The Book Whisperer--Chapter 6: Cutting the Teacher Strings

This was probably the hardest chapter for me.  Not because I didn't enjoy it, but because it made me take a truly critical look at my practices.  I have been guilty of teaching great books instead of teaching readers.  My practices have changed over the years, but in some ways, I certainly have done it.

For a variety of reasons, I have not taught whole class novels for a couple of years.  I place a lot of emphasis on our read-aloud novel.  It is a great place to have discussions and to practice a variety of skills.  It encourages kids to find similar books or books by the same author.  I have also used share-read in the classroom.  I am going to look closely at my use of extension and arts/crafts activities with literature, too.  As we are standard driven, I think I do a pretty good job of making activities match standards, but I am sure that I do some that aren't developing the students as they should.

I really like the idea of teaching comprehension tests as their own genre.  I do not give many comprehension tests throughout the year, but we do practice the format and going back to use our text to find the answer.  I have never been a fan of AR or any of those programs, so it was good to have her thoughts on that match mine!

We do not complete book reports in my class either.  Students are responsible for sharing about a book they are reading about once a month.  However, they do not get to choose their day to share, I have a schedule set up.  I do this sometimes as well.  I liked Ms. Miller's ideas of teaching them about the term spoiler.  We have a lot of set things that the students discuss in their short book share, but sometimes I do have a student who wants to tell a little too much...

My students are given reading log pages to keep track of minutes read at home, but I am still undecided about this year.  I have no requirements about it.  I just ask them to turn it in at the end of the month.  I watch for increased minutes.   I think of it like being on a diet and recording the food you ate....for some people it really helps them to have some accountability to themselves.  For my own sons, two were VERY motivated by recording minutes each month, and two could care less.  It was just one more fight.  That is why I really deemphasize them in my class.

I have never appreciated popcorn or round robin reading!  When I taught older students and we read a lot more from the text book, I would give out reading assignments the night before so that students had plenty of time to read and practice their portion before reading it to the class.  With my third graders, I use a lot of partner reading or listening to the text from a CD.

I have questioned the use of incentive programs before, too.  One time, I heard a speaker say that the best incentive was a new book.  For example, Pizza Hut should reverse their program.  Instead  of earning a pizza for meeting a reading goal, students should earn a free book every time they eat a pizza from Pizza Hut!  That would really be encouraging reading!

So, I have some practices that I need to reevaluate.  I certainly want to be a teacher who teaches a love of reading rather than just great books!

The Book Whisperer--Chapter 5: Walking the Walk

I liked this chapter. (Who am I kidding? I liked the whole book!) It made me think about myself and my practices in the classroom and at home.

I have read a lot of children's books, and I am not afraid to share my thoughts and ideas about books I have read with my students. Students feel comfortable asking me for a suggestion because I have read so many. However, I find that I am best at recommending to my more-developed readers. I taught junior high and 5th grade for a number of years, and during that time, I developed a love of literature for this age. I rarely read adult books, but I don't read enough books that are at a 3rd grade level. I resolve to do better at this, and I have tried to do that this summer.

One way that I am going to do this is that in my classroom, I am going to have a display showing the book that I am currently reading. I am planning to put myself to the same 40 book challenge that I am giving my students. I have created a list that I will have posted by my desk, and I will plug each book into its category as I complete it. Not only will this model reading, but it will be a reminder to them to keep their own list updated.

Click on the picture to access my book list that I will post by my desk to show me meeting the 40 book challenge.

To link up with others' ideas about this chapter, go to Create Teach Share.

New Technology Video

The video above was shared with me at last week's conference. What a comical way to show how times continue to change. Obviously, this monk wasn't a risk-taker!

As educators, we need to remember that there are students, parents, and other educators who still feel this way about technology. Not only is it our job to use technology in our classroom to enhance learning, but to help provide a comfortable setting for others to explore technology.

Enjoy.

Great week of professional development

This week, I have had the privilege of joining a team of educators from my district at a digital conversion workshop in North Carolina.  It was so much fun!  I learned so many new ideas, and it challenged me to think of ways to teach in a 21st century way.

I learned so much, and I certainly can't post everything all in one day (besides--I have had very little sleep...), so I am beginning with a fun website.

The website is called Blabberize.com.  On this site, you can take a photo and add a mouth and a recorded sound so that it can talk.  The one I am attaching is really nothing, but think of the ways it could be used in a room... a character sharing his point of view, an historical figure asking your students their opinion on a historical event, you talking to your class on a day when they have a sub...  (We recommended to our superintendent that he begin our opening institute with himself blabberized...lol)

So, check out my short little clip, and then check out the website yourself!

Giveaway Winner!

 

Congratulations to Kristina for winning my 50 Follower Giveaway!  I'll send the Amazon giftcard to the email address you left in your post!

Thanks again to everyone for following my blog.  I love all of the ideas I get from others, and I hope that you find some things you can use here, too!

Post It Note Linky Party

Create Teach Share is having a fun Post It Linky party!  Think of a way that you use post-it notes in your classroom and link up!

We use post-its a lot in our reading and writing.  The kids love them... and I do, too, if it gets them writing!

However, here is my favorite way to use them.  I run my rubrics off on them.  I  create a template in word (usually about 6 rubrics post-it size will fit on a page).  Then, I put my post its on the paper and run it through the printer.  It saves me a ton of time and paper.  You can find template pages online, but I just create a word doc with two columns and then create my rubrics to a size that will fit on a post-it note.  I copy and paste them until I have 6 to 8 on a page and print it out once.  Then I put post-its over the printed copies and run it back through again.  Voila!

Last Chance for Giveaway

The chances for my giveaway end on Sunday, July 17th.  I will be picking a winner before going to bed on that night--so around 10 pm.  I will post the winner that night.

Thanks to many of you who are following this blog.  I hope that you find some things that are as helpful as the things I find on other people's blogs.

I am excited to say that I will be attending a digital conversion workshop next week with a team from my district.  I hope to have a lot of neat things to blog about to help everyone, so stay posted!

Thanks again!