Descriptive Language Games

I have found that once my students are feeling comfortable with writing simple sentences, that it is a process to have them begin adding more detail to these sentences. They can usually write more, but these extra sentences are still usually pretty basic. I of course give direct instruction on what adjectives are and how to use them in their writing, but it is still difficult for them to begin using these words in their writing. I usually have to ask them to go back and underline these words in red, or to add some of these words. 

I think the main issue is that students don't purposely speak with adjectives, and are definitely not aware if and when they are using them. I created a couple games to help with this language development and awareness. Student play the Dog Describing Game and the Bear Describing Game to verbally practice building sentences using descriptive language. It is a fun way for them to practice and to be more aware of the use of adjectives. Please feel free to visit my TPT Store if you are interested in checking out these products.   

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dog-Describing-Game-745583

 

 http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bear-Describing-Game-745560

Black Bean Math Activities

I love activities that provide students with a hands-on approach to learning. I especially like it when I find an activity that I can do whole class, with everyone involved and everyone learning. I have found that I can do that with Black Beans Math Activities. I provide students with a container of beans and have them do various counting, making ten, place value, and addition activities. Placing the activities in sheet protectors or a reusable pocket, allows for repetative use of the activity and practice. 

I have created a packet that includes 10 activity ideas, supporting activity sheets, and instructions for using black beans in the classroom. Please feel free to check it out at my TPT Store or at my Teacher's Notebook Shop if you are interested.

                                                        TPT Store

       http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Black-Bean-Math-Activities-864005

                                                              or

                                             Teacher's Notebook Shop

       http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/anavarre/black-bean-math-activities

Pencil Dispenser

Sometimes I don't know if things are working well because of the students I have or if I've actually found a better system. The pencil dispenser is one of those things. I originally saw the idea on Pinterest, in which they used a metal straw dispenser, but that was more than I was willing to spend. I ended up ordering a plastic straw dispenser from Amazon. There were quite a few people who had purchased this product and complained that it was damaged when they received it. Mine came well packaged, so I didn't run into that problem.

At the beginning of the year, three weeks ago, I gave every student a big eraser and wrote their name on it. I purchased them from the Dollar Store. They came in a package of 6 for $1.00. I think this has really helped to make the pencil dispenser idea work well, the pencils that get put back in the dispenser are still in pretty good shape.

I don't allow pencil sharpening during class time, because it is too distracting, and of course once one person needs to do it, they all need to do it. If a student needs a new pencil they quickly and quietly get up, go to the back counter, put their broken pencil in the "Please Sharpen" can, and get a new pencil from the dispenser. Quickly getting a pencil has been a big problem in the past. Students would stand at the pencil can and look through every pencil in order to find the best one. With the pencil dispenser they turn the knob and get whatever comes out. I love it!!!! Now, it could just be I have a good class this year, I've only had a couple chewed up pencils, but if this continues to work it will be worth the money. It actually already has been, because just getting through the first few weeks, teaching rules and procedures, can be tough.

Please feel free to visit my TPT Store

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Anna-Navarre

Learning Puzzles

Sometimes I forget about resources that I have in my classroom, so it is fun to come across things that I haven't used in awhile. Learning Puzzles are one of those things. They are puzzles that I use at the beginning of the year to help students learn sight words. They really could be used for many things, such as letters, numbers, math problems, vocabulary, etc.  They are a good way to have students practice skills that they are working on and it is also a good visual and fine motor skill activity.

These Learning Puzzles are super easy to create. I purchased thin foam sheets from Michael's Craft Store and then I cut out various shape pieces. After that I wrote words on the cut out pieces. Students read the words and then place it where it belongs. Very easy, and students love using these puzzles. 

   

Please feel free to visit my TPT Store or Teachers Notebook Shop to view K-2 resources.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Anna-Navarre

or

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/anavarre

Writing Response Chart

This was my first week back at school, lots of new faces and some familiar ones too. It was a good week. Some students came in of course missing mommy and daddy, but all came in ready and excited to learn. I love this, because it gets me excited.

One of the activities that I enjoyed the most this week was a writing activity that we did for our Writing Response Chart. We had already did our Back to School Interview and graphed students ages, so to have students write a response to the question "How old are you?" was perfect. I explained to students that even though we had discussed our age in class with each other, I wanted a writing that would tell parents how old the students in our class were (parents were coming that evening for Back to School Night). I loved it when a student said, "But our parents already know how old we are." I explained that it was not their parents they were writing for, it was the other parents that didn't know them, this was a good way to provide a purpose for their writing.

Students were told that they would need to introduce themselves and tell their age in their writing. They were provided with two framed sentences that they were to complete.
1. My name is ______ .
2. I am _____ years old.
As an extension for higher leveled students or anyone who wanted, I asked them to write a couple sentences about some of their favorite things.

After students completed their writing they placed it in the two pocket charts that I got during the summer at Target for $1.00. All 27 of my students are assigned a number, so they placed their card where there number is written. I had originally planned on having them place their card in front of the number, but as some of them started placing it behind, I decided I liked that better.

Anyways, it was a fun activity. It allowed me to see what students could do; support writing mechanics, provid support for struggling students, and challeng my higher level students. Pretty good, for $2.00, some index cards (donated by parents), and a sentence strip.

                                       I hope that you like this idea. Like I said I really enjoyed it.

Feel free to visit my TPT Store for K-2 teaching resources.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Anna-Navarre

Classroom AR Leveled Library

Initially, I was just going to post a picture and a quick description of my classroom library, but after thinking about it, I realized it needed a little more. In the end, I ended up with 10 pages, which show how I set up my library, a list of Accelerated Reader (AR) levels, colored stars, and the website I use for finding AR levels.

The AR levels provide a good way for leveling your library, even if you don’t use the AR program. The 10 pages were a bit much to post here, so I’ve made the packet available for free at my teacher’s stores. Please feel free to check it out if you are interested.

TPT Store

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-AR-Leveled-Library-805773

or

Teacher's Notebook

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/anavarre/classroom-ar-leveled-library

"Bonk" Phonics Games

I've recently created a series of "Bonk" Phonics Games. There are six different games: CVC, CVCe, Vowel Team, Ending Blends, ll & ck Endings, and Contractions. This is a fun game with lots of laughs. My family and I play it with my grandson all the time and we all love it. 

"Bonk" is a fun way to have students practice reading words and building fluency, while really enjoying themselves.  It is easy to prep and makes for a great center activity. Please feel free to visit my teachers store to check out these "Bonk" products. 

TPT Store

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Anna-Navarre

or

Teacher's Notebook

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/anavarre