It's a real blog post... what what?!
We just made a schedule change and it is AH-MAZING! Instead of teaching reading to all four sections of third grade, now there is another ELA teacher on my team and we both teach half... so I get almost 2 hours with one group in the morning and then my homeroom group in the afternoon. I'm meeting with kids! I'm working with kids! Kids are reading! Kids are doing word work! Kids are working on writing! I'm teaching real and true mini-lessons! Can you tell I'm happy?
Here's my new Daily Five board. Since I'm teaching two groups, each row in the chart is shared by two students- one in the AM group and one in the PM. Each group makes their own choices; there are kids in each group who remove the cards at the end of their time so they are ready for the next group.
And my choice cards...
So, now that we actually have TIME, I finally set up my writing area.
November writing words from my pack on TpT, shelf of writing helpers, and drawers with writing STUFF.
Want to peek inside the drawers? This one is full of note cards, envelopes, and list writing paper...
These have more of the word cards from my monthly pack, story starter dice and spinners...
Things students can write posted on the closet door with samples. This is from Lori Rosenberg's pack on TpT...
We also started writing our Santa letters today. We've been working on opinion and persuasive pieces, so we're putting them together with a holiday twist. I know, I know... it's early. BUT... we are sending each classes set of letters away to be made into a real and true book! The kiddos are so excited!
While we were working, they kept asking me how to spell various Christmas words... so I projected the December sheet from my word wall pack up so they could all see it! It worked out PERFECTLY! That, coupled with Christmas music playing from Pandora, left us all feeling very festive and motivated to write! Check it out!
Happy Wednesday- 15 years ago today hubby "asked me out". I was 17 and he was 16! Who could know that would lead to wedded bliss?!
Two more days till the weekend... and... *probably* Christmas decorating at my house!!!!!
Happy Anniversary! I loved seeing the changes and your set up. :)
ReplyDeleteYour new Daily 5 routine sounds fantastic. I may be doing something very similar next year. Thanks for the shout-out about my writing posters. They are helpful in my classroom, too. Speaking of the holidays, I've already hung lights in my classroom. I just haven't turned them on...yet!
ReplyDeleteѼ Lori
Teaching With Love and Laughter
luvyorkies@gmail.com
Way to go TEACH! I can hear your voice in your writing! That is so exciting! I love it when new schedules feel better than older, more crowded ones. Yours sounds like a dream made in heaven. So this year when you gather around the Thanksgiving table, you'll certainly have something to be thankful for. . . . changing jobs!
ReplyDeleteBut hold on a second. . . it's way too early to be putting Christmas stuff up at your house! That is just not fair! :0
Patty
Second In Line
Awwww - happy anniversary!!!! You are one organized chicky!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove looking at your classroom pictures...can I come and observe one day? Wouldn't that be fun? I could bring Patty!!!!!!
Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade
Wow thanks for sharing!!! Lots of ideas can't wait to use some! Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so nice~teenage sweethearts forever! Happy first date-iversary! It sounds like you have a super schedule now to really be able to do so much more with the kids. Your organization is great!
ReplyDeleteI just love playing music when kids work on writing. Sounds like your classroom is such a fun, happy place to be!
It may be a little early for me to start with the excitement of Christmas. I've got to take it one holiday at a time! Santa letters are just the cutest thing. One year the elves wrote back to us on fancy stationary.Each child received a personalized letter. A group of high school teachers buddied up with us to do the exchange. What a riot!
Jeannine
Creative Lesson Cafe