Home Shop My Instagram TPT STORE tpt Facebook Instagram Pinterest Image Map

November 25, 2016

Kindergarten Guided Reading


I get a lot of questions about guided reading in my classroom. I wanted to provide a simple step-by-step outline of what I do and the materials I use in my classroom every day in hopes that this helps  to answer some of those questions. 

Here goes... 


Grouping and Timing

I begin small group instruction after my whole group lesson. I usually make 4 reading groups for 20 minutes each, but because I'm teaching as an inclusion team this year we have 5 groups. These groups are homogeneously grouped according to DRA results.  I list the groups using chalkboard markers because they are easy to change as the needs of my students change.  You may notice small dots next to names. These are pom poms I glue to magnets to represent the weekly team captains. They are responsible for keeping independent groups on-task. 


Guided Reading Groups

Leveled readers are essential in guided reading. Make sure to use students' instructional levels. Personally, I have trouble finding guided reading books. I borrow a lot of books from 1st grade teachers and I find others online. I made a few emergent readers that you can find HERE.


I focus on either a reading strategy or a phonics skill for each lesson. When teaching decoding strategies I use Beanie Baby Strategies that can be found HERE

When teaching fluency I use simple fluency passages. I made some that you can download HERE. They review letters, letter sounds. sight words, and CVC words for easy differentiation.  I practice these skills prior to reading a guided reading book. This way we practice the skill then students have the chance to apply this skill to their reading. 




Independent Work

This can sometimes be the most difficult in kindergarten mainly because kindergarteners aren't known for being too self-regulated. This is why it is so important to introduce these skills on the very first week of school. Set clear expectations about noise level and always provide a puzzle or other activity if they finish early. Here are a few ideas for activities. If you have an aide, he/she can always take an activity here or rotate between both groups to ensure they are on task. I also have team captains each week who give out stickers if students completed their work well. This allows students to assess their ow work and learn to self regulate. 


I use a Common Core Interactive Notebook for independent work every day. Here is a sample of a project from the bundle. 


With my aide I also try to make a game or craftivity that reflects our learning from the day or week. Here is an example of a word family project we did in November...


Classroom Management 

...without it, you cannot effectively teach guided reading so be sure to keep routines similar and let students know what is expected of them. Here is my life saver for managing groups... a timer with a warning signal. This not only gives students in independent work an idea of when to wrap it up, but it manages me as well. Here is the best-ever timer for guided reading. Seriously, buy it today. You'll thank me later...




I hope this post was helpful in providing new ideas and structure to your guided reading groups in your classrooms. Good luck & happy reading!








October 23, 2016

iPad Beginning Sound Word Work Activity



Learning beginning sounds is clearly a fundamental literacy skill we teach in kindergarten. I'm always looking for extra practice to put in my word work area. for this activity,  I used iPads for the cards because every kid loves iPads! My students love this work work choice in my classroom!











October 13, 2016

Emoji Take a Break Area





Everyone needs a break every once in a while. That includes students AND teachers! This fin Emoji take a break area provides the materials you need to get your area up and running! Check it out!

 Download HERE


 Download HERE


 Download HERE

Here are some items I bought on Amazon to decorate my 'Take a Break' area. 
  


*includes affiliate links 



October 5, 2016

Simple Counting Book for Kindergarten

Need a sweet & simple counting activity for your kinders? Look no further! This activity reviews numbers 1-10 and involves STICKERS! YAY! Your students will love this activity!








October 4, 2016

Nursery Rhyme Interactive Notebook for Kids




When teaching nursery rhymes we often find rich vocabulary that is essential in understanding the rhyme. With this easy to use interactive notebook, students can visualize new vocabulary words while learning the skills needed to comprehend nursery rhymes. 

This packet includes the following nursery rhymes:
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Hey Diddle Diddle
Hickory Dickory Dock
Humpty Dumpty
Its Bitsy Spider
Jack & Jill
Little Miss Muffet
Little Bo Peep


Check it out!






























September 19, 2016

Sweet & Simple Reading Interactive Notebook for Young Learners




I love using interactive notebooks in my classroom. It's a great way to keep a portfolio of student work as well as giving students a reference they created themselves. That being said, I also have a lot of trouble with some interactive notebooks. As a kindergarten teacher, I notice that many interactive notebooks have complicated instructions and directions that my students cannot read!


I decided to make a reading interactive notebook that was simple, repetitive, and full of pictures AND words. Through the repetition, my students are able to focus their energies on the lesson objective instead of complicated instructions. They are also given pictures on each activity to better understand and visualize lesson objectives. *Helpful tip: make anchor charts to match the interactive notebooks!!!

Here's is a quick preview of the notebook. It is simple, yet rigorous, and is easy to differentiate!

Enjoy!









           







August 16, 2016

Instagram Literacy Activity: Sorting Vowel Sounds & Beginning Consonants


Looking for a fun new literacy activity that is sure to keep your students engaged? Well you've found it! With this activity, students are able to combine their interest in technology with a rigorous vowel review. Using simple CVC words, students isolate the beginning sound to determine the vowel sound. Introduce one vowel at a time, sort between two vowels, or practice all the vowel sounds. It's totally up to you! 

This is an activity you can put out at word work for months!

     



Also check out my Instagram Beginning Consonant worksheetsCombine your students' interest in technology and social media apps with important phonics skills. This beginning sound activity reviews the beginning sounds for all 21 consonants in the alphabet. Students cut and paste the correct picture onto the social media page. 

Use as word work, make cool bulletin boards, or combine with an interactive notebook. The options are endless!









DOWNLOAD            
THE VOWEL GAME HERE!          
      
  

May 18, 2016

Kindergarten Summer Learning Packet

... Cause We'll Have FUN, FUN, FUN...


 Click HERE to download

  Sweet summer is almost here! It's the time of year where we're all drowning in paperwork and assessments while still attempting to teach and pack-up a classroom. I could seriously use a personal assistant right about now! 

Like most teachers, I always like to send home a summer learning packet on the last day of school. This year I decided to make my own instead of hunting around to put it together. Here are a few pictures of some the activities in this packet. So sit back, pour yourself an ice cold lemonade (or margarita), and enjoy the last few weeks of your year! You deserve it!


    


    


    


    















Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...