Favorite Reading Strategies and Tips

I'm linking up with Primary Chalkboard again for their "Read Across America" celebration.

One of the best things I have been introduced to since becoming a teacher is the Daily 5.
Last year was my first year with the Sisters' reading block structure, and I loved it!
I HIGHLY suggest anyone that might be curious to read their book, and give it a go.

Click here to go to the Sisters' site and learn more!

One of their biggest ideas that I really took to heart was to trust in the process, and really take time every day to build that reading stamina.
Start small, and increase that time ONLY WHEN THEY'RE READY!
I just can't stress that enough:)
I learned very quickly this year how important it is to be flexible and understand that each group of students is different…and you may need to adjust your management accordingly, with this system!
Choice has really not played as big a part this year as I would like...

I have said it before, and I'll say it again, that one of my very favorite sources (and inspiration for jumping in with this structure) is Amanda, from the First Grade Garden.
I gained so much from reading this post, and it helped my first year of D5 start off successfully.

Before I implemented this structure into my classroom, I read and re-read (a few times) the Sisters' book--- it's a very short & quick read!
Then, I set up my own implementation plan.

You are welcome to download it here.

It's not perfect, and I adjusted a few things this year, but it will give you a good jumping off point if you're just getting started with the structure.

Be advised, this download in no way substitutes for reading their book.
I simply outlined their structure in a pacing guide for myself---but you will not learn anything about each of the components from my outline!
In other words, READ THE BOOK first:)

There are many titles of Children's literature mentioned in my outline.
Most (if not all) of them come from Amanda's post.

Right now, most first graders are working on developing reading fluency and increasing their WPM in repeated readings.
One of my reading groups gets a kick out of using these "funny voices" cards to lighten up repeated reading practice (it can become so tedious at times!).

Click the pic to download.

Finally, I have a few firsties who are still struggling with letter reversals.
One of my students even reverses m & w constantly…which isn't completely uncommon, but not quite as commonplace as b/d, p/q reversals.
I couldn't find any m/w reversal visual cues ANYWHERE, so I made one up.

graphics courtesy of clker.com

If you think it might come in handy for you or your students, click the pic to download!
I know my students have gained a lot from the b/d reversal song found here.
And this poster for p/q has helped a few kiddos.

I love this t/f reversal reminder!

I haven't had any kids with that issue this year, but I will definitely keep it in mind!

I hope this has been a somewhat helpful post!
Having only taught 3 years, I'm still learning myself:)
Let me know below if anything was especially inspiring, or comment with some of your OWN favorite strategies & tips!

Til next time, friends:)

Read Across America Linky

Hello, all!

Remember yesterday when I said I was praying kind of hoping for a snow day??

Well…

Woohoo!
I really needed this.
My house is in a very scary state, and could use some TLC!

So, today I am linking up with Primary Chalkboard for their "Read Across America" week long party.

Today's topic is "Favorite Children's Author".

Well, my favorite children's author is actually Dr. Seuss, people!

I wanted BOTH my sons' nurseries to be Seuss-themed, but that wasn't very popular 12 years ago, so I could't find much to help with the decorating.

I had to settle for Winnie-the Pooh, but that was okay since it was Children's literature, too:)

Because tomorrow's topic is "all things Seuss"

 (and I am going to really try to blog 4 days in a row! I know!),

I will post a few of my other favorite authors.

Let's start with the late, great Barbara Park.

I LOVE Junie B.!

I know I would absolutely want to strangle gently reprimand her constantly if she was in my class, but she commands the attention of primary students!

A little controversial, this heroine uses words and phrases that teachers and parents detest….but let's be honest, no child is completely perfect! 

They've all thought or used those words once or twenty times.

Besides, you can use her outbursts as teachable moments: "Students, should we say/think something like that about someone? What would be something that Junie B. should do/say instead?"

My own son (a first grader this year) is a decent reader, and thrives on nonfiction text.

However, he ADORES the antics of this character!

He will drop whatever he's doing to read a chapter or two of Junie B.

If this series is good enough for him…and my own students…it's a winner in my book! 

(pun intended)

Another author fave: Judy Sierra.

If you have never heard of her, here are a few of my favorite books she's written.

Click the pic to go to her Amazon page!

One of her biggest inspirations was the good Dr., so many of her texts have a sing-song rhyme that he was so famous for using.
"Born to Read" was one of my student's very favorites this year, and they often reference how they are still becoming readers because they were all 'born to read'. Adorable:)

Last but not least, the very talented Steve Jenkins.
Here is my very favorite of all his texts:

Click on the pic to go to Amazon's page for this book!

My students literally fight over this book when it's available!

Most of his books are based on animals, and I just love the collage-Eric Carle-type illustrations that many (if not all) of his books contain.

I could go on and on about more of my favorite authors.

I would love to feature one every other week in my room, but where is the time to implement an author study?

I'll wrap it up today, and set a goal to be back tomorrow:)

Who are your favorite authors?

Let me know in the comments below!
I'd hate to not be in the know of some good kid-lit!

Okay…enough procrastinating!
The day is young and the house beckons:(
Wish me luck...

Happy……………Day!

So, today is the official birthday for the good Dr., who shall not be named. :)

(picture borrowed from a pin on "Really Good Stuff")

Tomorrow (and for the rest of the next couple of weeks), my students will be participating in some fun "Featured Author" activities.

Last week, we kicked off our celebration by making "Thinklings".
I don't know what they are actually called, but they are the bird-like creatures from the book "Oh! The Thinks You Can Think!"

My inspiration came from Babbling Abby, but since her cute little packet is no longer available (ahem…), I had to create my own templates.
I think they turned out pretty cute!
What do you think?

I can't provide the template for the bird creatures, but they are pretty easy to make, if you try!

However, I'll include the writing template and thought bubble I used for our project.

Simply click here for the paper that goes on top of the Thinklings' shirts!

For this project, I asked my students to sit quietly for 2 minutes and just think…. 

(btw, that is no small feat for this group of kiddos!

We are a very wiggly, energetic group this year! Oh my)

…then each student contributed a thought to our graphic organizer:

Some of their thoughts were creatively zany!
A crab fighting a buffalo! Really?

As you can see, they went in all directions.
From hot-glazed donuts (student after my own heart) to being with friends, and even "light and black", it was incredibly interesting to hear the thoughts of six- and seven-year-olds!

Then we read the book, AND THE STUDENTS DIDN'T SEE THE ILLUSTRATIONS UNTIL AFTER THEY WERE GIVEN TIME TO VISUALIZE the words used.

After listening to the story, we drew WITH PENCIL (no color at first) on our thought bubble paper what we had been thinking.
Then we added some color and started to put together our 'Thinklings'.

I was very glad to finally get some work out in the hall!
I'm telling you, this group of firsties wipes. me. out.

We also took some crazy pictures with these cute photo booth props from Chela's etsy shop:

You can't read the poster, but the girls holding it made a poster for one of the good Dr.'s famous quotes:

"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?"

If you want these cute little props for yourself, read more on Tania's blog, My Second Sense! 

As I'm typing, there is snow coming down, and I'm praying for it to fall harder kind of hoping for another snow day.
We haven't had very many this year….a few more won't hurt us, right?
I know it will affect our celebration, but I'm okay with that:)
We all must make sacrifices...

Enjoy your Sunday, friends!
7 more school days ( & 2 days of P-T conferences!) until Spring Break:), for me!