Online Reading Links

As teachnology is on a constant rise, children are spending more and more time with it. I am taking courses in my Masters about incorporaring technology not just in the classroom but also at home. Here are some links that children and families can access on their computers. I have yet to try them on tablets or iPads but they definitely work on the computer.

Tumble Books

Tumble Books has an online collection of e-books for children and families (focus on elementary schools).

Clifford Interactive Storybooks

Children have choices in parts of Clifford stories making it interactive and fun for kids.

Little Critter

Little Critter stories online.

Storyline Online

Screen Actors Guild Foundation (SAG) is  an online streaming video program featuring SAG members reading children’s books aloud.

Mortimer - Storytelling With Instruments

I love Robert Munsch as many other teachers do too. But the children love it even more with how I do the story 'Mortimer' in my classroom.

Very simple and very fun!

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All you need is the book: Mortimer by Robert Munsch and...

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                                          Instruments!

Every time Mortimer sings "Clang, clang. Rattle, bing bang. Gonna make my noise all day", the children make noise with the instruments! I have done the story with the kids making loud noises with the instruments, medium-level noises, soft noises and even as-quiet-as-a-mouse noises. It's a ton of fun!! (Though, I do recommend you close the door during this circle time story!) 

Recognizing Alphabets - Matching Centre

I have been trying to put out different activities every other day in the literacy centre. Here is an alphabet centre that was donated to me by a teacher (I hit a jackpot with it because it was free!!!) If you are unable to buy it, I think it is super easy to create it as well (take a large bristol board, add pocket cards, label them with letters, cut out letters small enough to fit into the pockets and you are done!)

I only put out letters for now in a basket. As the weeks go by, there are picture cards with the whole word. The first letter is highlighted so they may match it and put it in the right pocket.

I put this centre on a round table. It is easier for more children to participate at one time rather than up on the wall or board. 

Here are my kids working away! I did not even model this activity to them. They all knew what was expected which is super easy!

What are the children learning?

• communication and social skills as they use this centre with other children and learn to take turns
• sorting skills as they take the letters and sort them accordingly
• matching skills as they match the letters accordingly
• hand-eye coordination as they use their eyes to match the letters and use their hands to insert them into the pockets
• literacy skills as they recognize their letters (both upper and lower case)
• math skills if they are counting how many letters are in the alphabet
• observation skills as they figure out the differences between upper and lower case letters
• gross motor (large muscles) as they use their hand to insert the letters and insert them into the pockets

Recognizing Alphabets - Media-Enriched Activity

One of the easiest and realistic ways for children to begin recognizing letters is to use media around them. This is such an easy activity where children can learn their letters. All you need is newspapers/flyers and yellow marker/highlighters. 

I wrote down the letter that we are working on. I also send this activity as an at-home activity. It is easy for parents since they don't have to purchase anything to work with their children.

The goal is to highlight every S you see in the flyer or newspaper. If you don't have highlighters or markers, use pencil or pen to circle. And there you have another activity for learning alphabets! Choose a different letter each week and you have a centre ready!

Practicing Alphabets - Quick Activity

Here is a very quick letter activity I came up with. I was using the die cutter to cut out alphabets and I noticed there was a lot of paper left for recycling which I didn't feel comfortable recycling. So I decided to use it for learning letters. 

We are doing the letter S for the week. So I only used the letter S.

I put out paper, markers and crayons. You also choose to use paint. Finger painting would be fantastic for tiny fingers!

Here are my kids doing the activity. I allow them to start from the top or bottom. Whatever helps them make the S.

Here is the finished product. It was their first time but we are getting the point!

Moosetache - Shoebox Storytelling Technique

Source: http://www.margiepalatini.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/moosetache.jpg

Here I am with another storytelling technique. I love this book! It is a bit long for the younger age group but with the story box technique, the children will be on their toes waiting for the next page! I used the book MOOSETACHE by Margie Palatini.

I used the shoebox technique for this book. I took a shoebox, covered it with tissue paper of bright colour and then put shiny gift wrap on it. You can choose to decorate it any way you want. Gift wrapping, newspaper, tissue paper, etc. Whatever you think will suit the book well. I then wrote the name of the book and the author so I am able to find it easily.


The mustache I made on my own because I was unable to find the right kind I needed. From the dollar store, I bought a ponytail wig and separated it in the middle with clear tape. I also stuck on masking tape at the back and believe it or not, I put the mustache on while I am telling the story (I become the character so to speak). 

On the inside of the lid, I wrote down all the materials I will be using according to chronological order. On the inside of the box I kept all the materials I would be using. 

I used clothespins with the materials. I just taped it around the item.

As I tell the story, I put the materials with the clothespins around the box. This technique is fast and easy to use once you have all the materials. The children love it and it moves away from the traditional reading of a story. 

Silly Sally - Felt Storytelling Technique

I can't believe how busy I have gotten in the past month. But I am back!!! A very happy summer to everyone and hope life is treating everyone with kindness, love and happy memories. 


I love books as do most teachers (I hope!). But what I love about books is the different amount of techniques it can be told in. Here is a felt story I created on my own with a bit of help using a website (I will post the link as well).

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Felt stories are one of the easiest ways to tell a story. It allows children to be focused if you are giving them opportunity to participate. I chose Silly Sally by Audrey Wood as it is one of my favourite books; it is fun, catchy (because it has rhyming words) and it can be used where children can participate while the story is being read. This allows children to look forward to the story and what is coming up next. 

I bought red felt because it is bright and attracts children to keep their focus. You can choose to put the felt with magnets on a magnetic board or pin it up on a cork board. 

http://www.audreywood.com/books-written-by-audrey-wood/silly-sally/silly-sally-activities

I took printables from the above website and colored them in according to the characters from the story. I also photocopied some parts from the storybook in color so more children could participate throughout circle time. Then I laminated them so I can use them for a long time.

I bought pre-stick velcro from the dollar store and cut it into small pieces. Then I stuck them on the back of the pictures.

You can read the story at school on your choice of boards or you can do a small group story even on the floor. Don't forget to use this technique at home as well. It's a lot of fun!


I am also excited to share another blog, The Educator's Spin On It that has a post full of activities inspired by Audrey, Don and Bruce Wood. This blog has a post on a Virtual Book Club. Check it out, you'll love it!

Classroom Centres - Literacy Centre

I am going to do posts about each centre in the classroom. Here is a non-detailed, yet long post about the literacy centre.

Source: http://notesonanapkin.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/reading-corner.jpg

A literacy centre consists of activities that allow the children to read and write. A lot of classrooms have reading centres and writing centres that are situated away from each other. Because reading and writing go hand-in-hand, I like to keep both centres very close to each other and call it the literacy centre.


Here are a FEW things that can be put into the literacy centre. Please check out my post about the block centre to find some activity ideas in the comment section. SIGRID was very nice to share some of her ideas. 


First and foremost, you need a reading nook. Children need to be comfortable when they are reading. It needs to be an area in the classroom where the least amount of sound is traveled to (Usually corners of the classroom are perfect for this). If possible, have cushions and pillows; my classroom also had teddy bears which the younger children loved reading with and to. 

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The best part about the literacy centre is that it ties with any topic/theme you want children to explore. Therefore, there needs to be a wide variety of reading materials, not just books. Literacy in other words is communication; how we communicate with others (whether it be through written, oral or sign language). Here is my list of materials that can be added to or changed any time during the year.

Books! Add all sorts of books. Fiction, non-fiction and information books, picture books, open-the-flap books, I Spy books, Pop-up books, sketch books, poem books, nursery rhyme books, board books, sensory books, comic books, class books that your class has created, and books with NO words! Make sure you are using books that are appropriate for the child(ren)'s age and development. 

Source: http://spph.ubc.ca/sites/healthcare/uploads/blog/1325873818841.jpg

Books on Tape. This is a fantastic way for children to hear the words and expressions from a tape recorder/CD player as they follow along with the book. It, of course, promotes reading but also social skills when reading with a partner. Literacy skills involve knowing where the book begins and ends, which direction the words are written and when to flip the page. It enhances their hearing senses and their hand-eye coordination as they read and flip the pages. 

Source: http://ed551brandman.pbworks.com/f/1268027272/books%20on%20tape.jpg

Magazines

Source: http://www.asiaing.com/images/stories/2010/National.Geographic.Kids.Magazine.Subscription.jpg

Newspapers. These are great for allowing children to see letters, numbers, pictures, comics, logic puzzles, etc. A great way for children to know their letters and words is to give them highlighters. Ask them to only find the letter 'Aa' for the day. Make sure you find appropriate articles for them. We cannot underestimate the learning abilities of children; they pick on everything, good and bad. 

Source: http://www.kwnews.com/images/kidscoop.jpg

Comics

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Maps

Source: http://news.stanford.edu/news/2012/march/images/maps_news.jpg

Blueprints are GREAT for mapping as well. Children have so much fun with this if put into the literacy centre, specially if you are doing a unit on construction, mapping or structures.

Source: http://www.houseofmaupassant.com/sites/www.houseofmaupassant.com/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH393/plan_rdc-2-6493e.png

Brochures/Pamphlets

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Other reading materials that can be put all around the centre are posters, pictures, manuals/directions on how to do/build something. Signs and advertisements are also a hit in the classrooms. 

Here are some materials that can be made into activities for children to increase their literacy skills/learning.

Board Games such as Scrabble, Monopoly, Bingo, etc. promote a lot of literacy, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, focus, and critical thinking.

Source: http://blog.picnicfun.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/board_games1.jpg

Magnetic letters/numbers (plastic, foam, wood)

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Paper. All sorts of paper. Blank, coloured, construction, manila, newspaper, bristol board, cue cards, tissue paper, sand paper, paper towels, paper plates, envelopes, paper bags, line paper, scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, wax paper, coffee filters, etc. The list is endless! Using different materials makes learning FUN and EXCITING! Children get bored using line and blank paper all the time. To make it more fun, pick one day in a month and tell the students "today we are going to write upside down". Watch their expressions as confusion and exciting is jumbled up together into fun!

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Writing material. Another endless list: their own FINGERS, pens, pencils, markers, pencil crayons, crayons, paint brushes, high lighters, chalk, pastels, etc. Make sure you are meeting children's developmental requirement for these materials. Look for non-toxic markers for safety and large-size writing materials for firmer grip. Their fine motor skills need to be strong in order for them to have a strong grasp. 

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Stencils and Stampers. Large sizes and knobs makes for a easier grip.

Source: http://di1-1.shoppingshadow.com/images/pi/25/9b/ea/41508660-260x260-0-0_Century+Novelty+Alphabet+Stencil+Ruler.jpg

Source: http://s7.orientaltrading.com/is/image/OrientalTrading/56_2302?$FULL_SIZE$

Computer/Printer. Many people have different views on using computers in the preschool environment. I personally believe these should be used as an AID for children with special or extra needs to build their fine muscles. Other than that, children should be engaged in activities that does not requires a computer. As soon as they hit kindergarten and above, they will be required to use computers for many things. *Please remember every child SHOULD be monitored when they are using the computer*

Source: http://www.cs.sfu.ca/CourseCentral/166/tjd/_images/desktop-computer.jpg

Typewriters. These have to be one of the coolest things in the classroom. Children can get inspired to learn about history and the evolution of technology. I would rather have the children spend time on typewriter than a computer! Lots of focus, hand-eye coordination and development of small muscles. 

Source: http://marcromanoff.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/typewriter.jpg

Dry/erase boards, felt boards, cork boards all promote good story telling. A variety of these in the classroom promote lots of literacy skills. 

Writing books, sketch books and journals are great for "traditional" writing and drawing. Again a variety of everything encourages the most learning. 

Art materials: Play dough, sand, salt, shaving cream and paint can all be used with children's fingers to trace out letters and numbers. It is a ton of fun. Keep scissors, erasers, glue and tape as well at a table where children will be doing their writing. These further develop fine motor muscles. 

Chalk boards, Clipboards and Doodle Pads: Again, these are great for children to get into the habit of literacy. The more opportunities they get, the more chance of learning earlier and obtaining strong skills. 

Well, there you have it. My post on literacy centres. It is not detailed as it only provides basics. I will be posting activities here and there about each centre as well. Be on the lookout!