What we are working on this week!

This morning I started my day out with this sweet note on my desk from a secret pal on my grade level! So sweet!!! Thank you, it brightened my day!!

This week were are working on a whole lot! We are having tons of fun though! We are working on blends, which my kiddos are really getting the hang of. We just finished up with long and short vowels. Yesterday, during my mini-lesson we worked on the blends cr, br, and tr. I gave each student a post it and assigned each table a blend and then we added them to our chart. It was fun to see some of the words they came up with!

We also did a mimio on the interactive board on blends. I get most of my mimio lessons from www.mimioconnect.com. There are a ton of lessons already made and they are really good!

The kids sorted the correct blend to the correct word. I loved this one because it sounded out the words for you so they could hear the sounds. We also worked on some pizza puzzles in centers on blends. The kids LOVE these.

We are also working on blends during word work in my guided reading groups. I keep my little magnetic board and letters with me and teach small lessons in the small group setting. It really helps me to see who really knows their stuff!

I gave them a few words and had each child write and circle the blend as a quick check to make sure everyone understood the concepts that were taught in my mini-lesson. We usually do this after we read our guided reading book for the day.

                                              
We are also working on Johnny Appleseed and studying folktales. If you don't have it already be sure to grab this freebie! The kids had a ball putting him together! We are going to work on the writing that goes with it tomorrow.
                                    
 Oh and I posted this picture on my Facebook page and I have received a lot of inquiries from teachers that want to buy it. Although I don't own these shoes, I am ADDICTED to shoes and I have around 200 pair all neatly organized in clear boxes stacked in my closet. I know that is a bit ridiculous but I have a problem and the first step is admitting it!