Lately I've been seeing lots of different ways to use cootie catchers in the classroom, from math facts to reading. So I thought, why not vocabulary? Now I've created 12 different cootie catchers to help students expand their vocabulary. These Cootie catchers are designed help students practice their synonyms and antonyms. You can get these worksheets now on the new
websites shop.
Directions
Player 1: Choose a word and count the number of letters in the word.
Player 2: Open and close the cootie catcher that many times.
Player 1: Choose a number inside the cootie catcher.
Player 2: Lift the chosen flap and read the directions.
Player 1: Complete the action inside the flap.
Actions
S - Chose a synonym of the word
A- Choose an antonym of the word
Lose a turn - Your turn is over it's the next players turn. Say it in a Sentence - Say the synonym or antonym of the word you picked in a sentence.
Double Trouble – You must think of two synonyms or antonyms.
Battle Round – Players take turns saying synonyms or antonyms of the chosen word the player who runs out of words the soonest looses.
To continue with my series on vocabulary development, I've decided to tackle a common problem that readers face when they've learned to decode small words but are stumped when they come across longer and more complex words. A great vocabulary learning activity that you can use to help overcome this hurdle is a activity that I first learned about from the book Phonics they use by Patricia M. Cunningham called Big Word Collector.
| | To motivate your students to start they're own word collections I found this book to be great. In this picture book by Kate Banks, Max is envious of his brothers collections so he decides to start a collection of his own; a collection of words.
You can encourage your students to do what Max did and create big word collections. This activity can help students as they build their vocabulary, increase their writing ability, and learn to easily decode big words.
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Want to find some great podcasts to use in the classroom or just to stay informed about the education world. I've created a list of my top five Education related podcasts. If you have a favorite that's not in this list why not share it with a comment below.
#1 Ecogeeks: Untamed Science Video Podcast
This podcast is a great way to get your students interested in science. Each podcast also has a link to a page where you can learn more about the topic in the video.
Podcast Description
A science video podcast that explains science topics in a fun and exciting way. Not only is it great for science teachers to download to show in the classroom, but its an ideal podcast for the nature lover.
#2 -Stuff of Genius
This great podcast from HowStuffWorks will let your kids learn about inventors and help inspire them to create themselves.
Podcast Description
Have you ever had an idea that seems crazy, like pocket-sized clocks, the flexible straw or dishwashers? Every invention starts out as an idea, and it only takes a bit of genius to make it a reality. Tune in and learn more in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.
This podcast by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute helps to keep you up to date about news in the Education World. This podcast although its fun to listen to it does have a political slant to it.
Podcast Description
Every Thursday you get funny and thoughtful debates and commentary on the week's education news, all in under 20 minutes. The Thomas B. Fordham Institute is a non-profit think tank dedicated to advancing educational excellence in America's K-12 schools. Nationally and in our home state of Ohio, we promote education policies that strengthen accountability and expand education options for parents and families, including sponsoring charter schools in Ohio. Our reports examine issues such as No Child Left Behind, school choice and teacher quality.
#4 - The Teacher's Podcast
Mark Gura and Dr. Kathy King bring you this series of podcasts, which cover “news, views, research and resources you can use.”
#5 - Super Why Podcast
Podcast Description
SUPER WHY, the new animated television series on PBS Kids and the interactive website on pbskids.org/superwhy, helps children ages 3-6 learn key reading skills, including alphabet, rhyming, spelling and reading comprehension, through interactive storybook adventures.
