Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Joining in the fun of the Linky Party
Go Fourth with Mrs. Owens is having a linky party! Just post a list of ten things people should know about you. Here is mine.
A Book Survey
I am loving reading The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller, but I am especially loving the opportunity to pick other teachers' brains about what they think about the book.
I have used surveys in the past. When I taught junior high, I had an interest survey which my students filled in and I used, but I mainly used it as a general get to know you activity. Today I created a reading survey for my 3rd graders. I will be anxious to see how they react to it. I plan to display and model it on the SMARTBoard using my own reading preferences before they complete it themselves. Hopefully, it will give me good insight to the readers in my room. Use if you wish!
I have used surveys in the past. When I taught junior high, I had an interest survey which my students filled in and I used, but I mainly used it as a general get to know you activity. Today I created a reading survey for my 3rd graders. I will be anxious to see how they react to it. I plan to display and model it on the SMARTBoard using my own reading preferences before they complete it themselves. Hopefully, it will give me good insight to the readers in my room. Use if you wish!
Click here to see the survey!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Fireworks all year long on the SMARTBoard!
Follow the link below to see a fun site for the kids to try on the SMARTBoard! When you are on this site and touch the SMARTBoard, it sets off a firework. My kids like to try to write words in fireworks and see if we can tell what the word is. Do you have any other great fireworks ideas?
Favorite Read-Alouds
Read-aloud is a huge part of our classsroom. It is the one story that we are all involved in and following. Below I am listing some of my (and my students) favorite read-alouds. I am also including some that I use during CAFE to model reading skills.
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| Create your own free picture slideshow I have so many more! I love reading aloud! The kids like to just sit and listen. It is a great way to introduce new skills, genres, and authors to students. Almost always, when I am done reading a book, no matter how hard or easy it is, students want to read it independently! That works for me. Join the Linky party over at Learning with Mrs. Parker to find other great read-alouds! |
Saturday, July 2, 2011
The Book Whisperer Chapter 2
Discussion Questions:1) Would you start the year off with a book frenzy similar to Miller's or would you adapt it? I have started the year with a similar setup for the last ten years. I have found that it is easier to do with older readers. My 3rd grade students struggle a little more in knowing how to pick "good-fit" books, but I still find it an important part of our classroom community.
2) What were your impressions of Miller's more positive descriptions of the three types of readers? I agree with her descriptions of dormant readers ( I have two sons who fall into this category), and her description of underground readers (I was one of these, too, and my other two sons are also underground.
When it comes to reluctant readers, I wonder. I have in the last couple years had students in my room who have a reading disability, but they are great thinkers about literature. The process of reading is SO painful for them that it takes a ton of energy for them to read a book that is really way below them content-wise. They are pulled from the room for reading interventions from special ed teachers, given the opportunity to read with adult volunteers, and work in small groups with students of similar abilities, yet they do not progress as necessary in their independent reading skills. They grow in their knowledge of stories, plots, and skills, but generally in the texts that they hear read to them. I allow them to use assistive tech during some of their independent reading time so that they can hear stories closer to their thinking level. Otherwise, they would struggle through independent reading time each day. Does anyone else have this happen? I am talking about third grade readers who read at a guided reading level of E or F but comprehend stories they hear that are above a third grade reading level....
3) 40 books!!! What do you think of that?? I am wondering. I think if I delegate genre categories like Ms. Miller, I would add a category of picture books (we use them so much for skill instruction) that would make it more feasible for them to make it. I don't know... what do other 3rd grade teachers think? It is a year when students are just beginning to read "chapter books." Is 40 too many?
I would love to hear your ideas. Head over to Thinking of Teaching if you would like to participate in this book club!
2) What were your impressions of Miller's more positive descriptions of the three types of readers? I agree with her descriptions of dormant readers ( I have two sons who fall into this category), and her description of underground readers (I was one of these, too, and my other two sons are also underground.
When it comes to reluctant readers, I wonder. I have in the last couple years had students in my room who have a reading disability, but they are great thinkers about literature. The process of reading is SO painful for them that it takes a ton of energy for them to read a book that is really way below them content-wise. They are pulled from the room for reading interventions from special ed teachers, given the opportunity to read with adult volunteers, and work in small groups with students of similar abilities, yet they do not progress as necessary in their independent reading skills. They grow in their knowledge of stories, plots, and skills, but generally in the texts that they hear read to them. I allow them to use assistive tech during some of their independent reading time so that they can hear stories closer to their thinking level. Otherwise, they would struggle through independent reading time each day. Does anyone else have this happen? I am talking about third grade readers who read at a guided reading level of E or F but comprehend stories they hear that are above a third grade reading level....
3) 40 books!!! What do you think of that?? I am wondering. I think if I delegate genre categories like Ms. Miller, I would add a category of picture books (we use them so much for skill instruction) that would make it more feasible for them to make it. I don't know... what do other 3rd grade teachers think? It is a year when students are just beginning to read "chapter books." Is 40 too many?
I would love to hear your ideas. Head over to Thinking of Teaching if you would like to participate in this book club!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Giveaway at 4th Grade Frolics!
Tara over at Fourth Grade Frolics is having a giveaway. A Target gift card AND a Starbucks card. Check it out!
History and Fun
You know you are becoming addicted to blogging when you are on vacation and just can't wait for a break so you can check out what's going on in blogworld!
My family and I are enjoying Philadelphia for a couple of days. On our way out here, we were able to fit Gettysburg and Valley Forge in for some history learning. We have really enjoyed the historical sites here in Philly, too. I get chills thinking about the places we are visiting and the fact that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin lived and walked in these same places.
We have been lucky to expose our boys to a lot of historical landmarks in our travels. While it wears me out to lug them all over (often alone because my husband is in meetings), I think it is good for them to be able to have a real reference to the places talked about in history class. It also allows me to be a more engaging teacher because I am talking about places that I have actually been to.
Sometimes, they aren't thrilled with going to these places. They would rather stay in the hotel and swim. I believe it is worth a little fight now. I believe they will be more enriched and better citizens because of these experiences. I also know while every moment isn't a "lovely family moment" among the six of us while on vacation, we are making memories to last a life time!
My family and I are enjoying Philadelphia for a couple of days. On our way out here, we were able to fit Gettysburg and Valley Forge in for some history learning. We have really enjoyed the historical sites here in Philly, too. I get chills thinking about the places we are visiting and the fact that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin lived and walked in these same places.
We have been lucky to expose our boys to a lot of historical landmarks in our travels. While it wears me out to lug them all over (often alone because my husband is in meetings), I think it is good for them to be able to have a real reference to the places talked about in history class. It also allows me to be a more engaging teacher because I am talking about places that I have actually been to.
Sometimes, they aren't thrilled with going to these places. They would rather stay in the hotel and swim. I believe it is worth a little fight now. I believe they will be more enriched and better citizens because of these experiences. I also know while every moment isn't a "lovely family moment" among the six of us while on vacation, we are making memories to last a life time!
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