Daily 5 Book Study, Chapter 3

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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  use interlocking foam squares for the students to sit on.  I  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  with our 'Daily 5 Currators' Mel D at Seussastic Classroom  Inspirations and Nicole at Teaching With Style to see what  they have to say about Chapter 3.  Also remember that our  Chapter 3 hostesses with the mostesses were Melissa and  Mrs. Freshwater's Class and Jana at Reading and Thinking  Out Loud.  I know that they have a lot of good information to  share also! Until Next Time!!