4-3-13
It’s a Micro-Farm! We assembled it this morning and will work to start planting tomorrow. The students are especially excited about mixing the soil with the worm casings! ;-) Stay tuned for further posts about our new adventure!
Daily 5
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.
Readers & Writers Infomercial
9 – 18 – 12
Yesterday we spent the afternoon making an informercial about what Independent Readers & Writers do.
The class participated in a shared writing activity to create our commercial script. They then practiced their part and performed!
