6 Ways to Use the Pocket Chart in January

Do you have a pocket chart in your room? Do you use it as a center? Do you struggle with ways to have the kids use the pocket chart independently? Then, I am your girl! This blog post is full of 6 ways kids can use the pocket chart!  Each month we have 6 different activities, but many of them follow the exact same directions! Those that are different, are very similar to ones from previous months!

1. Poetry Activity

Each month there is a different poem for the pocket chart.

• First, the kids sequence the sentences into the pocket chart. You might want to number the strips on the back to help kids with this. 
• The kids read each of the 4 sentences and select the correct picture to match the text.

• Sort the 4 cut apart sentences by color.
• Use the words to build the 4 sentences.
• Reread the poem.

• Make each child a poetry book by stapling 4 blank pages behind the title.
• Invite the children to cut apart the pictures and the sentences.
• Sequence and glue them into the booklet.
• Add the booklet to their "bag of books" for repeated reading.

2. Seasonal Word Building

Another activity that repeats each month is the word building center.

• Invite the children to place the pictures in the pocket chart.
• Now, place the word card beside each picture.

• Use the letters to build each word.
• There are words of various lengths so that you can pick the ones best for your kids.
• If your kids are ready for a challenge, remove the strip with the word. See if you kids can make the words without looking at the word!

3. Find the Hidden Picture

ANOTHER activity that repeats each month is the Find the Hidden Picture center.  Each month simply change the standard by what you put on the game pieces. You could easily use letters!

To play the game:

• Place the cards in the pocket chart in an array.
• Hide the "picture" behind one of the pictures. For this activity we hid a picture of a little boy in a snowsuit.

• Invite children to read one of the words on the snowflakes.
• Now, turn the card over.

• Is the hidden picture behind it?
• If not, pick another word.

The kids can use this recording page as they play the game. As the kids turn over words, invite them to find it on the recording page and dab it with a bingo dotter.

4. Sound Match (Ending Sounds) 

This activity is similar, but not exactly the same as previous months. Each month I have a matching game. It could be beginning sounds, ending sounds, blends, etc. For January we made an ending sound game. Here's how we play:

• Put all of the mittens with the pictures in an array in the pocket chart.
• Place the letters along the bottom row of the pocket chart.

• Invite the kids to name each picture.
• Isolate the ending sound.
• Look at the row of letters and find the correct letter to match the ending sound.

As a follow up activity, invite the kids to complete the recording page.

5. Sorting (Vowel Sound Sort)

Another activity that is similar, but not exactly the same is the sorting activity. Each month I change the type of sort. One month could be to sort pictures by syllables or by another given category. This month we are sorting by vowel sounds in the middle of the word.

To play:

• Place the igloos in a row across the top of the pocket chart.
• Invite the children to name the picture on each of the penguins.

• Identify the vowel sound in the medial position of the word.
• Place the penguin in the column under the correct igloo.

As a follow up, invite the children to complete the cut and paste sort.

6. Word Family

While this center is a word family sort, prior months had rhyming activities. These two are very related. There are also a few different ways to play this game.

The first way:

• Place the snowmen word families in a row across the top of the pocket chart.
• Invite the children to sort the pictures into the correct word family. 

OR

• Place the snowmen word families in a row across the top of the pocket chart.
• Invite the children to sort the word card with the pictures into the correct word family.
• Place the letters in a row across the bottom of the pocket chart.
• Name each picture and identify the beginning sound.
• Find the correct letter and place it on the line in front of the word.

OR

• Invite the children to match the word card to the picture card.
• Place the letters in a row across the bottom of the pocket chart.
• Name each picture and identify the beginning sound.
• Find the correct letter and place it on the line in front of the word.

You pick the way that works best for you!

Invite the children to complete the cut and paste as a follow up activity.

These activities should keep your pocket chart busy!  You can find all of these activities made for you in this resource: Pocket Chart Activities for January.