Kindergarten Pre-Primer Centers

Just in time for Back to School and the Back to School TpT sale, I have finished my Pre-Primer Centers. These go along with my Kindergarten Sight Word units on TpT and are a fun way to have the kids use the sight words in ways that build visual discrimination skills, as well as reading and handwriting skills.

 The centers follow the same pattern, with the words and pictures being different for each list. This allows kids to know HOW to play, but change the content so they are practicing new words each week. If you have used my program already, you will see that the weeks are organized into lists.
Core Words are lists A-G
Pre-Primer are lists 1-8 
Primer are lists 9-18

My sight word program fits into one school year and lets you take much needed breaks so that you can review. Needless to say, we teachers never get everything we want done in a week, so what is nice is to be able to go back and reteach the words with different activities. Each list has 6 centers, which is not doable in a week, but does give you the option to pick and choose what you want to use so that the kids stay engaged. Here the 6 types of centers:



1. Picture Match: students will match the picture to the word, color the word that matches the card, and write the word on the line.

2. Read and Write: Students will read the sentence aloud to their group and write the sentence to match. The last sentence will be written by copying the sentence card.

 3. Spin and Write: Students will use a paperclip and pencil to spin to find a word. They will write the word on the chart. This can be done in pairs or alone.

 4. Color Match: Students will match the color to the word and color their sheet.

5. Hidden Picture: Students will use a magnifying glass to find the hidden words. Once the word is found, they trace it in the word box.

6. Tic-Tac-Toe: Students will partner up to play tic-tac-toe with words instead of X's and O's. They will pick two words for each game and play 4 rounds.

My center units are companions to my Sight Word units. Take a look at them on TpT. I know that once you start using them, your Kinders will be reading!

Number Monsters!

It's a classic! And very, very rare. The Number Monsters by Shirley Ross and Cindy McCord are so fun for Kinders. I have been lucky to inherit my number monsters from teachers who came before me, and I thought I would share my Number Monster Clapping Book that I use every year.

I use this the first week of school. It's simply: read the book, clap the correct amount of claps. Kinders and PreKs LOVE it! It is always a hit for the entire year.

You can make this book yourself, for free! Click here.

Core Word Readers

Yes, it is possible to get Kindergarteners to read the first month of school! Not only is it possible, but it sets them up for a very exciting year to come. Building the confidence that they need in the first few weeks of school, showing them that they are reading, is the best feeling in the world for a teacher. The faces of pride on a 5-year-old when they look at a book and UNDERSTAND the words on it, is what makes my job my passion. These are books I use the first 2 months of school, alongside my Core Sight Word Unit on TpT, that makes those moments possible. Take a look.

First Day Hats FREEBIE!

Here is a little FREEBIE from my TpT store!

Just print, color, cut, staple. First day of school hats are a fun way to get the kids excited about sharing their first day with mom and dad. (And grandma, grandpa, cousins, aunts, uncles, dogs, cats, anyone they come into contact with.....) Enjoy!

Color Pals

 Here are the Color Pals! We make these to go along with our color words. They are also great for PreK and even younger! Color Pals a little book/friend that students make to learn the color word and items that are that specific color. Take a look at the pics. In my class, anything with arms and legs is a hit. Not sure why, but they love it and they love crafts. Check out Color Pals in my TpT Store. 

Colors included are:

red

orange

yellow

green

blue

purple

brown

black

pink

white

gray/grey

 

Communication Calendars

I have been to a training this month titled AVID. I am sure many of you have been to similar training. I was in San Diego for 3 days in which we learned how to get students thinking about learning, success, and their future. As a Kindergarten teacher, I was very hesitant about this. All I knew of AVID was that students kept gigantic binders and we were checked on every now and again. As a K teacher I was certain the program was not for us.

I was that obnoxious student at the training, asking question after question because I could not relate it to my self. After a lot of one-on-one time with my trainer (Abby Nylander, who is very patient and pretty great!), I began to see what AVID is all about. It is not just about the binder people! It's a mindset, a culture and a lot of what I have already been doing in my class.

One of the great things that AVID gives us is the guidelines on keeping students organized and focused. I decided to take my normal parent communication tool and tune it a little. Many of you have seen my Behavior Calendars. I have been using them for years and they allow parents to see how their child behaved during the school day. I altered it over the years and added events, like holidays and non-school days. I added minimum days, field trips, and anything else that seemed relevant to parents.

AVID has given me the idea to take it one step further. My Behavior Calendars are now Communication Calendars. They are completely editable. I will also add a box for parents to sign during the week, as a check that they are communicating with me. Giving parents access to information is a powerful thing. Giving YOU, the teacher, access is priceless.
Check out my new calendars. Please give me feedback, as I am going to be using these in a new way this year. I will be encouraging my parents to add to the calendar. Soccer games, trips out of town, doctor appointments, mom's due date, etc. are all things that we want our parents and students to share with us. Let them share!

I will be adding more posts in the future on HOW I plan to modify my calendars. But, in case you want to get a head start, all you will need to do once you download the PowerPoint is to add a text box.

In PowerPoint, go to the Insert tab, click add a text box and place it anywhere in the calendar you want. Presto! Instant communication!

Shark Week!

 Yes!!!!!!!!! Finally!! I LOVE Shark Week!

 And in honor of shark week, I would like to share with you my catch of the day. I was ocean fishing in La Jolla, CA on Friday and look who ended up on the end of my line? This is a shovel nose shark. I was using shrimp as bait and this guy loves shrimp. He and I had a Kodak moment, and then I tossed him back into the sea. It was very exciting, though!

 

Here is a little activity for you to use this week if you are teaching or at home with your kiddos. This is a science book and the title says it all!