Little Writer App

App Name: Little Writer

Devices: iPhone, iPad

Cost: $0.99

Description:  This has students practice writing letters, numbers, shapes, and words. I like how its customizable, so you can add your own pictures and words. 

Skills: Letter Writing (upper and lower), Letter ID / Sound ID, and Word Building. Also used for Number Writing, Number Recognition, and Shapes.

Subjects: Language Arts, Math

Stars (x/5): 5

Ideas for Reviewing Sight Words

Click here for ideas on how to review sight words at home...

Click here for the Kindergarten sight words list...

Crayola Washable Bathtub Markers

       A family recently shared with me that you can purchase Crayola Washable Bathtub markers.  (Please note you may want to read the reviews - looks like it needs to be cleaned off immediately an only used on smooth bath tubs.  I posted a link to Amazon because there's reviews and its faster for me then looking through different websites, but I'm sure you can find them in other places!)  It makes it possible for your child to write on the bathtub wall, then splash the wall to clean it off.  You could use this tool in many different ways...

• Reading and Writing Skills
• Reinforcing proper pencil grip when drawing pictures or writing
• Practice letter formation
• Say a letter name or sound, have them write it
• Write a letter, have them write it
• Writing their name
• Sight Words
• you write, they read
• you say, they write
• they write a sentence using the word
• Spelling Words (starting in January and if your child is ready for it)
• Say a CVC word like cat, dog, fun - have them tap it and spell it
• Write CVC words - have them tap it and read it
• Math
• Writing numerals
• Writing a Math sentence to go with a picture (starting around December and if your child is ready for it)
• Drawing pictures to show a given number

Email me or comment below if you have your own suggestions!

Shaving Cream Activities

      Shaving cream is a fun way to reinforce writing letters, numbers, and spelling words.  Put some shaving cream on a cookie sheet (or table, counter, etc).  Dictate what you would like your child to write.  Encourage them to make letters following the Fundations directions (Lower Case Directions, Upper Case Directions)!

 Some possible prompts...

• Let's make the letter...
• What letter starts the word?
• What letter makes this sound ____?
• Show me how to make the number ____.
• (Clap a certain number of times) - can you write the number?

Flashcard Activities

These activities can be done with any type of flash cards...

One set:

• Show cards to your kiddo and have them say it's name (or sound).
• Sort cards by words they know and don't know.
• Tape cards around the house.  Have them read the card as they pass by.
• Hang from door frames or ceiling - have them jump up and touch words as they read them.
• Modify this activity to have them jump up and grab the card
• Spread out in a line or curve - have your kiddo read them, then jump or step over them
• Hide the cards around the house for them to find, then read
• Sort cards by beginning letters / sounds, number of letters, number of syllables.
• Attach to a game board, using a dice and game pieces, have your kiddo role the dice and move that many spaces.  The space they land on they must read.  If they can't, have them go back to where they started.
• Have your kiddo make sentences using the flashcards to make sentences
• Have your kiddo use the flashcards to build the letter or word using legos, beads, playdough, glue and scrap paper, etc.

Multiple sets (if you make more flashcards)

• With 2 sets
• Play Concentration - have your kiddo flip over and read cards.  If they match, they keep them! 
• Play 'Go Fish!'

Click here for more ideas from our Reading Specialists!
Have other ideas!  Share below!