Ultimate Collection of Spelling Activities

This past month I finally completed a project I have wanted to do for a few years. I wanted to make a written copy of all my spelling activities and more then that I wanted something I could display and easily show my students what the daily activity was without having to go through it all and write an example. Less explanation time, more learning time.

The spelling program that I use (available here:  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Complete-Spelling-Package-1171467) is based on route memorisation of the words and is not phonetically based. As such I wanted a complete spelling activities list that doesn't involve finding patterns etc that seem make up 50% of most other spelling activity lists. 

I managed to record 90 spelling activities and I grouped them into the following headings:Quick and easy
Literacy based
Numeracy based
Requiring materials
IPad/computer based
This makes picking a spelling activity for the day a simple task.

I believe in making spelling quick and fun. Who wouldn't get sick of repeating the same 10 activities over and over again. 90 spelling activities should get you through almost half the year before you have to repeat any. Most of the activities can be done in an exercise book to save you photocopying costs. I usually remind students to stick to the lines and use one page a week, ruling around completed spelling activities. 

I have made this complete list of spelling activities available for purchase here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ultimate-Collection-of-Spelling-Activities-Ideal-for-Smart-Board-1171455


This package contains a PDF file for you to be able to print out the activities as cards for easy reference. Print 4 to a page to save paper or A4 for display. It also contains a PowerPoint presentation for putting up on the Smartboard for easy reference by your students during spelling time. 

No Fuss Calendar!

I always liked the idea of having a class calendar but the upkeep of it always seemed to result in the calendar staying on the same date for months. I have a job chart in my class and someone assigned to update the calendar but as a lower primary teacher the students would either forget to update the calendar (at an appropriate time) or would take forever going through the cards to find the replacements- even if I put them all into order and wrapped them neatly in an elastic band.

Now I could take the responsibility away from the kids and do it myself but then you have to ask yourself what is the point of having a calendar?

Enter my new and improved calendar! All the cards have been hole punched and attached together with a hinged metal ring. This means no loose pieces, always in order and easy to update at a drop of a hat. I have the metal rings handing on large pins in the wall but you could also use strong magnets on a white board or sticky hooks on a wall. When printed on A4 the cards are largest for students to copy the date off of for their work.

Its not hard to make your own but you can download my rainbow edition at Teacherspayteacher.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/No-Fuss-Calendar-Date-Month-Day-and-Year-1174597

Included in the package is:

date, month (words and numbers form), day and year (2014 & 2015) printable cards to allow you to make a displayable flip calendar. 

Also included are 8 weather cards for those that like to include this with their calendar.

Alternatively use the months and days for a word wall display.

Persuasive Writing Unit-NAPLAN Prep

So in less then a week I go back to school! While this year is my third in grade three and I really feel like I have a good handle on the grade and a large supply of resources it will be unlike any year of my teaching career so far.

You see, I will having my first child sometime after NAPLAN this year, taking the shortest maternity leave I can (aiming at three weeks!!) and then will spend the rest of the year with a newborn in my house.

So before I go back to school I want to have as much of the term planned out as I can so I can make this term as easy on me as possible and allow for the planning of term 2. I'm terrified of going on maternity leave and coming back to a class that hasn't progressed while I was away so I want to leave detailed plans for during my absence (no, I don't  have to but I am very dedicated to my students education).
So that brings me to the first completed package for this term-

Persuasive Writing Unit.

The package is a complete 10 week unit on persuasive writing (exposition writing). It includes a planner based on ACARA curriculum that features a variety of interesting teaching strategies and the worksheets and posters to go with each lesson.

The planner was written for year 3's but is easily adjustable for using in year 4 and 5 classrooms. 

At just over three pages the planner features five to six steps for each lesson, keeping it simple and succinct. Teachers need to use their own skill to ensure the lesson remains explicit and teaching oppurtunities are not missed.  

The file has been zipped so please make sure you have a program that can open the file after downloading.

I have trialled this unit for the last two years and have achieved excellent results whilst providing education and enjoyable lessons to the students.

Enjoy!

Download link: http://www.teachersmarketplace.com.au/browse/resource/?cid=6948&searchstring=q%3Dpersuasive%2Bwriting%26resourceid%3D%26subjectid%3D

Christmas Borders

I was feeling Christmassy tonight so I created two new bulletin borders.

 I love free bulletin borders as they are add instant lift to any classroom without the price tag! I've found it hard to find interesting, theme based bulletin borders and have begun creating my own.

The Santa border is available here: https://www.teachersmarketplace.com.au/member/resources/details/?cid=6512&returnurl=%2E%2E%2F%2E%2E%2Fresources%2F%3Fdatefrom%3D%26dateto%3D%26price%3D%26hidden%3D

This is definitely my favourite and is available here: https://www.teachersmarketplace.com.au/member/resources/details/?cid=6511&returnurl=%2E%2E%2F%2E%2E%2Fresources%2F%3Fdatefrom%3D%26dateto%3D%26price%3D%26hidden%3D

Not specifically for Christmas this border can be used year round and is available here: https://www.teachersmarketplace.com.au/member/resources/details/?cid=6210&returnurl=%2E%2E%2F%2E%2E%2Fresources%2F%3Fdatefrom%3D%26dateto%3D%26price%3D%26hidden%3D and here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Purple-Bulletin-Board-Border-878974

This one was just too cute to leave off and is available here: https://www.teachersmarketplace.com.au/member/resources/details/?cid=6209&returnurl=%2E%2E%2F%2E%2E%2Fresources%2F%3Fdatefrom%3D%26dateto%3D%26price%3D%26hidden%3D and here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Cute-Owl-Bulletin-Border-878363

Follow me on here, Teacher's Market Place or Teachers Pay Teachers so you don't miss out on future freebies!

Cool Fonts to Decorate Your Resources or Classroom

Today I am going to share with you my two favourite sites for fonts.
1) Instant Display
http://www.instantdisplay.co.uk/naturedisplaylettering.htm

These are downloadable as editable word documents to allow you to make your own words and print or print the whole alphabet. Each letter is a picture graphic.

2) Dafont

http://www.dafont.com/new.php

All the fonts on this website are to be put into your font file and then can be used for any word, paint, PowerPoint or other program where you can type in a selection of fonts. Above are the names and a sample of some of the ones I have downloaded.

Did I mention the best thing about these sites? 

THEY ARE FREE!

Get your students to clean the floor and enjoy it!

We all know the drill...You just did a cutting activity with your students and their rubbish is all over the floor. The bell is about to go and you need it cleaned up FAST! Most teachers would start walking around directing students to pick it up. Some students would complain, others would do the bare minimum and no one is going to take credit for the rubbish in the corner!
Here's a trick that will have kids WANTING to pick up as much rubbish as they can and have FUN doing it. A simple game called

 I Spy a Piece of Rubbish!

All you do is pick a bit of rubbish on the floor (with your eyes) and tell the kids whoever picks it up gets a reward. A sticker or school reward, doesn't have to be big, it could even be choosing the game the class will play next. Students go around picking up as much rubbish as they can. Wait until someone picks up the piece you chose and reward them. If your floor is still messy, keep playing with a new selected piece of rubbish until your floor is clean. 

Tips and Tricks:

1) You can make it easy and lock you eyes on the piece so the kids have an idea of the area or keep an eye on the piece out of the corner of your eye so the students have no idea. 

2) No one says you have to play honestly- you can always say the piece of rubbish you picked was the last to be picked up or happened to be picked up by a student who did a good job cleaning up.

3) I find for grades 3 and under that you have to reiterate a few times that you know which piece of rubbish it is and will know when someone picks it up. They don't need to bring every bit of rubbish up to you and ask if that was the one!

4) Make sure to inform them that the rubbish they pick up must go in the bin. If you get students only 'touching' pieces in a lazy attempt to win try only announcing the winner when the piece is placed in the bin. You could also try introducing a rule that every five pieces they must bin their rubbish.

I promise, by using this trick your class floor will be clean in no time!

Timetable

Timetable

A displayed timetable is great to have in the room for a variety of reasons and I happen to have three on display in my classroom!

The first timetable I have is the standard timetable that we try to follow each week (when there aren't interruptions). It is displayed on my door so parents and students can discuss what we are doing that day before they are allowed in. I also send copies home to parents at the beginning of they year and as requested through out the year as I change my timetable around regularly.

The second timetable is my weekly lesson planning document. I choose to type mine up rather then have a Teacher Journal/Planner/DWP  as I find this simpler to use (copy and paste is my key to quick planning). I also try hard to keep it to one page. It is pinned up next to my mat area for easy access so I don't miss anything out and can give the students a run through of the day at the start of the day.

Lastly, I have the class timetable that is changeable depending on the day and lessons plans for that day. I have a student responsible for changing it daily and they use the headings from my timetable to change it.  

You can purchase a copy of it here:http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Day-to-Day-Changeable-Timetable-836908

I have had a child with Autism in my class every single year and they say that what is best for students with Autism is best practice for all students. A timetable helps to settle students as they know what they are doing and what they are going to do. It helps to reduce anxiety and keep the students focused. I like it as it stops the "what are we doing now/next?" question or the just as popular "when are we doing...?". Think about when you have a PD day, don't you like knowing what you are doing? We don't like surprises and we like to keep a track of what we are up to in the day.

Usually students with disabilities have their own timetable (on their desk or near by wall). I try to ease them into a class timetable so they don't feel different and can learn greater independence. Not to mention the work that goes into doing their timetable daily and the extra clutter it creates on their desk. Of course there are some students that need their own timetable, especially if they do a great amount of separate work or need the action of 'taking off' things they have done.

The pictures on my timetable are simple so that students who cannot read can still use it. It is quick to update and takes up a small amount of room. If you are one of the teachers that don't put up a timetable or painstakingly write it up on the board, consider using this timetable. 

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