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Diy Learning Cubes Tree Top Secret’s

READING & ELA BUNDLE

1

DIY Learning Cubes

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© 2014 Tree Top Secret

Single Teacher Classroom Use Only

Your individual purchase entitles you to reproduce this resource for

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Please refer teachers to our website www.treetopsecret.com if they

are interested in purchasing this resource for their own classroom

use.

No part of the file may be reproduced in any form, by any means,

electronic or mechanical, without prior written authorization from

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All Rights Reserved ©2014 Tree top Secret

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Reading DIY Learning Cubes



3

Table of Contents…

Why DIY Learning Cubes? ......................................................................................................... 4

How To DIY Learning Cubes ..................................................................................................... 5

Learn the Alphabet...................................................................................................................... 8

Upper Case and Lower Case ....................................................................................................... 9

Match Letter with Drawing ....................................................................................................... 10

Dolch, Fry, High Frequency, or Sight Words ............................................................................ 12

Types of Texts ......................................................................................................................... 14

Main Idea and Details ............................................................................................................... 15

Vocabulary ............................................................................................................................... 16

Multiple Meaning Words .......................................................................................................... 17

Figurative Language ................................................................................................................. 18

Characters ................................................................................................................................. 20

Sequencing ............................................................................................................................... 21

Cause and Effect ....................................................................................................................... 22

Facts and Opinions.................................................................................................................... 23

Synonyms and Antonyms ......................................................................................................... 24

Appendices .............................................................................................................................. 25

Contact Tree Top Secret Education ........................................................................................... 50

Why should we use learning cubes?

You have great demands on your time and attention. It’s a challenge to cover the curriculum with engaging instruction that helps students learn and also prepares them for assessments. You need creative tools to help you… - introduce and reinforce curricular objectives - use effective instructional strategies - prepare formative and summative assessments

We call tools which can do all of the above… Versatile Pedagogical Tools.

DIY Learning Cubes are versatile pedagogical tools which can be used to cover many objectives. They fit in with different instructional approaches and at any stage of a lesson cycle. Students can use them to work independently, with a partner, or in groups. They can stand-alone as a station or be integrated into other stations. Strategic placement and use of the DIY Learning Cubes will also help you re-capture what would otherwise be lost time.



4

Why DIY Learning Cubes?

DIY Learning Cubes are

Versatile Pedagogical

Tools

Cubes:

1-inch foam cubes are ideal for your learning activities. They are quiet,

inexpensive, smooth, easy to write on, sealable, small enough to store,

portable, and easy to use. Some of our DIY Learning Cube activities

recommend the use of two to three colors, but you can use a variety of colors

if you do not have enough of one color to make a set. We have foam cubes

available on our website www.treetopsecret.com . You can also find them in

teacher supply stores, some craft and hobby shops, and online.

You can also create paper cubes from card stock and a template (Appendices

A1 and A2 have templates for 1” and 1½ ” cubes). You can use white or

colored card stock. You will want to add the letters, numbers, or words

before you make the copies. You will be able to form the cubes with a little

tape or school glue. Creating these paper cubes may be a little cheaper, but

they do take a little time to make. The main drawback to paper cubes is they

can easily be dented, bent, or even flattened. Add stability to the cubes by

covering them in clear packing tape or Mod Podge ™.

Preparing Foam Cubes

You can use pens and even pencils to add information on the foam learning

cubes. However, the darkest and most durable option is to use permanent

marker. Use a thinner tip marker if you are writing phrases or long words.

The permanent marker ink will need a few minutes (or longer) to dry. If you

find the ink is smearing, then you can apply a coat of sealer like Mod Podge

™ or Collage Pauge™ . You can purchase these in craft and hobby shops,

discount stores, or online.

Consider creating larger cubes or rows of cubes by gluing individual cubes

together. A small dot of hot glue in the center of a cube should do the trick.

Be careful not to use too much glue, because it can create a mess as it

spreads over the edge and may burn your fingers. Test your brand of hot glue

on two cubes to make sure it adheres. Check the adhesion after a few hours

to make sure the glue is holding.



5

How To DIY Learning Cubes …

http://www.treetopsecret.com/

Containers: Let your imagination soar when considering how you will display and store your

containers. In most cases you will want to use opaque containers, but there are no hard

and fast rules here. If you have some clear items on hand, then save your money and use

those. Some activities work best when students don’t peek… they should close their eyes

or look away as they remove a cube from a clear bag/container.

Here are a few ideas:



6

How To DIY Learning Cubes Continued…

•Cereal Boxes •Chip Canisters •Cinch Sacks •Cleaning Wipes Canisters •Coffee Cans •Cups •File Folders (taped sides) •Food Boxes •Food Storage Boxes •Gift Bags •Glasses •Hats or Caps •Laundry Detergent Canister •Lunch Boxes or Bags •Old Handbags •Paint Canisters (small) •Paper Bags •Pillow Cases •Plastic Flower Pots •Re-sealable Plastic Bags •Sand Pails •Scarf (tied to form a bag) •School Boxes •Shipping Envelopes •Shoe Boxes •Small Cardboard Boxes •Socks •Supply Caddies •Tissue Boxes •Totes

Classroom Use: The DIY Learning Cube activities in this resource are designed to help students with

various learning standards. Review the objectives for each activity and decide which are

appropriate for your grade level. Follow the DIY instructions for all the activities you

will be using. Store each activity in one box, bag, or container.

• Add the DIY Learning Cubes to your lesson plan. Use them to introduce

an objective, practice a newly taught concept, reinforce a new idea, or

review for a formative or summative assessment.

• Place the DIY Learning Cubes in strategic places around the room. For

example: By the classroom door where students wait for lunch, P.E., or

other class changes. Place a few by your desk or whiteboard. Reach for

them to add some spontaneity to a lesson, ease the stress of complex or

tedious instruction, or to transition into another subject.

• Place the DIY Learning Cube activities on an easy-to-reach shelf. Students

can use them whenever there is a little time available. This could be in the

morning before lessons begin, when they finish an assignment before

others, during a subject or class transition, or while waiting on you or other

teachers and students.

• If you use stations as a part of your instructional approach, then each DIY

Learning Cube activity can be used as a stand-alone station. Simply add

the activity as a new station to any rotation system you are already using.

• Integrate the DIY Learning Cubes into an existing station. For example, if

you already have a station which focuses on place value, then add the Place

Value DIY Learning Cubes to the activities for that station.

• Prepare sets of DIY Learning Cubes for students who are struggling with

a learning objective. These can take the place of homework or work along

with other homework.

• Add the DIY Learning Cubes to your game/reading/study corner. Students will begin to

play with the cubes and begin to see them as much more than a lesson.



7

How To DIY Learning Cubes Continued…

READING

8 All Rights Reserved ©2014 Tree Top Secret

DIY: -You will need 5 cubes and one opaque container. - Add one letter to each side of the 5 cubes. -Leave one side blank (free throw) on Cubes 1, 2, 3, & 4.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups - First student removes a cube from the opaque container. - Student rolls the cube and recites the letter. - Student returns the cube to the container and shakes the container. - Each student repeats the process. - Students can use a stopwatch to record the time it takes to identify all the letters from A to Z. Optional: One student can keep track of correct responses for everyone in the group or students can keep track for themselves. Note: Students who work independently will need to be evaluated by another student or the teacher.

LEARN the ALPHABET

U

U

V W X Y

Z

Cube 5

A

A

B C D E

Cube 1 F

F

G H I J

Cube 2 K

K

L M N O

Cube 3

P

P

Q R S T

Cube 4

READING


DIY: -You will need 10 cubes and two opaque containers. - Label one container as Upper Case and the other as Lower Case. - Add upper case letters to each side of 5 cubes. Add lower case letters to each side of the remaining 5 cubes. -Leave one side blank (free throw) on Cubes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups - Student removes a cube from the upper case cubes container. - Student rolls the cube and places it in the center of the desk. - Students take turns rolling cubes from the lower case container. They continue to do this until they find a match for the upper case letter. - Students continue the process until they have matched all the letters from A to Z.

Upper Case and Lower Case

A

A

B C D E

Cube 1 F Cube 2 Cube 3

Cube 5

K P

U a f k

F

G H I J

U

V W X Y Z

a

b c d e

f

g h i j

k

l m n o

K

L M N O

P

Q R S T

Cube 4

Cube 8 Cube 7 Cube 6

Cube 9 Cube 10 p u

p

q r s t

u

v w x y z

READING


DIY: -You will need as many cubes as possible and two opaque containers. - Add one letter to each side of 5 cubes. -Leave one side blank (free throw) on Cubes 1, 2, 3, & 4. -Use additional cubes to create IMAGE cubes. You can add drawings, stickers, or stamps to these image cubes. Examples of easy to draw images are provided on the next page. -Place the number cubes in one container and the image cubes in the second container.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups - Student places all of the letter cubes on the table. - Student removes an image cube. - Student identifies which letter makes the sound of the first letter of the image.

Optional: Create additional letter cubes and use them to spell the names of each image.

Match Letter with Drawing

A

A

B C D E

Cube 1 F Cube 2 Cube 3

Cube 5

K P

U a f k

F

G H I J

U

V W X Y Z

a

b c d e

f

g h i j

k

l m n o

K

L M N O

P

Q R S T

Cube 4

Cube 8 Cube 7 Cube 6

Cube 9 Cube 10 p u

p

q r s t

u

v w x y z


Sample Drawings

Drawings:

Licensed through Thinkstock© All Rights Reserved

READING


DIY: -You will need as many cubes as possible and one container. -You will need your list of Dolch, Fry, High Frequency, or Sight Words. If you do not have a list of these words, then a quick Google search will provide several options. - Add the words to the sides of each cube.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Students take turns retrieving and rolling the cubes. -Students recite the words. -Students use the first letter of each word to sort all A’s, B’s, C’s, etc. -Students can categorize the words (see examples of categories below). -Students can use the cubes to create short sentences. -You can provide fill in the blank sentences on sentence strips. Students can identify which cubes will complete the sentences. -Use additional cubes to create IMAGE cubes that match up to the sight or dolch word cubes. You can add drawings, stickers, or stamps to these image cubes. Examples of easy to draw images are provided on the next page. Students can then practice matching the sight or dolch words to the appropriate image cubes.

Dolch, Fry, High Frequency, or Sight Words

Example GO

GO

BIG ONE

SEE UP

WHY

Examples of Categories:

Actions

Animals

Colors

Numbers

People

Places

Positions

Senses

Shapes


Sample Drawings

Drawings:


READING


DIY: -You will need two sets of cubes. Each set should be a different color. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of Text Types and Books or Stories you want to include. -You will need two containers. Label one container as Text Types and the other as Books/Stories. -Add Text Types to the first set of cubes – A list is provided below, but you may want to add other types of texts. -Add names of Books/Stories to the second set of cubes.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Student retrieves and rolls a Text Types cube. -Students take turns retrieving and matching a Book/Story cube to the right Text Type. Alternative: Students can sort through the Book/Story cubes and group all the Fables, Myths, or other types of texts. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they identify a set number of Text Types and Books/Stories. Optional: You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the matching Text Types and Books/Stories.

Types of Texts

Text Types

Fable

Fable Myth

Graph

Info.

Map Info.

TEXT TYPES

Adventure Story

Folktale

Legend

Fable

Fantasy

Realistic Fiction

Myth

Nursery Rhyme

Limerick

Free Verse

Narrative Poem

Dialogue in a Play or Scene

Biography

Autobiography

History Books

Social Studies Books

Science Books

Art Books

Technical

Directions

Form

Charts

Graphs

Maps

Books/ Stories Hare &

Tortoise

Hare & Tortoise

Zeus Rosa Parks

Changes in weather

Miles between cities

I Am Rosa Parks

READING


DIY: -You will need two cubes or two index cards. Write Main Idea on all sides of the first cube and Details on all sides of the second cube. If you use index cards, then write Main Idea on one card and Details on the other card. -You will also need two sets of cubes. All of the cubes should be the same color. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of Main Ideas and Details you want to include. -You will need one container. -Add Main Ideas to the first set of cubes. -Add Details to the second set of cubes. Optional: Create specific sets of Main Idea and Details cubes which match up to a paragraph, passage, chapter, novel, book, unit, concept, or station.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Students place the two single cubes or index cards on the table. These cubes/cards create the two categories. -Students take turns retrieving and categorizing the cubes. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they identify a set number of Main Ideas and Details. Optional: You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the Main Ideas and Details.

Main Idea & Details

Main Ideas: Examples for Paragraphs

There are 4 major cell phone providers.

There are 4 major cell phone providers.

Breakfast is important.

There are many varieties of birds.

Tornadoes are destructive.

Recycling helps save Earth’s resources. The most

candy is sold during Halloween. Main

Idea

Main Idea Main Main Main Main Idea Idea Idea Idea Main Idea

Detail

Detail Detail Detail Detail Detail Detail

Details: AT & T

AT & T

Provides energy for the morning..

Vultures are scavengers.

Millions of dollars in property damage.

Tons of plastic bottles in landfills.

Candy is given to children.

READING


DIY: -You will need 2 different sets of cubes. Each set should be a different color. - You will need as many cubes as possible. - You will need two containers. Label the containers: Vocabulary and Definitions - Add your vocabulary or key words to the first set of cubes. Add short or one to two word definitions to the second set of cubes. OPTIONAL: -Create specific sets of vocabulary cubes which match up to a novel, book, unit, concept, or station. -Add a set of letter cubes and students can practice spelling the vocabulary words.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups - Each student retrieves and rolls a vocabulary word cube. - Each student takes turns retrieving and identifying the correct definition for the vocabulary word. - You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they define a set number of vocabulary words. OPTIONAL: Use additional cubes to create IMAGE cubes that match up to the vocabulary words. You can add drawings, stickers, or stamps to these image cubes. Students can then practice matching the vocabulary words to the appropriate image cubes.

Vocabulary

IMPROVE

IMPROVE

PREDICT NAVIGATE

REQUEST

DETECT

Vocabulary Words

Definitions

Make something better

Make something better

Work together

Say what you think will happen

Find your way through something

Ask for something

Notice something

READING


DIY: -You will need two sets of cubes. Each set should be a different color. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of Multiple Meaning Words you want to include. -You will need two containers. Label one container as KEY words and the other as Meanings. -Add KEY words to the first set of cubes. -Add Meanings for the KEY words to the second set of cubes. If there are not enough meanings for all six sides of the cube, you can use the following: Free, Roll cube again, or Draw another cube. Optional: Create specific sets of multiple meaning words cubes which match up to a novel, book, unit, concept, or station.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Student retrieves and rolls a KEY word cube. -Students take turns retrieving and matching a Meaning cube to the KEY word. Students can also begin by retrieving and rolling a Meaning cube, then retrieving and matching the KEY word for that meaning. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they identify a set number of Multiple Meaning Words. Optional: You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the correct examples of Multiple Meaning Words.

Multiple Meaning Words

KEY Words

BARK

BARK

BOWL CHECK SINK BILL

Meanings

Sound a dog makes

Sound a dog makes

Speak loudly or In anger

Roll cube again

Draw another cube

Tree covering

Candy made with chocolate

SEAL

READING


DIY: -You will need 2 different sets of cubes. Each set should be a different color. -You will need two containers. Label one container as Figurative Language and the other as Examples. -Add the figurative language categories to one set of cubes. A list of categories is provided on the next page (you may want to add different or additional categories). -Add examples to the other set of cubes. A list of examples are provided on the next page. If the examples are too long, then consider gluing cubes together to increase the surface area. If that seems like too much trouble, then consider using sentence strips instead of cubes - you’ll only need the Figurative Language set of cubes and the sentence strips. -You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the correct examples for each Figurative Language category. Add a note to those examples which fit into more than one category.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Each student retrieves and rolls a Figurative Language cube. -Each student takes turns retrieving Example cubes until they find an example for the Figurative Language category. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they identify a set number of examples for each Figurative Language Category. OPTIONAL: Provide blank cubes and have the students create their own examples. You’ll need to ask them to justify their conclusions.

Figurative Language

Figurative Language Categories ADAGE

ADAGE

IDIOM

SIMILE

Examples

PROVERB

A penny saved is a penny earned

A penny saved is a penny earned

He is in hot water.

He is as strong as an ox.

Easy come, easy go.

The world is my stage.

Her smile is a mile wild.

READING


Figurative Language Categories (This is not an all-inclusive list)

Adage Alliteration Allusion Hyperbole Idiom Metaphor Onomatopoeia Oxymoron Personification Proverb Simile Examples for each category: ADAGE ALLITERATION A penny saved is a penny earned. She sells seashells by the sea shore. You’re putting the cart before the horse. Casey cooked cupcakes in the kitchen. ALLUSION HYPERBOLE Don’t be a Scrooge. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. He is carrying the weight of the world. Her smile is a mile wide. IDIOM METAPHOR Read between the lines. He is a night owl. He is in hot water. The world is my stage. ONOMATOPEIA OXYMORON Beep Bitter sweet Buzz Clearly confused PERSONIFICATION PROVERB The wind howled. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Time flies. Easy come, easy go. SIMILE They fought like cats and dogs. He is as strong as an ox.

Figurative Language Continued

READING


DIY: -You will need two sets of cubes. Each set should be a different color. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of Characters and Traits you want to include. -You will need two containers. Label one container as Characters and the other as Traits. -Add Characters to the first set of cubes. You can focus on characters from different stories, books, or movies. You could also focus on all the characters in one story. The example below uses characters from different books. -Add Traits to the second set of cubes. You could also use Behaviors, Actions, Quotes, Beliefs, or Points of View.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Student retrieves and rolls the Characters cube. -Students take turns retrieving and matching Traits to the right Character. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they identify a set number of Characters and Traits. Optional: You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the matching Characters and Traits.

Characters

Characters Harry

Potter

Harry Potter

Ramona Quimby

Greg Heffley (Diary of a Wimpy Kid)

Amelia Bedelia

SpongeBob

The Grinch

Character Traits/ Behaviors/ Actions

Loyal

Daydreamer

Wants to be popular.

Always Misunder-stands

Always in trouble.

Mean

Loyal

READING


DIY: -You will need a paragraph, passage, chapter, entire book, unit, or short story. -You will need 2 different sets of cubes. Each set should be a different color. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of events you want your students to place in order. -You will need two containers. Label one container as Numbers and the second container as Events. - Add numbers to the first set of cubes. - Add an event from the story to one side of a cube (one event per cube). Leave the remaining sides blank.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups - Students place all the number cubes on the table. The cubes can be placed in the correct order ( 1 to 10). If they want to try something a little different, then they can do a flashback or remember the events from the end of the story to the beginning – the cubes would be placed from 10 to 1. - First student removes an event cube and places it where she thinks it may have occurred in the story. -Each student repeats the process until all the events are placed in the correct order. -Students will need to re-order the events when they realize a cube is in the wrong place. -Optional: Use additional cubes to create IMAGE cubes that match up to the story events. You can add drawings, stickers, or stamps to these image cubes.

Sequencing

1

1 1 1 1 1

1

Number Cubes (You will need fewer or more depending on the number of story events. For The 3 Little Pigs example you would need 15 number cubes)

2

2 2 2 2 2

2

3

3 3 3 3 3

3

4

4 4 4 4 4

4

5

5 5 5 5 5

5

6

6 6 6 6 6

6

7

7 7 7 7 7

7

8

8 8 8 8 8

8

9

9 9 9 9 9

9

10

10 10 10 10 10

10

Builds house of

straw

Story Events Example : The 3 Little Pigs

Builds house of sticks

Builds house of bricks

Wolf says:, “Little pig let me in.”

Huffs and

Puffs

Blows house

down again

Huffs & Puffs again


Pig says:, “Not by a hair of my chinny chin chin.”




Huffs & Puffs again

Blows house down

House & Pigs

Survive

READING


DIY: -You will need two sets of cubes. Each set should be a different color. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of Causes and Effects you want your students to match. -You will need two containers. Label one container as Causes and the second container as Effects. -Add causes to the first set of cubes. -Add effects to the second set of cubes. Optional: Create specific sets of cause and effect cubes which match up to a novel, book, unit, concept, or station.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Students place different Cause cubes on the table. -Students begin to retrieve and roll Effects cubes. -Students match each Effect to a probable Cause cube. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they identify a set number of Causes and Effects. Optional: You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the correct examples of Causes and Effects. Add a note to those examples which have several effects.

Cause & Effect

Causes: Example from The 3 Little Pigs Poor

Planning

Poor Planning

Huffing and Puffing

Wolf Yells

Get Straw, Sticks, or Bricks

Build a Brick House

Smart Planning

Effects

Weak Houses

Bad Result

House Falls Down

Build Houses

Strong House for Protection

Good Result

Pigs are Afraid

READING


DIY: -You will need two cubes or two index cards. Write facts on all sides of the first cube and opinions on all sides of the second cube. If you use index cards, then write facts on one card and opinions on the other card. - You will also need two sets of cubes. Each set should be a different color. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of Facts and Opinions you want your students to match. -You will need one container. -Add facts to the first set of cubes. -Add opinions to the second set of cubes. Optional: Create specific sets of facts and opinions cubes which match up to a novel, book, unit, concept, or station.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Students place the two single cubes or index cards on the table. These cubes/cards create the two categories. -Students take turns retrieving and categorizing the facts and opinions. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they identify a set number of Facts and Opinions. Optional: You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the correct examples of Facts and Opinions.

Facts & Opinions

Facts: Example from The 3 Little Pigs

House is Made of Straw

One House is Made of Straw

Pigs Build Different Houses

Pigs say, “Not by a hair on my chinny chin chin.”

Brick House Didn’t Fall Down

Wolf Huffs & Puffs

Opinions:

Pigs are Lazy

Pigs are Lazy

Pigs are Smart

Building Houses is Fun

All Animal Stories Have Important Lessons

The Wolf is Mean

Bricks are the Best Materials

This Story Teaches a Lesson

Fact

Fact Fact Fact Fact Fact Fact

Opinion

Opinion Opinion Opinion Opinion Opinion Opinion

READING


DIY: -You will need 3 different sets of cubes. Each set should be a different color. - You will need as many cubes as possible. - You will need three containers. Label the containers: Vocabulary or KEY Words, Synonyms, and Antonyms. - Add your vocabulary or key words to the first set of cubes. Add synonyms for those key terms to the second set of cubes. Add antonyms for those key terms to the third set of cubes.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups - Each student retrieves and rolls a key term cube. - Each student takes turns retrieving and identifying synonyms and antonyms for the key term. - You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they identify 4 or more synonyms and antonyms. OPTIONAL: Use additional cubes to create IMAGE cubes that match up to the synonyms and antonyms. You can add drawings, stickers, or stamps to these image cubes. Students can then practice matching the synonyms and antonyms to the appropriate image cubes.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms QUICK

QUICK

LARGE GLAD KIND PRETTY

GREAT

Vocabulary or Key Words

FAST

FAST

BIG HAPPY NICE

SUPER

Antonyms SLOW

SLOW

SMALL SAD MEAN

POOR

CUTE

UGLY


Appendix A1: 1” Cubes Template

Instructions: • Decide on number of cubes • Make copies on regular copy paper •Add letters, numbers, words, or drawings • Make copies on white or colored card stock • Cut • Fold along the seams • Tape or Glue


Appendix A2: 1½” Cubes Template

Instructions: • Decide on number of cubes • Make copies on regular copy paper • Add letters, numbers, words, or drawings • Make copies on white or colored card stock • Cut • Fold along the seams • Tape or Glue

Diy Learning Cubes Tree Top Secret’s

ELA

27

ELA DIY Learning Cubes



28

Table of Contents…

Spelling ..................................................................................................................................... 29

Common and Proper Nouns ...................................................................................................... 31

Pronouns ................................................................................................................................... 33

Adjectives ................................................................................................................................. 34

Verbs ........................................................................................................................................ 36

Adverbs .................................................................................................................................... 38

Capitalization ............................................................................................................................ 39

Punctuation ............................................................................................................................... 40

Contractions .............................................................................................................................. 41

Conjunctions ............................................................................................................................. 42

Interjections .............................................................................................................................. 43

Prepositions .............................................................................................................................. 44

Forming Sentences ................................................................................................................... 45

Writing Prompts ....................................................................................................................... 46

Appendices .............................................................................................................................. 48

Contact Tree Top Secret Education ........................................................................................... 50

ELA


DIY: -You will need 50 or more cubes – 26 for each letter of the alphabet and additional cubes for extra vowels and common letters like f, g, l, m, n, r, s, and t. -You will need one container. -Add a single letter to each cube. -You will need a spelling words list. A list of commonly misspelled words is provided on the next page.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Students place all of the cubes on the table. -One student says the spelling word and may have to use the word in a sentence. -Another student or the remaining students in the group use the cubes to spell the word. -Students can check their work and keep a tally of correctly spelled words. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they spell a set number of words. Optional: A set of letters for each student in a group would allow students to race each other. If you do not have any cubes, then you may want to add letters to tiles, plastic bottle caps, or square pieces of laminated card stock.

Spelling

A A A A A A

A

Cube 1

B B B B B B

B

Cube 2

C C C C C C

C

Cube 3

D D D D D D

D

Cube 4

E E E E E E

E

Cube 5

F F F F F F

F

Cube 6

G G G G G G

G

Cube 7

H H H H H H

H

Cube 8

I I I I I I

I

Cube 9

J J J J J J

J

Cube 10

K K K K K K

K

Cube 11

L L L L L L

L

Cube 12

M M M M M M

M

Cube 13

N N N N N N

N

Cube 14

O O O O O O

O

Cube 15

ELA


Commonly Misspelled Words:

Spelling Continued

P P P P P P

P

Cube 16

Q Q Q Q Q Q

Q

Cube 17

R R R R R R

R

Cube 18

S S S S S S

S

Cube 19

T T T T T T

T

Cube 20

U U U U U U

U

Cube 21

V V V V V V

V

Cube 22

W W W W W W

W

Cube 23

X X X XX X X

X

Cube 24

Y Y Y Y Y Y

Y

Cube 25

Z Z Z Z Z Z

Z

Cube 26

a lot absence accept accommodate acknowledge acquaintance Antarctic Arctic balloon beginning believe calendar cemetery climbed close clothes Commitment dear deer

definitely desert Dessert embarrassed environment except February forward fourth height it’s its judgment knew know knowledge library lives loose lose

miniature misspell necessary new No occur of off personal personnel principal principle privilege receipt receive received right safety school scissors

separate sight succeed their there they’re threw Through to too tried twelfth two weather Wednesday weird whether woman women write

Prepare additional cubes with vowels and frequently used letters like f, g, l, m, n, r, s, and t.

ELA


DIY: -You will need 1 single cube and 1 set of cubes. The single cube should be a different color from the set of cubes. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of Common & Proper Nouns you want your students to identify. -You will need two containers. Label one container as Person, Place, Thing, or Idea and the second container as Nouns and Pronouns. -Add Person, Place, Thing, Idea, Not a Noun, and Proper Noun to the single cube. -Add Common Nouns, Proper Nouns, and Drawings to the second set of cubes. Sample drawings are provided on the next page. Optional: Create sets of Common and Proper Nouns cubes which match up to a novel, book, unit, concept, or station.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Student retrieves and rolls the Person, Place, Thing, or Idea cube. -Student retrieves and matches the Common and Proper Nouns cube to the Person, Place, Thing, or Idea cube. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they match a set number of Common & Proper Nouns. Optional: You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the correct examples for each Common & Proper Noun.

Common & Proper Nouns

Person, Place, Thing, or Idea

Place

Common & Proper Nouns Mom

Mom

Backpack Jump

Mr. James

Cafeteria Freedom

Person

Person

Thing Not a Noun

Proper Noun

Idea


Nouns: Sample Drawings

Drawings:


ELA

ELA


DIY: -You will need 2 sets of cubes. Each set of cubes should be a different color. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of Pronouns you want your students to identify. -You will need two containers. Label one container as Nouns/Antecedents and the second container as Pronouns. -Add Nouns/Antecedents to the first set of cubes. Make sure they correspond to the types of pronouns you have written on your pronouns cubes. -Add Pronouns to the second set of cubes. A list of pronouns and their various tenses is provided below.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Student retrieves and rolls a Nouns/Antecedents cube. -Student retrieves and matches the correct Pronoun to the Noun/Antecedent. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they match a set number of Pronouns. Optional: You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the correct pronoun for each noun/antecedent.

Pronouns

Nouns/ Antecedents

Mike

I

I

She They

He We

Sammy

Sammy

Laura Mike Laura

Car

Mike Laura Me

It

Pronouns

Pronouns anybody everyone he her hers him his I it its me mine my our ours she that their theirs them they those us who whom whose you your yours

ELA


DIY: -You will need two sets of cubes. Each set should be a different color. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of Adjectives you want your students to match. -You will need two containers. Label one container as Adjectives and the second container as Nouns and Pronouns. -Add adjectives to the first set of cubes. -Add nouns, pronouns, or drawings to the second set of cubes. Sample drawings are provided on the next page. Optional: Create sets of adjectives, nouns, and pronouns cubes which match up to a novel, book, unit, concept, or station.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Student retrieves and rolls the Nouns and Pronouns cube. -Students retrieve and roll the Adjectives cube. -Students match an Adjective to the Noun or Pronoun. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they identify a set number of Adjectives. Optional: You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the correct examples for each Adjective.

Adjectives

Nouns and Pronouns

Bear House

Adjectives

Hot

Hot

Happy Cloudy

Popular

Large Brown


Adjectives: Sample Drawings

Drawings:


ELA

ELA


DIY: -You will need 1 single cube and 1 set of cubes. The single cube should be a different color from the set of cubes. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of Verbs you include. A list of Verbs is provided on the next page. -You will need two containers. Label one container as Verb Tenses and the second container as Verbs. -Add Present Tense, Past Tense, Past Participle, Present Participle, With a Linking Verb, and Not a Verb to the single cube. -Add Verbs to the second set of cubes. Optional: Create sets of Verbs cubes which match up to a novel, book, unit, concept, or station.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Student retrieves and rolls the Verb Tenses cube. -Student retrieves and matches the Verbs cube to the correct Verb Tense. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they match a set number of Verbs. Optional: You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the correct examples for each Verb.

Verbs

Verb Tenses

Past Tense

Verbs

Do

Do

Done is done

Broom

Did Doing

Present Tense

Present Tense

Past Participle

With a Linking Verb

Not a Verb

Present Participle


Verbs Continued

Verbs

accept add answer applaud approve argue ask bake begin bite break buy catch cook cut dance do draw drive drop eat explain fall feel fight fill find fix fly follow forget forgive give go grow hide hike hit jump know

leap learn lift mail make measure move navigate obey open pay play pull push read run see sell send sing sit sleep speak stop take talk teach tell think throw try type understand use walk wash watch wave wear write

Linking Verbs:

appear become grow look seem to be – am, is, are, was, were, been, being

ELA

ELA


DIY: -You will need two sets of cubes. Each set should be a different color. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of Adverbs you want your students to match. -You will need two containers. Label one container as Adverbs and the second container as Verbs, Adjectives, Other Adverbs, & Clauses. -Add adverbs to the first set of cubes. -Add verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, clauses, or sentences to the second set of cubes. Optional: Create sets of adverbs, verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, and clauses cubes which match up to a novel, book, unit, concept, or station.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Student retrieves and rolls the Verbs, Adjectives, Other Adverbs, & Clauses cube. -Students retrieve and match the Adverbs cube to the Verbs, Adjectives, Other Adverbs, and Clauses cube. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they identify a set number of Adverbs. Optional: You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the correct examples for each Adverb.

Adverbs

Verbs, Adjectives, Other Adverbs, & Clauses Talk

(verb)

Talk (verb)

Terrific (adjective)

______ we go to school, we must eat breakfast. (clause)

He’s at the office, ______ he was told to wait. (clause)

Loudly (adverb)

Working (verb)

Adverbs

Loudly

Loudly

Really Where

Very

Busily Before

ELA


DIY: -You will need 2 single cubes of one color and 1 set of cubes of a different color. -You will need 2 containers. Label the first container as Capitalization Rules and label the second container as Capitalized or Not. -Add capitalization rules to the 2 single cubes. Some of the rules are shown below. You may want to use different rules or add more rules on another cube. -Add two examples to each side of the Capitalized or Not cubes. Be sure to include examples where the words should not be capitalized.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Student retrieves and rolls a Capitalized or Not cube. -Student finds and presents the Capitalization Rule cube which explains why a word should be capitalized or not. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they identify a set number of words which should be capitalized.

Capitalization

Capitalization Rules

1st Word in Sentence

1st Word In Sentence

Names Titles

States

I

Cities

it is red. It is red.

it is red. It is red.

mary Mary

judge Lee Judge Lee

ohio Ohio

You and i. You and I.

dallas Dallas

Capitalized or Not

Capitalization Rules

Countries

Countries

Months Holidays

1st Words in a List

1st Word in a Quote

italy Italy

italy Italy

march March

thanksgiving Thanksgiving

•cat •dog •rat

Capitalized or Not

english English

“he did it”. “He did it.”

•Cat •Dog •Rat

ELA


DIY: -You will need 1 single cube and 1 set of cubes. The single cube should be a different color. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of Words, Phrases, and Sentences you want your students to punctuate. -You will need one container. Label the container as Words, Phrases, and Sentences. -Add punctuation symbols to the single cube: . ? ! , - ( ) -Add Words, Phrases, and Sentences to each side of the set of cubes. Be sure to leave out the punctuation. -Optional: Create sets of words, phrases, and sentences cubes which match up to a novel, book, unit, concept, or station.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Student retrieves and rolls a Words, Phrases, and Sentences cube. -Student uses the Punctuation cube to find and present the missing Punctuation. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they punctuate a set number of Words, Phrases, and Sentences. Optional: You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the correct punctuation for each Word, Phrase, and Sentence.

Punctuation

Punctuation

, Comma

? Question Mark

Words, Phrases, and Sentences

The fire is crackling

The fire is crackling

Fire

Don’t start a fire ever!

Start the campfire in 3 hours by 4 p.m. and it will be ready to cook dinner.

A fire needs oxygen fuel and heat.

. Period

. Period

! Exclamation Point

- Dash

( ) Parenthesis

How did the fire start

Correct Punctuation: The fire is crackling. How did the fire start? Fire! A fire needs oxygen, fuel, and heat. Don’t start a fire-ever! Start the campfire in 3 hours (by 4 p.m.), and it will be ready to cook dinner.

ELA


DIY: -You will need 2 sets of cubes. Each set of cubes should be a different color. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of Contractions you want your students to identify. -You will need two containers. Label one container as Single Words and the second container as Contractions. -Add Single Words to the first set of cubes. -Add Contractions to the second set of cubes. A list of contractions is provided below.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Student retrieves and rolls a Single Words cube. -Student retrieves and matches the correct Contraction to the Single Word. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they match a set number of Contractions. Optional: You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the correct contraction for each single word.

Contractions

Single Words

You are

I’m

I’m

Could’ve Don’t

You’re Let’s

I am

I am

Could have

Do not

Let us

Aren't

Contractions

Contractions: aren’t could’ve didn’t doesn’t don’t hadn’t he’d he’ll he’s I’ll I’m I’ve isn’t it’s let’s she’ll she’s should’ve shouldn’t that’s they’ll wasn’t we’d we’ll we’re we’ve weren’t what’ll where’s you’ll you’re you’ve

Are not

ELA


DIY: -You will need two sets of cubes. Each set should be a different color. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of Conjunctions and Words, Phrases, and Clauses you want to include. -You will need two containers. Label one container as Conjunctions and the second container as Words, Phrases, and Clauses. -Add conjunctions s to the first set of cubes. -Add words, phrases, and clauses to the second set of cubes. Consider using images on some of the cubes.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Student retrieves and rolls a Words, Phrases, and Clauses cube. -Student finds and presents the conjunction cube which matches the word, phrase, or clause. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they identify a set number of Conjunctions. Optional: You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the correct Conjunction for each word, phrase, and clause cube.

Conjunctions

Conjunctions: and because before but for if nor or since so though when whenever while yet

and

and

or

for before

when

but

Words, Phrases, and Clauses

Peanut Butter ________ Jelly

Peanut Butter ________ Jelly

eat chicken _____ beef

ask _________ a pencil

He barks _________ he hears the doorbell.

red _____ not yellow

Letter A __________ Letter B

ELA


DIY: -You will need two sets of cubes. Each set should be a different color. -The number of cubes will vary depending on the number of Interjections and Emotions you want to include -You will need two containers. Label one container as Interjections and the other as Emotions. -Add Interjections to the first set of cubes. -Add Emotions to the second set of cubes. A list of interjections and emotions is provided below.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Student retrieves and rolls an Emotions cube. -Students take turns retrieving and matching an Interjection for the Emotion. Alternative: Students can roll an interjection cube, then write a sentence to match it. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they match a set number of Interjections and Emotions. Optional: You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the matching Interjections and Emotions. Be sure to add a note for interjections which can be used with several emotions.

Interjections

Interjections

INTERJECTIONS

ah aha aw bye darn dear me duh Eeek gee golly good great ha hallelujah hello here hey holy cow hooray

hot dog humbug hurray jeez just kidding look my never no no way oh oh my ouch pow rats shh sorry uh-oh um

Emotions

Sad

Sad

Happy Mad

Confused

Afraid

Excited

well done wow yea yes yikes yo yow EMOTIONS anticipation disgust hope joy love pride relaxation surprise

Aw

Aw

Hooray Darn

Oh my

Eeek

Wow

ELA


DIY: -You will need as many cubes as possible and one container. -Add one Preposition, one Noun, one Verb, one Adjective, one Interjection, and one Pronoun to the sides of each cube. A list of Prepositions is provided below.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Students take turns retrieving and rolling a cube. -Student identifies which of the words is the Preposition. They can also identify which is the Noun, Verb, Adjective, Interjection, and Pronoun. -Each student should keep a list of the Prepositions and/or other terms they have identified. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they identify a set number of Prepositions. Optional: -You may want to create a key or answer sheet which shows the correct examples for each term. -Consider using images for some of the terms.

Prepositions

Find the Preposition on

on

car jump small Wow

he

Prepositions:

about above across among around at before behind below beneath beside between beyond but by following

for in inside into near next on opposite past through under until up with within without

In this example: On – Preposition Car – Noun Jump – Verb Small – Adjective Wow – Interjection He - Pronoun

ELA


DIY: -You will need 2 single cubes and 4 different sets of cubes. Each set should be a different color. -The number of cubes will depend on the number of Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, and Adverbs you want to include. - You will need six containers. Label the containers: Articles, Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs, and Punctuation. - Add Articles to a single cube. Add Punctuation to a single cube. Add nouns to the 1st set of cubes, Verbs to a 2nd set, Adjectives to a 3rd set, and Adverbs to a 4th set.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -First student rolls the Articles cube, then the Nouns cube, then the Verbs cube, then the Punctuation cube. The adjectives and adverbs cubes are optional. The student has to form a complete sentence. If one of the words or punctuation does not make sense, then the student loses his turn and the next student takes a turn. -You can assign a set amount of time or have students work until they create a set number of sentences. Optional: Use drawings for some of the nouns and adjectives.

Forming Sentences

Articles

Adjectives

Color

Location Size Shape

Feeling

Amount

A

A

An The

The

A An

Color

Nouns Verbs

Adverbs Punctuation

Person’s Name

Person’s Name

An Animal

A Food A Place A Thing

Physical Action

Mental Action

Linking Verb

Linking Verb

Physical Action

Mental Action

Loudly

Loudly

Busily Really

Very

Before Where

. Period

. Period

? Question Mark

, Comma

- Dashes

!

A Job

Physical Action

ELA


DIY: -You will need 6 different sets of cubes. Each set should be a different color. -The number of cubes will depend on the number of Texts, Conflicts, Time Periods, Settings, Characters, and Details or Events you include. -You will need six containers. Label the containers: Types of Texts, Conflicts, Time Periods, Settings, Characters, and Details or Events. - Add Types of Texts to the 1st set of cubes, Conflicts to a 2nd set, Time Periods to a 3rd set, Settings to a 4th set, Characters to a 5th set, and Details or Events to a 6th set. Consider using drawings on some of the cubes – Sample drawings are provided on the next page.

How to Use: Individual, Partner, or Groups -Student writes down the result of each of the following rolls: Student first rolls the Types of Texts cube, then the Conflicts cube, then the Time Periods cube, then the Settings Cube, then the Characters Cube, and then the Details or Events cube. -The students uses all 6 results as a writing prompt and writes a few sentences, paragraph, or essay. -Students in a group can vote on which prompt is the best and use it as the prompt.

Writing Prompts

Types of Texts

Settings

School

House Park

Museum

Zoo

Fable

Non-Fiction

Myth

School

Time Periods

Details or Events

Man vs. Man

Man vs. Man

Man vs. Nature

Man vs. Self

Man vs. Society

No Conflict

1800s

1900s 2000s

Pre-Historic

Present Future

Sports Team

Sports Team

Movie Star

Singer

Students

Animal Alien

Bad Weather

Great News

A Job

1800s

Character(s)

Conflicts

Bad Weather

Bad News


Writing Prompts: Sample Drawings

Drawings:


ELA


Appendix A1: 1” Cubes Template

Instructions: • Decide on number of cubes • Make copies on regular copy paper •Add letters, numbers, words, or drawings • Make copies on white or colored card stock • Cut • Fold along the seams • Tape or Glue


Appendix A2: 1½” Cubes Template

Instructions: • Decide on number of cubes • Make copies on regular copy paper • Add letters, numbers, words, or drawings • Make copies on white or colored card stock • Cut • Fold along the seams • Tape or Glue



50

DIY LEARNING CUBES

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