Upper Elementary Sight Words Intervention

The gap between fluent readers and non-fluent readers becomes ever-increasing as students move up grade levels. By time they land in my classroom students (ideally) have transitioned from "learning to read" to "reading to learn". But what happens when they get to my door and they haven't learned to read yet? 

I have been teaching fourth grade for over 15 years. I have a master's degree in reading. I am still learning to navigate the choppy, deep, uncharted waters of reading. With the brain needing to synchronize so many pathways and systems in order to reach the levels a "fluent" reader obtains, I have found this intervention hones in on specific student needs and helps upper elementary students close the gap---> Sight Word Decks.

It sounds simple. It is. This technique can be long and tedious. It requires a commitment to stay the course. However, it is easy. It is student-specific. And, the end results will amaze you.

STEP ONE: GET A LIST OF WORDS

My packet uses a blended list of the most common sight words and high-frequency words. It is a Kindergarten through Fifth Grade list. It's lengthy and segmented by grade level until third grade. The third through fifth grade list in one big, long list.

STEP TWO: CHECK YOUR DATA

Using DIBELS, or whichever fluency check your district uses, check out which students did not meet benchmark. I zero in on the lowest. The students whose low scores are due in part to lack of sight word knowledge. I target them. Typically, students who are just below benchmark can make up the gap through other strategies or interventions (sustained silent reading, phonics, phonemic awareness drills, etc...) Sight Word Decks are for the lowest of lows. As such, I don't have too many decks running at the same time. 

STEP THREE: START TESTING YOUR STUDENTS

I sit with each student individually, one at a time. I have two lists ready to go. One test packet for the student. One master list (per student) for me to take notes. You will take notes on each student on "their" list. When you start to test a new student, you will get a fresh packet and take notes specific for that student. I write the student's name on the top of each master list.

I hand the student test packet to the student and ask them to start at the kindergarten list and read each word. If they read it automatically, I leave it blank. If they read it incorrectly, take too long, or need to stretch the word, I place a check mark next to the word on my list. 

I have the students read until I have enough words to start a sight word deck. For some students, they will stop during the first grade list, for others, it will be further into the packet. The goal is to get enough words without exhausting the student. Generally, I like to have about 30 cards in a deck. It is very common for me to test students in more than one session. The goal is to ensure that errors are due to a lack of word attack skills and not just exhaustion or boredom.

When I am working in the master list, I will sometimes note what the student incorrectly read. That notation also helps me understand where the gaps are. 

First Column: Initial Test
Second Column: Subsequent Testing
(Note Percentage Increase at the Bottom)

STEP FOUR: WRITE THE WORDS ON INDEX CARDS

Once you have enough words, its is time to transfer the words the student read incorrectly onto index cards. To stay organized, each student is assigned a different color. The color-coding helps me easily identify which decks belong to which student. The master word list packet I use to generate the sight words also has the student's name written in the same color.

STEP FIVE: RUN THE CARDS

Run the cards every day. Sit with the student and have them read each card. If the student correctly reads the word place a star (or whatever symbol) on the back of the card. If they don't, just flip the card and move onto the next one. When they have earned ten stars, the card is removed from the stack and placed on a ring.

As the student learns more words, and the ring cards increase, you will need to go back to the master list and test for more words. You will be replacing the words that have been removed with new words the student needs to learn. Students love to watch their ringed deck grow. There is no mistaking the look of pride on their face when they add cards to the ring.

STEP SIX: CHECK YOUR DATA

Periodically check your student's growth. Go back to the master sight word list. Ask them to read the words they missed. Indicate on the list if they have correctly read the word (using a star or other symbol) or not (another check). I will take the master list data and plug it into an excel sheet to see the growth over time. It helps to share the data with the student and their family. This data is especially helpful at report card conferences or during IEP meetings.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

This is not a five-minute fix. It is easy to implement but takes time and commitment to see the growth. 

It is easy enough that it can be done with parent volunteers, TAs, or college students.
It is quick enough that I sometimes "run cards" during bus dismissal.

You will be amazed at what you learn about your students as readers. When I am running cards with the students I will oftentimes pick up on the strategies they use and what they are lacking. Their word attack skills become quite evident. You will begin to see patterns and be able to better target their gaps. 

Some of the things I've noticed and still look out for:
- understanding of vowels (short, long, and teams)
- "magic e"
- dropping of endings
- using the onset only
- prefix and suffix
- digraphs
- blends

Click below to get the lists and recording forms for free!

Upper Elementary Sight Words Intervention System

Like anything worthwhile, time and commitment are required. Sight Word Decks are a great way for students to start closing the gap between them and their peers. Along with helping them create and restore reading pathways, this intervention helps teachers pinpoint specific student needs. One of the best parts of the intervention is the ability to see growth in a very short amount of time.

Easy Candy Cane Christmas Ornaments

It's that time of the year! Are you the kind of teacher that goes "all in"? The tree is up the Monday after Thanksgiving with ornaments and twinkle lights spread throughout the room. The yearly construction paper fireplace has found its annual home on your hallway bulletin board. Is that you? Well, then, you don't need this blog post.

You may be interested in this lengthier project:
Lengthier (and ready-made bulletin board) Classroom Christmas Craft

This post is for the teacher that is waiting for the Christmas miracle to happen. The one where the blank bulletin board that has sun-faded spots from Halloween pumpkins will magically decorate itself. Or perhaps some elves will show some mercy and get the glitter and cotton balls to beautifully accent the classroom projects while simultaneously avoiding the mess that comes along with such cute adornments.

I offer an EASY CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT! Seriously, it's so easy. This ornament can be done with minimal supplies and time. Win-Win!

You will need:
- cardstock (maybe- you could use construction paper)
- tissue paper cut into squares (perhaps cut, perhaps not)
- liquid glue (absolutely- you need liquid glue)

Time:
- less than 30 minutes to make
- an hour or two to dry

To begin, students will have a cut out of a candy cane (you could change up and use a different shape). The candy cane shape works well because you will not need a hook later on to hang it on your classroom tree. I pre-cut the shapes to save time. You could work on some fine motor skills by having the students trace and cut their own candy cane.

I make the shape using cardstock for durability. However, you could get away with construction paper.

Then, students scrunch up the pieces of tissue paper, dip them in glue, and attach them to their candy cane. Viola! Done! I cut the tissue paper into squares, but you could have students tear pieces to add a bit more texture to the ornament. 

The students will come up with their own create ways to decorate. Some will stick with traditional colors and patterns. Others will take creative liberty. 

Work in Progress

Partially Done Candy Cane Ornaments

Once dry (they will dry in less than a day) you can hang them on the tree. Before the Christmas break comes to an end have students wrap them for a family gift!

Finished Ornaments

Class Christmas Tree

The simplicity and ease of these ornaments helps bring some Christmas spirit to your room without the angst and annoyance of days-long projects. With minimal mess and maximum "wow" you too can create ornaments that rival "that teacher" down the hall that makes Santa's elves look like slackers.

Merry Christmas!

Giving Thanks 2018

My first love is art. In fact, I started my college career pursuing fine art. But after obtaining my 2-year degree, I switched paths and finished my bachelor's in elementary education. I love teaching, too. There is no question--- I made the right choice. However, there are days when I want to immerse myself in colors and lines, to create and experiment, to bring my love of art to my students. The struggle is where to find the time (and the resources).

That's where Art With Jenny K comes in. No matter what I want to do, she has something that will work! Her detailed, easy-to-follow instructions help guide me to guide my students and the results are nothing less than spectacular.

Here is a small sampling of what she offers:

COLLABORATION POSTERS

My students love these. They love contributing to something bigger than them. It is especially gratifying when they start to assemble the final product and are guessing at what it will be. When we complete collaboration posters of famous people, the discussion always turns to who the people are and why they are famous. I love it when they are stumped my someone and then race to the computer in order to Google the name.

Black History Month

Women's History Month (I printed the grid on pink paper)

Close Reading (this was a great team-builder to kick off the school year)

You can find these and more here:

Art with Jenny K Famous Famous Collaborative Posters

Art with Jenny K Collaborative Posters

DIRECTED DRAWING

I love this little bunny freebie. It was a perfect project to complete just before Easter. The step-by-step instructions gave students enough support to feel accomplished yet enough creative freedom to make it their own. Every student brought his/her bunny home with a smile of pride on their face. I went a bit beyond the usual colored pencils and/or crayons and had the students mix the media. They were encouraged to use watercolor as well. The results were stunning!

This little cutie is at the following link:

Art with Jenny K How to Draw a Bunny FREEBIE

Other FREEBIES are here:

Art with Jenny K FREEBIES

BEAUTIFUL BULLETIN BOARDS

Bulletin Board. Just those two words can send a shiver down a teacher's back. I don't worry about them anymore. If I am in a pinch and need something seasonal and authentic to the students' work, Jenny K has some amazing things available! 

I will disclose that neither board below was a quick project. Both took a bit of extra time. However, that is the trade off for beautiful student work that has a better chance in a memory box rather than the garbage.

This pumpkin project was brought to my attention because I subscribe to Jenny's email list. I highly recommend you scooch over to her blog and sign up! Click the link below and fill in the fields on the top right portion of her blog.

Email subscription to Art with Jenny K

This template came through my email one morning and I decided to give a whirl. It was multi-step and required thought, precision, and grit. When completed, I used the pumpkins to create a fall bulletin board. The staff and other students loved the board and my class was constantly complemented on their efforts.

The Template

Pumpkin Creation (2-3 days, 30 min/day)

You can find the template for the pumpkin project here:

Art with Jenny K Blog (Pumpkin Project Template)

Agamographs are a struggle the first time you make them. But if you stick to it, the students will get faster and more precise each time. I love the challenge this art project offers. Students need to work fine-motor skills during the coloring. Then, they need to use precision and patience to get them folded correctly. An added bonus to this project is the ELA component. Students research the holiday and write down a few facts to share. The facts are displayed underneath each agamograph.

Christmas Around the World Agamographs

You can find more agamographs here:

Art with Jenny K Agamographs

Similar to collaboration posters are Jenny's Famous Faces™ Unscramble Portraits. The difference is the students can work independently to complete them. They are smaller than a poster and are completed a little more quickly.

For Pi Day last year I had the students complete an Albert Einstein Unscramble. The directions included more than one option so that students of different abilities were able to successfully complete the portrait. Some students chose to use the preprinted drawing, other students chose to take on the challenge of drawing the lines themselves!

Completed using the preprinted drawing.

Completed using the grid to draw the portrait!

The collective result!

More Famous Faces Unscramble Portraits are here:

Art with Jenny K Famous Faces Unscramble Portraits

Now, aside from all these amazing art projects, she also offers art-infused lessons! No matter what you are looking for, she has it! For students who are artistically-inclined, the combination of content and art is a nice break from the constant barrage of curriculum that can sometimes happen when we are trying to get through the material. The switching back and forth between the hemispheres in their brains helps keep them charged and engaged. 

Jenny teamed up with Mary Beth from Brain Waves Instruction to create a wonderfully balanced resource that incorporates differentiated passages and artistic response.

I have used a lot of these non-fiction reading comprehension passages. It is especially helpful that they are leveled. These passages are quick print-and-go. Love, love, love them!

Art with Jenny K Reading Comprehension Passages and Questions BUNDLE

To see even more of what Art with Jenny K can do for you, click the link below, explore, and don't forget to click on the GREEN STAR to follow her. You won't be disappointed!

Art with Jenny K TpT Store

Thank you, thank you, Jenny K! My class, my bulletin boards, and I are so very grateful for the beauty and art you bring to our classroom year round.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Creating One Anchor Chart for Multiple Classes

There are pros and cons for every scenario in teaching. If you team, it has its fair share of the yeas and nays as well. For instance, I absolutely love having fewer preps. The caveat to fewer preps is that I will be teaching the same material more than once. And, I'm ok with that too. However, when creating anchor charts for multiple classes it can be a bit tricky.

Anchor charts are most effective when they are built with the students. Students have an opportunity to construct their own meaning because they are part of the process during which the chart is built. The words and information comes from them. Anchor charts give students an opportunity to see their own ideas reflected back to them. 

I love building anchor charts with my students. But, I don't want to hang multiple charts of the same information; especially when the topic is identical and the responses are similar enough that more than one chart would be redundant. So, what's a teacher to do? 

To begin construction of the chart, I present the same blank page with the heading/icons already written on the top. For example:

Then, I move the students through the construction of the chart. I have students submit ideas on sticky notes. Once they have written their ideas down, discussed, and edited notes, I collect them. Depending on the lesson, I then lead the students through the notes and how they apply to the chart. I will also put the notes into similar categories or ideas and then hand write the student responses on the chart. When I hand write the ideas I will use different colored markers to indicate which ideas came from which classes.

You can read more about how I use STICKY NOTES in my classroom here:
4 Ways to Use Sticky Notes

To read about the Acceptable/Unacceptable Anchor Chart, click below:
Refocusing for the Rest of the Year

Must-Have Classroom Tools

Do you have a favorite tool? Ya know... that one item that you use constantly and can't imagine your classroom without? Below I share the three "must-haves" for my classroom:

1. A Super Sharpener

This item was a gift from a parent a few years back. I had been through at least a dozen throughout my career and the current sharpener was on its last legs. At Christmas, a parent surprised me this sharpener (along with a 2 year warranty) and I haven't needed another one since!

It has an adjustable wheel to accommodate 6 different pencil girths. It's fast. It's sharp. A blue light signals to the students when the pencil is completely sharpened. And the shavings tray helps keep the area tidy. 

It's a bit pricey- but it's the last sharpener you'll ever buy. 

2. Heavy Duty Hole Puncher

I bought this hole puncher a few years back. There were some changes happening with curriculum, an influx of 3-ring binders being used, and I bought it with the idea that I would be able to hole punch a class set of copies all at once. 

Over time, I have used it to hole punch other items as well. For instance, I can place up to 5 laminated brag tags under each punch and hole punch 15 brag tags at once. Two rounds of punching and I have a class set of tags ready to go!

3. Paper Cutter

This item was a splurge. It was costly and ate up a hefty portion of my budget. However, it is worth its weight in gold. My classroom runs on interactive notebooks- a lot of interactive notebooks. I mean... a lot. 

One of the perks to interactive notebooks is the amount of practice students get while cutting and folding and gluing and positioning pieces. One of the drawbacks is the amount of time the cutting, folding, gluing, and positioning requires. My paper cutter helps cuts down on the time. I can trim down the majority of the pieces so that students can concentrate on getting the information on the piece and into the notebook.

A paper cutter is also useful for cutting up name lists, trimming down paper for craft projects, cutting up brag tags, etc...

Granted, I can locate similar items within my building. But who wants to trek down to the teacher station every time they want to punch holes or cut some paper? Having them readily available in my class is a time-saver.

There is no question that these three tools help make life smoother in my classroom. What are your go-to tools?

Using Reward Tags to Increase the Home/School Connection

I started using reward tags a couple of years ago. At first I was dabbling, using the usual: first day of, monthly icons, character ed, attendance, etc... However, last year my tags took an unexpected turn. 

Start with the basics!

Multiplication Reward Tags.
Students earn a tag for each factor.

At the beginning of the year I explain the tags and the Class Dojo. Then, I connect them. Once a student has entered the Class Dojo, they earn a tag for their chain. It's a great motivator for the students and the bonus is that families are linked in and can see what's happening in the classroom.

Offering a tag for connecting to your digital platform is a great motivator!

Without a lot of forethought I put up a weekend challenge that asked students to clean their room. If they did so, and posted a picture to our Class Dojo, they would earn a Reward Tag on Monday morning. The students loved the challenge! I was surprised by how many were willing to complete the task and post to our Dojo. I am not sure which facet was the ultimate motivator: the tech or the tag. But I decided to keep going.

I wrote the Challenges on the Homework Board each Friday.
Then, I would take a picture and post in the Class Dojo.

Over time, I started to get more organized and creative. Weekend Challenges became family affairs. My goal was to create challenges that were seasonal/timely, required minimal time, and cost little or no money. Parents started to comment on the challenges and Monday mornings included some fun story telling.

I would also create graphics to post in the Dojo. 

My students keep their Reward Tags on a chain stored in the classroom. At the end of the school year they get to take home the chain and the items attached to it. While most of the items on the chains are the brag tags, I occasionally use charms from Fitness Finders. If only a handful of students complete the challenge, I will reward with a charm instead of a tag. I don't tell the students which weeks will be a tag versus a charm because I don't know the number of participants before Monday morning. 

A crazy blend of tags and charms!

To help me stay organized, I plan out tags a few weeks in advance. I prefer to print, laminate, and cut in bulk. For storage, I keep the tags (and charms) grouped and in a plastic compartment bin. The bin you use may differ from others' depending on the size of your tags. 

Print, print, print.
Laminate, laminate, laminate.
Cut, cut, cut.

The printing and cutting isn't so horrible. The lamination is another story. I have a small laminator in my classroom. But, the reality is, lamination costs money and takes time. So this year I am trying something different.

Instead of using chains and tags (which require lamination to endure the school year), I have created a "Reward Tag Cache" sheet. Each sheet will hold 10 Reward Tags. Students will keep their sheet in their folders. Once they have earned a tag, students will glue them onto their sheets. This will eliminate two things: the need for chains and the need for lamination! Students will need more that one cache sheet so I will print them two sided. Hopefully, the idea of filling a cache and needing another one will be an additional motivation for the students!

You can find a freebie sample of September Reward and the Reward Tag Cache sheet here:

Reward Tags for Home/School Connection FREEBIE Sampler

The September Tags include:

Best Book

Family Walk

Game Night

Spiffy Room

Favorite Subject

Sheets are designed with 15 tags per sheet. For my class size, I need to print two copies of each sheet. I am offering them in color and black and white. So, if you don't have access to a color printer, or want to save on ink, you can print the black/white tags on colored paper to add a bit of color to your tags. Alternatively, if you decide to use the Reward Tag Cache, you can print on white paper (or card stock) and have students color in their tag!

Additional Resources and Ideas for You and Your Classroom

Click below to be directed to: 
Multiplication Facts: The Superhero Challenge (resource that includes directions, probes, posters, student progress monitoring chart, tags) 

Click below to read more about how I use Class Dojo in my classroom:
How to Create the Best Home/School Connection With Just One App

I hope you find incorporating Reward Tags into your classroom to be as rewarding as I have. Enjoy!