Scholastic teaching resources mini file folder centers in color reading writing grades 1 3

Mini

Mini

File-Folder Centers in COLOR

Reading

descriptive words, and more!

Reading & Writing
Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

T

Grades 2–3

12 Irresistible and Easy-to-Make
Centers That Help Students Practice
by Betty Jo Evers
and Strengthen Important Reading and Writing Skills

Pocket-Folder Centers in Color:
Reading
Grades 2–3
ISBN: 0-545-13035-2

T h e M o s t Tr u s t e d N a m e I n L e a r n i n g®

www.scholastic.com

Just
cut and fold
stand ard file
folders fo r
instant c enters!


This book is dedicated to my husband, David (educator and secondary school administrator),
who has provided consistent support and encouragement throughout my teaching career.

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Without his guidance, my life as a teacher, presenter, and writer would not have been possible.

Scholastic Inc. grants teachers permission to photocopy the reproducible pages from this book for classroom use.
No other part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.
For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.
Edited by Immacula A. Rhodes
Cover design by Jason Robinson
Interior design by Solas
Cover and interior illustrations by Teresa Anderko, Maxie Chambliss, and Rusty Fletcher
ISBN-13: 978-0-545-17693-4
ISBN-10: 0-545-17693-X
Copyright © 2010 by Betty Jo Evers
Illustrations © 2010 by Scholastic Inc.
Published by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in China.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

16 15 14 13 12 11 10

Contents
About This Book. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
What’s Inside. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Making & Using the Mini File-Folder Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
What the Research Says . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Meeting the Language Arts Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Mini File-Folder Centers
Owl’s Wonder Words
(synonyms). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Antonym Antics
(antonyms) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Prefix Mix
(prefixes) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Scoring With Suffixes
(suffixes). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Compound Words Playground
(compound words) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Plural Nouns on Parade
(irregular noun plurals). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Cool Contractions
(contractions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Doggy-Bone Word Sort
(nouns and verbs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Shopping for Syllables
(syllables). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Build a Yummy Burger
(sequencing). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Fruity Fun With Sensory Words
(describing). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Fact Fill-In
(summarizing). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

3


About This Book
As teachers, we realize that students learn at different times and in
different ways. The desire to help every student succeed leads us to
research, learn, and gather information to make teaching as effective as
possible. We are constantly in search of ideas and materials that capture
students’ interest and motivate them to engage in independent reading
and writing activities. Mini File-Folder Centers in Color: Reading & Writing,
Grades 2–3 was created for just this purpose.
Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

In the 3rd edition of Best Practice: Today’s Standards for Teaching and
Learning in America’s Schools by Steven Zemelman, Harvey Daniels, and
Arthur Hyde, (Heinemann, 2005), the authors remind us that, “A room
with centers offers kids variety in the day, a chance to engage content
actively, natural occasions for quiet talk, opportunities for spontaneous
collaboration, and the responsibility for making choices.” The classroomtested learning centers in this book give students a fun, engaging way to
practice and build skills that help them meet the language arts standards,
including the Big Five—phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary,
comprehension, and fluency—the essential components in the Reading
First Program guidelines identified in the No Child Left Behind Act. (See

“What the Research Says” and “Meeting the Language Arts Standards,”
page 8, for more.) In addition, the unique mini file-folder format appeals
to kids of all learning styles, while the self-checking activities encourage
independence and lend support to students who need extra help in
reading and writing.
The mini centers are a snap to set up and store: Just cut out the
templates, glue them inside file folders that have been cut in half and
folded into quarters, and you’ve got twelve instant centers! The activities
are designed to reinforce students’ reading and writing skills and include
topics such as synonyms, antonyms, prefixes, suffixes, compound
words, parts of speech, sequencing, and more. And they make a great
classroom management tool—whether used as anchor activities or
sponge activities (exercises that support learning by giving students
opportunities to practice, reinforce, or extend skills they already know)—
the centers are perfect for individual or partner work, as well as for smallgroup instruction.

4


What’s Inside
Everything you need for the mini file-folder centers is included in this resource.
Each center activity includes the following:

] an introductory page for the

] a label with the title of each

teacher that shows how the

center for the file-folder tab

center is assembled

] a pocket to attach to the front

] a list of materials needed to

of the file folder for storing the

prepare and use the activity

activity cards

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

] step-by-step assembly directions

] colorful templates to glue
to the inside of the folder

] extension activities, including
writing activities that continue

] directions that explain to

reinforcing students’ skills

students how to use the center

and interest

] activity cards
] an answer key

Making the Mini File-Folder Centers
Follow these easy directions to prepare the mini file folders and
assemble the centers.

How to Prepare the Mini File Folders
1.Cut each extended-tab file folder in half horizontally.
2.Open the folders. Then fold the left side of
each mini file folder toward the center fold.
Fold it to the right two more times.
When finished, you’ll have a foldout mini file folder
that’s divided into four sections by the folds.

Materials
first fold

second fold

*

 extended-tab file
6
folders (in a variety
of colors, if available)

*
*

scissors

*

craft knife

third fold


glue
stick or
rubber cement

5


Assembling the Mini File-Folder Centers
1.Glue the center label onto the file-folder tab.
2.With the tab of the folded folder at the right, glue (or tape) the pocket
to the front. Glue only along the top, bottom, and left edges of the
pocket, leaving the right side open to serve as the pocket opening.
(Note: Instead of a pocket, a front label is provided for Fruity Fun With
Sensory Words, page 97, and Fact Fill-In, page 105.)
3.Glue the answer key to the back of the file folder.
4.Open the folder and glue the three templates and directions to the
inside sections. (Glue the directions to the far-right section.)
Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

5.Laminate the assembled folder and activity cards for durability.

After laminating, use a craft knife to carefully slit open the pocket.

Assembly Tips

efore cutting the
* Bactivity
cards apart,
make additional color
or black-and-white
copies to have on hand
in case pieces are lost.

Answer Key
(back of folder)

o help students keep
* Tthe
activity cards in
place when using a
center, you might affix
self-adhesive Velcro®
dots to the inside of
the folder and on the
back of each card.

Template 1

Pocket Opening

Pocket

(front of folder)

Template 2

Template 3

bee

flower

worm

Directions

snake
bumb

le

Cards
6

Label


Using the Mini File-Folder Centers
]

Before introducing the centers to students, conduct
mini-lessons to review the reading concepts used in

each center.

] Model for students how to use each center.
] Store the mini file-folder activities in a learning center
and encourage students to use them for independent
learning activities before or after school, during
Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

center or free-choice time, when they have finished
other tasks, or while you work with other individuals or
small groups.

One Step Further
Sharing learning is a key
component in using the mini
file-folder centers. After students
complete an activity, provide the
time and opportunity for them
to share their responses with a
friend, partner, small group, or
the entire class. When students
share what they learn with
others, they get further practice
in applying their reading and
writing skills as they also build
vocabulary, communication, and
social skills.

] Keep a supply of pencils, markers, and paper
available with the centers. Have students complete

a writing component for each activity. Some center
directions specifically include a step that involves
writing, and you’ll find additional writing activities in
the Extending the Activities section for each center.

] When students complete a center, invite them to
share their work, including the writing component,
with others. Afterward, you might have them place
their writing sample in a specified location. You can
use their work to track progress and assess skills.

] Keep the centers handy for use as quick assessments
or for volunteer tutors to use as instructional tools.

] Send the mini file-folder centers home with students
to give them extra practice and to encourage family
involvement in their learning.

Storage Tip
A small shoebox makes an ideal
storage container for your mini
file-folder centers. You might
reinforce the corners of the
box and lid with strapping tape
for durability, then cover both
with decorative paper or vinyl.
To prepare for use, set the box
inside the lid. Then stand the
folders tab end up in the box
so students can easily see the

labels to find the center they’ll
work with. For storage after the
school year, lay the centers flat
in the box and place the lid
on top.

7


What the Research Says
In their book, In a Reading State of Mind: Brain Research, Teacher
Modeling, and Comprehension Instruction (International Reading
Association, 2008), Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and Diane Lapp note that
“The more we practice new information, the more familiar the information
in the neuronal pathway becomes and the less difficulty we have with
retrieval and related learning. This is why it’s so important to provide time
for students to practice any new learning that you’re modeling. Without
this practice and use, the brain will prune this information, which it views as

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

irrelevant. It will do so to make space for the next new learning to occur.”

Meeting the Language Arts Standards
Connections to the
McREL Language Arts Standards

Connections to the
Reading First Program

Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL),
a nationally recognized nonprofit organization, has compiled
and evaluated national and state standards—and proposed
what teachers should provide for their Grades 2–3 students to
grow proficient in reading. The activities in this book support
the following standards:

The activities in this book are also designed to support you
in implementing the Reading First Program, authorized by
the U.S. Department of Education’s No Child Left Behind
Act. The National Reading Panel has identified the five key
areas of reading instruction as follows:

Reading

 ses the general skills and strategies of the reading
U
process including:
• Uses basic elements of structural analysis (syllables, basic
prefixes, suffixes, root words, compound words, spelling
patterns, contractions) to decode unknown words
• Understands level-appropriate sight words and vocabulary,
including synonyms and antonyms

Writing

Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process:
• Uses strategies to organize written work (uses a sequence
of events)
• Uses writing to describe familiar persons, places, objects,

or experiences
Uses the stylistic and rhetorical aspects of writing:
• Uses descriptive language to convey, clarify, and
enhance ideas
• Uses declarative sentences in writing
Uses grammatical and mechanical conventions in written
compositions including:
• Writes in complete sentences
• Uses pronouns, nouns, verbs, and adjectives in writing
• Uses contractions, roots, suffixes, and prefixes in spelling
• Uses conventions of capitalization and punctuation in writing
Source: Kendall, J. S., & Marzano, R. J. (2004). Content knowledge: A
compendium of standards and benchmarks for K-12 education. Aurora,
CO: Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning. Online database:
/>
8

Phonemic Awareness
The ability to hear, identify, and manipulate phonemes—
the sounds of spoken language

Phonics Development
The ability to understand the predictable relationship between
phonemes and graphemes—the letters and spellings that
represent those sounds in written language—that helps
readers recognize familiar words accurately and automatically
and to decode unfamiliar words

Vocabulary Development
The ability to store information about the meanings and

pronunciation of words necessary for communicating,
including vocabulary for listening, speaking, reading,
and writing

Fluency
The ability to read text accurately and quickly that allows
readers to recognize words and comprehend at the
same time

Comprehension
The ability to understand and gain meaning from
material read

Source: Guidance for the Reading First Program. (U.S. Department of
Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 2002).


Skill: XXXXXXXX
Skill: Synonyms

Owl’s Wonder Words
How to Assemble
1.Cut out the mini file-folder label, pocket, and

Materials

answer key on page 11. Glue the label onto the

* pages 11–17
* foldout mini file folder

* scissors
* glue

file-folder tab. Then glue the top, bottom, and left
edges of the pocket to the front of the folder. Glue
Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

the answer key to the back of the folder.

2.Cut out the three templates, directions, and word
cards on pages 13, 15, and 17. Open the file folder
and glue each template and the directions to the
inside sections, as shown. When the center is not
in use, store the cards in the pocket on the front
of the folder.

Extending the Activity
To extend learning, instruct children to do the following:
]Add the words from this center to their personal
dictionary or thesaurus.
]Write a sentence with each word on the barns.
Then rewrite the sentence, replacing the word
with one of its synonyms.
Template 2

Template 3

Label

Template 1

Answer Key
(back of folder)

large

ed

exclaim

fantastic

Directions

chuckle

present

sprint

Cards

Pocket
(front of folder)

9


said: exclaimed, muttered, stated

look: glance, glare, stare

little: small, tiny, wee

big: enormous, huge, large

sad: gloomy, miserable, unhappy

really: actually, certainly, truly

good: excellent, fantastic, great

bad: evil, mean, rotten

Right:

run: gallop, race, sprint

laugh: chuckle, giggle, snicker

happy: cheery, glad, pleased

give: donate, present, share

Middle:

Left:

Label

Owl’s Wonder Words

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Owl’s Wonder Words Answers

Answers

Owl’s Wonder Words •

Pocket

Owl’s
Wonder Words

10


11

Owl’s Wonder Words

•

Template 1

little

said

big

look

Template 2

laugh

give

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

run

happy


Template 3

Directions

Directions
1.Take out the cards.
2.Read each word.
3.Check the barns to find a word
with the same meaning.
Place the card on that word.
4.Check your answers.

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

5.Write each set of synonyms
on a sheet of paper.

bad

good

really

sad

Owl’s Wonder Words

•

Word Cards

enormous

huge

large

small

tiny

wee

glance

glare

stare

exclaimed

muttered

stated

12


donate

present

share

cheery

glad

pleased

chuckle

giggle

snicker

gallop

race

sprint

evil

mean

rotten

excellent

fantastic

great

actually

certainly

truly

gloomy

miserable

unhappy

Owl’s Wonder Words

•

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Word Cards

13


Skill: XXXXXXXX
Skill: Antonyms

Antonym Antics
How to Assemble
1.Cut out the mini file-folder label, pocket, and

Materials

answer key on page 21. Glue the label onto the

* pages 21–25
* foldout mini file folder
* scissors
* glue

file-folder tab. Then glue the top, bottom, and left
edges of the pocket to the front of the folder. Glue
Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

the answer key to the back of the folder.

2.Cut out the three templates, directions, and word
cards on pages 23 and 25. Open the file folder
and glue each template and the directions to the
inside sections, as shown. When the center is not
in use, store the cards in the pocket on the front
of the folder.

Extending the Activity
To extend learning, instruct children to do the following:
]Write sentences using the words on the cards.
Create a sentence for each word.
]Write five more antonym pairs that they know.
Use each of the words in a sentence.
Template 2

Template 3

Label

Template 1

Answer Key
(back of folder)

silence

empty

Directions

truth
sour

whole
s

dangerou

Cards
Pocket
(front of folder)

14


•

part

exciting

sweet

over





right

myth

crisp

safe











large

light

Right:

noise





usual

smile



Middle:

inside

full





Left:

dangerous

soft

truth

left

small

under

sour

dark

silence

rare

boring

whole

frown

outside

empty

Label

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Antonym Antics Answers

Answers

Antonym Antics

Antonym
Antics
Antonym Antics

Front Label

15


16

Antonym Antics

•

usual

noise

light

sweet

over

inside

smile

part

exciting

Word

full





Antonym

Template 2

Template 1

Word

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Antonym


Template 3



Directions

Word

Antonym

Directions
1.Take out the cards.
2.Read each word.

large

3.Match the word to its antonym.
4.Check your answers.
5.Write each antonym pair on a
sheet of paper.

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

right

myth

crisp

safe
Word Cards

rare

small

outside

silence

left

frown

dark

truth

whole

sour

soft

boring

under

dangerous

Antonym Antics

•

empty

17


Skill: XXXXXXXX
Skill: Prefixes

Prefix Mix
How to Assemble
1.Cut out the mini file-folder label, pocket, and

Materials

answer key on page 29. Glue the label onto the

* pages 29–33
* foldout mini file folder
* scissors
* glue

file-folder tab. Then glue the top, bottom, and left
edges of the pocket to the front of the folder. Glue

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

the answer key to the back of the folder.

2.Cut out the three templates, directions, and word
cards on pages 31 and 33. Open the file folder
and glue each template and the directions to the
inside sections, as shown. When the center is not
in use, store the cards in the pocket on the front
of the folder.

Extending the Activity
To extend learning, instruct children to do the following:
]Write a sentence with each new word to show
what it means.
]Write other new words using the prefixes re-, dis-,
and un-. Try to come up with three new words for
each prefix.
Template 2

Template 3

Label

Template 1

Answer Key
(back of folder)

y

happ

Directions

lucky

run

social
afraid

continue

Pocket
(front of folder)

Cards

18


disagree
discontinue
discourage
dishonest

remake

rerun

reshape

rewrite

unsocial

unlucky

unhappy

unafraid

un:

dis:

Prefix Mix Answers

Label

Prefix Mix

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

re:

Answers

Prefix Mix •

Pocket

Prefix
Mix

19


20

Prefix Mix

•

un
un
un
un

re

re

re

re- (again or back)

Template 2

re

Template 1

un- (not)

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources


Template 3

Directions

dis- (not, the opposite of)

Directions
1.Take out the cards.
2.Read each word.
Find a prefix that can be
added to the word to make
a new word.

dis

3.Place the card next to
that prefix.
4.Check your answers.

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

dis

5.Write each new word
on a sheet of paper.

dis
dis

Word Cards

agree

continue

courage

happy

honest

lucky

make

run

shape

social

write

Prefix Mix

•

afraid

21


Skill: XXXXXXXX
Skill: Suffixes

Scoring With Suffixes
How to Assemble
1.Cut out the mini file-folder label, pocket, and

Materials

answer key on page 37. Glue the label onto the

* pages 37–43
* foldout mini file folder
* scissors
* glue

file-folder tab. Then glue the top, bottom, and left
edges of the pocket to the front of the folder. Glue
Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

the answer key to the back of the folder.

2.Cut out the three templates, directions, and word
cards on pages 39, 41, and 43. Open the file folder
and glue each template and the directions to the
inside sections, as shown. When the center is not
in use, store the cards in the pocket on the front
of the folder.

Extending the Activity
To extend learning, instruct children to do the following:
]Choose three of the new words that they made
with each suffix. Write a sentence with each word
to show what it means.
]Write other new words using the suffixes -er, -ing,
and -less. Try to come up with three new words for
each suffix.
Template 2

Template 3

Label

Template 1

Answer Key
(back of folder)

strong

know

hear

Directions

speech

high
friend

Pocket
(front of folder)

Cards

22


less:
friend
hair
heart
joy
life
pain
speech
thought

ing:

allow

fall

go

hear

know

pour

say

see

er:

hard

high

neat

proud

quick

soft

strong

sweet
Label

Scoring With Suffixes

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

Scoring With Suffixes Answers

Answers

Scoring With Suffixes •

Pocket

Scoring
With Suffixes

23


24

Scoring With Suffixes

•

3rd

Template 1

HO ME

2nd

(more)

-er

1st

3rd

Template 2

Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

HO M E

2nd

(in the process of)

-ing

1st

Template 3

Directions

Directions
-less

1.Take out the cards.

(without)

2.Read each word.
Find a suffix that can be
added to the word to make
a new word.
3.Place the word on 1st base
for that suffix.

2nd
Mini File-Folder Centers in COLOR: Reading & Writing © Evers, Scholastic Teaching Resources

4.Continue until you fill up the
bases for each suffix.
Start at 1st base and end
at home plate.

3rd

1st

5.Check your answers.
6.Write each new word on
a sheet of paper.
7.Clear the bases.
Repeat, using the
rest of the cards.

Scoring With Suffixes

•

HO ME

25