Word Work with Post-it-Notes

Word Work Tip of the Week:  Add post-it-notes to your word work stations.  Encourage your students to make more words.  Your students will be motivated to write and write.

Portable Magnetic Word Family Word Wall
Students can remove a word family and take it to other stations for working with words.

Small Portable Word Family Walls
I make many small portable word walls.  These small word walls encourage my students to look for words they know to help them spell words with the same word pattern or word family.

Differentiate by adding post-it-notes to the center.  Students can make new words by adding blends, digraphs, suffixes, or prefixes.  They also can use the words in a sentence. When center time is over, students place their post-it-notes in their word books.   

Student samples of their post-it-note words and sentences.

Use the students' work samples as a guide for mini-lessons.  Ex:  takeing - teach student about taking off the "e" and adding "ing."

Read with Someone or Reading with a Friend

Isn't it exciting when your students want to read all the time?  My class does a modified version of the Daily Five.  We have a separate time when we "Read to Self" after lunch everyday.  My students also have the option of "Reading to Self" during Readers' Workshop. What I discovered is they love this special reading time, and we have really increased our stamina throughout the school year.  I use this time to fit in listening to children read independently.  There is nothing more powerful than getting a one-to-one uninterrupted glimpse of a student reading.  I usually spend 5 minutes with each student, giving me a chance to listen to 5-6 extra children read each day. We have built our independent reading stamina to 35 minutes during the month of February.  Some students could go for longer periods of time, but my struggling readers need more anchored support.  When our "Read to Self" time is up, I switch to "Read to Someone."  They finish out this time by reading with a friend.  So we are now reading for 45 minutes each day.  They love their "Read to Someone" time, and it is a great way to build a classroom reading community. 


Procedures are a MUST for any program to be successful.  My students have the option of sitting on the floor, laying on reading mats, sitting at their tables, reading under our tables, or in our hallway (privilege).  I first encouraged the "sit by your friend" when they read, but everyone had a different reading style or what was "comfortable" reading.  So as always, I made up a song to a familiar tune to help us learn the correct procedures.  This song is to "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."  At the end of the song, I say, "Where does the book go?"  They chant, "In the middle!" Here is a picture of our anchor chart:

 Click here to download these FREE anchor charts. 

Click here to view:  "I'm Working on My Strategies to Read" for the Smart Board, Interactive Whiteboard, or student computer on my TpT store.

Don't have this technology yet?  Use the mp3 song and book set from my TpT store.
"I'm Working on My Strategies to Read" mp3 Song
"I'm Working on My Strategies to Read" Book Set
The book set includes a big book version along with an independent reading book, 1/2 size books for book boxes or guided reading, and a single page version for homework folders.  You can also use the big book version to create 11X17 anchors charts for your reading wall.

Independent Reading Book
8 1/2 x 11

"I'm Working on My Strategies to Read" from the CD "Growing Dendrites by Kathy Griffin" (c) Copyright 2011

It's Great to Be Reading "Other Word Families" YouTube

Teachers often ask which song/multimedia file from "Growing Dendrites" is my favorite. Well, that's a difficult question because I made them all for different reasons. The 2 versions of "It's Great to Be Reading" have a significant impact on teaching my students the reading strategy "Look for the chunk."  We sing both versions of the song, which gives them 10 different word family anchors to help transfer the strategy:  If you can read _______, then you can read _________.  It also works the same way when applying it to spelling.   If you can spell ________, you can spell _________. 

As we do word studies in our classroom, the children apply the song to other word families that are introduced.  For example, "ent" makes the sound of "ent."  Add a "t" and you have "tent."  Add a "w" and you have "went" . . .  "bent and cent and dent and silent." So as they are busy working during Readers' Workshop, I often hear them singing this song to read other words in the classroom. That's when I know a strategy is working for my students because we ultimately want them to be able to transfer their learning to other areas and also be independent with this strategy.  Sometimes our students just need an anchor as a connection to other words.

Here is a video of how I use it in my classroom. This song works on the word families that contain "ank," "ink," "ight," "ice," and "ay."

Wiki Stik Making Words

Not a fan of Wiki Stik and the sticky mess?  Cut your Wiki Stik into strips and place inside a black binder.  Have the students sort by color and place back on the inside of the folder when finished.  Close the binder, put in a plastic tub, and never have to worry about them drying out or getting all stuck together.

"and" makes the sound of "and." Add a "h" and you have "hand."  Add a "b" and you have "band."  IT'S GREAT TO BE READING AND SPELLING!

Have your students make words with Wiki Stick.  Don't like to clean up the mess after centers?  Have the students build the words on black clipboards.  When they are finished making words, have them put their clipboards in the tub with the binder above.  No more mess and it becomes a more manageable center.

If you can read . . . you can read . . . .
If you can spell . . . . you can spell . . . 

Write a story with the word families.

To purchase "It's Great to Be Reading" for the Smart Board, IWB, or student computer click on the link below:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Its-Great-to-Be-Reading-for-the-Smart-Board-or-Computer


To purchase the "It's Great to Be Reading" book set for independent reading, guided reading, "Just Right Reading," the listening center, or as a song folder for homework, click on the link below:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Its-Great-to-Be-Reading-Books


To purchase the "It's Great to Be Reading" mp3 song for whole group or for the listening center click on the link below:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Its-Great-to-Be-Reading-Song


Thanks for stopping by!

It's FREE SmartBoard Sunday Balloon Pop

I have loaded some new games for FREE on my TpT store to help teach the "Outlaw Words," or sight words that do not follow the phonics rules. Here is a quick look at the games.  Have a great school week and enjoy 2 new whole group and literacy centers on me.

See if you students know which words are behind the balloon.  Read the word on the balloon.  Guess what words are underneath.  Pop the balloon and see if you are right! This activity complements the song "The Outlaw Words" from my CD and multimedia files from "Growing Dendrites with Kathy Griffin" (c) Copyright 2011.

View of what is behind the balloon after it has been touched. Directions: Click on the balloon.  Read the word.  When finished with the page, touch the balloon to reset it to the color.

Click on the balloon.  Read the word.  When finished, touch the balloon to reset it to the color.

Directions for The Outlaw Words Balloon Pop Game

Spelling the Outlaw Word "water."  Student has the option of figuring out the word by the letter arrangement or can click on the clue button to see the word and correct spelling. The red bar tracks their time.  Click on the edit button to remove the timing option.

Spelling the Outlaw Word "your."  Student has the option of figuring out the word by the letter arrangement or can click on the clue button to see the word and correct spelling. The red bar tracks their time.  Click on the edit button to remove the timing option.

Spelling the Outlaw Word "what."  Student has the option of figuring out the word by the letter arrangement or can click on the clue button to see the word and correct spelling. The red bar tracks their time.  Click on the edit button to remove the timing option.

Want to change the words?  Read how to edit the file on the first  page.

Directions Page

To get the FREE download of The Outlaw Word Balloon Pop Game click on the link below:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Outlaw-Words-Balloon-Pop-Game-for-the-SmartBoard


To get the FREE download of The Outlaw Spelling Word Anagram game, click on the link below:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Outlaw-Words-Spelling-Anagram


To purchase the multimedia file for the SmartBoard, Interactive Whiteboard, or computer, click on the link below:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Outlaw-Words-for-the-Smart-Board-or-Computer

To purchase the activity pack, click on the link below:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Outlaw-Words-Activity-and-Game-Pack

To purchase the book set, click on the link below:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Outlaw-Words-Books


To purchases the mp3 song, click on the link below:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Outlaw-Words-Song

Take the "We Work With Words Challenge"

Take the word work challenge with our classroom!  We are keeping track of the number of words we read/spell during Reader's Workshop/Literacy Centers and are pushing ourselves to grow more dendrites in reading and spelling.  The goal for our class: To read and spell more words. We do not do traditional spelling tests at our school.  Instead, we provide lots of word work activities for our students to do including word sorts to look for patterns.  Our brains are pattern seekers, and my students are learning to find patterns everywhere, even in print.  As my class says, "Patterns, patterns, EVERYWHERE!"  Try this simple phrase with your students during whole group word work, reading, or anytime you are looking at print:  "What do you notice?"  Get a glimpse at what your students notice about words, how to break them apart, and how to put them back together.  If you want to join in on the challenge, leave your city, state and track the number of words your students read/spell daily, weekly, or by the month. Or just say, "We're taking the challenge!"  My students are ready for some competition.  How about yours?  Think of the learning that can take place.  My students write the number of words each day on a post-it-note and turn it in.  We add them together with a calculator during math stations.  Then we chart them on our board.  We have decided to make a Word Work Graph to track our progress.  I can't wait to hear from you, and your classroom's success.  You can show them this video clip to get them motivated.




Or you can also purchase the multimedia file "Word Work Chant" from my Teachers Pay Teachers store for the Smart Board, Interactive Whiteboard, or computer for $3.00.  Just want the song/chant/and rap version?  I have the mp3 at my TpT store for $1.00 and the book set for $2.00.


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Weve-Got-DendritesWord-Work-Chant-for-the-Smart-Board-or-Computer
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Weve-Got-Dendrites-Word-Work-Chant-Books

The Outlaw Words YouTube Example

Here is an example of how I use "The Outlaw Words" from my CD "Growing Dendrites with Kathy Griffin" on my Smart Board.  I use it during whole group time and as a literacy station during Readers' Workshop.  During Readers' Workshop, I turn the volume down and have the children work with the print only.  After surveying my students, this is their favorite multimedia file.  I do believe it helps them with those harder words that don't follow the phonics rules.

It's Great to Be Reading on YouTube

It's Great to Be Reading (Short Vowels)
I use this multimedia file to introduce CVC or short vowel word families.

You can purchase this multimedia file at my TpT store:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Its-Great-to-Be-Reading-CVC-Words-for-the-Smart-Board-or-Computer
I created books to use during guided reading groups and to put in my students' book boxes for "Just Right Reading" practice.  After they read/sing the book, they can practice all of the words at the end of the book (over 150 CVC words).  It's great practice to master these short vowel word families. I also put a copy in the listening center to reinforce fluency and provide extra support to a favorite book/song.


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Its-Great-to-Be-Reading-Books-CVC-Words
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Its-Great-to-Be-Reading-Song-CVC-Words

I build smaller word walls to help transfer this skill to other word families in my classroom.  Sometimes my word walls are on "actual walls" and sometimes they are on smaller sheets in tubs.

We document our work in our "Word Work Books."
It shows their growth over the school year and there are
no papers to keep track of during Reader's Workshop.
When I ask, "What words did you work on today?"
They show me. I add some creativity to it by using
fun markers, crayons, and colored pencils.

My portable word wall.
Children take the word families they want to work
with to the tables to do different literacy centers,
such as spelling and word sorts.

Word Sort by Word Family
Using Post-it-Notes

Want some fun literacy centers to go with these word families?  Check out It's Great to Be Reading Activity Pack:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Its-Great-to-Be-Reading-Activity-Pack-CVC-Words

Thanks for stopping by my blog.  

Five Word Families on YouTube

See how I use the multimedia file "Five Word Families"  on my Smart Board.  



You can purchase this multimedia file for $3.00 at my Teachers Pay Teacher store:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Five-Word-Families-for-the-Smart-Board-or-Computer

One of the literacy centers in my classroom is "Roll a Dice." Want a free 14 page download of this activity? 

Click here to download this free 14 page literacy center.

I've Been Working on My Silent e Rule Game & Activity Pack

I just loaded a new activity game pack to my Teachers Pay Teachers store to complement the song, multimedia file, and book set to "I've Been Working on My Silent e Rule."  So do you want to know my students' favorites right now?  They love "All Aboard" which is a version of Go Fish, "Toot Toot!" a version of Bang, and Build a Board Game.  On Build a Board Game, they use the cards to design a road first, and then begin the game.  When they finish, they can build the road a different way and play again.  Check back next week for more photographs of the games in my actual classroom.

This game pack complements the song "I've Been Working on My Silent e Rule" from my CD "Growing Dendrites with Kathy Griffin" (c) Copyright 2011. Use the games and activities during guided reading and literacy centers.  All of the game pieces are coded with a small picture in the right hand corner to help with management of pieces.  If one gets dropped on the floor (and we all know how often that happens), the students can match the cards to the games saving teachers valuable time.  Even the whole group activity "Making Words" are coded with pictures by word family.  If they get mixed up, have the children sort them by the picture, and you are ready to teach again.

I Can Read Fluency Cards for practice during guided reading groups. Pass out  a stack of cards to each child in your group.  Their goal is to read the card, put it in front of their stack, while I listen to them read the words.  If they are correct, I take the card.  If they read it wrong, I refer them to the song while they read it again.  I remind them the "e" reaches over the consonant and says, "Say your name!"  Works every time.   We then try to increase our speed, fluency, and accuracy.  I switch the stacks among the children to give them the chance to read all of the words.  The train clip art matches the books and multimedia file to help make a connection to the song.

Student version of "Making Words" with the silent e pattern.  The hand pointer is used to help decode the word.  They use the pointer, touch the e, reach over the consonant, and say, "Say your name, " then sound out the word.  I coded the cards by their spelling pattern (ake, ine, etc.) with a different color of train, so the children can sort the cards if they get mixed up in the pocket chart.  No more asking you what cards go where.  Just say, "Sort the cards by their train colors and start building words." 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ive-Been-Working-on-My-Silent-e-Rule-Games-and-Activity-Pack

Here is a sample of the multimedia file I've Been Working on My Silent e Rule for the Smart Board, IWB, Digital Projector, or student computer.  Help your students learn the rule and apply to words with the silent e pattern.

Click here to view this on TpT. 

Click here to view the book set that complements this song.

Click here to see view the mp3 version.

I've Been Working on My Silent e Rule

Teach your students how to read words with the "silent e" rule. Watch how I use this multimedia file to teach this phonic's rule.

You can purchase the multimedia file from my Teachers Pay Teachers store for $3.00 at

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ive-Been-Working-on-My-Silent-e-Rule-for-the-Smart-Board-or-Computer

While you are there, check out the book set and mp3 file from the song to use in guided reading, independent reading, or the listening center.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ive-Been-Working-on-the-Silent-e-Rule-Song

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ive-Been-Working-on-My-Silent-e-Rule-Books

The Letter H Has Many Friends Video Directions

Need some lessons to use on your Smart Board, Interactive Whiteboard, or student computers? Want a fun way to help your students learn the digraphs "ch" "sh" "wh" and "th"? Watch this video and see how I use the multimedia file "The Letter H Has Many Friends" from my CD "Growing Dendrites with Kathy Griffin" (c) Copyright 2011.





You purchase the multimedia file from my Teachers Pay Teachers file for $3.00 at
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Letter-H-Has-Many-Friends-for-the-Smart-Board-or-Computer
While you are there, check out the book set and mp3 file from the song to use in guided reading, independent reading, or the listening center.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Letter-H-Has-Many-Friends-Books
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Blends-Are-Letter-Friends-Song

Two Vowels Together Rule How to Use Video

Today's post is going to show I how I use "Two Vowels Together Rule" to teach the phonics rule when two vowels are together in a word.  This multimedia file has 5 teaching point pages at the end to teach over 270 words.  Plus I give ways in which to differentiate for non-readers learning their letter sounds, struggling readers, and even those who need a challenge. If you have any questions, please post them and I will answer them.




You can purchase the multimedia file for the Smart Board, Interactive Whiteboard, or computer at:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Two-Vowels-Together-Rule-for-the-Smart-Board-or-Computer
You can purchase the book set at:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Two-Vowels-Together-Rule-Books
You can purchase the mp3 song at:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Two-Vowels-Together-Rule-Song


Put the song and the book in the literacy center for another connection to your whole group time or use on individual CD players or iPods to provide reinforcement and practice of these skills.  I put the 1/2 size books in their "Just Right" book boxes.  The singing helps make them successful and gives them more opportunities to practice the vowel team words in a book format. We also use the teaching points pages during guided reading groups to practice these words.

Won't Forget No More YouTube

Take a look at how I use the multimedia file for "Won't Forget No More" for the Smart Board, Interactive Whiteboard, or computer.  This song teaches the alphabet and letters/sounds.  The multimedia file has review pages at the end to use as a game.  "Won't Forget No More" is from the CD "Growing Dendrites with Kathy Griffin" (c) Copyright 2011.



You can purchase the multimedia file for the Smart Board, Interactive Whiteboard, or computer at:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Wont-Forget-No-More-for-the-Smart-Board-of-Computer
You can purchase the book set at:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Wont-Forget-No-More-Books
You can purchase the mp3 song at:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Wont-Forget-No-More-Song

Put the song and the book in the literacy center for another connection to your whole group time or use on individual CD players or iPods to provide remediation for students on a Response to Intervention plan (RTI).

Jingle Bell Word Families YouTube

Here is an example of how I use the multimedia file "Jingle Bell Word Families" on my Smart Board.  The song teaches the "ang, ing, ong, and ung" word families.  It also teaches the phonemic awareness skills of rhyming and substitution of sounds. This multimedia file can be used on a Smart Board, any Interactive Whiteboard, or computer that has Quick Time.


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Jingle-Bell-Word-Families-for-the-Smart-Board-or-Computer
If you don't have access to this technology, you can purchase the book version along with the mp3 song to teach your class.  Remember to add in the motions to make it more kinesthetic.  Auditory, visual, and kinesthetic connections mixed in with fun helps children retain more information.  Use the 1/2 size books during your guided reading session.  The teaching points on the multimedia file are also at the end of the books. 


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Jingle-Bell-Word-Families-Song
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Jingle-Bell-Word-Families-Book-Set

I'm Working on My Strategies to Read YouTube

Take a look at how I use the multimedia file to teach reading strategies to my students on my Smart Board. This file can be used with any Interactive Whiteboard or computer. You need to have Quick Time on your computer to read the file. The song is from the CD "Growing Dendrites with Kathy Griffin. 



http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Im-Working-on-My-Strategies-to-Read-for-the-Smart-Board-or-Computer

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Im-Working-on-My-Strategies-to-Read-Song

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Blends-Are-Letter-Friends-Books

Blends Are Letter Friends on YouTube

Take a look at how I use the multimedia file "Blends Are Letter Friends" for the Smart Board, Interactive Whiteboard, and computer. The song is from the CD "Growing Dendrites with Kathy Griffin."



http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Blends-Are-Letter-Friends-for-the-Smart-Board-or-Computer

Check the books and song that go along with the multimedia file. Use the book set in whole group reading, independent reading, read-to-self, guided reading, and as a homework song folder file.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Blends-Are-Letter-Friends-Books
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Blends-Are-Letter-Friends-Song

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If You Know Your Letter Sounds on YouTube

Check out my multimedia file for the Smart Board, Interactive Whiteboard, or computer.
Visit my store for the book set which contains a big book, 8 1/2 X 11 book for independent reading or whole group, a 1/2 size book for individual student book boxes for guided reading, a listening center book for easier timing with the print/song, and a homework file to put in a song folder.

Copycat Letter Boogaloo Video Instructions

Well my first post to YouTube was an experience.  My name is good and bad.  It's great if you need to remember it.  It's not so great if you search it on YouTube.  Lessons learned, many viewing it thought they were going to watch the comedian. LOL!  I received some interesting comments throughout the day.  In fact, I had to remove a couple.  Wow! 
Today's post is going to show how to use the multimedia file Copycat Letter Boogaloo.  My children love to do this song and add motions to it.  And it really transfers over to their reading and writing.  

You can purchase the multimedia file for the Smart Board, Interactive Whiteboard (IWB), or for your student computers.


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Copycat-Letter-Boogaloo-for-the-Smart-Board-or-Computer

Other current products for Copycat Letter Boogaloo are the book set with an 8 1/2 X 11 book for whole group or the listening center, a 1/2 size book for guided reading or for independent reading, and a song chart to put in a homework song folder for a home-school connection and the mp3 version of the song.  Coming soon - Copycat Letter Boogaloo Activity/Game Pack.  Follow me on Teachers Pay Teachers to receive information when I upload new activities.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Copycat-Letter-Boogaloo-Books
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Copycat-Letter-Boogaloo-Song

Thanks for visiting my blog.  Leave a comment if you have any questions or want to tell how you use this in your class.

I Know My Vowels You Tube

I'm making my debut on You Tube to show how I use the multimedia files on the Smart Board or any Interactive Whiteboard.  My first video is dark so you can see the board better.  I will try to work on the quality of my videos over the next couple of weeks. If you load the multimedia file on your student computers, the students will use the mouse to click on the arrows and buttons to start, stop, or move the page of the song.


Today's blog will focus on the song "I Know My Vowels" from Growing Dendrites with Kathy Griffin (c) Copyright 2011.  These multimedia files work much better than Power Point files because you have more control over the file and the interactive writing on the board.

Multimedia File for the Smart Board, Interactive Whiteboard (IWB), or Computer

Teaching Points Page at the End of the Multimedia File
Use as a whole group activity or as a literacy station

I use the multimedia files during whole group phonics, but also as an independent literacy center during Readers' Workshop.  I let 2 students interact with the board at a time.  They take turns finding the vowels on each page.  To make it differentiated, my students also look for little words hiding in big words and different phonics patterns. They also practice writing the words or change them to make new words.  (Ex: a higher level student might take the 'k" off of the word "know" and change it to "now."  I always use the words, "What do you notice?"  This question is very powerful as it gives you great insight into what your students know.  Give it a try! 


You can purchase this multimedia file at my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/I-Know-My-Vowels-for-the-Smart-Board-or-Computer

Want books for independent reading for your students' book boxes?  The listening center?  As a homework song folder? Purchase the book set at my TPT store.


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/I-Know-My-Vowels-Books
While you are there, you can also purchase the mp3 version of the song to place in the listening center or on an iPod, and take a look at the I Know My Vowels Activity Game Pack with many games/activities to support the song. I have included a flag in this pack for your students to decorate.  My students carry their flag as they march around the room to the song or multimedia file.  We spin in a circle when the cheerleader spins. And of course, we cheer with the vowels too.  After the students get used to this activity, we bump it up and go on vowel hunts with our flags to use as an anchor support.  The students record their words in their word books. When we have made this a secure goal, I send the flags home with the students for a home-school connection.


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/I-Know-My-Vowels-Song
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/I-Know-My-Vowels-Activity-Pack

Let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Thanks for stopping by!

Strategies for the Outlaw Words Activities

This blog post will continue to discuss word wall words that do not follow the typical phonics rules.  The following are some of the activities that I do with the song, books, and activity kit from the Outlaw Words:

These are the actual phrases from the song put in a pocket chart.  They are color-coded to match the words in the books and on the multimedia file for the Smart Board, IWB, and computer.  I used colors and short phrasing as a strategy for helping students remember these hard words.  "What do you want?"  is used as anchor to help the children keep track of where they are in the song.  

Large word walls serve their purpose in the early childhood classroom.  When you make smaller, more focused word walls, it helps students zone in on where to locate these words instead of scanning through 50-150 words on the big word wall.  My students have the song memorized so when they are writing in Writers' Workshop and want to write one of the Outlaw Words, they will sing the song, smile, and get up to go get the strip.  I tell my students that good readers and writers know where to find help and will look for those words in our classroom.  I also explain that after they locate and write that word many times, their brains will grow dendrites or make a connection and BAM!!! they will know how to read and write the word.  They like the BAM!!! part.


I also make 3 copies of the strips from the Outlaw Words Activity/Game pack to use during the song or multimedia file.  I pass the strips out to the students.  There are 34 words in the song with 12 phrases.  I pass out a phrase strip to each child (some get 2) and they stand up when they get to their line in the song.  If you have the "These are the Outlaw Words! strip, they will be standing up 12 times during the song. Keep that in mind when passing out the strips.  You want children who need more movement to have one of the strips closer to the bottom of this chart.  After we sing it the first time through, I have them switch strips with a friend, and we do it again.  The "what do you want" strip is the most popular and can cause some children to hold on tightly to that strip!


STOP FREEZE or BANG GAME

Outlaw Word Puzzle Set for Spelling CenterI put each line of the song into one plastic baggie.  Students spell one line of the song at a time. I provide a small anchor chart also provided in the activity pack to provide support for learning to read the words too.  The students memorize the song and use the visual color-coded supports to learn to read and spell the words.

GO FISH OR STOP FREEZE FOR LITERACY CENTERS
Students draw 5 cards and place in the card holder.  I use a large clip chip from the Dollar Store and place 2 foam semi-circles together inside the clip.  This holds the cards in place making it easier to play the game.  Student asks another student if he/she has one of the words in his/her hand.  If yes, students gives him/her the card.  If no, student says, "STOP FREEZE!" and the other student draws a card from the extra pile.  Play continues when are cards are gone.  Player with the most cards wins.

These are 4 out of the 12 activities in the "Outlaw Words Activity/Game Pack" on my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.  Here are the links for the Activity Pack, Books, mp3 song, and multimedia file for the Smart Board, IWB, and computer.


Have fun and thanks for visiting my blog and checking out my TPT store.


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Outlaw-Words-Activity-and-Game-Pack


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Outlaw-Words-for-the-Smart-Board-or-Computer

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Outlaw-Words-Song



http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Outlaw-Words-Books