Versatile Blogger Award

I want to give a big thank you to sweet Dana of 3rd Grade Gridiron for giving me the Versatile Blogger Award. If you haven't checked out her blog, head on over and see what great freebies and ideas she has.

 

Okay, so now seven things that you probably didn't know about me.

1. I just finished my first 5k race yesterday, and boy am I sore. I have been training for two months, but racing is very different. I am likely going to begin training for the Disney Princess Mini Marathon in February. I need some fantastic motivation to go running in the winter. 

2. I hate winter. 

3. I just kicked a terrible addiction to Coke Zero. For years it was all I drank. Ever. Now it is mostly water. On Friday afternoons I will splurge in order to get that extra kick to finish my Friday afternoon school tasks. 

4. I hate being outdoors. I like to be somewhere with an internet connection. 

5. I am good friends with my husband's ex-wife. It is not as weird as it sounds, and it sure makes soccer games and birthday parties much more enjoyable. 

6. I love to organize, but I hate to clean. 

7.I love taking naps. Is napping counted as a hobby?

I have been sooooo busy you guys. I haven't had time to check my home email in almost a week. I have a freebie that I would like to post for Friday, so check back tomorrow.

Heather

Story Structure Freebie

This year I've been using an A.MA.ZING new strategy for teaching comprehension of stories with a problem and solution.   I learned it from one of my super helpful and generous colleagues Mrs. Wilson. It's called STORY.

Each letter stands for an element of the story. I introduced them one at a time over the course of about two weeks. I have them posted on the bulletin board behind our whole group area for easy reference.

S stands for setting. Each day I say, "S is for setting." My kiddos respond, "Where the story takes place." This card has a different colored border to look like a picture frame. You can bring in framed pictures and talk about the setting of the pictures to introduce this element.

T stands for talking characters. Although not every story has characters that talk, most of them do. The kids always grasp this element pretty easily.

O stands for "Oops! There's a problem!" For the last month I have only read stories that have a very clear problem and solution. More on that later.

R stands for resolve. How did they TRY to fix the problem? Usually there are several attempts before the problem is actually fixed. In this format it is important to keep this step separate from how it is actually resolved.

Y stands for, "Yes, the problem is fixed." How did they finally fix the problem?

These are  little STORY sticks that you can make give to students. They are color coded to match the posters. Give them to students when doing a read aloud with a problem/solution format. When they hear something that helps them answer one of the STORY question they can hold it up in the air to signal.

 

 

 

As is said before, so far I have focused exclusively on stories that have a clear problem and solution. I have missed reading themed books, however after only four weeks in school my special needs first and second graders can clearly identify these story elements. I think that's a pretty good trade off. 

Here are some of the stories that I have used to teach problem/solution:

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood

Owen by Kevin Henkes

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

Bootsy Barker Bites by Barbara Bottner

Lyle Lyle Crocodile by Bernard Waber

A Bad Case of the Stripes by David Shannon

Moosetache by Margie Palatini

Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathman

 Below you will find a download of my strategy posters as well as a graphic organizer for reader response.

Click here for STORY charts

Click here for STORY graphic organizer 

 Whew that was a long post! This teacher is beat. Between teaching, my kids' travel soccer team, training for my 5k at 5:30 am BEFORE SCHOOL, and blogging I am whipped.  I plan on relaxing a little this weekend; no school stuff. But I have been working on some writers workshop things that I plan on sharing next week, so check back soon! 

Heather

I've Seriously Got a Problem With Buying Things for My Classroom

Do you have a problem spending money on things for your class? I was very spendy this week. Why does it seem that things for school are so EXPENSIVE? That is the reason why I have been putting off purchasing these beauties for the last two year.

 Oh how I have pined for the Lakeshore lower case playdough stamps with matching stand. But the stamps cost $25, the stand costs $20 and the shipping is another $10 because I sadly do not have a Lakeshore anywhere near my house. But this week I bit the bullet because Lakeshore was having a buy 1 get 1 50% off sale which means I got the stand for $10. All in all I spent $44.58 on the stamps and stand, but I still think is ridiculously espensive.

That's why I created a freebie to share with you guys. I also purchased these last weekend ($20 from Amazon is a tad better.) I could have made my own with linking cubes, but all of my mine had holes in the side of them so I couldn't  add stickers or write on them with a permanent marker. If you have these Unifix letter cubes or if you decide to make your own, these cards are the perfect activity to go with them.

This set of cards is appropriate for firsties who must spell the CVC pattern words.
CVC Word Cards

This set is appropriate for kindergarteners for a letter match activity.
CVC Letter Match

I hope you guys enjoy. Have a great long weekend!