Teacher Tips for Struggling Creative Writers

It's no secret that I love creative writing. Like, LOVE love it. Always have, always will. Luckily for my students I love teaching it, too. In fact, I could go as far as saying that it's my favourite unit to teach. Of course I understand that not everyone shares my love of writing, so I always have a couple tricks up my sleeve those kiddos who struggle.  

Hands down one of my favorite tools to help a struggling student with creative creating are these Story Cubes! No, this isn't a sponsored post - I'm just sharing with you what works the best with my group! 

I find these dice are such a game changer for my reluctant, uninterested or otherwise struggling kiddos when it comes to creative writing. These story cubes are such a hit that they get pulled out during indoor recesses and free choice! Now that says a lot :) 

Not only do Story Cubes act as a jumping off point in creative writing, but they also help my kiddos along the way, from brainstorming all the way to the ending. These dice have made a massive difference in the writing process. Coupled with my "Bump it up" chart, (descriptive writing words) my kiddos are proud budding writers now! And well, that makes my teacher heart happy :) 

Do you have struggling writers in your class? What are some tools and tricks you find useful? Share below! 

Happy teaching!❤
@jen_rece

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Kindergarten and First Grade Easter Centers

Every Spring our school focuses on Lent and Easter, so over the years I've created and modified numerous resources for the season. I'm going to briefly cover a couple of them here so you can see how they might enhance your literacy center. :) 

First off is my Kindergarten Read it, Write it & Wipe it Literacy Center! I designed this center with 3 parts:

• Solid words for reading, referencing, pocket charts and salt trays
• Traceable word cards for practice printing
• Letter boxes to help with appropriate letter formation and spacing

This particular literacy center is very diverse and can be utilized in many ways. No matter how I use it, I always laminate the cards so they are durable....because, you know - #kindergarten. ;)

Next up is my First Grade Easter Math and Literacy Pack! It covers first (and second) grade common-core standards:

• filling in the missing lowercase and uppercase letters
• Skip counting by 5's and 10's
• Adding and subtracting single digits (up to 20)
• Answering writing prompts to demonstrate knowledge
• Coloring by sight word and numbers
• Patterning (both completing and creating)
• Using nonstandard measurements
• Coloring

The best thing about this pack (in my opinion) is that it is covers some actual religious material. I know that may sound obvious, but I've found that it's not as common as you'd think! So there are writing prompts about Jesus and Church along with standard Easter themed math and language worksheets :) 

If you have any of these sets (or wish to get them) please let me know what grade you teach and which one you'd enjoy most! :)

Happy Easter! 🐰🐣
@jen_rece

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The easiest Easter Literacy Center for Kindergarten

News flash - not all kindergarten literacy centers need to be flashy and colorful to be effective and engaging! 

This Easter themed center happens to be one of my favorite word working stations, ever. Bonus is that it cost me less than 3 dollars and no more than 10 minutes of my time to set up! All I needed were these three simple things: 

• Large Popsicle sticks (they look like tongue depressors) 
• Wooden clothes pins 
• Gel pens 

I purchased the sticks and clothes pins from the dollar store. I already had the gel pens ;) This center is seriously easy-peasy, lemon squeezy! 

Happy Easter! 🐣 ✝️ 
@jen_rece

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Teacher Tips to Transform your Play-Doh Center

If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for the best, most functional, user-friendly and creative teacher hacks on the web! 

Well a while back I had stumbled upon a vague Pinterest idea of using a K cup carousel as a Play-Doh stand. The only catch? I was already using my carousel for K cups (obviously, right?). The bright side? Not for long!

Fast forward to March as I began my yearly spring cleanup at home and I came across that old K cup carousel that my husband and I no longer use (don’t get me wrong-we still use our Keurig machine, but we opt to use the reusable filter instead) and it instantly dawned on me that I could re-purpose it for my classroom (cue the angels singing). So friends - that’s exactly what I did!

I posted the picture above to my Instagram Feed and within a couple hours it had gone viral. It was really exciting to see so many educators posting pictures of their re-purposed carousels with mini play dough containers!

If you aren’t sure which containers will work, I’m using the 2 ounce containers and I’ve seen them at Dolllar Tree and Dollarama. I actually order my Play-Doh online from Amazon, so that’s an option too.

If you try this teacher hack I would love to hear about it! Feel free to tag me on Instagram, Facebook or leave a comment down below letting me know how it turned out!

How do you organize your play dough materials? Share below!

Happy teaching!❤
@jen_rece

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Easter Math & ELA for Preschool and Kindergarten

Easter pack - Pre-K and Kindergarten Math & English Language Arts (No Prep!)

This wonderful 15 page, (NO PREP!) EASTER worksheet packet is both fun and educational! 

Product Details: 

► Fill in the missing lowercase letters 

► Fill in the missing uppercase letters 

► 1-15 Trace the Numbers 

► 1-15 Fill in the Missing Numbers 

► 1-10 Addition 

► 1-10 Subtraction 

► Draw the Other Half 

► Art by Sight Word 

► Art by Number

► Count the Easter Eggs

► Draw an Easter Egg

► Trace the Sight Words ‣ 2 Pages

► Trace and Print Easter Sight Words

► Coloring page 

Download it here:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Easter-Math-Easter-ELA-Preschool-and-Kindergarten-No-Prep-1771496

Enjoy!

Related Products:

► First Grade EASTER {NO PREP!} Worksheet Packet - Math + ELA 

► EASTER Literacy Centre - Write It and Wipe It! 

► First Grade Emergency Sub Plan Packet! {Math and ELA}

Thanks for visiting! 

► Please join me over at TeachersPayTeachers  

► Please follow my blog with Bloglovin' :) 
~ Jen Rece

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First Grade Easter Math and ELA

Common Core Aligned First Grade Easter pack - Math & English Language Arts

Easter Pack for First Grade

You and your students will love this wonderful 15 page, NO PREP EASTER worksheet packet! 

Product Details: 

► Fill in the missing lowercase letters 

► Fill in the missing uppercase letters 

► Skip counting by 5's 

► Skip counting by 10's 

► 1-20 Addition 

► 1-20 Subtraction 

► Writing prompts ‣ 3 Pages

► Art by Sight Word 

► Art by Number

► Complete the Patterns 

► Create the Patterns 

► Measurement 

► Coloring page 

Common Core Standards: 2.NBT.A.2, 2.OA.B.2, 1.NBT.B.2b, 1.NBT.C.4, L.1.1a, L.1.1j, L.1.2

Enjoy!

Download it here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Easter-Math-and-Easter-ELA-First-Grade-NO-PREP-CCS-Aligned-1770675

Related Products:

► Pre-K and Kindergarten NO PREP Easter Worksheet Packet - Math + ELA 

► EASTER Literacy Centre - Write It and Wipe It! 

► First Grade Emergency Sub Plan Packet! {Math and ELA} - American Version 

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Learning French Game {Co-operative Learning}

Learning a second language can be tough! Fortunately with this fun learning game, children can learn French through turn-taking cooperative play! Get it Now: http://bit.ly/FrenchGame

French "I Have, Who Has?" Game

Game Details:

► 17 Pages ‣ 63 sight word cards in total (in PDF format)

► Distribute all the cards ‣ double/triple up the cards if desired and begin playing with the starting card in the deck

► Loads of fun, all while reinforcing numerous sight words & phrases

► Can be used as an assessment tool, too!

Download it here: http://bit.ly/FrenchGame

Related Resources: 

►Fall French: 1-20 Matching Number Word Cards/Puzzles

►French Math Games: 0-20 Matching Number Word Cards/Puzzles

►French Francais Word Wall Sight Word Cards with Header

►French Colours - Crayon Word Wall

►French "Days of the Week" Cards - Français

►French "Months of the Year" Cards - Français

►French Numbers: Wall and Student Reference Cards

►French "I Have, Who Has?" Fruits & Vegetables Card Game

►French Student Desk Dictionary - Lined, Ready to Fill

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Fall Resources: Clasroom Printables

Can you feel it? Can you smell it? I sure can - FALL IS IN THE AIR! To expand on my students' natural curiosity with the changing seasons, I have introduced some great resources to my classroom - including these awesome Fall Resources! 

Fall Emergent Reader with Pocket Chart Cards

Children enjoy reading, coloring and assembling this fall themed Emergent Reader booklet! 

Product Details:

► Pocket Chart Cards ‣ 1 title card and 6 story element cards 

► Three book versions to choose from 

► Version 1 is 12 (half) pages once assembled

► Version 2 is 12 (half) pages once assembled

► Version 3 is 7 (half) pages once assembled

► Each page is conveniently numbered for easy assembly 

Get it here: Fall Emergent Reader: Fall Leaf, Fall Leaf, What Do You See? + Pocket Chart Cards

Apples Packet

Enjoy these apple-themed, multiple-use cards in your classroom, homeschool room or daycare centre! Perfect for preschool and kindergarten children.

This product includes: 

► 24 Pages in total ‣ numerous games, activities and resources

► Game of Memory: 26 Uppercase Letter cards ‣ print twice to play

► Game of Memory: 26 Uppercase Letter cards ‣ print twice to play 

► Matching uppercase letter cards to lowercase letter cards ‣ Print one of each set to play 

► Game of Memory: 20 Number Cards ‣ print twice to play 

► 1-10 Matching ‣ Print small numbered apple cards along with the coordinating full page tree

► 11-20 Matching ‣ Print small numbered apple cards along with the coordinating full page tree

► 1-10 Ten Frames and/to Numerals Matching ‣ Print small numbered apple cards along with the coordinating full page tree

Get it here: Apples: Matching Letters, Numbers, Ten Frames, Game of Memory & Pocket Chart Cards

Fall 1-20 Puzzle Cards

Students love learning number recognition with these great fall-themed "puzzle" cards! Simply print (there are 7 pages), cut and laminate if desired. Post them your math wall or set them up at your math centre as puzzles! 

Product Details:

► Numeral and written number recognition ‣ Students must match each number to its corresponding picture and written word 

► Great for file folder games ‣ I make file folder games to do this with the help of velcro dots from the dollar store

► Can be used in your pocket chart

► Makes a great set of flash cards

► Print them off twice and play a game of memory! 

Get it here: Fall Activity: 1-20 Matching Number Word Cards/Puzzles  {Math Center}

Find  these and more autumn themed resources here: 

• Fall Emergent Reader: Fall Leaf, Fall Leaf, What Do You See? + Pocket Chart Cards

• Apples: Matching Letters, Numbers, Ten Frames, Game of Memory & Pocket Chart Cards

• Fall Activity: 1-20 Matching Number Word Cards/Puzzles  {Math Center}

• Fall Printables for school

Related Products:

► Thanksgiving Printables 

► Remembrance Day/Veterans Day Printables

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Common Core Aligned ELA Interactive Notebook for KINDERGARTEN - Printable

I have a secret: I am OBSESSED with interactive notebooks! My students have always responded with enthusiasm to learning with them, so I always try my best to incorporate them into our curriculum when I can. That's why I created my newest educational product, "My Big Bag of Beginning Letter Sounds and Case Sorting". 

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Common Core Aligned, "My Big Bag of Beginning Letter Sounds and Case Sorting" is geared towards kindergarten children but can be used by preschool and first graders too. It features multiple pages per letter of the alphabet and once printed, cut and completed is a whopping 104 (half) pages! 

Here's my product cover page in case you are looking for it in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store:

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This interactive notebook helps children learn and practice beginning letter sounds, uppercase/lowercase sorting as well as printing, coloring, cutting and pasting! This is a fun - and BIG set of printables, so be sure to grab them NOW! Perfect for "Letter of the Week" or as an intensive unit on beginning sounds and lowercase/uppercase letters! 

Here are some pictures of this resource in action: 

Pretty fun, right?! 

Product Details:

►This product consists of 79 full pages ‣ 104 (half) pages once complete 

►This product contains 2 cover pages (one boy, one girl) 

►Tracing, Printing, Decorating, Cutting, Pasting, Sorting and Assembling

►Each Letter has 3 pages of interactive activities ‣ 4 (half) Pages once assembled 

►Each Letter has 3 pages of interactive activities ‣ ie. "These pictures begin with the (Hh) sound. Decorate them." "Circle & decorate the pictures that begin with the (Hh) sound." "Cut, sort and paste the pictures that begin with the letter (Hh)." "Cut and paste these uppercase and lowercase letters to your worksheet"

►Entire booklet can be bound together OR each letter can be bound together to form "Letter of the Week" booklets 

►Common Core Standard L.K.1.A ‣ "I can print many upper and lower case letters"

►Common Core Standard L.K.5A ‣ "I can sort objects into categories"

►Common Core Standard RF.K.1D ‣ "I can recognize and name upper and lower case letters"

►Common Core Standard RF.K.3A ‣ "I can produce the primary sound for each consonant"

Find  it here: 

• My Big Bag of Beginning Letter Sounds and Case Sorting

Related Products:

► Fall Emergent Reader: Fall Leaf, Fall Leaf, What Do You See?+ Pocket Chart Cards 

► Halloween Emergent Reader: Little Witch, Little Witch, What Do You See? 

► Thanksgiving Emergent Reader: Little Turkey, Little Turkey, What Do You See? 

► Winter Emergent Reader: Snowman, Snowman, What Do You See? 

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Summer Emergent Reader #Printable #Homeschool

Okay, I am a self-professed obsessed Emergent Reader teacher. It's no secret - but really, why wouldn't I be?  Anyone working with pre-readers will surely agree with me - emergent readers are one of the best tools to get children familiar with print (letters and words) and their associated pictures! 

I've recently created a brand new Summer Emergent Reader entitled "Yellow Sun, Yellow Sun, What Do You See?". I'd love to give you a quick snapshot of it because it can be downloaded and printed in just a few seconds! Here's my product cover page in case you are looking for it in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store:

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The format as you may have guessed follows the flow of "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" and comes across as very familiar to children. This reader has 12 half-pages and children are invited to color the pages and if developmentally appropriate, order and bind their own pages (they are numbered for easy assembly).

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In addition to the interactive aspect of this Summer Emergent Reader, I have also included a set of matching pocket chart cards! Of course these can be used in a multitude of ways, such as at your word wall or print them off twice for a fun game of Memory! 

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Pretty fun, right?! 

Product Details:

► Three book versions to choose from 

► Version 1 is 12 (half) pages once assembled

► Version 2 is 12 (half) pages once assembled

► Version 3 is 7 (half) pages once assembled

► Each page is conveniently numbered for easy assembly 

► Pocket Chart Cards ‣ 1 title card and 6 story element cards 

► Versatile ‣ Pocket Chart cards can be used at your word wall for spelling/vocabulary practice or you can print them off twice for a game of "Memory"

Find  it here: 

• Summer Emergent Reader: Yellow Sun, Yellow Sun, What Do You See? + Pocket Chart Cards

Related Products:

► Fall Emergent Reader: Fall Leaf, Fall Leaf, What Do You See?+ Pocket Chart Cards 

► Halloween Emergent Reader: Little Witch, Little Witch, What Do You See? 

► Thanksgiving Emergent Reader: Little Turkey, Little Turkey, What Do You See? 

► Winter Emergent Reader: Snowman, Snowman, What Do You See? 

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