CVC Journal Activities

The 2015 TPT conference was a wonderful experience. I not only learned so much from such great teacher-authors, but I gained tons of motivation to get my ideas finally finished, ok at least started. 

One of the things that has been on my mile long "tpt summer list" was redesigning my CVC mini-books, part of a much larger "project" to redesign the entire Phonics Focus Toolkit. I'm not sure if it's because I have a tendency to impulsively change something for no reason (e.g. my blog design, classroom furniture, classroom decor, living room furniture, my entire life) or because I know that I can continuously improve something to make it better. I felt that "mini-books" were getting to be a little tedious. By changing to this format, it leaves much more focus on the students' learning, and less focus on when I'm going to find time to prep 18 sets of -et word books. I begin by cutting around the rectangles for the students (It really doesn't take long doing 6-8 pages at a time). After a few weeks of completing the activity, they will understand how it all works and fits into a journal. At this point, I give the two sheets of paper to my students and let them cut around the boxes. If you're like me and are afraid hesitant of having your kindergarteners cutting during instructional time, then have them cut everything for morning work and keep in a zip lock bag or "word work" container. This way you can honestly say there is no instructional time lost due to cutting.....with scissors...in kindergarten. I'll just get to the pictures. ;)

Another way to use these activities is to complete one slip each day. Students can eventually learn to label the top of the slip with the day of the week or the date. 

Still feel like making mini-books? Just gather all the activities and staple them at the top so the book flips up! Easy phonics homework for the week.

I also added the 4 stars at the bottom of each slip. Students get to color in a star as each section is completed. This is especially helpful with my kiddos that need a little more reinforcement. 

I'm currently having a giveaway on my Instagram for this entire CVC pack. All you need to do is leave a comment & tag a friend. I'm picking three winners + their tagged friends! Find my instagram icon at the top of this page to take you there.