Word Families

Meet Super POW!  He has been helping my kiddos discover and explore word families the last couple of weeks.  POW stands for Power of Words.  Let's face it, words can be powerful- in many different ways, but, for right now, in my room, knowing word chunks and how to add or change an onset has been very powerful for many! (Besides, it is super cute to be reading or making new words and hearing POW whispered every time someone finds a word family word.)

We spent several classes just exploring different word chunks. I would spend 5 minutes introducing the new chunk and modeling how to change the onset to make a new word, then it was their turn. With partners, they used magnets to make as many "real" words that they could using the new word chunk.  AH!  They learned so much- and they had so much fun!  A few kiddos even began experimenting with digraphs and blends to create words like chat and slit.  We have many word families left to explore, but I am so excited to lead them on this POWerful adventure!  

My kiddos enjoyed practicing word families by playing Super Change-O.  This game requires that students make new words by changing the onset of a familiar word.  By the end of the game, several of my students weren't even using the letter cards to physically change the word.  They were able to create the new word in their heads!  Yay!

Clipart: Clipart Queen; Mycutegraphics
Font: Rowdy In Room 300; KG Fonts

The children in my class also practiced recognizing word family words by following word mazes. They worked so hard on these activities!

Click the image above to get this activity as a freebie!

Last week my students had a "Boo Hoo" day.  Our student teacher's last day was on Thursday.  She has been so amazing for these students- they learned a ton from her!  We needed to send her off in style.  I purchased a Thirty-One bag for her new teaching job.  We each, then, used fabric paint to place our thumbprint and sign our name on the back of her new bag.  It turned out so adorable!  Take a look:  (I apologize for the crossed out names.  I do not put my students' names on my blog.  But, I think you get the idea!)

Before she left in the afternoon, each student helped to fill her bag with school supplies for her own future classroom.  They were so excited to have a part in this special event!

Thanks for checking in!

A cold day and New Year's Resolutions

It's official... the first Cold Day of the year is tomorrow.  I guess a -45 degree wind chill is just too cold.  And considering that winter break only ended 2 days ago, I am right back into the routine of staying up late and so, so ready to sleep in tomorrow morning. 

New Year's Resolutions: I typically don't make them, but this year I am bound and determined to accomplish two.  Both of which relate to school:

Number 1

 I shall use a daily planner to keep my life organized and keep track of my new-found love of to do lists.

And, naturally, since this is a school related goal, I began it yesterday.  So far so good.  I have even crossed off 4 items on my list.  Yay!  (Of course, using the new felt tip pens that were specifically purchased for my planner help.)  Check back with me in a week .

Number 2

I shall be more organized in my classroom.

Again, just like my planner success, this goal has also been quite successful.  Before our break, I received a grant to help purchase organizational supplies. With that money, the Dollar Tree became my new best friend (again).  Take a look at these super cute book baskets I purchased for my kiddos.  I am so excited to have them start collecting books that they can read independently.

At first, I wasn't so thrilled with the funky looking handles that are on each one, but I have actually grown quite fond of them.  Plus, I believe the handles will make the baskets easier for the kiddos to carry.  As we read new books from my subscription to Reading A-Z during guided reading, we will add them to their baskets.  During our 10 minutes of quiet/rest/"silent" reading time, each student will need to read at least 1 book from his/her basket.

The baskets would not have been complete without the book basket labels!  I got the star clip art and the font from Graphics From the Pond.  They are perfect!  If you would like my free book basket labels click here!

And, in honor of our first Cold Day, tomorrow I will be having a one day sale!  Everything in my store will be 20% off tomorrow only!  Check it out!