tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post4914917028246256430..comments2024-03-18T17:56:33.768-04:00Comments on Teaching My Friends!: Planning the ImpossibleNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11696705378556776950noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-36175437492149131532012-09-14T01:07:37.306-04:002012-09-14T01:07:37.306-04:00Try daily five ...it worksTry daily five ...it worksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-38930131555973783882012-09-14T01:06:51.191-04:002012-09-14T01:06:51.191-04:00Try daily five ...it worksTry daily five ...it worksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-16382075009122163182012-09-10T12:24:01.074-04:002012-09-10T12:24:01.074-04:00I completely identify with your frustration! I tea...I completely identify with your frustration! I teach 6th grade literacy. We have the kids for approximately 60 minutes every day. I think higher ups have forgotten that literacy includes reading, writing, and spelling. 3 subjects in one period. I know what I should be doing with the kids...there simply isn't enough time. Personally, I believe the school day should be extended in order to teach our kids more effectively.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04749731944821755866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-87249873013351172052012-05-28T20:23:46.962-04:002012-05-28T20:23:46.962-04:00Hi Julie,
I was going to suggest the same thing....Hi Julie, <br /><br />I was going to suggest the same thing. This is what we do with our Lit. block in the middle school I teach at in Chicago. It seems to work well. Another idea (and you may already do this), but maybe try to tie the reading and writing concepts together so that maybe the writing workshop is an extension of the reading workshop and the mini-lesson is much shorter for the writing workshop - or vice versa with the writing workshop first and the reading workshop second. Is there flexibility to be able to do this? <br /><br />Thanks for all of the blog pictures and ideas! I found you on pinterest and I've been trying to "catch up" all afternoon! :)<br /><br />KatieKatie Travershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14962119657491889469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-74216606785466981442012-05-26T18:01:55.552-04:002012-05-26T18:01:55.552-04:00I know that and you know that, but admin insists w...I know that and you know that, but admin insists we do centers. Sadly, I have no say in this. Admin dictates the components of our literacy block and how much time we must spend on each. Our faculty has been pretty vocal on the lack of time to do it all, so we are hoping for some revision in our schedule for next year.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11696705378556776950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-82143548912545005712012-05-26T16:42:29.195-04:002012-05-26T16:42:29.195-04:00Get rid of centers and do Reader's Workshop an...Get rid of centers and do Reader's Workshop and Writer's Workshop 50 minutes each. Much more powerful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-59516994731975821242012-04-24T23:05:11.972-04:002012-04-24T23:05:11.972-04:00Typo...oopsTypo...oopsSharleenhttp://canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-10845453483396914862012-04-24T23:03:42.107-04:002012-04-24T23:03:42.107-04:00You're not alone. I teach in QC, Canada and I...You're not alone. I teach in QC, Canada and I have one hour for English and one hour for math. ;-S I wish I could keep my kiddies for the entire day to accomplish what I need to, want to and is deserving of them. You seem to be very put together and your students are so lucky. When you are discouraged looked to them and let their energy and enthusiasm drive you! ;-)Sharleenhttp://canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-49251698558120524612012-03-24T21:56:31.606-04:002012-03-24T21:56:31.606-04:00Hi Julie. I so agree with you. It is very frustr...Hi Julie. I so agree with you. It is very frustrating to have my friends in centers when I know their time could be better spent. Your comment is so timely. I couldn't believe it when I read it. I am actually planning on going to my admin. this week and asking if I can do independent reading in place of centers. I am really hoping they will agree. I really appreciate your thoughts. I wish you were in charge of the world! Or, at least my schedule! :-D I will let you know how my meeting goes. Keep your fingers crossed! And, thanks for reading my blog.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11696705378556776950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-70532532229848582992012-03-24T16:47:04.790-04:002012-03-24T16:47:04.790-04:00I stumbled across your blog through Pinterest, and...I stumbled across your blog through Pinterest, and this post caught my eye. I'm a literacy coach in Texas, and we too are trying to do more with less. I don't know who determines your schedule, but I would ask them to think about that center time. In my district, we suggest that literacy stations are phased out in the second half of second grade.<br /><br />I compare literacy stations to swimming lessons. While you are learning to swim independently, swimming lessons are mostly activity-based: blowing bubbles, putting your face in the water, holding on to the side to practice kicking, etc. <br /><br />Once you know how to swim, though, swimming lessons consist of exactly that: swimming. You get in the water and swim for long stretches of time, with the coach coming over to teach you a new stroke or breathing technique. Replace swimming with reading, and this is how I view the literacy time. By 5th grade, the majority of your kids know how to read independently, so they should be spending long stretches of time reading.<br /><br />Of course you know this, or you wouldn't be frustrated with your schedule! If I were in charge of the world (and your schedule), I would take your centers time and split it between your workshops so that each of them was 50 minutes long. This is still a time crunch, but it's certainly more do-able than 35 minutes.<br /><br />I know it's not as simple as this comment is making it sound. I wish you the best of luck!<br /><br />Julie from A Literate Life<br />www.julieballew.comJulie Ballewhttp://www.julieballew.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-72326124116682202302012-01-13T06:37:22.654-05:002012-01-13T06:37:22.654-05:00do you still need ideas? could you do one day as ...do you still need ideas? could you do one day as writing workshop for the 70mins (2x35min) and the next day do the reading workshop? you'd still be fulfilling the requirements your administration has for each element, but giving you and your kids a better allocation of time. Fridays (or whichever day you choose) would still have to be the two x 35 in lesson to even it up, but that may be more workable than what you have.<br />(I don't have a blog to link to, sorry!)<br />Donna in AustraliaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-29177540847919906182012-01-01T23:50:04.889-05:002012-01-01T23:50:04.889-05:00I'm in the Southeast and we feel time constrai...I'm in the Southeast and we feel time constraints as well. <br /><br />Melly<><<br />staplersstrategies@gmail.com<br /><i><b><a href="http://staplersstrategies.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Stapler’s Strategies for Sizzlin' Second Graders!</a></b></i>Mrs. S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06340972326847556980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-89171703465805051852011-12-29T20:46:15.341-05:002011-12-29T20:46:15.341-05:00Glad I am not alone. I am always looking for bette...Glad I am not alone. I am always looking for better ways to teach what I need to teach-especially as every year my reading ability spectrum grows (way more low readers). I also teach 5th and have some that came to me reading a level 6 (barely 1st grade) and some are reading a level 60/70! So hard to meet all the needs in such a short time.debi2610https://www.blogger.com/profile/09918537058049960889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-18115280107919426402011-12-22T23:48:59.361-05:002011-12-22T23:48:59.361-05:00You, my dear, are not alone in your thoughts! New...You, my dear, are not alone in your thoughts! New Jersey sounds exactly like Texas! Same thing!<br />Although your thoughts are valid, please vent here on line and whatever you do....DON'T SHARE THESE THOUGHTS WITH YOUR PRINCIPAL, LITERACY COACH, ETC. They are absolutely CLUELESS to your plight...Simply put, you will lose. Best advice, do as I do: CLOSE YOUR DOOR AND DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO! I simply pretend to honor the ridiculous time constraints and go home a happy camper each and ever day. :-) Cheers to the New Year!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-40480793933863863392011-11-22T20:34:51.522-05:002011-11-22T20:34:51.522-05:00We also struggle with our schedule. I've used ...We also struggle with our schedule. I've used the Daily Five for three years and it's been helpful in time management and small group instruction. We also try to meld any "whole group" or shared reading with our writing through the use of mentor texts. My struggle is melding all the components of language:grammar, sight words, spelling, vocabulary! Too many words!<br />Alison<br />thechalkboarddiaries.blogspot.comAlisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05894498858150305017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-11231534810611685392011-11-19T19:24:58.759-05:002011-11-19T19:24:58.759-05:00I agree with you. 35 minutes is impossible. I wa...I agree with you. 35 minutes is impossible. I was a Principal in Texas and we had at least 60 minutes for Reading and an additional 60 minutes for Writing and 30 minutes for Social Studies. We really felt that 60 minutes was too short - especially to include all components of comprehensive literacy. You may need to think of your schedule across the week instead of every day. Meet with your highest readers once/week and your striving readers daily - average 2-3 times. Centers on Tues/Wed instead of daily - it might help a bit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-89944242678824886312011-11-14T19:50:39.045-05:002011-11-14T19:50:39.045-05:00Do you still have read aloud at a different time o...Do you still have read aloud at a different time of day? Maybe mold that until your reading crafting session. It may not be ideal, but could work. As much as I hate it (I love read aloud) I'm finding that it's not really necessary when teaching in the Reader's Workshop format.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-37380112249654689642011-11-11T11:28:10.889-05:002011-11-11T11:28:10.889-05:00We don't do literacy centers anymore. During ...We don't do literacy centers anymore. During reading workshop we have the children read privately (15-20 minutes)and with a partner (10-15 minutes.) During that block I see guided reading groups, strategy groups, or confer with individual students. With the minilesson and share, this takes a good 50 minutes for first graders. Could you drop the centers and just do workshops? If you still want some centers, for word work, you could do a five minute whole group lesson followed by one ten minute center. This is how we are trying it this year and I am pretty happy with it. I am still totally swamped with the planning , but at least I am not dealing with preparing 6 centers every two days like I used to!Courtneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13854949056910743758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-63218983168507597552011-11-11T06:20:29.126-05:002011-11-11T06:20:29.126-05:00I don't have any advice for you as I teach mat...I don't have any advice for you as I teach math, but just wanted to say that I feel the same way about never accomplishing anything during my prep! I tend to get to school early and stay late rather than bringing work home with me.Sherriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16110420412281024292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-43160857358268289522011-11-10T19:59:10.119-05:002011-11-10T19:59:10.119-05:00I try to do reading workshop in a little less than...I try to do reading workshop in a little less than an hour, usually 45 minutes and it's still not enough time!!Ginger Snapshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17233235729834852646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-65511579277013002112011-11-10T10:53:28.651-05:002011-11-10T10:53:28.651-05:00I teach in NJ too, and we have the same issue. Eac...I teach in NJ too, and we have the same issue. Each year it gets worse and worse because more and more "research based" strategies and components are added. I flew to AZ to see my sisters and what am I doing? Writing lesson plans and creating teaching materials! I have really wanted to implement Daily 5 into my class, but I feel like some area always suffers, especially writing. A trainer for our new series told us that "reading" and "writing" include things like reading directions and writing answers to questions. I feel so guilty that students rarely have time for "free choice" reading...<br /><br /><a rel="nofollow">Miss B, Busy Bee</a>Miss Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15845014273036065099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-26490192009717973262011-11-10T10:23:17.819-05:002011-11-10T10:23:17.819-05:00Side note: I would keep my plans the same and not...Side note: I would keep my plans the same and not necessarily advertise to the powers-that-be I have changed my timing. Just close the door and do what works....<br />~Kitty<br /><i><b><a href="javascript:void(0);" rel="nofollow">The Write Handed Teacher</a></b></i>Kitty Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16187467500507448328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477354641836887911.post-59340178317773460232011-11-10T10:21:17.965-05:002011-11-10T10:21:17.965-05:00On the bright side, you have an uninterrupted bloc...On the bright side, you have an uninterrupted block. I think 35 minutes for writer's and readers workshop is NOT enough time, particularly if you teach 5th grade. Have you ever heard of Daily 5 and Cafe? You might consider a series of 3 mini lessons per day...One for reading; one for writing and one for word work/vocabulary or spelling. After each whole group mini lesson, children select an area to work on while you pull small groups or confer. I would definitely rework that center time to extend reading and writing workshop! <br />~Kitty<br /><i><b><a href="javascript:void(0);" rel="nofollow">The Write Handed Teacher</a></b></i>Kitty Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16187467500507448328noreply@blogger.com