but also whether the students were truly able to apply the phonics pattern in their spelling. THAT is a much more useful assessment, especially when you consider the disparity between the studying support some students receive at home and the complete lack of support others have after school.

Individually, none of these ideas might be groundbreaking… but together, they make my spelling test so much more than a spelling test! I know SO much more about my students after they take it- and isn’t that what assessment should do?

Thanks for reading!

Jenny

A Crazy Introduction & A FREEBIE! :)

Hello There!  I would like to introduce myself, I am Whitney from The Crazy Schoolteacher. I have stalked this blog since last fall, so I’m more than excited to be apart of it!  I am going into my 5^th year of teaching.  I currently teach 1^st grade in the heart of Boilermaker Nation...Boiler Up! J  This is my 3rd year being involved with blogging and TPT for almost 3 years and I am in L.O.V.E.  I cannot imagine teaching without it!  I am married to my high school sweetheart who happens to be a farmer.  We currently live on the family farm with our beloved dog, Jake. 

Seriously, how CUTE is he??  Of course I'm talking about that handsome pup down there, not my husband! :)  

I’m THRILLED to be apart of this group of teachers/bloggers and I cannot wait to share more ideas and freebies with you.  

As a thank-you for the warm welcome, here is my Editable Word Wall file for free (normally $2.50)!

Happy Teaching! :)

Whitney

Divide, Conquer, Introduce, and Summer Reading Fun

Hello everyone!  I'm Matt from the little ol' blog known as Digital: Divide & Conquer.  I'm one of the newest blogger additions here and I'm looking forward to sharing and collaborating with everyone.  I've been an elementary special education teacher for the past nine years all while moonlighting as the school's tech specialist because we're done with the VCR.

Some other super cool facts about me you might not know:

1. Once (when I was younger) during a Christmas break my parents accidentally forgot about me and flew to France.  I was home and all alone for almost an entire week.
2. I worked with a doctor that created the flux capacitor.
3. I created the pattern simply known as plaid.

Okay, so maybe none of those are really true but it would be kind of nice if the plaid thing was.  The real truth is I think just about anything can be used for educational purposes inside and outside of the classroom.  Mixing education with technology, adding pop culture, sprinkling in a little authentic learning, and finishing with an 80's reference is kind of my style.  I deal in GIFs, videos, and just about anything that makes me laugh (I hope it does the same for you).

I'm leaving you today with a web mix from one of my favorite curating sites on the web, Symbaloo.  Readers from all levels will want to use this Symbaloo Board for a ton of great summer reading websites from a lot of their favorite books.  If you've never used Symbaloo--you are in for a treat.

So I will confidently nudge you to head over to my blog and check out more posts like this.  I'm looking forward to the opportunity to share here and at my place, but also grow as an educator  and maybe have a few laughs along the way.