It's Off to Work I Go...

Well summer, it's been real.  We knew it had to end some day.  I just wish it wasn't so soon.  We had a good run.  Good times...bad times...I will treasure our time together.

After a very sad break up with summer vacation it was back to figuring out what to do with my space.  Last year, I had an owl themed space.  This year, I went with a zoo theme based on Krista Wallden's super awesome Zoo Clip Art which you can find here.  

I don't like clutter and I don't like having things up that won't get used...especially in such a small space.  Here's what I have done so far.

My word house is up.  It's waiting for the millions of post-its that will cover it.  I have no idea why all my pics are blurry so my apologies in advance!

This was me sorting out my awesome, can't wait to use posters (I made them smaller).

Here they are in action.  While I liked them up and want them up, I ultimately took them down.  I just don't have enough space in my cubical and don't want every inch of my walls covered.  I think I am going to put them on a binder ring and use them as flash cards.  I did something similar last year but I like mine better ;)  If you are interested in getting these posters for yourself, here are the links: Short Vowels, Long Vowels, R-Controlled Vowels, Vowel Digraphs, & Diphthongs.

Here's my student supply section on top of my binder bookcase.  I made a mini welcome sign along with pics of my family and favorite books.  Last year, all my student supplies were located in that white box you see.  I found certain grades were destroying my pencils and erasers.  I am holding them accountable this year by giving each group their own pencil box.  This way they can't argue with me about it being a different group who destroyed my supplies.  This is also where I have the student hand sanitizer and tissues.  They are kept far away from me and I have my own NO STUDENTS CAN USE THESE supplies right near my spot but where they can't touch it.  I try hard to minimize germs, not for myself but my own babies at home.

Here are my cute zoo themed behavior charts!  I hate buying them so I made my own to go with my theme.  Also, I color code my groups so I did it to their charts as well.  It will be easier for them to find their chart!  Like the signs above the sticker charts?  They are a great freebie from Class of Kinders and you can find them here!

That's really all I have to show you right now.  Apologies again for the blurry pics.  The lighting in my space this year seems really off.  I'm finishing up my NO PREP Vowel Diphthongs packet.  I'm also working on a pirate themed r-controlled vowel packet, NO PREP Halloween Packets (currently just Kindergarten is almost done), and of course a NO PREP R-Controlled Vowels packet as well.  Stay tuned my friends!

NO PREP Vowel Digraphs Packet

I was dying to get this finished so...I did!  Here's my NO PREP Vowel Digraphs Packet!  I really like this because it doesn't require laminating, cutting, etc.  As much as I love that, it gets old and time is precious!

There are 24 black and white worksheets included. They are:

• What Sounds Like Me? (AI)
• What Sounds Like Me? (AE)
• What Sounds Like Me? (EA)
• What Sounds Like Me? (EE)
• What Sounds Like Me? (IE)
• What Sounds Like Me? (OA)
• What Sounds Like Me? (OE)
• What Sounds Like Me? (UE)
• Fill in the Blank:  AI
• Fill in the Blank:  AY
• Fill in the Blank:  EA
• Fill in the Blank:  EE
• Fill in the Blank:  IE
• Fill in the Blank:  OA
• Fill in the Blank:  OE
• Fill in the Blank:  UE
• Match it Up:  Sheet 1
• Match it Up:  Sheet 2
• Word Scramble:  Sheet 1
• Word Scramble:  Sheet 2
• Sort it Out:  AI/AY
• Sort it Out:  EA/EE
• Sort it Out:  OA/OE
• The Missing Piece

There are 6 different types of worksheets.  The first is "What Sounds Like Me?"  This activity quickly reminds students of a particular digraph and it's sound.  It provides an example and asks students to color in all of the pictures that say the same sound as the example.

The second activity is "Fill in the Blank."  There's one for each digraph.  Students are provided with a word bank.  They must then read each sentence and decide which word from the word bank goes in it.

My third activity is called "Match it Up" and asks students to look at each picture and decide which vowel digraph they hear.  Then, they may need to think about how that vowel digraph is spelled as well.  Once they think the know what it is, they can cut it out from  the bottom and glue it next to the picture.

For the fourth activity, "Word Scramble," students must try and unscramble each word.  They must keep in mind that each word will have a vowel digraph.

 The fifth activity is called "Sort it Out."  Each sheet focuses on a vowel digraph that can be spelled two different ways.  Students must look at each picture and decide which way the digraph in the word is spelled.  There is also a "neither" column if they don't even hear the given digraphs.  Students will glue each picture into the correct column.

The final activity is "The Missing Piece."  Students will look at each word and choose the vowel digraph that is missing.  They will then glue the correct vowel digraph to complete the word.

I hope this can meet your needs!  I know it will mine!  Now that it took me 2 days to complete this post I must go control my children...haha!

(Graphics by Pink Cat Studio)

Vowel Digraph Sweet Treats

Yay!  New product!  I told you  I would do it ;)  I'm quite proud of how fast I made this.  Introducing my Vowel Digraph Sweet Treats packet! 

This packet includes 33 pages of 4 fun, colorful, candy themed activities to help reinforce vowel digraphs/talkers.  The entire packet comes in black and white as well so it's completely up to you on how you want to print it!  I made them with the idea of using them for my small groups.  They would work great for small groups or for center activities.

For "Candy Jar Sort," students will pick a piece of candy with a picture on it.  They will say the picture and listen to which vowel digraph they hear.  They will then place the candy in the correct candy jar.  Answer sheet included for self checks!

I know my students will LOVE "Read It, Spell It, Eat It!"  This is the one activity I intended on really participating in.  Teacher will pick a word card (if you feel your students could take turns reading this then go for it!).  The teacher will read the word aloud.   Students will write the word on their card.  You can either make it so they have to spell the whole word correctly or just get the vowel digraph they HEAR (ie:  either ay/ai) correct.  If they get it right, they move their piece up one space on the game board.  First person to "eat" their candy (get it up to the mouth) wins!

Now for Goody, Goody, Gumdrops!  Students will go through each picture card and use the gumdrop letters to spell out the word.  Simple but fun activity!

"Lollipop Mix-Up" is another one I know my kiddies will love!  Students will lay out the kid cards and see what picture each kid is holding.  They will then take turns picking a lollipop and reading the word.  After they read they word, they must match it to the picture that has the same vowel digraph.  This involves also knowing which spelling is correct as well so it might be best to save this one last :)

 I'm also feeling generous and want to give one away!   Anyone who comments on how they would use this product with their students will be entered to win it!  Giveaway ends Friday, July 11, 2014 at 11:59PM EST.  Good luck!

I hope this product meets your needs!  My Vowel Digraphs/Talkers:  Posters, Activities, and Worksheets packet is one of my more popular items so I'm trying to provide more for you!  I'm also working on a "NO PREP Vowel Digraphs Packet" for myself and for you!   

(Graphics by Pink Cat Studio)