common core lessons for kindergarten

Is It On Your Left Or Is It On Your Right?

free common core lessons for kindergarten, pumpkin activities, pumpkin lessons, left or right lessons, left or right activities, spatial direction activities, spatial direction lessons, spatial direction booklet, left or right booklet, daily 5 activities for october, daily 5 activities for fall, common core lessons for kindergarten, common core lessons for 1st grade, listening and following directions activities, listening and following directions lessons, October arts and crafts, pumpkin arts and crafts, Learning spatial directions is a Y5 report card standard.  One of the most difficult ones for my kiddos to learn was left and right.

I designed the easy reader Left or Right? with an October theme, to help my students learn this standard, in a fun way, while also reinforcing other skills.

This packet is filled with fun activities to help your students practice their fine motor, listening and following direction skills, as well as help reinforce this rather difficult spatial direction, in an interesting way.

Students read and trace a sentence, deciding whether things are on the left or right side of the page.

Point out the fact that the first word is capitalized and that the sentences have ending punctuation, as well as the fact that they have spaces between words and that they are reading from left to right and top down and you’ll be reinforcing 4 Common Core State Standards as well. 

Children also practice their cutting and gluing skills as they follow directions. 

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I’ve also included a skill sheet and pumpkin paddle art activity, where students flip their pumpkin Popsicle stick to show left or right, so that you can whole group assess. 

pumpkin activities, pumpkin lessons, left or right lessons, left or right activities, spatial direction activities, spatial direction lessons, spatial direction booklet, left or right booklet, daily 5 activities for october, daily 5 activities for fall, common core lessons for kindergarten, common core lessons for 1st grade, listening and following directions activities, listening and following directions lessons, October arts and crafts, pumpkin arts and crafts, There’s left and right hand posters and a certificate of praise too. 

Click on the link to view/download Left or Right?

Thanks for visiting today. Feel free to PIN anything you think others may find helpful.

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diane@teachwithme.com or leave a comment here.

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Howl With The Owls And Learn About Vowels!

Vowel Owls are a fun, hands-on way to teach Common Core State Standards:RF.K3b, RF.K2a, RF.K2d, RF.K3c.

Students sort the 570 CVC & Dolch word cards  into the various long and short vowel owl cups.

cvc word cards, cvc words, cvc games, cvc list of words, vowel activities, long vowel activities, short vowel activirties, vowel games, alphabet games, owl activitiesThe Vowel Owls make a great "Word Work" Daily 5 activity. The cards are just the right size, small for little hands and easy printing. With 60 CVC words on a page, and 10 pages, you'll have enough cards to practice as a whole group.

long and short vowel activities, vowel lessons, common core lessons for kindergarten, common core lessons, for 1st grade, daily 5 activities, word work activirties, CVC lessons, Dolch word lessons, Dolch word activities, CVC word activities, CVC games, Dolch Word games, owl activities, word games, I've also included a Vowel Howl game board, as another option for a fun way to practice long & short vowel sounds, as well as a list of other things you can do with the word cards, including games, + sorting the cards by rhyming sounds, to cover another Common Core State Standard.

Click on the link to view/download the Vowel Owl Packet.

long and short vowel activities, vowel lessons, common core lessons for kindergarten, common core lessons, for 1st grade, daily 5 activities, word work activirties, CVC lessons, Dolch word lessons, Dolch word activities, CVC word activities, CVC games, Dolch Word games, owl activities, word games, Thanks for visiting today. Do you have a vowel activity you could share with us? I'd enjoy hearing from you. diane@teachwithme.com or post a comment here.

I hope you and your students get a hoot out of these activities and are enjoying a fun-filled fall!   It's brisk this morning and frost is definitely on the pumpkins.  Time to drain and bring in our garden hoses.  Wishing you a delightful day.

"Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes." -Parkes Robinson

Figuring Out Figures In A Fun Way!
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Whenever I introduced math concepts to my Y5's I liked to make it hands on.

We played lots of games and I used manipulatives whenever I could.

As one of my students was fond of saying: "We didn't even know we was learnin' cuz we was havin' so much fun!"

I created I See Sum Fall Puzzles so that little ones would especially enjoy solving simple addition problems in a more creative way than simply looking at them on a worksheet.

Putting puzzles together was also a report card standard, so these would do double-duty.

Students solve addition problems by cutting and gluing the puzzle piece answers to the appropriate equations.

common core math lessons for kindergarten, common core math lessons for first grade, common core lessons for kindergarten, common core lessons for first grade, math center activities, math games, math puzzles, puzzle activities, math lessons for kindergarten, math lessons for first grade, addition activiteis, addition games, subtraction lessons, addition lessons, subtraction games, addition puzzles, subtraction puzzles, fall games, fall math games, This packet includes 11 fall puzzles + a blank template to program your own equations, so you can also do subtraction, multiplication and division.

Several of the other puzzles are also without numeric answers in the boxes, so they can be programed as well to meet other Common Core Standards.

You can laminate the puzzles and store them in Ziploc baggies, using them as math centers each year, or run off individual puzzles for each student, and use them as worksheets. 

Have students arrange pieces on the equation sheets before they glue them down, making sure the picture "looks correct" before they glue pieces down, to make sure they have the right answers.

You can also switch things up a bit and challenge students to program their own puzzles and then exchange worksheets with another student. 

What a fun way to practice math skills!

Do you have a math game your students enjoy that you could share with us?  I'd enjoy hearing from you.  diane@teachwithme.com or leave a comment here.

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Click on the link to view/download I See Sum Fall Puzzles

"Encouragement is oxygen to the soul." George M. Adams

Fall Into Some Fun Common Core Writing For Fall!

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Craftivities also make simple and easy bulletin boards or hallway displays that are pretty outstanding.

These fall writing prompts will help you teach several Common Core State Standards. They are listed and explained below.

Draw an oak tree on brown bulletin board paper with bare branches so that you can hang the leaves and acorn writing prompts on it, and scatter the squirrels underneath.

The leaves say: I see... I hear... I smell... The acorns say: I taste... and the squirrels say: I feel... (Older students write the entire sentence; younger students trace the first few words.)

Display the tree on a wall in the hallway.  You can use the caption: Our 5-Senses Creative Writing Oak Tree OR Using Our 5-Sense In The Fall.

If you want this to appear a bit more 3-D, twist brown lunch bags into strands, and use duct tape to attach them to the branches and down the trunk.

Run the oak leaves off on a variety of colored construction paper, as this will look better than brown leaves, even though oak leaves turn brown when they lose their chlorophyll.  Mention this fact to your students.

Gather students in front of the whiteboard. Review what the 5 senses are.  Brainstorm with them about using their 5 senses to see, hear, smell, taste and feel different things typical of the fall season.

Review beginning capitalization of words, Common Core State Standard: L.K.2a, as well as ending punctuation. Common Core State Standard: L. K. 2b, and RF.1.1 as well as L.1.2b for 1st grade.

Have students spell simple words phonetically, drawing on knowledge of sound-letter relationships, or write a list of words from your brainstorming session on the white board having students help you spell them as you write them. Common Core State Standard: L.K.2d for kindergarten and L.1.2d for 1st grade where they use conventional spelling for words with common spelling patterns and for frequently occurring irregular words.

Review what a noun, verb and adjective are, with older students.  Keep things simple for PK students and have them TRACE the beginning words and complete the sentence with 1 noun and a period.  K’s can add nouns and verbs; older students can add adjectives as well.

Make sure that you do an example yourself, explaining the parts of speech, grammar and punctuation as you go. RF.K.1a (Point out to students that they are reading words from left to right, top to bottom and page by page.) RF.K.1c (Point out that the words are separated by spaces and remind them to make sure they have a finger-space between their words too.)

Students can add color to their cut out pieces.  Remind them to include their names.  For a bit more pizzazz, you can also add glitter.  Use this as an incentive for students if they give their best effort and do their work correctly.

To give variety to your “wall board,” I have designed two squirrels.  You can run off both kinds and give children a choice.  Sprinkle the squirrels around the bottom of your oak tree.

If you don’t want to make a bulletin board, or hallway tree mural out of these writing prompts, you can collate the pages together to make a class book.  I’ve provided a cover for you if you want to do that.

You can also suspend the various similar pieces back-to-back from fish line and hang from the ceiling.   bulletin boards for september, bulletin boards for october, bulletin boards for november, bulletin boards for common core, bulletin boards for writing, bulletin boards for fall, bulletin boards for leaves, bulletin boards for trees, writing prompts for september, writing prompts for fall, writing prompts for october, writing prompts for november, daily 5 activities, craftivities for october, craftivities for november, leaf activities, acorn activities, squirrel activities, 5 senses activities, class made books, common core writing lessons for kindergarten, common core writing lessons for first grade, common core reading lessons for kindergarten, common core reading lessons for first grade, common core lessons for kindergarten, common core lessons for first grade, creative writing prompts, Click on the link to view/download 5-Senses Oak Tree Creative Writing packet.  Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN anything you think others may find helpful.

"It takes time to save time." -Joe Taylor

Getting Boxed In, Can Be Educational AND Fun!

The 50-word Elkonin Box Packet was such a popular download; I decided to do another packet.

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I also made a sheet of blank Elkonin Box templates, so that students could try their hand at writing a word at the top and then segmenting the word into individual phonemes underneath.

I believe that by providing a template, students are empowered, instead of being frustrated, as my Y5’s often had a difficult time drawing boxes.

This also expedites the exercise and allows children to concentrate on the lesson at hand.

Click on the link to view/download Elkonin Box Packet #2

elkonin boxes, lessons for elkonin boxes, elkonin box templates, daily 5 activities, blends, phonemes, phoneme lessons, lessons with blends, segmenting word lessons, common core lessons for kindergarten, common core lessons for first grade, In  Introduction To Elkonin Boxes I give detailed instructions of how to guide your students through segmenting simple CVC words and then moving on from there.

This packet includes 3, 4, and 5 Elkonin box blank templates.

Unlike the first two Elkonin Box packets, these do not have pictures, and are boxes that are equal in size.

I also give you a variety of quick and easy ideas of things you can do with the Elkonin boxes,that are sure to not only turn light bulbs on, but get your students excited about segmenting words.

Click on the link to view/download Introduction to Elkonin Boxes.

elkonin boxes, lessons for elkonin boxes, elkonin box templates, daily 5 activities, blends, phonemes, phoneme lessons, lessons with blends, segmenting word lessons, common core lessons for kindergarten, common core lessons for first grade, Thanks for visiting.  Feel free to PIN anything you think others might find helpful.

“Never know too much to learn something new.” –Og Mandino

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Writing Prompts From A Poster!

Well the creative juices were flowing last week when I diddled around with a song to teach Common Core Standards.  I didn't think I could get more fun than Old MacDonald helping out with vowels.

I putzed with the idea of making up a poster to help students do a bit of creative writing.  Kids love posters, and as the saying goes "A picture is worth a 1,000 words" so why not use one to stimulate writing those words.

I thought by making an interesting and thought-provoking poster, teachers could use it as a segway into several writing prompts their students would enjoy diving into.

Older students could write about the symbolism and what the poster means.  Teachers could explain this to lower elementary.

Even young children can think of other things in the classroom that could give advice and tell what advice they would give.

After discussion, let them choose an object and complete a sentence, like the poster, making an illustration. Have them cut and glue their contribution to a class tag board poster.

This would make a nice "Word Work" activity for Daily 5.

Older students can make their own poster, using their room or another room in their home or school as the example.

What a hoot to do the cafeteria, gym, locker room, kitchen, basement or garage!

Click on the link to view/download Wisdom From The Classroom Poster.

creative writing, posters, free anchor charts, free posters, daily 5 activities,Thanks for visiting today. Feel free to PIN anything you think others might find worthwhile.

"Nothing has a better effect upon children than praise." -Sir Philip Sidney

Old MacDonald Had Some Vowels!

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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!

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

 

My Pumpkin Shape Booklet Easy Reader (K.G.2)

Since yesterday’s My Pumpkin Booklet was such a huge hit, I decided to continue with a pumpkin theme for the rest of the week.

common core lessons for kindergarten, common core lessons for first grade, pumpkin activities, easy reader booklets, daily 5 activities for october, pumpkin booklet, pumpkin lessons, class books students make, reading center activities, writing center activities, The 14-page My Pumpkin Shape Booklet Easy Reader packet is a fun way to review the basic shapes and common Word Wall words with your students.

When students make these easy readers you can review concepts of print with them by asking simple questions: Where is the cover, where is the back page, what is the title? (RI.K5) They will delight in the fact that they are part author as well as the illustrator of the booklet. (RI.K6

You can point out to them that the first word in the sentence is capitalized (L.K2a) and ask them what the end punctuation is. (L.K2b) In my easy readers where they re-write the entire sentence this reinforces those standards.

Students are also following words from left to right, top to bottom, and page by page.  (RF.K3a ) They are seeing and understanding that words are separated by spaces in print as they trace and then write them. (RF.K3d)

I specifically choose common high-frequency words in the easy readers and repeat them through out the booklets so that simply via repetition students learn them. (the, of, to, you, she, he, my, is, are, a, do, does, it, etc.) This is also a Common Core State Standard: (RF.K3c)

Children TRACE the words in the sentences as well as the shape and then write the shape word and draw the shape on the oval pumpkin, which they also trace.

common core lessons for kindergarten, common core lessons for first grade, pumpkin activities, easy reader booklets, daily 5 activities for october, pumpkin booklet, pumpkin lessons, class books students make, reading center activities, writing center activities, Because of the spatially placed shapes, the last page has the pumpkin turning into a Jack-O-Lantern.

Take this opportunity to ask your students how the shapes are placed. Is the circle nose ABOVE the triangle teeth? Are the square eyes UNDER the rectangle stem? You have then incorporated the Common Core standand K.G.1 where "Students describe objects in the environment using names of shapes, and describe the relative positions of these objects using terms such as above, below, beside, in front of, behind, and next to. "

Younger students can trace him, older students can draw their own. (There are 2 different pages.)

Also includes 3 skill sheets about shapes, a certificate of praise, and 8-word wall-flashcards including 6-shape picture cards.

Students can make these into an Itty Bitty booklet. Make a laminated set to use for a Memory Match game, where the students can match the words to the picture or the colored picture to the non-colored picture.

The booklet + worksheets make a great independent writing center or Daily 5 activity.

common core lessons for kindergarten, common core lessons for first grade, pumpkin activities, easy reader booklets, daily 5 activities for october, pumpkin booklet, pumpkin lessons, class books students make, reading center activities, writing center activities, Click on the link to view/download My Pumpkin Shape Booklet Easy Reader packet.

Thank you for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN anything you think others might find useful.

common core lessons for kindergarten, common core lessons for first grade, pumpkin activities, easy reader booklets, daily 5 activities for october, pumpkin booklet, pumpkin lessons, class books students make, reading center activities, writing center activities, Do you have a pumpkin activity your students really enjoy?  I’d LOVE hearing from you! diane@teachwithme.com or take a moment and leave a comment here. Thanks in advance!

common core lessons for kindergarten, common core lessons for first grade, pumpkin activities, easy reader booklets, daily 5 activities for october, pumpkin booklet, pumpkin lessons, class books students make, reading center activities, writing center activities, “What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to a human soul.” –Joseph Addison

 

 

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1-2-3 Come Get Rid Of The First Day Jitters With Me!

As promised here is the Common Core packet for First Day Jitters.  As with If You Take A Mouse To School, it was requested by a lot of teachers.

If there are more Common Core Packets you'd like me to whip together, just drop me an e-mail diane@teachwithme.com, or leave a comment here. 

These packets truly are a very simple, quick, and easy way to cover the Common Core State Standards: RI.K5,RI.K6,RI.K9,RI.K10,RL.K2, RL.K3,RL.K6, L.K1d, RI.1.9, RL.1.2, RL.1.3 in a short amount of time.

Your students will enjoy them, as they are empowered by the consistency in format.  To view/download the other common core packets, click on the following links:  The Kissing HandChrysanthemumIf You Give A Mouse A Cookie, and  If You Take A Mouse To School.

 The packet includes:

  • A beginning-middle-end story map that will help students retell First Day Jitters
  • A "favorite part" retelling "writing prompt" bookmark
  • A compare and contrast Venn diagram with The Kissing Hand book
  • Character, Setting and Event cards. (Laminate, put magnets on the back and put them up on your white board. Write down students' answers under the cards.)
  • Question Words activity sheet, reinforcing the who, what, why, when, where, how words.
  • Cover of book to label book parts + review author and illustrator
  • Feelings worksheet and writing prompt
  • Feelings graphing extension
  • "Jitters" synonym discussion and worksheet

The "Feelings" worksheet is great for a September writing prompt, and the one covering synonyms is great for Daily 5 "Word Work". Click on the link to view/download First Day Jitters Common Core packet.

back to school activities, first week of school activities, september writing prompts, daily 5 activities for september, daily 5 word work for september, synonymn activities, activities for first day jitters, lessons for first day jitters, ideas for first day jitters, books to read for back to schsool, books to read for the first day of school, feelings activities, feelings lessons, graphing lessons, graphing feelings, venn diagram lessons, venn diagrams comparing books, common core lessons ofr kindergarten, common core lessons for first grade, lessons and activities for the kissing hand, lessons and activities for chrysanthemum, lessons and activities for if you give a mouse a cookie, lessons and activities for if you take a mouse to school,Thanks for visiting today!  I hope you're getting excited, rather than anxious for your first day!  As for me, I'm off to take a break and get some fresh air.  My brain's been on overload lately...perhaps basking a bit in the sunshine will help unclutter my mind.

"I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow." - Woodrow Wilson