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A Teeny Tiny Teacher

Sight Word Fluency

Happy Sunday!  Happy Sunday with no Sunday Blues!  I love having the whole day in front of me knowing that I don’t have to think about what to wear tomorrow (pajamas, obviously) or pack for a lunch (left over snacks from the pool party today), etc.  LOVE IT.

I just finished re-vamping (Vamp makes me think of vampires which makes me think of Twilight.  I heard the newest {and last} one is out November 16.  Is this true?) my Sight Words Program.  It is the original program that inspired me to design my Math Fluency Assessments.  The sight word program is not my idea.  I have to give it up to my friend, Christina.  Please send her some love (virtually – she does not have a blog) because she just moved to North Carolina and started her first week of teaching there this week.  And it was . . . rough  different, let’s say.  And she’s struggling with the transition of being on recess duty every single day for 30 minutes  different ways of doing things.  One example is having kids who ride the bus stay in your room after school until the bus arrives . . . even if the bus is 45 minutes late.  

I said, “What?”

She said, “Yes.”

I said, “What?”

She said, “I know.”

I’ll tell you this right now.  If our buses are late, the kids camp out in the assistant principal’s office.  Or on and under the secretary’s desk.  Or they walk home.  I don’t really know because I’m in my classroom, prepping for the next day.   Isn’t everybody?

Anywho, send Christina some virtual love.  HUGS, FRIEND!

Okay, so I finished re-vamping the Sight Words Program that I’ve used for 12 years or so, and it is so much more organized than before.  I used to have each list as a separate document — now I have everything all in one place.  🙂  Be still, my heart.

It’s a Take-Home Sight Word Program.  It consists of 30 lists with 10 words each for a total of 300 sight words for students to work on throughout the year.  Yowza.  These sight words came down from my district . . . but from what I can tell, they are a combination of Fry, Dolch, and every other sight word you can think of.  Including several in this post.

Our kinder teachers start this program off for us.  So it’s a piece of cake in first grade.  Parents know what to do.  Students sort of know what to do.  I know what to do if I’ve gotten enough sleep the night before.

Our parents LIVE for this program.  It’s extremely competitive where I teach.  Not amongst the teachers.  Or even the students.  It’s the parents.  They’re very competitive.  I mean, if your child is on List 16 before another child, then your kid is clearly going to be our next president.  With the special distinction of being the youngest president, obviously.  Hands down.

I always get a handful of students who never bring a list back.  

It happens.

I have parent volunteers and upper grade peer tutors practice and review with those kids.  I do it, too.  When I have the time.  Which is almost never because I have 30 kids and they’re constantly demanding my attention for nose bleed disasters (Friday), eye problems (Friday), broken glasses (Friday), or some other such thing.  Oh, and I occasionally teach.

If those kids do well with the helpers, then they can move on to the next list.  It’s about sight word fluency — not the parent signature.  And some parents . . . well, I don’t know what they’re doing, but they’re not checking backpacks.  

When the kids finish reading all the words on all the lists, I have a challenge letter that goes home encouraging those students to start over and spell them.  

That way, when a kid comes in from kindergarten and the parent approaches me at Parent Information Night to ask how they’re child is doing (and they already know, but they want me to tell them that their child is a GENIUS and how lucky I am to have them in my class) and then proceed to tell me that said genius already passed ALL THEIR SIGHT WORD LISTS IN KINDERGARTEN, I can say, “Hold your horses, there, Mister.”  “Back up, Missy.”  

It’s the little things, I always say.

This pack also has student grids, letters to parents, flashcards that correspond with each level, and awards in color and b&w to celebrate completion of the program.

This program has worked wonders in my class over the last twelve years.  Seriously.  Wonders.  And puppy dog tails.  And some rainbows, too.  

If you’re interested, you can click the pic or click {HERE}.   

I am linking up with Katie over at Teacher to the Core.  Be sure to check it out — you can get all kinds of sight word ideas over there.

Off to the pool party . . . and some relaxation.  Do you think they make swimsuits that are actually pajamas?

Comments

  5. Andi says

    Alright, I like this. Before Common Core, we were told to use the reading series. Period. But now we are fully immersed (drowning – I might add) in the Common Core and we were told that we can't use the reading series. *This was two weeks ago. So, I've been scrambling at what to do with my kinders and first graders and learning their sight words.
    I've found lots of great stuff, but haven't been totally sold on them.
    This system, I like — A LOT. Plus, your K teachers are using it, too, so that really helps me out.
    {I only like to buy things that have been used in the classroom!}
    Okay, so I've shared WAY too much. Bottom Line: I'm going with your system and THANK YOU for vamping it up!
    ~Andi

  6. Laura says

    Your school sounds like my school. sigh.

    Love the idea of PJ bathing suits (sort of like the 1920's?). Ha!! Whatever. Sounds comfy.

  7. Reagan Tunstall says

    I need a pajama suit and I will wear it proudly.
    Happy LOOOONG weekend!

  10. Ziggyfriends says

    I had read your other blog about the sight word pack, it sounds like awesome practice. I've tried to do this before with longer lists but I haven't had much response. I'd like to try it again this year. Your pack sounds like it has everything to get the ball rolling.

    Donna W.

  12. Krissy Marshall says

    Our schools sound very similar. Lots of parent helpers and super competitive. Your pack looks great too.:)

  13. Janine says

    You have been busy! I love these, so I am hoping that I will be one of the lucky three. I am saving my moola to purchase a DJ Inkers license, woot woot!!! Maybe then I can actually start posting my stuff and making some more moola… If not, then they will go on my wishlist and my hubby will have to buy it for me (he won't even know it, but he will). Oh competitive parents, they are what makes teaching and being a mom so awesome, said nobody, ever. I have had my run ins with these parents, especially when it came to my girls and their friends. But, alas, that is a story for another day. Just know that eyes may have been taken out, figuratively, but out, nonetheless. Have a great pool party, we are swimming in puddles here in Miami today.

    faithfulinfirst.blogspot.com

  14. Amber O. says

    Our reading program has a "Sight Word Olympics" but it's not set up very well, and I did not enjoy it AT ALL last year. I would love something different, and yours has 100 more words than mine…yay! I love the spelling of the words; seriously, you and Christina are geniuses!
    If you have time, come check out my shout-outs to your gold tag & Quiet Creature ideas!
    SynonymRolls&AntonymMoments

  15. Traci says

    Yay yay yay to long weekends!
    Your poor friend… I would be so sad to have kids camping out in my room after school and 30 minute DAILY recess. Who knew you could go through culture shock just by moving to NC?

  21. Teaching Fabulous Firsties! says

    It is nice to know that everyone has SOMETHING weird to deal with at their schools. Like making firsties balance their lunch trays with one hand and use the thumb-print scanner with the other hand…obviously a non-teacher came up with this idea…perhaps even a person who crawled out from under a rock who doesn't know what kids are like AT ALL! Anyhoo…I'd love to win! You're my hero!
    Corinna
    cwoita@aol.com
    Teaching Fabulous Firsties!

  23. Miss Emily says

    This weekend is just what all teachers needed! You sight word fluency would be great. It would also be great for this 8th grader I'm tutoring and reads at a 1st grade level. He is super competitive so this may be motivating for him. I got a lot of work ahead of me with him(his math is on a 3rd/4th grade level)! Anyway happy labor day weekend
    Emily
    eheynach@gmail.com

  26. Burgobits says

    I always smile when I read your posts. I think your Sight Word activities are perfect for supporting sight word practice at home…and to have it as a complete program ready to use…AWESOME!!!!

    jenniferburgomaster@gmail.com

  27. Mel says

    I loved your math pack, so hopefully I win the sight words! Love every one of your posts!!! Where in CA are you?

  29. amalisa says

    I've been looking for something like this for my class.

  30. Lisa says

    Hugs out to your friend Christina. Duty for 30 mins a day sounds like a typo. I love the look of your sight word program! I've moved up to grade two this year but I still have many friends who will benefit from this.
    lisa_sardinha@hotmail.com

  31. DProulx says

    Lots of hugs for Christina, I can sympathize. Our duty schedule came out Thursday and I have an outdoor duty (so much fun in February in Canada) everyday for 20 minutes, which I thought was bad, so can't imagine 30!! I literally cried for the entire afternoon, hidden away in my classroom, having a poor me pity party, so sad but true!! I have just discovered your blog this summer and am addicted, your posts always make me laugh! You have a gift with words! I'm dying to know who your twins are related to!! I am a reality show addict and I too was sad when Brittney got voted off, I wasn't loving Dan, but now have had to agree with my kids that he is a BB genius. Your sight word program looks awesome (and very cute too). Only two more sleeps for me until I meet my new kiddos, can't wait.
    dproulx@rogers.com

  32. Karyn says

    This pack sounds awesome!! Pajama swimsuits sound awesome! I wouldn't want to go to bed with my wet pajama suit though! 🙂

    Karyn
    Kideducator@comcast.net

  33. Amanda says

    I love that idea for sight words – I'd love to do something like that in my classroom! And I'm definitely spending my day in pajamas tomorrow, too! 🙂

  36. Elisabeth says

    This pack sounds great!! What is recess duty? We are always with our kids when we have recess…. so does this mean I have recess duty? haha I love reading your posts! 🙂

    Elisabeth
    elisabethdelk80@gmail.com

  38. rhs1175 says

    This pack looks great. Thanks for putting it together.. Enjoy the long weekend!!

  41. Gladys says

    Your unit looks awesome…definitely keeping my fingers crossed for this one! 🙂 Have a happy loooong weekend!

  42. Suzy Q says

    I could so use this…I have a student who seems to have missed learning his sight words. (And a few other things…but lets stick to the point right now.) Love the at home practice part.

    tokyoshoes (at) hotmail (dot) com

  44. Lindsey Roseboom says

    I love reading your blog. In my district we are going through so many changes myself and my teacher friends are all on the verge of nervous breakdowns. What really is happening, is them (the county and state DOE) telling us (teachers) our curriculum, standards, materials, even the way we grade has to change now. Like, poof, you must change at once without warning or training.

    Reading you blog today reminded me that even fabulous teachers have to "tough it out" to get through all of our challenges. :/ Thanks for always reminding me there is laughter and love in the classroom no matter what.

    Your Newest Follower,

    Lindsey
    Fantastic First Grade Friends

  49. Melissa says

    I would love to win this! And of course, share it with the kinder teachers, too! I know my parents would be either competitive or uncooperative, but it is better than what we have in place now.
    Mandmyoung(at)chartermi(net)

  53. sspeller says

    I'd LOVE to have this all organized for me already! I keep saying that I need to do it myself and get it all together, but it seems so overwhelming… so with that said, I could REALLY use a copy of this already put together. You'd really be helping me out!!! lol
    sspeller@verizon.net

  59. Mrs. DiCicco says

    LOVE this! I just bought the Math Fluency Assessments and I can't wait to dig in!
    As for BB, Dan is a genious for pulling that off…But, I don't exactly love him. What I did LOVE (even though I was a Will & Boogie fan during their seasons) was the goodbye message that Britney sent Boogie. HA!!!
    Frank is my choice!!!

  63. Amber Grenz says

    I would love to get this packet. I teach k but I know I could still use it. I was planning on setting up something like this for my class this year. It is a real struggle to get parents involved at my school but really want to give it a shot this year.
    Thanks for all your wonderful ideas!
    Amber.grenz@gmail.com

  65. Tammy says

    I sure hope they pay their teachers well for staying after like that. Our students also stay in the office or the gym if the buses are not there or parents have not come. It is not our responsibllity. Big Hugs for your Friend!!! 🙂
    Love your sight word fluency activity. I use Intensity Boards to practice with my students that need pracitce and it seems to work. I would love to win yours though and see what I could add to my activity. Glad I found your post.

    Mrs. Flickinger's Butterfly Oasis

    tflickinger@usd259.net

  67. Camille says

    Since 67 teachers have beat me to enter this raffle, I am sure I have no chance. So really I just want to say that I LOVE this idea. So much so that I want to dump our current way of doing sight ways and adopt your technique. So if I don't win, I will just buy. Christina, LOTS of Bloggylove to you!!!!
    Camille
    An Open Door

  68. erinnhunt says

    Love your blog and have already stolen some of your awesome ideas! I would love to steal this one, too! I am pregnant with twins, so I am not above profiting from your hard work so I can come home after school and nap and no one will be the wiser!

    -Erin
    erinnhunt@hotmail.com

  69. erinnhunt says

    Love your blog and have already stolen some of your awesome ideas! I would love to steal this one, too! I am pregnant with twins, so I am not above profiting from your hard work so I can come home after school and nap and no one will be the wiser!

    -Erin
    erinnhunt@hotmail.com

  70. CarolP says

    Oh- please pick me, pick me! I bought your math fluency pack & it's all labeled & put in my filing drawer (26 hanging files- thank you very much!) AND all the flash cards are laminated (stored in a plastic shoe box tub)& being used. I have several kids working on level 5 now. I'd love this fluency pack! cpolston@kernvilleusd.org Thanks! Carol

  75. Mrs. Ryan says

    How can you be so funny all of the time? My heart skips a beat when I see that you have a new post because I know I'm in for a treat! 🙂 Your sight word pack looks super duper fantastic! I love the home-school connection. I also love that it's tried and true!

    Taryn
    Taryn.Ryan@fairfieldsfuture.org

  78. Laurel Frazier says

    We don't start school in Michigan until after Labor Day. It's the law. It's a good law. However it does mean that on Labor Day I spend 10 hours in my classroom getting ready because I can't help but procrastinate in this as in most other endeavors. I hope I win your sight words pack!

  83. byoung says

    That sounds like a do-able method of practicing sight words…plus having started them in Kindergarten the kids would be in ghe routine (and parents, well some)! Thanks! Byoung461@gmail

  84. I Love 2nd Grade says

    Love your blog and your sense of humor!! I'm in California, too, and I can relate to so many of the things you are saying.

  85. I Love 2nd Grade says

    Love your blog and your sense of humor!! I'm in California, too, and I can relate to so many of the things you are saying.

  88. Kerri and Lindsay says

    I am soooo buying this! It is exactly what I was looking for!
    Love it!!
    Kerri
    Teacherbitsandbobs

  89. Julie says

    Love this! Love the easy way to involve parents! You have such a great way of telling the whole truth about teaching and yet making me laugh! I think just knowing other teachers have the same issues going on makes it easier!

  91. *FARMERS* says

    Such a great idea! I am glad to know that I am not the only one with super competitive parents. Your poor friend…I am pretty sure that is against the law in some states to make a teacher BABYSIT the kiddos after school, BOO 🙁 I hope it gets better for her & I am crossing my fingers that I win!!

  95. Kristen Aiken says

    Wow! You seem to be my long lost twin…I have spent the last hour reading your blogs!! I taught Kinder last year, I love you Gold Ticket Idea and especially this sight word packet!

    kbaiken@gmail.com

  96. Kristen Aiken says

    Wow! You seem to be my long lost twin…I have spent the last hour reading your blogs!! I taught Kinder last year, I love you Gold Ticket Idea and especially this sight word packet!

    kbaiken@gmail.com

  98. Donna says

    Swimsuits that are pajamas… ohhhhhh emmmmmm geeeee… thats sooo something I would love. We spend most summer weekends at a lake and my family teases me that I am either in a swim suit or jammies… no real clothes for me at the lake, hahaha! Would love to win your packet but will purchase it if I dont!!

    luvavbcop@gmail.com

  100. Melissa K. says

    This pack is amazing! I am transitioning to a new school and really need more resources. This would be a wonderful addition! *fingers crossed* missy.kutil@gmail.com

  102. Emma says

    You make my day when I return from a long day with my own first grade class in Brisbane Australia to find you have posted another blog. Your humorous writing makes me giggle, relate and want to read more!
    Brettemma@iinet.net.au

  103. Martha says

    We use lists with out K's but it's not dressed up and fancy like yours! I enjoy the comic relief you provide…it usually comes at just the right time too!

    mpenn1010@gmail.com

  106. Debbie Jacobson says

    Hope you enjoyed the pool party! I really feel for your friend in NC. When I moved to South Florida from New York City public schools, I would come home strung out. I would say, "It's like I landed on another planet, but they speak English!" Anyway, would love to win! I have 2 second graders who were promoted but shouldn't have been. Neither can read or write, so this would be great for them.

  111. Ms.M says

    The packet looks great! Even though I teach third grade it would be helpful for my ELL's and lower readers/spellers.

    Ms. M
    thirdgradegems@gmail.com

  114. Allison says

    I work in North Carolina, too!! I feel her pain on recess, but we don't keep our kids in our rooms after school either!!

    Aburgess318@gmail.com

  116. Lisa says

    It looks like I have the lowest class in a long time, ability wise. This pack would be a great help! lgnmill@comcast.net

  117. Katie P. says

    I have recess duty every day, too! Always have! But yes, the kids who aren't picked up yet crawl all over the office, not in my room!! Can't imagine that!

    And I completely agree with everyone else, I get so excited when I see a new post from you in my email inbox! I love the way you write!

    I'd love a copy of your awesome sight word pack!

    Katie
    katiereeder@gmail.com

  120. sara black says

    I have students in my room until the work day is over! No recess duty though 🙂 I use your HFW lists already, but would love to add these to the routine. Keep up the good work! sara.vessels@gmail.com

  121. Christine Tignanelli says

    Your sight word pack is similar to what I do in my classroom, but I'm always looking for ways to revamp it and make it fresher. I always love when a parent writes me during the first or second week of school saying their child is too advanced for the work and needs to be move to second grade (yes that has happened). ctignanelli26@gmail.com

  123. swanie59 says

    Thanks for always adding humor to my day! Are your sight words based on Dolch or Fry or????

  125. Kim says

    Woohooo! Love it!! And I love a four day work week. Wouldn't it be great if every week were 4 days?

  126. Jen says

    I do something similar…not so organized with awards and all…would love to win yours! Love your blog!!
    Jen
    bjesmalley@yahoo.com

  130. Jill Moore says

    Ok first let me say I'm cracking up. I'm a reader…of novels…fiction novels. I don't usually read a lot of blogs, except yours. I'm laughing as my own two children are saying "mom really? What are you laughing at?". They wouldn't get it. I'm also a teacher of first graders for 15 years. Wow, it's hard, exhausting, mind blowing, and sometimes (when the government decides to stay out of it, fun). I'm liking this sight word thing. I really think it might work for me and my team. Please let me have a free one…I'm broke!

  131. Annie says

    nice! I could really use this pack this year!

  135. Nancy Appl says

    Thanks so much for all you do for us fellow teachers! This looks exactly what I need to work on with my students this school year! Good luck everyone and God Bless!

  136. Miss Siegle :) says

    One of my favorite blogs to read 🙂 Would love to be able to use your packet!

  138. Karen says

    This sounds like a great program to teach sight words. I always read your blog last, before I start my work.. your stories always make me laugh!

    Karen.strawser@sbcglobal.net

  139. Anne says

    I like your sight word idea! In my previous district, we did something similar to this, but there wasn't much parent involvement. Would love to check out this concept again! THANKS!

    amj0909(at)gmail(dot)com

  140. nikkibag says

    AAAHHHH this sounds amazing!!! I NEED to win because I have to put my tpt shopping on hold since my car and purse were stolen this week :(,,,,,
    those are my tears!
    I can feel it… I'm gonna win!!!!!!!!

    I think your blog is hilarious!
    NIKKIBAG@HOTMAIL.COM

  144. Ashley says

    I always get an immediate smile on my face when I see you have posted. You always crack me up. I would love to try out your new sight word pack. It sounds great.
    ashleyp77@yahoo.com

  145. Ms. Dawn says

    I am a first year, first grade teacher and this looks AMAZING! Hopefully I will be picked to win!

    coyle.dawn@gmail.com

    I love BB and think that Dan is a genius as well!

  149. mmossor says

    Love me a Sunday night without Monday school!! In my school district we also have next Monday off because of the county fair. So I can barely contain my excitement for 2 Sunday nights without stomach aches!! Your pack looks really neat. I love sending home sight word lists and use that strictly as my homework. Gives the families a wide eyed look at what their child can or cannot do!! That's a lot of work, thanks for that!

  150. Katie and Michele says

    I **wish**our kindergarten teachers would do something unified for sight words and sight word fluency. They come to us in first grade and I swear most of them have never seen some of the words that are supposed to be review from Kindergarten. It makes me crazy every year. Anyways, I love your sight word pack..I wish we did something like this in my district. But maybe if I had your pack to share with my team and administration….*wink , wink* then I could persuade them to use it in our district.

    Katie
    kryan428@gmail.com

  152. Mrs. Raby says

    I just downloaded my copy and went to Staples to print it all…on a Friday evening, no less.. because I was so excited and I already emailed my parents telling them change is coming! I hated my system for sight word fluency. You just saved me some work for $8 (well, plus $56, but that's another story:) Thanks!

  153. Brittany Weidlich says

    Hey… I found you through Katie's blog and your school sounds like the school that I taught at for the last few years. Talk about competitive parents! But those parents were also some of my best volunteers in the classroom. And I feel for your friend Christina. It is pretty much like that now where I am at. I'm sure it will take her a good while before she gets used to it. And YES the last of the Twilight series movie is coming out on Nov. 16th. I am pretty excited! Is it sad I asked my husband to take me to the movies for my upcoming b-day gift? ha… Love your blog I am a new follower of your blog!

    Brittany
    Lovely Literacy & More
    brittany.darbonne@yahoo.com

  154. Katie Knight says

    You are such a cool friend. Thank you for linking up! I love the pack!

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