Screeching ABC Order -- Freebie

Here's another Halloween freebie for you.

Common Core standards require students to use a dictionary to check spelling and definitions of words. Here's a fun way to give your students practice using ABC order to help develop the skill of finding words in a dictionary.

Just click on the pic above to get the file.

Updated Polar Express Activities

I posted lots of activities for The Polar Express last year. I've learned a lot about making activities since then, so I've gone back and redone all the activities, added some new ones, correlated them to the Common Core ELA Standards, and put them into one big file. 

Your students can practice sequencing activities, matching synonyms, parts of speech, and alphabetical order. I added cards with discussion questions for the book. If you don't have a copy of The Polar Express, you can listen to actor Lou Diamond Phillips reading it online at StoryLineOnline.

Just click on the pic above to get the file. Please leave a comment if you download the activities. I'd love to know what you think.

I've reached the one thousand followers mark, so be looking for details for a giveaway in the next few days!

ABC Order and Guide Words - Freebie

One of our skills for this week is learning to use a dictionary to determine word meaning. My kiddos have to learn to use alphabetical order before they can look up a word, so I made this activity to use in a small/whole group. I'll probably put it in a literacy station next week.

Give each group of students a set of word cards that all start with the same letter. I printed each set in a different color of card stock so it would be easier to manage when I'm handing out the materials. The groups work to put the words in alphabetical order. I have eight words in each group. Each group can be broken down into two different groups. Once the students have put the words in alphabetical order, they have to determine which set of guide words will contain each group of words. But be careful! They may not all fit!

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies.......

.....you know you are in for a treat! I love, love, love ALL the "If You Take a...." books by Laura Numeroff.  Here's some fun for you to help get you in the Christmas spirit.(I know...it's still too early, but teachers have to plan ahead!)

And if you download the file, you know I'll want a comment!

(If you downloaded before 9:00 on Sunday, do it again. When I was printing it for myself, I found a mistake.)