MITESOL 2014

It is finally here!  The Michigan Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (MITESOL) conference and it is just down the road in downtown Grand Rapids, MI.  The theme this year is Expanding our Perspectives: From the Classroom to the Community.  

If you are attending the conference be sure to look me up.  I will be presenting a 2 hour workshop Saturday morning at 10 am called Hands On With Common Core.

2 for 50% off on Tuesday

I have been looking at the Two For Tuesday linkups on The Teaching Tribune for the past few weeks but, I have been too busy with my now three week old son to join in.  Today I have decided to pass him off to his mother for a while and try it out.   The first item I have listed at 50% off is my Long Vowel Sort and Write Teams/Pairs.   The second item is my I have… Who has… Multiply Multi digit Numbers Bundle.  

Long Vowel Sort and Write Teams

by Learning is the Game™

$1.99 $.99 (Tues & Wed)

This activity is more than just a long vowel sound sorting activity.  For starters, it gives your students a valuable hands on activity that is engaging and fun.  Since your students are actually creating something, they will have a visually pleasing graphic organizer that both of you can refer back to as the year goes on.  This activity also includes a writing element.  Once students have correctly sorted the words according to their long vowel sounds, they will write sentences using those words.

Here is how I use this activity, but of course you should use it whatever way works best for you.

Prep

             Print pages 3-5 for each student.  Be sure to print them double sided!

Step 1-Intro   

             Introduce/review the long vowel sounds in a way that fits your teaching style.  It is a good idea to also review the words the students will be sorting since they will need to use some of them in their writing.

Step 2– Color

Each vowel sound is assigned a color.  Color the tabs and boxes with the vowels and long vowel symbols.  Then, color the words in the boxes (page 5) with the corresponding color.  Example: If the boxes with the Aa and ā were colored blue, the box with the word made and other long a words should also be colored blue. 

*I like to have my students color the words because I can quickly check to make sure they are identifying the words correctly before they start cutting and gluing.  I also suggest doing all of the coloring before any cutting because it is easier/cleaner when done first.

Step 3-Fold and cut

Look at the side with the dotted line.  Fold on the dotted line, and cut on the solid lines. 

Step 4-Cut and glue

Cut out the words, and glue them in the boxes next to the matching long vowel sound

symbol.

Step 5– Write

On each line provided write a complete sentence using the long vowel words in that box.  Circle the words you used with the corresponding color.

This is a fun activity that can be used with any students just learning about long vowel sounds, especially K-2^nd graders.  I have even used this with my upper elementary English language learners with great success. 

I know my students and I have enjoyed it, and I hope you and your students do too!

Common Core State Standards practiced. 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.3b

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.1a

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.2a

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.1a

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.2a

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.2b

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.2c

CSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.2.3a

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.2.3b

*CCSS are printed on the back of the foldable.

Click here for a FREE preview.  It has some directions and suggestions on how to use this activity in your class.

I have… Who has… Multiply Multi digit Numbers Bundle

by Learning is the Game™

$3.99 $1.99 (Tues & Wed)

I have… Who has… is a card based game where students can practice and review ideas and concepts learned in class. Each deck is specifically designed with content based on a specific common core standard. By playing the game students will also practice other important skills including speaking, listening, comprehension, and self-control.

                                                     

This I have… Who has… bundle comes with THREE full and different decks! Each deck is based on the common core standard 4.NBT.B.5 (printed on the back of each card).  Each deck also gets progressively more difficult.

Deck #1 students will multiply single digit numbers by double digit numbers (6 x 43).

Deck #2 students will multiply single digit numbers by three and four digit numbers (6 x 4,365).

Deck #3 students will multiply double digit numbers by double digit numbers (63 x 43).

If you are looking for a fun, engaging, hands-on way for your students to practice multiplying multi-digit numbers (4.NBT.B.5), you have come to the right place! Students will also practice reading, listening to, and saying numbers ranging in place value from 1 -100,000 depending on what deck they use.

Each deck can be used in a whole group, small group (using the bonus 8.1 card) or individual setting. See Rules page in the free preview for more information.

*Because of the content in these decks, I like to give my students whiteboards or scrap paper to use during the game.

For more games and activities be sure to   and:

Facebook @Learning is the Game

Twitter @LearningitGame

Instagram @Learning is the Game

Equivalent Fractions Fly Swatter

Equivalent Fractions Fly Swatter

by Learning is the Game™

I originally created this game for a friend of mine, Heather Q of My Clever Endeavors, who teachers fifth grade.  She saw my Fly Swatter Dolch Sight Words game and asked if I could make something similar for her with equivalent fractions.  We all know equivalent fractions can be tough for our students.  It can also be difficult to find engaging hands on activities we can use with our students that get them excited about working with equivalent fractions.  So, I was happy to help out.  My friend has found her fifth graders still need plenty of practice with equivalent fractions even though the Common Core State Standards addressed in this game are for third and fourth grade:

                                   CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.NF.A.3.A

                                   CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.NF.A.3.B

                                   CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.NF.A.3.C

                                   CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.A.1

You will need the following:

-Equivalent Fractions Fly Swatter

-Soft Velcro dots

-Rough Velcro strip

-Flyswatter

How to Assemble:

-Print out the flies double sided (lengthwise) on cardstock and laminate

-Cutout the flies on the dotted line

-Attach soft Velcro dots where the wings connect

-Attach rough Velcro strip to a clean flyswatter

This game is printed double sided so students can self-check.  The self-checking ability is helpful since this game works best in pairs or small groups.  On the front, with the picture of a fly, is a fraction not in lowest terms.  On the back is the equivalent fraction in lowest terms.  For instance, 2/4 on the front and 1/2 on the back. 

How To Play The Game

Choose the fractions you want your students to use.  This activity includes 90 flies with different fractions.  Fractions reduce to the following lowest terms:  1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, and 1/9.  Then, spread them out on a table or the floor.

In pairs or small groups players take turns.  During a turn the player first identifies a single fly and reads the fraction shown.  Then, the player swats the fly with the fly swatter and says the corresponding equivalent fraction in lowest terms.

The player then turns over the fly swatter to reveal the back of the fly to see if he or she was correct. 

If correct, the player removes the fly and places it in his or her pile and the next player goes.  If the player is not correct the fly goes back in play, face up, and the next player continues the game.  The game ends when all of the flies are gone.

This activity is great for small groups, math centers, or when a few students have finished their work early and you need to keep them working on something educational!

If you are interested in this activity you can check out the free preview here!

If you have any questions, or have used something similar leave a comment, I'd love you hear from you!

For more games and activities be sure to   and:

Facebook @Learning is the Game

Twitter @LearningitGame

Instagram @Learning is the Game

Fly Swatter Dolch Sight Words

Fly Swatter Dolch Sight Words 220 Dolch sight words 95 Dolch nouns

by Learning is the Game™

Dolch Sight Words

According to dolchsitewords.org Edward Dolch PhD complied a list of commonly used English words from childern's books.  This list contained 220 words (found here) children should be able to recognize on sight in order to read fluently.  Some of these words can be sounded out phonetically, but many cannot, hence the need to recognize them on sight. Those words are broken down into the following five levels/grade:

Pre-primer

Primer

First

Second

Third  

Dolch's original list did not include nouns, but he create a separate 95 word list of nouns (found here).  The activity below uses all 220 Dolch Sight Words as well as the 95 Dolch nouns.

Fly Swatter Dolch Sight Words Activity

My students love playing this game and I’m sure your students will too.   The purpose of this activity is to get students to learn their sights words, and to get excited about doing it.  You could just have your students memorize flash cards but, learning should be fun!

You will need the following:

-Fly Swatter Dolch Sight Words 

-Soft Velcro dots

-Rough Velcro strip

-Flyswatter

How to Assemble:

-Print out the flies on cardstock and laminate

-Cutout the flies on the dotted line

-Attach soft Velcro dots where the wings connect

-Attach rough Velcro strip to a clean flyswatter

How to Play:

Choose the words you want your students to use.  The level is written at the bottom of the wings; Pp, P, 1, 2, 3, or N for nouns.  Scatter the flies on the table or floor where students are playing.  Players take turns swatting at a fly.  When they catch a fly they take it off of the flyswatter and say the sight word.  If the player says the word correctly they get to put the fly in their pile. Players continue until all of the flies are gone. 

  

This activity is great for small groups, literacy centers, or when a few students have finished their work early and you need to keep them working for a few minutes!

If you are interested in this activity you can check out the free example here!

If you have any questions, or have used something similar leave a comment, I'd love you hear from you! 

Long Vowel Sort and Write-Teams

Long Vowel Sort and Write Teams

by Learning is the Game™

This activity is more than just a long vowel sound sorting activity.  For starters, it gives your students a valuable hands on activity that is engaging and fun.  Since your students are actually creating something, they will have a visually pleasing graphic organizer that both of you can refer back to as the year goes on.  This activity also includes a writing element.  Once students have correctly sorted the words according to their long vowel sounds, they will write sentences using those words.

Here is how I use this activity, but of course you should use it whatever way works best for you.

Prep

             Print pages 3-5 for each student.  Be sure to print them double sided!

Step 1-Intro   

             Introduce/review the long vowel sounds in a way that fits your teaching style.  It is a good idea to also review the words the students will be sorting since they will need to use some of them in their writing.

Step 2– Color

Each vowel sound is assigned a color.  Color the tabs and boxes with the vowels and long vowel symbols.  Then, color the words in the boxes (page 5) with the corresponding color.  Example: If the boxes with the A a and ā were colored blue, the box with the word made and other long a words should also be colored blue. 

*I like to have my students color the words because I can quickly check to make sure they are identifying the words correctly before they start cutting and gluing.  I also suggest doing all of the coloring before any cutting because it is easier/cleaner when done first.

Step 3-Fold and cut

Look at the side with the dotted line.  Fold on the dotted line, and cut on the solid lines. 

Step 4-Cut and glue

Cut out the words, and glue them in the boxes next to the matching long vowel sound

symbol.

Step 5– Write

On each line provided write a complete sentence using the long vowel words in that box.  Circle the words you used with the corresponding color.

This is a fun activity that can be used with any students just learning about long vowel sounds, especially K-2^nd graders.  I have even used this with my upper elementary English language learners with great success. 

I know my students and I have enjoyed it, and I hope you and your students do too!

Common Core State Standards practiced. 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.K.3b

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.1a

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.2a

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.1a

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.2a

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.2b

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.2c

CSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.2.3a

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.2.3b

*CCSS are printed on the back of the foldable.

Click here for a FREE preview.  It has some directions and suggestions on how to use this activity in your class.

The sale you have been waiting for!

Teachers Pay Teachers is celebrating reaching 3 million members!  Because of this they are running a site wide sale.  

Save on EVERYTHING from 2/27-2/28!
Sale runs 2/27 12:01 am ET - 2/28 11:59 pm ET

Here's How It Works:

• Use promo code TPT3 for 10% off everything except gift certificates
• Save even more Learning is the Game will be joining the sale by offering an addition 20% off all of the items in our store.  This will result in a 28% savings of everything we have to offer!
• Fill your cart! Sale is ON Thursday 2/27/14 12:01 a.m. ET through 2/28/14 11:59 p.m. ET

Don't forget to enter promo code: TPT3
when you check out to save!

Best Month to date! 10% Off entire store!

So far January 2014 has been the best selling month for Learning is the Game of all time!  In honor of that, I am throwing a sale.  Everything in my store will be 10% off for the rest of the month!   Thank you to everyone who has supported me and this adventure.  It has been a wonderful and humbling experience to read your emails and know that people truly enjoy and value the items I have been making.  Again, thank you and I hope you all enjoy my future products and continue to make learning fun!

Above are just a few of the items you will find at Learning is the Game.  Everything is 10% off till the end of January!