Silly Story Starters - Cupcakes

Who wants a dull writing block? Not you and especially not your students. As teachers we are constantly thinking new and creative ways to engage our young writers. Here is one new activity that I love to use with my students, just be sure to have some real cupcakes on hand, because you'll be hungry! You can fins this Silly Story Starters by clicking on any of the picture or by clicking here.

Students begin by picking different elements of a cupcake (story elements) that they want to build.

 They will begin with a cupcake liner which lists characters to be used in their creative story.

 Next, students choose the cake (chocolate or vanilla) to be given a problem they will write about.

Last, a frosting flavor is chosen to give the story setting place.

An optional topper is offered for differentiation which adds to the setting by giving the time in which the story takes place.

Now the fun begins! With the given setting, characters, and problem students begin to create their own story. Using character traits and setting, how will the characters solve the problem? Having an astronaut in space may be helpful, but how is a frog going to help you get gas in your car?

You can fins this Silly Story Starters by clicking on any of the picture or by clicking here.

With over 6,000 different options, this activity can be done time and time again. Included are story writing papers for students. Such a fun activity for students to share with one another and their families!

You can fins this Silly Story Starters by clicking on any of the picture or by clicking here.


Happy Silly Writing!

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5 Ways to Use Task Cards

You can find these Math Task Cards here.

This is the most frequent time that my class uses task cards. Task cards are perfect to use during centers time because students can navigate them independently while the teacher is working with a small group or other students. Simple to use, low prep task cards uses a variety of tasks that students can work on with a partner or independently.

You can find these First Grade Measurement and Data Task Cards here. 

You can find these First Grade Geometry Task Cards here.

You can find these Comprehension Task Cards here. 

Sometimes I have students turn in response sheets so I can check over their work and also to hold students accountable for their independent or partner work.

You can find these NBT Task Cards here. 

You can find these Comprehension Task Cards here. 

Task cards make differentiating students a breeze. Creating appropriate tasks for varying levels of students and small groups is simple by using color coding, group folders, or group baskets. During centers or group rotations, students can easily find the task cards meant for their learning level.

You can find these Comprehension Task Cards here. 

You can find these First Grade Geometry Task Cards here. 

By choosing specific task cards for your little learners, you can help choose appropriate tasks.

You can find these First Grade Operations and Algebraic Thinking Task Cards here. 

Using a response sheet with task cards makes a simple exit slip for quick formative assessment after or during a lesson. Mid-lesson post a task card on your projector or pass our several cards to tables/desks with student choice, and see how your lesson is going. For q quick on the go assessment, task cards can be a great tool.

You can find these NBT Task Cards here.

You can find these First Grade Operations and Algebraic Thinking Task Cards here. 

You can find these First Grade Operations and Algebraic Thinking Task Cards here. 

We all have those early finishers that complete their work or need to be challenged further. Task cards are a great tool for student who finish work early. Students need more of a challenge? Give them the next set of task cards that they can work on independently.

You can find these First Grade Measurement and Data Task Cards here.

Early finishers can enhance their learning by grabbing a task card and getting to work. 

You can find these First Grade Geometry Task Cards here. 

You can find these First Grade Geometry Task Cards here. 

Students LOVE choosing which writing prompt they can use when they finish a task early!

Task cards can also be used for a summative assessment using multiple task cards and response sheets. As the teacher, you can pick and choose which standards, tasks, or ideas you want to assess. It is also great to show parents during conferences!

You can find these Comprehension Task Cards here. 

You can find these NBT Task Cards here.

As you can see there are many ways to use task cards in your classroom. I would love to hear your ideas in the comments below! You can find any of these task card sets by visiting my store here.

Happy Tasking!

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Reading Resources that Rock!

Whether you use Daily 5, an independent reading workshop, or your own version of reading centers and rotations, you need quality reading products. Not just another okay printable. I have highlighted a few of my favorite reading resources that I use each year with my firsties.

Task cards are such a valuable tool to use in the classroom. They are simple, don't take a lot of prep, can be differentiated, and are fun for your kiddos! Below are Comprehension Task Cards great for grades Kindergarten through Third Grade.

Not only included are tons of Comprehension Task Cards, but also response sheets. These are great to use for differentiation, students countability, and a quick assessment. Blank response sheets are also included in this Comprehension Task Card resource.

These Comprehension Task Cards are so great because there are different categories of cards to fit all student needs. Categories include fiction and non-fiction text based questions for K-1 and another set for 2-3. Also included are general questions, analyzing statements, and predictions & visualizations. Mix and match for guided reading groups, independent reading, or partner work.

Each category of these Comprehension Task Cards are a different color for organization.

This Long Vowel Team Word Work is a student favorite. It is packed with different activities, including this word sort. My firsties love sorting picture and word cards to the correct vowel team.

Student can also sort words into long vowel sounds without paying attention to the vowel team. Great for struggling readers!

Individual long vowel sounds are sold independently, but you can find the money saving bundle by clicking here. 

Along with sorting cards are some word work printables. There are five different activities plus the sorting cards for each Long Vowel Team Packet. 

Coloring vowel teams by code is always a winner. My kiddos are begging me for more of these activities.

Students practice their knowledge of vowel teams by finding rhyming words.

Unscrambling words to match the picture allows students to use their vowel team knowledge.

Need anchor charts for your long vowel teams? Grab the FREE Long Vowel Anchor Charts here. You can find the colored version here.

Additionally, Short Vowel Word Work is great for Kinders and Firsties. These simple to use and engaging word work activities are a great addition to your short vowel word work.

Highlighting short vowel sounds by word families is a fun activity to use with highlighters or crayons.

Coloring by short vowel sound code allow student to use pictures to hear the short vowel sounds.

Cut and sort by short vowel sound is a fun interactive activity.

Who doesn't love a short vowel word search?

This is one of my favorite organizational tools. I have used a reading workshop model (you can read about how I do it here,) and to help me organize my reading conferences I use this amazing Reading Binder. It allows you to organize your guided reading groups, strategy groups, or conferences.

Plan for your strategy groups easily and access your plans quickly!

 Keep track of all your reading conferences with your students. Perfect for data collection!

 Make and keep track of plans for your guided reading groups too!

And last but not least, are your FREE Sight Word Flash Cards. These are so great to differentiate sight word practice for different students. I use different color paper for each set which motivates students to get to the next color. Read about fun activities we do in our classroom with sight words here.

Grab your freebie by clicking on the pictures or here!

I hope these resources are helpful to your reading instruction. I would love to hear from you!

Happy Reading!

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