ELA Stations for Bigger Kids

I love the fact that it's 9:05 am and I'm still rockin' my pjs, hanging out with my baby watching Gabba Gabba while writing this post for Tried it Tuesday with Holly. Happy Spring Break to me! I'd like to say I'm going on some special getaway, but really we're just hanging out around home, getting a little work done and otherwise being lazy. Prime example below. I do live really close to Destin, Florida, so I guess you could say I can just drive to a vacation whenever I want.. except for the fact that it's only going to be in the 60's today. All you people who get spring break in April will have warmer weather, but I would have died if I had to wait that long! Seriously!

I took advantage of my first free day yesterday to finish up some ELA centers I've been working on FOREVER. I'm so excited for the final product! I've already been trying these out as I made them in my own classroom, and let me tell you... total engagement!

These centers include practice for bigger kids with ABC order, synonyms, antonyms, homophones, and guide words. I teach 3rd grade this year and realized that just like with my 4th graders last year, they need help with ABC order. I wanted it to be more authentic than a (cute) picture of a squirrel with a word written on the card to alphabetize, so I made file folders with peoples' names on them. They have to put these in order by last name and then first name.

I've included practice with synonyms and antonyms as well. I tried to make these interactive, but rigorous at the same time. Instead of just "find the synonym," students have to read a sentence with an underlined word (that they probably don't know at this age), then use the context clues within the sentence to figure out a synonym or antonym for that word. They get to cut out words and paste them where they belong. No work for you other than making copies for the students, and possibly laminating the sentence cards for durability if you choose. Page protectors work well, too!

Homophones... this is probably my favorite part! Students will need a bag of "phone cards," (get it, homophones--phone cards?!?), a sentence card and a recording sheet. On the sentence card I give a sentence that included 2 homophones. For example--"Alex grabbed his pale/pail and left for the beach." The students would find the 2 phone cards with pale and pail on them, read the definitions on these cards, and use those definitions to help figure out which is the correct homophone. They circle the answer on their recording sheet, and then write an original sentence using the word they did NOT choose. I love that they must use the definitions and think for themselves!

And lastly, guide word practice. There are 2 interactive pages included (one a little harder than the other), where students cut off the bottom portion and glue the words in the boxes where they belong based on the guide words on the top. 

You can check out these stations in my TPT shop {here}. Want to win a FREE copy?!PIN any of the pictures above, COPY the link and paste it in the comments below. Don't forget to include your email address! ;)


Recently added: ELA Stations for Bigger Kids Part 2!
Also, they are BUNDLED for a discounted price!

Be sure to link up with Holly for ideas you've tried either at home or school!