One of my favorite things about teaching kindergarten and first graders is using themes to teach skills. And using a Cowboy theme is always a favorite for both the kids and myself. So take a peek at these updated Rootin’, Tootin Cowboy theme activities.
I created the Rootin’, Tootin’ Cowboy emergent reader years ago for my Cowboy theme and it’s undergone several updates. Along the way, I added the pocketchart pictures, the sentence strips to go along with the pocketchart pictures, then the memory game and worksheets. During this update, I changed all the fonts and added the word cards for the pocketchart.
Rootin’, Tootin’ Cowboy Emergent Reader and Worksheets
Rootin’, Tootin’ Cowboy is a simple emergent reader. It uses the sentence frame you see in the photo to introduce cowboy vocabulary. It also includes pages at the front of the book with the sight words and vocabulary words for extra practice out of context. Those pages can be used or deleted because there are no page numbers.
Rootin’, Tootin’ Cowboy Theme Activities
The Rootin’, Tootin’ Cowboy reader is fun, but all the activities that go along with it are what really brings it all together for the kids. They really enjoy doing the pocketchart activities. Using the pocketchart gives them the opportunity to get out of their seat, get up and down, and move around. They like that! That’s why I like creating activities for the pocketchart.
Sentence Strips and Pocketchart Pictures: Each sentence in the cowboy reader has a sentence strip. (11 inches wide) There’s a colored pocketchart picture to match the sentence. Students can match sentences to pictures or pictures to sentences in the pocketchart.
There are also word cards for the text in the book. They can also build sentences using the word cards and pictures.
Originally, I created the word cards to use as a teaching tool to increase focus on tracking words. I had a student that was having a lot of difficulties tracking words. So I worked one-on-one with her using the pocketchart and word cards. I would build the sentences and have her read the sentences as I’d build them. Then once the sentence was complete, I’d go back and point to the words and have her reread it. This worked really well to help her learn to track. It increased her focus and eventually, I was able to drop some of the cues. She could read the sentences without me having to build them. (This may take a while and you’ll have to mix the sentences/words up or they will memorize them. 😉 )
Memory games are something that we don’t take time to utilize in the classroom much anymore because they’re not academic, but for a lot of our struggling learners they serve a very useful purpose. They help to build that memory muscle and increase attention, focus, and attention to detail. Struggling learners are often weak in these areas. Improving their memory, attention, focus, and concentration improves their ability to learn.
The Rootin’, Tootin’ Cowboy memory game has both picture and word cards. Students can match pictures to pictures, words to words, or pictures to words. How it’s played depends on the needs of the students.
If you’d like to use this resource with your class, you purchase them at the links below:
Rootin’, Tootin’ Cowboy Emergent Reader and Worksheets
Rootin’, Tootin’ Cowboy Activities
Rootin’, Tootin’ Cowboy Theme Bundle
Cowboy Theme Bingo
Cowboy Bingo is a fun game that I hope to continue adding to, so make sure you’re following my store to know when I add new games. This game seamlessly coordinates with the Rootin’, Tootin’ products, but also easily stands alone. Great as part of a Cowboy theme or just as a fun review, rainy day recess, or end of the year game! And it comes with optional fun engagement calling cards like “Everyone yodel” or “Pretend to lasso a cow” to get and keep your students engaged in the game!
Additional Cowboy Theme Resources
If you’re a new teacher, you might want to take a peek at my Cowboy page at The Virtual Vine. I’m going to say up front the page is OLD!!! It hasn’t been updated in years. So it’s like going into grandma’s attic. But if you poke around you might find something you can use. If you’ve been around awhile, most of the ideas on there have been respun and reused and you’ve probably already seen them. I don’t even remember what’s on there it’s been so long ago. 😀
My cowboy theme board on Pinterest:
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Hope y’all have fun! YeeHaw!!
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