Collaborative Student Groups: Get Set

The vocabulary game is a way for students to practice word meaning embedded at the end of a phonics lesson. To play, a word, phrase or meaning is given and students need to write the word from the decoded phonics words. Once they have a word written they seek the approval by me with a thumbs up to signal when they wrote the correct word, or a thumbs down to have them try again. The use of the thumb provides an anonymous check for understanding. 

Room to Read is strategy I use to get my students to move to a specific location so that they can be comfortable and not be in the way of others. I mostly use this strategy when my students have additional materials with them during instruction in a limited space such as the rug. Room To Read ensures that my students won't be distracted by other students' materials in their personal spaces and can focus on following along with the lesson. 

In Teacher Vs. Students, students compete against the teacher in a quick game of listening and participation. Typically we play this game after a general phonics rule has been taught and students have to practice hearing it for phonological practice. Rather than me just reading a word asking them to identify the sound, I am using the taught rule(s) and turning into a game of friendly competition to show that they are smarter than the teacher. It's important though, to be honest. If I win, I explain what they should practice more of and then try it again another day.