Monday, February 13, 2012

Frogs and Kisses and Fluency Fun!

I know it's getting late for Valentine's Day goodies but I just had to add this.  I went to a fluency seminar featuring Tim Rasinski and it was GREAT.  He had so many ideas to increase fluency and they are easy to implement and effective!  I know, I know, I had you at easy... So, as soon as I got back my wheels started turning.  I whipped up some easy Valentine Froggy fluency activities.

I {puffy heart} Froggy so I made a fluency phrase game as a follow up to the story Froggy's First Kiss using Rasinski's fluency phrases.  I'll add more later, but for now, I made cards using the first two pages.

To play, put three kisses at the top of the page and help froggy collect his kisses by reading the fluency phrases as he "hops" to the top.  Each time he reaches the top he gets to collect a kiss!



I left the top of the fluency pages blank because I see some leprechauns collecting gold coins in the future...maybe even a bunny collecting carrots...the possibilities are endless!  Click the image below to download the fluency phrase cards.  The oh-my-goodness-that-is-so-stinkin'-cute frog came from Mr. Bubblegum.  Check out his store for this cute froggy and more!


Now back to Rasinski...he talked A LOT about singing in the classroom to improve fluency.  And since I was in the Froggy/Kissing mode, a perfect tie in song came to mind.  Think frogs, mice, and romance - those all go together right?  Did you guess the song yet?  Froggy Went a Courtin'!  There are SO many versions out there.  Here's a link to a version I found on a nursery rhyme MP3  that you can download from Amazon for $0.99!



Dr. Rasinski emphasized the effectiveness of using songs to introduce vocabulary, as well as improve expression, phrasing, smoothness, and pace.  So if you hear a terrible noise coming from down the hall it might or might not be me...trying to carry a tune (which I couldn't do even if it had handles).  Don't I at least get credit for diligently trying to implement new strategies to help my students? 

I was also really excited to find this book to read.


Throw in a little Frog Prince and we have waaaaayyyy too much amphibian affection going on!


12 comments:

  1. Great ideas! And the frog is too cute!!
    Jennifer
    First Grade Blue Skies

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  2. Thank you for sharing what you learned from Dr. Rasinski's seminar. I love the Froggy fluency pages...but when I click on the image it only shows a photo, and there are no pages to download. Did I do something wrong? I would love to use this idea in my classroom this week. Thank you so much for sharing! I love your blog!

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    Replies
    1. oops! I didn't have the link up. Should work now when you click on the image of the fluency phrases. Glad you can use them!

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  3. I'd love to see Rasinski in person. I've yet to read his books, but he sounds right up my alley. We sing all the time. Thanks for sharing.

    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

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  4. Thank you for sharing some of the ideas you got from Rasinski! So glad you enjoyed it.
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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  5. I love your ideas! I am awarding you with the Liebster Blog Award! Check out the details on my blog!

    Second Grade Math Maniac

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  6. Check out my blog for some songs for teaching that I think you'll love! :)

    Melly<><

    Stapler’s Strategies for Sizzlin' Second Graders!


    Here is the blog about songs...

    http://staplersstrategies.blogspot.com/2012/02/songs-for-teaching.html

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  7. I am awarding you with the Liebster Blog Award! Check out the details at my blog, and thanks for all of your wonderful ideas!
    -Krista

    The Second Grade Superkids

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  8. Hahaha....Krista beat me on this one too:) Too funny! I awarded you also:) Check out the details on her blog and on mine... 1st GRADE ROCKS !!!
    Sheri
    1st GRADE ROCKS

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  9. I love the title of your blog & the frog! So cute!! I can't wait to learn more from you.

    Misty @
    Think, Wonder, & Teach

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  10. This reminds me of my teaching days. Sounds like a great idea! How have I not been to your blog before? I am a new follower visiting from ABC and 123 Learning. Vicky from Mess For Less

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