Oh happy day, friends. We are enjoying a cool, rainy day here in Kentucky. It is the first Sunday in a while where I am breathing deeply and not even considering school. That’s right – it’s Fall Break! 🙂
I have been catching up on blog commenting and stalking. It’s wonderful and so encouraging. I am constantly impressed with how innovative and smart teachers are. Plus, I am working ahead….like weeks ahead {imagine that}. My goal is to be completely planned through Thanksgiving by next Sunday. Will it happen?? Possibly 😉
So, I wanted to share with you a scoot I have been working on. My kiddos are terrible at commas. Like, they cannot properly place a comma to save their lives. Replace all 90 of my kiddos’ names with Grandma, and they would all be dead.
Merging the best parts of our worlds (mine – learning to properly use a comma; 5th graders – moving about the room; Everyone – a great pun), I whipped up this Scoot – “Eye” Need a Comma.
task cards, a recording sheet for students, and an answer key.
- separate items in a series
- separate an introductory element
- set off the words ‘yes’ and ‘no’
- set off a tag question
- indicate a direct address
- to mark direct speech
- mark a compound sentence
Never tried a Scoot in your classroom? Here are 3 different ways I use Scoot cards in my classroom.
- I laminate the cards and tape one card to each desk. Then, students travel from desk to desk carrying only a pencil and their recording log. Students have 30-45 seconds at each card. When the bell rings, they move on to the next card.
- Like in the game mentioned above, students travel to two cards in pairs. One partner completes card “a” while the other partner completes card “b”. Then, the partners switch places. After both partners complete both cards, they compare and discuss their answers.
- These cards are great for early finishers. I laminate them, hole punch the corner, and put the cards on a binder ring. Then, I place each card set inside my team table buckets. As students finish their ‘must do’ work, they may pick up a ring of cards and quiz themselves. (I write the correct answers on the back in permanent marker).
It should be loads of fun and add a bit of holiday fun into our classroom.:) You may check out ‘Eye’’ Need a Comma at my Teachers Pay Teachers store, here.
Happy Sunday, friends. I’ll see you Tuesday to talk all about how I use Flocabulary in my classroom!
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Jessica Lawler says
October 7, 2013 at 12:23 amI love that poster – I have it taped above my desk to glance at when I need a good chuckle! 🙂
Your new packet looks awesome – great work, Catherine!
Ahh Fall Break – I am so jealous! 🙂 Enjoy the much-deserved time off!
~Jessica
Joy in the Journey
Heather aspecialkindofplace.blogspot.com says
October 7, 2013 at 1:34 amThis is exactly what I need! Thank you so much for this post. I am heading over to your store to get it now! Heather
Kate says
October 8, 2013 at 11:59 pmWonderful, Heather! I am so glad it will work for you. 🙂
Chelsea says
October 8, 2013 at 1:34 amLove your activity cards and scoot activity! It's pretty ironic that I stumbled upon this post today. We discussed comma use today and I showed my students a little video I found on Youtube (similar to your Grandma post, but with Grandpa). They thought it was so hilarious and I think the importance of commas sunk in a bit. Flocabulary is the best and I can't wait to hear about how you use it!
Chelsea
Fifth Grade Wit and
Whimsy
Kate says
October 8, 2013 at 11:59 pmHa – it's nice to know that we are all on the same track. Do you have the link to the video? I am sure my friends would love it. 🙂
And yes! I am in love with Flocabulary. The PTO invested in it for me, and I am SO grateful. 🙂
Chelsea says
October 10, 2013 at 3:13 amHere it is: http://youtu.be/rlBfnqgnhzw
Just in case the link doesn't work, just do a Youtube search for "Punctuation is Important" by Justin Franco. It's super short, but the kids got a kick out of it. 🙂