DIY Inexpensive Partner Pocket Chart

When I say inexpensive, I 'm talking like $2.00.  I think that is pretty cheap!!

This little DIY pocket chart will work great for a partner center.  Maybe students are working on spelling, and one student calls out a word to another for that child to spell it.  Then they take turns being the caller or speller.  I can think of lots of different ways to use this little partner pocket chart.  Be creative.

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Supplies:  Stapler, Scissors, Cheap Sentence strip pocket chart from Target dollar spot, heavy duty cardboard pocket folder, patterned duct tape. 

 

1.First,  you will  cut off the top piece of vinyl fabric above the top plastic strip.  It is the part that has the two brads for hanging. Leave a little bit of fabric above the strip.  Save this for a later step.

2.Next, cut the pocket chart in the middle of the strips, so that you will now  have 2 sentence strip charts with 4 each one.

3.Now, face the two pieces of vinyl to each other with the plastic strips facing each other.  Make sure the plastic strips are open to the top.  You will staple across the top.

4.Flip the vinyl back over, and the staples should be on the underside with the plastic strips now on both outer sides. 

5.Take the file folder and keep it closed.  Drape the stapled vinyl over the folded part of the folder. The folder will open on the bottom.  You will have 4 strips on each side of the folder. Basically, you have a small pocket chart on each side.

6.Now, staple the vinyl  to the top of the folder.

7.Then staple down 4 sides.  You will hold the folder slightly open and staple the vinyl on the sides to attach it to the folder.  Do this on both sides.

8.Now, pick a colored tape.  I used  a lighter weight tape, but I would probably now recommend  a patterned  duct tape.  You will use this to cover all staples.

9.Last, take the strip that you originally and you will use it to staple to the inside of the folder in order to help the folder stay open at an A-frame.  I cut mine to the inside of the brads, and then trimmed off a little more.  The size you choose will determine how much the folder will open up. 

Once completed, you should have 4 strips on each side.  It's perfect for a partner center, but it can always be used individually, too. 

 

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FREE Independent Reading Poster

Goodness!  At the start of every year, you always have a few reluctant readers... the ones that have to be trained to read independently.  They want to do everything but read.  You know the ones I'm talking about. I call it pretend reading, and I tell my students from the beginning that I can spot pretend readers.  For example, they flip one page then three then back two.  Their eyes wander.  They squirm.  You know the drill.  Anyway, if they can just sit still and focus long enough to enjoy a book then most of the time they figure out that reading is actually fun.  I had a student last year that fell in this category and he ended up really loving reading.  His parents said he would not put books down.  They thought there was no way he was actually reading the books as fast as he was, so they started reading them too and quizzing him.  To their surprise,  he WAS reading.  They really started appreciating me at that point. :-)

Below is another one of my little posters that might work well for you in an interactive reading journal.  The focus is on independent reading.  On the day the students glue this down in their journal, you can have them do a practice independent reading session.  Then you can have them come back and respond in writing to how well they think they did with following the expectations.  You can also watch the kids and then give them some suggestions of things they may need to improve on, which they could also make note of in their journal.  This is a great list to have, especially once independent reading gets into full swing.  When you see a child not doing one of the expectations, have them take out their journal and tell you which one they are not following.

As always, I love comments, so drop me a hello in the comments section. :-)

Independent Reading Poster

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You may also like this book buddy chat activity.  My students love it.  Most any student loves to talk about what they have read.  Plus, this holds reluctant readers a little more accountable, as they will want to be able to become engaged in conversation.  After all, if they haven't read their book, they will have a hard time talking about it.  My students actually ask to do this activity :-)

Book Buddy Chat Activity

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What is Reading?

This reading poster is another one that will work perfectly in an interactive reading journal.  For me, I would use this at the very start of the year when I am setting up my readers workshop.  You may even pose the question "What is reading" before you show the poster.  Have your students write a few sentences in their journal to answer the question and then share with a partner.  After letting a few students share their answers with the class, pass out the mini poster to glue in their interactive journal.  Discuss in detail what reading really is, and that it goes far beyond saying the words on a page.  Enjoy.

As always, I love feedback, so say hello by leaving a comment.  :-)

What is Reading Poster

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If you teach grades 3-5, you may also like my Readers Workshop Guide.  Many people have been very happy with this product, which you can read under the feedback section.  Thanks for checking it out.

Reader's Workshop Guide

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FREE Determine the Setting Poster

I'm on a kick making reading posters that I hope you will find helpful in your classroom.  This is the third one, and it is on the skill of determining the setting of a story.  The smaller version will work great for interactive reading journals.  Enjoy!

As always, I love to hear from you.  Drop me a comment.  :-)

Determine the Setting Poster

 



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You may also like this activity. 
 Students will write their own fictional story and will need to develop a setting for the story.


Narrative Writing Story Mini Book

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FREE Describing a Character Poster

This is the second in a series of posters I am making and giving away for FREE.  They are perfect for students to glue into their interactive reading journals.  It can help when reading stories or writing stories. On this poster, the definition of a character is presented, and then suggestions of things kids should think about are also included.  I hope you enjoy, and please do share with your friends and co-workers.

And, as always.... leave me some love.  I love comments. :-)

 Describing a Character Poster

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You might also like this activity on characters.

Character Traits Activity

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Share the Sweetness!

Thank you for helping to spread the word about Classroom Confections.

We appreciate you 'liking' us on facebook, tweeting about us, or pinning us on Pinterest.

For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store