Our Gathering Place
In my classroom, I have a huge area rug that my kids sit on
when we have group time. This year, I am going to get rid
of the rug because it is old and more than a little dirty and
think this would give me the versitility and flexibility that I
need to change up partners and groupings when I am in
whole group. I am a diehard fan of using 'talk partners'.
And of course, I eavesdrop on all of the conversations going
on!!
Picking appropriate books
In my classroom, I taught my kids how to use the 5 fingure
rule to pick out books. Every Monday, my kids go 'book
shopping' which means they take their gallon-sized plastic
bag and go choose 3-4 books that they want to read for the
week. During their time reading, they are expected to read
all of these books <unless they are able to read chapter
books>. It is funny how when you read a book a long time
ago and pick it up again how, as a teacher, we begin doing
things and using strategies that seem natural to use, when
we more than likely got the idea from the book that we read.
I think this happened to me, as The Sisters recommend
students choosing books that have real meaning and a
purpose for learning behind them. Everytime my students
come to conference with me about the books that they have
read, the first question I aske them is 'Why did you choose
these books? What do you want to learn from them?". It is
a great conversation starter.
Rituals and Routines
As far as rituals and routines in my room, my Monday
morning book shopping is my most important. If we are not
able to go bookshopping that morning, the kids seem to
loose their 'oomph' for the day and sometimes, even the
week. I have learned that I can use this as an extra reward,
too, and I will declare a day a 'bonus bookshopping day'
and let me students go choose one more book 'just for fun'.
I get so excited to see what they choose.
Another routine that I have in my room is reading from the
book baggy as soon as the kids come into the room and
unpack. At the beginning of the year, my admin insisted
that we start writing right away and have the kids write in
their journals while I was taking roll, lunch count, taking up
money, etc. I did not like this at all. I felt like (and still do!)
that a mini lesson is definitely needed before writing starts
because it generates a purpose for writing (as in using an
author's craft, a certain writing genre, or a certain
comprehension skill that is being worked out). So, mid-year
we had a huge faculty meeting and this issue was brought
up. We were given the go ahead to start the day with
reading. I think I was one of the first teachers to switch
back to this and I never looked back! My day started so
much more quieter, and the kids seemed to be more on
target with their learning.
Anchor charts are also a big part of routine. Easing into
modeled and shared reading is so much easier once they
are warmed up. Creating an anchor chart helps students
focus and practice new skills that they are introduced to.
Without anchor charts it is 'out of sight, out of mind!'....I
can't remember what we have done the previous day, so I
can't expect them to remember it either!
In reading the book, I was again reminded about the
correct/incorrect model. Over the years I have forgotten
how this can change the inner-workings of a classroom. My
plan is to do more of this!!! All year I struggled with a
couple of boys that didn't think that they were capable of
doing this or doing that--I will admit that it was a struggle
and there were days that I felt like I needed to sit on a
couple to keep them engaged, but anyway, I wish I had
remembered this strategy to get them engaged from the
beginning.
I need to add this: stamina, stamina, stamina. This is a
work in progress as far as routines and rituals go. This will
be my focus for this coming year!
And that, folks, is my summary of Chapter 3! Don't forget to
check out the links to hop across a few blogs. Also, check
they have to say about Chapter 3. Also remember that our
Chapter 3 hostesses with the mostesses were Melissa and
Out Loud. I know that they have a lot of good information to
share also!
Until Next Time!!
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