V for Vocabulary

This week's topic is Phonics/Word Study. We all know how important developing an expansive vocabulary is for our students. Vocabulary is a huge emphasis of Common Core and our new state (Illinois) exams, PARCC.

A few months ago we discovered a wonderful new site, Flocabulary. Flocabulary is a great source for building vocabulary. Flocabulary presents vocabulary in fun rap-like video formats that really seem to speak to the students both young and old. They have videos for every grade level building vocabulary in almost every subject area.

We also have some fun Superhero Vocabulary Card Posters available in our store. These bright and cheerful printables help expand students' vocabulary by suggested synonyms for commonly overused words. Download the preview for a free page! * Side note: everything on our Tpt store is at least 20% off!

What do you like to use to teach vocabulary?

 

 

 

 

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Writing to Write Right

Does anyone else have this problem where they have a million ideas about what they want to write about and have terrific, wonderfully articulated sentences that are both moving and whitty right up until the moment that they actually go to write them down? I feel like that is constantly my problem. Even when it is just me going to write down a few ideas for later. Or when I do manage to write those ideas down, I go to elaborate on them and am stuck. Total brain fart. Can't think of a single word to add. I've attended a plethera of classes and workshops solely focused on writing and I still have this problem. Perhaps it is a battle that I will fight til I write my last word but if I, with all of that formal writing education, still struggle to write, then what must it be like for my young writers? Some of them have no problems starting to write at this point, uninhibited by concerns of perfection and the pressures that are put on themselves by themselves and others. Others seem to struggle with the dreaded white space right from the start. Helping students make that first mark, write that first word, draw that first line, is our job but where do we begin?

Writing prompts are a great way to start. They help writers begin by narrowing down a focus, giving them the safety to write within specific peramiters. Students don't have to come up with the topic, idea about that topic, the words to convey those idea, as well as the grammar and spelling to allow those idea to be received by others. When you think about it, the task of writing while it sounds mundane can really be quite overwhelming! Writing is really pulling together a large variety of skills and knowledge. Here are a few writing prompt collections that we really like.

 

 

 

 

 

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Back to School

Who is it that decided that the second official week of summer would be the perfect time for Back to School sales to begin? I'm going to go out on a limb and say that it probably wasn't a teacher. I know that it seems like every school district is on a completely diffferent schedule from everyone else, but it seems like the magic (a.k.a. dreaded) start date of the Back to School Sales keeps creeping up on the calendar. So, in another ten years, will we be doing our Back to School shopping in February? I don't know about you, but I am definitely not ready to go back to school yet. As of today, I have been out for only a little over 3 weeks. I haven't even reached the halfway point yet. Phew! With my Summer To Do list still bursting at the seams and only one swipe on my shiny, new 2014 pool pass, that is a huge relief. I'm still at that point where my summer feels long and luxurious. Like I have all of the time in the world and will get to do so much! Ask me again in a few weeks and I'm sure my attitude will have changed but for right now I'm loving it! With all of that in mind, this week's post topic is the beginning of the year and everything that goes into it. Here are a few ideas to pin for later.

Parent Surveys: Parent surveys are a great way to get more info on your new students. I recently found questions, new to me, that I plan to include this year. Questions to consider: How does your child prefer to work - in groups or individually? When getting new information, does your child do best getting all the information at once, or step by step, as the concept or project unfolds?

No more "What I did this summer" essays: Stand this periennial back to school assignment on its head by asking kids to tell their best summer stories using the iMovie or Friend Strip Pro app or Comic Life software. Each option lends its own spark to students' writing. iMovie is super user friendly, lets students take charge of their project by storyboarding the plot, shooting the video segments, writing minimal copy and, in return, getting very dynamic results! Friend Strip Pro includes some picture elements that enhance the story, often in funny ways. Comic Life software lets kids drag and drop pictures they choose as well as Pow! star bursts, creating their own comic strip.

Classroom drab? Flip it to fab!

 

* Take advantage of end of summer sales to pick up fun kid-sized furniture for an inviting reading area. Chevron print pillows accent bright teal or orange patio benches. And Marshalls and Homegoods stores carry pint-sized overstuffed chairs that invite readers to enjoy a good book.

* Want a colorful new look quick? Just like recipes that promise dinner in minutes, our TPT store offers classroom decor packs you can download, print, laminate and hang just like that! Packs are packed with printables including welcome banners, different versions of student name plates for desks, schedule cards, group work cards, birthday posters.... lots more. Please check them out!

 

Time for New Year's resolutions? Maybe. It's always fun to try something new and a bright, new beginning always offers new possibilities. What are you hoping to do differently this school year? In the meantime, here's to summer!!!

 

 

 

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Disney Apps on Sale

Disney apps are on sale for $0.99 for a limited time! They have some terrific storybook apps available including Frozen, Brave, Planes, and more! Check them out in the App Store if you're interested.

- Anna & Marti

 

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4th of July Sale

We are having a 4th of July Sale July 4-7 on our Tpt store! Everything is 20% off! Come check out our products new and old!

Happy 4th of July!!! Have a great weekend! Stay safe everyone! :)

~ Anna