Word Work Works...

Guest Post by: Hilary Lewis

        Working with words is one of the best ways to help students learn to read and increase vocabulary! 

         I use all sorts of activities . . . word sorts, word families, word puzzles . . . You name it . . . to get kids reading and understanding words!

        Word sorts are highly effective in teaching literacy to young students by helping them grasp the meanings and relationships of words.

        One way my students work with words is to use cards with printed words on one side and a picture on the other, and then sort them into groups. Sorting with the pictures gives students a stronger oral language base than looking at the sounds in isolation . . . especially on a worksheet.

        Students deal with words at a visual level, so they can analyze the speech sounds that go with the pictures. They have a better understanding that they don't get when just looking at written words and letter combinations.

        I am the queen of word sorts . . . you will always see them being used in my classroom!

One of Hilary's Activity Packs for Implementing Word Work in the Classroom! 

_______________________________________
Thank you, Hilary, for sharing this great teaching idea with all of us! Teachers.....Be sure to check out Hilary's post on Classroom Freebies Too! It features her Data Binders: 

Rockin' Teacher Materials: Data Binder Add-On Pages! 

Sharing is Caring, Right?

       Well, I'm feeling "Cared" about today because I was featured on "Share-a-Blog Sunday" This is a Sunday post by Michelle Lundy of Making it as a Middle School Teacher, and I was fortunate enough to be chosen for this week! Thanks, Michelle!  Please stop by her blog & check out the post, as well as the great things she has on her teaching blog!

       Now I get to post the "Share-a-Blog" Award Button! I have had such a great time in my blogging adventures, learning tons and getting to know some truly awesome people and teachers!! (Two of the many perks!) I feel special! 

       So, Yes- Sharing is Caring! (I was getting around to my post title..) And, in the blogging sense, Michelle's "Share-a-Blog" post is a little "token" to show she cares about her fellow teacher/bloggers! 

       I appreciate the many teacher/bloggers I've had opportunities to network with and get to know who are just like that--Caring! Funny, I feel as though several I know personally---yet they may be in another country or at least across the country from me! Anyone else feel that way?

Question...What has someone done for you in the world of teaching, blogging, etc. to show you he/she cares by helping you out when you needed it? Or, have you made the extra effort to help out a fellow teacher or blogger in need of a little feedback or tip?

Innovative TpT Teacher-Author You Should Get to Know...

Rebecca Sutton of  Teaching First

What grade level(s) and/or subject(s) are you currently teaching? What grade levels have you taught prior to this year?        

1^st; I’ve taught 3^rd and Computer Lab

If currently in the classroom, how long have you been teaching? If not still in classroom, how long did you teach?                 

19 Years!

When did you join Teachers Pay Teachers as a Seller? What made you decide to become a seller?

         I joined September of 2011. I was buying so many items from there this summer, and I thought, I have some ideas that might sell, too. I love creating and sharing, so TpT was the perfect outlet for me!

One piece of advice you can give to a beginning teacher & one piece for a veteran teacher:

         Beginning Teacher: Ask a lot of questions. You cannot do it alone. Then ask MORE questions!  Veteran Teacher: Share your ideas with love...try new things.

Something unique about you both as a teacher and outside of the classroom:

         Umm...these kind of questions are difficult for me to answer...as a teacher, I use the motto There Is Only Love, to set the rules for the class, and the tone for each day.

         As a person outside the classroom, I love to sew, draw, and go hiking in the mountains.

TpT Store Link:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Rebecca-Sutton-Teaching-First

Blog: http://teachingfirst-abc.blogspot.com/

If you like, please leave a link to one of your best selling products here:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Itsy-Bitsy-Spider-Packet-Language-Arts-Math-Art-Science

What other neat information would you like to share?

         I grew up in Illinois and now live in beautiful Utah. I love to bake, sew, draw, go hiking, and play in the water. I have two dogs and a cat that are my "babies".

Are there any other sites you’d like posted for others to access?

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/TeachingFirst
Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/rebas/

___________________________
Thanks to Rebecca Sutton for participating in the Innovative Connections' TpT Teacher-Author Post!
If you are interested in being featured, please fill out the entry form! The link is underneath my tabs! Thanks so much!