I did a post about my literacy stations and how I run them a few days ago. One aspect of my literacy stations that I really like is the fact that I have some staple stations that I don’t have to explain every. single. time.
One of those stations is Dictionary Drive.
Students just know that when they see “Dictionary Drive” on their station task board for the day, they are going to be looking up words in the dictionary. It builds vocabulary and is a perfect station to build alphabetical awareness.
For now, I am having students look up the word and write it. After they write the word, they write the page number where they found it {hello…practicing writing numbers 🙂 } and then they sketch a picture. For my higher students, I am having them find the word and write the page number. Then, they are have to write a sentence using the word in context.
At the beginning of the year, all students have to do is get acquainted with the dictionary by finding words that begin with letters of the alphabet.
So really, this station could be differentiated.
There are also editable versions of all of the formats so you can plug in your own words.
I use an old school dictionary so I’m not going to giveaway the one that I use in my room because it’s from a few teachers past. I found some dictionaries that would work for this station.
I really like the Scholastic Children’s Dictionary. That’s the one that will show up at your door if you win this giveaway!
Make sure to enter before leaving 🙂
I am new to using stations. My stations change based on the skills I’m highlighting (e.g. ABC order, partner reading, noun/adjective/adverb, word families, etc.). I use writing activities, task cards, sorting, and partner/small group work.
I had something like this in first grade and I have been looking for something for Kinder! Thank you so much for making this! I think my kids will really like this, I’m thinking of putting it in my detective center and using magnifying glasses so they can feel like real detectives finding words in the dictionary.
I use a stamping station and word family sliders. We also do buddy reading and use iPads and iPods.
I am also newish to literacy stations. This year I am trying to get the “Daily Five” underway =). leafsgirl@rogers.com
I love this. My hope is to start running my stations like you do once we return from Christmas break. How many small groups do you pull each day?
Right now I have listening, library, pocket chart, write the room, play dough, and then I always have some sort of sight word/word work activity. Would love to win this! 🙂
I am doing a modified Daily 5 this year… I do have some staple centers though like: sight words and vocab/spelling . LOVE the dictionary idea!! fingers are crossed 🙂
Karen
I would love to win this packet! I love how it is easily differentiated and those “staple” centers are always a winner in my book. Currently mine is iPads but would love to add another 😉
I use a lot of ‘Scoot’ games and ‘roam the room’ to practice grammar skills.
I have a read the room center.
My centers or stations are related to the skills I have taught or are working on that week. Word Work, Partner Reading (look for sight words and highlight or write), Puzzle solving by coloring words, letters, writing with parts of speech, drawing favorite part or character/setting, etc. I am always looking for new ideas too:) When my kiddies read, I have glass free glasses, fingers, word window finders (animal shapes) that they use as they read. I also write the room and the use the glasses and clipboards to find beginning sounds, words, picture matches, small cars to move to show CVC parts or travel along the sentence, etc). Can you tell I love centers:)I could go on and on.
I use magna doodles a lot and have kids practice writing words on them. I also have them make words with play-doh. I have some sight word mats in my store that I place out with the play-doh.
Megan
Mrs. Wheeler’s First Grade
Mrs. Wheeler’s TPT
I love this idea for a center.
In my first grade class I use sight word games like roll a word, go fish, and memory. I use word sorts, silly sentences, read to self, and read with a partner. Kids can rotate to the computer for raz-kids. I am always looking for new, low tech lit centers.
I use game stations for sight words, listening station, stamps,magnets,big book,library
My kinder kids love a big book center!!
i have a sight word center.
i have a writing center.