Don't blink!  This week went by faster than I could blink!  Wow!  I just got finished watching my daughter on CBS Sports Network on her coed cheer team.  How cool is that?  With my son running track, my daughter cheer practice two hours away, and my husband out of town a few days this week, it was a whirlwind!  I have been working on a unit because I want to reteach prefixes, suffixes, and stem words next week before our state exam.  I introduce them throughout the year and use a week to revisit, study, and test.   I spend about an hour a day so if you don't have that much time to allow, I would spread it out over a two week span.

First, I copy the word cards on cardstock and laminate them.  I use a different color for each set of words (prefix, suffix, stem).  I make 5 sets.


Monday-  I hand out the study guide and use the "What is a Prefix" poster to reteach prefixes.  I then have students look up words for anti- in class and we fill out a Word Web together on our smart board.  I break the kids into groups and they play concentration with the prefix cards.  For homework, I ask them to come up with one word for each of the prefixes and tell them to study all the prefixes.


Tuesday-  I divide the prefixes up into groups of four.  I have the students in each group share their homework and fill out a Word Web for each of the words they were given.  You can even have them draw the word web on a big piece of bulletin board paper.  Then I have them share their group work with the whole class.

That same day I introduce suffixes using the "What is a suffix?" poster.  We do one together, play the concentration game with just suffixes, and find a word example for homework.

Wednesday-  We share homework with groups again, fill out Word Webs and share with class.

That same day, I introduce stem words using the "What is a Stem?" poster.  We do one together, play the concentration game with just stem words, and find a word example for homework.

Thursday- We share homework with groups again, fill out Word Webs and share with class.

We then play concentration using all the words!  For homework, they need to study their word sheet.

Friday- Test

Test page 1 of 2

Pam

I am linking up with Joanne over at Head Over Heels for Teaching to share a motivational idea for our kiddos who are ready to be out of school already!  There are some awesome ideas and techniques by some amazing teachers!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTEEimXpF0FrMC16AlOlsCWEN5pbLTlmluebQg2Ek_0zW1wz2rBuQYSZ7FhnvCHkbeJYhRp1uQbRo8OWH67YX9cdSc8ybf-J4axbu2J2pRCdRZu9c1tW68ZHii61s3tfvNkfWOQIjkCmV/s320/3am_JM_LinkyButton.png

My idea to share:
COWS:  Check Over Work Slowly!!!!!
Who has students who fly through a test and don't check over their work?  Some may not even put their name on their paper!  I use this sign in my room to remind students to check over their work slowly!  I may even Mooooo once in a while before a test!  I use the smaller signs to post on their test taking folders.  I paste together two folders and laminate them so each student has their very own private study area.  When I walk around the room and see that a student might be off track, I point to their sign.  MOOOOOOOO!!!!

Go Here for a free copy!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Check-Over-Work-Slowly-COWS


Pam

Do your students struggle with the concept of finding words on the same page as the guide words?  When I have my students write a list of words in ABC order, I am pleased with their progress.  However, when I ask them to circle the word on the same page as the given guide words, all of a sudden they forget their ABC order skills!  Look no further!  I developed a center for you and your students to help them through this difficult skill.  I provide my students with step-by-step instructions on how to find the word on a page and they have to follow the instructions to get to the answer AND NO GUESSING ALLOWED!  I monitor their center and then check over their answer sheet to make sure they followed the steps.  After they learn this strategy, then I will give them worksheets or other practice but they must go through the center first!

There are 9 groups of words.  These are examples of the first 2 groups.

Click here for your free copy!  Make sure you leave feedback!  Free Guide Word Center


Pam

I am so excited that I figured out how to link my image for the party back to my blog!  Oh the joys of the little things in life.
Pam

New Item:
To go along with my popular Poetry Slam product, I created student templates to use for the final copy.  I have several ideas for this cute little booklet.  It can be printed and put together as a whole sheet or students can cut along the line to create a half-size booklet and keep the instruction page in their writing notebook.  I would staple at the top for the 1/2 size.  Another idea is to cut and paste them into a booklet made out of construction paper where both sides can be used.  I didn't create page numbers on purpose.  I want my students to create them along with a Table of Contents.  This also allows other teachers to pick and choose the poems for their class.  I will have students write rough drafts and revisions in their writer's notebook and final copies onto the booklet.  I included a rubric too!

Poems included:  Acrostic, Couplet, Quatrain, Cinquain, Diamante, Haiku, Limerick, Ballad, Parody, Lyrics, Bio Poem, Concrete, Free Verse, Informative.

Link to Poetry Portfolio









Pam

This is the perfect time of year to teach limericks!  Leprechauns and St. Patty fun!  Speaking of fun, I have to share my wonderful time in DC!  I got to see some great family and friends for my actual birthday.  I know I celebrate Pamuary but this was the actual day!  My brother even had a countdown to midnight that night!  I am so glad they embrace my fun!  I then enjoyed watching my daughter cheer for Cheer Extreme Coed Elite at the Battle of the Capitol.  They were flawless!  The talent still amazes me every time I see them.  Isn't this a cool picture of her and her stunt partner?  I know you probably think that freaks me out but I am used to it now.  My brother has a hard time watching her cheer.  It is dangerous at times and it should be considered a sport!

Oh, back to the fun limericks, I have a free instruction sheet and template for writing limericks!  I will keep it free in my store for two days!  Stop by and download!  Use the limerick instruction page on your smart board or run off a copy for each group.  This assignment can be placed in writing centers too.  It is cute for bulletin boards or poetry portfolios.  Enjoy!







http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Limerick-Instructions-and-template

Pam

Do you need a new reading log?  Half-way through last quarter I got tired (or worn slap out as they say in the south) of my sameo sameo reading log.  I created this so my students would have to read and respond to both fiction and nonfiction each week.  NOW that is Common Core! I have been very pleased with the outcome.  I must say the first couple weeks, I had to remind them to read through the question.  Even though I go over it in class that Monday, by Friday, many of them only wrote about the first part of the question.  Once they realized it was graded and my expectations, ShaBBBAAAM!  I'm loving them!  I keep a basket of newspapers, magazines, and Scholastic News available for their nonfiction reading.

Responses:
Fiction: Text Connection, Visualization, Questioning, Character connection, Setting, Meaningful quote, Sequence, Point of View, Solving Problems

Nonfiction: Summarize, Main Idea and Details, Nonfiction elements, Questioning, Text Connection, Facts and Opinions, Meaningful Quote, Point of View, Vocabulary

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Common-Core-Reading-Response-Log-for-Fiction-and-Non-Fiction

Here are some random samples:  I print off double-sided worksheet each week!  (fiction side and nonfiction side)








Pam