Dolch Sight Word Bottle Cap Labels

I recently made Consonant/Vowel Letter Bottle Caps and Dolch Sight Word Bottle Caps out of water bottle lids. I do a lot of sight words work specifically with my struggling readers, so I am always looking for new ways to make this fun, and these are a wonderful addition to my room!

The complete set contains the following labels:

• Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-Primer) Dolch Sight Words
• Kindergarten (Primer) Dolch Sight Words
• First Grade Dolch Sight Words
• Second Grade Dolch Sight Words 
• Third Grade Dolch Sight Words 
• Fourth Grade Dolch Sight Words 
• Fifth Grade Dolch Sight Words 
• Consonant and Vowel Letters

To learn how to make these, as well as pick up free labels for your own set, please stop by my blog:

The Common Core Standards - What About Them?

I went to a few Common Core Workshops at my school district this week.  This is one of my first introductions to the Common Core standards, and I'm still working to wrap my head around them.  In an effort to get my head organized, I looked at the big picture and sort of did a Common Core 101 blog on the English Language Arts.  Come on over to Elementary Matters and see how I organized these.  

FREE Lesson Plan Template

I have been thinking about my lesson plan format all summer. I finally decided to make my own. I always share my materials for free, so jump on over to my blog to get a copy!

Click on the picture to jump to my blog!

Whole Brain Teaching ~ Teach-Ok!

Whole Brain Activator: It takes learning to a new level. They have to listen attentively to you because they know in a few minutes, they will have to teach their neighbor. Then they have to use your words and their own words to teach their neighbor the concept you just taught to them.

 Teacher, "When I say teach, you say ok! Turn your body completely to your neighbor and teach them what I just said."

Clap a pattern. Teacher, "Teach!"

Copy the pattern. Kids, "OK!"

The brain listening to a lecture:

The brain on Whole Brain Teaching:

Jump on over to see a video and learn more!

Toss and Spell- a Vistaprint Creation!

I hope you'll pop over to my blog today to learn more about this... my latest Vistaprint creation...

You can see all of the other things I've been making too!  I'm hoping my 2nd order will arrive tomorrow!

*Fingers crossed!*

:)
Christina

Celebrating 15 Favorites and a Calendar for a Year

Yesterday was my blogiversary!  I've been blogging for exactly one year.  I spent some time thinking about how I have grown in the past year, and reminiscing on my favorite blog posts.  Then I spent some time thinking about the year ahead, and putting them into a calendar for 2012 - 2013.  Come on by Elementary Matters and see both my reflections to the last year, and my planning ahead a year!

Classroom Exchanges

Hey Gang!

I am currently looking for 8 more teachers from the following states to participate in The Great Postcard Exchange:  Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota, Rhode Island,  and Vermont.  If you live in one of these states please email me at mechele.barrow@gmail.com.

My friend Carrie is hosting another exchange with a twist on Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.  She writes:

I would like to start a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Letter Exchange with a slight twist for the 2012-2013 school year! I teach 2nd grade, and one of our standards is to recognize that although people come from different places, they may share common traditions, goals, and customs. To meet this standard, this is what I am proposing:

1. 26 classes from around the country/world will each be assigned a letter of the alphabet.

2. Each class will create 26 of their assigned letter (uppercase). This might include a die-cut letter, or a pattern I will provide. The letter must fit on an 8.5 x 11" piece of cardstock.

3. The students in each class will decorate the 26 letter pages with pictures and decorations beginning with the assigned letter AND corresponding to the place where the class is located. (For example, if you get the letter S and you're from California, you might include a picture of the sun, some sand, a fold-out (brochure) about San Diego, etc...)

4. Each class will compose a typed letter to accompany each of the 26 letter pages. The letter should be at least two paragraphs describing your class, city, and state, as well as some of the interesting events that you celebrate in your community.

5. Each class will mail out 25 of the letter pages and letters to classrooms around the country/world so that in the end, each of the 26 participating classrooms will have a full alphabet book about the country/world!

If you would like to participate, please send Carrie an email at carriesue23@hotmail.com.  Please tell her that Mechele sent you.  

Go Fish for Upper and Lower Case Letters Freebie

Help your Pre-School or Kindergarten child brush up on those upper and lower case letters with this fun matching game. You play like go fish, but make pairs of matching letters!

I think your little guys will love this!

Thanks!

Flipping Cards for Syllable Fun Freebie

Smart Chutes are a blast! You drop your card in, the card flips over with the answer face up! This is a fun way to practice counting syllables.

Have fun flipping!

Thanks!

Using Spelling City for Multiple Meaning Words

Denise from Sunny Days in Second Grade did a wonderful guest post on my blog!  It's all about using Spelling City to practice Multiple Meaning Words.  She makes it very easy with her picture tutorial, bringing you through some of the free content on Spelling City.  I know the children love the activities on this site, and the activities are quite valuable in their learning. Come on over to Elementary Matters to check it out!