Monday, July 21, 2014

The Next Step in Guided Reading - Chapter 6 and a FREEBIE!


This was a loooooonnnnnnggggg chapter!  Considering I teach 1st grade, the majority of my students are not at this level.  Every once in a while I'll get one or two, but a lot of this just went in my memory bank in case I ever switch grade levels, tutor, or move into a different position.  I still really enjoyed reading this chapter!  What did you all think?

1.  What part of the reading caught your attention?  Maybe it's something you never thought about.  Maybe it's something that you've been trying to get a grip on.  Maybe it's something that you've never heard quite they way it was put.

I noticed that with the fluent level, a large majority of the focus is on vocabulary and comprehension.  I knew it would take a hard look at comprehension, but I wasn't expecting the heavy emphasis on vocabulary.  But it makes so much sense!  Vocabulary is always a skill that can be taught, no matter what level a person is on.  Even adults can refine their vocabulary skills!

I was also captured by the VIP strategy.  A lot of my higher readers struggle with identifying the most important parts.  They get so caught up in the details that they miss the bigger picture!  I like the idea of having the small sticky notes on hand so that they can flag it when they read it.

2.  How do you already incorporate this into your guided reading routine?  There's probably at least some part of the chapter that you're already doing!  Tell us about it!

Even though my students aren't this high, we still focus a lot on comprehension.  We will occasionally stop during our reading and check our comprehension.  We also have a chat after reading the book about different aspects of the story.  I typically try to ask a lot of green (literal) and red (inferential) questions.


3.  What is something new you want to try next school year?  How do you want to make your guided reading time better or what new things do you want to try?

I want to try and incorporate more yellow questions when we discuss the book.  Some of my higher groups could totally handle this.  I also love the idea of the reading notebooks for vocabulary recording, comprehension notes, and guided writing.  I probably won't have the opportunity to use this a lot since I teach 1st grade, but I'm glad I read it so that I know what to do in case I have kids at this level!

4.  What are some resources that you ALREADY HAVE that you can use to teach what you read about in this chapter/section?

I have these retelling cubes that I love!  I actually use them with all of my groups.  Retell a Story Cubes

For nonfiction, I just wrote some simple questions on large popsicle sticks and put them in a cup.  The students draw one out and answer the question.


5.  What are some NEW resources that you want to get or try to use to teach what you read about in this chapter/section?

Reading notebooks are the biggest thing I'd want to have on hand during fluent level groups.  Staples has a deal on notebooks for $0.17!  I got 24 for $4 and some change AND free shipping!  You should really snatch them if you think you'll use them!  This is seriously a great deal!



I put together a little freebie for you all today!  Remember those green, yellow, and red questions?  Well, I made a little question card ring for reference during your groups.  You can make one for each student, have one at your guided reading table, or have it on hand for YOURSELF to remember what types of questions to ask!  :)  Click on the following link, photograph, or picture to download!  Enjoy!  :)





See you next week for the LAST chapter of The Next Step in Guided Reading!  Woohoo!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

The Next Step in Guided Reading - Chapter 5

Gracious, I am behind!  Lots of catching up to do on the blog, TPT, and getting ready for school to start!  I usually get the itch to start working in my room and prepping for the year at the end of July.  We don't start until August 25th this year, so I feel like I have a couple more weeks until I go full blast.

FYI, I'm working on some Bright Stripes decor!  Last year I did the whole chevron thing.  I needed a change for this year.  Not a big one, but just something a little different.  I really like my bright colors with black, but I don't want to spend the time or money redoing EVERYTHING, ya know?  So I'm just changing out a few things to freshen it up and breathe some new life into my room.  Here are a couple pics to give you a sneak peek!  I'm TRYING to get it done and uploaded to TPT today, but it might be tomorrow.  It's taking me a lot longer than I thought it would!


Now for our book study on The Next Step in Guided Reading!  I am REALLY loving the meat of this book!



Chapter 5!  Did y'all enjoy it?  I have so many ideas floating in my head and I'm getting excited to start my guided reading groups this fall!  So here are my thoughts:

1.  What part of the reading caught your attention?  Maybe it's something you never thought about.  Maybe it's something that you've been trying to get a grip on.  Maybe it's something that you've never heard quite they way it was put.

Almost everything caught my attention!  Since the Transitional stage is where most of my kiddos left, I feel like this is where my brain is right now.  I thought it was interesting they way the lesson plan is tweaked for this level.  It has a lot of the same elements as the early guided reading plan, but at the same time it is definitely differentiated to more capable readers.  I always used the same format for all of my groups and just tweaked it according to their abilities.  Looks like I need to make some templates for each level!  I have this sudden urge to work on updating my guided reading binder in order to reflect the different levels and needs.

2.  How do you already incorporate this into your guided reading routine?  There's probably at least some part of the chapter that you're already doing!  Tell us about it!

We always preview and predict the book before we read it.  We normally take a picture walk to see what's going on and make predictions from there.  We also talk about different reading strategies as we go through the text.  

3.  What is something new you want to try next school year?  How do you want to make your guided reading time better or what new things do you want to try?

I absolutely want to incorporate more guided writing and more vocabulary introductions.  We normally don't talk about vocabulary very much, unless it's a big word that they can't pronounce.  How silly is that???  I often assume that my students know more than they do.  :(

My students always struggle with retelling.  Can I just say I LOOOOOVE the sticky note idea?  I love the idea of giving them some support by placing the sticky notes on pages at strategic places in the beginning, middle, and end.  Such a great idea for the kiddos that can't differentiate between the different parts!

4.  What are some resources that you ALREADY HAVE that you can use to teach what you read about in this chapter/section?

Lord knows I have a million sticky notes ready to go!  FYI, they have packs (90 notes) at Walmart right now for $1!  I stocked up yesterday!  I also have Amanda's Sticky Note Jot Spots, which I think can be used perfectly within these lessons!
5.  What are some NEW resources that you want to get or try to use to teach what you read about in this chapter/section?

I searched for some retelling products on TPT and found these cute little buddy checklists!  And they're FREE!  

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Vegas is Amazing!



At this very moment, I am sitting inside the airport in Las Vegas.  This past week has been one of the best in my entire life.  I am so grateful and thankful for the experience of I Teach 1st! and Teachers Pay Teachers.  More than anything, the friendships I have made over the last week are the most amazing part.  I have truly gained lifelong friends.  I don't know what I would do without them!









On Wednesday I presented a workshop at the I Teach 1st! conference hosted by SDE.  It was my first time presenting outside of my district, so I was insanely nervous.  A few days before the conference, my session was sold out.  Needless to say, I was practically hyperventilating, haha!  But it went 10x better than I could've EVER hoped for!  I had so many positive comments from those who came.  If you came to my session, THANK YOU!  You were a GREAT audience and I loved getting to be with you!  If you e-mailed me, I will e-mail you back tomorrow or Monday once I get to my desktop computer at home.  ;)  




I know I missed The Next Step post on Monday, but I promise I'll be back on Monday for the next one!  I'm getting ready to read the chapter on the plane!  :)  Have a great weekend, friends!



Tuesday, July 1, 2014

July Currently

Do y'all ever watch Extreme Weight Loss?  Seriously sobbing right here.  She lost her husband to suicide.  Kyle and I are sitting here talking about our kids and how we want to be here for each other and for them.  Oh goodness.  I need happy thoughts!  So let's do some JULY CURRENTLY!

I just love that Oh Boy Fourth Grade puts this together each month!


LISTENING: This is one of my favorite summer shows!  I don't know who I am rooting for yet.  Do you have any favorites?

LOVING: Summer vacation is complete necessity.  This year was pretty rough, so it's like a breath of fresh air for my well-being.  I'm having such a good time with my boys and just being with my family.  I'm spending more time in God's Word, too, which is also transforming me!

THINKING: I honestly can't quit thinking about Vegas next week!  I'm presenting at I Teach 1st a week from tomorrow (ohemgee...from TOMORROW?!?!?!) and I'm insanely nervous and excited!  I'm so excited to go to the other sessions as well.  Then the TPT conference is on Friday!  Blogger meetups, lunches, dinners, workouts, shows, shopping, the pool...it's going to be amazing!

WANTING: There are storms in Ohio tonight, but it seems like they're all to the south of us.  :(  I just want this insane humidity to die down a little!

NEEDING: I have a huge chunk of my presentation done and only a little bit left.  The goal is to get it done tomorrow!

4th PLANS: We are heading to my parent's house for a cookout and some fireworks.  My parents drove to another town tonight to purchase some fireworks.  He's a little bit obsessed.  ;)

Have a HAPPY 4th OF JULY!  I'll be back Monday with thoughts from Chapter 4 of The Next Step!  See everyone then!  :)