"My class is so low! I don't even know where to start! Can you help me?"
"My class is so low! I don't even know where to start! Can you help me?"
This is a question that I often get asked via email, so I thought that I would go ahead and post this reply as on my blog, just in case anyone else has the same question. I hope that at least a few of you will find it helpful.
The idea for this frame came from the blog here! We think we are going to do something similar for Mother's Day.
Question:
"I teach Kindergarten. Love everything you have and have seen you at the Indiana K Conference before. I haven't bought some activities in the past because my classes usually come in knowing all or most of the letters and sounds.
This year I have one child who reads at a higher level....so I'm working on her plan. The rest of the class is low to average. Some of my low kids don't know any of their letters or numbers. They can't identify their names. They really need a lot of basic support and you were the first person I thought of for materials that I don't already have in my classroom.
Hope this makes sense. Thanks for the reply already, I so appreciate it.
Rhonda :)"
Answer:
Well…..it sounds like you are starting where I often start with my kids!
I usually just go ahead and teach my whole class as if none of them know the alphabet when that happens. I work on four or five alphabet songs per week from the Singable Songs for Letters and Sounds CD or DVD. We also use the cards from Zoo Phonics to help them master the alphabet quickly, but that is up to you if you want to add that in as well, because their kits are kind of pricey. If you just have a couple of kids that don't know their letters, then it might not matter too much if you don't have those cards. If you want to get them, though, it's cheaper to just get the font and print them yourself.
If you would like to download the handout that goes with my Alphabet presentation that includes the Zoo Phonics motions for each letter, click here.
I also do Jumpin' Numbers and Shakin' Shapes with my whole class for the benefit of those that don't know the numbers or shapes. I just figure that it is a good brain break/physical activity for those that need a little movement anyway. Otherwise, they are all getting to hear a song with rhyming words in it, and they are getting a chance to move around a bit to a fun song. So I don't worry about the fact that some kids already know it. There's also a song on there that helps them practice counting to 100 in song, and that's good for them, too. The special flash cards that go with the numbers and shapes really help the kids catch on to them quickly, too. For the kids that can't identify the numbers 0-10 out of order, these cards are essential.
If you would like to download the handouts that go with my Numbers and Shapes presentation, please click here.
As far as the sight words are concerned, most people start with Sing and Spell Vol. 1, and this is usually the safest bet. But I always start with Sing and Spell Vol. 2, because it's got the color words songs on it, and the kids respond very well to those songs. They are easy to learn and the songs help the kids learn these words well. After the kids learn the color words, then I switch back to Sing and Spell Vol. 1.
So there you have it! Those are the places to start! If your class is that low, then you'll have a lot of work to do. Just concentrate on one or two things first, such as the letters and numbers, and then move on from there once they have that. It's not hard to just keep adding songs/concepts to the day once they have one or the other down.
Good luck!
Heidi
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This is a question that I often get asked via email, so I thought that I would go ahead and post this reply as on my blog, just in case anyone else has the same question. I hope that at least a few of you will find it helpful.
The idea for this frame came from the blog here! We think we are going to do something similar for Mother's Day.
Question:
"I teach Kindergarten. Love everything you have and have seen you at the Indiana K Conference before. I haven't bought some activities in the past because my classes usually come in knowing all or most of the letters and sounds.
This year I have one child who reads at a higher level....so I'm working on her plan. The rest of the class is low to average. Some of my low kids don't know any of their letters or numbers. They can't identify their names. They really need a lot of basic support and you were the first person I thought of for materials that I don't already have in my classroom.
Hope this makes sense. Thanks for the reply already, I so appreciate it.
Rhonda :)"
Answer:
Well…..it sounds like you are starting where I often start with my kids!
I usually just go ahead and teach my whole class as if none of them know the alphabet when that happens. I work on four or five alphabet songs per week from the Singable Songs for Letters and Sounds CD or DVD. We also use the cards from Zoo Phonics to help them master the alphabet quickly, but that is up to you if you want to add that in as well, because their kits are kind of pricey. If you just have a couple of kids that don't know their letters, then it might not matter too much if you don't have those cards. If you want to get them, though, it's cheaper to just get the font and print them yourself.
If you would like to download the handout that goes with my Alphabet presentation that includes the Zoo Phonics motions for each letter, click here.
I also do Jumpin' Numbers and Shakin' Shapes with my whole class for the benefit of those that don't know the numbers or shapes. I just figure that it is a good brain break/physical activity for those that need a little movement anyway. Otherwise, they are all getting to hear a song with rhyming words in it, and they are getting a chance to move around a bit to a fun song. So I don't worry about the fact that some kids already know it. There's also a song on there that helps them practice counting to 100 in song, and that's good for them, too. The special flash cards that go with the numbers and shapes really help the kids catch on to them quickly, too. For the kids that can't identify the numbers 0-10 out of order, these cards are essential.
If you would like to download the handouts that go with my Numbers and Shapes presentation, please click here.
As far as the sight words are concerned, most people start with Sing and Spell Vol. 1, and this is usually the safest bet. But I always start with Sing and Spell Vol. 2, because it's got the color words songs on it, and the kids respond very well to those songs. They are easy to learn and the songs help the kids learn these words well. After the kids learn the color words, then I switch back to Sing and Spell Vol. 1.
So there you have it! Those are the places to start! If your class is that low, then you'll have a lot of work to do. Just concentrate on one or two things first, such as the letters and numbers, and then move on from there once they have that. It's not hard to just keep adding songs/concepts to the day once they have one or the other down.
Good luck!
Heidi
----------------------------------
Follow me! Did you enjoy this post? Do me a favor and share it with your friends! And follow this blog by signing up for my email updates here, or follow on Bloglovin', or follow me on TPT! I'm also on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and YouTube, too! Don't forget to sign up for our email newsletter for special deals and promo codes that you won't find out about anywhere else.
