Using Informational Text

Even for the primary child reading and being able to gather facts from the text is IMPORTANT!

In my packets you will see two forms of informational text and I want to share with you how I use them.

First I require on my supply list that each child bring 4 different color highlighters and a pack of sticky notes.  These are then placed in a baggie in the student's desk.

We use these almost daily.  The students love it and I think it helps them set up healthy habits for the future.

The first form of text you will often see in my packet is this.

A single page filled with informational text.

This one goes along with my penguin packet.

Step One: 

We read the text box by box.

I have this posted up on the SMART Board so I can work right along with the students.

A volunteer reads box one.

Using yellow I have the students highlight what the paragraph is about.

They can circle the pronouns using a pencil and using another color highlight the underlined words.

Step Two:

We reread the paragraph.

Using orange we highlight two things penguins like to do.

Step Three:

We discuss the underlined words.

Next we go to the second box. 

Again we have a volunteer read it and highlight what the paragraph is about.

Again we highlight the underline word.

Next on a sticky note I have them write one thing they learned after reading that paragraph.

Finally we discuss the underlined word and its meaning.

In the third paragraph we use our final color highlighter to highlight where I might see a penguin.

We then make a list as a class of other places we might find penguins.

EVEN YOUR LOWEST READER WILL NOW BE FAMILIAR WITH THE TEXT AND AS THEY COMPLETE THE ACTIVITIES THAT ACCOMPANY THESE THEY WILL HAVE KEY INFORMATION HIGHLIGHTED.

Let' s take a look at the mini book provided in most all packets.

Similar actions can be taken.

Have someone read the text.

Highlight key vocabulary and facts.

Reread the text.

Look at this page and how it might support understanding of the life cycle.

They now see this text as support for their writing and completing activity pages.

On the blank page opposite the text have the students list other places they might see a penguin.

Find the packet here.

Monkey Business with Five Little Monkeys!

Is your class ready for a little "monkey business"?

These 6 delightful stories are entertaining and provide topics that your students can read, write, and build vocabulary and phonics skills.

Elaine Christelow has created a number of stories with five of the cutest monkeys ever!

The six in this packet are:

Going Shopping, Washing the Car, Sitting in a Tree, Bake a Cake, Jumping on the Bed, and Nothing to Do

Your class can relate to each of these topics.

Here are two little monkeys to decorate your room.  I use crafting paper for colors on the PJ's and then construction paper for the craft.  Everyone will love walking by to look at them.

How about creating a tree to place them around?

There are also 8 colorful vocabulary cards for posting.

Word work is plentiful.

Word search, syllables, rhyme, parts of speech, -oo-, -ea-, making words

Here are some of the activities to follow each story.

I love to divide my class up.

I assign each group to a story and then they can complete the comprehension activities to follow.

There is a writing activity for each story and there are also final copy pages for students to use.

When the groups have completed their projects they make a presentation to the class about their story.

You can be creative.

You can also do a story a day.

Finally I ended the packet with pictures to be laminated so that the kiddos can retell the story to one another.

Just copy, laminate and cut.

This is excellent for students to work on expression and recall.

Also helpful for those that struggle to express themselves.

I think you and your class will love all this "monkey business"!

Find it here.

Let's Write February!

This year I created the Let's Write series.

There is one packet for each month and they are related to topics for that month.

They are also DIFFERENTIATED and contain lesson plans and literature suggestions.

They connect with the CCSS.

Each packet begins with a workbook.

You choose how much or how little go in the workbook.

Suggested pages begin with grammar.

Each month covers a different section.

February focuses on Synonyms and Antonyms.

As students are writing they look for these in their work.

The workbook also contains:

A story for reading and then DIFFERENTIATED writing activities.

There are 4 lessons each month focusing on different types of writing.

Set one:  How To

The Day it Rained Hearts

Differentiated graphic organizers and  differentiated pre writes for editing.

Set two:  Persuasive

My Teacher for President

Set three:  Sensory

Go To Sleep Groundhog

Set four: Summative

Arthur's Tooth

The final part is the Student Journal for final writing pieces with DIFFERENTIATED pages for writing.  You can meet every students needs with the same topic.

LOVE!!

Find it here.

Teacher time saving tips!

I think ALL of us have felt like this on more occasions than once!

So I want to share two helpful hints that help me save time when I am preparing a lesson.

Most of my lessons contain a mini book for students.

I have prepared most all of the books now so you can follow this process.

Run the books using the collating tab.

Remember you have two books per collated set.

Once sets are complete staple the mini books set.

If you are going to trim the books you must staple inside the black line.

I DO NOT recommend this unless you have older students that can trim their own book.

Otherwise the staple is best outside the black outline.

Now just use the paper cutter to slice through the middle.

The next shortcut is preparing patterns for your student's craft.

Run the patterns on the color paper identified at the top of the page.

To save paper you may have to cut some pieces apart. (see collar and face)

Then set the papers on the students desk.

Make sure there is a pattern hanging for them to look at.

Now all the student has to do is cut, create, and paste.

I outlined these because it was tough to see in the photos but your students will see the outline easily!

Successfully starting 2017 with your class!

I just love this because just like the class heading back to school after a break can be difficult.

Despite the fact that we have had time away from the classroom the holiday festivities may have taken a toll on us...travel, decorating, parties, company, and more.

The same is true for the students.  They have also been busy and I can almost guarantee the bedtimes and morning routines have been altered.

So let's face it when that alarm goes off for the first day back teachers and students may wake with the feeling of..."Do I have to get up?".

Here are some tips to be sure that first day back is 2017 will be a successful one.

We have all heard this and do this but I think that it is even more important after a break away from school.  It is comforting for the class to see your familiar figure standing at the door and smiling while letting them know how good it is to be back!  For those students a little anxious it will be calming and for those dreading returning my just find your warm smile something to get excited about.

There may be extra time needed by you to take care of notes, money, tears, and more on that first day back so make sure your students are occupied with something they can do independently and will enjoy.

I always like to have an activity that allows them to share what they did over vacation.

I differentiate them for those that write and those that will need to draw.

Students who finish early can draw on the back.

One of our first activities of the day then is to share.

We get in partners.  Students share with their partner.

We then gather as a whole group and the partner shares what their partners favorite part of vacation was.

Find them here.

Even though you have not been away that long reminding students of the rules and procedures as you go through the day is helpful to assure a cooperative classroom. Pay more attention on the first day back to those students following appropriate behavior and really praise them.

"I really like how..."

On that first day back I like to use a Literacy Packet to fill the day.  These packets are designed for students and YOU the teacher to make choices in the areas of word work, writing, comprehension, and even contain mathematic games.

They all begin with a favorite story.  A nice time for students to gather again and share some quiet time with a good story.

Discussion follows the story.

Comprehension activities are chosen.

There are plenty of word work choices as well as writing.

Crafts accompany each packet. (A nice way to decorate your room as all the holiday decorations come down.)

I also like to include a snack of sort that might relate to each one.

Tacky...gummy fish or gold fish

Snowmen...check out my Pinterest site.

Here are some of my favorites.

Find it here.

Find it here.

Find it here.

Find it here.

Tacky...Crafts and Literacy Activities

Inspired by this delightful story and odd character I developed this packet filled with literacy activities and a bit of math too!

Tacky is odd which is ideal for using adverbs and making connections.

There is a wonderful message to be gained from this story.

The crafts include a penguin, a penguin with the Hawaiian shirt, and a page topper.

Simple and yet so cute for posting.

There are several comprehension activities:

text to self

problem/solution

story elements

summarizing

sequencing

cause/effect

recall

identifying central message

character identification 

Allow students to make choices about what they will complete or divide your class into groups to do each of the activities and then have them share the details.

Writing includes:

Idea gathering for Tacky, the perfect penguins, and the hunters.

Writing includes descriptive, informative, sensory.

Again allowing for choices is an option here.

Word work covers these topics:

Parts of speech...nouns, adjectives

ABC order

rhyme

making words

All activities use vocabulary from the story.

These are perfect for the word work center.

There are three math games.

One is subtraction to 12, another addition to 12 and what needs to be added to make 10.

Super for partners.

Find it here.