The Magical Product Swap.  Coolest thing ever?  I think so.  

First, let's talk about that button... dog, mustache, top hat, and glitter.  Adorable?  Yes.  The 3AM Teacher's got it goin' on.  She's so talented.  Secondly, have you heard about the product swap before?  It definitely is magical.  Basically you just swap products with another teacher (a product you can use), print it, use it, review it, connect others to it.  It's my new favorite time of the year.  I'll be adding a lot of the reviewed items to the site.  I love seeing details!  :)

I was lucky enough to be paired with the host herself, Jessica Stanford.... Mrs. Stanford's Class.  Isn't she the cutest?

Step one was to check out her TPT store.  Most of you know I'm kind of in an awkward position.  I teach Cambridge English to three VERY different levels of EFL over here in Switzerland...

• Starters (5-7 years old) - imagine kindergarteners (in the US) who are academically on a 1st/2nd grade level in their French school, but can speak minimal English (greetings, school vocab, colors ,numbers, etc.). 
• Flyers (8-11 years old) - this group is kind of like 4th-5th graders with intermediate English skills.  A lof of their language arts work is reminiscent of 2nd grade in the US.
• PET (teenagers) - this group (all girls) is considered intermediate (bordering advanced).  The ages range from 12-17 and their academic levels for English are similar to early middle school in the US. 

So, you see my dilemma?  It's hard sometimes to find appropriate materials.  If I search strictly for K level items, sometimes the concepts are right on, but the activity isn't 'old' enough for my 7 year olds.  There's a fine line.  I'm kind of excited to get back into the common core when we move back to the states!  :)  

I digress.  Anyway, I checked out Jessica's store first and found that her Spelling Word Practice pack would be perfect for my first two classes.  We have 10 weekly vocabulary words that they're expected to learn to pronounce (and spell if it matches our spelling pattern).  I know it's not the way traditional spelling practice works, but remember it's EFL.  At this point, it's more important for students to build their vocabulary in my class and be able to verbally communicate.  Spelling is important, but being able to ask for a pencil is a skill they need to have first.  :)  

I asked Jessica if I could swap and get this:  

I love the variety of practice sheets she has... 4 practice sheets for days 1-4, plus an assessment page.  I love the bracket frames!  It adds a touch of 'cuteness' to the sheet.  Here is a preview of each activity:

What I like about it:

• I appreciate the fact that the practice activities are quick and easy.  Each practice sheet would take no more than 10 minutes, with the exception of the 'sentence writing'.  
• I also like that the assessment sheet is actually 2 forms.... love saving paper!  :)  
  
• Black & white.  I've mentioned it before, but I have to take out a loan to buy ink over here.  It's SOOO expensive.  I bought a value pack at Costco last time we were home, but silly me bought the wrong model number.  Duh.  
• It's well made and the little boxes are lined up.  May seem odd, but I can't stand when things aren't lined up when they should be... even if I have no intentions of cutting them with 'the slicer'.  It's a pet peeve.  I'll spend an extra hour making sure boxes are lined up before printing it. 
• No directions needed.  Print it out, copy for students, and you're good to go!  
• It's not ugly.  In fact, it's super cute.  I know content is what matters, but I appreciate a 'visually appealing' resource.  :)

Ways to adapt:

• Don't need 4 practice activities each week?  Split them up!  Use two of them one week and then two the next (for another set of words). 
• If you only want to do one page per week, then you can.  Try to work in giving students a choice.  Maybe each month you copy all four activities for each student.  Week 1, Susie chooses to do the 'write 3 times' activity.  The next week, she can pick from the three she still has left... maybe she chooses ABC order.  And continue until she's done all four activities... then repeat.  You know how much kids love 'choice.'  :)
• Use it for vocabulary... not just spelling.  The sentence writing is a good one for vocab.
• Create a little student booklet each week.  Copy the pages back-to-back and you'll end up using 3 pieces of paper per student (with 5 sides being used).  Does that even make sense?  Use that extra side for students to create 'visuals' of their words.  Have the word 'horse' on the list this week?  Have them draw a horse and label it!
• Copy onto colored paper.  Remember it's black and white.  Student's might get a kick out of taking their spelling test on neon green paper.  
• Homework... these would work perfectly as spelling practice at home.  

Jessica and I had some communication issues... you know the kind where your email sends all 'new contacts' to your junk folder?  Yep.  We were just able to swap this week, so I haven't been able to get photos with my kids yet.  I've got copies ready to go for my them this week though!  :)  I still wanted to give you some photos, so I got out my markers and camera.  

Please excuse this terrible list of cvc words I made up on the fly.  I wrote 'mit', realized the sentence wouldn't work, then changed it to the double t.  Hahaha.  Guess I should have thought that through... or wrote with a pencil.  

Sorry for the photos.  I'm in denial that our little point-and-shoot is dying a slow death.  I think our recent trip to Oktoberfest (in Munich) did a number on it.  It now has a permanent smudge in the top left and the lens needs help opening.  :(  Guess I'm going to have to get the big guy out from now on.   

Aren't all of these activities great for spelling practice!?  I love them and am excited to try them with my students!  Make sure you check out Jessica's TPT store to grab your own copy if this is something you could use.

Also, you absolutely MUST check out the other 'Swappers'.  There are a ton of other teachers who swapped items and tried them out.  It's so cool to see them in action!  Plus, don't you want to see what Jessica swapped with me!?  :)  

Check out the Magical Product Swap

Have a great weekend & week everyone!

Making words is one of my favorite activities to do in the classroom.  It's perfect for a variety of levels and you can use it with literally anything.  If you don't know what it is then you might want to check out one of these books below... awesome buy.  I promise you'll use it.  I have the second grade one. 

Here's a FREE download so you can check one of the sheets out.  This one has adaptable boxes at the bottom.  Just write your letters, copy for students, and they will just cut the strip off the bottom.  :) 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Ashley