Friday, August 29, 2008
Writing Academy Huge Success
The Writing Academy Workshop was a huge success! We're looking forward to taking and posting pictures of the strategies at work.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Johnston Team Ready!
On Monday, August 4, 2008 I had a chance to meet and learn with the Johnston Middle School team. This year, they will be implementing Reader's Writer's workshop. (RWW) I'm looking forward to including lots of photos of their journey.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
How Do I Manage Readers Workshop?
Thanks again to Beth Newingham for sharing her best practices. The Scholastic article, "Classroom Management in Reader's Workshop" gives some practical tips on keeping Workshop time, focused, managed, and productive. Ideas include rotating special spaces, creating a weekly checkout bag or book box, so student perusing doesn't take the place of reading, and pictures of sticky note Reading Notebooks! View more pictures on how to manage your classroom reading workshops.
How Do I Organize My Classroom Library?
Photos and Tips of Classroom Libraries
Veteran teacher, Beth Newingham has great pictures of how her classroom library is organized. There isn't a hyperlink, so once you enter the site, go to the left hand index, and click on Classroom Library. Once you get to the library, make sure to click on the link that says, "Click here to read more about how the books are organized and leveled!" There's lots of great photos. She includes information on how she levels books, as well as the templates she uses to label the baskets. Other great "to know's" includes dual book storage areas, magazine racks, as well as photos of the student bins for keeping track of the materials that they are working on.
Mandy Gregory, another top notch educator and internet poster, also provides practical information for setting up a classroom library, as well as the resources needed to make it happen.
Cataloging Books: Online and Offline Resources
Beth Newingham has a spreadsheet of her books that can be downloaded for free. Use the template to keep track of your own library collection.
Library Thing is an online cataloging resource, and includes reading level information, and connects you to others who have the same book. Take a tour! You can catalog up to 200 for free, or pay $25.00 for a lifetime membership.
Shelfari is another online cataloging resource and social networking site that revolves around books.
Leveling Books: What size do you wear?
Leveling Books is the same as sizing clothes and having students "try 'em on". As the teacher, we have to guide children to the "right rack". Growing children don't stay in the same size for long, and practicing readers don't either. Just as fashion trends come and go, so do students interests. This handy leveling chart shows the correlation between Guided Reading, DRA, and Lexile. Eduplace and Houghton Mifflin have also created a conversion chart that corresponds to Reading Recovery, and the Stage of Reader. Another comprehensive leveling chart that also includes the corresponding writing stage, along side the reading level, comes from the state of Utah. Looking to find out more information about what kids like? Ask them to pop on the internet and surf. Usually, they'll type in their favorite topic.
Veteran teacher, Beth Newingham has great pictures of how her classroom library is organized. There isn't a hyperlink, so once you enter the site, go to the left hand index, and click on Classroom Library. Once you get to the library, make sure to click on the link that says, "Click here to read more about how the books are organized and leveled!" There's lots of great photos. She includes information on how she levels books, as well as the templates she uses to label the baskets. Other great "to know's" includes dual book storage areas, magazine racks, as well as photos of the student bins for keeping track of the materials that they are working on.
Mandy Gregory, another top notch educator and internet poster, also provides practical information for setting up a classroom library, as well as the resources needed to make it happen.
Cataloging Books: Online and Offline Resources
Beth Newingham has a spreadsheet of her books that can be downloaded for free. Use the template to keep track of your own library collection.
Library Thing is an online cataloging resource, and includes reading level information, and connects you to others who have the same book. Take a tour! You can catalog up to 200 for free, or pay $25.00 for a lifetime membership.
Shelfari is another online cataloging resource and social networking site that revolves around books.
Leveling Books: What size do you wear?
Leveling Books is the same as sizing clothes and having students "try 'em on". As the teacher, we have to guide children to the "right rack". Growing children don't stay in the same size for long, and practicing readers don't either. Just as fashion trends come and go, so do students interests. This handy leveling chart shows the correlation between Guided Reading, DRA, and Lexile. Eduplace and Houghton Mifflin have also created a conversion chart that corresponds to Reading Recovery, and the Stage of Reader. Another comprehensive leveling chart that also includes the corresponding writing stage, along side the reading level, comes from the state of Utah. Looking to find out more information about what kids like? Ask them to pop on the internet and surf. Usually, they'll type in their favorite topic.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
How do I elaborate?
Just add details and stir.
For real. So, where do details come from??? Yes, it's the question that students seem to have the most trouble tackling, and adding. You've read enough of the "and then, and then, and then" to know that they don't completely understand it. Here's how Steve Peha succinctly categorizes those "know 'em when I see em's" so students gets really get the point... elaborated.
1. The 5 W's
2. The five senses
3. Setting
4. Attributes-size, shape, color
5. Feelings
Steve Peha, the owner, writer, and teacher extraordinaire, has this and other easy-to-read, teacher and student friendly strategies in his PDF "The Organizers" with a one-sheeter called "The Writing Strategy Organizer" to help teachers and students do everything from pick a topic, to set the stage, and of course add details. If you can't hyperlink it the address is: http://www.ttms.org/. Click the headline in the green box called "The Organizers".
I would be remiss to not add the reading component to this, so if you have time try "Read Like a Reader; Read Like a Writer" too. Trust me. It's worth the extra click.
For real. So, where do details come from??? Yes, it's the question that students seem to have the most trouble tackling, and adding. You've read enough of the "and then, and then, and then" to know that they don't completely understand it. Here's how Steve Peha succinctly categorizes those "know 'em when I see em's" so students gets really get the point... elaborated.
1. The 5 W's
2. The five senses
3. Setting
4. Attributes-size, shape, color
5. Feelings
Steve Peha, the owner, writer, and teacher extraordinaire, has this and other easy-to-read, teacher and student friendly strategies in his PDF "The Organizers" with a one-sheeter called "The Writing Strategy Organizer" to help teachers and students do everything from pick a topic, to set the stage, and of course add details. If you can't hyperlink it the address is: http://www.ttms.org/. Click the headline in the green box called "The Organizers".
I would be remiss to not add the reading component to this, so if you have time try "Read Like a Reader; Read Like a Writer" too. Trust me. It's worth the extra click.
All Things Reading and Writing
Hello Fellow WFP Educators:
Welcome back from summer break! I've found a way to easily compile and share all of the great materials and ideas that come my way (thanks teachers, students, and Blogger). Look for the following coming soon:
- Lots of pictures of Best Practices in action, thanks WFP educators
- Ongoing compilation of tried and true (FREE) materials, sites, and links to help you help your students
- Ongoing writing reviews and assessments
- Review of reading status at each campus
I've attached some "flat coffee " and "flat donuts" so you can relax while reading. No calories and caffeine free.
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