Basic Code (Flashcard) Sliders

In September I began working with a first grader who, just a year ago had a life-threatening condition which required her to have half of her brain removed...Causing her to relearn basic information she previously knew before the surgery. With deficits in receptive and expressive language, I wasn't quite sure how I was going to help her to learn to read...Each day with her was trial and error!

A few weeks ago when I was working with her in reading intervention she began blending the sounds that another child was saying. {I was amazed to say the least!} I looked at her and without hesitation she replied, "I can do that, duh!"

A couple students where using the "See, Slide, & Say" Flashcards (purchased from Barnes & Noble) that have picture cues below each letter to help them when they are trying to say the sounds in words. There is a "slider" that they can pull to look at the letters one at a time. I showed Kelley a card to see if she could look at the letters to tell me a sound...Although she tried to use the pictures as a cue, some of them were difficult for her to recall. I thought maybe if the pictures were different, she'd be able to use them to sound out words.

Her aide worked with her for about a week, generating a picture for each letter sound. I took those pictures and created her own "See, Slide, & Say" flashcards using basic code words from our district's high frequency word list. These cards have been a big hit with Kelley and my lower first grade intervention students, so I thought I'd share them with you! Click on the link under the picture to download!

Download Basic Code Flashcards (FREEBIE)

Have a great weekend, bloggers!

Random Freebies

When I taught vocabulary in the classroom setting, I had a plethora of posters that I'd use to teach synonyms, antonyms, homophones, contractions, and compound words. To see these posters, head on over to ReadingResource. 

This year is a bit different...I find myself having to tweak things that I used in the past to fit my multiple groups. This week I will continue talking about homophones with my first graders. I love reading "Eight Ate: A Feast of Homonym Riddles" and having kids come up with their own..."A Pair of Pears" is a great template to use to help students create their own riddle.

Download Freebie!

Another activity I will be doing with my intervention kids (the day before Thanksgiving Break) was taken from Pinterest. Launi from Gracious Rain made these "Sweet Acorns".

I am going to send home a note with my intervention students this week asking for any donations. I've attached my letter, as well as one that you can use in your classroom by filling in the missing info. 

Download Letter to Parents

To take it a step further, students will be creating a "Super Tasty Treats" Recipe Book where they will be writing in the ingredients, writing the steps, and illustrating their creations. At the end of the school year, they will have some recipes they can share at home with their families.

Download Recipe Book

I'll take some pics and let you know how it goes...Have a great week bloggers!

This Week in Intervention

A few people have asked me to post a sample of my lesson plans for reading intervention this year...My groups have continued to change and I am finally working with just two grade-levels (instead of five)! I'm trying something a little bit different and trying to document each student (everyday) so that I can share these insights with the classroom teachers. I've revised these plans a couple times, but I think I've got it the way I want it! 

Download This Lesson Plan

Each reading intervention group has a color designated to it. At this time in the year, we are working on "Phonemic Awareness, Basic Code, and Advanced Code". I also have a place for "Other" which allows me to document any attention and/or behavior problems. If you have any ways to document intervention groups...Please send them my way!