Aargh! What a week {in review}

{Sigh} 

Wait! I really mean ...

{SIGH!}

Holy moly, I cannot get over how time just flies by. I remember thinking about all of the cool Thanksgiving activities I wanted to do with my class like it was just yesterday. 

Anyway, time keeps on a'chugging along whether I like it or not, so I need to make the most of it. Unfortunately, I also need to convince my sweet kiddos that they want to do all of the things I want to do as well! This part is not so easy for me. Which means that I have lots of copies and cut-outs of lessons I've made for this year's group that I will have to do with next year's group.

Anywho, this week was loads of fun because in our StoryTown reading series the phonics skill was the R-controlled vowel /ar./ The story that went along with this skill is just okay. And of course, the phonics activities the publishers provide are pretty mediocre. Which means I must supplement! What better way to supplement the series than with a wonderful little unit by the fabulous Babbling Abby?

Me hearties, let me introduce you to Learning /ar/ with Pirate Mark. This unit has it all poetry, reading, writing, a craftivity, and most importantly cHocOlaTe! 

Here are a few pictures of our week:

Treasure Map of /ar/ words - We'd add four words a day to the map.

I'd hide words about the classroom for them to find and read.

The kids were BANANAS about searching for /ar/ words.
Every day they entered the classroom excited to read!

LOVE Heidi Butkus' Phonics cards.
Click {here} for more information.

On Day 4 our Treasure Map is complete!

I taped the last word for the Treasure Map to my little treasure box.

Pirate Mark likes to eat chocolate bars and so do we!

I'd love to say that we added the cute hair and details to our pirates,
 but oh-my-word this was challenging enough for them.
I wasn't in the mood for extras by the time we got this far.
Which is not a reflection of the unit, but on my kids!

We had a ball with these activities and most of my students are proficient at reading /ar/ words. I'm sorry to say, one little peanut will need to go on a vacation with Pirate Mark and his /ar/ words before she'll learn them. LOTS of practice in store for me and her!

In addition, I found this cute little video of Bossy R from the Electric Company on pinterest. I showed it to the class almost every day. They loved it.

My Pinterest reading page - Y'all Pinterest Rules!

Click {here} to go to the YouTube Electric Company video.

Thanks, Abby! Another fantastic unit that my students loved!