Make a TIC-TAC-TOE game

Make a TIC-TAC-TOE game to practice spelling, writing, grammar, math facts, multiplication, anything you determine that you’d like to write on the sticky notes. Sticky notes allow you to change the game content without creating a new board each time.

Tic-Tac-Toe directions may be found on this link: playtictactoe.org

Materials: 

You will need a file folder, 9 sticky notes, index cards or paper, scissors, a pencil, a ruler and a sharpie marker. 

How to make the game:  Using the sharpie marker and a ruler, divide a file folder into 9 equal sections. Cut index cards or white paper into squares that will fit into the spaces on your file folder. Make 5 “X” cards and 5 “O”cards. Write content in pencil on the sticky notes.

Example of the sticky notes for the file folder: A tulip shaped sticky note is used for the example photo. Each sticky has one one word written on it in pencil so that you can erase the words and reuse the sticky notes.

Skill for this example: rhyming, word study features review, writing; word study features, “au, aw, oo, ui, ew, ea, oa, and ou.” I have written one word on each tulip. The words used are: blew, crawl, cow, teach, boat, shout, book, shoot, and suit.

How to play: The players take turns choosing a location for their “X” or “O”. Each player has to write a new word that rhymes with the original word on the sticky note before placing the “X or O” in the space.

The winner is the first player to achieve three in a row.

Sharing Books With Children

Sharing Books with Children:  A poem by Lenora Falciani.

I started with a paper and pencil.
Yes, in this computer age,
writing a poem for my professor,
on this blank, white page.

I’m not a practiced poet yet,
as you can plainly see.
But, I’ve read all kinds of poems
and they’ve inspired me.

This poem is due in just a few days.
It must be cleverly done.
So, I will create each line and each word,
one by one.  

Here goes…

Sharing books with children is enjoyable and fun.
Whether as a read-aloud or in a meadow beneath the sun.
Watching a child’s face light up with excitement and glee
at amazing stories is rewarding to me.

I can share historical fiction books 
with the children on my block,
or fantasy books about magic, 
with tutoring students after 3:00 O’clock.

There are many excellent authors to share,
different genres from which I can choose.
Non-fiction books about a bug, or a bear,
from such an assortment, I can’t lose.

If you’ll relax and open your mind
to the pages about to unfold,
incredible adventure you will find
and characters clever and bold.

Get ready to hear some stories and rhymes,
and tales of dragons in fantastical times.
Science fiction and mysteries, and people brave,
the Underground Railroad and a girl slave.

Sharing books with children is important for sure.
A book is more than you see at first glance.
So, if you can let your imagination soar,
you’ll be glad you gave books a chance.