Tuesday, June 4, 2013

End of the Year Sanity Savers

11 (school) days left!  I don't count the weekends :)

I have been in full DRA mode at school.  Our report cards are due to our principal 9 days before we get out and in order for those to be complete, I have to find the instructional and frustration level of all my 27 Littles.  Thankfully tomorrow I will get some "guest teacher time" in my room so that I can try to finish! 

If your Littles are like mine, they mean well.  They really are trying to be independent and quiet.  Mine have been troopers, but finding activities to keep them occupied is sometimes a struggle.  Here are a couple of ideas that are easy, don't require copies and completely independently doable for ALL First Grade Littles.  The best part, they enjoy them and don't get that they are practicing. They aren't revolutionary, but they saved my sanity today!

Stair Step Spelling
Students write their spelling words/sight words on grid paper.
 Like this:  s
                  sh
                  sho
                  shoo
                  shook

Then, after the word is completely spelled, they draw stairs around the word.  Coloring it in is optional :)  Here is an example from one of my Littles:




 


 Spelling Trains
 Students write the word and then draw a box around it.  The wheels contain the first letter/blend and the final letter.  Connect them with a line and voila, you have a train.  The appeal for this one is that it wraps around the paper.  They get so excited about it. 


So, if you need 15 minutes, one of these activities might be something to consider :)


Have a Blessed day,