The package was from Stretchy Snake.
This is Stretchy Snake.
Here is the letter he left us.
You can grab your letter from Stretchy Snake here.
There are 2 different letters: one talks about Eagle Eyes and the other one does not talk about Eagle Eyes in case your class doesn't know who he is.
In the letter, he told us he was a friend on Eagle Eyes and he was going to teach us another way to decode words. He even sent us some goodies to help us be super duper Word Detectives!
One of our favorite goodies are the Stretchy Snake Boxes.
Inside the boxes are cards. As you slowly slide the box out, you say the sounds...be sure to teach the kiddos to not slide it out all of the way. You slide the box back in and then slide it out faster while blending the sounds together. When you think you know the word, you slide the box out all of the way and check your answer with the picture. I'll try and find the labels for the boxes and post them later. =)
This is an activity both the kiddos and I ADORE.
The next thing we made were our class sound boxes. We made this with the tape Stretchy Snake put in the package. Our sound boxes help us s-t-r-e-t-ch out words...and the kiddos LOVE to HOP IT OUT!!! Can we say fun for our little ADHD energetic kiddos!!!!
Here is how you use the sound boxes. A kiddo starts by standing to the left side OUT of the first box. If the word is bus, he hops into the first box and says /b/. He then hops into the 2nd box and says /u/. He hops into the 3rd box and says /s/. Finally, he hops OUT of the box and says the word bus. I hope that makes sense. =)
We can use the sound boxes for this fun activity. =)
Grab your copy here. Kiddos hop out the word and record the answer.
We also meet Stretchy Snake's friend Stretchy Giraffe.
He also helps us stretch out words.
Stretchy Snake also left us some slinkies and some words to stretch out and read.
I hope you and your kiddos enjoy these activities. =)
If you grab the *freebies*, please take a few minutes to leave me a heart note. =)
Question of the Day: How do you handle tattling in your classroom?
From My Heart to Yours,
69 heart notes:
WOW!!! Thank you so much for that! I LOVE it! I have been looking for things to do just like this! You rock!!!
Thanks!
Tara
harpleysuperstars.blogspot.com
I love stretchy snake. This is how I handle most tattling unless it was something physical, we work on the phrase "please don't do that I don't like it.". We role play situations and use this phrase, for the most part it works. If a tattle starts I ask is this something you can handle? However the munchkins know I have zero tolerance for any type of bullying behavior.
Jill
I love stretchy snake! What a great idea! I'm going to use this idea in small groups. Thanks so much!
I just introduced Stretchy Snake today and these ideas will go PERFECT with my small groups! Thanks so much for sharing : )
Lindsay
For the Love of First Grade
Hi Heather!
Cool! I LOVE how your hop boxes; matching kinestic with literacy...so smart! Hey stop by the Goonie Gals' blog. We posted a list of Beanie Babies Reading Strategies. But check out what we did to Eagle Eye...no more looking at pictures and guessing for our kiddos! Stop by and drop us a comment...love to hear your thoughts!!!
XOXO
The Kindergarten Goonies
www.kindergartengoonies.blogspt.com
Love these stretchy snake activities! You are saving the day! I can't wait to learn more about your next reading helper beanie.
The only tattling strategy I've witnessed in school was the tattle bug hanging on the wall where the children were supposed to whisper in the bugs ear instead of the teachers but I would feel there would be a more effective strategy to eliminate the problem instead of just mask it.
Pixy Stix and Teacher Tricks
Thanks for sharing these! They are awesome! I would love to have the stretchy snake labels to put on the pencil boxes/cases. pks0221@suddenlink.net
Heather! You are so awesome to share all this with us !!! Thanks! Yikes! The tattling thing is starting to get to me too :(. I do love the book, Tattle Tongue by Julia Cook. Or a stuffed friend kids can talk (tattle) to. Or a notebook to write stuff (tattling story) in. Or the reminder to take care of yourself/kind words/ is it blood, barf or ...
I love this to death. I am in 5th and will begin looping from 1st once again next year. I will to follow your next ideas faithfully. They are GREAT! thanks a bunch for sharing...
4everateacher@blogspot.com
Wonderful & creative phonemic awareness! Great reading strategies!! Talk about making something stick!!
Amy Howbert
Little Miss Organized
amyhowbert1@gmail.com
Love the hop boxes! Did you get the slidey (is that a word) box from somewhere specific or did you make it? As for tattling I like to use the term "Be a problem solver, not a problem maker", we role play how we can solve problems (using high 5, stop I don't like it, walk away etc) and also how tattling increases the problem. From then on if someone starts tattling I use the above term and it seems to help.
Tania
Mrs Poultney's Ponderings
Thanks for all the great ideas- I have several struggling firsites that will benefit from these. Our guidance counselor has done some great lessons with tattling She teaches to ask tehmselves "Are you being hurt? Is someone in danger? etc" and if the answer is no, she reminds then it is a tattle and to stop. It doesn't always work for me, but it helps!
Love your stretchy snake basket! Such a great way to get kiddos stretching out those words/sounds!! :)
Kelly
Beg, Borrow, Steal
What an awesome idea! Stretchy was scheduled to make an appearance today but I think I will postpone his visit so I can put a box together.
Tattling was a huge problem last year and I never did get it under control so I look forward to reading all of the suggestions!
Carol
Still Teaching After All These Years
Fabulous idea... as always!
Cindy
Granny Goes to School
Heather, There is one word that comes to mind when I think of you...AWESOME!!!! I don't know how you do all the things that you do and have time to still share with all of us but I am beyond thankful. You are making a difference not only in your students lives but in mine as well. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Olwyn
Teaching in Turtlepond
Oh, forgot to say that I use Julia Cook's book Tattle Tongue as part of my lessons on tattling. I have more that I do but it is too early in the morning to remember. I'll have to do a blog post on it one day. Grade 1 is the epicentre of tattling!!!!
Olwyn
What a great way to introduce a new decoding strategy. I love this idea!!! Thanks for sharing it.
Connie Anderson:)
www.welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com
Oh my goodness, I love it. My partner teacher introduced me to beanie baby strategies last year, and we had a Stretch the Snake, but I just love how you went all out with the letter and box of goodies.. Ah, did I mention I love it?
Alicia @ Today's Objective
This is a great idea!! Will have to do something like that when my kids start sounding out words more! great way to make it fun and exciting.
I have a tattle monster in my room that the kids have to talk to (if they were older I would have them write it down). It's made out of an old tissue box with egg cartons for eyes. Works great and the kids take it serious when they have something to tell the monster.
Laura
teachingwildlalaska.blogspot.com
What cute ideas for really hitting home the Stretch It Out! strategy. Thanks for your generous sharing!!
this is awesome!!! I love it. Just curious, what else you had in the box, it was hard to tell from the picture. I just printed out a whole bunch and am using this tomorrow!! thanks!
I just posted a freebie too (not as great as yours, but still it's free!) check it out when you get a chance.
Jessica
You are amazing! Thank you for all you do and for your sweet and encouraging words on my new blog.
Heather...you are so sweet! Thanks so much for all you do...I love your Stretchy Snake cuteness! ;)
Love this idea! Thanks for sharing:)
Where did you get the Stretchy Snake boxes (you said pencil boxes, but not sure what these are)?? I'm sure my kids will love it!
Thanks, Jackie jackie@acsnet.com
Amazing ideas! I love your blog. Thanks for following me.
Tattling: since I teach 6th grade, students know the difference between tattling and helping the teacher out if there is a problem. Tattling still happens though, a lot! As soon as the kiddo starts in on telling me something I immediately ask, "is this person breaking our school rule?" (Do not cause a problem for anyone in the world) Usually that filters out the tattle.
You are amazing!!! I LOVE your posts!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Heather, I love it. I have a ton of those little boxes. I knew I was saving them for something. Can't wait to make this.
Tammy
Primary Paradise
Hi! Thanks for stopping by to visit my blog! You have some great ideas! I noticed on your Stretchy Snake letter that you called your children "Smarties." I do that too! :) Consider me your newest follower!
Lori
http://thereinspiredteacher.blogspot.com
There are some awesome ideas in here. THanks!!
Heather, as always thanks so much for your encouragement and help. I am in my second year of teaching a combined K/1st classroom. I think this year has actually been more challenging! Your blog has been such a huge help to me. I can't wait to try the Hop game with my kiddos!
Love this!!! What is the gum used for??? Sorry if I am the last person in the world to know the answer to that!LOL!Thanks!
Happy Halloween! You have been Booed! Hop on over to grab your treats.
First Grade and Fearless
Heather,
Thanks so much for following my new blog. I've been looking around yours and downloading the Stretchy Snake (which I already use in my classroom) but these resources will just add to it. You have great ideas and I'm excited to be following you. Thanks for the freebies and helpful advice.
Take care,
Melissa
First Grade Smiles
HEATHER! YOU'VE BEEN BOOED! I know you love those linky parties as much as I do! Check out the rules, easy peasy:
BOOED RULES
Learning With Mrs. Leeby
This is fabulous!
Erica
Sprinkles to Kindergarten
erica_crowder0612@yahoo.com
You have been BOO-ed!! Head on over to my blog to see what that means : )
And I just LOVE LOVE LOVE your stretchy ideas and so did my kiddos!
Lindsay
For the Love of First Grade
Oh my goodness! This is so cute! I absolutely adore it. Thank you for sharing! I think I am definitely going to find a way to use this...my kiddos would go crazy!
Thank you for following me (a while back, I thought I had returned the favor, but apparently it hadn't gone through...whoops. *sheepish grin*). You're blog is adorable!
Did you go to school in Nac? I went to school out there for a couple years. =) Small world.
♥ Sarah
First Class First Grade
I usually ask the child are the words kind and helpful for the other person. We usually have several lessons about what this phrase means. I talk about about the idea that sometimes people like to get others in trouble and how that makes people feel. One of my little police officers this year has really responded to this strategy. He is smart and I can just see those wheels turning in his head.
Sarah
www.idreamoffirstgrade.blogspot.com
Cute, cute, cute!!! Definitely going to have to try this. Glad you stopped by my blog...I'm loving yours!
Peace, Love, and First
Hi there! You're blog is great! I can't wait to share it with the teachers in my building! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for being newest follower! Proud to announce I am your newest follower. :)
Michalene
The Teacher in Me
millsteach105.blogspot.com
Wowie! I love this idea for Daily 5 Word Work! Thank you loads!
Donelle
welchdonelle@yahoo.com
This is such a great idea! Pinning so I don't forget it! :) Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and following along. I tried to follow yours but the widget doesn't seem to be working for me. :(
Do you happen to have the other bus word songs or any other letters from the beanie babies introducing them?
Oh my gosh I love everything about this post! Thank you so much for the freebies!! I have a feeling my kiddos are going to love this!! The timing is perfect because a teacher friend of mine just got me some stretchy snakes from Wal-Mart (in the Halloween section) I haven't given them to the class yet so they will be super excited about this!! Thanks again!!
Michelle :)
Kindergarten Stars
I love the stretchy snake idea! My kiddos will have a blast when I incorporate this into what I'm already doing! Thanks for the freebie!
As far as handling tattling in my classroom....we have gone over tattling and reporting extensively. I assigned a tattle monitor and if the kids have a tattle then they go to the monitor and she will tell them if that is a tattle that they need to handle on their own or if it needs to be reported to me. So far it is working like a charm!
I LOVE Stretchy Snake! The idea of using the pencil boxes is awesome. Plus, as a child of the 80s, you know I am drawn to the Slinky. I am on my iPad now, but totally coming back on the laptop for this! Thanks for following my blog and for the tips! Your blog is fantastic!
Rhiannon
Visit my blog Sliding Into First!
Where have you been all my life?! I love your ideas and you have so many cool things to add to each lesson. I just introduced Stretchy to my class this year and he will certainly be a fix for a long time. Thanks for this post.
CruzninFirst
Hi Heather!
I LOVE stretchy Snake and Eagle Eye {and the rest of the gang)! We use them in my class too! Did you make the letter to your students yourself or is there a place where I can download/pay for them all? I usually introduce them in small groups but what a great idea to do it whole group like that! I am enjoying your blog :) Thanks and hearts,
Lindsey
Hi Heather,
I was wondering if you have or would be willing to write a letter to the class from the other reading strategy buddies... Chunky Monkey, Flippy the Dolphin, Eagle Eye...? I love your Stretchy Snake letter and wonderful ideas that you shared! It would be sooooo fun to introduce each by reading a letter from them!
Thank you for all you share!
Have a great month!
Donelle
Great post. I would love to have the labels for the pencil boxes if you have them. charmemccabe@rocketmail.com
We use Conscious Discipline and its has helped a bunch with tattling. At the beginning of the year we talk about the difference in tattling and reporting. If someone begins to tattle I ask them if they are telling me something to be helpful or hurtful. That usually stops them in their tracks.
Amazing! Thank you!
Oh my goodness, thank you...I love this activity!!!
marislappe.blogspot.com
Thanks for the freebies! Saving them for next year! :)
~Heidi V.
Aww how did I miss this!?! It's perfect to go w/Deanna Jump's guided reading unit. Thanks so much! Can't wait to print and file for next year.
Kelly
Kindergarten Kel
The freebies are awesome. thank you so much. I tell my kids they can tell on someone if they hurt them or said something mean to them. If the tattling gets out of hand then the tattler has to clip down if they do not follow the guidelines.
lfielder@fortsmithschools.org
This is great! Too late for this year, but will be sure to use it next year! Thank you so much for sharing!
Oh my goodness! Love Stretchy Snake...where did you find him? I must rush out and get one or four :) Did your kiddos just love the bubble gum?
As for tattling, we talk at the beginning of the year about the difference between tattling and telling - the obvious when you tattle, you are trying to get someone into trouble. When you tell, it means there is trouble, danger, or someone is hurt. I've done a few things that work nicely. First I found a fake security camera at Wal-Mart for $6. I hung it from the ceiling (it moves and has a light to make it realistic). I call it my Tattle-Cam. I tell them that I watch the video during recess, lunch, and specials so if I see anything going on that shouldn't be, I'll handle it later. This usually deters them from tattling. Another way that also incorporates writing, is putting it down in the Tattle-Tale Book. It's just binder with blank paper...I tell them they HAVE to write their name correctly, and use details and as many words as they possibly can in order for me to read their story. Needless to say I don't have too many tattlers.
❤Tanya
Ms. Solano's Kindergarten
Thank you for the stretchy snake ideas and materials. Our first grade teachers use stretchy snake but I am going to use it for the first time in my kindergarten class next year!
Thank you so much for sharing these! I will be using them with my kindergarten intervention groups. BTW- I have been using a version of your heart bucket with a student who struggles with kindness to others as she has not had a role model in this area. She loves getting a heart each time she tells me she did something to make someone's heart feel good or someone made her heart feel good. After a couple weeks, we make something out of the heart beads, wooden beads, or other objects we use. She invites her younger sister and a friend to join us to do the craft.
You are a genius! I love this stretchy snake idea. Thanks for your wisdom!! I can't wait to use this next year.
Love Dollar Store Ideas! I am on my way! wendy 1stgradefireworks@gmail
I absolutely love this! the Dollar Tree is always a favorite place and I am in love with this idea. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you for sharing!
I love these! Thank so much for sharing.
This is GREAT! Thank you so much for sharing! Can't wait to try these out next year!!!
THANK YOU so much for these ideas!!! This is my first year teaching Kindergarten and I just love these ideas! I used them on my W.I.N. groups and they were a success! I am anxious to get more kits together so each child can use one! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Love all of these activities:) Where did you order the green slide box?
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