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Friday, June 28, 2013

Blend Friends-Chance to win

I posted awhile back about teaching initial consonant blends to my kindergartners. I started making a TPT product about blends to go with my mini-unit wayyy back in February. I am usually not one to shelve a product that I'm making, but I got overwhelmed with work and put it on the back burner. Just yesterday, I finally finished my blend unit- it's called Blend Friends. Click here to see the whole description on TPT.




So what is a Blend Friend, you ask?  They are cute stick puppets that help teach your class about consonant blends. I included paper versions in the packet so you can make your own stick puppets. In my classroom, I used puppets and stuffed animals and the kids loved them! The were SO engaged during our whole-group mini lessons on blends. The Blend Friends even got to sit with a few of the kiddos who were doing a great job listening!
Here are the blend friends printed out and all ready for a cute bulletin board! Just add craft sticks and laminate to make stick puppets! 

The blend friends "write" the class a letter to introduce a pair of consonant blends (Flippy the Frog introduces the FR and FL blends, for example). Below is a sample of a letter written by one of the Blend Friends:


Last year, my student teacher had a great idea! She made a mailbox where the letters from our Blend Friends magically appeared each day!The kids totally bought into it and went bananas when they discovered a new letter in the mailbox! This summer, I made my own mailbox...so I guess I'm ready for one unit...that we don't teach until February...OH well! :) BTW you can see that I won't be doing a mailbox making tutorial anytime soon...this is definitely a very basic elementary valentine party-style Kleenex bog rig!

In the unit, I have included activities to go with each Blend Friend's letter to the class.  You can do the activities as a whole group or as a center. The packet also contains hands-on literacy centers to practice consonant blends.

Comment below with your email and I will send 2 random friends a copy of the Blend Friends unit!


11 comments:

  1. This looks so cute!
    lraines78@gmail.com

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  2. It looks great. Thanks for the opportunity.
    yvonneeyrg@gmail.com

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  3. I already bought it and it is great!
    Sara
    Polka Dot Kinders

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  4. Love this idea! I can reall see the connections kids would make with these.
    melanievictoria@yahoo.com

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  5. I love this idea!!! I can't wait to purchase it for my classroom! I just found your blog! I am a MN blogger too! :) I am your newest follower!
    Sara
    First Grade Funtastic

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  6. This is a great idea!! I know that students will LOVE it!! al_vb6@hotmail.com

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  7. how adorable!! i love the mailbox idea as well!! definitely want to implement this :)
    LOVE IT!!! kao317@gmail.com

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  8. SO I asked my husband for two numbers between 1 and 7... and he said 1 and 7! So, congrats Kimberley Anne and Lori!!! I will be emailing you:) -Kelly

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  9. Amazing!! Do you have any for the blends/digraphs common for 1st grade??

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  10. Amazing!! Do you have any for the blends/digraphs common for 1st grade??

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