Reading Workshop

This is it my friends! Back to school time for me. Tomorrow is my first teacher work day. This summer went by way too fast! This year I'll be doing the reading thing again. I loved focusing on reading all day with the different age age groups. Even though I love my new job, I still miss the classroom. It's just not the same in September. When I taught 1st grade for all those years, my favorite part of the day was my beloved Reading Workshop time. It took me the first couple years to figure out what works for me. Once I did, it was SO nice! I tried to do just centers. Then I tried to do just Daily 5. I loved both... so that's what I decided to do- both! 

Today I'm going to show you how I set up my reading block. 

My reading workshop time is divided into three parts: Guided Reading, Daily 5, and literacy centers.

This is the chart I've used in the past to let students know where they are supposed to be during reading workshop:

On my blog, I have a picture of what four rotations would look like.

To read in more detail about how what my Reading Workshop looked like when I taught first grade, head on over my blog:

Conquering the Test.. One Day at a Time!

Ok, I know that we're all not wanting to think those dreaded three words "Back to School", let alone start thinking about the even more dreaded standardized tests that will occur in the Spring.  I unfortunately had that philosophy too a few years ago - but then it hit me.  Why do we, or I, feel like once January hits that it's time to 'prepare' the students for these tests - why don't we start doing that on day one?  I mean, yes, I know everything I'm doing/teaching is going to help them.  But I wanted to do something to really prepare them on a deeper level. 

So that got me thinking...

When it comes to 'the test' - what do my students struggle with the most?  After talking it through with a few colleagues I finally figured it out!!  Picture this..  Walking around looking at the test for the first time as the kids are taking it.  You're reading the questions and thinking to yourself - Yes!!! They KNOW this!!  But then you read their answers as you're walking and you can't believe what you're reading - what's going on!?  I KNOW I taught this over and over again - why aren't they getting it!?  Then you reread the question...  and BAM!  There is it - its not what the question was asking - its HOW they worded the question.  They used some large verb and wording that the kids aren't used to seeing or reading.  Could they answer it with the knowledge you've given them?  Absolutely!!  Are they just confused because of how they asked it?  Absolutely!!  

So - here's what I thought.  All of those big words and verbs and wordage that we see on these tests that CONFUSE our kids.. let's teach it to them.  I know - you're probably thinking DUH!?  But - when it comes to trying to prepare them for the test with everything else we have/need to teach them AND then throw this on top, it gets overwhelming!  I needed something that will help my kids conquer these words slowly but surely. 

So I came up with a program called Vocabulary Voyage.  Let's just say - I LOVE IT!!  What it does, is basically teach the students these important and strong words that are commonly used when testing.  It teaches them, not just what the words mean, but also what a question that has that word in it, means!  What is that question asking!?  I used it all last year and it.  was..  amazing!  My kids ROCKED the tests at the end of the year.  I had 100% pass our state standardized test.  No joke!  

So here's the break down in photos:

I have over 90 words in the program and we learn 1 word a day.  BUT we repeat those words the next week too.  So in 2 weeks we've learned 5 words.  Slow and steady wins the race!  All of the words are on cards like so...

And then put on rings... like so...

Then outside my door I have a poster put up and two hooks so the words can hang outside my door.  Each day, the 'word of the day' is shown.  Every time the kids enter the room they have to touch and say the word.  This gets them familiar with seeing and reading the words.  

It ends up looking like this...

So that's part of it - we read and say the words.  Easy peasy!  Here's what's next.

Like I said - we learn 1 word a day but we repeat those words the next week.  So Monday - Friday week 1 we're learning the word, how to read it, identify it, and define it.  All of the kids get this paper and each day we write the word and its definition.  It literally takes 5 minutes.  That's it - just 5 minutes each day.  This helps to build that word foundation which is what they're essentially missing when it comes to not knowing how to answer those questions on the test.  

But there's more...  On week 2 - we repeat the 5 words we learned last week.  On the back of the above paper, would be copied this paper.  So now that we've learned the definitions - we essentially need to practice being able to see that word in a question and answer it.  So here's what they do - Just like last week, we find 5 minutes in our day and get out the Vocab Voyage paper. On it is a question for each of the words we learned last week.  These questions can be answered with any book and I let the kids answer it using any book they want - whether it be their independent reading book or the book we're reading together.  So again, we take 5 minutes - they write out their answer to the question (in their writing journal) and we discuss.  What's great about these discussions is that our answers sound 'different' because they're using different books to answer them - however - we are able to find the pieces of the answers that are similar.  And why are they similar?  Because those are the components that the answer must have in order for it to be 'right' - that's what the question is asking for!!!  

So - I know this post is getting long, and I promise I'll try to wrap it up soon - but can you tell I'm totally in LOVE with this program.  

So the program has over 90 words, which if started at the beginning of the school year, will last you the entire year!  So by the time testing comes around - your kids will have been exposed to and have practiced answering these questions and KNOWING what the question is asking!!  The program has questions ready to go for each of the words as well.  These words include a variety of reading and math terms, Blooms Verbs, etc.  A great mixture for any testing grade!    I wish I had picture of the kids using this or even better, a video of their discussions of what the question is asking and how to answer it - we even grade each other's answers verbally if we have time.  It only takes me about 5-10 minutes a day so I don't even have to try to squeeze it in.  

I'd love for you to check it out.  Click on the photo below to take you to it.  It has some great feedback on it so make sure to read it too - I'm not the only one who is in love with it :)  

Click HERE to download the first week for free!  And make sure to let me know what you think!  The 5th person to leave a comment letting me know what they think will get the entire program for free! And thanks for reading through until the end.  I promise I'm done talking now!  

Have a great week!!  

  

Sequencing (freebie and a giveaway)

Do your students need practice with sequencing? As you know, this is such an important comprehension skill. In addition to practicing sequencing while reading books together, we do a little activity that we call, "Read and Sequence". I know, not very original. ;) I started making these years ago to go along with my literacy centers. Last year, I bundled all of my Read and Sequence pages into a year-long pack. It was targeted toward first grade but also worked well for 2nd. Most recently, I modified the pack to work for kindergarten. The kindergarten version has picture clues for every sentence. There are also fewer words used. I tried to use mostly sight words, sound-out words, or words that were content-related. 

Most have a 4 step option and a 6 step option.

 

Head on over to my blog to read more about this set of activities!

You can find a camping freebie that I posted last year here:

For fun, I thought I'd give a copy of the COMBO (both kinder and 1st) away here at A Classy Collaboration. Leave me a comment with your email if you'd like a copy! I'll pick a winner and email it tonight. :) (Check the comments tonight for the winner.)

QR Code Breaking & A Freebie

Today’s post is brought to you by the letters Q and R.

It’s me again, Matt, that same guy that created plaid.  Today I wanted to share one of my favorite tools, QR Codes.  

“I’m pretty familiar with them,” you think rolling your eyes at me and noticing a quick response code on your McDonald's cup while perusing through the latest issue of Highlights and Ranger Rick.  

And I totally get that—but I figured I’d show you how I use them in my class and around school.  There’s a lot of different ways QR codes can be integrated into daily learning and I thought I’d share some of those.  Plus, I’ve got a brand new freebie for you to grab hold of and try with students, yourself, your kids, or your dog (if it has the brain capacity to do so).

                                                   

Did you know: Creating QR Codes is free and simple.

These are three sites that I always use.

• The QR Code Generator
• Kaywa
• GoQR

Did you know:  QR Codes can be linked to multiple outlets 

• Text (which you can write yourself), 
• URLs (which can be videos, images, websites, and more).
• Email address
• Locations
• Calendars
• WiFi networks
• Messaging

One of the cooler elements of QR Coding is teaching my students how to become a QR Code Breaker.  Basically, I'm teaching the kids how they work and how they'll use them in the classroom.  It's easy and fast and they pick it up faster than teachers.  In my class we use QR Codes to read books.  

You gotta remember, a lot of my students are struggling readers and independent reading time isn't always fun because they can't read.  Well, I've changed that because I'll find books that are read aloud on the web and turn it into a QR code for them.  Suddenly these kids are reading and enjoying all the books that were originally too difficult (and now we're fostering a greater interest in reading and making kids excited).  Engagement is always the key.

So I've got a little freebie for you today.  I'm sharing QR Code Breaker: Scan, Read, and Answer.  These are worksheets with built in QR Codes on each sheet that will take students directly to a book.  Students can then listen/read and answer the questions that correlate on each page.  I like to call this active reading.  There's multiple routes students can take to finish the work sheets, and even a couple of levels based on the rigor your looking for.

Grab it here on Google Drive

or

At my TPT store here.

***These are for every kid.  Not just struggling readers***

This will work for all students and all reading levels.

More QR Code Read Aloud Books and other activities can be found here.

Here's a glimpse of how each worksheet will be set up.

TL;DR Edition:  QR Codes are cool.  Here is a freebie for you to try out.

If you still want to see some more QR Code ideas in action 

stop over and visit me at Digital: Divide & Conquer.  

         

Signposts in Reading (Freebies!!!)

Hey y'all!  This summer I've been reading the book Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading by Kylene Beers and Robert E. Probst (I'm sure you've heard of it or seen it floating around Pinterest).  All I have to say is it is INSPIRING!  At first it made me a little nervous because it looked a smidge "textbookish" to me but it got rave reviews so I thought I would join up with a book study and give it a chance.  At least with a book study if I didn't love it, they would still keep me on track to finish it and have good ideas to share, lol.  Well no worries apparently!  It is a fabulous read (very easy and smooth) and has some wonderful ideas to use in your classroom.  Here is a little four minute clip from the authors that explains their purpose for this book.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the signposts you use as you read.  After reading this section of the book I can already tell that these six signposts are going to change my entire reading block!  Not only do they make the reader stop and think but it also leads them to comprehend certain literary elements (even the hard ones like theme!) without even realizing it.  Click on my button below to head on over to my blog and read more in depth about the six signposts and snag a few freebies to help implement them into your classroom!  Here is just a little sneak peek ;o)

 

 

Happy Sunday Y'all!

 

 

Sabra

Divide, Conquer, Introduce, and Summer Reading Fun

Hello everyone!  I'm Matt from the little ol' blog known as Digital: Divide & Conquer.  I'm one of the newest blogger additions here and I'm looking forward to sharing and collaborating with everyone.  I've been an elementary special education teacher for the past nine years all while moonlighting as the school's tech specialist because we're done with the VCR.

Some other super cool facts about me you might not know:

1. Once (when I was younger) during a Christmas break my parents accidentally forgot about me and flew to France.  I was home and all alone for almost an entire week.
2. I worked with a doctor that created the flux capacitor.
3. I created the pattern simply known as plaid.

Okay, so maybe none of those are really true but it would be kind of nice if the plaid thing was.  The real truth is I think just about anything can be used for educational purposes inside and outside of the classroom.  Mixing education with technology, adding pop culture, sprinkling in a little authentic learning, and finishing with an 80's reference is kind of my style.  I deal in GIFs, videos, and just about anything that makes me laugh (I hope it does the same for you).

I'm leaving you today with a web mix from one of my favorite curating sites on the web, Symbaloo.  Readers from all levels will want to use this Symbaloo Board for a ton of great summer reading websites from a lot of their favorite books.  If you've never used Symbaloo--you are in for a treat.

So I will confidently nudge you to head over to my blog and check out more posts like this.  I'm looking forward to the opportunity to share here and at my place, but also grow as an educator  and maybe have a few laughs along the way.

       

           

Throwback Nonfiction using Sticky Notes

Happy throwback week! Today I have two blasts from the past to share with you.

It was fun going back and looking over my old posts to choose one to bring back today. I wanted to go way back to 2011, but I couldn't find one that would be relevant to this time of year. So I went with two different but related posts from 2012 and 2013. I know some of you are already done with school, but we still have a solid 3 weeks left. This post comes from May of 2012 when we were working on reading  nonfiction. This was before I had heard about close reading, but as I was looking back, I realize that what we were doing was very similar to what we do for a close reading lesson. Well, parts of it anyway. :)

#1: Click here or on the picture below to go back in time to 2012 and read about how I used sticky notes while reading nonfiction and to get a little freebie:

 

#2: Then you can jump back to my post from last year. It goes into more detail about how I use sticky notes for research:

Hope you enjoy these posts! Have a great weekend everyone. :)

An interview with Lisa Donohue...Plus, Time to Start the Book Study!

The book study starts tomorrow!!

I can't believe it's here already and I can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts.

If you are excited as I am (and I hope you are) then please head on over to Thinking of Teaching and check out my interview with Lisa Donohue, the author of 100 Minutes. 

Guided Reading in Kindergarten

This is my first year teaching kindergarteners reading and I. love. it. I seriously can't get enough. They are just so precious and reading instruction is always so fun with those kiddos. I created a set of guided reading activities slowly and I've been testing them on my students and on my son who is learning to read right now. So far, they've been a hit with the kids and I've seen a lot of growth as a result.  So, if you're looking for some guided reading activities for your kindergarten kids that are hands-on, eye-catching and effective, you might like this set!

I made some short, simple stories (as in one-two sentence stories). Believe it or not, these one-two sentence stories have a character, an event, and most have dialogue. I have my students "whisper read" them, using their strategies to read accurately. Then I have them reread them a few times for fluency and to work on expression with the dialogue and stopping at punctuation. Of course, this is at the basic level, so it's not perfect, but I think it's so important to introduce and model this skill anyway.  After reading, they can spin the story spinner to answer questions about their mini story. Comprehension...check. fluency... check. using strategies to read accurately... check. Gaining confidence... hopefully check!

In the picture above, he is pointing out who the character was in the text.

Here the student is underlining what the character is saying.

My favorite might be these sequencing cards. Each "story" has four cards. Students read the cards and put them in order. 

My son was all about this! 

I love using fluency sentence strips. It gives students an opportunity to practice reading sight words, sounding out words, and using picture clues. These are perfect for my newest readers.

Shawn's favorite was the sight word spin. He loved going through and mastering each list. When he read a column correctly, he could color in a smile. 

If you are looking for activities to spice up your guided reading groups for those beginning readers, come by my blog to see more:

Free Bookmarks

     At the end of each school year, I loved giving a little something to my students. Most of these small gifts were bookmarks. I'd print them out on cardstock, and then I'd cut each bookmark out. I would then write a small good-bye letter on the back of each one. The kids loved getting these from me, and their parents always complimented me for giving their students something thoughtful.
     If you're looking for something sweet to give to your students, bookmarks are it. I have created 4 bookmarks that I think your kids would like to have. Feel free to click on the image below to download them for free. (Credits are provided within the download).

  

     To find more freebies like this, please visit me at Mommy & Me Creations. Thanks!

 

A New Book Study and a Giveaway!!

Hello all!!

I'm Beth from Thinking of Teaching and I am very excited to tell you about my upcoming book study, 100 Minutes: Making Every Minute Count in the Literacy Block.

I am very excited to get reading, posting and discussing this book. All the fun starts on May 23rd!

<a href="http://thinkingofteaching.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Thinking of Teaching" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3mh9HNkyarJxABq4ivR48dYH25wuldbCk8EKAVIucVW494jSXpEJwtgSToQTBjAfu8JxPOaqoeroUznOesAXys1jWAopePLgpATfaTYTWYlC98zwgtxhXdk3b1S64C2pMExQz-r2ngMC/s1600/100+Minutes+Button2.jpg" /></a>

But first...

I'm looking for people that are interested in co-hosting the book study with me on their blog. Head on over to Thinking of Teaching to read more about the book, where you can purchase it, how you can become a co-host AND...

Enter to win a copy!! That's right, the great people at Pembroke Publishers have given me a copy of 100 Minutes by Lisa Donohue for a giveaway to celebrate the book study. There are 2 other great prizes as well but I'll let you discover that for yourself when you visit my blog. 

What Can You Do With a Plastic Egg?

How many ways can you use a plastic egg? I'm glad you asked... ;)

Sight word Scrambler: Place the letters of a sight word in an egg. Have your students put the letters together to make the sight word. You could have them try to unscramble it on their own or have them look at the word to build and rebuild. 

You can write the word inside the egg or put a small piece of paper with the correct spelling inside.

Sight Word Game: 

You can also write the sight words on the outside of the eggs. 

Place a colored dot on a cube. 

  

Roll the cube. If you land on blue, read a blue egg. Continue until all eggs are out of the basket. 

Going on a sight word egg hunt:

Hide your eggs all around your house or classroom. When they find the egg, they will read the word on the egg. If they cannot read the egg, hide it again. If they can, they get to put it in their basket.

Matching up parts of the egg:

You can match up onset and rime or lowercase and uppercase letters. 

Last, I have a little freebie for you! :) 

This is an initial sound sort activity:

Put a picture card in each egg.  Set out two baskets and the bunny/rabbit cards. Students will find the eggs and look at the picture inside. Then, they will decide if the word begins with b or r and place it in the correct basket. You can download these picture cards here. 

If I'm missing anything, please comment! I'd love to hear what you do with these little plastic eggs. :)