In this blog post: Grab a set of 5 differentiated, apple themed Science of Reading aligned literacy centers that are perfect for Kindergarten, 1st grade, or 2nd grade.
It is officially apple season and I couldn’t be happier! As soon as September 1st hits, I want apple everything – let’s plan an apple unit, apple read alouds, and ALL the apple themed centers!
So of course, when I asked our Teacher Facebook Group what freebie you needed right now and you said “MORE Science of Reading aligned centers!” I knew I had to make them apple themed.
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Science of Reading Aligned Centers
First off, do you need specific Science of Reading literacy centers? NO! And if someone tells you that you do, it’s a marketing tactic.
So why am I calling these “Science of Reading Literacy Centers?”
Well, while you don’t need specific SOR literacy centers, you should find phonics literacy centers that follow the same scope and sequence that you use.
That way, students are only asked to work with words and skills they have learned.
My “Science of Reading literacy centers” follow the same scope and sequence as my Science of Reading Guided Curriculum.
So in reality, they’re phonics centers and can be used by anyone teaching those skills. But by calling them Science of Reading literacy centers, now you know that they align 100% with the curriculum and follow best practices.
Whew! Now that we’ve got that out of the way:
Apple Themed SOR Centers
When I began designing this free apple themed Science of Reading centers, I wanted them to follow the same scope and sequence as the literacy centers mentioned above. That way, you could “plug them in” as needed.
I also wanted to give you options to make differentiation easy.
That’s why each center includes 8 levels. You read that right. EIGHT LEVELS!
You can use the exact same center to work on:
- Alphabet letters
- CVC words and short vowels
- Digraphs
- Beginning blends
- CVCe words
- Ending blends
- R-controlled vowels
- Vowel teams
Why is this important? Because your students can feel like they’re completing the same apple literacy center as everyone else, but they’re working on the phonics skills THEY need to focus on.
Let’s take a closer look at the apple literacy centers included.
Apple Clip Cards
You know I love a good clip card. They’re simple, easy to prep, and a great way to add in some fine motor practice!
For these apple themed clip cards, students will clip the match on each card. This means either looking at an uppercase letter and clipping the matching lowercase letter, or looking at a picture and clipping the matching word.
Match and Link
Another fun way to add fine motor into your literacy centers is to use plastic chain links to connect cards!
For this free apple themed literacy center activity, students will match the apples to the apple butter jars. They will do this by matching letters or matching pictures to words. Then, students will connect the cards using plastic chain links.
TIP: Add reinforcer stickers before hole punching to keep the cards from tearing if you have students who are a little… enthusiastic about chain links! 😉
Roll and Color
Another way I like to add instant engagement to my literacy centers is to throw in pocket dice. There’s just something about them that kids LOVE!
These free apple themed Science of Reading literacy centers include a Roll and Color pocket dice center. Students will roll a pocket die and identify the picture shown. Then, they will find the matching word and color it on their recording sheet.
Cover by Code
For this apple themed center, just add colored cubes!
Students will search for the matching letters or the matching words and cover them according to the code. We love a no prep literacy center option!
Picture puzzles
It is rare I meet a student who isn’t obsessed with puzzles. There is just something about them that feels special!
For these apple-themed puzzles, students will match the words to the pictures to make the big picture. I love that this literacy center is self-checking! Students know if a word is in the incorrect spot because the picture doesn’t look quite right.
Suggested supplies
Whenever I share math or literacy centers, I always get asked what supplies and materials I use. Don’t forget that you can always shop my favorites lists in my Amazon Storefront!
While you can swap these for any of your favorites, here are the center supplies I love for this apple freebie:
Grab your FREE apple themed centers!
Ready to add some apple-themed fun into your classroom this fall? Grab this set of 5 differentiated apple literacy centers here:
Do you love free stuff?
Apple Themed Science of Reading Centers
These apple-themed centers align with my Science of Reading Literacy Centers for some seasonal fun!
Want more Science of Reading aligned literacy centers that you can use anytime of the year? Grab the SOR centers bundle and get 20+ centers ready to print and go for each skill!
Want more seasonal math and literacy centers that are hands-on, low prep, and differentiated for you? You might like one of these packs:
