We keep hoping for snow here in middle Tennessee.  We got so close yesterday, but nothing!  Boo!  While wishing for snow last week, our comprehension skill focus was on comparing and contrasting.  You may be familiar with this common core standard: RL 2.9 Compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story (e.g., Cinderella stories) by different authors or from different cultures. I decided to teach this using The Three Little Pigs!  Who doesn't love those little guys?!!! I made a little packet similar to my other reading comprehension packets for my littles to learn how to compare and contrast more than one version of the same story. I divided my class into 4 groups.  Each envelope contained a version of the story.  I actually modified the activity for my class.  I just read the book aloud to the whole group each day.  Each group kept their response books in the envelope and could pull them out for easy access each day.  There are directions on the...
Just dropping in to give you some ideas for MLK Jr. celebrations this week.  I made this bulletin board one year and LOVED the way it turned out.  The students wrote what they dreamed of being when they grow up.  I then typed them up.  I took their pictures and printed them in black and white.  I got the idea  here . Here are some things I plan on doing this week that I found on some fabulous blogs: This one is a freebie from Flying into First Grade .  Super cute! Elementary Matters has some great links and books to use, as well. On another note, I have started incorporating busy baskets into my day.  I can't wait to share these with you.  I am trying to get a few more activities together before I share these with you.  I use them for math and here is one of the activities that will be in them.  You can grab it {HERE} for free. I am also working on getting ready for the annual 2nd grade sock hop!  I am working on updating that little pack...
Who doesn't love Doreen Cronin?!!  I love Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type.   We use this story to practice cause and effect, as well as friendly letter writing.  I will be using it the week after next, but I wanted to go ahead and post this stuff in case you wanted it.  I made some FREEBIES for you for finding cause and effect.  The packet has 2 posters and 2 recording sheet options.  You can grab it { HERE }. We love to sing this song to learn the 5 parts of a friendly letter. {To the tune of Frere Jacques} Heading (point to forehead) Greeting (point to smiling mouth with both hands) Body (point to body) Closing (cross arms holding knees) Signature, signature. (stomp feet) Heading (point to forehead) Greeting (point to smiling mouth with both hands) Body (point to body) Closing (cross arms holding knees) Signature, signature. (stomp feet) We will also be using this word work to help us learn triple consonant bl...
Happy New Year!  I hope everyone had a great time last night and a great start to your new year!  I just wanted to stop in for a minute and let you know I posted the word work for The Alvin Ailey Kids .  This word work unit focuses on consonant digraphs.  I had trouble uploading the preview file on TPT so you can look below to see what it includes. Before Christmas break, we had the story Meet Super Croc in our reading series.  I am not crazy about this one.  {It's a little boring!}  So, I decided to revamp the week's activities.  We still read the story, but  I also went to our school library and checked out tons of books about dinosaurs. Our skill for the week was summarizing a story.  We worked on that a ton!  There are some helpful printables for fiction and nonfiction text in my packet.   I also inorporated a research component.  Each student was assigned a dinosaur and went on a web quest to find out information about their dinosaurs.  We then wrote a...