School started two weeks ago and I’m settling in. Here is a glimpse at my schedule.
I’m enjoying teaching 7 grade levels. I was curious how it would go, but I think I have just enough time with each age group to enjoy them.
I’m starting my year with some far below basic groups. This is good for the beginning to get some of those kids a jump start. Most of my year, though, will be working with groups that just need a little help to get to grade level.
I spent the first few days with lower grades giving one on one assessments. Now I’m in the full swing of teaching and I’m enjoying it.
Since kids are pulled from exciting places like Fitness and the Computer Lab, I’ve been making an effort to use a lot of technology on my Interactive White Board (Eno Board) to keep it exciting.
I thought I’d share some of the resources I’ve found and ask if you have suggestions for me.
My second and third grade groups are kids that need help learning to read short vowel sounds and words.
The software that came with our Eno Board had some premade games for short vowels. Score.
I wish every interactive white board had the same software so it was easier for us all to share these.
My kids are loving this Vowel Bat video. I don’t think they can ever forget these sounds after singing this each day.
I’ve been using Starfall.com. As we learn each sound, I have them read the Starfall story for that sound. The kids are eager to get up their and click the pictures so they come up and read the story page to us so they can click on the interactive pictures. The kids I’m working with are kids that struggle on grade level activities, but the confidence they have being in a room with kids just like them is wonderful to see. Even the shyest of kids will get up and proudly read to us like it is the easiest thing in the world.
I think the best part of my job is seeing kids feel successful.
What are your favorite ways to teach short vowels?
Do you have a great interactive website I should try?
Paul D. Mitchell says
In school they said that a long vowel sound will simply be the vowel saying its name. A short vowel will be any vowel that says otherwise. However I'm not sure how this works when you use two letters to get a sound. A in hay would be a long vowel, a in hat would be a short vowel. E in he is a long vowel, e in edit would be a short vowel sound. This concept goes for all the vowels except for y which is special I think.
Thanks.
Paul D. Mitchell