Back to Back or Hot Seat to review CCSS

HOT SEAT or BACK TO BACK...have you played it?  We did today!
Two students sit back to back in chairs or on the floor.  Next, choose a topic or concept to review.  Quickly ask them questions about the topic or concept.  For example-Plants- What part holds the plant in the ground?  What part makes food for the plant? etc.  I aso choose math topics-subtraction and addition facts, turn around facts, double facts, even and odd, adding and subtracting 10, 5, 100, and place value.   Social studies topics can also be used- Who is our President?  How many continents are there?  I also use English topics-Name a verb.  What comes on the end of this sentence (How old am I?)? What type of sentence is this (Sit down.)?   etc.  Of course, I through in random questions-How old are you?  What is your first name?  How many letters are in your first name?

THEY LOVED HOT SEAT-IT WAS THE HOT GAME OF THE DAY!!!!

If you play it, let me know how and what your students think of the game!

Smiles!

Tool for Common Core and More!

Monday, the 13th of August, yes it is here!  I had to type that to try to wrap my internal clock around the fact that we are almost half way through August!  YIKES!!!!
Well last week I found out I will be teaching Multi-age (1st and 2nd grade) all day!  Previously, I was only going to teach Multi-age in the morning!  I AM EXCITED,  EAGER, ANXIOUS, and furiously searching through 1st Grade materials, Blogs, and resources! ( I want to find out as much as I can about my typical Youngers' skill levels and interests).   I have also meet with a Multi-age teacher and she shared with me her insight, wisdom, and "hints" about her experiences with Multi-age teaching!  She was helpful and full of Multi-age passion and love!  I hope at the end of this school year I can share with other prospective Multi-age teachers her sound understanding of Multi-age teaching!

2nd Grade Flip Book

Our principal did give all teachers a resource that is close to being one of BFF's!!!  It is called the Common Core Standards Flip Chart and it is by Mentoring Minds.  I received one for 1st and 2nd Grade!!!  Hooray, all the standards for math and ELA in a flip chart!  The chart breaks down each standard and highlights activities that teachers could do to meet the standards!   Additionally, the flip chart has intervention tips, the Dolch Sight word lists, vocabulary strategies and interventions, and assessment strategies!  Have you seen these?
My room is still under "construction," but I hope to post pictures soon!!
SMILES!!!!

1st Grade ELA Standards and activities

1st Grade Accommodation Strategies

 

b and d Reversals

Happy Friday (I hope it is sunny and at least 72 degrees by you; here it is cloudy and the temp is hovering around 60 degrees)!  Are you getting anxious; are you feeling the back to school butterflies yet?  I am trying "real hard" *emphasizing* not to beat myself too much by trying to perfect everything in my classroom!  I have seen so many wonderful pictures of yours and others classrooms (Design Star quality) and I second guess what I have done in my classroom!  Ahhh, the joys of Type A personality!   haven't had dreams about what I need to move or arrange differently so I guess my mind is at ease when I sleep! :>)  If you are dreaming-literally dreaming- about your classroom, will warm milk or white noise help?????

So, onto my post idea!  Do you have a magic trick for b and d reversals?  I am tutoring two students who flip them and will interchange them when reading and writing!  Furthermore, in 2nd Grade it is still "common" for a few 7 and 8 year old students to reverse b and d.  Over the years, I have collected a few tricks and tools to put in my Resource Bag!  Here are a few:

• b and d with fists aka Thumbs Up!- the student puts up his or fists on each hand to make a b with the left hand and a d with the right hand.  It can be also pointed out the b is first in the alphabet and it is also first when you put up you b and d on you fists!
• b and d with pointer and thumb-the student uses his/her pointer finger and brings it down to touch his/her extended thumb (the pointer finger should make a circle shape when it touches the thumb).  
• b and d on sand paper letters (the preschool student I work with is a top fan of these)- On the sand paper letters there are green and red dots, arrows, and numbers to indicate where to start, form the letter and where to stop.
• sky write b and d-make sure to use a "sharpened finger pencil" and use big arm movements to make a b and d in the sky while saying the letter
• table top or desk top b and d-make a b and d with pointer on a desk or table surface while saying the letter.
• c comes before d-if students remember that c comes before d than they can make the c first and add the stick to form the d.
• mouth positions-have students use what position their mouth is in when they make the b and d sound- b-closed  d-open  
• bat/ball, doorknob/door-teach students to make the b first they make the bat then the ball.  For the d first they make the doorknob and then add the door.
•  gel bags- make b and d in a baggie filled with gel
• shaving cream-make b and d in a shaving cream (and clean the desk at the same time)

 I hope these help you!  Do you have any to share; if so, please do!  :>)

SMILES!

b and d poster