ABC and 123: A Learning Collaborative: Language Arts
Showing posts with label Language Arts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Language Arts. Show all posts

Thursday, March 15, 2012

St. Patrick's Day Reading and Writing Activities


Make, Take and Teach created a sight word BINGO freebie for you, just in time for some lucky reading fun.

Extra Special Teaching has a download for a St. Patrick's Day making words activity.
Ingles360 is sharing a St. Patty's Day packet for free that includes uppercase and lowercase letters.

Fabulous in First has shared some ideas for St. Patrick's Day writing paper with prompts such as Lucky to be Me and If I Caught a Leprechaun.


Mrs. Wills Kindergarten will be making words with this St. Patrick's Day printable (available for purchase from her TPT store).

Minds in Bloom has a list of writing prompt ideas for elementary age students.
 HoJo's Teaching Adventure has several writing prompts and lined paper options for you to choose from for an elementary writing activity.


Friday, October 14, 2011

Wild Things {for Halloween and Beyond}


There is something about October, or maybe the full moon over our house and the way my kids have been behaving, that has me thinking about Where the Wild Things Are.

Making Learning Fun has downloads for toilet paper characters of many of the Wild Thing favorites.

Hostess With the Mostess shared the most fantastic wild rumpus!

Deep Space Sparkle put together a watercolor lesson for first graders inspired by the book.

Anna the Red assembled an amazing Where the Wild Things Are bento meal.

Instructables  posted pictures and a brief explanation of how to put together some wild Halloween costumes.

Matsutake explained a simple and cute Halloween craft that they modified to make Max and a monster.

WilliamsMe1 uses the book to model a text talk book lesson.
EdGalaxy compiled links of many different language arts activities for an entire unit of study surrounding Where the Wild Things Are.
se7en put together some great Wild Things shadow puppets.
Watch a video tutorial from WhiMSy to help you create this cute Wild Thing puppet.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Teaching Students "Dictionary Powers"


The First Grade Parade is practicing some" mad dictionary skills!"


The Lesson Plan Diva shares a free Doggy Dictionary skill lesson package.

Minds in Bloom compiled a list of 8 fun dictionary activities.
3rd Grade Gridiron has created a downloadable 15 page activity pack to review guide words and other dictionary skills.

Speaking of dictionary powers...
The award-winning preschool show, Super WHY, is premiering it's new season on PBS KIDS on September 12.  In the all-new episodes the super readers are adding a new pal, a dog named Woofster who has DICTIONARY POWER! 

Spark a love of reading in your child with these fun tips inspired by Super Why’s new pal Woofster:   
  Check it out!Visit the library or go online with kids to discover more about their favorite furry friends.  This will foster an interest in both reading and animals!

  Create a book!Help your child write and illustrate their very own storybook featuring a doggy character like Woofster.

  Visit the zoo!Read all the signs together as you encounter the many different animals. 

  Send a postcard!While you’re at the zoo or your local aquarium or wildlife park, pick out some animal-themed postcards and help your child write special messages to friends and family.

  Look it up!: Flip through the pages of a children’s dictionary with preschoolers to find and read animal-related words.

Description: Description: OOTB

Reading is power and Super WHY from Out of the Blue Enterprises is the only preschool property created to help kids learn the fundamentals of reading through interactive storybook adventures.  Each episode engages young viewers in fun, interactive alphabet and word games, as well as imagination-stimulating spelling, vocabulary and comprehension activities, helping to instill a life-long love of reading all along the way!

Disclaimer: We have in no way been compensated for sharing the media release from Grand Communication.  We share it today because we feel it is valuable information for parents and teachers who are always searching for new ways to engage their learners in literacy education.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Spelling

As a second grade classroom teacher I struggled with the traditional list, drill, and test method of teaching children to spell. I felt very strongly about students using words and learning to spell in an authentic situation (ie: writing). I would often observe a student spelling the word THEY perfectly on their graded list on Friday AM, but spelling it THAY in their writing that same afternoon. Although much time is spent memorizing specific words that children seemingly struggle to transfer to authentic writing, the reality is that most spelling curriculums still require a test on a specific list of words each week. I did find through interactions with parents that spelling was one of the things they felt most confident working with their child on. There is something about being able to check off what they know and don't know that encouraged parents who otherwise didn't know how to support what was happening in the classroom. My attempts to change the system seemed to be hardest on them. So, instead students were given multiple opportunities to interact with the words, while stimulating many different learning styles, in hopes of helping them apply the correct spellings for the long term.

Here is a collection of suggestions for working with spelling words:

Inspiration Surrounds, Creativity Abounds put together a felt kit to help her child practice her name.  This activity could be varied to practice spelling other things as well.



Sippy Cup Central  practices spelling with picture, word puzzles.  It might take a bit of effort but puzzles could be made for all sorts of sight words. 


Quirky Momma shares a game for learning to spell a name.


2 Teaching Mommies used a rainy day and a set of stairs as an opportunity to get their kids moving and spelling.


Teacher 2 Mom has a great post listing the many spelling activities she used with her first graders throughout each week. The spelling word dance off sounds like a great way to get kids really involved!


A Place to Share suggests a Doug and Melissa Hangman game for reviewing spelling words.  My students used to love when we would play this (although we called it Wheel of Fortune) on the white board during classroom transition times.
What the Teacher Wants offers a downloadable spelling practice grid which she uses for homework.


Beginning Reading Help reminds us to use the familiar magnetic letters or wikki sticks to practice spelling words.
Reasons to Skip the Housework has a teaching tool perfect for practicing spelling: Spelling Math grid.  My son is going to love this option because numbers are more his thing!
The NEA has listed five games for learning to spell unfamiliar words.
School Family uses board games to make spelling more fun.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Poetry

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Sneaker Teacher explains how to write an "I Am From" poem.

Ignite a poetry unit with Poetry Bags.

Small Types inspired her lego crazed little one to create poetry with his favorite toy.  I imagine this would make a fun center activity in any classroom.

At Crayon Bits the first grade teacher encourages reading fluency using poetry.

Small Types also put together their own version of an on-the-go poetry activity that does not require any materials.

Read. Write. Think. has a fun interactive acrostic poem building activity.

First Grade Serenade explains how she uses poetry in the classroom and shares poems of the month.

Celebrate Poetry with a great list of activities from Kristine O'Connell George: Post It Poems, Balloon Poems, Cookie Poems and so much more!

If you haven't had a chance to enter to win a copy of Rip the Page: Adventures in Creative Writing, check it out.  It is a great resource for teaching children to write poetry.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Rip the Page: Adventures in Creative Writing

Update:  This giveaway is now closed.  The winner has been chosen by Random.org

"Brandy said...
My daughter is gifted in language and would adore this book! She gets so giddy over word play and is constantly writing creatively. Thank you for this chance!"

Enjoy!
April is National Poetry Month.  Poetry is one of those creative writing ventures that you can't just teach with a simple 1, 2, 3.  There are many formula type poems: Bio Poems, Haiku, Acrostics, Limericks, and more.  Yet, quality poetry requires a different way of thinking, looking at the world, and honestly reflecting on it.

True poetry requires word play, imagination, open ended questions, and plenty of blank pages for words to roam.  Rip the Page! provides just what writers of all ages need to turn on their creative writing brain.  Karen Benke, an experienced teacher of poetry, has put together an exciting resource for writers who are willing to explore.

My first grader and I have spent many April evenings diving in to the adventures offered on each page of this "Just Do It" book.  I would never describe myself as a creative writer, but I will tell you what this book makes it fun!  We started with the first exercise in the book, an open ended statement, "I Write with..."  It was exciting to see Gavin begin to think beyond his pencil and paper.

Another exercise encouraged us to name each of our fingers and toes.  It was interesting to watch my son thoughtfully consider what each one of his fingers should be named and why.  Since I have never named his fingers as pointer, ring man, and pinky he really had no schema tying his imagination down on this one.

Rip the Page encourages vocabulary and word experimentation in a way that is zany and entertaining.

As writers work their way around the book they are encouraged by notes from famous authors such as Annie Barros, Lemony Snicket, and Patricia Polacco.

According to the press release for the book,
"The exercises in Rip the Page! aren’t designed like a school assignment or extra-credit composition. They’re meant to amuse and inspire your child, showing him or her how fun and freeing creative writing can be even when it’s not being graded. Benke, who has led creative writing workshops for children for sixteen years, knows what kinds of prompts excite her students and how to get their pens moving."
This eye catching, engaging book would be a wonderful addition to any classroom.  With a very reasonable price it would be a nice gift for your favorite teacher during Teacher Appreciate week or as a year end gift. for ordering information, additional reviews, and a workshop possibilities check out Karen's site.



We are pleased to be able to offer one of our readers a copy of the book thanks Shambhala Publications, Inc.  Leave a word or two of your own in the comment blank to be entered to win. 

There is no special consideration necessary for entry, although we would love if you would also take a moment to vote for ABC & 123 on the list of TOP 25  Homeschool Blogs or if you would look us up on facebook!

We will use Random.org to select a winner from the comments below after entry closes on May 1 at 10PM EST.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Valentine Themed Langauge Arts Activities

Welcome! New to ABC and 123? Please check out our FAQ in the sidebar.

Next Monday is Valentine's Day - my (the list maker Katie's) favorite holiday of all. Hopefully today's post encourages you to get your literacy love on in anticipation of a hearty celebration!


Frogs and Bees Under the Seas offers a free printable H is for Hearts early elementary learning unit.

Primary Perspective put together a list of 10 sweet books to fall in love with reading.

She has also created a great Valentine Venn Diagram Google doc.Fabulous in First has an adorable Valentine themed matching game for practicing contractions.

Finally, you will want to check out Langston's Learners post titled Valentine Book Exchange. If you click through her links she will lead you to a wonderful valentine book study.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Learning with Candy Hearts

Welcome! New to ABC and 123? Please check out our FAQ in the sidebar.

Hello blogger world! It's me again, Rachelle from What the Teacher Wants! I have more fun with food activities for you to do with your kiddos!


What in the world can you do with all of these?!?


In my 1st grade classroom, I like to practice ABC order with Conversation Hearts.
Not sure how to introduce ABC order? Click here for a previous post about it on my blog!
Don't want to buy those chalky tasting Valentine's Day treats? No worries! Use this instead:

{Click the picture to download both}




For more fun ideas to do with Candy Hearts,
go to this link from my blog!
Candy Heart Math EXPLOSION!


What other fun ideas do you have for Valentine's Day?
Please share!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Snowflake Rhymes, Science, & Geometry

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Snowflake Rhymes from The Adventures of Bear
suggested age: toddler/early elementary


Snowflake Sculptures from A List Maker's Life
suggested age: elementary+

Snowflake Mosaics from Thomas Elementary Art
suggested age: upper elementary

Snowflake Symmetry from Love2Learn2Day
suggested age: elementary

The Shapes and Classes of Snowflakes defined from Somethin Ordinary: Nature's Spectacular Geometry
suggested age: middle school+

3D Paper Snowflakes from Mathematics World
suggested age: elementary+

Make a Flake - Interactive Online Snowflake Cutting Game
suggested age: any

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Literacy Games

Welcome! New to ABC and 123? Please check out our FAQ in the sidebar.
Play a Three Letter Word game with Flipflops and Applesauce.

Practice specific words or letters of the alphabet using a literacy guessing game. Inspiration Surrounds....Creativity Abounds has printable clue cards for you to try.

Teach Mama has put together a helpful post explaining some resources for early literacy computer games.


Put together your own magnetic rhyming board game similar to the one seen on Literacy Site.


The Snails Trail has a wonderful post full of homemade literacy games including word BINGO, sight word concentration, bean bag toss, and more!

Beginning Reading Help explains quick guessing games for building phonemic awareness, such as changing beginning sounds and separating sounds.

The Classroom Kit has several colorful and free literacy games for you to print and use in your classroom: alphabet BINGO, word families, simple sight words, sound surprise, cvc words, blends, and more.
If you are interested in literacy "games" for babies, you will enjoy this list of 50 activities from Room to Grow.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Nursery Rhymes

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There are many valid reasons for playing with rhymes with young children. Nursery rhymes are useful for building vocabulary. They are appropriate for developing listening, language, attention, concentration, and memory skills. The simple rhythms and gestures that often accompany nursery rhymes help children learn to communicate, explore language, and enjoy words. As parents we can enjoy the bonding time and imaginative exploration that playing with rhymes allows.

Here are a few nursery rhyme activities from our readers.

Rock a Bye Baby

April Flowers and her tot put together a special craft to act out this classic nursery rhyme. She also shares egg shaking motions to accompany the poem.

Make a visual representation of this rhyme using a tree painting and babies cut from magazines.

Humpty Dumpty
Live, Learn, Love made a Humpty Dumpty shape craft out of construction paper that you will want to click over to see!

Hickory Dickory Dock

Adventures in Mommydom constructed a grandfather clock from construction paper and a foam mouse for acting out the familiar nursery rhyme.

Five Little Ducks

Nurture Store submitted a child lead learning activity with math, songs, and creativity for the rhyme Five Little Ducks.


London Bridge



Play Activites put together a pretend and play activity to use with the rhyme London Bridge.


Little Red Hen


The Home Teacher put together three cute, interactive activities for involving her tot in this rhyme.


Various Rhymes

Preschool is Fun has put together a clever lesson plan incorporating many different nursery rhymes and subject areas for you to look over and print if you are interested.


Activity Mom shared a neat site she stumbled across for teaching with a nursery rhyme a week.


How about teaching simple science concepts with nursery rhymes?
Jack Be Nimble has a good tie in to physics and chemistry as you discuss concepts of fire. Humpty Dumpty has a physics lesson of its own built in. Perhaps you could kick off a biology study with Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater or Mary, Mary Quite Contrary. Be creative!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Language Arts Games

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Do you remember the many mind reading and predicting games we used to create as kids simply by using a "cootie catcher?" Quirky Momma has come up with a suggestion for teaching children to read using this familiar game.

Whimsical Ways has put together a post featuring 3 different games to teach basic skills and reflect childrens books. You will want to play along.

A Year of Reading explains Bananagrams for Kids and suggests way this popular game may be used to help teach reding and spelling.

Use the simple game of tic tac toe to practice identifying and printing the letters your child might be struggling to learn otherwise.

Practice sequencing events in a story using the Sunday comics. Cut apart each frame of the comic strip, read the individual frames to your child, ask the child to put the story in order.