Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Word Work and an Award!

This summer, I've been working really hard to revamp my Daily 5 block. With regards to Word Work, my students did an excellent job learning the phonetic spelling patterns and sounds. At my school district, we use Excursions Storytown and the phonics are more focused on sounds then patterns. I noticed that while many of my students were understanding the patterns, they were still struggling with correctly spelling the words. So, I have been doing a lot of research on various Daily 5 Word Work activities for my little third graders next year.

Here are some of my ideas:

1. Stamps- The students will stamp the word, write it, and then use it in a sentence.

2. Scrabble- The students will use scrabble tiles to spell the words, then write the value of each word.

3. Stephanie from 3rd Grade Thoughts has a Word Work Trio Pack that includes scrabble tiles, how much is your money worth, and place value words.

4. Personal Dictionary- Students will have a personal dictionary and include words that they have trouble spelling. Not all students will need a personal dictionary. Just students who have trouble with spelling.

5. White boards- I recommend the white boards that have the handwriting lines. I had students that needed extra practice with handwriting and spelling. One strategy that I want to try is for the students to write it, check it, re-write it. When the students check their spelling on their own, they can understand why they misspelled the word.

6. Rainbow letters- Students can write their words using rainbow letters.

7. Word Pyramid- Students write their spelling word to look like a pyramid.
For example:
c
ca
can

7. Magnet Letters- Students will spell the words on a cookie sheet using magnet letters. I will have the students use the magnet letters on the cookie sheet; and then have a recording sheet to write the word and use it in a sentence.

These are just some ideas I have for now. I will be doing more posts on the organization of it once I get into my classroom. I really like how Tara from 4th Grade Frolics by including a folder, instructions, and recording sheet for each word work activity. I that is my next project to tackle!

Another important point to consider is that word work activities is only for students who are struggling with spelling. It does not need to be used for all students. You can learn more about Word Work and other Daily 5 activities by going to the 2 Sisters website The Daily Cafe.


Now, for the fun stuff :) Elizabeth from Mrs. Hodge and Her Kindergarten Kids nominated me for the One Lovely Blog Award! I am so excited to have been nominated for this award.




Here are the rules
1. Follow the person who gave me the award.
2. Link back to the person that gave me the award.
3. Pass to 5 new bloggers and then let them know they have received the award.

The 5 new bloggers I nominate are:
1. Mrs. Wood's Class
2. Teaching Third
3. Grade 3 is the Place for Me
4. Teaching Little Apples
5. 3rd Grade Sprinkles




15 comments:

  1. I use a lot of these word work activities in my First grade class! LOVE word work time :)

    I'm also a big fan of "boggle spelling" and word detective games!

    Thanks for sharing this list!
    Marie
    The Hands-ON Teacher in First!

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    Replies
    1. How do you use boggle? I've seen them, but never used them before.

      Jessie

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  2. Hi, I just found you blog today and I love it! I am also thinking of having personal dictionaries for kids. I was thinking of doing this as a version of/alternative to a word wall: adding words to the dictionaries kind of like you might do with a wordwall. But then kids can also add words that make sense for them.

    Thanks for the great ideas!

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    Replies
    1. I have each on of my students with a binder. Inside their binder they will have their own personal dictionary. I heard about the idea last year and wish I would have done it! I'm also going to have a word wall next year too.

      Thanks for stopping by,
      Jessie

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  3. I LOVE your ideas! I have nominated you for an award!! Come on over to claim it!

    http://keepingitcore.blogspot.com

    P.S. I am NOW a follower!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the award and following my blog!

      Jessie

      Delete
  4. Thanks for nominating me! How I made the binder covers:

    1. Buy digital paper and frames from one of the many cute etsy stores that sell digital paper.
    2. Use power point.
    3. Upload the digital paper as a jpeg image file.
    4. Layer different digital papers by resizing, cropping, etc.
    4. Use frames and textbooks to make the titles.
    5. Print on dollar photo paper from the Dollar Tree
    6. and done!

    Thanks again for stopping by my blog

    Courtney
    3rd Grade Sprinkles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the tip! My goal for this year is to figure out how to do more digit scrapbooking and work because I want to eventually start selling things on TPT.

      Jessie

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  5. We don't use daily 5, however these are really great activities. I've been searching the internet for quick but fun activities for my students. Thanks!

    MrsMc from Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

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    Replies
    1. This will be the first year I do them, so I hope my students enjoy them! You should really look into Daily 5, it's great!

      Jessie

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  6. I am your newest follower!

    I have been thinking a lot about my spelling this summer but I haven't done anything yet... maybe word work would be a place to start!

    Come check out my blog!
    http://pawsitivelywbt.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for following! I've been focusing on word work for about 2 weeks. I really wanted to find some strategies that would help my struggling spellers next year!

      Jessie

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  7. I loved your ideas for struggling spellers. Why didn't I ever think about using Scrabble tiles?! I haven't been in a classroom since I had my first child 4 years ago, but work with her at home quite a bit. Sometimes I really miss teaching. Then I remember that I don't have to get up before dawn, and I forget all that! lol But maybe when she's 5 and goes to Kindergarten, I'll go back. :) I just followed...and I look forward to reading more!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Last year I thought that if my students were good in phonics, they would also be good in spelling. But, that was not the case. Some of my students still had a hard time with spelling. I love incorporating scrabble tiles and other word work activities that incorporate other subjects.

      Thanks for stopping by! I know what you mean about waking up early. I am so NOT a morning person :)

      Jessie

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  8. I posted on your blog about sharing some resources with you for word work. You replied to me, but it was through noreply blogger, so I couldn't send you the files. E-mail me directly at thirdgradetroops@gmail.com , and I would be happy to share some word work files with you.

    ReplyDelete