Have You Seen All of The GREAT Literacy Center Ideas on DJ Inkers' Blog???

Well, they have math ideas too & I even have a FREEBIE for YOU!

DJ Inkers included two of my recent activity ideas on their blog.

You can read more on their blog by 

CLICKING HERE

and then just scroll down to see my ideas along with many more.

My first idea was a literacy center created with my Onset Rimes (not rhymes) Flowers:

Click the flower to grab this FREEBIE!

Copy these on card stock, and your students will LOVE spinning the flower petals to create new CVC words. 

You can get 5 of them for FREE, that's 1 for each vowel, by

CLICKING HERE!

You can grab the entire set here:

Click the image above to get the entire set.

My Rime Time set was made using 

graphics from 

DJ Inkers' Kids All Year Clipart.

CLICK HERE 

to see the entire set of graphics 

and scroll down to see my Rime Time set 

featured in their "ideas" section. 

My second idea was my Back-to-School Backpack Math Activity:

Click the image to see the entire product. 

This project promotes mental math and oral language.

Each student gets a backpack template to cut out and glue to a paper lunch bag. Working with a few children at a time, give the first child 10 cents and let that child "buy" enough school supplies to total 10 cents without going over 10 cents.  

Click the image to see the entire set. 

After everyone has shopped, they get to meet in a small or whole group setting to discuss their purchases. 

The parts fit nicely in the lunch bag to take home and share with their families. 

You can grab this Backpack Shopping Set by 

CLICKING HERE.

You can see the entire blogpost on DJ Inkers' blog by 

CLICKING HERE
or on this image:

and if you scroll down, you will see my backpack project.

My Backpack set was made using 

DJ Inkers Kiddilywinks.

CLICK HERE 

to see the entire set of graphics  

& scroll down after clicking the link 

to see my backpack product 

displayed in their "ideas" section. 

If you are like me, and you love DJ Inkers' graphics, 

check out their website and their blog 

for some really cute ideas for your classroom!

Oh, and if you are looking for a cute October Math project or some great graphics to create your own...

You can grab my new "Sum Spiders" by 

CLICKING HERE

And guess what? It's on sale from today through Oct. 2.

So Sum Spiders is on Sale through Sunday! 

Click the image.

You can see how to use this cute set here:

CLICK THE IMAGE TO SEE THE BLOGPOST. 

I used DJ Inkers "'Spook'tacular Smiles" graphics and fonts to create this product. I'm raffling off an entire set of these "'Spook'tacular Smiles" graphics right here on my blog so,
 scroll down to enter. 
The winner will be announced on October 7. 

Click the image below to grab a set NOW. 

This set is ON SALE through Sept. 30.
Click the image to grab your set now. 

If you would like to win your very own copy of 
DJ Inkers' 
'Spook'tacular Graphics,
follow the links on the Rafflecopter below:
****************************
a Rafflecopter giveaway

****************************

And, you can shop for more Halloween treats at DJ Inkers 
BY CLICKING HERE!

Use my affiliate link and start shopping 
at DJ Inkers 
& find out what all the smiling is about!
CLICK HERE
to shop. 

Use my "Sum Spiders" all year long. Use spiders in October and then again in the spring. I'll use my other DJ Inkers Graphics to create more themes to use throughout the year, so stay tuned for more FUN with SUMS!

You might also like...

Green Monster, Green Monster, what do you see?

Scarecrow, Scarecrow, please come to my party.Thank you, I will, if you invite....

Organizing Literacy Centers

Hello friends! Heather here from Learning with Mrs. Langley to bring you some ideas about literacy centers today. 

Literacy centers can be organized a million different ways. Believe me. I've tried them all! The most important thing you need to remember when planning your centers is that they need to work for YOU! I have a teaching partner that runs her centers completely opposite of how I do them and we both run really effective classrooms. It all comes down to your own unique teaching style. I've read a lot of great ideas from teachers here at the Kinder Tribe this month so you have plenty to choose from. Here is one idea of how to organize your literacy centers. 

Where do I start? 
Ask yourself this question. Do I want my students to work through centers independently or do I want them to cycle through on a schedule? It depends on how you like it. I use a Daily 5 model in my room so my kiddos make their choices on their own. I put out plenty of choices and they pick. 

Every week my students have 5 choices. This week I included a Cut & Glue activity, Sound Clips, ABC Center, Spin & Dab, and Write the Room. These choices will change from time to time but for the most part they stay consistent. This helps me because I don't have to keep explaining centers each week.

Listening station is always a choice in our classroom too. I just change out the story every week and eventually I add in an accountability piece with a response sheet. Here is an example of a simple response sheet.  

I have been looking for a couple of more permanent centers to include as choices too so I did some digging this weekend. The first one that I found was a big book center. This isn't a new idea but it is new to me. Someone gave me a bunch of big books and I thought this would be a great way to incorporate them. Students visit the center and search for sight words in the books. Simple, fun, and add in a couple of pointers and it is sure to be a hit! 

The last idea I have to share is a simple write the room activity. I love using these with my kiddos but at this point I only have them recording words from around the room. Later when they are a bit quicker with the process I add in a spot for them to draw a picture of the word too. Here is an example.  

I've included these files HERE for free if you'd like to give them a try. Thank you for stopping by today! 

Beginning of the Year Centers

We spend much of the beginning of the year working on routines and assessments, along with building foundational skills that will help our students become successful throughout the year.

When we think of what we want our students to do academically by the end of the year, our answers may vary, but over all we want them to read and solve simple math facts.  But how do we get them there?  In short, we need to pick apart skills that will help lead them to the end result.  What are these skills, you may ask?

In the area of literacy, we take the reading skill and break it down into smaller skills.  These skills include reading strategies, word knowledge, alphabet knowledge and phonological awareness. So now on to the question of, what to do now with your students that will help with the goal of reading.  Here are some of my favorite centers that I use during this time to build these skills.

Alphabet:





This is created by Bonnie Kathryn Teaching.  Click here to view this product in her TPT store. This is a great center for children during this time of the year.  Children can work on these independently while you pull kids up for assessing.





Other alphabet center that I like to use include Alphabet UNO, Candy Land, Clip games and sorts.  I like to use games as a way to engage students.  They are not only learning and practicing fluency, they are having fun and ask to play it often.

Here are the images to the products.

                       

Phonological Awareness

Other centers that I like to introduce at this time include syllables and segmenting words.  I will often do these activities as a whole group or small group and then add them to our center collection.

My students love these centers.  The more that they can manipulate words and sounds, the more they are able to remember, engage, and use these skills.  Some of our favorite centers include Snap and Count Syllables by the Reading Mama and syllable clips, syllable cards and segmenting cards.

        

Reading Strategies:

I begin to talk about reading strategies during our small group shared reading time (This is a requirement from my district).  When it came time to teach these skills, I wanted it to be fun, engaging, and interactive.  I was searching for something that would help.  I came across this by Deanna Jump.  It had everything that I was looking for, and once I started using it, the kids loved it and therefore were able to recall may strategies when reading books at their level.

Please click this link to check this resource out in her TPT store!

The beginning of the year can be filled with stress, preparation, meetings, assessments, and getting to know your students (not necessarily in the that order).  It is important that we all remember to build on each student's knowledge, and help to build a strong foundation for each.

I hope you are all having a great start to the school year!

What skills do you focus on during this time of the year?  What are your "Must Do" centers or activities?

Beginning of the Year Literacy Centers: Taking it one day at a time...

Hey, friends! 

It's Breanna from A Pinch of Primary and I am sharing how I take it day-by-day during my literacy centers at the beginning of the year! We are 31 days into school and we are rocking it so far!

              

 

My school follows the Daily 5 model, so we do a lot with building stamina, so we literally and figuratively take it day-by-day. I LOVE LOVE building stamina. It is such a great way to show the kids that they are capable of working for longer periods of time the harder they work. We do a lot of charting and graphing of our learning progress with data binders, so this is a GREAT way for them to see their growth and get EXCITED about learning. I am talking CHEERING and CLAPPING when our stamina chart jumps (and not just from me haha)! It's a beautiful thing when we hit 20 minutes on our stamina chart!

Now, at first, literacy stations are very basic. We start with Read to Self and the other parts of our literacy block like phonics and such just become more like mini lessons and guided practice until we really get into the nitty-gritty of Word Work, Listen to Reading, Work on Writing, etc. We do a lot of name activities at the beginning and discussing how we use our materials.

Step 1 of taking it day-by-day:

Introduce EVERY. STEP.

Just like every other procedure we teach, literacy stations should be treated the same way. I am oh so blessed with the only carpeted kindergarten room. Yes, it's nice and cozy for sitting on the floor, but it is not Play-Doh friendly. Play-Doh is my go-to first literacy station and you better believe we practice taking the lids off and how to pick the Play-Doh up like it's a sponge. Play-Doh is a huge hit and works so well for so many activities. I use name mats and then I introduce the placemats for Play-Doh on the floor. The key is in the details. I DO NOT have time for dried up Play-Doh week 1, so we practice it and practice it and practice it again.

Step 2 of taking it day-by-day

Don't give a million options.

Yes, if you're like me, you're remembering your now 1st grade babies and remembering how they could basically find everything and knew exactly how to do each and every station, but these adorable, new faces don't know your classroom like they do. Introduce one station and get them used to it. Then, introduce something else. I am so guilty of trying to introduce multiple things at one time to save time, but I always regret it. Give them a second to feel comfortable with the activity and then introduce something new and exciting. I PROMISE they will be PUMPED when a new activity surfaces in your literacy station area. They WILL spot that new letters game you set out. They might not be able to find their chair in the morning, but they'll usually notice something new (or maybe that's just my kids?!).

Step 3 of taking it day-by-day

Make them confident and independent in their work

Now, I think this is pretty self-explanatory. SHOW them they can be the experts. Let them be the experts. They are brilliant sponges and they can do amazing things. Now, it's not going to happen day 1. We lasted 20 seconds during literacy centers and we had JUST discussed learning to be independent readers of pictures and text. They clearly didn't get it the first time or the first 7 days, but they have now learned how and they are still learning how. Give them the ability to show you they are capable and they can do anything. (And you can get your reading groups in without little ones coming up to you with problems or questions!)

Literacy centers are time consuming, but so rewarding when you can see how how they are working and how engaged they are.

What are your tips for literacy centers at the beginning of the year?

Resources Round-Up - Literacy Centers

Hi guys!  It's Cori from Mrs. B's Beehive, and today I wanted to share with you my very favorite resources for literacy centers.  I've gone through many different centers over the years, and have changed things up what seems like a million times, so these resources that I am about to share with you  have been tried and tested, and really work well for kindergarten!

  I'll start with DeeDee Wills' resources, because I feel like she is always spot on as far as kindergarten skills go.  My favorite is the Writing Work Station.  This center requires little prep, and the students quickly understand how to complete the tasks, and stay engaged.  I use the labeling pages the most.

Just Roll With It is another fun and engaging center.  You have to purchase the dice that go along with it, but my students absolutely love using the dice, and this is another center that is easily explained, and that the students can do independently.

Next up are the center resources by Elizabeth Hall.  I would say that these resources require a bit more attention from the teacher at the beginning of the year, but they address important skills with the kids.  The first is Dictionary Drive, which gives students experience with finding letters, and then words in the dictionary.  I love how the skills build on each other, and once the students get the hang of it, they can complete it independently.  

Words Under Construction gives the students extra practice with sight words, and allows them to use manipulatives to spell the sight words as well.  I like that both this center, and the Dictionary Drive center are editable as well.

Just my type is always at my computer station.  I start with the beginning sounds pack, then move on to the picture labeling, and then end with the sentence writing.  Again, I like how the skills build on each other, and also the fact that my students are learning simple computer skills like how to use the mouse, and where the letters on the keyboard are.

The last three that I use are ones that I have created for Read the Room, Write the Room, and I-Spy.  These are also resources that can be used the entire year with skills that build upon each other.

If I need any extra material, I always look to Annie Moffatt and her monthly NO PREP packets.  These packets are so full of amazing skills review!!!

These are my go to literacy center resources.  What am I missing?  What do I need to add to my list?  Please share in the comments section what your favorite literacy center resources are!

Beginning of the Year Literacy Centers with Seesaw

Hey there, Kinder Tribe followers!  I'm Brittany from Mrs. Banister's Kindergarten Kids, and I'm here today to talk to you about beginning of the year literacy centers!

Can you believe it's already September?!?!  We have been in school for 19 days, and routines are established, expectations are known, and 1/9 of the way through the school year.

Literacy and math centers are two of my favorite parts of the day, and I know my kiddos love that time as well.  We started this small group time the first full week of school this year (As every teacher knows... Sometimes it's later than that depending on the group of kiddos!), and they have been smooth sailing ever since!

I teach in a 1:1 classroom, where every child has an iPad mini.  We use technology often throughout our day, but we also love to mix in traditional centers like Play Doh, pocket chart, and manipulatives, like pattern blocks and snap cubes.  We don't do too many worksheets, if you get my drift. :)

These students love to use the app Reading Eggs to practice literacy skills.

A little Chicka Chicka Boom Boom sand table action...

Stamping sight words is always fun!

Play Doh is always a hit.

Pocket chart color sorting from Deedee Wills

Those differentiated dice are my jam... We love to use them at the roll and cover station!

Pattern block puzzles are a math center favorite!  (Pack from Katie Mense)

One issue I have encountered in doing centers in a hands-on way is the lack of evidence to parents that we are working while at school. :)

Enter Seesaw!

Seesaw is a free, simple way for your students to share their school day with their parents, and it also gives you a way to hold your students accountable for their work.  

After you sign up for an account and create your class, you can share your class code with parents.  From there, they can access anything their child uploads to their portfolio.  

Sidenote:  You do not have to be a 1:1 classroom for Seesaw to work for you.  Students could access their own accounts (which Seesaw makes it simple by assigning each kid an animal avatar) on just one device.  Seesaw will literally work for any tech situation!

Here, students were to make shapes with straws.

This student uploaded a ChatterPix of her favorite part of the story Pete the Cat, I Love My White Shoes.

Although we just started using Seesaw in our classroom, students are already accessing their portfolios independently.  My students love uploading their work so their family can see it.  So far, we have had moms, dads, and even siblings leave feedback for their Kindergarten Kid!

Little do the kiddos know, but Seesaw also allows me to hold them accountable for their work.  Since I have to approve every item that goes into their portfolio, I can see who has done their work and who has not.  It makes my life so much easier!

If you haven't checked out Seesaw yet, DO IT!  It will make your center time so much easier, as well as the rest of your day!