One of my favorite books to read at the beginning of the year is The War Between the Vowels and Consonants. It really helps student identify the vowels and consonants that they seem to have forgotten about over the summer.
Here's my original post! If you stick to the end, I have a freebie that goes along with the book. ;)
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April, 8, 2013
My first day of spring break had a few bumps in the road. I went to take my dog to get her shots and didn't realize I needed an appointment. Then I headed up to the Mall of Georgia and got there at about 9am...too bad the mall doesn't open until 10am.
At least Target was open! I was also supposed to meet a friend in the afternoon, but she ended up cancelling on me. Instead I got a mani and a pedi, took a nap, started putting my winter clothes away, walked the dog and made burrito bowls for dinner. (You have to try this recipe!)
Luckily yesterday was a little more relaxing. I can't even remember what I did. I took a walk with my husband....and I think that's about all.
Today I'm linking up with Collaboration Cuties' Mentor Text Linky.
I discovered The War Between the Consonants and Vowels my first year teaching. I distinctly remember asking my students the first week of school to name all the vowels.
There was a blank stare, people.
And then one student said "What's a vowel?"
Now I know you kindergarten teachers taught them about vowels and consonants. It's just that summer took it out of their brains.
Therefore every year, I read this book the first week of school. Perhaps even the first day of school.
You see, in this book, the vowels and consonants don't get along. They strongly dislike each other (you know I can't use the h word).
A war breaks outs.
Don't worry it's not violent. The capital T's turn into airplanes.
All of the sudden a squiggle comes to town.
Eventually the vowels and consonants work together. They form words and scare that darn squiggle out of town.
Because squiggles are Scary (with a capital S).
Since I have a lot of time on my hands, I decided to link up with Flying into First Grade's Let's Get Acquainted Linky Party.
This week's question is "What 3 things would you take with you if you were stranded on an island?"
1. Sunscreen. I'm a redhead and I burn fairly easily. Except if I use that spray on sunscreen. I started using that stuff about 2 summers ago and I haven't gotten burned since. A-mazing!
Side note - I bought a Groupon for a spray tan. Any advice? I've never done one before and my legs are 12 shades of pasty.
2. Bathing suit. Would it stink to get stuck on an island with no bathing suit??
3. Kindle. Because you know my stranded island would have an outlet and access to Amazon. Honestly I love to read so much! On the note of stranded islands, you should read On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves
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To keep the idea of vowels and consonants fresh in their minds, one of their morning work assignments is to color the vowels on a printable. The one I had been using was from 1990. Let's just say I needed to update it.
Click the picture to download the printable!
