Thank You to Our Veterans

Today I would like to say "Thank You" to all our veterans who have fought so bravely to protect our country and our freedom. To my dad who was stationed in the Philippines in WWII, my mother-in-law who served in the WAC in India and China during WWII, my husband who is retired from 30 years in the army and all our veterans far and wide I honor you all today. Please join me in saying "Thank you" today.

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Themes Matter: Tips for Using Word Sorts to Improve Reading and a Free Activity

Most of you know that I create lots of Thematic Units. Themes help teachers create a literacy-rich environment by emphasizing the importance of speaking, reading, and writing. They also engage students in meaningful activities over a longer period of time. Classrooms using themes are full of pictures and labels to help students connect with specific language that they need to know in order to read and understand. This is so important for the struggling readers and ESL students in your classrooms.

Today I want to talk about the importance of using word sorts with thematic units and some tips about using them in your classroom. Why word sorts? Words sorts engage students in analyzing words by sorting them into different categories. Once students know the words and the skill such as understanding syllables, they can then use that knowledge to find similarities and differences of selected words. Word sorts also provided multiple exposures to selected words and get students to think about these words from a particular perspective. This helps students to develop an in-depth knowledge of the words which is so beneficial for struggling readers. Words sorts can be individualized for students needing more practice with a specific skill and are student-centered. Pictures can be used along with the words as extra support or for building background for ESL students.

Here are just a few examples of word sorts to focus on:

• short and long vowel sounds
• number of syllables
• word families
• parts of speech: nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.
• word usage

The list could go on and on. When incorporating word sorts into a theme it helps students have multiple exposures to the same words that they will be speaking, reading, and writing about.

Here is an example of my Syllable Word Sort from my "Gobbling Up Thanksgiving Word Work Activities" Unit. Using pictures with the word cards give students more exposure to the vocabulary words they will be reading and writing about. Students will place the 1,2, and 3 Syllables Cards at the top of a table or on the floor, choose a word card, say and clap the syllables, and place it under the # of syllables they hear. Then they will write the words on a recording sheet.

In another word sort using pictures and words, students will determine which words belong to Native Americans, which belong to the Pilgrims and which belong to both. This is also a great way to assess your students' understanding of the words and help to improve comprehension.

There are 6 Word Sorts in my "Gobbling Up Thanksgiving Word Works Activities" which you can check out by clicking the picture below. You can download the Preview file to see sample pages of all the word sorts and activities in this packet.

I also have a free Thanksgiving Word Sort for all my wonderful followers and viewers.

Students will sort Thanksgiving Words into 3 Categories about what the Pilgrims and Native Americans used, lived in, and what they made. Just click on the image below to download your free packet.

Lots of great new Pinterest boards for you to follow. Just click HERE. Look at the one TpT just started to follow.

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Thanks for all you do to make a difference for your students. I hope each and everyone of you has a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Throwback Thursday Trio Freebies

I'm teaming up with my friends Fern and Michelle for their Throwback Thursday Trio Freebie. A year ago they began  their Dynamic Duo monthly giveaways. They had a fun time working together and of course loved to give stuff away!

Fern recently came up with a new idea.  Each week, they decided to make one of their normally priced packets free for one day. This was a way of showing a little appreciation to their followers who have loyally followed their blogs. As an added bonus, they are inviting a different blogger friend each week to join them.  Not only will you get free stuff, you might get to "meet" someone new and want to follow his or her store, too.  How great is that?!!! Make sure you visit their blogs every Thursday!

My freebie is one of my favorite units, "Frogs and Toads." Just click on the image below to get my freebie. 

 Just a reminder:  You will not be able to leave feedback after we change it back to a paid for lesson. 

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Thanks for all you do to make a difference for your students.

November is American Native Heritage Month so let's celebrate their heritage and culture. Having spent 10 years in Alaska I was able to learn so much about the Alaska natives and even visit a Totem Pole village. I was fascinated with their myths and legends and how much they understood about taking care of the land and the animals. Did you know that scientists believe that the first Americans traveled from Asia through the Bering Sea to Alaska before moving east and south more than 10,000 years ago? I put together a Celebrating Native American Month Thematic Unit which you can check out by clicking on the image below. When you download the Preview file you will see sample pages of all the reading texts and many of the writing and other activities in this packet.

It includes 3 differentiated reading texts for ESL Students and Struggling Readers as well as 2nd and 3rd grade level texts about the "First Americans." Here is a sample of the text for ESL and Struggling Readers:

Of course I have put together some wonderful websites where you will find lots of free resources, lessons, crafts, and activities. One of the best websites I found you can access by clicking on the image below. You will find everything about Native American tribes, History, Clothing, Legends, Myths and so much more.

If you are looking for information and free lesson plans about Totem Poles just click on the image below. Did you know that it can take up to 9 months to carve a totem pole?

How about some Totem Pole crafts?  Just click on the image below. You can find lots of other Native crafts to make by clicking HERE

Education World has some wonderful free activities, lessons, and resources about the Native American and Alaska Native culture and heritage for grades K-12. There are so many activities to choose from.You can access all of them by clicking on the image below.

I have lots of new Pinterest Boards for you to follow. Just click HERE. Here are a few of my most popular ones.

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Thanks for all you do to make a difference for your students. I truly appreciate all that you do each and every day.