Book Study: Worksheets Don’t Grow Dendrites: Chapter 8

I’m not going to lie…I kind of wanted to skip this chapter. This is NOT my strong point when it comes to teacher. As I was reading this, I was thinking, “Do I even do this strategy?!?”. Then, I started reading the instructional activities and the very first strategy is a lesson that I do every year. The first lesson was about reading the book “Quick as a Cricket” by Audrey Woods. Then the students do a writing I am as ____ as a _____. They always think that is a fun writing activity.

Whew.

What a relief. However, the rest of them…not so much. She says that this strategy is probably the most effective of all of the 20 strategies so apparently I need to get my booty in gear.

I did take some pictures of things around my classroom where I do use this strategy.

First is with vowels. When I’m teaching vowels, I tell my students that vowels are like the glue that holds words together. I found these glue bottle pictures on Pinterest.  I keep them up on my front board all year as a reminder for my kiddos.

Another way I use this strategy is with forming b’s and d’s. The first way I teach this is form a b and d with my fingers and tell my students we can spell “bed” in the air. This sometimes helps students remember which way the letters go. You can look at some different pictures (again) on Pinterest.

The picture that I have up in my room, because it seems to be the one students remember best, is this bat and ball analogy.

I really feel like this might be my weakest link and I’m looking forward to reading more about how you all are using these strategies in your classrooms!

Don’t forget to link up with Cara over at The First Grade Parade for this round!