Story BINGO

Age: 4th-6th Grade

Supplies: 

• Lined paper

• Pencil

• Printer (Optional)

• Dice (Optional)

Purpose: This creative writing tool gives your child the bits and pieces they need to begin writing their own creative story. This gives them a starter point for them to run with. Below you will find two different versions: the Dice Story Bingo or regular Story Bingo. Using the dice version makes the writing more challenging because they have to create their story based on what they roll. The regular version allows you to choose as you write.

Directions

1. Dice Story Bingo - Use a dice to help guide them through their story. First roll for the beginning sentence, then let those creative juices start pumping through their minds. As the parts of the story come up, roll the dice to tell you what to put in place until you get to the end. 

2. Regular Story Bingo - Pick which way you would like to pick your story.

• Straight across - Pick a row that best suits what story you would like to write about. Then fill in the parts as they come into your story.

• Random - Pick one from each column that best suits what you want to write about and plug it in as your write.

Please click the link for the print out of the Bingo Cards.

Short Vowels vs Long Vowels

Ages: Pre-K- Kindergarten

Supplies: 

• Chalk
• Sheet of paper
• Marker
• Open space

Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to provide a fun way to introduce them to what the difference is between short vowel sounds and long vowel sounds. Them outside and active even in the simplest way. 

Directions: Below you will find an attached list of simple three to four letter words to start with. Use your chalk to write all the words listed by their vowels. Make sure you don't write the 'e' and write large enough. Then cut a sheet of paper in half and write a large 'E' on it with the marker. After you write all the words, go over the vowel sounds to reassure that they pronounce them correctly when they sound the words out. Next have them read down that vowel list individually. Once they have completed that vowel list, have them go back and read it again one time without the 'e' and then once with the 'e'. Repeat this step for each vowel list.

He enjoyed noticing the differences between the words with and without the 'e'.

After going through all the words, he was so proud of how many words he was 

able to read all on his own.

Now whenever he sees a word with an 'e' at the end he shouts it out. "Look this word has an 'e' at the end. That means the vowel sounds like the vowel name." He is so proud of himself. Please click the link to take you to the Vowel Word List.

Syllable Sorting

Ages: Pre-K - First Grade

Supplies: 

Paper

Marker

Toys

Purpose: The purpose of this fun activity is to get your children familiar with what a syllable is.

Directions: Cut two sheets of paper in half and write one large number on each sheet (one-four). Lay them spread out on the floor in a room where their toys are. Instruct them to choose toys and clap to each part of the word to see how many syllables it has. Depending on how familiar they are with syllables, you will probably want to start with just one and two syllables sorting piles. You can try a few other ways to change it up. 

1. Round up as many as they can in a certain time frame.

2. Pick a number of syllables and they can only bring items with that many syllables.

3. Put a group of items in a pile and have them sort them as quickly as you can.

4. Have them find items that all start with the same letter and numbers of syllables.

When you are introducing syllables to your kids, it helps to use things that they are familiar with. What's better than their own toys. 

If your kids have never practiced syllables before, I would start with just doing one and two syllables sorting piles, then gradually add an additional sorting pile.

It's fun for them to be able to do it with their own toys because you may even find them random doing syllables on their own. With it being something they are familiar with they are more likely to remember.