Start off September with Poems and Chants

I 'm excited to be able to guest blog for my friend Jennifer today. It is hard to believe that September is just a few days away. September is filled with Back to School, Labor Day, Grandparents Day and the beginning of Fall. I'm sure you are all busy with getting your rooms all set up and getting your students used to your classroom rules and routines, assessing their reading levels and reviewing what they've learned in the previous year. Most of you already know me as the "Chanting" lady so you won't be surprised to know that I've written a whole September packet of poems, chants and even a Fall play with ELA CCSS literacy activities to go with them. What I love most about poems, chants and plays is that even your reluctant students , especially ESL students and reluctant readers love to participate in these activities where they feel safe to take a risk. I would love to share "Where's the Teacher?" with you today. Have you ever heard a song or jingle and all day long you can't get it out of your head? Well, after I wrote "Where's the Teacher?" the same thing happened to me. Your students will be chanting it all day. So why not align it to 1st and 2nd grade CCSS (1.L.1. 2 and 2.L2..2) and have students practice punctuating the poem.

First I teach the poem to the whole class and then divide into 2 groups. Group 1 starts and asks the question and Group 2 answers with the italicized lines.After saying it several time I ask the students to look at the end punctuation and review question marks and periods. Then as a literacy center I give them a copy of the poem without the question marks and periods for them to add. You can download your free copy by clicking on the poem above. If you would like to check out my September packet just click on the image below. It is on sale now through Labor Day.