11 – 4 – 12
Hi Parents! I’ve seen this research floating around in various forms over my lifetime as a teacher (16 years). I recently came across this visual and thought I’d share it.
Now, we do a lot of reading at school, but nightly reading is also important. While I don’t ask students to read for 20 minutes each night, I do stress to them the importance of reading at least 1-2 books each night (the little leveled readers). They understand that as they become more proficient readers, the books will become lengthier, and therefore they might limit it to one book per night. Thank you for encouraging your reader at home! I do take time to read your comments on the Reading Log sheet. Also…when you fill out the reading log sheet, it is OK to write one book title per line. The students are collecting finished reading logs at school and will get them back the last week of school. It’s always a fun day to get them back and count how many reading logs they’ve completed! I’m looking forward to meeting with you at conferences to celebrate your child’s successes with you and discuss their goals for 2nd quarter!
10-22-12
Take a look at the newest site added to “Learning Links” – -
Direct Link: http://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/#
Students will receive log on info cards tomorrow (10-23-12).
10 – 2 – 12
Yesterday was our GRAND OPENING of Daily 5! Students were greeted with a large, colorful banner; balloons, streamers, juice boxes, cookies, and the Daily 5 Choice Board.
You can read about Daily 5 in our “September in Review” newsletter. In a nutshell, Daily 5 is a time for students to independently demonstrate their reading and writing skills. Daily they self-select 2, 3, or 4 independent reading and writing options. The options are:
- Read to Self
- Read with Someone
- Listen to Reading
- Word Work
- Work on Writing
During Read to Self, students spend time reading their “Just Right” books. They shop for “Just Right” books on Mondays.
During Read with Someone, students choose a partner and take turns reading. They have conversations about books too!
During Word Work, students select one of 18 activity bins. They may work with a partner or individually. Sight words are the focus of each activity bin.
During Work on Writing, students select a “project” to complete. Projects can include artwork, crafts, and illustrations, but must ALWAYS contain writing.
During Listen to Reading, students select one of four MP3 bins. Each bin contains a playlist of audiobooks, headphones, and an MP3 player. They listen to stories and follow along with the book.
While students work independently to strengthen their reading and writing skills, I work with small groups of readers at the “rainbow table” for Guided Reading PLUS+. During our meetings at the “rainbow table” students read books, learn new reading strategies, strengthen already-learned-reading strategies, participate in word work building activities, and write.
