Short U - Bug Ideas

Last week we learned about short u, my students read our HM story a Surprise for Zig Bug.  So our centers had a short u and bug theme.   Our comprehension skill was Story Structure so the students took two days to complete this Story Map.  They found and completed the Who? and Where? on Day 1 and then the Problem? and the Solution on Day 2!

GET YOUR COPY OF THIS RESOURCE HERE!

I've also changed the way I do centers, I'm sure that will be a blog post in the future.  In our Chunky Monkey station (Word Families) the students sorted these adorable Fun in the Sun short u words  thank you http://misskindergartenlove.blogspot.com/, you can get a copy HERE!

In Vocabulary, we learned about the parts of the bugs.  My students got to pick a bug to learn about and then they drew the bug and labeled the parts.  I found the Bugs Fact Sheets HERE!

In our pocket chart center we read a Interactive Poem about Bugs.  The students were able to change out the bugs names and what each bug could do.  Then to test their comprehension I had them practice writing the last sentence with a bug or two and what that bug can do.

NEW House Pictures

I just moved into a new place!! Here are a few pictures of the progress so far. . .  if you are like me you LOVE to see inside other people's homes!!  So here is a look!

As you can see it's an older home but I love it so far.  . .  And I'm able to live alone which is so much better than roommates.  I'm excited about doing some upcoming craft projects that I have pinned on Pinterest!!



Math Block with Math Journal and Math Tubs

Math Block

This year I’m trying something new with Math.  I have started using Math Journals and Math Tubs. 

Time 1:00-2:00
Spiral Review - 10 minutes
Whole Group – 20 minutes
Math Journal – 10 minutes
Math Tubs – 20 minutes

I got most of my inspiration from Cara Carroll from the First Grade Parade.  I purchased her Math Notebook materials and I HAVE BEEN LOVING IT!!!  Here is a look at my set-up and some of the Math Tubs my students have been doing.

Math Journal

I'm using Primary Composition Notebooks for my student's Math Notebooks.  I added a tab in each student's notebook for them to save pages at the front for reference pages.  (I left about 5 pages. )  I also glued in a piece of ribbon for the students to use as a bookmark.  I got this idea from Pinterest!! :)

 Sample of Reference Pages 

Ribbon Bookmark! 

Math Tub Groups

Math Storage

Math Center Samples

Tallies in the Window

I got this idea from Mrs. Lee's Kindergarten.  I printed the school bus pattern on 12 different colors of cardstock and added the label with an amount of tallies.  The students choose a bus, color one bus that color, and then record the amount of tallies in the box on the record sheet below.

Here is a look at the completed product.

100's Chart Puzzle

I guess I uploaded this next picture upside down but you get the idea. 

Ways to Make 10 - Using beads and a Pipecleaner

The students slide the beads down the pipecleaner.  Then they record all the ways to make 10.  For example:  0 + 10 = 10.

Literacy Block

The 90 Minute Literacy Block 

We aren't doing the Daily 5 at my school, but after seeing some of your great ideas I kind of wish I was . . .  I have been doing this type of Literacy Block for seven years and it has been working GREAT!!! I start off with a 30-45 minute whole group lesson!! (Which sometimes takes me over the 90 minutes) I focus on the 5 domains of Literacy: Phonemic Awareness (PA), Phonics, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Fluency.  We follow the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt NC reading series.

Whole Group

I start with a mini PA warm up and then go straight into Phonics.  I usually spend about 10 minutes building and sounding out words.  During this time my students use their DEBS (dry erase boards) to write words or sounds.  Then I teach Vocabulary (10 minutes), we practice sight words, vocabulary words, object words, and other common words.  Then we read a story and practice our comprehension (10 minutes) skill of the week! 

Centers

Then we do four 15 minute centers: Independent Reading, Phonics, Vocabulary, and Comprehension.  The students practice the skills taught during whole group in these centers.  During this time I pull my Guided Reading Groups.  I group my students heterogeneously for centers and then pull homogeneous reading groups.

Here is a look at my Center Board:

Each group is named after our fish theme.  The yellow paper at the top tells the order they complete their centers. The color dot is for their reading group.

Independent Reading

They complete this center at their seat:

I put each child’s AR sticker on the back of their back for a quick reference!

Comprehension Area

Phonics Area

Vocabulary Area

Center Folder

Each child carries their center folder with them during center time.  Inside their folder is one important sheet. Download a copy here!

At the top is the child’s Center Contract.  This helps me record how each student does on their work during that center. 

Here is a sample of the Grading Scale:

Download HERE!

This scale really helps motivate students to do MORE than what is expected of them. 

At the bottom is the student’s Independent Reading Log. 

Independent Reading Log Questions

Each day the students answer a question about the book they have been reading.  Monday – Characters/ Setting, Tuesday – Problem, Wednesday – Solution, Thursday – Author’s Purpose, Friday – Favorite Part.

Management

They place ALL work in the right side of their folder! I’m so lucky to have an Instruction Assistant during my center time.  She helps monitor student’s behavior/ work and helps grade student work on the spot. SHE IS AWESOME!!  I check the rest of the student’s work at the end of the day.  Each morning students can complete/ fix any center work from the previous day.

I hope this helps!!  J