Elfie Returns!

Elfie returned to our classroom today!  So excited for him to watch over us and report behavior to Santa!  Check out the note he left us...

Snowmen Graphic Organizer

I just uploaded a graphic organizer with snowmen that will be really fun for your students when comparing and contrasting and/or when making text-to-text connections! 

Use for Compare/Contrast:
When comparing and contrasting, students will determine in what ways two subjects are similar and in what ways they are different. Students will first label the two subjects on the line provided in the snowman’s scarf. Then have students write details that tell how the subjects are different in the outer circles and details that tell how the subjects are alike where the circles overlap.

Use for Text-toText Connections:
When analyzing how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take. Students will first label the two texts on the line provided in the snowman’s scarf. Have students write details that tell how the texts are different in the outer circles and details that tell how the texts are alike where the circles overlap.

Snowmen Graphic Organizer includes:

- Large version for small group work or teacher modeling
- Small version for individual work

Snowmen Graphic Organizer

Compare/Contrast Common Core Standards:

Kindergarten

CCKRL9 - With prompting and support, compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in familiar stories.

Grade 1

CC1RL9 - Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g., opposition of good and evil) and patterns of events (e.g., the quest) in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures.

Grade 2

CC2RL9 - Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.

Grade 3

CC3RL9 - Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written by the same author about the same or similar characters (e.g., in books from a series).

Grade 4

CC4RL6 - Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including the difference between first- and third-person narrations.

CC4RL7 - Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text, identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions in the text.

CC4RL9 - Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g., opposition of good and evil) and patterns of events (e.g., the quest) in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures.


Text-to-Text Common Core Standards:

Kindergarten

CCKRI9 - With prompting and support, identify basic similarities in and differences between two texts on the same topic (e.g., in illustrations, descriptions, or procedures).

Grade 1

CC1RI9 - Identify basic similarities in and differences between two texts on the same topic (e.g., in illustrations, descriptions, or procedures).

Grade 2

CC2RI9 - Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic.

Grade 3

CC3RI9 - Compare and contrast the most important points and key details presented in two texts on the same topic.

Grade 4

CC4RI9 - Compare and contrast a firsthand and secondhand account of the same event or topic; describe the differences in focus and the information provided.

Stuck inside while Hurricane Sandy makes her move outside...so I've been busy working on some fun for school!

Main Idea and Details Turkey Graphic Organizer

Check out the graphic organizer in the shape of a turkey that  will get your students thinking! Have them read a grade-level appropriate passage and work with them to name the main idea and help them to find supporting details by going back and re-reading the passage. All students will have fun identifying the main idea and supporting details from the text.  

Main Idea and Details Turkey Graphic Organizer

• Main idea turkey
• 4 Details feathers 
• 4 Blank feathers

Common core standards:

Grade 1: CC1RI2 - Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.

Grade 2: CC2RI2 - dentify the main topic of a multiparagraph text as well as the focus of specific paragraphs within the text.

Grade 3: CC3RI2 - Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea.

Grade 4: CC4RI2 - Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea.

Grade 5: CC5RI2 - Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details;summarize the text.

Also, a freebie fun for Halloween...some clip art!

FREEBIE! Halloween Clip Art

Thanks for reading!  And if Sandy's coming your way stay safe!

Halloween Themed Contraction Cards

Halloween Themed Contraction Cards

Halloween Themed Contraction Cards 

These cards can be used to instruct, practice and/or review contractions ‘ll, n't, 'm, 's with students. 



- Use as a matching game and have students match the contractions with their word group by flipping the cards.
- Use as flashcards in whole group or with individual students.
- Use as a partner game and have students try to make contraction pairs.


Halloween Contraction Cards includes:
11 word pair cards
11 contraction cards
Student record page

Aligns with common core standards:

Grade 1:
CC1L2 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

Grade 2: 
CC2RF3- Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

CC2L2- Use an apostrophe to form contractions and frequently occurring possessives.

Grade 3:
CC3L2- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

ARRrrr Game with R-Controlled Vowels

So I've been busy, busy, busy at school but the anticipated Frankenstorm (Hurricane Sandy) leaves me with some time to upload what I've created for my students.

The latest is a game that can be used for instruction and review of spelling and pronunciation of words with r-controlled vowels spelled /ar/, /or/, /ore/.

Help the captain and his crew find the treasure by sorting the words with r-controlled vowels.

Students will pick a card, say the word and then sort/record the word by the r-controlled vowel and when completed correctly they will role the dice and move that many spaces.

ARRrr Game with R-Controlled Vowels

ARRrrr game with r-controlled vowels includes:

- 24 words cards with r-controlled vowels spelled /ar/, /or/, /ore/
- 6 Pirate game pieces
- Game board
- Record sheet to laminate and use with group
- Record sheet for individual student use
- Answer key

Aligns with common core standards:
Grade 1:
CC1RF3 - Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis 
skills in decoding words.

Grade 2:
CC2RF3 - Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis 
skills in decoding words.

Grade 3:
CC3RF3 - Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis 
skills in decoding words.

My kiddos found it really fun!  Hope you do to:)

Castle Themed Graphics

I've been working on some castle themed graphics for a TpT request...let me know what you think!

Reading Comprehension Target Skill Posters

I've been having some fun creating some Reading Comprehension Target Skill Posters.  They  clearly identify target skills and define them in student friendly terms. Use these bright and colorful posters will encourage students to improve reading comprehension and understanding of comprehension strategies through the use of target skills.

Reading Comprehension Target Skill Posters includes:
- 11 Target Skill Posters with corresponding definitions

- Author's Purpose
- Cause and Effect
- Main Idea and Details (separate boards)
- Realism or Fantasy
- Sequence
- Setting
- Summarize
- Theme 
- Vocabulary
- Character


* These are also great to post on your focus wall or standards wall. Students will be able to identify the objective related to the common core related standard in their own words.

Get yours at my TpT store!

Reading Comprehension Target Skill Posters