Literacy Toolkit

Hey, y'all! After an incredibly inspiring #getyourteachon conference, I've created what I hope to be the resource that will end my independent reading & writing time struggles.  The biggest problem I'm facing now is what container to use!  

I thought these beautiful Dollar Tree water bottles would do the trick, but no.... it's too difficult to get the checklists in and out of these beauties.

I'm toying with some cheap food storage containers instead.  I think they'll be easy to replace should they get broken or lost.

I found the Rubbermaid set below for super cheap at Target! (image is linked)

Then, of course, there's these beauties at Michael's that are all the rage in classrooms but... I'm thinking I may be a little too cheap frugal for these.(click on image for direct link)

Anyway, I'll let you know my final decision on storage!

The big ideas for the toolkit are here: 

The writing goal sliders in the image below are what I am most excited about.  They are differentiated into groups of beginning, intermediate, and advanced.  The beginning and intermediate levels have some simple images or descriptors to help those still struggling to read and the advanced is all text.

These are provided in a couple sizes.One large for demonstration purposes or to paste onto an anchor chart, and then two smaller sizes to fit whatever toolkit you decide to use. 

Something wonderful I learned from the incredible Deanna Jump: punch 2 holes on either end of the mini-chart, add a pony bead to a pipe cleaner, insert into the holes, secure to the back, and the kiddos have clear hand-on way to move through their writing goals!  Isn't that the smartest thing?  

The "flip that sound" cue chart pictured below also comes in two sizes to fit your containers and is offered in black and white only for ease of printing.  Please see the sounds included on the image below.  It does NOT include all vowel teams. 

The decoding strategy posters pictured below come in both large square (with short descriptor of skill), large circle, and small circle in 2 different art styles.  Use the large ones to teach the skill display in your classroom, then use the small circles to stick on popsicle sticks as kiddos practice their new skill!  The skill charts included are sized 2 ways to fit into your student toolkits. 

The alphabet mini charts pictured below are available in color and grayscale in 2 sizes. 

This close read markups chart is specifically designed for the K-2 student.  Please make note of the asterisk used in place of a star. In my experience, students at this age are still struggling to make stars and will often focus on the creation of the star rather than looking in the text.  It is much easier to learn to make an asterisk!  So, until kiddos are ready for stars, an asterisk is listed here.

The editing checklist pictured below is included in 2 sizes.  One full size page for demonstration or chart purposes, and a smaller size for student toolkits.

Next, in this big ole pack o' goodness is a spinner set.  This was very much inspired by Deanna Jump at the #getyourteachon conference!  She shared how she pairs students up as "peanut butters" and "jellies."  Kiddos know what they are, know who their partners are, and it apparently works like a charm!  I'm so going to implement that this year but I decided on "bacon"and "eggs" or "milk" and "cookies."  Nothing goes together better than those, right?!  

So, list your kiddos under each image, add a spinner (there's one included you can attach with a brad, or purchase a set of "snap together spinners" online), and your students can buddy up to complete their task! Included is a large display chart and smaller spinners for student toolkits.

I got my spinners here. 

A few other things that I'm including in this toolkit are listed and linked below:

For touching text: 

 For interacting with text: 

For erasing notes/writing: 

For making notes on text (and because they are super cute): 

For looking in text (no fingers!):

Included in this kit are tools for the students to use independently after explicit teaching has occurred in either a whole group or small group setting.  They will not likely have all these resources at once or I fear it will lose it's effectiveness. 

In total, this pack is 101 pages of print & go happiness for your classroom!  I hope you find it beneficial. 

Thanks so much,

Jen ♥

UPDATE: I went with the Rubbermaid containers and I am SO pleased!  I think they are going to be the perfect addition to my literacy block! 

Punch holes in either end, insert a pipe cleaner with a pony bead, and BAM! You have a slider that kiddos can use independently to monitor their own goals. Other options: velcro, clothespins, paperclips!

Pick up your copy here at my TPT shop!

Thanks!