We really enjoy the small group time of centers, as it targets the exact area of instruction for groups with similiar abilities. In the ususal format, there are two independent stations, which require kids to focus on applying their knowledge of literacy or math skills independently. The third station is formatted around direct instruction from the teacher in literacy awareness.

1. Measure It! This week, the students are expanding their knowledge of measuring with non standard tools to get more practice applying skills. They got the hang of the idea when we did a class-wide excerise on Monday to line random objects (everything from forks to pointer sticks) in order, from shortest to tallest. We helped the kids through guided discovery as they decided where their item fit in the line up and why. Then, once in small groups, this activity sent them on a hunt for five specific items. Once they had those, they needed to order them and draw and label to record their conclusions.   

2. Alpha-books: As the year continues, the kids are working at their own pace in the alpha books. They choose a letter (page) and write at least four (usually more) words on that page. Illustrating is encouraged, but these kiddos just want to make lists, and lists, and lists! 

3.Literacy with the Teacher: Small groups with similar literacy abilities meet with the teacher: This week some groups played sight-word memory and others matched uppercase letters to thier matching lowercase counterparts. 

We really enjoy the small group time of centers, as it targets the exact area of instruction for groups with similiar abilities. In the ususal format, there are two independent stations, which require kids to focus on applying their knowledge of literacy or math skills independently. The third station is formatted around direct instruction from the teacher in literacy awareness.

1. Bigger or Smaller?  Kids work independantly with a non-standard measuring tool, a popcicle stick!  Students are responsible for measuring and recording items around our classroom that are BIGGER or smaller than their stick. This was A fun, multi-skill activity.

2. Syllable flower and syllable ducks: Kids play two games here. The first they play alone and the second, together. The skill is have an opportunity to practice knowlege of sorting words into 1, 2 or 3 syllable groups. They love to clap these out!  

3.Literacy with the Teacher: Small groups with similar literacy abilities meet with the teacher to work with words and word families, while other groups work on letter id.

We really enjoy the small group time of centers, as it targets the exact area of instruction for groups with similiar abilities. In the ususal format, there are two independent stations, which require kids to focus on applying their knowledge of literacy or math skills independently. The third station is formatted around direct instruction from the teacher in literacy awareness. 

1. Body Measurments!  We continue in our investigation of measurement. We chatted about standard and nonstandard units of measurement. The kids explored with the nonstandard tool of a unifex cube to measure objects.....like the length of thier bodies!! First we estimated, and then recorded the actual number. If we had time, we estimated and measured the length of a book, wooden block, and a marker. 

2. Dino-Beat: This station builds off of our new-found discovery and knowledge of syllables, and how important and FUN they are! Kids sort pictures of 1,2, and 3 syllable words.  The fun part is clapping the words. Extensions are for kids to explore the room with a clipboard and paper to 'write the room" and copy print in columns of 1, 2, or 3 syllables. 

3.Literacy with the Teacher: Small groups with similar literacy abilities meet with the teacher to work with words and word families, while other groups work on letter id.

We really enjoy the small group time of centers, as it targets the exact area of instruction for groups with similiar abilities. This week, the two independent stations required kids to focus on applying their knowledge of 1 to 1 correspondence when counting. The third station was direct instruction from the teacher in literacy awareness.

1.Alphabooks: Since we have learned all the uppercase letters of the alphabet, students were able to choose what letter(s) they wanted to work on this week.

2. Inchworm: This was a fun introduction to our large concept of measurement. We will be exploring this through Spring Break. We read Inch By Inch, by Leo Lionni, and then explore the sense of an inch by measuring colorful manipulatives.

3.Literacy with the Teacher: Small groups with similar literacy abilities meet with the teacher to work with words and word families, while other groups work on letter id.