You know that saying that necessity is the mother of invention? I definitely think that’s the truth.
A couple weeks ago I started doing RTI pull out in my new school. Two of the students I work with are a pair of fabulous first graders (my fav!) who need to work on their short vowel sounds and CVC words.
After initially assessing them to see where they were exactly, I realized I needed to come up with a fun way that they could practice the word families we were learning with me as well as in the classroom. I really wanted to think of something portable, small, and engaging that they could just slip in their desk, but I also wanted it to be fun.
On my drive home that day, I was mulling over lots of ideas like a memory game, a booklet, etc, etc, but I really wanted something more unique. I also wanted something that would give them a hint about the sounds the word families made with out giving away each word.
Suddenly, an idea hit me! It was so simple, but so perfect. Why not create word family words on shapes with little tabs that the students could flip up and read the words! Even better, keep it in a file folder! As soon as I got home, I started working on it. A week or so later, I had this.
There is one file folder for each short vowel, and each file folder has seven word families in it. That means this pack covers 35 (that’s right!) 35 word families!
It covers:at, an, ap, ack, ab, am, ag, ed, et, en, ell, ent, end, est, ing, ig, ill, ip, ick, in, it, op, ot, og, ock, ob, ox, od, ut, ub, un, ud, ug, um, and uck!
Since we were starting with short “i” I put together a short i File Folder Flipper for each of the two firsties. They were a big hit!
Here’s what the front of the file folder looks like.
Here’s the inside. My favorite is probably the “ig” pig! 🙂
And here’s what the back looks like.
As you can see, you just flip up each tab and read the word. The shape provides a hint for the sound of the word family!
Although I’m using these to work one-on-one with my kiddos, they could be used so many different ways, which is why I’m SO excited about them!
You could make a class set, make one for each student, or make a set for any students who are struggling with this skill. Have students keep them in their desk and practice reading their words when they finished work early.
You could also have them practice in pairs or small groups.
Place them in a center and have students use them to write sentences or stories using as many words as they can. The possibilities are endless!
Here’s my adorable niece trying it out. She is a fan! 🙂
Since you all are so awesome, I decided to post a few of the short i flippers for free!
Click the picture to download them. If you like them, check out the whole pack! It will be on sale for $1 off for the next 2 days only!
I hope your students are flipping for my flippers as much as my students and I are! I’m starting on my long vowel version next week, so keep an out for them as well!
Have a great week!
Martha from Primary Paradise
