Throwback Thursday 08/08/13: Beg, Mid, End

Happy Thursday!

I couldn't pass up the chance to link up with the fabulous Cara from The First Grade Parade for a super fun linky party...

Throwback Thursday: an ode to old blog posts. :)

**********Original post published on September 06, 2011**********

In my district we teach writing with the 6 traits. My kinder kids just got done with Organization. I know I have previously mentioned that we use the "O Train" to help us teach this skill. 

The O Train really helps my, very visual, ELL students. They can easily see that the train has 3 parts, just like their stories. This is how I introduce it to my student...

The first, or beginning, train is the engine, and it is green, for go! That is the start of our stories and helps to lead, like a line leader. The second car is the middle, the most interesting and exciting part. This cart is yellow, and helps us to slow down. The last car is the end and is red. This means stop and the end of our stories.

For my ELL kids I also transferred these images to their writing paper, without the color of course. Here is a freebie for you. Again, this is what my Kinder Kids use, not my 1st graders.3 pg bk 3 lines a

As you can see, I have added the train parts to each page to help my students remember what part they are working on. This also helps them to not start a new stories on each page. They are to stretch their stories out to have a beginning, middle and end. I also added 1st, 2nd and 3rd to the trains.

Before my students begin to write they have to plan their stories. I have a couple planning pages that go with the writing paper but I find that if you have enough time for them to complete a story it is best to have the students touch each page and say what they will draw and write on the lines. However, because I don't have a lot of writing time with my ELL students I do use the planning pages. Just click on the image below.

The students are only supposed to sketch their story in 3 parts quickly. The reason for this sheet is for students to remember what is supposed to come next and last.  When completed my students staple this page to their book and can transfer their illustrations and story.

Once all that is taught and becomes routine I teach leads and transition words. Sounds like a lot for a Kindergartner? It may be but some kids get it, and others will at least have been exposed to it and will have some sort of foundation when they get older. 

I teach leads as "Story Starters". They "lead" the story, like our engine and line leader. We talk about good ways to start a story and how it is pretty boring to always start with "I". "We", I, brainstorm possible ways to start our stories, out loud and create a list. I type the leads on my laptop and have my kids watch. This way I have a clean poster that the students recognize. The story starters are mounted on green construction paper to match the train's engine.

In a few days time I introduce transition words. No surprise they are also color coordinated to match their cars.

I realized once I had them up I should have added the trains to them too. Oh well, they color will have to be enough.

Finally, (like my transition word?) I also print these on colored paper and place on the board for easy referencing.

Most kids won't use transition words. Only the really quick kids will pick up on it. However, I find that having them up and referencing them when I model writing really helps my students understand what I am talking about. They start to use them when they are talking, which is a fantastic side effect for me as an ELL teacher.

Another way we practice telling our stories in 3 parts is with 3 hula hoops or 3 squares (made with masking tape) on the floor. The kids step in a hula hoop or square and tell the beginning, middle and then the end. The hula hoops are nice because they can be removed and put away. However, the squares are nice too because they can be used for other activities like retelling stories, blending and segmenting, sorting items or even math equations.

So one more freebie for you... the transition posters. Just click on the links below to get a copy for your room.

Story Starters

In the Middle

The Finish

All this takes a couple months to get through and I probably spend a whole quarter on it. I also use the beg, mid and end strategies to help us retell the stories we have read. I love it when my students start to recognize and pick out the leads and transition words in the reading text. They get so excited. It is a great way to help them understand this is not just a writing skill but a life skill.

One last thing. In School B they created a different planning page and 3 page book, with transition words already on the page. This all comes stapled together already and is less work for the students. Of course I added some trains. If you are interested you can click on the image below to get your own copy.

Wow, lots of freebies! I hope you find some of them helpful. If you download and use these, please leave a comment. I'd love to hear what you think, how you use them or if you do something differently. 

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FYI: I have gotten lots of comments on the Scribed account. Here is a little info about it. It is free, but if it should ask you to pay before you download a doc, don't. If you upload any of your docs, it allows you to continue to download for free. 

I'm sorry, for any inconvenience. I originally switched to Scribed cause google docs was acting wonky for me. That was years ago and now I Am back on Google docs, BUT don't really have the time to upload everything again. Maybe one day. :) However, I do want to say that many updated versions of documents have be uploaded to my blog via Google Docs. So if you follow regularly, or go back through my posts, you can find most of these. I know that all the writing papers have been updated. Until then, feel free to enjoy these.

Be sure to join in the fun and link up with Cara.

Monday Made It: Duct Tape Stools

Holy smokes, I was so excited to share this project but after working in my room all day getting it ready for our ELL parent night I am worn out. However, I did want to share one of the project I been creating. I'm linking up with Tara's Monday Made It. Just know that this post will be more picture heavy than wordy. If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I will make sure to answer.

Started with 5 mis matched stools. I wanted new ones but I am already broke and yes I know we just got paid a few days ago but I have already blown through my back to school budget.

I wanted to cover them in some extra chevron fabric I have on my Bulletin Boards, but my fear was that since I would be hot glueing it, that it would come off easily. A friend suggested the duct tape and I went for it. 

I started in the middle, to ensure I got the most out of the pattern. I went over the edge and left a little to fold under.

 Once the top was done I wanted to clean up the sides. So I took a strip and went around the sides.

Here is a pic, once the sides were covered. I still have a little cleaning up to do around the legs, but they are pretty much done. I like how they turned out. Best part is they are cohesive. I was initially scared that the pattern would be a problem to match up, but it wasn't at all. Very forgiving.

Here is they are. 5 matching stools for my guided reading table. Please forgive the mess on the floor. Still working on this area.

I have to say that, while the project was relatively easy, by the 3rd stool I was ready to scream. The 2nd roll of tape was very tacky and kept sticking to me. I swear it ripped off skin. (Ignore me, I am very dramatic.) So here they are, 5 matching stools for my guided reading table.

Don't forget to check out all the other fabulous projects on Tara's Monday Made It. Just click the button below.

Currently: August

It is that time again.

What time you may ask? It Currently time.

1. Listening:

I think this one needs no explanation. Now really if you haven't seen this, you have to stop and watch right now. I'll post the vid for you below. Go ahead, I will wait. It is really too much fun to pass up.

2. Loving:

After a long pause, I've been motivated with a ton of ideas. I've written them down in my notebook and once I get them completed I will be blogging bout them. 

3. Thinking:

Now I am not the least bit worried about what I will be teaching in a weeks time. I have the nagging feeling that I should be thinking about it, but I really could't be bothered. LOL I know I will do rules and procedures and then go into names with my kinder kids, but my first graders, well no clue. LOL

4. Wanting: 

I've decided I wanted to write an iPad mini for my classroom, so I wrote a DC grant for one. However, then I got cold feet and didn't submit. My fear? That it won't be funded because it is so much.

5. Needing:

Nothing tangible really, well aside from a functioning work Mac, but that is in the works. What I really need is some more vacation time. Right? I have so many ideas and I know once I go back to work, Monday, that I will have very little time and energy to make all the wonderful things I've been reading about on your blogs.

6. B2S must haves:

1. Umm, my MacBook, the one for work, is sick. The doctor is going to fix her but I am patiently waiting. I am very grateful that she will be fixed as I really depend on her a lot!

2. I don't think this needs an explanation. One of the few times a year we get to eat out with our fellow teachers, so I should go by the ATM and take out some lunch cash. I love me some french fries or mexican.

3. New binders? Well this is an addiction. I am thinking my binders are all sizes and colors and I want to make then all match. HOWEVER, I am over budget so I am NOT going to purchase unless I find a fabulous deal. I am thinking I will just overhaul the covers and make them cohesive that way.

SO that is my currently. What are you up to? Don't forget to hop on over to Farley's blog and read everyone else's posts too.

Anchor Chart Linky

Remember way back when I had an anchor chart Linky? It was over a year ago. Now I know that you all have had way many more fabulous ideas for Anchor Charts, so I was excited when I saw that Carly, from First Grade Fabulosity, was doing a new anchor chart linky.

Here are some of the faves I have up in my room...

Reading:

These are a mixture of charts. The ones on the bulletin board comes from Lindsey's, The Teacher Wife, reading comprehension pack. While the reading genres come from Christie, The FlipFlop Teacher.

Writing:

My goal last year was to make all my bulletin boards cohesive. So you will see my writing board, while different, will match and have many similar elements to my reading.

The writing process

I used a ribbon and clothes pins and allowed my students to move them around to show what step in the writing process they were for the day.

It took a lot of practice but they loved it. It made it a lot easier to know who was stuck in one spot for too many days and needed some specific conferencing.

This board described out 6 writing traits. As the traits were introduced I moved it up to the top and added our districts anchor charts too.

So now let's see what anchor charts are your favorites. Hop on over to Carly's blog and link up too!

Five for Friday: 08-02-13

Hi everyone,

I have so much to say but have no clue where to start. So I decided to just give you snippets and join in on Doodle Bugs Five for Friday linky.

1. Chevron Boarders

One of this years new purchases are CTP's chevron boarders. Now I am not adding these to my chevron bulletin boards because that is just way too much chevron. No those get solid boarders. These are for other items I have up on my walls with out a background. I wanted to find a way to group them together or frame them and this turned out to be the perfect way. More pics to come when I finish up my room next week.

2. Whiteboard Spots

I've seen these around for 2 years now and would you know that I finally found these sheets while looking for something else entirely. I actually got these for a great price at Walmart. I put them on my small group/ guided reading table. This should save us some time, as the students will not have to run back and forth grabbing supplies. The other day Kristen blogged about her clipboard/whiteboards and I am thinking I will go back to get some more sheets and make some for my class too. 

3. Dying MacBook

This is a sad moment. Just 2 days ago my MacBook, my work machine, started to fail on me. It just wouldn't load. Now I still have my personal Mac Air, but this is still hard on me. This baby has been with me for 4 years and holds so much. Now luckily I have everything backed up on an external hard drive. The bright light at the end of the tunnel is that my fabulous Team Leader is going to save the day. Her genius husband said it looks like a bad hard drive and will save the day soon. *crossing my fingers*

4. Dr. Jean is brilliant.

I just spend two days with the marvelous Dr. Jean Feldman. I have so many ideas. I am definitely going to be blogging about some of them. 

5. Lakeshore Learning

Finally, after the conference yesterday, my team and I went to the new Lakeshore Learning store. Everything was 20% off. Well I am proud to say I walked out without spending a penny. True, I bought all my stuff already, and even though I was seriously tempted to get some new surfboards and chevron pockets, I resisted. I mean I do already have two other packs of pockets sitting in my classroom. PLUS the most important bit is I have nothing to use these for. However, I will be purchasing some next year. :P I have that long to think of what to do with them. Ha ha ha

That is it... for now. I hope to be back so and share so many other things. Don't forget to check out the party over at Doodle Bugs Five for Friday linky.

Throwback Thursday 07/11/13: Important Book of Kinder Words

Happy Thursday!

I couldn't pass up the chance to link up with the fabulous Cara from The First Grade Parade for a super fun linky party...

Throwback Thursday: an ode to old blog posts. :)

**********Original post published on September 06, 2011**********

I can't take credit for this idea. It is not my own. Before I started working in my current district I subbed for 2 years. It was hard to do because I had just come off of teaching for 3 years in my previous state and REALLY wanted my own class. However, it was probably the most valuable thing I did. Why? I got to know several people in several schools and I made many connections. However, my favorite part was getting to go into other teachers classes and seeing how they, organized their rooms, their anchor charts, their teaching strategies, and their WONDERFUL ideas. This idea came from a fantastic, at the time kindergarten teacher, now a First grade teacher.

Every time I subbed in his room he pulled out "The Very Very Important Book Of Kindergarten Words!" Immediately I was intrigued. What could this be? To put it simply it is a binder with the Kindergarten High Frequency Words.

Ever since I got my own room, I have made this book with my students and they love it! Every week we look for our weekly words in the books we read. They love looking for these words and are super excited when they find them. Of course I am super proud and make a huge deal about it.

Once the words are found in the text I also print up a sheet with the HFW on it twice, once with the capital letter and one with the lowercase letter. I then make a photocopy of the page and highlight the HFW in the text. I make them in black and white to save on money, but you could make them in color if you choose to do so.I chop it all up and glue it on the main HFW page.

We read this book several times a week to increase fluency. Mainly, I read it on Mondays, when I introduce the new word, Wednesdays, when I read the story, and Fridays, when we add the words to the Word Wall.

At the end of the year, I bind all the pages we have made and add it to my class library. The last couple of weeks the kids get to read this at the reading workstation/ center. I just have to mention it is the favored book for those last few days. They are so proud of their work, but most importantly they are proud they can read it independently!

Enough of me talking. Want to see what it looks like? 

Take a peek at the one we created last year.

 Here is the front cover.

 In no particular order.

I like to find books with large text.

(Click on the pictures to make it larger.)

 However, when I can't, I type up the text, print it up and glue it to the page.

 My favorite...

 My students favorite.

Occasionally I can't find a book with the HFW, that fits in the theme we are studying. In those cases I use our Guided reading books.

I have tried to do this with my First graders and have not been able to do it because of the amount of words my students learn in First grade. However, I had an epiphany, theme vocabulary! for example when we study farms this year I will pull some farm vocab and have them find those words in the text. Them we will bind the book at the end of the theme. What I love about this idea is that the students will get their hands on the theme vocab books faster. They won't have to wait until the end of the year to get their hands on it.

This can also be used with the older kids. Just pick your theme or your set of words and look for the words in the text. Once your book is complete just bind it and put it in your class library! :)

To encourage you to try this out I made a cover sheet for you.

I revamped mine this year and thought I would share.

Kinder Wd Bk

I toyed with the idea of putting up all the HFW pages for you, BUT everyone's words are different so I thought I would leave it up to you. I hope you do try this. I know my students and I love doing it. I thank Mr. Kindergarten/ 1st grade for introducing me to this every year.

******************************Update***********************
I have to admit that last year kind of got away from me and we did not do the book, and I MISSED it. I will definitely be bringing it back this year.

Be sure to join in the fun and link up with Cara.

Currently in July

Yay for Currently! Here is mine...

Listening: One of those bands you listen to when you want something really loud.

Loving: I swear I am already partially deaf from all those all nights I partied at the all night clubs in Miami. You know the ones where you are next to the HUGE speakers and you leave holding your 3inch heels, as the sun is coming up and your ears are ringing. Stupid things I did in my early 20's. But seriously I love loud music. It drowns out my horrible singing.

Thinking: So here is the deal I LOVE, absolutely and in love with my surf theme. I just put it up for the first time last year so I have at least 2 more years with it. (I tend to spend about 3 years on a theme.) I am super excited about decorating with it again, BUT I find myself longingly looking at all the cute new decore packs you all are creating. So I keep trying to find ways to incorporate it all, and truth is, I can't. As Cara Carroll would say "sadsville".

Wanting: Well, this would go with my previous comment. If I had tons of disposable cash and 3 classrooms, I would feel so much better, cause I could have all the fabulous themes out there. LOL I know I am being ridiculous  but that is part of who I am. I'll get over it. :) Plus, whatever I buy and don't end up using goes to my fabulous colleagues. Right ML?

Needing: I think this one is self explanatory. :) Growing up 30 minutes from a beach and 10 min from a private pool spoiled me. The one thing I miss from FL is water, specifically jumping in a pool and swimming for hours, on those hot summer days. 

Tips, Tricks, or Hints: Honestly I don't have many. The only thing I know is that no matter what, you have to enjoy the small things. You know like a good sale, fabulous chevron patterns, chocolate croissants, Face Time with far away friends, french fries, laughing hysterically at funny meems, and finding $5.00 in the pocket of some jeans.

Enjoy the days lovelies.