One group of students who I think we often ignore is those students who are solid readers, are compliant--but aren't "engaged readers". We know that students learn to read by READING, so if they aren't reading at home and aren't challenging themselves at school, their progress will be impacted. Getting Students Talking About Books This is exactly what I have been going through with one ... Read the Post
3 Best Books about Teaching Reading!
Today is my day to post over on Upper Elementary Snapshots, and I hope you'll stop by to check out my post about 3 "must read" books...just click the image below to take you there! I'd love to hear what you think...and watch tomorrow for my Monday Made It post--with a brand new multiplication resource that has taken me the better part of a year to finish! WHEW! ... Read the Post
Task Cards, Interventions, Real Reading, and more
One thing that I know to be true is that getting moments of quality intervention time with students is tough--especially if they are receiving other interventions from specialists. I am lucky this year that several of my students receive a daily 30 minute reading intervention with a specialist--but that means that they are in my room for my minilesson, leave for their intervention, and then ... Read the Post
Refocusing on Reading Behaviors
When I start the school year, one of the first things I tackle with my students is "reading behaviors"--how we function within our reader's workshop so that we maximize our own reading and don't disrupt those around us. We talk about just right books...about stamina...about thinking while we read. From the very first week, we work to build these good habits so that we can get TONS of ... Read the Post
“Me as a Reader”
Those of you who have been following me for some time may recognize this project from last year. I saw a version of it on Julie Ballew's website and adapted it to use with my fourth graders. If you haven't snooped around her site, I highly recommend it! We have been working hard at our reading behaviors and I felt my student were ready to get a little more personal--to take all the ... Read the Post
Summer Reading: The Annual Summer Children’s Lit reading list!
Now that my school year is finished (except for a few days of data retreat next week--don't be too jealous!), it's time to work on my LIST MAKING! I have already made lists of lists...but the one that is the most fun every summer is the... CHILDREN'S BOOKS TO READ list! The list is long...from picture books to some favorite rereads to some new ones. I am always looking to read what ... Read the Post
Monday Made It: Status of the Class and more!
Holy Smokes...it's "Monday Made It" and I have a lonnnnnnnnnng post for you today--see if you can stick with it to the end! Thanks to Fourth Grade Frolics for the link up! So...to get things started, I feel that I need to give the disclaimer that the number one thing I made this week was... A MESS! That's right...I was cleaning in my classroom and cleaning in my office. ... Read the Post