SUMMER SKILLS KITS

As summer approaches, I know you’re brainstorming ways to encourage children to read, write, and practice skills over their summer vacation. Here are a few projects that may encourage your students to continue to practice sight words.

Note! You can adapt these activities to letters, math facts, or other skills you want the children to master.

Treasure Boxes
Ask parents to send in empty mint cans. Cut paper into 1 ¾” by 3” rectangles. Have children write sight words on these rectangles and store them their containers.

Hint! Explain that lifetime words are words you will need to be able to read all your life. They are like a “treasure” because they will belong to you forever!!!


Word Pockets
Seal envelopes and cut in half. Cut down 1” from each side and fold down the flap as shown. Punch holes in the sides and tie on a piece of string or yarn. Give children strips of paper cut 2 1/2” x 4” on which to write their sight words. Students can take the words home in their little pockets for summertime practice.



How about some games parents and children can play with the flashcards?

Hide and Seek
Hide the words around the room. Children find them one at a time, bring them to you, and read them.

Sentence Makers
Children choose a word and use it in a sentence.
*Older students could write a sentence.

Sidewalk Words
Children practice writing words with chalk on the sidewalk.

Sort the Words
Put all the one letter words together, two letter words, three letter words, and so forth.
Sort the nouns and verbs.
Sort the words by syllables.

Can You Find?
Can you find the words in a book? Can you find them printed on food labels or other things around the house?

sightwords.com is a website I'd definitely recommend to parents. It's a good free resource.

EASY PEASY LITTLE BOOKS

Instead of giving children a worksheet, you can easily make these books to reinforce reading skills, math, science concepts, etc.

Easy Fast Little Books - https://bit.ly/drJEasyFast

Narrated version: https://bit.ly/drJFastLittleNar

Lay four to six pieces of paper on top of each other. Staple the four corners. Cut into fourths, and you’ll have four little books.

Use for: days of the week (seven sheets of paper) 

Seasons (four sheets of paper)
Senses (five sheets of paper)

Sequence of a story

List of things to do

Long Skinny Books

Staple four times on the short side and then cut horizontally to make “skinny books.” Use for writing names, sentences, ABC’s, numbers, making patterns, and so forth.

READ, WRITE QUIET BOXES

Read, Write, Quiet Boxes are a nice way to blend skills with creativity and reading and writing for pleasure.

Materials: empty food boxes, construction paper, paint, art media
blank books, pencils

Directions: Each child will need to bring in an empty food box from home. Cut the top off the box and make slanted sides. Children can paint their boxes or decorate them with construction paper. Store blank books, pencils, and simple books that they can read in the boxes. Children can use their boxes as a quiet activity after lunch or if they finish their work early.

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSE GAMES

These games will involve all your students and you can quickly check to see who has mastered a skill and who needs additional work.

Cell Phone
Run off an image of a phone on heavy paper. Children can “design” their own cover on the back. As you call out numbers or letters they tap them on their phone.

*Use phones to practice learning phone numbers.

*Have children spell out sight words on their phones.

*Let children make up their own games they can play with a partner.

*Hole punch the corner so they can take “photos.”


Yes/No

Each child has two index cards. One says “yes” and the other says “no.” As you ask questions, children respond by holding up the card with their response. For example: “Our state is Arizona.” “Fish has the short a sound.” “Blue and glue rhyme.”

*Cut an envelope in half. Write “yes” on one side and “no” on the other.


Zip It
Write letters, words, numbers, etc. on the left side of a sheet of paper as shown and insert the paper in a zip bag. Call out a question, and children “zip” to the correct answer and then hold up their bag.

*If you write numerals horizontally you can use it like a number line.


Wipe Off Boards
Children write letters, words, or numerals on wipe off boards and hold them up. Erase with a sock and you’re ready to go again.

Hint! Plastic plates or laminated white card stock are great substitutes for white boards.

Three Little Pigs

Enough with all those skills, how about a new story Alex May (webmaster) just created.

https://bit.ly/drJ3PigsNarrated

CATEGORIES AND RAN

There was a study that showed pre-k children who knew how to play games were more successful in kindergarten. When you think about it, games help children learn to follow rules, take turns, and develop the executive function (task initiation and completion). This is good information to share with parents to encourage them to play board games and card games with their children rather than hand them their phone.


Alphabet Categories
Sounds, parts of speech, categories, rapid automatic naming, and multiple skills are reinforced with this game. When I introduced alphabet categories we played it as a large group game. Once the kids “caught on” we divided the class into two teams and played. Later, they enjoyed playing the game in small groups or with a partner.

Why? initial sounds, categories, rapid naming

What? poster board

How? You will need 2 sheets of poster board of different colors. Cut the poster board into 4” squares. (You will need 23 squares of each color.) On one color print alphabet letters. (Print “u & v” on the same card and “x, y, z” on another card.) On the other color print one of the categories below:

something in the yard              an animal

fruit or vegetable                      movie star

something in the kitchen          body part

river, lake, or ocean                  town or city

country or state                          a machine

type of transportation                  a food

something you wear                  an action

something in the zoo                  a plant

a toy                                             a book

a song                                          a noun

a famous person                          a verb

something in the school              a game

a TV show                                  a feeling

a color                                          an occupation

restaurant or store                     something that flies

Shuffle up each set of cards. Draw a card from the “letter pile” and a card from the “category pile.” Encourage the children to make the sound of the letter. Can they think of a word in the category that begins with that sound?

*When introducing this game, simply play it as a shared group activity and do not keep score. As children become more proficient, divide the class into teams and give points to the first team to come up with a word that fits the category. Children may also enjoy playing this game in small groups.

*Adapt the categories to the age and ability of your students. For example, you could use adjectives, adverbs, nouns, verbs, prepositions, mammals, etc. for older students.


Rapid Automatic Naming

Here 's an adaptation of "categories" that you can use to develop Rapid Automatized Naming. RAN is the ability to name letters, symbols, words, or objects in a quick and automatic manner and impacts reading fluency.

Write categories on index cards, punch a hole in the cards, and attach to a book ring. If you’ve got a few minutes before lunch or while you’re waiting during other transitions you can flip through the category cards and see how many words children can “pop out.”

*Whisper - Let the whole class participate by whispering as many words as they can.

*Toss and Tell – Throw a beanbag around the group and each child must add a word to the category as they catch the beanbag.

*Brainstorm - Write words on the board as the students call them out.

*Think Time - Give older children 2 or 3 minutes to write all the words they can think of. You could also divide students into partners or small groups to do this.

SELF CHECK GAMES

These games have a built in feedback. Children can play them over and over and you’ll make sure they are learning the correct information. These games can be played with a partner or individually.

Flippers
Why? letters, sounds, math facts, contractions, antonyms, etc.
What? spatula or pancake turner, corrugated cardboard, fun foam
How? Cut 3 ½” circles out of cardboard or fun foam. Write uppercase letters on one side and lowercase letters on the other. Place the circles on the floor or a table. Children name the letter on one side, and then flip it over to self-check.

*Write words on one side and glue matching pictures on the back.

*Write children’s names on one side and glue their picture on back.

*Put pictures on one side and initial consonants or vowels on back.

*Write questions on the front and the answer on the reverse side.

*Write antonyms on opposite sides.

*Write two words on the front and the contraction on the back.

Sharks
Why? numerals, math facts, phonics, contractions, etc.
What? heavy paper
How? Cut out paper sharks using the pattern on the following page. Fold down the top fin. Make a set on the body and then lift the fin and write the numeral. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljTTNTLWI0MEwwZ0k/view?usp=sharing

Touchdown
Why? math facts; number words, phonics, review questions
What? construction paper
How? Fold construction paper in half. Place a football pattern with the top of the pattern on the fold. Write math facts, number words, etc. on the front of the footballs. Write the answers on the inside.

Peeking Puppies
Why? words and pictures, upper and lowercase letters, antonyms, math facts and answers, etc.
What? construction paper
How? Cut puppies out of construction paper. Bend down the ear. Write one thing on the puppy’s body and write the answer under the ear.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljZGxkcDZmaFQ4UVU/view?usp=sharing


Use Your Brain!
Why? math facts, phonics, antonyms, etc.
What? poster board, hole punch, golf tee or pencil
How? Cut a brain out of poster board using the pattern on the following page. Punch 10-12 holes around the outside of the edge. Near each hole write a math fact. On the reverse side, write the answer to the math problem near the hole. Outline the shape with markers and decorate. The child sticks a pencil or golf tee in the front and then turns it over to check their answer.

*Two children can also play this game. One “pokes” and the other confirms.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljZVZ4VDhsU1czUUU/view?usp=sharing


Puzzlers
Why? rhyming words, compounds, math concepts, blends, etc.
What? paper plates, rhyming pictures, markers, scissors, zip bag
How? Cut paper plates in half using puzzle designs similar to those shown. Glue pictures that rhyme on each half. Mix up the pieces. Children say the words and match up the plates that rhyme. The game is self-checking because the pieces will fit if they match the correct pictures.

*Use hearts, kites, pumpkins, or other seasonal shapes to make puzzlers.

GAMES FOR LEARNING CENTERS

These games are perfect for children to play with a partner or with a small group. Peer teaching is one of the best ways for children to learn, so children who have mastered skills will be able to help their classmates succeed.

Pony Round-Up
Why? upper and lowercase letters, numbers, beginning sounds, etc.
What? spring clothespins, heavy paper
How? Cut ponies and saddles out of cardstock paper using the pattern on the following page. Print an uppercase letter on each pony, and a lowercase letter on each saddle. Children take the ponies and stand them up using the clothespins as legs. Next, children match the correct saddle for each pony.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljMXRUdG1rOUp2Y0k/view?usp=sharing


Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Why? matching upper and lowercase letters, pictures and sounds, sets and numerals, math facts and answers, etc.
What? heavy paper, clothespins
How? Cut bears and shirts out of paper. Write uppercase letters on the bears and lowercase letters on the shirts. Children match bears and shirts with clothespins.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljTTAxcXBUZzU1dHc/view?usp=sharing


My Messy House
Why? sight words, letters, numerals, shapes, etc.
What? different colors of construction paper, clothes pins, piece of string
How? Cut clothes out of construction paper and write skills on them. Tie a string (clothesline) between two chairs. Spread the clothes on the floor as you say, “My house is so messy. Who can help me clean it up?” Children take turns choosing an item, reading it, and then hanging it on the clothesline.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljSDk1Z2ZjUldqSlU/view?usp=sharing

Concentration ~ Memory
Why? visual skills, shapes, sets, things that go together, etc.
What? poster board, stickers
How? Take ten 4” cardboard squares and put like stickers (or draw like pictures) on two of the squares. Place the cards face down on the floor or on a table. One at a time, children turn over two cards. If the stickers on the cards match, then they may keep the pair and have another turn. If the cards do not match, then the next person may have a turn. Children must use visual memory skills to try and remember where matching pairs are.

*Use holiday and seasonal stickers to make concentration games.

FIVE MINUTE GAMES

Got a minute or two, try one of these quick games.

Johnny Jump Up
You will need a photo album and index cards to make this game. Write words on the index cards and insert them in the plastic sleeves. On several cards draw a stick figure jumping and write, “Johnny jump up!” Randomly insert the Johnny cards in the album. As you shuffle through the book children read the words. When Johnny appears they all jump up and shout, “Johnny jump up!”

          

*Adapt this game to popular cartoon figures or seasonal characters.


Where’s Kitty?
Place flash cards in a pocket chart. Take a small picture of a cat and explain you will hide kitty behind one of the cards. Have children close their eyes as you hide kitty. “Who knows where kitty is?” Children take turns calling out a word and then looking behind it for kitty. The first child to find kitty gets to hide it for the next round.

*Adapt kitty for holidays or seasons. It could be a skeleton, turkey, cupid, etc.


Catch and Tell
You will need a beanbag, sponge ball, or tiny stuffed animal to play this game. The teacher says a letter and then tosses the ball to a child. That child must name something that begins with that sound before tossing the ball back to the teacher. 

*This game can be adapted for rhyming words, colors, math, social studies, and other skills. It’s perfect for waiting in the hall or during transitions.

Snowballs
Each child takes a sheet of scrap paper and writes a word wall word, spelling word, math fact, etc. on it. Children wad up their sheet of paper to make it a “snowball.” Divide the class into two teams and have them stand about 20 feet from each other. When the teacher says, “Let it snow!” children begin throwing their snowballs at the opposite side. Children pick up a snowball and identify the information on it before throwing it back at the other side. The game continues until the teacher says, “Freeze!” Count the number of snowballs on each side. Who has more? Who has less? In this game, the team with the smaller amount is actually the winner! Everyone gets another snowball and the game continues.

*At the beginning of the school year, have children write their names on snowballs and play the game. It’s a great way to get acquainted with classmates.

*As a study review, have children write questions on the snowballs. When children open them they must answer the question before throwing it again. Remind the children that if they don’t know the answer, it’s O.K. to ask a friend for help.

FLASH CARD GAMES

You can take advantage of all the little “teachable times” in your school day with these ideas. Keep flashcards handy for when you have a few extra minutes before lunch, as children wash hands, or while waiting for the bell to ring. Make a different set of flashcards every few weeks that focus on specific skills your students need to master. You can use these games for letters, shapes, numbers, sight words, math facts, etc.

*Store games in a sand bucket on your desk for easy access.

*Keeping Score – Try this idea to avoid students being too aggressive. Cut out two circles from poster board and glue them together. Write “high” on one side and “low” on the other. After playing a game toss the circle. If “high” appears the team with the highest score wins. If “low” comes up the team with the lowest score is the winner.

Hint! If children don’t know the answer when playing games allow them to “phone a friend” (ask a friend) or “ask the audience” (ask the class).

BOOM!
Write “BOOM!” with a bright marker or glitter pen on several of the flashcards. As you “flash” through the cards, children identify the information. When “BOOM!” appears, children jump up and shout out “Boom!” 

*Change the surprise word for different holidays and seasons. In January use a snowman sticker and write “Brrrr!” The children stand up and pretend to shiver when it appears.

*Another fun version is “cowboys” and “chickens.” Insert pictures of a few cowboys and a few chickens. When the cowboy appears the children stand up and pretend to twirl a lasso. When the chicken appears they stand up and flap their arms and cluck.

Kids vs. Teacher
Draw a T chart on the board with “Kids” on one side and “Teacher” on the other side. Hold up a flash card. If a child raises her hand and correctly reads the word, she gets a point for the “kids.” If any child shouts out the answer, then the teacher gets a point.

(If children keep talking out of turn, just continue to give points to the teacher. They’ll figure it out!)

Pick Up
Place the flash cards randomly on the floor in the middle of the room. Divide the class into two teams. Choose one child from each team to come up and play. Call out a word. The first child to pick it up wins a point for their team.

*At the beginning of the school year write the children’s names on plates. Have children stand in a circle and place 5 plates on the floor. Sing, “If your name is on a plate pick it up” to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

Musical Plates
You remember the old game where you placed chairs in a circle and walked around until the music stopped? If you didn’t find a chair you were OUT! This is a similar game that can be used to reinforce letters, words, math facts. etc. Write information you want to reinforce on paper plates. Scatter them on the floor. Play some catchy music for the children to dance to. When the music stops each child finds a paper plate and picks it up. The teacher randomly points to various children to identify the information on their plate.

Word Worm
Draw the face of a worm on a 9” circle. Pass out a word card to each child. One at a time children come up and place their word next to the worm’s head. Each child reads all of the previous words before placing her word down. How long can the worm grow?
Note! Children can “ask the audience” to read with them if they are unsure of the words.

LET'S PLAY A GAME

WHY PLAY GAMES?
All you have to say is, “Let’s play a game!” and you will naturally engage your students. But there’s more than PLAY going on with these games!

Standards – Sugar coat those standards by developing a game around the skills you want to reinforce.

Executive Function – Through games children can develop task initiation and completion because there is a beginning and an end. They also learn self- regulation and delayed gratification.

Active Learning – With games children can talk, interact with friends, and use multi-sensory materials.

Purposeful Practice for Automaticity – In order to master skills children need to repeat and practice them. Clearly, kids would rather do that with a game than with a worksheet.

Intentional Teaching – Teachers can create flashcard games, board games, or a variety of games based on any skill (letters, numbers, sight words, vocabulary, math facts, science or social studies, etc.) Think about skills in your curriculum and there’s the content for your game.

21st Century Skills – Children will naturally develop cooperation, collaboration, and communication as they share and play games.

Brain Research – The brain likes anything that is novel and challenging. Games add that element of fun and motivation to academic content.

Differentiated Instruction – Games can be adapted for specific needs and used for small group, independent, or take home practice.

Limited English Learners – Games can provide that visual and auditory connection in a non-threatening way.

Instructional Time – Take advantage of transitions and those few extra minutes during the school day by playing games.


HOW?
Look at your standards. What skills do your students need to master? 

Are they struggling with any letters, sight words, shapes, math facts?

Be specific with the content you choose. Start simple and make the games increasingly complex. Remember, nothing succeeds like success.

WHAT?
construction paper, poster board, fun foam, file folders, scissors, tape, glue, hole punch, jumbo craft sticks, magnetic letters, markers, recycled materials, small toys and inexpensive items you can find in a dollar store

Tip!
You can make games yourself.
You can ask parents to make games for you.
You can share games and rotate them with other teachers.

WHERE?
Store games in zip bags, manila envelopes, pencil boxes, plastic tubs, or other containers. *Hint! Color code with stickers to indicate content area.

WHEN?
Demonstrate how to play the games and keep the rules simple. It often takes several times for the children to “get” a game. Model how to care for the materials and clean up.

Games can be used for large group instruction during transitions. They can be used with small skill based instructional groups. And, they can be used for independent practice.

Tip! Use games to motivate your students by saying, “If you work hard we will have time to play a game.”

*Try using “Brain Lotion” before playing games with pieces. (Take the label off a bottle of hand sanitizer and replace it with a label that says “Brian Lotion.” This will keep your games clean and germ free.)


ONLY YOU!

I can't do anything about the skills you have to teach, the checklists you have to complete, or the tests you have to administer, but over the next few days I can share some of my favorite games to make those standards "taste" better. Remember that YOU add the magic!

PLAY DOUGH PLAY

Play dough can be a learning tool just like worksheets and computer games. Although play dough wasn't invented until the 1950's, molding materials, such as clay, have been an integral part of early childhood programs forever. For thousands of years children have joyfully played with mud and sand.


Here's a FREE book for you on PLAY DOUGH POWER!

http://bit.ly/drjeanPlayDoughPower

Brain Research
When children tap and swipe on a device or sit passively gazing at a big screen there is little sensory input in the brain. We know that the only way information can get IN the brain is through the senses. Think about how much more input there is when children touch, see, talk, and hear when they are using play dough.

Small Motor Skills
Pinching, squeezing, rolling, and molding dough is like sending little fingers to the gym. Many children's small muscles are not developed and they struggle to hold a pencil and write. Play dough is a natural way to strengthen those little hands.

Social Skills
All you have to do is put out some play dough for a small group of children and observe. They will learn to share and spontaneously communicate with their friends about what they are making. They'll also challenge their friends to be creative.

Emotional Skills
Play dough is a great release for children who are stressed or have the fidgets. As they manipulate the material they can release pent up energy and calm themselves.

Imagination
So many crafts and things we give children have steps and a "model" for them to reproduce. Play dough is a blank canvas that can be turned into anything! Whatever the child creates is theirs and represents the "process" rather than the "product."

          

Hint! You'll find these center ideas using play dough in the free download.

The Play Dough Song Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
(Children make the motions with the play dough as they sing.)
Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze play dough (Children squeeze dough.)
Feels so good to me.
Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze play dough

It’s easy peasy!



Poke – Poke fingers in the dough.



Pinch – Pinch off pieces of the dough.


Roll – Roll the dough into a snake.



Pat – Pat like a pancake.



GLUTEN FREE PLAY DOUGH
You know, I never thought about children with gluten allergies having a reaction to most play dough recipes. Fortunately, my good friend Barbara Lees shared this recipe with me!!! Thanks, Barbara!

BRIDGING PLAY AND STANDARDS

Turn WORK into PLAY with learning centers!

Math – paper, pencil, adding machine tape
coupons, calculator, play money
graphs, posters
counting books, shape books

Science – charts, research books, identification books
science magazines, labeled collections
clipboard, pens, notebook

Dramatic Play – shopping list, chalk board
memo pad, pens, pencils
magazines, books
puppets, stuffed animals, babies to “read” to
junk mail, menus, catalogs
class phone book

Blocks – paper and markers to make labels and signs
blue prints, sticky notes
photos of different homes and buildings
block book, alphabet blocks

Art – Rebus direction charts, labels for materials
variety of art media, markers, paint

Table Toys – play dough, letter cookie cutters
play dough book, sewing cards
letter beads to string
paper, hole punch, scissors
letter stencils, colored pencils

Sand and Water – magnetic letters (hide in sand)
ping pong balls (write letters and
words on them and children
scoop with fishnet)

Playground – letter hopscotch
beach balls with letters
chalk board for keeping score
giant chalk to write with on sidewalk


Here's a poem I found on a paper plate after I did a workshop ten years ago.  Sad, but true today!  

Don’t Take away My Childhood
By Yolanda Richey, 2016


Don’t take away my childhood,
Let me run and play.
Don’t take away my childhood,
Let me learn in my own way.
Give me songs to sing
Give me time to dance.
Don’t take away my childhood,
I only get one chance -
To be a little child
Who loves to learn each day.
So don’t take away my childhood
Because my work is PLAY!

SEASONAL STANDARDS

Don't let standards be the Grinch and steal away your fun this month. Take a look at some of these ideas I’ve got for you!

Sight Words
Each day let children write a high frequency word on a strip of paper and glue the ends to make a link in a chain. They can practice reading over previous words each day as they add a new word and link.

Snowman Math
Give children the outline of a snowman similar to the one shown. They can take buttons or other manipulatives and place sets in the top two sections. Join them together in the bottom circle to make the sum. Ask students to write the equation.


*Give children a certain number of buttons. How many different combinations can the make on the snowman to come up with the same sum?


Descriptive Writing
Fold 2 sheets of paper in half and staple to make a book for each child. Children think of a title for their books and add their name as author and illustrator. Have them write and complete the following statements on each page:
(My holiday) smells like…
(My holiday) looks like…
(My holiday) sounds like…
(My holiday) feels like…
(My holiday) tastes like…

*For younger children run off the sentences and let them dictate sentences.

Preposition Elf
Hide an elf or similar seasonal toy in a different place in the room every day. Encourage children to use complete sentences as they describe where the elf is.

*Let children take turns hiding the toy and calling on friends to describe its location.


Read, Read, Fast as You Can! You Can Do It! We Know You Can!
I saw this delightful bulletin board many years ago. What an engaging way to get children to read sight words and entertain them while waiting in the hall.

TURKEY WIGGLES

I don't know about you, but I've got the Turkey wiggles this week. (That means I'm ready to get the Thanksgiving party started!!!) Here are some ideas that might help your children move, learn, and release their Turkey wiggles!

Jump 

Jump as you read the words on the word wall, count to 100, and repeat other information.

*Children can also march or do other movements as they repeat skills.

Phonercise
Put your hands in the air and say the letter "A." Put your hands on your shoulders and make the /a/ sound. Touch your toes and say a word that starts with that sound. Continue going through the alphabet.

*Ask older children to say words that are nouns, verbs, or other parts of speech.

Stand Up
Simply asking the children to stand up gets blood going to the brain. They can stand up when they read, count, or review other information.

Air Writing
Ask children to make numerals, shapes, letters, or write words in the air with their "magic" finger.

Foot Writing
Use feet to write words, letters, answers to math facts, etc.

Pantomime
Have children stand and dramatize spelling words or vocabulary words.

Balancing Review
Have children stand. Can they balance on their right foot and count? Count by 2’s, 5’s, 10’s, etc.

*Can they balance on their left foot and read word wall words?

*Can they balance on their right foot and extend their left leg as they say the days of the week, months of the year, seasons, and so forth?

*Can they balance on their left foot and extend their right leg and read big books and classroom print?

*Can they balance on their toes and read big books and other classroom print?