Guided Reading in Grades 3-6

It's a book review!  This summer, I have been reading more and more about Reading Workshop and all its components.  Guided reading is a component I especially wanted to focus on.  I found Guided Reading in Grades 3-6 by Mary Browning Schulman to be a great source of information with practical, applicable ideas.  Let me tell you more about it.

Teaching 5th grade can be difficult at times when you are looking for professional literature.  There is so much out there for the K-3 teacher.  I'm in the unique position of teaching an enrichment 5th grade class, so I have some very proficient readers.  However, they are still only 10 and 11!  There is still so much learning to do.  That's one of the things I like about guided reading.  You are always teaching.  All you say and do has meaning in that group meeting and to the child.  There is no lost learning time.

Schulman starts off by explaining how guided reading fits into a comprehensive literacy framework.  Meaning, you want to have your read alouds, independent reading, shared reading, partner reading, etc. in place before you get your guided reading groups going.  This makes sense simply because it is important to do some assessment of the students so that you can form focused groups. 

"Observing students as they engage in the various reading and writing experiences within the framework helps determine what students are learning and what they need to learn next, providing you with valuable insights and directions regarding which instructional approach would be the best one to meet students' needs." (p. 25)

What I love about this book is that it so clearly explains how guided reading works.  Schulman does a great job explaining how it functions in the classroom, including time frames.  She explains how to get yourself organized for your groups as well as how to organize your students.  Over the years, I have learned that organization is one of the best teaching tools I have!  There is even a section on how to organize your classroom library.

Chapter 4 is all about reading strategies.  There is a fantastic seven page chart included that is a must copy.  It summarizes the various reading strategies, gives a definition, and tells why it is important.  The last two chart columns tell what the "teacher talk" and the "reader's inner talk" in teaching/using the strategy would sound like.  This chart alone is worth the price of the book!

As you get to the end of the book, the last chapter brings it all together.  There are four model guided reading lessons scripted in the book.  These model lessons are gems.  They explicitly explain what the teacher noticed in her students that led to the teaching of this lesson and what the focus of the lesson will be.  The model lessons then go on to "teach" the lesson.  There is a column for lesson dialog and a column right next to it that gives notes about the lesson dialog.  Schulman also gives times as to how long each part of the lesson should last.

Guided Reading in Grades 3-6 has a very useful appendix.  Among the many riches you will find are sample guided reading passages that you can use in the classroom, sample classroom forms, and resources for more reading opportunities for your students.

I could go on about this book, but there is just too much to tell.  You really need to read it!  It's a great book for first-year teachers as well as experienced teachers who aren't familiar with the reading workshop approach or guided reading.  It's also great for the teacher who just wants to brush-up on the topic.  There's always something to learn! After all, we are life-long learners.

Are you doing guided reading groups? 

How's it going for you?  Any thoughts, tips, or suggestions?

By the way, this review is totally my own.  The thoughts and comments above are just my wonky brain at work!

Scholastic and Ms. Schulman don't have a clue who I am or that I read their book!

A Treat!

One of my favorite healthy living blogs, Danica's Daily, is hosting a great give-away.  It's a one year membership to Sam's Club with a $25 gift card to get you started.  I love that she mentions Box Tops for Education.  Buy some goodies and donate your box tops!  They really do help schools.

The Extreme Clipboard Makeover Edition

Here it is.  Pinterest inspired craft #3.  I give you. . .  FANCY CLIPBOARD!

I've been seeing these really pretty clipboards and wanted to give it a try.  Here's what you need:

• A clipboard
• 2 pieces of craft paper
• craft paint in a color to match your paper
• Mod Podge (Get the matte kind, although that's not what is pictured.)
• Ribbon
• foam brush

First, tape off the metal clip part of the board.  Use your craft paint to paint the edges.   I've seem some of these boards unpainted, and they looked really nice so you could skip that part.  It's just the OCD in me that wants it all matchy-matchy!   If you balance it on a glass to dry you can paint both sides at the same time.  Just hold the board by the clip.

 Next, you want to make a template that's just a little smaller than your surface area and accounts for the metal clip part.  Use it to cut out the same shape on your craft paper.  For the back, you can use the same template.  Just don't cut out the cut-out section that allows for the clip. Did that make sense?

Now, I must have had a brain cloud (Name that movie!) because I forgot to  take pictures of the next couple of steps.

Once the paint has dried, cover one side of the board with Mod Podge.  Then, place your craft paper on top.  Use a credit card to smoosh it down really well.  Let that dry resting on the cup, and then do the same with the other side.  On the back of the clipboard I used there were two metal rivets up at the top.  Instead of fighting with it, I just painted the top a little lower, cut my paper, and put it on. Do make sure you cover the entire back with Mod Podge, even the painted area. It sort of seals it all in. Once it all dries, you are almost done!

All that's left to do is add the ribbon.  I just tied some matching ribbon around the clip part.  It doesn't get in the way, and looks really cute.  Overall, it wasn't a difficult craft at all.  If you search Pinterest for this project, you will find a ton more examples that are fancier and cuter than mine.  However, considering this was my first try, I'm super pleased with the outcome! 

 

Staples! My New BFF!

Staples Office Supply and I have always been good friends.  I visit my friend Staples all the time.  In fact, it's possible our relationship was somewhat codependent.  He would send me a sales flyer, and I would go spend my money.  Well, things have just gotten more serious between us. 

You know those amazingly cheap deals on school supplies they run each week around this time?  Deals like notebooks or crayons for only ten cents, limit 2 per a person?  Did you know teachers are exempt from the 2 per a person rule?  Did you know we can purchase up to 25 of each item?   I HAD NO IDEA!  And, this is how Staples went from being my friend, to being my new BFF!  (Can you tell I've been hanging out around ten year olds for far too long?) ;-)  Check out my haul today:

Ignore my blender in the background.  Yeah, that so wasn't a ten cent purchase!

So, specifically what was this week's sale?  And, what did I get?  Lots for just ten cents each!



25 packs of yellow Sharpie highlihters for $2.50

That's 50 highlighters people!!

25 packs of #2 pencils for $2.50

Pencils is a battle I choose not to fight.  I'm not getting upset if you don't have a pencil.  Go grab one from the supply table.  As teachers, we have to pick and choose our battles, and the pencil thing is one I am not fighting!

25 packs of 3x5 ruled index cards for $2.50

I am practically giddy about this one!  I never seem to have enough of these even though I request it as a school supply every child needs.  I'm going to have to do a post on the millions of different ways I use these in my classroom soon.

There is just one catch to the deal.  You have to spend $5 on some other merchandise.  Then, you can buy up to 25 each of the super sale items.  NO PROBLEM!  I found an 18 pack of sticky notes for exactly $5.  That's another item we use like crazy, so I can never have enough stick notes.

So, that's the Staples deal.  As I wrote, you may have already known about this.  If so, why didn't someone tell me? ;-)  If you didn't know, you're welcome! 

I'm thinking that I may run by again later in the week and pick up some more index cards.  You know I will be closely checking out that sales flyer each week from now on!  Staples, I love you!

Colored Pencil Pretty!

The second project I was inspired to make via Pinterest involved some colored pencil, a glue gun, some ribbon, and a glass vase.  Put them all together, and here is what you get. . .

Ignore my dollar store flowers!  I just threw them in for a look-see.

I purchased most of what I needed at the dollar store, so this was another frugal classroom idea.  I needed:

• 3 boxes of 18 count colored pencils  ($3)
• glass vase from the dollar store ($1)
• ribbon  I didn't have any that I thought were "it" so I purchased some.  ($3)
• Glue gun, which I had

Total project: $7  I think if you are a crafty person and have some ribbon around, you can get this down to a $4 project.  If  you also happen to have a glass vase around, you're down to $3.

As you gather your materials, make sure you have pencils that are as tall as your glass, or not.  The projects I saw all had the pencils come to the edge of the vase.  As you can see from the pictures below, mine does not.  I actually like it a little lower than at the lip of the vase.  Wouldn't the points have a better chance of being broken off if they reach all the way to the top?  I don't think it's really noticeable if they don't anyway.

How to:  Get your glue gun out, and run a bead of glue down the length of the pencil.  You want to be sure to put the glue on the part of the pencil that has any writing on it.  This way, the outside of the vase has no writing and is just a pretty rainbow of colors.  When I glued the pencil to the glass, I put the end of the pencil right on the table so that I knew it was all level and straight.  I also made sure a little bit of glue squished over to the pencil next to the one I was gluing. 

I ended up using about two and a half packages of colored pencils, but it all depends on the size of your vase.  To finish up, I put a ribbon around the whole thing.  How cute is this school ribbon?

Ignore my messy couch in the background!

 You could use this for flowers or anything else you can think of. I'm sticking with my dollar store flowers for another touch of color. Fill with fresh flowers and this would make a great gift for any teacher.  I've also seen it done with all yellow #2 pencils, crayons, and the short colored pencils.  They all looked pretty cool.

Now, I know this is not exactly a classroom necessity like the magnets I made, but it sure is a pretty decorative touch.  I was going to put this on my desk, but I have a sign-out area that I think needs some pretty.



Classroom Magnets

After finally completing the curriculum work, I need a bit of break from serious school stuff.  This means I have yet to write the post on the guided reading book recently read. 

 Instead, I decided to get my craft on! 

I have been totally obsessed with Pinterest these days.  Hours, and truly I mean HOURS, of the last few days have been delightfully lost roaming their boards. It's sort of like a giant bulletin board of images.  You can search any category or topic.  If you haven't checked it out yet, GO!

Super strong magnets I made with my own two little glue gun burned hands!

I have found many classroom craft ideas there that I couldn't wait to try.  I have two done, and two I am mid-project.  Today, I am going to show you how I made these amazing magnets for my classroom. I saw them on several different boards and thought it was just what I needed.  It seems I am always looking for magnets for my whiteboard.  Buying them can get expensive, so this project is not only useful, but frugal.

Here's what you need: 

• A bag of clear gems from the dollar store ($1)
• Any color/pattern paper.  I used solid colored scrapbook paper I had.  ($0)
• Mod Podge.  I was out and had to purchase some.  Glad I had a coupon!  ($3)
• Glue gun, which I had ($0)
• Magnets.  I used the strong, black circle magnets. I had 4 and purchased some more. They came in a pack of 8.  ($3) 

In all, this project cost me $7 to make 12 magnets.  I purchased my supplies at A.C. Moore, a local craft store.  Not bad considering I am using the Mod Podge on several other projects.  If I purchase another pack of magnets all the other supplies are on hand, and I have 8 more magnets for just $3.  If you have purchased strong, decorative magnets you know they can be costly. 

So, here's how it works.  Trace the clear gem on your colored paper.  Then, cut the circle a little smaller than what you traced.  Use the Mod Podge to glue the paper to the flat side of the gem. I spread the glue on one side of the paper and stuck it on the gem.  Make sure you smoosh it down a little so it really sticks.  I then let it sit overnight.  The next day, I glued the magnet to the construction paper side of the gem.  That's all you need to do.  Easy Peasy!

Here's a shot of the back of the magnet.

And, here are some more back shots!

It really was so easy.  And, they are really strong.  I think they will hold up heavier charts and laminated posters without a problem.  Below is a side view of them on my fridge.  They pop out just enough that it's easy to pick them up and move them around.

Just enough room for hands big and small to move them easily.

And, this is how my completed magnets make me feel. . .

 Tomorrow, I will show you my second Pinterest inspired classroom craft.

7/31/11 UPDATE!  I went to Michael's today.  It's another craft store.  I found the same magnets I used in this craft at a much cheaper price!  The package below of 50 magnets cost $7.00, that's only 14 cents a magnet.  I'm planning on making some for my coworkers as a small back to school gift.

The Best Laid Plans

If you read my last post from the 13th, you would have read that I had plans to blog at least twice a week over the summer.  Okay, so today is the 23rd and no posts until now.  So, what happened?

~CURRICULUM WRITING~

I have been doing some science and social studies curriculum writing for my district.  It has taken more of my time than I had anticipated.  Probably because the district needs it done about two weeks sooner than they had originally requested.  The good news is I'm almost done.  I'm hoping my next post is a reflection on one of the professional books I read recently about reading workshop.  There are about 4 good books I wanted to get in over the summer.  I'm on the second one now.  I'm not sure if I will get to them all.  I would like some non-school related time this summer.  Between the curriculum writing and the professional reading, I feel like the school year hasn't ended. 

I was thinking about some other posts I want to do as well.  I have been putting a lot of thought in about how I want to set up my classroom this year.  Sadly, I can't get in to my room until the last week of August, so there won't be any picture posts about that until then.  I know I am going to be jealous of you teachers out there who are able to get in your rooms earlier.  Then again, maybe I will be able to pick up some good ideas from you all!

I'm Back! And, Boy Do I Have Plans!

Okay, it's not back to school time for me yet, but it is back to blog time!  I haven't kept up with this blog at all, but that's about to change.  If anything, I think this will be a great place for me to have a record of teaching ideas, thoughts, and resources.  I'm happy to share them, but for now this is more for me.  If anyone does stop by, I hope that you will find something to help out or spark an idea that will be helpful to you.

This year, I have plans to rearrange my classroom.  I did a post showing my classroom set-up from September 2010.  I am in the same classroom, but there are going to be some changes to my teaching that will are prompting me to change the flow and organization of my room.  I'm also considering doing away with my teacher's desk, but so far I just can't bring myself to do it!  We'll see what happens when I go in at the end of August to set-up my room.  That's when I will be able to post actual pictures of my room and how I organize. 

I have also been doing a lot of professional reading so far this summer on Reader's Workshop.  I have done components of it in the past, but I am planning to jump in 100% this year.  I am going to do some posts on the books I have been reading.  There is a lot of great information out there!

So, that's where it stands.  I am hoping to post twice a week over the summer.  That's my goal.  Maybe more, but no less.  Once school starts, I am sure I will post more as I will have more to say! :-)

Merry Christmas!

Parent's Signature Required!

What papers do you have signed in your class?  In mine, all test papers are signed by the entire class.  I will usually check for signatures at the beginning of that subject's period.  But every once in a while, for whatever reason, I need to have an individual student have a paper signed by a parent.  I usually just write "Parent's Signature" with an X and a signature line above it. When I started teaching, I had to think of a way to see those signed papers without drawing attention to the one or two kids that needed to have a paper signed.  Let's face it, the other kids know it usually means that kid didn't do too well on that assignment.  So, how to go about it?  A Signed Paper Basket!

Here's how it works.  This basket sits on a shelf near my desk.  The sign on front reads "Signed Work  -  Place your signed work in the basket face down."  In the basket is a big paper weight that sits on top of the work.  If a student needs to have a paper signed, they know that within the next two days the signed paper must make it into that basket, face down.  Face down so that other students can't see whose paper it is.  After school, I will take a look at the papers in the basket to see what was signed.  I note it by putting a line through the grade in my grade book. This is my way of documenting that I know the parent has seen that particular grade. I then place the paper back in the student's desk.  No muss, no fuss!

The purpose of this is simple. It's a trust issue between student and teacher. We all have had days where our work is not up to par.  I wanted my students to know that if they have a paper that doesn't go so well, I'm not calling them out on it.  It's not True Confessions time.  I'm not going to ask for the signed paper in front of the whole class, I'm not going to single them out, I'm not going to draw attention to it.  If I need to talk about the work with the child, I do so in private.  When it's time to turn in the signed work, they simply find a time at some point in the day to slip their paper in the basket.  I tend to get 90% of papers back in a day with no problems.  For those that don't get the work in the basket, well, we have a little private conversation about that!  Overall, this works for us!

Coming soon!  I am planning a week of posts called "Binder Love!"  I am hooked on binders and use them for several different purposes in my class.  I plan to share 5 different ways I use binders in my room to assist with organization, student work, teaching, etc.  I use binders for a ton of things, so it's possible you may see me revisit this topic again later.