Bowling Games

Lately I have been working on bowling games for students to practice reading skills, like cause and effect, fact and opinion, compound words, etc. These games are a fun way for students to learn! Each game has a game board (a bowling lane) with question cards.

Materials Needed:
Game Board and Game Cards
One Pawn or Counter for Each Player

Directions:
• Up to three players can play the game.
• Pick a card and answer the questions.
• If you get it right, then move ahead one bowling ball. If you get it wrong, you must go back to the beginning and start over.

To Win:
Students need to land on the bowling pins and correctly answer the question.

The pictures below are an example of my Context Clues Bowling Game.  

If you enjoy this game, then be sure to check out my other Bowling Games!

If you plan on using multiple bowling games, I suggest setting them up like I did. I took the game board and put them in sheet protectors.

Then, using double-sided tape, I attached them to a manila file folder, with the openings facing out on both sides. This way you can just put in the new game board without laminating.

Laminate the game cards and put them in a labeled bag.

Attach the cards to the file folder with a clip.

Dr. Seuss Reading Bookmarks

As a reading specialist, I work with about 80 kids a day. With Christmas coming up, I wanted to get them all something, however I don't have the money to get something for 80 kids, as much as I'd like to. I bought some small candy canes for a couple bucks and will attach them to these bookmarks I made. I have a whole Dr. Seuss themed room, so they fit well with that theme.

You can get this file to use for you students by visiting my TpT Store!

Dr. Seuss Reading Bookmarks FREEBIE

Each bookmark has their name (can be edited in this file) and a Dr. Seuss quote.
You may have an issue with the font and will have to change it to one you have if it doesn't work.
I printed mine smaller to save paper.

Compound Word Dominoes

These are dominoes I made to help students practice compound words. The goal is to match each of the two words to make a compound word. The words are color coded for easier matching. 

Materials Needed:
• Domino Cards

Directions:
Up to four players can play the game. Lay down the starting domino. Find the matching colored word that makes a compound word and lay it next to it.

You can get these dominoes from my TpT Store.

I have a lot of other Domino Games in my store too!

Sorting for Homographs (Multiple Meaning Words)

This is a fun game students can use to practice finding homographs. I printed these two on a page so they are smaller and save paper. There is an answer sheet included. I recommend numbering the backs of each domino if you make more than one set.

Directions:

Lay the header cards down for Homograph, Definition 1, and Definition 2. Match each homograph with it’s two definitions.

Bonus Activities:

Write a sentence for each meaning of the homograph.

You can get this game in my TpT Store.

Check out all my other Card Games!

Word Sound Dominoes

This is a fun game students can use to practice word sounds. Students find the matching underlined sound and colored word. I printed these two on a page so they are smaller and save paper. There is an answer sheet included. I recommend numbering the backs of each domino if you make more than one set.

Materials Needed:
Domino Cards
Answer Sheet

Directions:
Up to four players can play the game. Lay down the starting domino. Find a word that contains the same sound as the underlined part in the matching word. Both words should be the same color in order to be a match.

You can get these dominoes from my TpT Store.

I have a lot of other Domino Games in my store too!

Using Sticky Notes to Measure Thinking

One strategy I like to do with my 4th graders, is using sticky notes. The last couple weeks we have been working on inferencing and making conclusions. I gave students sticky notes and had them write their thinking as they were reading. Sometimes I would give them something to write about and other times I would have them just write their response to what they ready. We were reading a story in their basal called "Dear Mr. Winston", which was a story about a girl who brought a snake into a library. The snake got out, which caused the librarian, Mr. Winston, to faint. She then wrote him a letter apologizing. The students had to determine if her apology was genuine by showing their thinking on sticky notes. Check out some of the their thinking below!

Flexible Seating

Recently my school's PTO gave all the teachers some money to use for their classrooms. I decided to use my money to get some more options for flexible seating.

I had two of these chair previously, that I was given through a grant our school got. The students really like the chairs, so I decided to get two more of them. The students like sitting on the floor and they can lean back.

You can get the chair above on Amazon for only $18 a chair! Great deal!

These stools were something else I got with my PTO money. They are extremely sturdy and the kids love them. They are pretty comfortable too. You can also get these on Amazon for $60.

Another Way to Use Dice

In my small groups, I use a die sometimes for games. The small dice can make lots of noise and roll off the table. If each student needs a die, it can get chaotic. I came up with a solution for this. I got these small containers at The Dollar Tree. I put a die in each one and taped the top.

Sticker Charts and Clip Chart

 I have many students from all grade levels coming to my room every day. To keep them motivated and on task isn't always easy. I use sticker charts and they have been a wonderful tool! This year I decided to put a few sheets of the same sticker on a ring so students can get them easier. Last year I just put the sheets of stickers on the wall with a magnet and they were constantly falling down or kids were fighting over them. Each student's clip chart is on a clip magnet. When they fill their chart they can get a prize and then pick a new sticker chart from the box. I have a variety of sticker charts for them to choose from, along with a Sharpie.

I decided to use a clip chart this year too. Each student with me has a number. That way I don't have to put names on any magnet. Student earn stickers for being on blue and green, and lose them for being on orange and red. Students who get on blue may use a fidget. I have a "Fidget Box" (thanks to a grant our school received) full of various toys that students can use. If they aren't working, then they have to go back down to green and put their fidget away.

Reading Rewards Punch Cards

I've started using my Reading Rewards Punch Cards with my 4th grade group and they really enjoy them. I work with 3 groups for 15-20 minute rotations. To keep them on track, they can earn punches for good behavior and answer questions as we are reading. They keep the cards in their reading books so they serve as great bookmarks also. Once students have gotten 30 punches on their card, they can get a prize from my prize box.

I keep my cards and hold punchers in a small container. It makes it easy for students to get cards and hole punchers as they need them.

I got the hole punchers on Amazon. You can get them here. They can be difficult to use sometimes but most of them seem to be okay. I would not use them on cardboard. The kids have difficulty with paper sometimes and have to push hard. There are 30 books on each card. They have a variety of designs and patterns.

These Reading Reward Punch Cards are available in my TpT Store.

Reading Reward Punch Cards - Set 1

Reading Reward Punch Cards - Set 2

Reading Reward Punch Cards - Set 3

If you like these, then check out all my other Punch Cards!