Great ideas and thanks for sharing these with us in such an organized fashion. I also appreciate the ideas for center activities. With all the beginning of the year testing that is required of so many of us, I am glad that the book says to take about 6 weeks to get started. I also like the way they introduce the centers one at a time and with a small group. I have not done this either and have been teaching for 27 years. I have always introduced them whole group, but one at a time. With a small group, I really can be assured that they understand it better. The rest are still engaged with worthwhile learning activities too.My question is, "How do others get the testing done and still have enough time to introduce these centers and train kids?" I get the testing done but is there better way to fit it into my day and still have enough time to do my reading block effectively?
WOW! Thanks for the encouragement! I have been doing GR for 22 yrs! The routines have changed as my "requirements" have changed, but the MAIN GR format never changes…small group, one reading goal per day, READ, READ, READ! Thanks for supporting the BEST part of my day! wendy 1stgradefireworks@gmail.com1stgradefireworks
Crystal you did an amazing job summarizing the chapter and applying the strategies in you classroom. You provided lots of great reminders. I felt like I read the chapter myself. I plan to get the book but I'm in the middle of preparing for a huge test for certification. Thank you for sharing.
Boy, was this an eye opening first chapter. Thank you for going through again all the areas and showing work/center ideas. I am thrilled to be part of this book group.
Some things that really stood out for me in this chapter:
***The Reading Notebooks! – I am moving from K to first so I think I might actually try these this year!
In them they would keep: Reading goals (sight word graph, reading level graph, etc.), listen to reading response papers, independent reading response papers, blank lined paper from Stop and Jots during whole group reading, their self-evaluation papers from Fridays, etc.
My concern is getting it all up and running and then having the time for them to actually use them!!! Does anyone use Reading Notebooks with first graders?
***Independent Reading Response – When would I have the kids actually do this? Everybody on Fridays? A few kids every day of the week? I don't want this to take time away from actually reading. Hmm.
My goal this year is to get my whole classroom organized. I am very excited about the schedule in chapter 1. I have a question about your word work containers and shelf. Where did you get it??
Thanks Crystal for setting this us w/your colleagues. It is soooo much more insightful reading a book as a group.
Goldilox above asked about Reading Notebooks. Do you use DIBELS? If ss, you may want to check out our post. We mention Fluency Folders vs Reading Notebooks.
Crystal, this was a wonderful overview of the first chapter. I love your What Helps Me section and plan on using many of these wonderful ideas. Thank you!
So, I wasn't sure about following along with this book study until I read your post! I'm DEFINITELY ordering the book now! I just completed year four of kinder (6 clases altogether at 3 schools), and I've been frustrated by some of the same things it sounds like you have solutions for. A couple questions for you that I would love to read more about another day:
1. Can you "flesh out" your pocket chart system where they can choose free choice centers after being done with word work? When are they done? How are they held accountable? How much time does that allow for work and then for play? I've shortened my centers to 8-10 min rotations so they don't lose control but it's not enough time for me to really meet with groups! How long does it typically take you to get going with that?
2. I LOVE your "if it's not an emergency you lose free choice for interrupting" rule. That would allow for SO much more teaching time and make assessments run much smoother! About when in the year do you really put your foot down on that? I feel so rude holding my hand up in the face of a teary-eyed five-year-old, but I REALLY don't care that she took your red scissors when you went to get a drink.
Thank you! I am going to read this chapter to refresh my memory now that I have read your post….it is motivating me try to do Centers like the format in this book – I think it will be worth it. I am curious about the Reading notebooks – has anyone used these in their classrooms? If so what do they contain and how are they set up. Thanks all!
I'm a little late, but here is a question for Chapter 1! Do most Kindergarten teachers start actual Guided Reading groups before mid-year? That's January 1st-ish for us in the northeast. We typically start after the winter holiday break. During our literacy workshop, the kids independently move through literacy centers while my aide and I cycle through our handwriting groups. I push through this to finish by the end of December. It doesn't stick anyway (LOL!), so I don't devote too much time to it. After the holiday break, my aide begins to use Cunningham's "Making Words in K" curriculum and I start pulling reading groups, which can vary from kids reading as high as F&P level K (no kidding!) to kids who are still working on letter recognition and are pre-text. I'm curious to hear when others start. Thanks!
I am late in participating in this book study–but wanted to share a link to my blog post for chapter one (or blog) and will try to catch up! I'm loving all of the great ideas that people are sharing!
Beki Moore says
Great ideas and thanks for sharing these with us in such an organized fashion. I also appreciate the ideas for center activities. With all the beginning of the year testing that is required of so many of us, I am glad that the book says to take about 6 weeks to get started. I also like the way they introduce the centers one at a time and with a small group. I have not done this either and have been teaching for 27 years. I have always introduced them whole group, but one at a time. With a small group, I really can be assured that they understand it better. The rest are still engaged with worthwhile learning activities too.My question is, "How do others get the testing done and still have enough time to introduce these centers and train kids?" I get the testing done but is there better way to fit it into my day and still have enough time to do my reading block effectively?
1stgradefireworks says
WOW! Thanks for the encouragement! I have been doing GR for 22 yrs! The routines have changed as my "requirements" have changed, but the MAIN GR format never changes…small group, one reading goal per day, READ, READ, READ! Thanks for supporting the BEST part of my day! wendy 1stgradefireworks@gmail.com 1stgradefireworks
Charlie Danella says
Crystal you did an amazing job summarizing the chapter and applying the strategies in you classroom. You provided lots of great reminders. I felt like I read the chapter myself. I plan to get the book but I'm in the middle of preparing for a huge test for certification. Thank you for sharing.
Mary Kaye says
Boy, was this an eye opening first chapter. Thank you for going through again all the areas and showing work/center ideas. I am thrilled to be part of this book group.
Goldilox says
Some things that really stood out for me in this chapter:
***The Reading Notebooks! – I am moving from K to first so I think I might actually try these this year!
In them they would keep:
Reading goals (sight word graph, reading level graph, etc.),
listen to reading response papers,
independent reading response papers,
blank lined paper from Stop and Jots during whole group reading,
their self-evaluation papers from Fridays, etc.
My concern is getting it all up and running and then having the time for them to actually use them!!! Does anyone use Reading Notebooks with first graders?
***Independent Reading Response – When would I have the kids actually do this? Everybody on Fridays? A few kids every day of the week? I don't want this to take time away from actually reading. Hmm.
angel chism says
My goal this year is to get my whole classroom organized. I am very excited about the schedule in chapter 1. I have a question about your word work containers and shelf. Where did you get it??
Mandy Myers says
Thanks Crystal for the great overview. I want to try the light for "no interruptions" I think even the adults will "get" this.
Mandy
A Special Kind of Class
Kindergarten Goonies says
Thanks Crystal for setting this us w/your colleagues. It is soooo much more insightful reading a book as a group.
Goldilox above asked about Reading Notebooks. Do you use DIBELS? If ss, you may want to check out our post. We mention Fluency Folders vs Reading Notebooks.
XOXO
The Goonie Gals
http://www.kindergartengoonies.blogspot.com
More than Math by Mo says
Thanks for sharing! My book just arrived today so I'll be doing some reading over the weekend.
-Mo
More Than Math by Mo
Elizabeth Davis says
Crystal, this was a wonderful overview of the first chapter. I love your What Helps Me section and plan on using many of these wonderful ideas. Thank you!
Mrs. Doring =) says
So, I wasn't sure about following along with this book study until I read your post! I'm DEFINITELY ordering the book now! I just completed year four of kinder (6 clases altogether at 3 schools), and I've been frustrated by some of the same things it sounds like you have solutions for. A couple questions for you that I would love to read more about another day:
1. Can you "flesh out" your pocket chart system where they can choose free choice centers after being done with word work? When are they done? How are they held accountable? How much time does that allow for work and then for play? I've shortened my centers to 8-10 min rotations so they don't lose control but it's not enough time for me to really meet with groups! How long does it typically take you to get going with that?
2. I LOVE your "if it's not an emergency you lose free choice for interrupting" rule. That would allow for SO much more teaching time and make assessments run much smoother! About when in the year do you really put your foot down on that? I feel so rude holding my hand up in the face of a teary-eyed five-year-old, but I REALLY don't care that she took your red scissors when you went to get a drink.
Thanks for all the ideas! I'll link up next time…
Tutotime says
Thank you! I am going to read this chapter to refresh my memory now that I have read your post….it is motivating me try to do Centers like the format in this book – I think it will be worth it. I am curious about the Reading notebooks – has anyone used these in their classrooms? If so what do they contain and how are they set up. Thanks all!
Mrs. Wyman says
I'm a little late, but here is a question for Chapter 1! Do most Kindergarten teachers start actual Guided Reading groups before mid-year? That's January 1st-ish for us in the northeast. We typically start after the winter holiday break. During our literacy workshop, the kids independently move through literacy centers while my aide and I cycle through our handwriting groups. I push through this to finish by the end of December. It doesn't stick anyway (LOL!), so I don't devote too much time to it. After the holiday break, my aide begins to use Cunningham's "Making Words in K" curriculum and I start pulling reading groups, which can vary from kids reading as high as F&P level K (no kidding!) to kids who are still working on letter recognition and are pre-text. I'm curious to hear when others start. Thanks!
Heather Lilac says
I am late in participating in this book study–but wanted to share a link to my blog post for chapter one (or blog) and will try to catch up! I'm loving all of the great ideas that people are sharing!