Category Archives: Small Groups | Centers

Small group ( 6 or less) and independent centers for students to practice skills and strategies.

Winter is Wonderful!

Winter.

Winter is WONDERFUL!

Snow.

Jackets, mittens, scarves, & snow boots.

I am NOT an expert on SNOW!

I live in NORCAL.

Wine country.

Not a lot of snow here.

My students LOVE to learn about WINTER!

Our favorite theme.

WINTER IS WONDERFUL!

UPDATED for 2021!

WAHOO! Bigger & Better!

66 Pages of ELA & Math Centers!

ELA & Math Centers for Grade 1-2

ELA includes:

Contractions

Present, Past, Future Verbs

Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives

Mixed-Up Sentences

Writing Topic & Details

MATH includes:

Math Mountains

Addition & Subtraction

Making 10 Strategy

Place Value Addition

“ Ten” Groups

ELA & Math Centers for Winter

ELA AND MATH CENTERS

English Language Arts

Winter is WONDERFUL! Reading / Writing & Math Centers

Contractions

Winter is WONDERFUL! Reading / Writing & Math Centers

VERBS

MIXED UP SENTENCES

Winter is WONDERFUL! Reading / Writing & Math Centers

WRITING…MAIN IDEA & DETAILS

MATH

Winter is WONDERFUL! Reading / Writing & Math Centers

Math Mountains

Missing Addends

Winter is WONDERFUL! Reading / Writing & Math Centers

MAKING 10 STRATEGY

PLACE VALUE

ELA & Math Centers for Winter

WINTER IS WONDERFUL

Easy Prep & Go! Get started organizing now..so YOU are ready for January!

Remember…2022 is the Year of BALANCED LITERACY!

Here’s a start BALANCED LITERACY

Click Here

Check out the WINTER Literacy Products from 1stgradefireworks

Do you like to play games? GOTCHA!

2 Replies

I LOVE GAMES!

I really do.

My kiddos LOVE to play games.

They learn to take turns, to negotiate, to strategize…

and to win peacefully,

and lose graciously.

So…I created a game.

Not just ANY game.

A game kindergartners can play WITH second graders…

AND WIN! 🙂

Here is my newest product:

(Think 4-in-a-row type games.)

The directions are pretty simple…

Take turns placing your tokens on the MAT…

Try to get 4 in a row.

You can get 4 in a row horizontal, vertical, or diagonal!

BUT…be careful!

Your partner will try to BLOCK YOU!

When you BLOCK them…

YELL…

Multiple game mats are included.

You can play a variety of levels, as needed.

Differentiation at its BEST!

The tokens are what make the difference.

There are a variety of leveled tokens.

From ABCs & 123’s…to short vowels…to contractions, and more!

Players must READ before playing a token!

READ? and have fun???

WOW!

Packet includes:

3 differentiated game mats.

16 different themed player tokens.

Here is a PREVIEW of the packet.

Click Below

Happy Summer my friends!

Wendy 1stgradefireworks

Welcome the VOWEL KIDS!

7 Replies

I would like you to meet my newest friends!

The vowel kids!

This is KATE. ( long a)

Her twin sister is Anna. ( Short a )

Anna left us for a short “vacation”

…so I can use her picture for LONG A!

Thank you to Nikki from MELONHEADZ for the cutie pies!

We took each vowel family and did some writing!

We brainstormed words ( see the word box)

that have our phonics pattern for the week.

Then we did an interactive writing .

( see my BALANCED LITERACY packet,

if you haven’t done INTERACTIVE WRITING)

The kids decided on her story. And then…

WE WROTE!

Meet the Vowel Kids

They were so cute! Best editors ever!

After we finished…

they critiqued.

They decided yellow was too hard to read.

They said that handwriting is very important,

if you want others to read it.

They said spelling is important. It can change the meaning.

And lastly, writing large and spacing our words,

makes it easier to read.

WOW! They were listening! 🙂

And so …each week for the next 4 weeks

I will introduce another friend.

Long e, Long i, Long o, and Long u.

We will chat, create, and write!

I Love my JOB!

If you are looking for more

writing ideas..

Stop on by!

Daily Language Practice

Balanced Literacy

1stgradefireworks

Balanced Literacy

Helping kids EDIT their WRITING

Book Clubs Reading Groups

Reading Groups?

LOVE THEM!

BUT….
My High Kiddos
don’t want to meet with me
as often as my others…

so, enter

BOOK CLUBS

We have grouped our BOOK CLUB kids into groups of six.

Each has the same book.

They have worked with the packet with me first during guided reading.
Model, model, model.

Then …

RELEASE THE KRACKEN!

I mean …release the firsties!

Book Clubs work as a team
to help each other read the story,

have a “LITERATURE” discussion ( the hard part),

and then they complete the packet TOGETHER.

Do they copy…yeah ( get over it) .

They ARE Learning from each other.

I have heard the BEST discussions ever
( and I wasn’t involved in it!).

They really CAN do it.

They enjoy the new packet.

I give them a “reward certificate”
&
LUNCH with the teacher
when the TEAM completes their packets
AND
give a
GROUP ORAL REPORT
on their book!

They want MORE!
( I try to switch the Book CLub groups , depending on the book level).

It takes them about 1-2 weeks to complete it.

We have a “core” reading series
we HAVE TO DO are highly, most decidedly will, are

encouraged to do, first.

SO… Book Club is their UA (small group) time.

So here it is! Check it out! Good for ANY story or book.

BOOK CLUB

“Book Club” Book Reports

Tips & Tricks

When students are independent readers, begin BOOK CLUBS
Hold students accountable
“Chunk” their work time ( I have them work for 15-20 minutes)
If needed…choose a LEADER to begin the discussions.
All club members need the same book.
Have booklets ready ahead of time. When they finish one…start another!

Check out these resources to help with reading & writing in YOUR classroom! 🙂

If you like it..PIN IT! 🙂

Book Clubs for Reading Comprehension!

3 Steps to Sight Word Fluency

2 Replies

3 steps to sight word fluency.

Not exactly steps..a hop..a skip..and a JUMP!

When teaching my kiddos to read,

I use MANY tools!

Books, whiteboards, markers, pocket charts, flashcards, etc..

But… when teaching sight words

or

high-frequency words

or

FRY words, Dolch Words etc, etc, etc.

It ALL comes down to this…

IF YOU CANNOT READ SIGHT WORDS,

You WILL NOT read at grade level!

Scary?? YES!

HOW DO WE HELP???

We research. We try. And we try AGAIN!

There are MANY resources on Pinterest

to help you find lists, and lists, and lists of words!

Awesome Sight Word Activities

27 Awesome Sight Word Activities

Sight Word Activities

Learn Sight Words Through Play

And LOTS of OTHERS!

Awesome Sight Word Activities

NOW I know what to teach…

HOW do I Do IT?

Here are your

3 steps to Sight Word FLUENCY!

Step 1

Matching Game

Each student makes their OWN word cards on colored paper.

(Practice sounding out, spelling, & writing EACH word)

I use 8 – 10 words.

Then they cut them apart.

Find a friend who has a different colored paper.

Both friends turn their word cards face down.

Rock, paper, scissors…winner goes first.

Choose one of YOUR word cards and one of your friends.

READ BOTH CARDS…friends help if needed.

If they match…keep BOTH cards. If not, turn them over and partner’s turn!

Winner has the most matches at the end of time

( or when ALL cards are turned over)

PLAY AGAIN!

Awesome Sight Word Activities

Great PARTNER work!

STEP 2

Pocket Chart

MAKING WORDS

and

MATCHING WORDS

I use

MAKING WORDS

GRADE 1

Awesome Sight Word Activities

for my word study WORD WORK.

I make the letter cards and the word cards.

We pocket chart them ( my kiddos like to play SCHOOL during MAY DO time).

One of the Activities is

MAKING WORDS!

Awesome Sight Word Activities

After MAKING WORDS

we play

MATCH IT!

Awesome Sight Word Activities

Turn them over & MATCH IT!

We also invented

SPEED READER

(NOT SPEED RACER!)

I turn them over & as a class,

we read as FAST AS WE CAN!

Step 3

Word Wall for Sight Word Fluency

: Sight Words on the Word Wall

: Word Wall Sight Words

: Sight Words for Word Wall

We play

I SPY

They use their whiteboards

and I call OUT…

“I SPY A WORD ON THE WORD WALL that

starts with a “_____” and RHYMES with “____”.

They find it on the all…and write it on their boards.

Sometimes I will change it up with

“A verb that starts with a “__”, etc. etc.

The main theme here is PRACTICE…PRACTICE PRACTICE!

No matter how many “steps” it takes…

they need practice activities & time

to HOP, SKIP, & JUMP into FLUENCY!

ALL Classrooms should be a BALANCED LITERACY Classroom!

ALWAYS begin with BALANCED LITERACY!

And so we begin.

Matching Words

Making Words

I Spy

To help with Sight Word Mastery

CLICK on the links for help!

Those Crazy Word Walls

Hi Ho Hi Ho..It’s Off to High-Frequency Work we GO

Ready to TRANSFORM your Classroom

into a

BALANCED LITERACY Classroom?

Here you are!

Balanced Literacy

If you need more help, check out my TPT Store. LOTS of goodies in there!

Wendy

Using Math Data for Guided Math Groups

I teach MATH.

I “think”

I teach math well.

BUT…

HOW DO I KNOW IF THEY “GET IT”???

How do I know if they have mastered ( or internalized )

the concept,

BEFORE THE TESTING BEGINS???

I mean…it’s NOT…

I REPEAT…NOT

always about

THE TEST!

But.. my kiddos WANT to do well!

Even in First Grade, they KNOW!

They KNOW TESTS COUNT!

Whether or not we like tests or don’t,

TESTS COUNT!

And so…

How do I know if they are ready?

I have a district purchased math curriculum

I am required to teach.

We use Expressions.

I have a pacing guide from my district to use as a “tool”

to
Keep ME on track.

Mostly to ensure I have taught the required concepts for

THE TEST!

I am NOT a fan of WASTED WORKSHEETS!

SOME…I LIKE!

SOME…I DON’T!

So …now what?

I NEED DATA!

SHOW ME WHAT YOU KNOW!

And so…

THEY DO!

Here is my Lesson on

ADDITION using 3 digits:

So.. NOW WHAT?

Now I have LOTS of DATA

(Student information)

to put students into

guided MATH groups!

I have noted students who need scaffolding in:

number sense

subitizing

numbers beyond 10

addition

grouping numbers

writing numbers

expanding numbers

place value

shape recognition

AND ALL OF THIS…

with 2 pieces of white paper & some crayons!

But…

in the next few weeks

when we

“TEST”

My kiddos will “GET IT”!

I know they will!

If YOU need any help with

MATH PRACTICE…

Check out …

for GRADE 1

See how I use it HERE and HERE

AND

For GRADE 2

See how I use it HERE

I also have MORE MATH Products…

Math Talk for Math Discussions

Sticks and Stones

Thanks for following!

Here’s a FREEBIE for YOUR TIME! 🙂

ks and Stones

ENJOY!

Wendy

Holiday Literacy\Math Games and Activities and a FREEBIE

1 Reply

Are YOU planning for December?

Get your first-grade math games & activities ready for DECEMBER!

Are you ready for holiday first-grade math games and activities?

Do you have your holiday reading and writing centers ready for December?

Do you need help finding them?

Easy Prep? High student Engagement?

I have HELP FOR YOU!

This ROUND-UP is to help YOU get organized,

NOW!!!!

The FREEBIE is at the BOTTOM!

KEEP READING! 🙂

Get your guided math centers ready to go!

Math games and printables prepped, organized, sorted.

Students can’t wait

for the exciting activities

to help them get through DECEMBER!

Do your kids need extra help with place value? How about a sorting activity?

Place Value Sorting Cards True or False?

How to help your students practice greater than and less than with game activity.

Greater Than Less Than Holiday Edition

Math Fact practice activities for December

December Fact Families

10 more and 10 less task cards for math games using the hundreds chart! Fun game!

This Elf is NOT on the Shelf

Now it is time for those literacy

( reading, writing, phonics, word)

centers!

Are YOU ready?

Literacy activities and games for reading, writing, and grammar for December.

The Elves are Working Overtime

Helping students read using Word Trees. Reading activity for fluency practice.

Sight Word Trees Holiday Edition

And for a FUN combination of Literacy and MATH…

The Winter Wonderland BUNDLE!

More games and fun activities to help your students practice grade-level standards in a highly energizing way! What a fun way to support learning through the HOLIDAY season!

Reading, writing, phonics, grammar, sight words, place value, task cards, and student practice pages to support learning through DECEMBER!

Winter Wonderland HOLIDAY BUNDLE

Do not forget to take care of YOURSELF!

Get planned and prepped for December

and then enjoy the season!

Laugh, giggle, give hugs & high-fives.

The holidays are for making memories.

MAKE YOURS!

Here are some posts that can help YOU, too! 🙂

When do YOU put up YOUR Christmas Tree?

What Does Read At Home Really Look Like?

Balanced Literacy

Happy December! Take Care of Yourself and ENJOY IT!

THANK YOU for hanging in for this LONG POST!

Here is a FREEBIE for YOU!

Click BELOW

Holiday NOUN, VERB, & ADJECTIVES

Holiday Noun, Verb, & Adjectives

Wendy

Are your students ready for CENTERS?

3 Replies

How to add games for independent centers!

We have been in school for 4 weeks. I know…we began JULY 31! I spend 3-4 weeks working on whole class routines & schedules. Then we spend a week or two working on centers ( without me actually taking reading groups) so I can monitor HOW they are doing during independent centers. AND THEN????

We begin INDEPENDENT CENTERS without the teacher!!! WHAT??? Yes!!

Release the KRACKEN!

Release the Kracken

And yes..we begin small group reading.

I used to call it GUIDED READING.

But I have added Guided Reading Skills & Strategies.

Sometimes, we work on words. Sometimes we work on skills.

Sometimes we read. Sometimes we write.

I use my assessments to guide my instruction.

I know WHO needs WHAT.

So what are the other kids doing?

MUST DO’s & May Do’s.

And this week..enter their FAVORITE CENTER SO FAR!

( Yes…in their WHOLE LIFE…as they say!)

Here is the FUN game for centers!

And they are LEARNING! WIN! WIN!

Short vowel dominoes

SHORT VOWEL DOMINOES

294 CARDS! WOWZA!

294 domino cards for short vowel practice. Domino games can be differentiated by vowel sounds, picture cards, or word cards. Fun activities for student learning. Games help students stay engaged while practicing short vowel CVC word families.

They LOVE THIS! They beg for more time! Get your WORK done so you can PLAY!

YES! I love it when a plan works!

And so here we go!

Small groups for me..independent centers for them.

WIN! WIN! All around. Check out the video!

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UPDATE! Math Practice for the WHOLE YEAR!

Really?

Math practice…DONE?

For the WHOLE YEAR???

YEP! YEP!

Math Practice …Common Core Aligned

Daily skills for kiddos to practice!

My newest packet requires..

NO LAMINATING!!!

Really?

I mean REALLY? YES!

I Mean NO! NO LAMINATING!

HOW? Tell me HOW?

First…Print the cards on paper or cardstock.

I choose…FLUORESCENT!

Pink, green, blue, orange , & yellow!

BRIGHT BRIGHT BRIGHT

I have Black walls ( Wal Mart Twin Sheets!)

LOVE THEM!

Bright cards LOOK GREAT!

So how do I put them on the walls?

Sheet Protectors!

Cut them to size….

( I added tape to the bottom of some to make a “POCKET”)

and

VOILA!

To see the whole wall….

Close your eyes! READY??

Love Love Love it!

Here is a preview!

And here is the best!

The kiddos use this printable

doing 4 sets a day, for 5 days

AND THEN…

take the cards out of the pockets…place a new card in front…

AND DO IT AGAIN!

New card…same skill!

Here is the student printable:

YOU SEE?

LOTS of Practice…Little teacher WORK!

Work Smarter….NOT HARDER!

Now available at 1stgradefireworks

Eggs. The Little Plastic ONES!

Plastic Easter Eggs. What do YOU do with THEM?

EGGS!

Huh?

I know..I am talking about those CUTE little plastic ones!

The plastic ones we put stuff into and hide at EASTER!

How to use them in the CLASSROOM?

A MILLION WAYS!

Eggs with word family stickers

Easter Egg Math

Number Matching

Or….

How to use Plastic Eggs for Learning!

Multiple Other ways!

(Pinterest)

KIDDOS LOVE THEM!

They are CHEAP!

USE THEM.

Use them A LOT!

Sometimes…the best lessons are in the smallest packages.

Have fun. Smile a lot.

Giggle.

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