Vowel Teams

A few weeks ago, I introduced vowel teams to my kids!  They were definitely ready, as the books they are reading are now harder to decode!  I always start out my unit with this Between the Lions video clip, "When Two Vowels Go Walking."  The kids think it's hilarious!  It really does help the concept stick in their heads!   I introduce vowel teams by the sounds they make.  I began with ai, ay, and an a_e review.  When introducing them, I teach my kids a song that I wrote about them.  On the first day, we brainstorm words and write them in a 3-way sort.  We then read a poem and some word cards of our vowel teams.

As the week progresses, we read a poem that has the same vowel team{s} in it, do some writing, work on our slates, and play some games.  We end the week with our Spelling test, which is composed of the word patterns we've studied all week.  We also end with "Open Mic Friday."  

I use everything included in my "Long Vowel and Vowel Team Phonics Mega-Pack" as well as the vowel team activities/cards from my "Chunking Words Phonics Pack."

xo
Megan

End of Year Review!

Good morning and TGIF!  With only 3 days left in the year, we've been spending some time reviewing the skills that we have learned in first grade.  Today I want to showcase two products that I really love that can be used for review!

First up is my Reading Foundational Skills Pack.  I posted this back in the late fall/early winter.  I think it's such a great product and want to show it to you.  It's chocked full of fun activities including: sentence scrambles, spinner games, board games, sorts, and tons more!  Click the cover to take a peek!

What I really love about this pack is that it's non-themed, so it can be used at any time throughout the year.  It's very appropriate for kinder and first, and even second {for RTI}.  This pack has 1-2 activities from each of the CCSS "Reading: Foundational Skills" standard.  Just last week my students played the blends board game that is included. I have really enjoyed having this pack for my students this year.  It's come in very handy for reading group and centers.  Take a look!

They love the blends/digraph board game!

Next is my Long Vowels and Vowel Teams pack.  It's a hot seller in my store and the kids seriously eat this up!  Each vowel team & long vowel has a board game, song, worksheets, and different activity to go along with it.  It's been great these last few weeks!  Click the cover to preview what's included!

This week in centers, my kids were playing "FIVE," one of the many games included. 

Happy long weekend!  What are your plans?

xo
Megan 

Long Vowels and Vowel Teams!!

We've been working hard learning the long vowel/vowel team spelling patterns in my first grade classroom!  Next week, I want to really spend some time reviewing them.  I created my "Long Vowel and Vowel Teams Mega-Pack" to do just that.  This set is loaded with engaging and hands-on activities and games that will keep your early learners busy learning!  My kids are LOVING it!  Please click the picture to check it out!

xo
Megan 

Look out for "Magic E!"

We've been working on silent e for over a month now.  Students are seeming to get it and apply it (for the most part) during writing workshop.  For a fun, new way to review, I made (ok, I asked a substitute amazing substitute) to make it for me.  *Sidebar: She enjoys the laminator as much as I do.  You can use the wand all sorts of ways...introducing "Magic E," having it "pop up" and change cVc words into cVcE words, etc...etc...etc...If you'd like a supplement for your magic e lessons, check out my long vowel pack, shown below! 81 pages of long vowel and vowel teams!!

xo
Megan