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Monday, February 5, 2024
IT'S ABOUT TIME, TEACHERS, for VALENTINE'S DAY!
Friday, January 19, 2024
IT'S ABOUT TIME for HINK PINKS, et al.
Kiddos learn best when they're having fun and few things are more fun that HINK PINKS, HINKY PINKIES, & HINKITY PINKITIES! These word riddles will exercise a multitude of vocabulary skills (definitions, synonyms, parts of speech, rimes, syllables, ...) while challenging students to problem solve. These task cards prompt your learners to interpret data, make inferences, draw conclusions, and analyze new infomation.
Here's how they work:
- HINK PINKS are riddles that call for a 2 word answer. The 2 words must each have 1 syllable and they must rhyme. In the above example, the clue, seize pinching shellfish, has the answer grab crab.
- HINKY PINKIES differ from HINK PINKS in that the answer to the riddle must be 2 words with 2 syllables each. The HINKY PINKY above offers the clue, Pacific wave actions; the answer being ocean motion.
- As you may have guessed, HINKITY PINKITIES require answer words with 3 syllables. The clue above, enormous ocean can be answered with gigantic Atlantic.
Intriguing aren't they?
It can take students a while to catch on to this word play. Begin with HINK PINKS and solve several together. Demonstrate your thinking. Offer your learners the use of dictionaries and thesauri (print or digital). Complete as many as a group as necessary until you see the lightbulb go on. Once your pupils have a good command of HINK PINKS, move on to HINKY PINKIES. HINKITY PINKITIES are the most challenging, not only because of the vocabulary necessary for the answers, but because the language of the clues is more complex.
Intrigued? Try this FREE unit, just in time for Groundhog Day:
I'm such a fan of HINK PINKS, et al., that my store offers more than 3 dozen products. There are holiday sets and specially themed sets, such as the OCEANIC HINK PINKS, et al. seen at the top of the page.
The above bundles each contain 4 individual products; the bundles save you 30%.
HINK PINKS, et al., are staples in gifted education, but let me assure you they are great for regular education students, as well. I have used them successfully with 1st graders! Just realize that younger students will need more support.
My HINK PINK, et al. products cover the major holidays and a plethora of special themes.
What if you teach kindergarten or ELL? Then you should try HINK PINKS and HINKY PINKIES for KINDERS. These sets provide visual clues; no reading required. Check out the FREE set:
If you are new to HINK PINKS, et al., I hope you'll try them. My students literally beg me to bring these task cards out.
Monday, August 21, 2023
IT'S ABOUT TIME, TEACHERS, for COWBOY CURRICULA!
Saddle up for some fun, cowboy themed curricula. I adore teaching with a theme and cowboys are one of my favorite themes. My Wild West collection has something for every primary classroom.
Start with a FREEBIE:
This COWPOKE GLYPH is a fun craftivity that incorporates data collection and writing.
Extend the data collection learning with a graphing, math center. COWBOY SPIN-TALLY-GRAPH provides easy differentiation by including 3 levels of difficulty.
Work on counting order with these WILD WEST NUMBER PUZZLES. The puzzles progress from 5 pieces to 8 pieces and are also available digitally on TPT Easel.
COWBOY NUMBER SENSE PUZZLES exercise subitizing as students construct the 4 pieces of the puzzle representing the same number. This math center is also available digitally on TPT Easel.
While you're working on critical thinking, introduce these COWPOKE SQUARE PUZZLERS. These brain teasers are also differentiated, increasing in difficulty from 2x2 puzzles to 4x4 puzzles. The challenge is to make the images match on each interior side. This activity also exercises flexibility and perseverance.
Understanding syllable counts and the rules for dividing words into syllables are crucial to learning to read and write. As you introduce these skills, incorporate these western themed anchor charts.
Practice syllable counts with SYLLABES ROUNDUP. This brand new, literacy center, available in print and digitially on TPT Easel, asks students to sort the picture/word cards by the number of syllables they hear (1-3 syllables).
COWPOKE COMPOUND WORDS is a literacy center that challenges learners to match the 2 halves of the covered wagons to make compound words. The center is self-checking and available digitally on TPT Easel. Some of the vocabulary may be challenging to young learners so be selective in the cards you place at the center.
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
It's About Time, Teachers, for Syllable Rules!
Did you know that teaching syllable division is included in every elementary level of CCSS?
Do your students struggle with dividing words into syllables?
Do you need help teaching the syllabication rules?
It's about time, then, that you checked out these resources that clearly and concisely explain 16 rules for dividing words into syllables.
- The rules in each resource are the same. The graphics reflect the theme.
- Each poster includes an example word to further illustrate the rule. That example also reflects the theme.