SMART Notebook 11 Literacy Activity

Using SMART Notebook 11, I created a picture sort featuring sl-, sn-, and sw- initial blends. This is an appropriate word study activity for first grade students that can either be done as a whole-class lesson or can be incorporated throughout classroom literacy centers. Students are provided with a brief introduction to the activity along with simple directions, as seen on the first slide.

“We are going to listen to the first sounds in some words. Listen to see where they will go. Will the picture go in the sl-, sn-, or sw- bucket? Drag each picture to the correct bucket! If you are correct, the picture will fall into the bucket. If you are incorrect, the picture will bounce out.”

At this time, it may be appropriate for students to stretch out each of these blends, allowing them to hear the sounds they make. Following the introduction, the activity will be modeled for students.

Using one of the pictures as an example, think aloud to model the process that students should follow as they complete the activity. “This is a swan. Listen to the first sound in swan. Will it go in the sl-, sn- or sw- bucket? Swan starts with sw- so I will put it in the sw- bucket!”  Drag the image to show students how to manipulate the objects on the SMART Board.

After modeling the activity, the lesson can either be continued in a whole-class setting, or can be revisited through literacy centers. Students will say the name of each picture aloud, stretching out the initial blend to determine whether the word should be placed in the sl-, sn-, or sw- bucket. If students are correct, the picture will fall into the bucket and if they are incorrect, the image will bounce out.

I utilized the Activity Builder component of SMART Notebook 11 to create this literacy activity. First, I found pictures of sl-, sn-, and sw- initial blends, such as a sled, slide, snowman, snake, swan, and sweater and imported them into the program. I could have used the gallery to find these images, but I have access to another website that provides pictures for particular words sorts, so this was an easier option. However, I found the image of the bucket from the SMART Notebook Gallery. Using the options of the Activity Builder, I was able to set which pictures would be accepted and rejected for each bucket.

Interactive word sorts such as this are an excellent way to enhance literacy instruction. First, the activity can easily be adapted and modified to meet the literacy needs of all students. The features targeted by the word sorts can be individualized to match students’ levels. Interactive word sort activities are an engaging and motivating center. Students will be eager to participate and will benefit from sorting words and pictures by specific, targeted orthographic features. They will increase their word knowledge, leading to gains in spelling, reading, and writing.