STEM Alphabet and Numbers

This school year I decided to take a different approach to reviewing letters during the first weeks of school.  Each year I work on letter recognition, sounds association, formations and a list of words with the same beginning sounds.  The kids never seem too engaged but it's important to review since a good percentage with my school demographics come into first with limited exposure and a big summer slide from kindergarten. 

This year I reviewed the letters and formations then sent the kids to their team to work on five letters at a time.  For each day of the week, the kids would work on the same five letters; however, I rotated the stem bin in which they built the word.  They worked at their own speed and found additional ways to challenge theirselves, often trying to build the lowercase letter. 

This independent exploration allowed for me to pull for beginning of the year assessments so that I could begin to place the kids in appropriate SIPPS and reading groups. Now we are moving and grooving with 1st grade content. 

Here's a glimpse at the resources...

And a glimpse at the Alphabet STEM Resources...

The file is created with all 26 letters for each of the five STEM resources.  I had the kids attempt to build off the mats but if needed they could use the mats.  So you will see both modeled from our class morning practice. 

Here's a glimpse at the Number STEM Resources...

Since we were not yet ready for math centers at the start of the year, I set up 20 minutes after our math lesson each day to rotate the Number Stem Bins to each team.  Just like the alphabet, we worked on five numbers each week, rotating the same five letters with a different STEM resource each day of the week. 

If you're interested in either of the files, click the cover graphics below...

Classroom Posters with Animal Images

Hope you are enjoying your summer days.  I've been working on new posters for my classroom.  This past year, I had several options for the kids but realized I have a few students that needed alphabet or number correction.  

My classroom color is spearmint with hot pink and lime green accents.  This year I'm changing from my fabric boards to reuse it to recover my seat crates.  I will be adding distressed wood bulletin backgrounds for a shabby look.

In Florida, we make our own snow.  

Just prior to school letting out, I began looking into subtle changes to my environment.  This will be year three in this particular classroom.  The color scheme will stay because it's my happy place.  My eyes have been gravitating towards Aztec designed clothing at the stores so I decided to browse TPT for digital papers.  I was over-the-moon when finding an adorable collection that matches my colors perfectly!

I'm aware the background color can be more than some are willing to print so I prepared a new file with color images and a white background.  This should assist you in printing costs. 

I know many do not have access to color printers so I wanted to make sure there was a copy available for those that print without color.  A blackline series is perfect for printing on colored paper or having the students color in the graphics.  

What's available?

Each phonemic awareness and phonics poster was created with animal images.  There are 27 alphabet posters with two different options for the letter x.  There are 16 phonics posters with additional spellings shown on a bunting.  Number posters include the formation, spelling and tens frames for zero to twenty. 

Alphabet Poster...

A-Alligator, B-Bear, C-Cat, D-Dog, E-Elephant, F-Fish, G-Goat, H-Hippo, I-Iguana, J-Jellyfish, K-Kangaroo, L-Lion, M-Monkey, N-Narwhal, O-Ostrich, P-Pig, Q-Quail, R-Rabbit, S-Snake, T-Tiger, U-Uganda Kob, V-Vulture, W-Walrus, X-Xray Fish AND Fox, Y-Yak, Z-Zebra.  

Phonics Posters...

Long A (a_e, ai, ay, eigh) Snail, Long E (e_e, ee, ea, ey) Eagle, Long I (i_e, y, ie, igh) Fly, Long O (o_e, oa, oe, ow) Toad, Long U (u_e, ew, oo, ue) Newt, AU/AW-Fawn, OI/OY-Oyster, OU/OW-Owl, AR-Jaguar, OR-Horse, ER/IR/UR-Turtle, CH-Chicken, PH-Dolphin, SH-Sheep, TH-Sloth, WH-Whale.

Click one of the covers below to link over in my store.