Help Needed!

In our school, we have this great Reading Rotation where students are rotated through a Reading Lab, Title 1, and a classroom teacher. There are times (when the planets align just right) that you don't have ANY students in your room unless they are the 5-7 students in your group! How amazing is that!!!

At first, I was reluctant to give up my assistant during that time (they are the ones teaching Reading Lab), but I have seen SUCH results in the past two years we've done this! Last year, I taught mostly above students who had no need for Title 1 or Reading Lab, so I pulled out my reading centers and we were a noisy, but happy group! This rotation, I am teaching more below level students and this is the first time I've had no one in my room except my group. Let me tell you, not to have to constantly glance over and make sure the other kiddos are behaving...amazing!!!

So, whew, now that I have explained all that (and would be more than happy to explain in more detail in another post or email!).......here is my dilemma.

Students are grouped according to level and sometimes we do end up with those who are not our homeroom students. This being said, with this latest rotation of students, I am having some difficulty with Word Study and in particular.....(drum roll) LONG VOWELS!

Now, the students who were with me before, we did a lot of games and centers around this subject, so they are getting it. It's my 5-7 students scattered throughout my three groups that simply have no clue. When they are sorting their words, they are even putting words like "smile" under the header "whale"! Obviously a lack of focus is part of the problem! :) Normally, we focus on one vowel a week, but this is the week where we are reviewing a/i.

So, did a search for free items through TpT (in a serious budget crunch right now!), but just curious...what has worked for your students? While I can go back and revisit the games I did before, I'm afraid my ones who ARE getting it will be bored with a "we did this before" attitude. Just looking for a fresh, new approach!

Looking for any and all suggestions! A HEARTFELT THANKS in advance!!!!!!!!!