Quick, Easy, Sight Word Storage

If your classroom is anything like mine, you have kids at all different levels! I teach grade 4/5 combined but I have kids working at a grade 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 level in English Language Arts. As you know, that can sometimes become slightly overwhelming!

Here is a quick trick to help you differentiate for your lowest students.

Each of my English Language Learners, working at a grade 1 level, has their own command hook stuck to their desk. This acts as storage for their sight words! I usually give them each around five words at a time. 

Anytime they want to do anything, they have to read me their sight words first. Want to go to the bathroom? Read me your sight words! Want to go get a drink of water? Read me your sight words!

It is working like a charm! Plus, when you add new words to the binder ring, the old ones are still there, which means constant revision!!

The best part is that they are easily accessible, but not stored in a spot where everyone can see. My students sometimes feel self conscious that they are working at a lower level. This helps them to learn at their level, without making them feel embarrassed. 

You can find a variety of Command Hooks on Amazon.

How do you differentiate your classroom to help all students learn? I would love to hear your ideas in the comments :)

Using Music to Energize, Engage, and get kids Excited about School!

Today I am linking up with Head Over Heels for Teaching to talk about a way that I spark student motivation!

Last week, I started something new in my classroom and I am LOVING it!

My students and I have started having a mini dance party every morning.

At my school, all of my kids wait outside until the bell rings, then I invite them into the classroom. As students enter the room, I have been playing fun, upbeat music. The kids LOVE dancing to the music as they come into the room. The best part is that it motivates them to be on time for school. Because if they are late, they miss the dance party!

At first, I was a bit hesitant to try out this idea because I thought that it might get my kids too excited. But it actually does the exact opposite. I have found that once the song ends, students are more ready to learn. My kids also know that by the time the song is over, they need to have their agendas open and book bins ready to go. This way, they have a task to complete while they dance :)

Some of our favourite songs to play include:

Happy - Pharrell Williams

Shake It Off - Taylor Swift

Stronger - Kelly Clarkson

What Makes You Beautiful - One Direction

Stereo Hearts - Gym Class Heroes

Good Feeling - Flo Rida

Best Day of My Life - American Authors

Love Runs Out- One Republic

Gagnam Style - Psy

We are Never Getting Back Together - Taylor Swift

Please Don't Stop the Music - Rhianna

Dynamite - Taio Cruz

Life is a Highway - Rascal Flatts

I Got a Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

Twist and Shout - The Beatles

I Like to Move It - Will.i.am

Macarena - Los de Rios

YMCA - The Village People

Note: Always be sure to play the version with "clean lyrics". If you search the name of the song in Google with "clean lyrics" a classroom friendly version should pop up!

After a few mornings of dancing, the strangest thing happened... I realized that I was a happier teacher! Sometimes mornings can be super stressful, it is nice to take a few moments to sing and dance. Plus, when 26 kids are smiling up at you, how could you possibly be in a bad mood?

Do you have any tricks for starting the day off on the right foot?
I would love to hear about your ideas in the comments :)