LITERACY CENTERS
"I Spy": newspapers and magnifying glasses at a table. Kids
look for and circle sight words that we've learned.
Magnetic words: I put up a list of words from our books we've been reading
(CVC words) with magnets. Kids make the words with magnets and read them.
"Read the room": Kids use pointers and point to words in classroom and read.
Write kids names and print out their pictures. Match the names to the photos.
Or do the same with pictures of things and write the words and kids match.
WORDO
We call it WORDO and I have large 3 squares by 3 squares grids pre-made
and copied in a big stack. It says WORDO across the top. Kind of looks
like a giant tic-tac-toe grid inside of a square. The children copy
9 words (we use spelling and high frequency words to play), one in
each square or you can do 8 and label the center square FREE. Then
as I call a word, they trace over that word with a colored pencil,
crayon or marker. We start by using the lighter colors (yellow, pink
, orange) and after we get a winner we can choose a new color and continue
the game. By using the lighter colors first, you can use the same set
of word cards and play the game 4-5 times and they get much more practice
with looking carefully at the words and tracing them multiple times.
It is one of my class' (firsties) favorite games. It is also a great
activity to leave for a sub because the children learn the format for
the game and can show the sub how to play it without you leaving detailed
instructions.
WORDMASTER
To play: Have one child be a "wordmaster". The wordmaster
for the day grabs a strip of paper and writes one of the words off
our word wall. I have the rest of the class' names on popsicle sticks
and I draw one name at a time. When I call that child's name, they
must try to guess the wordmaster's secret word by reading off the word
wall. AT the beginning of the year it is pretty easy, because we don't
have many words yet, but as our list grows it becomes more of a challenge.
The wordmaster earns a little mini eraser and if anyone guesses the
correct word they also earn a mini eraser. At the end of the game
when the word is revealed, we then clap-chant the word and talk a
little about why it is on the wall (irregular phonetic spelling etc..).
PHONIC PHONES
Each
one of my children have a "whisper phone", also known as
a phonics phone, in
their seat sack. They use them to independently oral read. It has
been proven that children do not get enough practice reading aloud
to increase fluency.As part of their "center" time, they have books
in their sacks (1) at their independent level,(2)books that we
have been working on that week, and (3)one of the 5 books they
have taken home to practice from the past week that they still
are to read to me sometime during the week. They are to read at
least one book with their phones 3 times each day.
WORD
WALL
Word
Cheer!
Use 5 high frequency word wall words on your grade level. I purchased
a set of pom poms and a mega phone. We then give each word a
cheer. Students can take turns being the cheerleader and using
the megaphone. Kids love it! Its a great way to get their
attention.
CREATING
ENVIROMENTAL RICH CLASSROOM
A "print rich" classroom is one in which many different kinds of print are
displayed. Signs, labeled centers, wall stories, word displays,
labeled murals. bulletin boards, displaying children's favorite
food products, charts and poems are just a few ways to display
print.
The Teacher's Role in a Print Rich Environment
-Provide time and opportunity for multiple literacy activities
during the day.
-Models reading and writing
-Introduces students to a wide variety of literature
-Listens to students read
-Works with students during writing time
-Arranges print displays that are at student's eye level
Environmental Print
Environmental print is the print we see all around us - the print
on commercial signs, labels and products we use everyday,etc.
Displaying
environmental print in the classroom helps children feel successful "reading" at
an early age. These early successes motivate young
children to read more and more!
"I Can Read" Bags
provide students with a decorated bag for their print samples.
Send a letter home to parents explaining the procedure.
Environmental Print Puzzles
Cereal, muffin, cake mix, cracker and cookie boxes make great
puzzles.
Environmental Lotto Boards
Use candy wrappers to make lotto games
Functional Print
Functional print gives children a reason to read by providing
information they need: schedules, routines, center labels,
graphs, sign in sheets, etc.
Functional print can also elicit responses from children, for example,
I Painted Today, My Favorite Food, etc.
WORD OF THE DAY
Submitted by Noelia
I have a word of the day for my prekers but instead of a word I place
a logo of different places like Mcdonalds, Walmart and other places. I
place the logos low enough so that the children go and "read" them
and they get the print awareness.
IDEA SHEETS FOR LISTENING CENTER
1) Fold a sheet of paper into quarters. Characters, setting,
problem, and
solution each have a quarter. Students write/draw in each of the boexes
2) Fold a sheet of paper into quarters. Students write/draw
what happens
first, next, then, last (sequencing)
3) Student listens and writes/draws about their favorite part of the
story.
BOOKS
Submitted by Christine
When ever I finish a unit (i.e. dinosaurs), I like to photocopy the
covers of all the books we have either read or left in the reading
center for the children to see. I then staple all photocopies
together and place them in the file pertainng to that unit. This
way I know which books I used the last time we did the unit. I
also will note on he copy which books were the most successful.
WORD RECOGNITION
Submitted by Phyllis
Hi....to get your little ones to start recognizing simple words I
put a limited number of letter tiles face down on the floor. I
make sure that my vowels are marked on the reverse side with waterproof
marker (say all in red). Then the kids pick letters and we
discuss the word that is made (or not). Soon they learn that
they need a vowel and 2 consonants to form words like hop, pop, top. They
also learn the placement of the vowel. I pre-plan the tiles
and keep only limited numbers out and I try to coordinate with books
we are reading such as Dr. Seuss (for the hop, pop example)...
BEACH READING
I saw a wonderful idea in a classroom during my student teaching and
just remembered it when I drove by K-Mart the other day.
For a summer reading area she used a plastic child's swimming pool.
The walls were decorated with a beach mural. She created a palm tree
that dangled leaves over the children's head. In the pool was different
pillows made with swatches of shells and sea animals.
The children loved it and were so excited about getting to "sit at
the beach to read".
ANOTHER BEACH READING IDEA
Another idea a teacher at our headstart used: she used plaster of paris
(I guess concrete could be used but may be heavy??)to secure a pvc
pipe in a bucket.(the type laundry soap comes in)
She also put a hole in the lid and snapped the lid on. (to simulate a table
top)
This was used as a stand for a beach umbrella. Then she added child sized beach
chairs to her reading area. One day she took this outside and let the kids
wear sunglasses while they read.
RHYMING WORDS SHOW AND GUESS
When you're studying rhyming, adapt your show-and-tell time to show-and-guess
time. Ask each child to find two rhyming items or pictures at home,
put them in a bag, and bring them to school. In turn, have each child
show one of his items to the class. After sharing his first item,
have the class guess what the second item might be. Hmmm...could
it be a bat? A mat? A hat? Oh, no--not a rat!
FALLING FOR BEGINNER SOUNDS
Every time that old London Bridge falls, another youngster will be
using his knowledge of beginning sounds. To start this game, name
the letter that will be the focus of the activity. As youngsters
sing "London Bridge Is Falling Down," have students walk beneath
a bridge made by the bodies and upheld arms of two students. Cued
by the word lady in the song, have the youngsters who make up the
bridge lower their arms, gently trapping a student between them.
Ask the trapped youngster to name something that begins with the
specified letter. When he does (with or without the assistance of
the bridgemakers), have the bridgemakers release him, and resume
the song and the activity.
SINGIN' MOVEMENT
If you're happy and you know it,
Bounce around /b/ /b/
If your're happy and you know it,
bounce around /b/ /b/
If your're happy and you know it,
Then your face will surely show it
If you're happy and you know it
bounce around /b/ /b/
catch a ball /c/ /c/
Dance with me
Fall down
Gallop like a horse
Hop on one foot
jump so high
Kick your leg
laugh at loud
march in place
nod your head
paint a picture
run in place
sit down now
tap your head
vacuum the rug
walk around
yawn right now
zip your zipper
READING CATERPILLAR
Submitted by Diane
I start with a head of the caterpillar and each time we read
a story I add a body part, legs and all. As the year goes
on he grows from wall to wall which is something the little ones
enjoy. I also find the parents enjoy seeing the wonderful
books we read throughout the year. At the end of the year I
take it down and save the body parts which is a reminder to
me of the books the kids enjoyed most. Hope everyone gets
off to a wonderful start this year.
VOWEL SOUND SONG
Submitted by Sandra
Old McVowel had a farm
A-E-I-O-U.
And on this farm he had a cat
A-E-I-O-U.
With an a-a here and an a-a there.
Here an a. There an a everywhere an a-a.
Old McVowel had a farm.
A-E-I-O-U.
Then substitute hen (e) pig (i) dog (o) and duck (u).
A third grader
visited my class and shared that and I was really tickled.
Recommended reading for adjustment to school
Submitted by Diane
I teach three year olds and usually give out this list at my parent
orientation.
"Will You Come Back For Me" by Ann Tompert
"Starting School" by Allan Ahlberg
"What Will Mommy Do When I'm At School" by Dolores Johnson
"All My Feelings at Preschool: Nathan's Day" by Susan Conlin and Susan Levin
Friedman
"Chatterbox Jamie" by Nancy Evans Cooney
More First Day Books
Submitted by Eileen
Another excellent book for adjusting to school is called "The Kissing
Hand" by Audrey Penn. It is about a little raccoon (Chester)
who is going off to school for the first time (at night, of course
;). He is worried and his mother gives him a kiss on the hand
and tells him he can press his hand to his cheek whenever he needs
a little reassurance. The book also comes with a sheet of heart
stickers. I am using this for my whole first day activities
(along with "Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready For Kindergarten").
Also, "Owen" is a good book (I think it is by Kevin Henkes?) to address those
who want to bring assorted comfort items to school. Owen finds a way
around all those who tell him he can't take his favorite blanket to school.
Title: Reading Bag
Submitted by Shelley
1.Take a bag and draw a picture of what the book may be about on
the outside of the bag. A simple picture will do. Put
the book inside the bag. We made several "bags" and set them
on a shelf for the children to choose from. BIG HIT!
2.Make a reading hat of some kind and place this in the bag along with a couple
of books. We instructed the children that these books were very special
(pop-up or other interactive books) and that if they wanted to read these books
they had to wear the hat and sit down quietly and read the books. When
they are finished with the books they must remove the hat and place it back
in the bag along with the "special" books. They can only look at these "special" books
when they are using the "reading hat bag". We bring in different books
everyday to place in the bag and this has been quite successful in getting
the children involved with personal reading.
Don't forget to include other books besides children's books in the children's
library. Such as cookbooks, how-to books, simple science or social studies
books, etc.
Book List
Submitted by Kris
Last year I made a poster where I listed my literature selections
all year. The parents could see how many books we had read! I
purchased a poster that looked like a piece of notebook paper, but
anything would do. I bordered it with a "reading" theme border. I
list the books as I read them. It also makes a good reference
for me so I know if I have read a book and how long ago I did --
faster than checking lesson plans!
Title Word Wall
Submitted by Joi
I have the children let me know when they find a word that starts
with a
letter they know and we can put it on our word wall. Its not important
that
they know what the word says, they will just see that all the words under
the S begin with S.
I don't have a lot of wall space so I took notecards and wrote each
letterof the alphabet on one. The trick is to turn it vertically. Then
I cut notecards in fourths. I use these to write their words. They
conveniently make a nice column under the letter. I start out
the year with their names and put the theme words up as we go. The
pace they add words is up to them.
It usually picks up after Christmas
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