Sunday, January 28, 2024

IT'S ABOUT TIME for VOCABULARY FRACTIONS!


 

What, you may ask, are VOCABULARY FRACTIONS? They are task cards that challenge your learners' critical thinking skills, proficiency with fractions, and fluency with content specific vocabulary. But, your students will just think they are fun.

The task gradually increases in difficult, transitioning from 2 part clues with words and pictures to as many as 5 part clues with just pictures. In their quest to solve the riddle, pupils must deduce the correct word and its spelling. Solving equivalent fractions provides even more challenge.


Who needs VOCABULARY FRACTIONS?

    • intermediate students
    • enrichment students
    • G/T learners
    • small group learners needing extra practice on fractions
    • fast finishers
    • digital learners
    • classes with a substitute teacher


Try them before you buy them!

If you enjoy the FREE version of VOCABULARY FRACTIONS,  and I think you will, I have made 3 additional sets in the Forest Friends theme:

You can find 30 sets of VOCABULARY FRACTIONS in my store
There are holiday sets --













subject matter sets --





and a variety of thematic sets --
















This edition is perfect for Super Bowl enthusiasts --


Look for bundles, too! They will save you 30%.













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 PINKITIESThese 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 PINKIESHINKITY 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.






Tuesday, January 2, 2024

It's About Time, Teachers, for PUNS!

 


Have you ever shared David Lubar's book, PUNISHED! with your learners? (You can find a free edition on Kindle Unlimited.)


This delightful book is a great way to start a study of puns. Then, challenge your upper elementary and middle school learners with these pun task cards: