February 26, 2023
Sub Tub: Complete Sub Plan Lesson Plans for Fall
We've all been there as teachers...
...needing to call in and take a day (or a few) and stressing over how to prepare and plan for having a substitute while you're away. I remember feeling so ill one time and while keeled over my laptop I was quickly putting together a sub plan, emailing my team, linking all the things...and I remember thinking to myself: never again!
Prepping for a sub shouldn't be stressful and one way to beat that stress is to have a system in place where all of your emergency sub plans are already prepped and sitting, waiting to go. For me, that's the SUB TUB!
What is a Sub Tub?
Simply put: it's a container that you have pre-prepped lesson materials for multiple days or even weeks. It stays in an obvious place like near your desk or on a shelf (not tucked away in a closet) and easily accessible for any substitutes heading to your room.
What's inside a Sub Tub?
For me, I have lesson activities that span Phonics, Reading, Writing, and Math. I also have additional activities that are for fun and time-filler activities in case the sub is in need of something to keep my kiddos busy for those random 5-10 minutes before lunch or specials.
The great thing is...you can fill your tub with anything you want! It's completely customizable to your class and the concepts your teaching!
Prepped Kindergarten Plans!
There's nothing like just having to hit the print button and make a simple round of copies and have your tub instantly filled. That's exactly why I set out to creating a resource for teachers to help them manage their time and efforts - especially when those dire moments pop up and we need to be away from our classrooms.
This resource focuses on review concepts for phonics, reading, writing, and math but with a fall/back to school theme. It's perfect for the beginning of the year but also has activities that lend itself for throughout the year too (i.e. story maps and name writing).
What's Included?
This resource is all about having every base covered from the morning to the afternoon for your sub.
In kindergarten in the fall we're just beginning those early learning concepts and that is what inspires this resource the most. Here's what's inside...
- Phonics: missing ABCs, beginning sounds, rhyming words, letter sound hunt
- Reading: story map, story elements, favorite part and favorite character response sheet
- Writing: name practice, rainbow writing, and basic writing template paper for writing prompts
- Math: number tracing 1-20, pumpkin 10-frames, subitizing color-by-number, comparing sets, one more/less practice
Sub Tub Template
Before you run off, here is another resource I use with my Sub Tub and which is completely 100% editable right in the PDF! It's a template for your tub where you include all of the important info about your class and how the day runs. It also includes a reflection page for your sub to jot down and share how the day went. I've been using mine for a year now and it makes organizing my class a breeze!
Happy teaching and cheers to making sub plans a breeze this year!
February 15, 2023
Science of Reading: Level A Guided Plans
If you've been teaching these last few years you've probably noticed a big shift in literacy instruction. The latest approach is called the Science of Reading. Last year my district here in Texas made the leap and all teachers, veteran to new, was required to take the new SoR training.
What makes this approach different than all the others, and one I'm personally on board with, is that it is research and evidence supported. Much of the SoR training had us learn about the parts of the brain and how it acquires language. With this knowledge, teachers are better equipped to implement reading instruction in a way that supports student learning. After my own training I had a better idea on what best practices are for teaching reading at the kindergarten level.
Launching SoR in Kindergarten
One of the biggest goals at the end of any kindergarten year is to get students familiar with letter recognition and be able to match those letter sounds. In addition, as a kindergarten teacher it's my job to make sure that students are also exploring books, practicing fundamental reading strategies, and thinking about their reading through discussions. How does all of this happen? In whole group, yes, but a big chunk of it is through guided reading!
At the kindergarten level I see a lot of my students coming into the year with little to no letter knowledge - even with daycare or pre-k experience. Which means we hit the ground running at the start of the year with letter ID and letter sound work. The SoR equips us teachers with a Sound Wall, which is a replacement of the Word Wall (although I blend the two in my classroom) and every day we review the unlocked sounds (i.e. the sounds we've introduced in whole group phonics lessons) and their motions.
** I use Natalie Lynn Kindergarten's Sound Wall resource and it comes with corresponding motions for each letter sound. I've seen it work wonders with helping my kinders remember and retain their letter sounds and couldn't recommend it more.
During our reading block we explore big-picture reading concepts that I model and students practice independently. Then, we're off to reading stations and I can pull small groups. This is where the magic really happens!
Guided Reading with Pre-Readers
A big chunk of my groups are pre-readers - those students who do not have enough letter knowledge to begin the next step of decoding. So, this means we focus a lot on identifying uppercase and lowercase letters, the mouth articulation of the letter sound, and picture sort activities where students practice matching the word with the sound to the letter.
So how do I plan and prep for these activities? Luckily I took the time to lay it all out and I'm so excited to share this resource with all of you!
Scripted Lesson Plans
For each letter I've scripted out each lesson plan! No more sitting at your desk wondering what to do! It's all right there for you.
Then, in the lesson itself you introduce the grapheme (the letter form) as well as the mouth formation and articulation of the letter sound. I've provided these cards in the resource as well so all you have to do is print and go! I keep a binder with my lesson plans printed and any additional visuals, activities, etc. ready to go so that when I pull my groups my lesson is already prepared.
Afterwards, students practice with a sound picture sort where they are to cut and sort picture cards to the right sound. Then, to wrap everything up, students do a little handwriting where they practice the letter formation, name writing, and even guided writing using the letter sound from the lesson.
Once students master the alphabet they're ready to begin reading with sight words and higher leveled books!
Additional Resources
I've also provided other resources that can be helpful during your lessons such as: 3 versions of an alphabet chart (a must-have for any guided lesson), an orthographic mapping work mat, and guided writing template for use when your group is ready to start using letter sounds in words. I pre-print and laminate these (or slip into a plastic sleeve) and include them with my binder. It helps keep me organized and my lessons ready to go.
I hope you find this pre-reader resource to be helpful when planning your reading groups! Be sure to check back for when I release more lesson plans for reading levels B-D!
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