Christmas Trees from Craftsticks

Definitely not original, but they do turn out darling.

Excellent fine motor skills.

We did find out that the slick backs on the jewels would not stick well with regular glue. A little scuff on sandpaper roughed them up enough to hold. Otherwise, low-temp hot glue will have to be used for these. 

Sequins, finger prints with paint or stickers could have been used instead, but the children REALLY like these jewels.

In order to make them hang facing on the tree, I crossed the ribbon in the back like this.

Sight Word On-Line Games for Beginners

I wanted to find interactive games for my beginning sight word learners. I started this post thinking I was going into a great deal of research, would be playing a ton of games with the children, and having to sift through to find my 10 favorites. Sadly, I only found a handful of FREE on-line sight word games appropriate to the youngest learners, and only about half could I recommend. Even then, there were issues I had with nearly every one. PLEASE feel free to comment with any additional ones you have come across and can recommend! 

Popcorn Words

by Fun 4 The Brain

Pros: 

• It has 3 levels of play.  It automatically moves to the next level once one is completed, but offers the chance to play the same level again. 
• Offers four choices each round, a good quantity, and allows the child to keep playing words until the correct one is chosen, marking out the incorrectly chosen ones.
• Visually appealing, words are easy to read, smooth play.
• The in-between movement game, you only have to get relatively close, not exactly below the target to get the point. 

Cons: 

• Hard to understand the words. May be hard for a child to do independently. I had them on my lap and simply repeated the words for them. 
• It offers to take you to the next level even if the first level was not mastered. I would like for it to remain at the same level until a certain percentage of accuracy had been obtained.
• For younger children, the movement game in-between levels may be difficult as well. Even I had trouble moving the monkey quickly and accurately enough with the arrow keys. The mouse doesn't work on that game.

Concentration

by Cookie

Pros: 

• Automatically goes into full screen mode.
• All 5 levels of Dolch sight words to choose from.
• Background is blurred so the cards really stand out.
• Text is bold and easily read.
• Matched cards disappear, making the game board cleaner.
• Graphics are sharp and visually stimulating.
• Narration is distinct.

Cons: 

• No "all words" option for play.
• No option to change the game board size.

Concentration

by Dolch Word

Pros: 

• Visually appealing, with movement. Cards stand out from the more muted background.
• Words are bold and clear.
• Narration, even though it has an accent, is clear.
• Different, with the sound on the bottom and the words on the top row to match.
• Full screen option.

Cons: 

• With the movement, young children may become distracted from the task at hand.
• Games are only available by level, no all-word or mixed level play.

Jigword

by Dolch Word

Pros: 

• Full screen option.
• Visually appealing and easy to read.
• Manipulation of graphics is good for little hands...drag and drop is relatively forgiving and clicking anywhere inside a yellow box will give the narration, not just in the little bubble.
• Every new game has a fresh list of words for continuous learning.

Cons: 

• No way to set the words you want to work upon 
• No way to change the number of words presented for younger students.

Color and Color Word Matching

by Roy the Zebra

Pros:

• Visually interesting.
• Progress indicators/rewards.
• Drag and drop very forgiving, anywhere in the box.

Cons: 

• UNDO button a little hard to find. will need to be pointed out to children.

Word Bingo

by ABCya!

Pros:

• All 5 levels of Dolch words, plus just nouns and all words.

Cons: 

• The green and white words against the green and white background, along with the smaller font of the words, made them harder for the children to read.
• The game board takes up less than half of the screen size. I wish it was larger or had a full screen option.
• With 16 choices, it was more difficult for my beginning readers to remember the word long enough to go through so many selections, especially since the words were harder to read. Since I do computer work with my students, I just kept repeating the word for them.

They also have an Sight Word Bingo ap in iTunes for .99 that may work better on the iPad where it would possibly show larger. I still don't like the lack of contrast between the background and the words. It has a rating of 4/5 stars in iTunes.

Concentration

by Sightword Games

Pros:

• Game board can be adjusted for 6, 12 or 24 squares. 
• It is progressive.
• It uses both Dolch and Fry word lists.

Cons: 

• Wish that the game board was larger or had a full screen option.
• Wish the words were in bold so easier to read from my lap for the little ones.
• Just my own opinion, I prefer concentration games that create an image afterward, or something to give the children a visual reward.

Others I don't recommend:

Starfall - Concentration: No choice of levels, automatically goes to a much higher level each round, no chance for mastery at a given level. Repetitive and limited words used.

ICT Games - Dinosaur Words: Difficult to understand, no indication to click to start, no indication of error, no choice of levels. 

ICT Games - Word Reader: Difficult to understand, no indication of error, no sense of progress, no choice of levels.

BBC Education - Star Words: Small screen, where the words go is the same color as the background, making it difficult to see the shapes, repetitive words, no choice of levels, drag & drop is a little touchy.

 

Crickweb - Color Words Match: Wish there was narrative of the word, but other than that it's just a simple game appropriate to the subject. I like the one I listed above better.

Crickweb - Number Words Match: Again, wish there was narrative of the word. Simple game appropriate to the subject. I re-opened it several times and the board never changed around, so limited use.

For more advanced sight word learners and readers, there are additional spelling games, fill-in-the blank games, and drag/drop games. Not many, but some. Since we are just beginning sight word recognition here, I focused on the games appropriate to my students current development for this post. 

Tags: sight, words, sightwords, literacy, games, on-line, computer, free, reading, Dolch, fry, teaching, preschool, pre-school, child care, child, care, early, elementary, kindergarten, interactive, English, book, books, pre-reading, frequency, kid, kid's, children, number, color, colour, 

Tutorial - Making File Folder Games

I know, for many/most of you this is old hat. So don't read this post. But for many new providers, preschool teachers or parents, making a file folder game can be a little intimidating to get started, or frustrating when trying to get it accomplished.

WHY FILE FOLDER GAMES?

• One main reason...SPACE. They fold away and tuck nicely into a file drawer, file crate, and basically anywhere else that is large enough to accommodate them. They also STACK well.

• Secondly, they are the right SIZE. Large enough for children to view and utilize manipulatives that aren't way small.

• Thirdly, SIZE. They also can be expanded with added pages that will still fold up nicely to tuck away.

• Fourth(ly?) FLEXIBILITY. They can go anywhere, easily tucked into a suitcase, spread out on an airport tray or lap tray in the car, and they can cover absolutely ANY subject matter. The layout and functionality are only limited by the creator's imagination.

SUPPLIES

• Standard file folder OR pocket folder
• Scissors
• Paper cutter
• Laminating supplies
• Spray adhesive

My Fave!

HOW TO MAKE A STANDARD FILE FOLDER GAME

A file folder game usually has

• A front label 
• Two game boards
• Manipulatives [the play pieces]

Many games use alternative manipulatives such as candy, theme erasers, plastic bugs, etc. and may not come with pieces, or you may choose to utilize something more interesting that would work.

It is time consuming to make one from scratch. However, if you are a teacher or care provider, a laminated file folder game can last pretty much your entire career if the children are taught to handle it with respect. It is a good investment.

•  Print out the file folder game. Plain paper is fine if it will be laminated [YES!!!] or cardstock if not. If you are a parent and this will be used only a few times by one child, then cardstock MAY work. Just expect that the game will quickly show wear if used by anyone under third grade.

• If there are any instructions included that you feel you'll need, such as game play rules, then those will need to be treated the same as the front label and adhered to either the front under the label or the back for reference. YES, I have come across an old file folder game and had absolutely no clue what the procedures were. And, YES, it was one I had created. [sigh]

• Cut out the manipulatives as necessary. If manipulatives are square cards or can be square cards, then your time is drastically reduced by using a paper cutter. I prefer my manipulatives to have some character to them, so to the irritation of my TPT clients I am sure, most of mine have a lot of cutting necessary. If you plan on doing a lot of file folder games, this a good task to pawn off onto parent volunteers or assistants.

• Laminate. [YES!!!] My laminated file folder games and manipulatives have lasted ten years through toddlers and preschoolers as long as they don't bend them hard. For just a few lamination projects, you can get the self-laminating sheets or use clear contact paper. Smaller manipulatives can even be sealed up in clear packing tape. If doing more though, I strongly recommend a heat laminator. Cheap laminators are available through Harbor Freight, through Amazon and Sam's Club and similar stores at relatively good prices at every price point, and through Office Supply stores at not so good prices. 

• Cut out manipulatives again as necessary from lamination material. Ensure you leave a large enough lamination border that they won't de-laminate with use. Usually that is about 1/8 inch.

• Use spray adhesive on the back of the front label and adhere the label to the front of the file folder. I lay newspapers outside and place the item(s) face down on them. A quick light coat is all that is needed. Use a different piece of newspaper for each spray, as it goes everywhere. 

• Check the fit of the pages into the file folder. Some file folders are smaller and the laminated pages may stick out of where the file cut has been made. Try to keep the glue off of this area. Overlapped post-its can be applied to the area to mask it. Position in folder, mask, and remove prior to using glue.

• Use spray adhesive on the back of the first game board and attach to the inside left of the file folder. POSTITION IT BACK FROM THE CENTER LINE JUST A TAD. If it is right up on it, there will be too much bulk and it will not want to close properly.

• CHECK THE FIT BY PLACING THE SECOND GAME BOARD INSIDE. If it is too tight, you'll need to re-position the one on the left, if possible, or adjust the one on the right accordingly when you adhere it. Use spray adhesive on the back of the second game board and attach to the inside right of the file folder. 

• Decide how you want to store your manipulatives. I store mine in a quart freezer Ziploc that I just place inside the folder for storage. You can attach a clasp envelope to the back of the folder, staple or glue a Ziploc to the folder, or edge glue a piece of cardstock to adhere to the back to act as a pouch. I have found that younger ones will rip apart anything they can't easily get the pieces into and out of, which is why I use a loose Ziploc big enough for them to get their whole hand into...or two hands if there is some contention in partner or group play.

HOW TO MAKE AN EXPANDED 
FILE FOLDER GAME

To add additional pages to a file folder game, I use clear, heavy duty packing tape. The heavier it is, the less likely you are to have it create creases when applied. Also, the less likely it is to rip with use.

Positions for a triple page - you just add the additional page with tape in the direction it runs. If the pages are in landscape, you do the first style, if in portrait, you do the second. To make 6 or 9 pages, you would add to either side.

Positions for a quadruple page -  you add the additional pages as below. If tape shows between the pages due to need for the gap to close properly, add a narrow strip of tape on top to seal. Additional pages would be added to the opposite sides of the file folder, ensuring that the pages read left to right and top to bottom as appropriate.

TO TAPE:

• Cut a strip of tape slightly longer than the page. Lay sticky side UP on a table, easier to do with heavier tape. If you want to ensure it doesn't slip around, cut it longer and tape the tape ends down to a table.

• Ensure that you know exactly which direction each page is to face and which side each piece is to be taped. If necessary, number or note on post-its and add to the back for easy reference.

• Place a page down onto the tape, face up. 

• Place the second page down, face up, leaving a slight gap. OR lay the second page on top of the first and smooth the tape over the edge onto the second page, being careful not to cause wrinkles in the tape, again, the easier the heavier the tape. Although, laminated material will easily release the tape if you need to re-position.

ADHERE AFTER TAPING, folding the side(s) in as you lay it down that are not to receive adhesive spray to keep clean.

To close the file folder game, the outlying pages are folded into the file folder.

I have dozens of these things and love them. The children love them as well. They are wonderful learning tools for independent learning and even group learning. We have a monthly Spanish game that is a fold out game board we use on the floor with all of us sitting around it. 

There are many sources for file folder games. There are books that have them, but they are fairly pricey, and are card stock, so you would still need to laminate them, and they are often relatively...lame. I sell mine on TPT which is a good source and there are some that are free on the internet if you do a search for "free file folder games."

However, you can get creative and make your own. For personal, non-commercial use, there is a ton of free clip-art and free fonts available on the net. Determine what you want to teach your child(ren), check out some examples, and I bet you can come up with some pretty great ones. Even better, take pictures of your children, pets and family wearing different colors, their body parts, holding numbers, etc. and use THEM in the games. It will be even more personal and special for your kiddos.

If anything in this post is not clear to you, please shoot me an email and let me know so I can update this post with a clarification. THANK YOU!

UPDATE: I am now using 2 pocket folders for all my file folder games. Check out the post!

Some of our file folder games in action:

Tags: file, folder, game, manipulative, tutorial, preschool, childcare, daycare, child, care, children, kid,pre-k, kindergarten, homeschool, homeschooling, math, language, counting, alphabet, colors, shapes, counting, center, centers, unit, theme
 kid's, kindergarten, theme, unit, math, center, language, literacy, writing, alphabet, numbers, colors,

Teaching Sight Words

SIGHT WORDS!

These children may seem very young for such a huge undertaking as reading, but they are ready. How do I know?

• They have mastered letter recognition, both upper and lower case.
• They have mastered phonics.
• They have excellent comprehension of stories.
• They spell their names.
• They recognize each other's names in various print.
• They have extensive vocabularies.
• They speak with proper grammar more than 90% of the time.
• THEY WANT TO.

I also know that they are cognitively ready. They can all swing independently on a swingset. That may seem rather odd to throw in here, but there is a scientific correlation between the ability to swing independently and the cognitive ability to read. 

HOW I TEACH READING

As with all my teaching, it is child-led, teacher-facilitated, physical and interactive. You may wonder how that could be with reading.

We began by watching MEET THE SIGHT WORDS during our pre-lunch educational video time. The children say the words with the video, and act out any actions going on to the best of their ability. It isn't just sitting staring at a screen. Memory retention is shown to increase by 10% per sense used. This enables them to use speech, hearing, sight, and touch in concert to help remember the sight words displayed. They do this independently, by choice, while I fix lunch. I try to participate and reinforce the concepts as much as possible .

Our first hurdle was getting the children to truly understand that words were letters stuck together. We had covered vowels, and the children had watch LEAP FROG WORD FACTORY and LEAP FROG CODE WORD CAPER, so the concept was not new to them. We have always used the phrase, "Blue is the glue that holds the words together." 

However, after pointing to each letter for so long, it took a couple of days to get them to point to words as a unit. To help with this, I added green dots below our first sentence strips for them to touch as they read. I used the blue vowels on the first simple sentences just to reinforce the concept of them sticking together.

On our next one, I did it both ways, black/white text and color coded.

Then I created our Dolch sight word cards. The unit with the word cards, pre-writing word cards, and BINGO cards is available through my TPT store. 

You might think that I would start with the pre-k word list first. If this were a teacher-directed learning activity, or an elementary activity, I probably would. But it isn't. Teaching little ones requires it to be personal and active. I have to use the words that interest them and convey what they want to say and learn to read. I can't be confined to a pre-set selection. We are actually using more of the kindergarten level than the pre-k words. We will also be adding in non-sight words such as mom, dad, cat, dog, baby, etc. to personalize the experience.

Each child has very individual wants, needs and desires. By throwing out a ton of words, each child will choose the ones that speak strongly to them and learn those quickly. It can be a particular cadence to the word, a particular letter sound that strikes a cord, or a specific meaning that holds some tangible force within it that grabs a particular child's attention. By limiting their choices to a few chosen words, a teacher may be denying a child a richer experience and discovery.  

While a few words are universally being learned in equal measure by the children, each one has their favorites, and they are different. This is super important because they are learning from each other in a collaborative effort. Basically we have four teachers, me, and each of the children presenting their favorite words to the ones who don't know them.

I said that it needs to be movement based. For our first sentence I chose, "I am a..." The children took turns touching the green dots and saying the words. Obviously they already knew "I" and "a," so it was an easy one. After they read the sentence, then the child chose what to be for us all to act out. Since it was Halloween time, many of the first ones were, "I am a GHOST!" and we would flap our arms and wail around. The next child would say, "I am a WITCH!" and we would cackle and fly around. They enjoyed this enough, that they would choose to do it as a group independently, always pointing to the words first and taking turns to choose. Penguin, lion, snake, dog, cat, airplane, elephant, frog, kangaroo, countless critters and things have been used with that sentence. They know the word "am" now. We moved next to "He is a..." and Mr. G got that one to himself while the girls still used "I am a..." Now we have "She is a..." as well. 

Our big sentence, "My big dog can go to the..." is a good one. It's chock full of sight words, and all the children are interested in their dogs. It's fun to stretch their minds. They first would say park, dog park, or store. I added in moon and they all got the idea that they could be silly with it. He's now gone to school, the zoo, museum, etc. We always add in a physical activity to go with it, such as swinging on the monkey bars at the park, or petting the goats at the zoo.

We used our sight words to add above the sentence to break it down and learn them individually and out of order. The children get to take them off and match them back up as an independent activity.

Here are some of the other activities we have been doing.

Sight Word Swatting

Letter Match

Sight Word Hunt

Stamping and Writing

But most of the time, we just stand at the door where we have them posted and make sentences that we act out. 

Learning should ALWAYS be fun.

UPDATE: A few months down the road, and they have all the pre-primer and most of the kindergarten words down, along with about 25% of the 1st and 2nd grade words and a few of the 3rd grade.

We also do story extensions. For instance with Eric Carle's From Head to Toe, I put the words on the white board, using our sight word cards and writing in as needed, and the children took turns reading it and filling in the blanks. The words they added, they sounded out and told me the letters to write, then we sounded them out again once written. This enables them to start transitioning from the cards to environmental print. 

The next stage in reading will be sounding out words and phonemic awareness. We are already working on digraphs and I'm tossing in some sound outs, such as with AND, the sight words that can also be sounded out. 

In teaching sight words first, it lends itself to seemless transitioning to more advanced skill sets, while setting the stage for early success. When a child can recognize a good portion of the words on a page, they innately desire to learn the others, to have mastery over the reading experience.

In anticipation of that, we also are reading some of our beginning readers. My favorite is the NOW I'M READING sets from Nora Gaydos. I've used these for 10 years with great success. The stories have meaning, but build one word at a time, working one sound a book, to gently build reading ability.

Advanced reading skills will be a steady progression at the individual children's pace of learning, taught more through exposure and one-on-one experiences than formal activities.

UPDATE: 7/11/2014 They have read all 80 of the Ready to Read! books! Woo hoo! 20 months after they first started putting words together and began their reading journey. They know all their blends and digraphs, can sound out pretty much anything, and are reading at a kindergarten-1st grade level. 

 Mr. G and Miss A turned 4 in April, 

and Miss H is almost 5.

They know all their pre-k, kindergarten and 1st grade Dolch sightwords, and many of the 2nd and 3rd grade ones. We continue to read daily.

UPDATE: 10/17/2014 They put on their first Reader's Theater show for the parents and grandparents. They performed The Ant Bully, If You Give a Pig a Pancake, and an owl poem. They are now all reading at a 2nd grade level and working on synonyms, antonyms, big words, and expressive writing.

Tags: reading, read, sight words, sight, words, word, phonics, phenomes, language, literacy, english, beginning, preschool, kindergarten, teaching, teach, kids, kids, children, class, group, dolce, fry, first,