Spelling Rotational Activities

So I've been doing a fair bit of research around spelling lately, particularly how to better utilise the THRASS resources that my school has invested in. There is also a fair amount of content in the NSW English Syllabus in regards to Spelling and I felt like I could teach it better. So I created the following activities to be used during Spelling lessons. The idea is that students rotate through the activities, completing two different activities each week. My hope is that through all of this word work, students will not only know how to spell a word, but they'll also learn how to construct it, where it comes from and how to apply it in their own writing.

Here are TWELVE of my Word Work activities (all resources included):

1. Stamp It

This is a really cute activity. I bought these alphabet stamps from Kmart for $5 and the containers to put them in for $2.50. The idea is that the students stamp out their spelling words in their workbooks. I just wanted students to get as much practice as possible while catering to different learning styles. This is a great hands-on activity.

2. Built It

For this activity, students are to build their spelling words using magnetic letters. I bought tubs of magnetic letters from Aldi a couple of years ago now. I unfortunately haven't seen them since. Magnetic letters and whiteboards can be quite pricey, but they're definitely worth it.

3. Make It

Here is another hands-on activity for students to practice their spelling words. For this activity, students make their spelling words with play dough. Needless to say, this activity is very popular!

4. Sign It

As the new English Syllabus (NSW) content includes developing and applying contextual understanding of Auslan, I thought it only appropriate to teach my students some sign language. In this activity, students finger-spell their spelling words. I found this very easy to read poster from TeachStarter.com

5. Type It

I saw this activity originally on Pinterest but the idea is that students type out their spelling words on a QWERTY keyboard template. I just got my template from the internet.

6. Text It

I found this very cute iPad template on Teachers Pay Teachers. A lady named Christina Winter created it and you can download it for FREE HERE. I laminated the templates so that students can write their words on it using a whiteboard marker. Once they've written out their words, they text them. Alternatively you could just use an iPad… but I don't always have access to a set.

7. Rainbow Words

From the same creator, Christina Winter has created a Rainbow Words worksheet. You can download it HERE for FREE.

8. THRASS Match

I made this activity for my class. I wanted to strengthen their knowledge of the THRASS chart by matching the corresponding word with the phoneme (correct grapheme). These cards are great because you can play Snap and Memory with them also. Students can also spread the cards across the floor and create a large version of the THRASS chart by placing the cards in the correct order. You can download a copy of this activity HERE (vowels) and HERE (consonants).

9. Front or Back (Morphology)

This is a great activity for students to learn extensions (prefixes and suffixes) and how to apply them to their spelling words. Students write their word in the centre of the card and then add prefixes and/or suffixes, taking note of what sounds and looks right. You can download a copy of everything you need HERE (card to write on), HERE (prefixes) and HERE (suffixes).

10. THRASS It

For this activity, students construct their words using the THRASS phoneme-grapheme cards. It's a simple activity in concept, but students really have to think about the individual sounds which can be quite tricky. Students will need a THRASS chart to help them work through this activity. You can download a copy of this activity HERE.

11. Phoneme Frames

For this activity, students write out their words and then break the words into the individual phonemes by writing them in the smaller boxes. For example: TABLE | T - A - B - LE | You can download this worksheet HERE.

12. Word Origins (Etymology)

I think it is so important that students know where their words have come from, whether it be Latin, Greek, etc. By knowing WHERE the word originates from, students are given clues to know HOW to spell the word. There's a few Etymology Dictionaries out there and sometimes class dictionaries may include the origin next to the definition of the word being looked up. However, I really like using etymonline.com

The idea is that I start the lesson off very structured. I read the words out, we break the words down and identify the sound we're looking at for that week. We talk about possible meanings and discuss similar words. Students then complete TWO of the above activities independently. However, although the lesson is independent the activity itself is very structured.

The next day during Literacy Groups, students complete a spelling worksheet where they write their words out, find the definitions and write the words in sentences. You can download a copy of my worksheet HERE.

What do you do during Spelling lessons? I'd love to hear from you - comment below or send me an email at rach.sellen@gmail.com 

I have a Poll <--

Hi there everyone,

I've just created a poll (to the left) and it would be greatly appreciated if you could read it and click on all of the options that are appropriate for you.

Just wanted to know what you're all interested in and what you'd like to read in the future.

The poll will close the 31st of July 2016.

Thanks in advance! :)

Some of my 2014 Classroom Set-Up Ideas

Here are some of my Classroom Set-Up Ideas for 2014!

Back Corner:

1. Street Sign

My husband and I made this for an 'Out of this World' youth camp at Luntanda, Mt Victoria. I fell in love with it and I just had to bring it to school. The street sign points to places such as: Hogwarts, The Enchanted Forest, Middle Earth, Hundred Acre Wood, etc.

2. Cupboard

My cupboard is still a work in progress. I have SIX tote trays for students work books. I have another tray that I will use to collect work to be marked. The draws to the left contain coloured paper, scrap paper and bits and pieces.

Literacy Station/ Stationery Station:

1. Literacy Station

I bought these tubs last year for about $20 and they've paid for themselves (check out my Literacy Groups post for more details). I have a tub for each one of my Literacy Groups and a couple of spares... I've already begun to think of things to fill them with.

2. Stationery Station

On the top of the tubs, I have the 'Stationery Station'. I have found some cute containers that house rules, pens, pencils and scissors. I also have a large eraser that students can borrow and a sharpener.

The idea of this station is that everything is like a Boomerang... meaning that it comes straight back. I find that I usually have to replace the stationery every term (sometimes more often). However, it is nice to know there is NO EXCUSE for not doing work in my class!

On My Desk:

1. How I store my stickers

I don't know what made me thing of this... but I've had this for about a year now and it has been really helpful. 

I picked up a travel wallet from Typo for a couple of bucks and I use the wallet to store my stickers. Travel wallets usually come with dividers, so I use the dividers to sort my stickers... I sort them by way of size. I also put a pen and post-it notes in the wallet so that I have everything I need to mark books.

2. Magnetic Tape

Seriously, this stuff is amazing! It's just like a roll of sticky tape, except the tape is magnetic. This means you can tear off a strip and place on the back of a laminated card, then you can magnetically stick it to a whiteboard. Genius!!

I make sure I have some in my draw AT ALL TIMES. 

I pick my magnetic tape up from OfficeWorks and it's usually around $5. This is a must have!

I hope you have found these ideas to be useful! Remember you can always find PLENTY of ideas on Pinterest. Why not follow me?

http://www.pinterest.com/rasellen/

Literacy Groups/ Centres/ Rotations

I call them Literacy Groups, but you may call them something different.

Regardless... here is a quick overview of how I have organised my groups this year.

I have FIVE groups: Rodda, Jennings, Glietzman, Thompson and Griffith (surnames of authors) and all five groups are mixed ability groups.

The stationery packs that I wrote about in my previous blog now have name tags and look like this -->

I have made an extra name tag to put on a tub where the stationery packs and their Literacy Group folders will be stored.

I bought the tubs/drawers from K-Mart. They're called '4 Tier Chrome Drawer Trolley' and I found them in the bathroom section... I have no idea why!

They're currently being sold for $24... which I think is an absolute bargain. I actually bought them last year and they are still in good condition. Check the drawers out at the following link: Product: 4 Tier Chrome Drawer Trolley - Kmart

Each student will have their own Literacy Folder. In their Literacy Folder they will store their worksheets, workbook and School Magazines. I like when everything has a home and can be stored away neatly. I bought the folders from TARGET for a bargain (5 folders for $1.50).

I will keep you posted with the final product!

The 2014 school year is here!

Yes... you read correctly!

The 2014 school year is here and I have decided to start a blog (thanks to my good friend Jess). 

I do not claim to be an expert... but I thought this would be a cool way to share some of my teaching ideas and get some feedback from anyone willing to share.

This will be my fourth year teaching... and my fourth year on Stage 3. I have spent the past three years on Year 6 and I am excited to take on the new challenge of Year 5 for 2014.

I have been getting things ready for the new year and have come across these cool pencil cases. They're in the 'Back to School' sale at TARGET and they are only $5 each!!! They also include pens, but I've taken them out and I'll use them for something else. 

I am in the middle of making labels for them and I will use them in Literacy Groups. The whole idea is that each group will have one and when they break off for their activities, they will have everything they need. I will nominate one person per week to make sure that everything is put back into the case.

Pack includes: 12x markers, 12x coloured pencils, 3x HB pencils, 2x erasers, 1x pencil sharpener, 1x highlighter, 3x ballpoint pens, 3x gel pens, 1x scissors, 1x glue stick, 1x stapler, 1x 30cm ruler and a PVC pouch.

In the same sale, they have FIVE document wallets with buttons on sale for $1.50... and at K-Mart they have the same deal for only $1.00!!!

Over the next two weeks I will be posting more of my back-to-school ideas. 

I hope you enjoy!

Follow me on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/rasellen/