Vowel Flower Activity

Well, I've been figuring out how to upload documents to a blog.  Good grief, but it's ridiculous!  Hopefully now I am all ready to go (fingers crossed)!  It's funny how a person can take so much time tweaking a bit of clip art because the print preview shows everything all weird.....

Anyhow, here is an activity from a beginning reader unit I created for Kindergarteners.  For complete directions, click on the Vowel Flower Activity.  The Vowel Flower Activity is for students who have just learned their short vowel sounds are are getting ready to read CVC words. 

The "A,E,I,O,and U" vowels are each placed onto a separate flower center:

After you have taped them to the white board or stapled them permanently onto a bulletin board, give each child some "CVC flower petals" and have fun!  Don't create the flower petals to match the colors of the vowel centers.  Just make them all white or random colors.  If there is a color pattern, the kids will notice that and forget paying attention to the vowel sounds!!! (they are so smart!)

Here is an example of the "E" flower:

Here are the empty letter examples:

A variation on the theme is to write the CVC words without the vowel.  The kids have to think harder, but don't forget that CVC words can become different words when the vowel is replaced by another vowel!  Here is an example of this:

This activity could become a center when you are finished.  The kids could also help you come up with more and more words. You could use this as a semi-permanent display to review the word worm periodically (see post below). 

Bye!

WORD WORM

I used to home school my kiddos, and this was a big hit with them. I plan on using this in my classroom; it's basically a variation on Word Walls. 

This friendly WORD WORM has a cute face and its body consists of circles with words the students can read. This project begins when students first learn how to read, so most of the words are CVC words. 

Just create a ton of colorful 3-4" circles. Make the first circle a face (the cuter the better), and the rest of the circles will have one bold word written on it. Tape them up and after awhile, the WORD WORM will circle around the room, up onto the ceiling, and the kids will be super excited about all the words they know! They can predict where it will finally end! This activity is a great motivator.

Materials:
-Dozens of 3-4" circles from different colors of construction paper. You can decide to use a limited amount of colors, or you may use as many colors as you wish.
-Sharpie for clearly writing each word
-Masking tape or other item to attach worm circle to wall/ceiling
-Head of worm: use one circle, make some eyes, a smile, and curly antennas to stick up (the cuter the better)
-CVC words to start, add sight or other as well

-Don't need feet!  Yea, less work!!  :)

Directions:
Using your CVC Picture Cards or existing word list, write each word on a circle. Introduce the worm to the students. Name him (or her)!  Show them the face and tape it to the wall. Show them each word circle and read them together. Tape them to the wall and explain the system to them.
Update the worm each time you have new words.
Students can take turns writing the words if you wish.

The photo below includes words from different categories to give you the idea:

Classes are DONE!!!!

Well, I'm officially finished with my education classes!!!  I've been so bored!  To relieve my boredom, I am having fun actively searching teaching blogs and pinterest for ideas!  I am obsessed with the Daily 5, so I am hunting for delicious tidbits for this area especially.

I have NOT heard yet where I will be student teaching.  Nuts!  I can hardly wait.  With two months off to enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas, I am trying to savor each day.  When student teaching arrives, I will be super busy and (cross my fingers) a true job will follow.  Might as well enjoy the time now, right? 

Well, I'm talking to myself at the moment, but that's ok with me.  I'm here for me, to encourage me with my student teaching journey.  It will all be great and I will learn tons.  My background and substitute teaching have prepared me for this moment.  I hope the moment comes soon or I'll just burst.