Dr. Seuss' Birthday

 Celebrating Dr. Seuss

    How are you celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday with your students?  Even though March 2nd is on Sunday this year, you can still celebrate with your students. In the intermediate classroom you can incorporate one of my favorite biographies, The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss, as a read aloud. Your students will learn about the many different obstacles Ted Geisel overcame to become one of the most famous authors for children. Note: The timeline in the back of the book is highly informative and your students will love to hear about the many accomplishments of this author!

You could also do an author study with Dr. Seuss! Read aloud many of his books and keep a classroom list of things that you notice about the author's style. Students can jot down this down in their writer's notebook in case they would like to try some of his "style" in their writing. In writer's workshop, writers can then try out his style in their writing. They can write their own short story, poem, or add onto one of his stories. What would happen next if the story were to continue? Don't forget to encourage and incorporate illustrations! Dr. Seuss is well known for his unique characters in his texts. The ideas are endless! Remember have fun with it and try to make it authentic! Throw out the worksheets!


Here are some other websites that you may be interested in visiting:

http://www.seussville.com/
http://www.biography.com/people/dr-seuss-9479638
http://drseussart.com/

Accountability in Writer's Workshop

When you are setting up your room for your literacy framework, there are many things that you want to keep in mind. It is essential that you have a designated place for materials and supplies that your students are able to access. This will help your students become more independent in that they aren't always asking you for things...they know where to find them. Of course, in the beginning of the year you will want to have many management minilessons to help ensure that they understand routine.

How you want to organize things is up to you...just remember child friendly organization is the key. Here are some suggestions of what you will want to include in this area of your room:

• pencils
• pencil sharpener electric and a few hand held for when it needs to be "silent" in the room
• erasers
• highlighters
• red pens (editing)
• blue pens (revision)
• stapler and staples
• staple remover
• paper clips
• tape dispenser and tape
• stamp and stamp pad
• discovery draft paper (yellow)
• revision paper (blue)
• final draft paper (white)
• various different types of publishing paper
• sticky notes-  A LOT OF THEM!
• rubrics 
• graphic organizers
• scissors
• glue sticks
• dictionaries
• thesauruses
• **Also, I like to have a file holder box where there is a hanging folder for each student where they put their drafts after they have made it to the final draft and/or publishing stage. Students are able to take their work home once it has been graded, so that parents can see their work; however, they are to return it, so that they can see the progress that they make as a writer throughout the school year. 

If you can think of any other supplies that would be beneficial to your room and your students, feel free to add them to this list. 

Something else that MUST be included in this area is a WRITING PROCESS BOARD. This is essential for accountability purposes and to help students better understand the steps in the process. The Writing Process that I adopted in my room was from Fountas and Pinnell:
Explore, Discovery Draft, Revise, Edit, Final Draft Conference, Final Draft, and Publish. 

In the past, I took over my chalkboard (something that I no longer use) to display the process. I made sure to explain each step in the process on the board, so that my writers have a clear visual in case they forget what a certain step means. I also included what materials (i.e. type of paper and writing instrument they should be using). Under the "Editing" and "Revision" steps, there is a list of the editing & revision symbols that they should be using (they have this in their writing folder, too).

Now, the accountability part. Students are taught in the beginning of the year that it is their job to move their name (laminated and magnetic- not shown in pictures) through the writing process. This also helps me to see a quick visual of where the majority of my writers are, who is ready for a conference, and who needs extra support.

There are many other ways to hold your writers accountable during the writing workshop. Here are some suggestions and I may explore with you more later:

• Writer's Notebook
• Minilessons
• Writing conferences
• Guided writing groups
• Shares
• Rubrics
• "What I Learned as a Writer Today" 
• "List of Writing Projects (with start and completion dates)

Let me know if you have any questions/concerns or anything you would like me to discuss more...

Professional Resources

Are you looking for a quick and beneficial professional read that you can actually implement in your daily routine? I cannot express enough how much I loved reading Aimee Buckner's new book, Nonfiction Notebooks. This book is essential for your Writer's Workshop. It gives you great lessons and strategies to help you incorporate nonfiction writing into your workshop. This is very important to think about since the Common Core wants more nonfiction implemented. Your students may know how to read nonfiction since you have been adding more to your reading workshop, but can they write in the genre and for different purposes? This type of writing is imperative for our students as the majority of the reading and writing they will be doing as adults is nonfiction.

As I was reading Aimee's text, I was happy to know that I have in fact done some of the things that she has suggested in my own work with nonfiction. I quickly patted myself on the back a few times and said, "Hey, see you know what you're doing!" Other times I was thinking, "Hmm...now why didn't I think of that?"

I don't want to give away any of Aimee's strategies because I do feel as though her book is worth the money. But, I have to say, if you are familiar with the "Heart Map" to use in your poetry launch, you'd love to hear how she uses something similar with nonfiction and brainstorming. I also really enjoyed reading on how she had her students research using sticky notes (a strategy we are all familiar with) but then the mini lessons she did to have her students decide if the information was relevant to their angle. Brilliant!

Pick up Aimee Buckner's book and her others at Barnes and Noble or Amazon!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nonfiction-notebooks-aimee-buckner/1116261335?ean=9781571109521

http://www.amazon.com/Nonfiction-Notebooks-Strategies-Informational-Writing/dp/1571109528/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388880096&sr=1-1&keywords=nonfiction+notebooks

Also, check out some of her other books:
Notebook Know-How and Notebook Connections (this is on my desk at work...wish I brought it home over break!)

Bye Bye Summer...Hello New School Year 2013-14

 Getting Ready for your Literacy Framework:

It is that time again...back to school time. As teachers we are busy getting our classrooms ready for our new students. In order to do that, it is important to be ORGANIZED and PREPARED. These are the keys to a less stressful school year. Begin to think about what you need to launch the new school year. It might be helpful to look back at your lesson plans to remember (it was a whole year ago now) some of the important things that you did to get to know your students and drive your instruction. 

Here are some things that I like to have ready to go for my literacy framework:

Supplies:
1. Folders- Reading, Writing, Word Study (with any sheets that you find useful for students)
2. Reader's Notebooks- Names take awhile to write on the front, as well as signing the welcome letter inside
3. Writing Center- a designated area in the classroom with all writing supplies, so that students can independently get what they need during the writing workshop (post-its various sizes, pencils, red pens, blue pens, highlighters, white out, stapler, staples, tape, index cards, dictionaries, thesauruses, clipboards,  hole punch...etc.)
4. Writing Process chart for students to move where they are in the process
5. Rubrics- start making copies of any rubrics that you know that you use during the year, so that your not scrambling later
6. Think Marks for students to keep track of their thinking  
7. Begin to think about how you are going to organize things that you will need for yourself- i.e binders for separate workshops or one big binder


 Assessments:
1. Reading Interview
2. Writing and Word Study Interview
3. Schlagel Spelling Interview- student copies, teacher copy for scores, analysis sheets (a few)
4. 6 Trait Writing Assessment
5.  F & P Benchmark- do you have enough copies made before you begin testing?

Guided Reading Table Area:
I have learned to have a designated area with necessary supplies to ensure that I'm prepared for my reading groups. Even though groups will not begin until most likely October, I like to have things ready to go. This way I'm not scrambling later. 








1. Bins-I like to have bins for different groups to keep any books and graphic organizers that I may use.

 






 
2. Supplies- try to keep plenty of pencils, highlighters, erasers, whiteout, dry erase markers, and small white boards for students
3. Observation Forms or stickies for anecdotal notes
4. Binder for notes on students to guide instruction/clipboard
 
I'm always trying out a new way to stay organized. You have to find out what works best for you. Some teachers like to keep plastic drawers near their table for their supplies. Others may prefer a small table behind or beside their table for bins. There is no magical answer. It is whatever helps to make things most efficient for you and your students.

Classroom Library: 
Where will you put it? Think about where your students will be able to access books without bothering working students or your reading groups. Next, make sure that you have your books organized. Putting your books in baskets is easy access for students.  
DO NOT organize them by reading level! Instead, organize them by genre, author, award winners, series...the sky is the limit. 

 






 
Many teachers take the time to create a sticker system to organize books- meaning they use different stickers to code books. The sticker will coordinate with the genre. For example, red circle for realistic fiction. A coded chart can be hung in your library. This helps to keep books organized, helps students familiarize themselves with genres, and cuts down search time for books, as well as where to return books. It is time consuming to begin, but pays off year after year.




*Each book would get an individual sticker (doesn't necessarily have to say the genre- could have a symbol with a corresponding chart).

Make sure that there is an area for classroom book recommendations, as well. You might also want a basket for your mentor texts. 

Decide how you will allow students to check-out books. In our classroom last year, we started a procedure where students had to fill out an index card with the title of the book, author, and their name (some books already had them from previous years, others didn't, but this is a task students can help you with). The cards were kept in a library pocket inside the book when the book is on the shelf. Then, they had to check-in with the teacher when they were checking out the book. This was very important in the beginning of the school year when we were teaching students to choose just right books. The teacher not only has a conversation with the student, but also records the book that each student decides to check-out. This helps keep track of books (so they don't get lost), time it takes a student to read the given book (are they really reading? is it just right?) and amount of books reading during the school year. The teacher keeps the index card (we had a pocket chart to put them in) and in order to get a new book the student had to trade out index cards and put books back into the correct location.

 

 
Finally- Map out how you are going to begin that 1st week. Think about how you are going to launch your workshops: 1st 20 days for reading, launching the Writer's Notebook, and the mentor texts that you are going to introduce to your class first :) 

Cheers to a fabulous new successful school year! 

Summer Reading

What are you reading this summer? Better yet, what are your kids reading this summer? The summer vacation is typically filled with days enjoying the gorgeous weather, which is something that I definitely enjoy too. However, it is very important to ensure that your child continues to practice reading in order to improve their reading stamina and not lose any of the growth that was gained from the previous school year.

Reading doesn't have to be a daunting task. Make it fun! I don't care what a child reads as long as he/ she is reading and enjoying it at the same time. There are so many great resources out there.

My Top 10 Helpful Hints:

1. Visit your local library- they often have read alouds, great summer reading suggestions, and often times a program your child can join

2. Visit your local bookstore- much like the library, book stores often have programs and book suggestions for your child

3. Read your local newspaper- you might find some local reading programs. Also, reading the newspaper with your child teaches them how to use this resource. You would be surprised to know that many children are unaware of how to navigate one. Often times newspapers include a child friendly section.

4. Visit reading websites! There are so many out there. Reading on-line is just as useful and helpful as reading a book! Many sites even have free books that your child can read.

5. Set a time aside for your child to read. Many enjoy to read before bed or when they wake up in the morning. Rainy days and beach days are also great times to read.

6. Find a special reading spot. I really enjoy reading on the beach during vacation. But when I'm home, I like to read out on my porch. Where is your special spot?

7. Reading doesn't always have to be a solo activity! Read together, share the book, and have a discussion. Invite others to join and create your very own summer book club.

8. Use your friends to help you choose a book. I depend on my friends for book recommendations. There are so many great books out there to choose from. I also like to see what new books have just been published to help spark my interest.

9. It is important to know that it is ok to abandon a book. You aren't going to love every book that you pick and that's ok. Try to give it a chance, but if you aren't warming up to it, swap it for something else.

10. Make reading a part of your household. If your children see you reading, they will know that it is important. So, I ask you what are you reading this summer? Better yet, what is your child reading? I recently finished the children's book: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.

Sad News...

Due to budgetary issues, my current position as a literacy teacher, coach, and trainer has come to an end. I have known for some time now that I will no longer be in the position that I am in, but have been trying to continue teaching and coaching as normal. I am very happy and thankful for the journey that I have been given the last two years, as I have learned and grown so much as an educator and teacher of literacy. Hopefully one day we will get back to where we should be going...forward, not backwards. Only when a school district has a strong literacy program with Reading Recovery, Leveled Literacy Intervention, and Literacy Collaborative all implemented as they were envisioned to be, will we see the growth and love for literacy from our students. Many people may think that I have "drank the Kool-Aid," and in a way I have. As a teacher, I have seen that growth through my colleague's teaching of Reading Recovery (1st grade reading intervention), my own teaching with another colleague utilizing L.L.I., and my own implementation of Literacy Collaborative Workshop Model. Unfortunately, due to unfunded mandates and lack of state funding, our district no longer has the money to support these wonderful and enriching programs, two of which are intervention programs for our struggling readers. As for me, I will return to my roots and work with those struggling readers by servicing 3-5 students with Academic Intervention Services (A.I.S). I will continue to update this blog with teaching, ideas, and experiences don't you worry! After all, I will always be a coach of literacy :)

Here are some funny cartoons that I stumbled upon...one is quite old (reference school year, but it's all the same every year!)

End of the year and thinking about the new school year to come...

 Always thinking about the next year....

Many of us are getting ready for a much needed school year break called summer vacation. Even though many of us are also unsure of what next year will mean for us (well, in my district anyways). It is still a good time to get things organized, so that in September you're not wondering where did I put that and where to begin.

I like to set up a file folder of beginning of the year things to d,o in order to offer a smooth transition and try not to forget anything later. A lot of things that are included in this file folder are my beginning of the year assessments and get to know you activities, as well as things/ideas for Open House.

Some of my beginning of the year ideas are:
1. Reading Inventory
2. Writing Inventory
3. Schlagel Spelling Assessment
4. 6- Trait Writing Assessment
5. Class Benchmark Sheet; (my benchmark box should have copies made and ready to go for the following school year)
6. Reading Strategies Bookmarks
7. Writing Checklist for students
8. Binders for reading and writing workshop for anecdotal notes (well, not in a folder...haha)
9. Stickies for notes
10. My reading and writing clipboards strategically placed near binders
11. Old letter to parents regarding Open House- to tweak later- and any other materials that will be helpful for that night
12. Any cute activity (and supplies) that you have found for the students to do for Open House- try to push yourself not to do the sammmmme activity that you always do
13. Writer's notebook entry ideas that will help jump start writer's workshop
14. A space in the classroom where you can put students' supplies as they come in (workbooks, folders, notebooks, and etc. so you don't get overwhelmed with piles)
15. Finally, a brainstormed map of how you would like your classroom "setup"- in case your building is like mine and everything comes out for good old cleaning

This is only a brainstormed list...I'm sure that there are more things to add. What else would you put onto this list? Don't forget, the break is a great time to spend an hour or two finally getting that webpage up and going! Once you start, it makes things a lot easier later on in the year to update and add to. Then you will only have to add a little here and there and you still have your page :)