Dry Erase Boards

I'm in the process of ordering dry erase markers for our classes this year.  In the past, we've used the cone-tip markers from www.DryEraseOnline.com
We like these points because they don't breakdown and the children can hold them efficiently not needing to worry about the flat side of store purchased markers.  These also come in blue, purple, black.

 And they last a long time.  We use our dry erase markers almost daily so each student usually only go through 3-4 throughout the school year.

Letter Writing Practice:
In September we begin having the students practice writing their letters that we've introduced for writing form.
When the children enter the class, (after checking in) they pick up a board, marker and a 'helping card' as a model of the letters they are to practice writing.  
 They compare their letters and sometimes get help from their peers.  I call this 'before the bell' practice. 
Soon they will be writing letter pairs of the entire alphabet.  Later I encourage them to write numbers  to 10, 20 or as far as they can after the alphabet pairs.

Large Group writing:

• When a new letter is introduced, we use our dry erase boards to practice before writing on paper.

• I call out a letter and the students write the upper and lowercase letter pair.
• Name writing practice
• Write the letter that makes the /b/ sound....
• Stretch out a word into sounds and write the letter of the sounds to build word.
• Draw shapes

Group Dry Erase Writing Game Activity:
1,2,3 write....1,2,3 show:
Teacher/leader says "1,2,3 write a letter/sound/word" for students to write.  Students hold board on their lap while writing then hold board near chest to hide (do not rub on shirt it will erase).  
 

When teacher says "1,2,3 show" students hold board above their head with back of board to teacher (assistant can see from the back of the group)

Then I say "show me" and students turn boards around to show me.

When I break down the steps, it gives 'time' for those who need to think and write without rushing.

The first one done, is not always the best one done.

But....

The more we practice (right),

the better we'll get!

There are more dry erase board activities that I will post later.

Have a great new school year.

Love,

Jan