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

Tell Me More Linky

I have linked up with Step Into Second Grade with Amy Lemons to tell you a little bit more about me :)

1. I have been dancing since I was 3. This is a picture of my VERY first tap dance.

2. I'm a part of a performance dance company. We do annual performances and charity events. Here is a picture of one of the groups I dance with.

3. The first year my boyfriend and I were dating, he took me to Disneyland! I've been to Disneyland almost 10 time and I never get tired of it! I asked my boyfriend if we could go to Disneyland again this year, and he said "Again?!"

4. My grandma died of stomach cancer when my dad was 15. I have never met her--but I look JUST like her :) Even though she is not around anymore, I still feel a connection with her and I know that she is looking down and smiling at me.

5. My best friend and I have known each other since we were 3. We both went to the same daycare and we grew-up together. This picture is taken at the zoo, a place we used to always go as a kid together :)

6. I'm allergic to shellfish. I can't even go to PF Changs. Even the SMELL of shellfish causes me to have an allergic reaction. Sometimes, it can be a hassle going to restaurants.

7. I love animals, especially rescuing them! I rescued a little kitten and my boyfriend rescued a German Shepard. Because of our small apartment, we had to give them to a new home :( My boyfriend and I have a bird, lizard, and hamster together. We are very serious, we have our fur/feather/scale babies to think of :)

^^ Mack when he was just a little guy

8. I love baking cupcakes!! I've only just startedThis is from The Cupcakery in Orange County. They won Cupcake Wars!

9. I am the godmother of my wonderful nephew, Austin. I love this little boy more than life itself.

10. I am a sister of Alpha Phi International Fraternity. We are called a fraternity because we have been around since the word sorority was even created!

I hope you learned a little bit about me in this post. I try to keep myself busy with other little hobbies to keep me a well-rounded person. I tell everyone that I am more than just Ms. L :)