Guided Reading--A Big Piece of the Puzzle

Diagnostic testing has been completed and we are now meeting everyday in small groups for Reader's Workshop. We begin each Workshop with a meeting and a mini-lesson. This lesson depends on what we see and hear each day in reading groups. We also work on story elements such as main idea, characters, setting, problem/solution, author's purpose, connections to the text and strategies for when we get stuck in reading.

Children are leveled into groups of 4 or 5. Before we read, a book is introduced and discussed to build interest and a reason for reading. The next step is for children to read softly as I listen to each one independently. Teaching points are recognized as the children read and lessons are formed from these sessions.
After reading children are discussing the story, answering questions, discussing the setting, characters and making connections through the story and their life experiences. This gives opportunities to take anecdotal notes on each students strategies used and ideas for future lessons.
Reading is a celebration in our room everyday.......from Book Box challenges to Guided Reading leveled books at students instructional level. Exciting things are happening on this journey!

Using What We Learn!

Each day after Writer's Workshop students transition into Literacy Stations. These literacy stations include Shuffles and Big Books, Shuffles and Draw, Post office, Computers, Shuffles and favorite books. This is one of the most important times in our room. Students use what they have learned in their stations to produce books and pictures with words, and gifts for friends. After stations are over, students are allowed time to share where they were and what they created. This is one of the most favorite things your children do all day! Ask them about Listening Centers!

Shuffles for Success

Technology is everywhere in our room! Look closely clipped to the shirt!

During literacy centers, students are listening to Big Books sing-a-longs downloaded onto Ipod Shuffles. They are also listening to great stories in the Books and Shuffle center! The students have learned how to operate the shuffles and they love it. Another listening center is "Listen and Draw" where students are drawing and listening to seasonal music and childrens songs learning sounds, colors, days of the week, and so much more.

The materials bought to download on these Shuffles provided by the CFB technology department, was bought with grant money presented to me last April from the Educational Foundation of Carrollton Farmers Branch School District. This grant has enabled me to bring my classroom into the 21st century and created a "cutting edge" academic enhancement for my students.

What a wonderful program to bring materials to the classroom that would not be possible otherwise!

Math Investigations

As we travel through this new math program called "Investigations", students work with partners to discuss solutions and strategies used to solve problems. Students use Math Journals to record their thinking and then share with a partner. Unit 1 of this program was all about combining different numbers and finding different ways to compare. Our math workshop uses all kinds of games to help students have a deeper understanding of the math that is being practiced.

This conversation during Math Workshop helps the children discuss with "math talk" how they solved and what they are thinking as they solve activities during the game.

When we played a game called "Double Compare" the students draw two cards and decide who has the larger sum. The one who does says "Me"! They found that sometimes they could tell just by looking at the pictures who has more, but sometimes they had to count to know for sure! The students love this kind of learning! More to come...

Writer's Workshop through Technology!

One of the most important steps in Writer's Workshop is that of sharing with the class. Students share their stories from time to time by way of the Document Camera in our classroom. It is a time for the teacher to see if the mini-lesson taught is understood and gives those that didn't understand another look at the concept!

After the sharing, classmates give meaningful comments: "I like how you used punctuation", "You really stayed on topic". These comments validate the writing and encourages other writers to improve their own pieces.

The technology is a great tool for our First Grade Classroom.