Fruit loops

Who knew that middle school boys would do anything for Fruit Loops?

I had tried to think of something to motivate my students.  Stickers weren't working for most of them because they can't see the sticker well.  I had brought some Fruit Loops for a snack to keep at my desk...just for me.  I hadn't planned on giving any to my students.  However, on a whim, I went and got them and gave them a Fruit Loop for getting an answer right.  They loved it!  I was shocked.  Surprised.  Flabbergasted.  Excited.  I found something that they liked!

So on this activity, I found some phonics flashcards online, printed them, and cut them out.

Have you ever used this website?  They have some great stuff on it, from flash cards to reading comprehension worksheets.
http://havefunteaching.com/

I gave them a card with a word and its picture on it.  Each student had their own set of magnetic letters.  The first student who spelled the word correctly got 2 Fruit Loops, and the other student got 1 Fruit Loop when he spelled it correctly.

Here are some of the words that we used.

I am constantly looking for new activities to use with my middle school students.  Although they are on a Kindergarten/1st grade level, they like to feel like they are in middle school.  Do you have any ideas?  I'd LOVE to hear them!

Karaoke in the classroom?

What?  Karaoke in the classroom?  You might be saying, "I don't have a karaoke machine."  Just wait, my friends, just wait.

I have been trying to find different ways to teach English to my visually impaired students.  It needs to have music or rhythm to keep them entertained...and for me not to fall asleep in the boring textbook lessons.

Look what I found on YouTube today?! A whole channel on karaoke songs!  I'm so excited I just can't hide it!  There are songs from Lady Gaga to Neil Diamond to Kenny Rogers to The Beatles.

I cannot contain my excitement, and I just had to share it with you.  You all know that I will find any excuse to sing in the classroom.  Here is a great reason!

Here is the channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYi9TC1HC_U2kaRAK6I4FSQ

And here are a couple of my favorites:

I'm sure you could even use it to build up your students' reading speeds.  How else can you think of using karaoke in the classroom?

Happy singing!