A week or so ago, we were really digging into our writing unit on realistic fiction when I started overhearing (ok, eavesdropping) on some students talking about what makes a book realistic fiction. I THOUGHT I had explained things in a crystal clear fashion--and I really thought this was a pretty easy concept actually--so I kind of stopped in my tracks and listened. For the next day, I ... Read the Post
Picture Book “Picks”!
If your house is anything like my house on the weekend, the discussion centers around everyone's football picks for the week! I thought I would steal the idea for today's blog post and ask people to share out some of their favorite read aloud picture books they have used so far this year. Many of the books I have shared with my class so far have focused on behaviors and other "big ... 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. Getting ready for our year of reading takes ... Read the Post
Launching Reader’s 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
Why Mentor Texts?
There are a billion resources out there that are stressing the importance of using "mentor texts" to help students develop as readers and writers. I couldn't agree more! Studying what other writers do can not only help our students become better writers--but better readers as well! In fact, I think it's so important to dig into these texts that we keep an ongoing list in my class ... 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
Reading and Responding: Social Issues
Our final reading unit of the year is a focus on "social issues" in texts. So many of our read alouds and shared texts this year were filled with social issues. This was a great unit to finish out the year. We had lots of fun thinking back to some of our favorite books and talking about what "issues" writers choose to put in books for intermediate students--and why they chose them! Starting ... Read the Post