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Reception key words


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Hi, I've been using word tins in reception for a while now but it is quite arduous changing the words all the time and some children are on the same words for ages. I'd like to introduce a new way of sending these home and wondered if anyone could suggest anything that is easier to manage and positive for all children. Thank you.

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I'm going to move this into the Reception area for you.

 

I used to like using shapes to write the words onto when I did this sort of thing. You can tick off the words when the child is secure but you dont actually change them. Use a new and different shape for each set.

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Hi

 

I only send home the tricky words from letters and sounds. Each child then has a set of letters and Iive parents a list of words that can be made from the letters children practise blending and segmenting at home. In addition they have their phonic reading books. I stopped sending home words in tins, much less work. I also have bingo games I send home - very popular! Hope this helps

J

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Guest LornaW

I love the word bingo and also making the tricky word into card games such as snap and matching pairs. I bought some plain packs of cards and used these to make games. Also made phonic fans and as children were taught the new phoneme it was added to the fan and sent home with children to play at home!

 

LornaW

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One of my colleagues has made a 'reading passport' for the new intake. It's basically a little booklet and a list of 5 words is stuck in. When they know the words they get a stamp in their passport and get the next set stuck in. I think we are going to do only this this year, rather than send individual words on cards. We use Read write inc so it's the red words that we use.

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The biggest problem that i have with sending key words home, and we have tried it many different ways, is that ultimately, if you are going to send a set of words home and then replace it with another when they know the first set, it is devoting time to 'testing' them. I find that we already give up time for so much. I used to combine tricky word assessments with our reading time and each group would turn over a card and read the word, like a game, but it all takes time.

I am considering for this year, making tricky word games, number games etc all in plastic zip lock bags. I will leave it to the children to change them, after they have read with me, so that in theory each week they will take home a new game to support basic skills. This way I do not have to ensure they know the first set before I give the second set, I can just let this run as a separate thing, not having to assess it. I will then just mark off the tricky words they know more informally in CP and words they read during reading sessions.

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our school sends them on a word string - we also used to have at least 3 consistent parent helper to come in and 'test' the children with their words using a timer as we used the ERR system . But i like the idea of games as think this is will make learning more fun and interactive with any member of the family

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Rufus - I was wondering if you could tell me more about the games you make? Thank you

I haven't got that far yet, I am waiting to talk to my team about it next week. However my initial thoughts were things like

  • Tricky word bingo
  • Tricky word hoopla
  • laminated board games.
  • Magnetic fishing games - words/phonemes/numbers
  • Rhyming soup games
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Thanks! :) They sound fantastic... I wonder if Pinterest could provide inspiration for some others too? I will go and have a look and post back here if I find anything of note.

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Right, there are absolutely loads of great games/activities on Pinterest. Here are some of my favourites and links to the original pin:

 

- magnifying words - use tiny print to type the words and print. Children use a magnifying glass to enlarge and match to larger version of the word. This is actual a paid resource on Teacherspayteachers, but could easily be replicated: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/HFW-Magnifying-Game-120317

 

- popcorn word activities - loads of ideas on here: http://mrsmorrowskindergarteners.blogspot.co.nz/2011/03/popcorn-word-activities.html I love the idea of a bottle filled with popcorn kernels and words hidden inside. Children have to copy the words once they've found them, or tick them off a list.

 

- provide children with a sheet of letters/newspaper/magazine, pair of scissors and a glue stick. Ask them to create their word list by cutting and sticking the correct letters.

 

- give children a set of words to learn and a keyboard template. Children can type out the words on their keyboards. http://pinterest.com/pin/434245589041138273/

 

- create a set of plastic cups with words stuck on. Give children something to hide underneath them... under which cup is the bear hiding? Children should read the word before being allowed to find the bear. http://pinterest.com/pin/232568768228242859/ More room than a zip lock bag needed, of course, but I think the children would benefit from it :)

 

- could you get Twister from a charity shop and write words on it using permanent marker and send that home? http://pinterest.com/pin/232568768227879577/

 

- word jigsaw - looks like fun! http://pinterest.com/pin/284078688968310667/

 

- connect 4 to practise words http://pinterest.com/pin/80150068341815364/

 

I like the original idea above, but think it would be interesting to get the children to make the words using letters, so have letters on the counters rather than words? Could also send home scrabble tiles and get them to create words (not necessarily play!)

 

Anyway, just a few ideas I thought could be used well :)

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Thank you for those great ideas and links. I too have decided that testing 4-5 yr olds is time consuming and we don't reap the rewards in their writing. Everyone gets frustrated - us, children and parents! I can feel a zip lock bag frenzy coming on! :)

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I've got a mixed R/1/2 class and I'm sure that the ideas for zip lock bags would also work for the older ones practising their words.

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