Contractions

One thing I noticed this year that I hadn't seen before, is that my students have struggled with contractions.  Not only did they not know what word made up a contraction, they didn't understand what it was, and couldn't read them either. They often guessed on contractions or ended up saying the two words that made it up - or the two words that they thought made it up.

So....on to contraction practice.

We started by watching a Brainpop Jr video about contractions. Brainpop is a great way to introduce or review concepts.  Gives kids a chance to hear the same information you are telling them, but from fun, animated characters.

After watching Brainpop, we created this anchor chart to show what a contraction was and to also list examples. They helped me put this chart together.

Next, we played Contraction Memory. This game can be found in my new TPT pack called Contraction Action.

Here are some pictures of the kids in action - sorry it's turned weird....

 

Next, they completed Contractions Around the Room, which is also in my new TPT Pack.  I love Around the Room - gets them up and moving and they find it entertaining since they're not just sitting there.



We then did I Have, Who Has - also in my packet, but I didn't get a chance to get pictures since I was playing too.  Be sure to check out my new TPT packet- Contraction Action in my TPT Store.

 

Hope everyone had a good Monday!

 

Wow!!! Quick Catch-Up

Well...I had no idea it's been almost a month since my last post, but it doesn't surprise me.  March and April have been super busy months. 

In addition to birthday celebrations at the end of March, I went to New York City the first week of April to watch and support my fiancé's basketball team as they played in the National High School Tournament.  What a fun event! They made it to the Final Four and I was so proud of all the coaches and players - they left it all out on the floor!

After New York, there was only one week before spring break, which was this last week.  Why does Spring Break or really any break seem to fly by, but a regular school week seems to go at a snail's pace?  Well, spring break saw us traveling again as we went to Arizona to check out wedding venues.  We stayed at Arizona Grand Resort, which is a beautiful, fun resort that I highly recommend for anyone going to Phoenix.  Wedding venue decision coming soon...

School has been super busy as well. It was state testing time and although my second graders do not take state tests, they have been busy with their monthly eValuate test.  I was so proud to see a 10% growth in math from March to April and a 13% growth in ELA.  They have been working so hard.

Anyways....enough for now. Just wanted to do a quick catch-up to explain my absence.  Lots of ideas, blog posts, and new TPT products coming soon....

Hope everyone had a nice Easter!