S.M.A.R.T. Newsletter - Nov. '18

S.M.A.R.T. Spaces
November is a great time to add a few thematic items to your S.M.A.R.T. Space!

You don’t need to redesign your course or even spend a lot of time and money.  Using a few select items from home can help fill your S.M.A.R.T. cornucopia! Place a can of pumpkin or green beans (or even one of each) on the Balance Beam. Students walk heel to toe until they get to the can, once there they step over the can and continue to the second can or the end of the beam. Easy as pie!

​For older students, you can stack the cans to create a bigger challenge.

References:
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE guide pages 40-41
S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 51-53

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S.M.A.R.T. at Home
Thanksgiving break gives us the opportunity to spend some extra time with family and friends. No doubt your child is also encouraged to spend time practicing their sight words and/or reading. As we mentioned in this month’s Time Saving Tips, predictable books are something emerging readers truly enjoy!

Your emerging reader can enjoy using the free download in that section to create their own book about Thanksgiving foods they like. Just print, cut, assemble the pages in order (I, like, turkey, I, like, corn, I, like, rolls, I, like, potatoes, etc.) and staple along the left edge. Or they can even create their own book out of a few dessert-sized paper plates and markers (staple along the left side).

Watch and enjoy as your child climbs onto Grandma’s lap to read while the finishing touches are being completed on your Thanksgiving feast!

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Time Saving Tips
Adding to your students’ bountiful list of sight words is a S.M.A.R.T. thing to do!

We know, for many of you, sight words are something you are required to teach. We also know predictable books are something emerging readers truly enjoy! Do you remember this adorable handmade book from your S.M.A.R.T. Workshop?

​Using it as inspiration, we have created a set of Thanksgiving themed Slap/Creep Track cards for you! The Slap/Creep Track is a great place to REVIEW sight words. So simply print, cut, and slide them into the pockets.

Download Thanksgiving Food Cards

Use the A-B-(C) pattern: I, like, turkey, I, like, corn, I, like, rolls, I, like, potatoes, etc.

​References:
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE guide pages 50-53
S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 69-71

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That One S.M.A.R.T. Teacher!
One S.M.A.R.T. Teacher, Leslie found a simple way to whip up some fun with the Pencil Roll. She dug through her kitchen drawers and found her potato masher (yes, it IS a S.M.A.R.T. tool!). She has her students hold the potato masher with both hands over their head while they roll over some construction paper potatoes to “mash” them.

We are thankful for Leslie, and we hope she has a fabulous Thanksgiving in Morganton, NC!

References:
S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE guide pages 33-34
S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide pages 36-37