Dr. Seuss is just what the teacher ordered...

Our Dr. Seuss video yesterday reminded me that next week is Dr. Seuss week.  (In honor of his birthday)  It also reminded me just how awesome his books are.  They cover LOADS of phonetic concepts.  Long and short vowel sounds.  Sometimes we write these books off as too easy or repetitive to do any good for the kids.  That couldn't be further from the truth!  

When a book becomes "easy" for a child you simply need to change the skill you're focused on.  Dr. Seuss books are great for encouraging fluency (reading smooth and quick).  Have your kids run their finger under the words as they read.  It's exciting to see them improve on their instant sight word recognition.  So, break out those old Dr. Seuss books this week.  I think I'm gonna go make some green eggs and ham for breakfast.  See ya!  

The Good Ole' ABC's...

It all starts here.  With the good old alphabet.  Here's the progression of learning to read.

1.  Learn the letter names

2.  Learn the letter sounds

3.  Learn how letters work together (letter teams)

4.  Recognize sight words.

5.  String words together into sentences.

6.  String sentences together into paragraphs.

7.  String paragraphs together into stories.

8.  Write longer stories and become a best selling author featured on Oprah's Book Club.

Super-sized Sentences!

When we write, I encourage the kids to give me more than they think they can give.  I want them to get away from those safe old "kindee-garten" sentences.  I tell the kids to give their little sentences some muscle.  In the past, I've also said things like "stretch that sentence" or "let's super-size that".  Basically, I'm preparing them for what they'll be expected to do in the second grade and beyond.  They'll need to start using adjectives (beautiful words that describe).  They'll need to start using different beginning words for their sentences (not...I this...I that...I this...I that...).  Here's an activity you can do at home to start encouraging your child to use more "super-sized " sentences in their writing.  

Ask them to write you a sentence.  You can even help them.  It'll likely be one of those safe old kindee-garten ones.  Maybe you can write "The dog likes to play".   Now, you need to upgrade your small sentence to a medium sentence by using adjectives.  How about, "The spotted dog loves to play".  A little better, huh?  Now let's large size our sentence by adding some more detail.  Let's say, "The spotted dog loves to play fetch".  Much better!  Could we still add some detail?  Sure.  Let's "SUPER-SIZE" our sentence!  I'll say, "The black and white spotted dalmation loves to play fetch with his squeaky toy".  Now, that's a good sentence.

You get the idea?  And first graders can do this!  It's not above them.  They have great "speaking" abilities.  Trust me...they can talk the lights out.  Our job now is to teach them to take that awesome speaking language and get it on paper.  As you practice, be careful with run on sentences.  Some will get carried away and just want to add a thousand details.  They might say, "The dog and he lived in the woods and he liked the stick to play catch with and he ran really fast with the other dog who was brown but he was white too and he liked to bark and he...."  You don't wan that!  Tell them you're proud of all of those details, but we need to keep them a little organized so the story doesn't get too confusing.  A good super-sized sentence will have two or three details at the most.  Good luck! 

Missed Something?

Haven't checked the blog in awhile?  Want to see an old video from last month?  Don't forget to take advantage of the archives in the sidebar!  It's called "Blog Library" and it's on the right side of the page.  Every posting I've ever done can be found there.  After 7 days the entries cycle off of the main page and head to our blog archives.  Simply click on a keyword in the sidebar to find your way around.  

Wanna Head Start?

Start practicing math story problems that deal with time passing by.  Just make up your own.  Begin really talking about what it means for 3 hours to pass by.  Or, how many hours it is until dinner.  Or, how long ago you were at Wal-mart.  You get the idea.  There are ALWAYS elapsed time questions on the big standardized tests at the end of the year.  You'd be helping out a lot by practicing these at home.  

Here are a couple of the most popular kinds of elapsed time questions.  

Mr. Smith went shopping at 2:00 on Saturday with Mrs. Suzy.  She browsed for 3 hours!  What time was it when we finished shopping?

The cast of High School Musical started dance practice at 5:00.  They finished practicing at 9:00.  How many hours did the dancers practice? 

Don't forget Your Easy Points!

You may have heard your first grader talking about "easy points" at one point or another this year.  I refer to capitalization and punctuation as "easy points".  They are truly worth a significant portion of your child's writing score.  A paper without proper use of these can easily slip down to the next grade level.  For example, an Advanced (A+) story that has several mistakes with capitalization will likely fall to a Proficient (B+) paper.  I always say to the class (as I wag my finger dramatically) "Dooooonnn'ttt  Fooorrrgeeeettt  Yooouuuurr  Eeeeaaasssssyyyy  Poooiinnnttss!"  

There's also a little song we sing about it.  Here are the lyrics.  Maybe your child can teach you the tune too.

If you wanna do your best

Every time you write

Capital Letters

Punctuation

Every single time

Don't forget your easy points! (wag your finger dance)

Don't forget your easy points! (wag your finger dance)

Things we do in class...

Introducing...The Whisper Bell!  I usually don't mind the kids chit chatting throughout the day.  They can actually learn a lot from talking with each other.  I can't let the level of noise get too loud though.  I usually ask that the kids use a "windy whisper".  Their voice should sound like the wind blowing through the trees.  If they ever do get too loud I may have to give this whisper bell a tap.  Ding!  Strike One.  This is their reminder to keep their voices under control.  The class gets three strikes and then we are OUT.  3 strikes means no talking!  After a bit of time I usually give them a 2nd set of strikes and we start all over again.  This is an easy way to keep volume levels under control without having to "yell or beg" all day long.  Heheh!

The "AR" sound...next week's skill!

First Graders Love School!

My hope is that there is no other place the kids would rather be than at school.   Kids at this age WANT to learn!  They're excitement is bottomless.  What a gift that is!  My job is made so much easier because of their enthusiasm to learn.  And why should that ever stop?  Make it your goal to always provide new and exciting opportunities for them to learn.  Take trips.  Visit the local library.  Read a chapter from a classic book each night.  Study something they are curious about.  Write funny stories and send them to Aunt Edna.  Find a pen pal from the other side of the globe.  Use math to measure the ingredients while cooking dinner.   A 12th grade student with the academic enthusiasm of a first grader would have NO limitations.  All of the really great folks in history books realized one thing...we never stop being students.  (cue single tear rolling down my cheek)

Sight Word Story!

Here's the link to a story that contains 220 primary sight words.  It's not the most entertaining story I've ever heard, but that's beside the point.  If your child can read this tale fluently then they will be much more fluent with the same sight words in other texts.  Remember, we call them sight words because you should know them as soon as you see them.  We want quick recognition.  Not much sounding out.  Make it your goal to be able to read this story fluently before we reach the end of the the school year!  What do you think?  You can doooeeeet!

http://www.mrsperkins.com/files/dolch_story_color.pdf

Touch Point, USA!

Have you heard your first grader talking about "touch points"?  This is a great trick to use when adding and subtracting.  It's more accurate, quick and efficient than counting up answers on your fingers.  I have been trying to discourage the kids from relying so much on their finger digits this year.  I call em' their hot dog fingers.  I'll yell, "put dem' hot dogs away!  I wanna see touch points".  The kids are about to move into some BIGGER math concepts next year and they will be ready if they learn this little computation trick. 

It's super easy!  Look at the poster above.  You notice that each number has a series of dots.  These are called the touch points.  The number four has 4 touch points.  The number seven has 7 touch points.  You get the idea.  When presented with a math problem you should simply SAY the bigger of the two numbers and then tap out the touch points to add the smaller number.  Do not hit the touch points for both numbers.  That's a waste of time.  So, if I were asked what 8+5 was....I would say "eight" and then tap/count the touch points for the number five.

One through Five are pretty easy.  You just tap the touch points as you count on.  There's a trick though when you get to the higher numbers.  You see that some of the numbers have a dot with a ring around it.  (6, 7, 8, and 9) For these, you simply tap that spot two times.  

I recommend putting in some extra practice at home on this concept.  Maybe practice the number that our timed test is going to be over on Friday.  The kids who are using these are doing much better on their timed tests than the students who are still trying to count on their fingers.  They are quicker and they make fewer mistakes.  I also hear the same thing from 2nd grade teachers.  They want students who know their touch points.  When they start doing longer math, the skill of "computation" needs to be quick and easy.

B.B. the King of Beasts...

Here's another song to help remember the many sounds of the letter "Y".

The Letter "Y"

Our spelling words this week feature the letter "Y" used as a vowel.  You've always heard that the vowels are A..E..I..O..U.....and sometimes "Y".  They say that because sometimes "Y" does make a vowel sound.  It can make the "I" sound (fly, why, try, sky).  It can also make the "E" sound (funny, happy, baby, wavy).  So, sometimes "Y" can be a vowel.  Ask the kids to share our letter Y song with you.  Here are the lyrics if you'd like to sing along too!

The Letter "Y" is fancy!

The Letter "Y" is sweet!

It can say "yuh"

It can say "I"

and it can say "EEEEEEEEE"

The Most Boring and Valuable Post Yet!!!

Okay, so this posting is strictly for the grown ups!  Nothing cute or silly today.  But, this could be the most valuable posting yet.  I want to tell you about a tool that could really help you and your child take your reading practice to the next level.  It's very easy...and it's VERY powerful!  Here we go.

You all know that we have the students on a levelized reading program.  Books are chosen for them very carefully.  These books are not too hard and not too easy.  They are right on their individual level!  You want the book to be slightly difficult so the kids can struggle through tricky words using the reading strategies that they've learned in class.  You also want strings of easier words throughout the text so that they can begin practicing their fluency (reading quick and smooth).  

We've talked about the level that your child is on at the moment.  You need to know that first.  If you've forgotten just shoot me an e-mail or check out the backs of the books that I've chosen for them in their book bags.  You'll see a number level somewhere.  By the end of the first grade year we're shooting for the 16-18 range.  So, here's where this all starts to get cool for you!

There is another way of finding what level readers kids are.  It's called the "Lexile" reading level.  It's the same thing as what we use...just a different program name.  We're called DRA and they are called Lexile.  We use small number like 10, 14 or 18.  They use bigger numbers like 200, 500, or 1200.  I'm going to include a conversion chart that would be good for you to print out.  Just copy/paste this address in the bar up top and then print it off for future reference.  You'll need it!

http://www.thes.srvusd.k12.ca.us/pdf/Guided%20Reading.pdf

There's a lot of info on this chart!  The main thing you need to check out is how your child's DRA level (that's what we use) matches up with their Lexile level.  For example...the chart says that a student who is on a DRA level 10-12 is also on a Lexile level 200.  Use this chart to get familiar with what Lexile level your child is on.  This is all about to get very cool for you so hang tough!

Now, you're going to head over to the best kept reading secret on the web!  It's a website called www.lexile.com .  This has a ton of info on the Lexile program if you're truly interested in all of this stuff.  But, I want to point out one very important tool that they offer.  It's a book search engine.  I always have parents who say they aren't sure what kinds of books to pick for their kids.  It's hard to know what books to pick from the book order, choose from the library or pick at home.  Are the books too hard...or maybe it's too easy now?  Remember, we want books that are right in that "sweet spot".  Not too hard...Not too easy.  This website is going to help you out.  

At the lexile website there is a search engine that literally has tens of thousands of popular books with lexile levels attached to them!  In the top right hand corner you'll see a quick search bar.  Try it out!  Just type in the name of a children's book that you have around the house and search for it.  It will quickly find that book for you and tell you the lexile level is.  

For example...I just typed in Junie B. Jones and saw that these books are on a Lexile level 300-400.  Now,  I'll use my conversion chart from earlier.  It says that I need to be on about level 14-18 on my school DRA level if I want to read this book successfully.  This database is HUGE!  I've sat here typing in every book I can think of and the database has it.     

How does this help you?  You could literally use this tool to levelize your child's library at home!  Awesome.  It might take awhile but you could do it.  Search for your books, find the level and then slap a sticker on the cover so you won't forget later.  This would also come in handy at the public library.  Before you check out you could use one of their public computers to check the levels of the books you're choosing.

I know this sounds intense.  It kind of feels overwhelming just talking about it.  But, it's super important to choose books that are just right for your child.  Too hard...will discourage them.  Too easy...will teach them nothing.  This tool could help you out for the next several years!  I think this work would be well worth your effort.  

Harvard Letter Teams!

Early in the year I tell a story to the class.  It's a story about the MOST important letter teams in the world.  I explain that there is this very fancy college out there called Harvard.  Everybody there walks around with one hand on their belly and the other behind their back.  Very formal!  (Ask the kids...they should be able to show you).  

Anyway, I told them about a scientific study that all of the brightest professors conducted at Harvard.  These professors knew that the world was full of letter teams.  They, however, wanted to find out what the most popular/important letter teams are.  After 7 months and 7 days (I always use that amount of time in this story for some reason) they concluded that there are four letter teams that are more important than all others.  The four letter teams are SH, CH, WH and TH.  These are called the consonant digraphs and they show up everywhere.  We call them our Harvard Letter Teams.  It's super important that your child has a strong understanding of these.  Pull em' over at some point this weekend and ask, "Can you tell me your Harvard Letter teams?"  (Don't forget though...one hand on the belly and the other behind the back.)  That's proper Harvard position!  

Sticky Situation

Patricia is on the playground when she sees a group of older boys threatening Jonathan, a new boy at school. One of the boys tells Patricia to watch as he trips Jonathan. Other kids on the playground laugh and point as Jonathan falls to the ground. Patricia feels bad for Jonathan, but she doesn't want the older boys to bother her. What should Patricia do?

Quick Quiz...

I went to cracker barrel this morning with Suzy.  Our bread plate had 6 biscuits and 3 corn bread muffins.  It was delightfully delicious!

Here's your quiz...

1.  What type of bread did we have the most of?

2.  What type of bread did we have the least of?

3.  How many more biscuits were there than corn bread muffins?

4.  How many pieces of bread were there in all?

5.  If I ate 2 of the biscuits...How many would be left?

6.  Where is the snow in this picture?  I ate it with my biscuits and cornbread :)

Free Ebook online...

My last post reminded me of a book that the kids absolutely loved when I read it to them!  It's called "The Monster at the End of this Book".  You may already know it...  

I found an ebook version of it online at...        

http://ebooks.sesamestreet.org/monster-book/ 

Just copy and past the address above to go directly to the book.  This is a great book for talking about using your voice in exciting ways.  I tell the kids that it's boring to listen to a robot reading.  We want to hear excitement in your voice.  This book is a great example of that.  As we become better readers, start encouraging your child to use their voice when they are  practicing.  No "robot readers".  

Valentine's Day party!

Just a couple of quick notes about Friday's Valentine's Day party.  (Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we'll be back in school)  Our party will start at 2:00.  You do not need to make your own v-day box or bag.  We will make one in class sometime this week.  Go ahead and send your cards up early if you're done with them.  I'll let the kids pass out their cards early so we don't waste "party time" on that task.  They will have more time to enjoy opening and reading their valentines this way.  I sent home a list of the kid's names last week.  If you missed it you can use the "wordle" poster in the sidebar of this blog.  Just scroll down and you'll see a little poster with all of the kids names on it.  Let me know if you have any questions that I forgot to answer here.  (smithdu@conwayschools.net)     

Neeeeeaaarr.......Faaaaaaarrrrr!

One of our first grade objectives is to spend some time talking about "position words".  That would be words like near, far, on top of, under, behind, next to, to the left, to the right, etc.  I was telling the kids that I remember an old skit of Grover teaching the difference between near and far.  I found it!  Here is Grover at his best.  Be at your best by recognizing when someone uses a position word around the house this week.  

Have a good night!  I'm gonna go pet Duncan.  I think he's under the table over there.  Nope...maybe he's in the closet!  Not there.  Oh, here he is to the left of the couch!  I think I'll scratch him on top of his head!

Superbowl Quiz!

The Colts have scored 10 points.  The Saints have scored 3 points.  How many more points do the Colts have than the Saints?  

This is a tricky question.  When the kids hear the words "How many more", they usually think about adding the two numbers together.  More sounds like adding, right?  This is actually a subtracting problem.  Help me by practicing with the kids at home.  They will see problems like this on the big test in March.

I tell the class that when you are comparing two things...you need to subtract to find the difference.  Take the big number and take away the small number in whatever situation you're working with.  Start working this in to your math practice around the house.  It'll pay off in the end!

Crawford the Cat...

Check out http://www.crawfordthecat.com/ for cool videos, books, printables and games.  The "100 word search" game looks really good for sight word practice!  There's also a pretty good collection of "E-books" that you can read.  I watched the video on Good Table Manners.  Every video also has a color page about that movie.   

Tips for Handwriting...

Our handwriting can always use improvement.  Even mine!!!  Did you know that we used specially lined paper in the 1st grade?  There are three lines.  The bottom line is what we call the "floor".  We call the middle line the "d-d-d-dotted" line.  And the top line is called the roof!  I tell the kids that there are only two kinds of letters in the world.  Those that touch the d-d-d-dotted line and those that touch the ceiling.  I see a lot of letters that only make it half way up to where they should be.  Not Good!  Now there are a few letters that "fall" below the floor.  We call those fall letters.  (Letters like p, q, j and y)  So, we've got tall letters (touch the roof), small letters (touch the d-d-d-dotted line) and fall letters (touch the dotted line and fall below the floor).  Pretty tricky but it's something we need to get down.  Help me by correcting your child at home if you're writing on lined paper.  Have a good one!

What's Your Favorite Book?

When I was a boy, I had two favorite books.  One was called "Hyrum's Red Shirt".  It was a golden book and I can't find it anywhere!  Not even on Ebay.  Keep your eyes open for me.  :)  But, the other was "Where the Wild Things Are".  I could not get enough of it.  I still love it.  Do you have a book like that? You can't explain it, but it just found a special place in your life.  Maybe it was the pictures? Maybe it was how the words rhymed?  Maybe it was the funny voices someone used when they read it to you?  

What's that book for you?  Sounds like a good topic for dinner discussion to me!  I found out Suzy's this morning at breakfast.  She loved "Owl at Home" "Ramona Quimby" "Francis and Jam" "Amelia Bedelia" "The Babysitters Club" "Danny and the Dinosaur" and "Goodnight Moon".  She just couldn't narrow it down.  :)

Cloudy with a chance of BRAINSTORMS!

We've started to talk about "brainstorming" in class.  Up to this point I've basically told the kids what they have to write about.  Now, I'm giving the students a little more freedom with their writing.  I may give the students a topic like "THINGS WE EAT".  I then ask the writers to brainstorm some different ideas that they could write about.  I ask them to choose six ideas.  Maybe they will choose pizza, cookies, hamburgers, chicken nuggets, ice cream and fruit.  After they've brainstormed those ideas we need to narrow down our choices.  I ask them to eliminate three choices.  I tell them to get rid of things that they don't think they'll be able to write a good story about.  So, maybe they will get rid of cookies, nuggets and ice cream.  Now, we make one final decision.  We need to eliminate two more choices.  Let's say they eliminate fruit and hamburgers.  That leaves our final choice!  Pizza!  That's what we're writing about today.  So, you see they have a little more freedom to choose what they think they would be able to write the best story about.  Now, they'll use the hand trick (see earlier posting in archives) to construct a proficient or advanced story.  Piece of cake!  This process will be helpful to them for the rest of their elementary writing "career".  Consider brainstorming when you're asking your kids to write at home.  They'll feel like they got to pick what they are writing about and they'll be much more motivated to do the work!