Favorite Stories: Room on the Broom!

Currently, my favorite Halloween book is Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson! My students always love the whimsical story, lively illustrations and the rhythm of the text almost feels musical when read aloud (There is, in fact, a musical version that can be heard HERE!).

I always read the book a few times, do a little dramatic play with some props and then towards the end of the week I show the short animated movie - the kids really love this story!

Since the story is repetitive, it great for having the children join in while reading and to work on retelling skills afterwards. I really wanted my students to be able to engage with this story over and over again in new and different hands-on ways, so I created a few activities to go with it - they can be found HERE. 

My students' absolute FAVORITE activity is this Build & Balance Retelling activity: 

Students have to balance the broom by carefully stacking the storytelling props on top of each other. I created several printable options including foldable picture props, pictures to attach to wooden blocks (or these BLOCKS), or pictures sized for DUPLO type blocks. Several options make for quick and easy differentiation! 

The foldable stacking pieces are the easiest to balance and the quietest, but are more fragile than the pictures sized for wooden blocks. The Duplo pictures are great for adding to your building area and they stick together so there isn't really much balancing, just building. 

Build it up, but don't knock it down! 

For older students, I added some worksheet options to go with the activities including pages for retelling, creative writing, problem solving, main idea and story elements. There are MANY different options for each, which makes for easy differentiation! 

I also collected these great dramatic play props so that the children can act out the story!

Spring Literacy: Book Companion for Stuck by Oliver Jeffers

One of my most favorite spring books is STUCK by Oliver Jeffers!

I just finished updating the activities in my Book Companion pack for the Oliver Jeffers book Stuck. I added a few more pages at the suggestion of a few teacher friends, updated the formatting to maximize the use of space and cleaned up the design and organization. I even added a completely new STEM based retelling activity!



The pack includes three different picture/props for retelling: Large pictures for cutting out, small pictures for attaching to blocks and small foldable 3D pieces.

The story blocks or foldable 3D pictures can also be used for retelling and a Build & Balance STEM based activity! The picture below is what the 3D foldable pieces look like.

You'll need a cardboard tube for the trunk ( I rolled brown poster board) and assorted sizes of popsicle sticks (I used about twelve 3"-8" green sticks). Students will need to first build a sturdy tree from the popsicle sticks and cardboard tube, then try to balance all of the story retell pieces on top; it's harder than it looks! Here's how I usually set it up:

The following block sets (affiliate links included for your convenience) contain blocks that are the proper size to create the story blocks. Simply print out the pictures at 100% size on regular paper, then cut and tape or glue them to your blocks. I usually use clear packaging tape rather than glue because I like to reuse my blocks.

Worksheet options include pages for retelling (using pictures and/or words), story elements, main idea, creative drawing & writing, and problem solving.

And, don't miss this simplified version of the story; it's great for younger students or those with speech and/or language challenges. Find this FREE printable HERE!

Check out my old post about this unit HERE where you can see some more pictures of the activities in action!



Here are some of the supplies you'll need to set up these activities:

Literacy Center: Secret Message CVC Words

Looking for something new and unique to add to your classroom literacy centers?! I've got just the thing!

After creating these Secret Message Sight Word activities, I was inspired to create a similar activity for CVC words. It works exactly the same as my Secret Message Sight Word activity:

1. Print & Prep - There isn't really too much to do to get this activity ready. Simply print the word cards on white card stock and laminate for durability. There are 20 word cards divided into two sets; the sets are clearly marked with a shape in the upper right hand corner. Two printing options are included: full color pictures OR black and white outline pictures. However, the cards still MUST be printed in color on white paper for the activity to work properly!

2. Make or Buy a Decoder - Instructions for creating a decoder window from dollar store materials are included; all that you'll need is cards stock, glue, scissors and red cellophane. If you don't feel like making a decoder, it's also possible to purchase a decoder pretty cheaply. See some suggestions below!

3. Choose a Worksheet - Choose and print the recording sheet that is most appropriate for your students. There are many differentiated options so all of your students will be able to enjoy this activity at their level! Options include: write the word in Elkonin boxes, fill in initial, middle and final sounds in Elkonin boxes, write or trace the word with or without lines, color the picture (great for non-writers!), color and trace, and color/say/segment. There's also an answer key so that students can check their own work.

   

4. Set Up & Teach the Center - The activity can be set up as either a Write the Room activity or a stationary literacy center; you decide what's best for you students! Show your students how the activity works; they'll catch on quickly and will actually be eager to read the hidden words!

Still not sure about this activity? Try this Secret Message Sight Words SAMPLE pack that includes 10 Fry sight words and the recording worksheets. It's perfect for a mini literacy center!

To find other Secret Message activities, click on the pictures below:

          

Here are some of the things  you might need to make or buy a red filter decoder:

  

Literacy Centers: Secret Message Activities

My own son was struggling with learning his sight words AND he absolutely hated practicing! So, I started brainstorming fun ways for him to practice his words...

We tried many different ideas from building words with letter magnets to rainbow writing to making them with pipe cleaners... By far, his absolute FAVORITE way to practice words was this Secret Message activity:

Here's how it works:

1. Print & Prep - There isn't really too much to do to get this activity ready. Simply print the word cards on white card stock, laminate for durability and cut the cards out. The cards MUST be printed in color for the activity to work!

2. Make or Buy a Decoder - Instructions for creating a decoder window from dollar store materials is included; all that you'll need is cards stock, glue, scissors and red cellophane. If you don't have time to make a decoder (or maybe you're not very crafty?), it's also possible to either set up an iPad or iPhone to use as a decoder or purchase a decoder pretty cheaply.

3. Choose a Worksheet - Choose and print the recording sheet that is most appropriate for your students. There are many differentiated options as well as a blank option to be used with any set of 10 word cards from the pack.

4. Set Up & Teach the Center - The activity can be set up as either a Write the Room activity or a stationary literacy center; you decide what's best for you students! Show your students how the activity works; they'll catch on quickly and will actually be eager to read the hidden words!

Here's a clip of my son practicing his words in the dark before bed using a little red LED flashlight keychain as the decoder:

Still not sure about this activity? Try this Secret Message Sight Words SAMPLE pack that includes 10 Fry sight words and the recording worksheets. It's perfect for a mini literacy center!

Find other Secret Message literacy activities HERE:

           

Here are some of the things you might need in order to make or buy a red filter decoder: 

     

Learning the Alphabet with Mini-Books...

I recently spent some time working on letters with my very favorite preschooler.... My son! We worked on making a letter A Little Letter Book.

First he cut the page in half, folded the book and I helped him to staple it all together.

Then he got to work! First he colored the letters....

Then he traced the letters... 

Then dotted....

Find the letter in words & mark...

Sticker the letter....

Make the letter... (we made ours out of toothpicks!)

Last, was find, cut & paste...

He was pretty excited to be mommy's product tester!


I'd say it was a huge success... he's even asked when we'll make another letter book! You can find these letter books HERE.