JULY PD 118 - CHEER CARDS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtNGH_1l6JI

These cheer cards can be used to focus children’s attention and put a smile on their faces. Every child in your classroom can feel good with these cheers.      
                                  

What? cheer cards, Cheerios box or Cheer detergent box

How? Introduce one new cheer each day. I’d suggest taking one each day and practicing it all day long. Get a Cheerios box or a Cheer detergent box to save your cheers in. Then when you want to encourage a child have them reach into the “cheer box” and lead the class in that cheer.

I have two different sets of cheer cards so you can choose the one that you like best.         

                             
http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2004/06_june/06_2004_pdf.html
                                 
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dr-Jeans-Cheer-Cards-1270706

Here’s the video where you can watch me demonstrate many of the cheers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hsOFYEMSvI

JULY PD 117 - LETTER TIN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4talkIS3IQ

This is a useful tool to use with a small group, for independent practice, or work with a partner.

What? cookie tin, magnetic letters

How? Place a set of magnetic letters inside the cookie tin. On the inside cover make three lines with a permanent marker. Have the children take out the letters and place them around the lid. Call out a sound and have the children select that letter and place it on the first line in the lid. Call out a second sound. Call out a third sound. Blend the sounds and read the word.
     
                                     
Hint! Make several of these and use with a guided reading group.

*Use for other phonics lessons. “What other words can you make by changing the first sound?” “Can you make a word by changing the end sound?”

*Older students could use these for spelling words and other word games.

*Store small magnetic letters in a breath mint tin.

*Use magnetic letters on a cookie sheet to make words.

*Hide magnetic letters in a sandbox and let children hunt for them with a magnet.

JULY PD 116 - "EYE" CAN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXvUmVgGz_k

Read THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD to your students at the beginning of the school year. Remind them that in your classroom everyone says “I Can” because you are AmeriCANS!

What? Pringle’s can, paper, googly eyes, craft glue (E6000)

How? Cover the can with paper and glue on googly eyes. Pass the “eye can” around the room as each child says a sentence beginning with “I can…”
                            
Hint! If a child says, “I can’t!” just place the can in front of them and remind them that “I can!”

I Think I Can
This is a great song to sing to encourage children to always give it a try. It goes to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”
     I think I can are words I like to say.
     I think I can are words I like to say.
     In time I’ll get it right if I try with all my might.
     I think I can are words I like to say.

JULY PD 115 - PLAY DOUGH PLATES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKBzOYB88Zk

Play dough is multi-sensory, engaging, creative, and open-ended. Talk about PURPOSEFUL PLAY! These play dough plates are a perfect way to strengthen those small muscles and reinforce letter recognition.

What? plastic plates, play dough, permanent marker

How? Write letters on the plastic plates with a permanent marker. Children roll the play dough and place it on top of the letters. Challenge them to make something that starts with that sound.

Hint! I traced around the letter on the front and back of the plate. You can use upper case letters, lowercase letters, or both like I do.

Number Plates
Write numbers on plastic plates. Children can roll play dough and place it on top of the numbers and then make sets to equal that amount.  Can they make different combinations of six?
                        
Shape Plates
You can also make shape plates for the children to reproduce.


For more simple, playful, meaningful ideas check out happies4teachers.blog.

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JULY PD 114 - COMPREHENSION STICKS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdIilqUtuew

Good readers are active readers and they are always looking for information. These story sticks will prompt children to listen carefully so they can identify the story elements.

What? jumbo craft sticks, sock, markers

How? Write story elements (Who? What? Where? When? Why?) on sticks with a marker. Place the sticks in the sock and throw the sock over your shoulder before you begin to read. After reading the story, let different students choose a stick and tell that part of the story.

*Make another set of sticks that say “Title,” “Author,” “Illustrator,” “Problem,” “Solution.”
                                
*Write “Setting,” “Characters,” “Beginning,” “Middle,” “End” on sticks.

Who? What? Where? When? Why?
Sing this song to the tune of “Ten Little Indians” before reading a story so children will be looking for the information:
     Who? What? Where? When? Why?
     Who? What? Where? When? Why?
     Who? What? Where? When? Why?
     Ask questions when you read.

I've Got the Whole Story in My Hand
On the fingers of a cotton glove write:  "Who?"  "What?"  "Where?"  "When?"  "Why?"
Sing this song to the tune of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."
     I've got the whole story in my hand.
     I've got the whole story in my hand.
     I've got the whole story in my hand
     And I can read.
     I've got the  "Who?"  "What?"  "Where?"  "When?"  "Why?"
     I've got the  "Who?"  "What?"  "Where?"  "When?"  "Why?"
     I've got the  "Who?"  "What?"  "Where?"  "When?"  "Why?"
     And I can read.


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JULY PD 113 - LETTER AND NUMBER CUPS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqzunuu3m34

Letter Cups
What? plastic cups, permanent markers or letter stickers

How? Write letters on the cups. Children can use these to make high frequency words, match upper and lowercase letters, make CVC words, etc.

*Ask children to stack the cups in alphabetical order.

*Write words on cups and use for making and reading simple sentences.

Hint! Store letter cups in an empty Pringle’s can.

Number Cups

How? Write numbers on cups and ask children to stack them in numerical order.
                                  
*Trace around the bottom of a cup on a file folder. Write numerals in the circles. Children match up numbers on cups to those on the file folder.

*Write math facts on the sides of the cups. Write answers on a sticky dot and place them inside the cup. Children say the answer and then check underneath. They can build a pyramid with the cups if they answer correctly.

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JULY PD 112 - KINDER KEYBOARD

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwFpXZq6k5E

Why? familiarity with a keyboard, letter recognition, sight words, sounds

What? shower curtain liner, permanent marker, fly swatter

How? Cut the shower curtain liner in half and tape it horizontally to a wall. Place the attached pattern on a document camera and project on the shower curtain. Trace around the keys and letters with a permanent marker as shown.  (Sorry, mine is a little wrinkled from being in the suitcase.)

Place the giant keyboard on the floor or on a bulletin board and let the children use a fly swatter to identify letters. 

Call out a sound and have children tap the letter that makes that sound.

Have children type out sight words or spelling words.

Hint! Let one child hold a word and check while their partner types it.

More! Run off copies of the keyboard for each child. Glue the keyboard to the bottom of a file folder and tape a clear sheet protector on three sides at the top. Leave the right end open so you can slide in names, sight words, vocabulary, or sentences for the children to practice typing.  (Kalina loved decorating these and playing with them.)

Keyboard
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljSG1zLWdSQlhjMXc/view?usp=sharing
      
Make individual iPads from pocket folders.  Let children decorate the outside and then glue the keyboard to the inside.  Write letters or words on index cards and place in the pocket.  Children choose a card, place it at the top, and then type accordingly.

ipad
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljb1NUajZXTWZxc1U/view?usp=sharing

                                         
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