Old MacDonald Had Some Vowels!

Well, I've written several blog articles using kiddie lit to help teach the Common Core Standards, as well as class-made books and art activities.  I thought is there a song that children know that I can use to teach Common Core?

That got me to thinking of what song do most children know? Old MacDonald came to mind, and as soon as I sang E-I-E-I-O, I thought of vowels! So, the Old MacDonald Had Some Vowels song-booklet was born.

It's 7 pages and covers the Common Core State Standards:RF.K1a, RF.K1b, RF.K1c, RF.K3b, RF.K3c, RL.K.10 woo hoo!

As I stated above, because most children are familiar with the tune of Old MacDonald, this booklet is a fun way to guide them into learning about long and short vowels.

In case you have some children who are from other countries and cultures, or live here and are not familiar with Old MacDonald, obtain a picture book of the original as well as a CD of the song. 

Introduce both to your students, so that you can also compare and contrast the two.  Get the wiggles out by having children choose an animal and prance around for a few minutes as animals, before you get down to business, then begin your lesson.

You should already have introduced vowels to your students and done letter sorting between consonants and vowels with them.  I have several activities, posters, puzzles, and packets that you can obtain lessons for this. Simply click on my Vowel link.

Students are able to read the repetitious simple sentences, because they are filled with common Dolch sight words.

The pictures help them guess the new words that begin with the long or short vowel sound that they repeat to the tune of Old MacDonald.

Cutting and gluing a matching picture helps them practice much-needed fine motor skills, which makes this a nice independent reading center or Daily 5 activity.

Instead of the familiar E-I-E-I-O of the old favorite, children are learning all of their vowels by repeating them through out the story-song: A-E-I-O-U. 

Animals and songs are favorites with children; combine them, and you have a winning combination for learning!

Click on the link to view/download Old MacDonald Had Some Vowels

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""Things can be different only if you can make them different." -Unknown

 Ready. Set. Action!

Having to write a simple sentence with a noun and verb, with appropriate capitalization and end punctuation is now a standard for even our youngest students.

This can be a pretty big mountain to climb, as some of them are just learning how to write their name and to identify the letters of the alphabet, so I thought why not cover all of these standards in a fun way with an alliterative class-made alphabet book!

The 36-page Name & Action Verb and Noun Class Book packet, is perfect for first graders, and something that can be done later in the year for kindergartners and makes a great Daily 5 or reading or writing center activity.

The packet covers the Common Core Standards: RF.K1a, RF.K1c, RF.K1d, RF.K3a, RI.K.5, RI.K.6, L.K1a, L.K1b, L.K2a, L.K2b

I'm very familiar with Kindergarten standards, and I know some of the first grade standards over lap, but I don't have a handle on all of them. Sorry I don't have the numbers for you. 

Students write a simple sentence using a letter from the alphabet that starts with the letter of their name.They underline the capital letter of the beginning word as well as the ending punctuation.

To make sure they have included an “action word” (verb) and a “thing word” (noun) they need to underline those as well.Children then illustrate their page.

I chose to make this an alliterative book because I think tongue twisters are not only more fun, and a bit more challenging for first graders, but they help reinforce the Common Core Standard RF.K3a where students demonstrate basic knowledge of letter-sound correspondences, by producing the primary or most frequent sound for each consonant.

If you think this is too difficult for your PK’s or K’s, simply have them think of any verb or noun and simply work on that skill, rather than make it too complicated.

I suggest sitting in a circle around the white board and brainstorming each child’s words, as a whole group, which would help the light bulbs go on via repetition, as you are continuously working on the same concept over and over with different letters, with everyone helping you until you have completed the task.

You could also send the page home as a home-school assignment, and let parents work one-on-one with their child.

Add a photo to make the book even more interesting. This could be a picture you took on their first day of school, or their professional school picture. Have children outline it with a black marker.

You can run off the last page so everyone can work on their letter skills.  Have them trace and then write their letters and then pair up with a partner and quiz each other on which letter is which.  I've also included a certificate of praise.

When everyone has completed their page, laminate and collate them into a class book.

Make sure that you do a sample page of your own.  My students are always surprised to find out that I too, have a first name.

As you share your example page, show them the organization and basic features of print: How they follow words from left to right, top to bottom and page by page (RF.K1a) making sure that they see and then write their own words separating them by spaces. (RF.K1d).

Point out the title page, front cover, and back cover.  Once again have them define what an author and illustrator do. They will be thrilled that THEY are the authors as well as illustrators.

If you simply do that, you will also be working on the Common Core State Standards: RI.K.5, RL.K.6

When you get to a student’s page have them come up and read/share their page.

When they are done they can choose one question to ask the class: What the action verb was, what the noun was, what was the name of the end punctuation or what letter was capitalized?

Students will enjoy “playing teacher” and you will be reinforcing several standards in a fun way, as each child shares their page!

Click on the link to view/download Name and Action Class Book

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“See everything; overlook a great deal; correct a little.” –Pope John XXIII

123 Come Count With Me!

Since the 123 Count With Me Booklets have been so popular, I wanted to design some with May themes in mind.

I just finished 123 Count Flowers With Me,  123 Count Frogs With Me and 123 Count Insects With Me!

Click on the links to view/download any or all of the booklets.

These are easy readers that are perfect for an independent math center or Daily 5 activity.

Students really enjoy doing them, and feel empowered.  Their independence, frees the teacher up to work one-on-one with other students, or do assessing.

The booklets review a variety of math concepts and are a great plug-in for when students complete other work, super for a sub folder or to send home with a struggling student.

Children trace then write the number and number word and circle it in the sequence.

Using a bingo dauber they make dots in a ten-frame to equal the number.

Have students use 2 colors and make an ABAB pattern to reinforce yet another standard!

Finally, students cut and glue the matching numbered group/set of objects to the numbered box in their book.

The last page ties everything up and repeats the number 10.

123 Count With Me booklets include traceable word and number cards, with matching covers, so that students can make Itty Bitty booklets, as well as a +1 more worksheet, a graphing extension and a certificate of praise.

Click on the link to view all of the 123 Count With Me books that are available.

Thanks for visiting today. I hope you can click on over tomorrow for more ideas.

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Scroll down for article #2 today: A helpful Kindergarten Readiness Checklist

Activities For Dolch Words

Looking for something different to do with Dolch Words?  Look no farther!

I’ve made traceable word cards for Pre-Primer through 3rd, that you can turn into an Itty Bitty booklet.

Students enjoy tracing the words, cutting out the cards and sequencing them in alphabetical order, adding a cover and turning them into a mini booklet that’s fun to share with their families.

You can use these cards for Memory Match “Concentration” games, “I Have Who Has?” games or sprinkle them on the floor and have students find and then sequence them as a whole group.

 Students can choose a partner and play “Speed” and several other card games too.

I've also included a set of bomb cards so students can play "Kaboom" as well.  Directions for these games are in the tip sheet.

There are also worksheets where students trace and alphabetize the words as well.

These things make nice Daily 5 activities too.

Click on the links for the various Dolch Word Cards and activities: Dolch Pre-primer cards, Dolch Kindergarten cards, Dolch First Grade cards, Dolch Second Grade cards, or Dolch Third Grade cards.

If you think up some other uses, I’d enjoy hearing from you This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or feel free to comment here.

Thanks in advance for your time.  

Be sure and pop back tomorrow for more interesting teaching tips.