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
Getting our year of reading started!
For those of you who have followed me for a while, you know that helping students develop a passion and love for reading is a huge part of what I love most about my job. Whether I am doing book talks about new books, or trying to help them learn all the strategies they need to be successful, students hear me talk about books and reading all day long. This year, I have quite a few students ... Read the Post
Monday Made It! Getting Ready for Independent Reading
It's another link up at Monday Made it with 4th Grade Frolics! This week I wasn't sure what "Made It" to address. . . Maybe THIS one . . . Or THIS one . . . As you can tell, it was kind of one of those weeks. I haven't included photos of ALL the things I made and ate in huge quantities because it is just so embarrassing. What I DID decide to share for ... Read the Post
Getting Ready for a Year of Readers Workshop and independent Reading
One thing I know to be true about fourth graders and intermediate students is that there is no ONE thing true about fourth graders and intermediate students. It seems like the longer I teach, the more compelled I am to find ways to group and individualize for students, but I have to admit--it is NOT easy for me. It isn't that I don't KNOW who the students are or what to do--it's that whole ... Read the Post
Monday Made It Link Up!
I'm joining up with "Monday Made It" over at 4th Grade Frolics! Today I wanted to share with you my new anecdotal reading binder that I have gotten ready for next year! I know it seems early, but I had wanted to make some changes in it and I thought I'd share! First of all, I want to share parts of an earlier blog post explaining my thoughts about my system--so here goes! ... Read the Post
Book talks!
Just a quick post today--we had our "1/2 price book fair" and, of course, I had to make a dent in the inventory! I am absolutely obsessed with getting new books for my classroom . . . I wonder how many thousand I have--I should get my students to estimate that! Just wanted to share what I do when I get new books--I want to get them into students' hands as quickly as possible! First, I ... Read the Post