Sight Words

 

 

 

 

These are the sight word cubes I created for my kindergarten students to use during literacy center time

During my assessments I noticed that I had several students who did not do well with the 25 kindergarten sight words that we teach.(I think the first grade list is over 100, so I always try and teach part of that list as well.) I decided that this weekend I was going to make some new centers that really focus on exploring and using these words. I have also been focusing on ways that I can differentiate more in my classroom to meet the needs of every child. The following is a list of ideas I am working on now and ideas that I either have used in the past or found on line.

Buzz, Bang,Splat: This is a game that teachers have been using for years. There are lots of different names for it! At the end of the explanation I will note a version my kids created the other day. Write all sight words on cards several times. Also, write the key word (Buzz, Bang, Splat, etc…) on some cards, not too many. Lay all the cards on the table face down. Students one by one choose a card. If they know the card they keep it. If they do not then they put it back. If they select one of the key word cards they put all their cards back into the main pile. I created a recordning sheet called a Buzz Board which will allow the students to record their words after each game.

I had this in a center the other day and a group of three students laid out all the cards on the table. They were individually picking up cards as fast as they could and naming them, if they got the Buzz card the put all cards back on the table. If they did not know a card they asked one of their friends and put it back into the group. (These are the moments that make a teacher smile.)

Bean Building: I took navy beans and write different letters needed to spell our kindergarten sight words. (I also noticed that several students are having difficulty gripping their pencils, so fine motor is another are we are working on.) The students will use the beans to build the 25 kindergarten sight words. They will then write the words on a recording sheet. Recording sheet coming soon!

Sight Word Cube Toss: In my closet I found a box of small wooden cubes and wrote our sight words on them. I am going to have the kids either complete a graph of the amount of times they roll each word or color in a chart for the amount of times they roll the word. After this I will have the students write the word on a recording sheet. (I am thinking of having them do this for the 100th day of school and calling it… Roll 100 words!) Lots of ideas here!

 Kindergarten Sight Word Race (directions on printable)

Mrs. Kilburn’s Sight Word Ideas

Heidi Songs! to teach sight words by singing. Heidi also has some wonderful ideas on her blog.

Valentine’s Day Ideas

A Valentine’s Day Printable Book created by me.

The Kissing Hand Ideas from the Virtual Vine

100 Hearts by Activity Village

Valentine’s Day Concentration from ABC teach

Heart Templates by Activity Village

Numeral/Set Heart Match by Activity Village

Valentine’ s Day Bingo Card (Blank) for numbers, letters, or sight words.

Non-candy graphing activity: For this I have create a page of hearts with different colors, a corresponding graph, and a black and white graph where students can color in the hearts.

Please let me know if you have any other great ideas that are not listed here!

Our First Snow Day!

I would like to report that our school district has had it’s first snow day today! I was able to sleep in for a little while and now I am enjoying some time on the couch with my warm blanket. I also let Wrigley play outside for a little while and he had a blast. He was jumping around, eating the snow, and just generally being his silly self!

Groundhog Day!

It seems that we have had a lot of celebrate in kindergarten recently. Groundhog day is another day that many kindergarten classes talk about. In my opinion this day is great for science and writing. I am excited to celebrate this year with my kids. I created  a printable book (with clip art I found online) and will post the links of any other great ideas I find on the web!

Groundhog Day Bingo (blank)

Groundhog Day Printable Book

Wake Up Mr. Groundhog Book (I got this idea from something I saw at school, so it is not an original idea.)

Shadow prediction chart

Hat Template from Danielle’s Place

Groundhog Poem and Picture from T-net!

Mrs. Keenan’s Videos (I want to go to PA for the day, maybe next year?!)

Shadow puppets: This can be done with the overhead projector or flashlights. Have the students use their hands to create puppets and explore shadows.

The 100th Day of School!

 Wow! There are so many great ideas out there from teachers around the country… Here is a list of ideas I have done in my room and ideas that other people have created!

100th Day Trail Mix:The teacher provides 10 different small snack items like pretzels, marshmallows, cereal, etc… Students take 10 of each piece and fill their bag.

100 Tally Marks Recording Sheet

I Can Write 100 Words

100th Day Writing Prompts

A note to parents about the 100th day

100th Day of School Crown from the Virtual Vine!

Blank 100 chart

100th day printable book made by me.

A list of ideas

100 Fingers Quilt

Kindercritters ideas I especially like the sticky dots idea. I am going to do this when we celebrate this year.

100th Day Poem by ABC Teach and Songs 4 Teachers

Wacky Wish Poem 

 Have the students draw a picture of themselves at age 100 or some teachers have asked their students to dress up s if they were 100 years old.

100 Collection: Send home a zip top bag with students and have them collect 100 items at home. Buttons, cereal, dry beans, pennies, etc…

Jump 100 times or do other physical activities 100 times.

Build a chain with 100 paper or plastic links

Take 100 steps outside the classroom and see how far you can get

Write 100 with different colors 100 times, use each color 10 times to have a math link.

Collect 100 signatures or write 100 words from around the classroom.

Obama Stuff

Mrs. Keenan’s PhotoStories and More 

As I was driving in my car today listening to Obama’s speech I was thinking of a way I could share all this with my students. The tune to BINGO came into my head and then I came up with this…

It is something quick and catchy that will help the kids learn something new… Enjoy!

I know the 44th president, Obama is his name-0.

OBAMA, OBAMA, OBAMA,Barack Obama!