Twas the week before Christmas...

Even though this was the last week before Christmas, I was still able to squeeze in lots of learning! 

With my second grade groups, we read another readinga-z book called To the North Pole. We were working on the questioning strategy this week so I made this anchor chart (same as last year). First, I had them read the book on their own, and then we read it together. As they were reading, I would stop them and say, "Guess my question." They would guess what question I would have as a good reader. For example, in the story, the kids want to go to the North Pole. My question was, "How they will get there." I wrote all the questions on these star sticky notes as we read together. When we found the answers to my questions by reading further, they would take the sticky notes off. Hopefully, this will help them to see how asking questions can keep them "on target". :) 

Last year I wrote a longer post about it. You can see that here. You can also get this little freebie there too.

We are always looking for fun ways to practice our sight words! My firsties loved this gingerbread hunt. I put sight words on these little gingerbread cut-outs. My sweet friend Emily made these for me. Thanks Emily!! 

I typed out some simple sentences with the sight word missing. They had to search around the room for the correct sight word to fit into each sentence. It was a great activity because they had to read the words over and over to find the correct match. 

You can download this worksheet here. 

adorable gingerbread by Whimsy Clips and border by Fancy Dog studios

Last week, we worked on our gingerbread poem using the pocket chart. This week, they got their own copy of the poem. You can find this in my gingerbread literacy pack. 

My kinders sorted pictures by vowel sound. This is part of my December kinder lit pack.

My second grade students continued to practice multi-syllable words. We matched first syllable to the second syllable. 

and also three syllable words. Both are part of my 2nd grade literacy pack.

This activity also comes from my kinder December pack. Students looked at the picture, found the matching word on the stockings, and colored that stocking.

One of my students was struggling with the /sh/ and /ch/ so I made this little chart. I highlighted the /sh/ to help him remember that they worked together to make one sound. It was also good vowel practice, because I had three different gingerbread men with different vowels. He had to figure out which worked. That means he had to read each word 3 times (trying all three vowels). 

We also read this sight word Christmas passage. There are two sight word passages in my Christmas literacy pack (and several more that are more challenging). 

Last, but not least, one of my groups is beginning to learn the silent e. We did this little Polar Express-themed activity:

This is part of my Polar Express pack.

I hope you all have a great week! Happy Holidays to you all!