What your Literacy Block is MISSING!

   A listening center is crucial for any reading block.  Starting out teaching I felt this would be an impossibility for my classroom and had so many unanswered questions - how much? how do I get stories? Where does it go? How do I fit it in? 

Here's my solution to get a listening center into every classroom!  All you need is an internet connection and 1 ....yes 1 computer/iPad

A listening center is possible for every single classroom even small rural ones like mine.  We only have 2 iPads and make this possible on a daily basis. If you have an internet connection you can make this work!  That's what makes this so great.  Keep reading to see the many options available!

 I use to think I had to purchase books on tape/CD but that is not the case anymore with technology! You can read books in many ways online!  I love using QR codes and the listening centers available - here but there are also other ways.  I use them because of the rigorous skill focus associated with each set of stories!                      Another great way to get book is to use EPIC! It is FREE to educators and there is such a wide story selection and each student can have a profile! Not all stories are read but it is a great option and way to expand your library.  There are also great options on TPT of listening centers you can use QR codes for and there are for different themes and times of year.  

We use our listening center as part of our reading rotations! My students have to listen to 1 story a week at least and take the test that accompanies their story and score 3/5 or better.  They can work with partners because these types of questions are good for discussion and they will work independently for an assessment.  This also helps keep them honest.  If they do worse they come to me and we work on a story together at a separate time.

  Listening Centers can be done at any part of the day you find time.  They are short and students need to hear reading in order to become better readers.  This works great as part of daily 5.  We don't use headphones because they weren't required and we have a certain level the iPads must be turned to for reading.  Since it is a quiet working time and at most I only have 2 stories being read it does not get too loud.  If they abused the privilege they would have to do this as part of computer time.

  Listening centers in any format are a great way to differentiate for readers in your classroom.  Some students need smaller books and some like to read more complicated material.  Nonfiction can be great read aloud because of the complexity.  The listening centers we use have AR levels printed on the bottom and students can choose one from their level for that skill.  It's a win-win as a teacher.  They get fun books (even though they are short!) and still practice a much needed skill for the week!  I love having that opportunity!

I love integrating technology into my class!  This is one easy way to do it! Using EPIC or QR codes to listen provides great way for students to be more oriented with technology! The listening Centers we use are self-checking so they can get immediate feedback from what they read and learned to apply the skill.  So easy for a teacher to keep track of and for a student to use. 

Listening to stories can also be a great whole group activity!  Sometimes listening to reading just like read alouds we do in class provide different opportunities and conjure different visualizations depending on the student.

If you are interested in learning more about skill specific QR Listening Centers click any of the pictures or this link!

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Upper Elementary Literacy Block Schedule

My literacy block is a piece of work...not in a bad way ....just a work in progress.  I've been inspired by numerous other experience bloggers and teachers and since I'm the only 4th grade teacher at my school, I'd love some input and will try to clarify what I'm doing this year for your sake (and so I can wrap my head around it as well)

Here's what my typical schedule:  (Yes it will slightly change depending on pull outs and last minute changes but roughly)

I'm pretty lucky to get uninterrupted 2 hours in the morning which I love!  We use this time for our literacy block.  As you can see, I have a separate time for writing, and I do my read aloud right before grammar so it's even a little shorter.  My students do get SSR/DEAR/silent uninterrupted reading while another teacher pulls out Title 1 kids and I can't do any content they would miss.  I usually am using that time to confer with any left in my room that need help in math since it is tested

Below you can find a schedule that I plan to use this year and WILL FOLLOW!  I've tried to combine many other blog ideas I've seen and Book Talks/Shares that are popping up everywhere from teachers that have gone to a Reading Summit (I'm so jealous!)

The Creative Apple

Life in 5th Grade

Literacy for Big Kids 

...are just some of my favs!!

 

you can click to download - you'll have to change fonts and all but if you want a sample!

Homework

I give homework pack once a week because I expect my kids to be reading.  I purchased them from TPT and they are fantastic!  They contain a short story and comprehension questions along with a skill sheet and require other practice as well.  These work so well and are easy for me to copy and keep up with.  I kept them in order so I know exactly what I'm pulling out each week. 

I do occasionally assign other work during the week in small groups or big reading projects that would be in part completed at home depending on timing.

I want them to just be READING - they know from the beginning that is my focus for them!

Small Group Rotations

I plan to use these sheets for my students to be held accountable during Daily 5 time.  Yes I do keep it semi-structured and for me as a teacher this is what has worked so far.  They work their way down and know what they have to do each week.  I plan to have in sheet protectors and they can use dry erase to mark off so I don't have to make weekly copies. 

click the picture for a copy

1.  All work from me must be completed first! Either assignment from small group, part of our weekly story, etc...

2.  During the week at some point they must complete 2 spelling and 1 grammar/english activity. These they just cross off.  For spelling we use the Monthly Spelling Menus which work fantastic!  My grammar center is just FREE activities on TPT that I searched for our concepts or DOL if we don't have any.  It is always review for a concept we have already covered so it can be completed without assistance.  I feel that my grammar is sometimes cut short and this can help reinforce those skills especially closer to testing time.

3.  Read by themselves - we do AR at our school so they can buddy read if they both have completed their quarter goals otherwise they read by themselves around the room.

4.  On the bottom is their "Status of the Class" where they write what they are reading and what page each day -that is what I look at when I conference with them along with their Reading Response.

Book Shares

I've seen so many post about these and I knew I wanted to incorporate them to make my class better readers after hearing recommendations and modeling them myself.  I put in my plans an easy format for them that I read about a little while ago on social media (and cannot remember who!!! so help me out if you know so I can give credit)  We'll start with title/author, 1 word about the book and why they chose it, then either 1 connection they had or an award they would give that book and why. 

I know these probably  aren't suppose to be scripted but my incoming 4th graders are horrible at a SHORT summary (not every character and every event! especially not the ending) so I'm starting the year with this and we'll move into more candid discussion and recommendations for other books hopefully toward winter - at least that's the goal.

My Shoestring life also mentioned that book shares are perfect for Speaking and Listening Standards!! How perfect - I'm planning to get to each student once a month (fingers crossed) and maybe assessed on this a couple times a year just with a checklist of some sort - anybody got any good ones?

 Whole Group

This will contain mini lesson on our focus skill and I'll use our basal series for stories along with picture books to model.  I don't have access to a whole lot of books so I'm semi limited. 

 Standards

I always have standards on board but need to work on referring to them more often :)

Exit Slips

Life in Fifth grade uses her essential questions as an exit slip and she had the genius idea to do them on Post-its then glancing over them stick the ones on your desk that are wrong or you need to meet with them!  Brilliant and super easy!

I put those on for every day but I'm hoping to get 1-2 in a week focusing on the skill we are working on. 

My one goal would be to incorporate more vocab work especially after all the Word Nerds book studies I've seen happening but this is what I'm going to commit to this year.

I'm sharing because I know how helpful it was when I saw blog posts of others and how they set up their reading block, I'd love to hear any questions/comments you have or anything you do that works great in your room- I'm always open to new ideas!!

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Weekly Update!

As per usual, here are my top 5 of the week:

1. Percy, the caterpillar in our room has already started getting in his "J" shape aka about ready to start the process of becoming a butterfly!  This was only 1 day after my teacher found him, SO COOL!

2. Coupons- We use reward coupons in the classroom that I'm in.  She uses the coupons when students reach the top of the clip chart (about once a week).  People stay on color all week on top half and if you go down then you start back over at middle everyday.  She makes it pretty hard and really have to go above and beyond so the students really earn these!

She inspired my next product: Movie-themed reward coupons!

Check them out:

Best part of all.............they cost nothing to maintain!  Goodbye treasure box!!!  Students just turn them in when they want to use them!  So awesome!!!!  They match our classroom theme and the students already love that so it will be a nice addition!

Click the pic above to check out my coupons!

3. Daily 5- Well it's going.......everything was in place, but it was WAY to loud!  My teacher and I decided to have groups rotate through the choices for now and then when they have mastered that we will bring the choice option back into place.  Since we had the same kiddos last year, we know how good they could be!

Any ideas for managing the Daily 5?  We have tried reteaching and placement in room but noise is still an issue.  I think right now our groups will work for us.... especially with a finicky tape player (that I can't even get to work half the time and have to go deal with while my teacher does groups).  So I'd say once we get a few kinks ironed out, choice can begin again.


4. Mycutegraphics.com - How have I never heard of this website?!  It is fabulous!! So much stuff and she supports teachers!!!  That is the clipart I used for the coupons!  Check the site out!

5. I'm finally getting use to teacher schedule (positive) 

   Getting up that early on weekends (negative)....why does my body have to be so on time?!

The crazy part is I've always been a morning person, so getting up early I'm really productive but always get tired early, which makes the weekends not so much fun!  Guess I need some caffeine.  

Ok after reading all this..........

First 2 people to comment will get the coupons posted above!  Make sure to leave your email address!

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My Top 5 of the Week

I guess these are more realizations but I think it's a great way to document and remember student teaching along with giving other people advice or ideas (hopefully ;)

So onto the Top 5 for the week:

1.  Kidism- so we were studying the pledge of allegiance then at math one of the next few days, my cooperating teacher told the students to divide your paper in half.  One of our students stated that his paper was "indivisible."  Although he wasn't cooperating we both had to laugh out loud!  At least he knew what the word meant.  Oh boy.....

2.

The whole class version of my blowin' up contractions was a hit!  I left it out so if they have free time they can play!  As a teacher- especially a new one, it's really cool that they liked it so much!

3. Daily 5 update- We have 4 of the components in place!  Holy cow!  They are doing fantastic.  My teacher sent them off and we were both amazed at how they got straight to work!  We are both looking forward to having group time once everything is in place.

4. Work - It wasn't until this week that I truly realized how much work and extra time it takes to be  teacher.  Although I've been in the room I'm gradually starting to take over more and more and HOLY COW- so much to get done, to copy, to plan, to do, meetings, papers to go home, kids that were sick, grading, making assessments, and the lists goes on......even with both of us working all day it still seems like things were pretty hectic if you don't want to stay hours and hours after school.

I would LOVE ANY time management tips if you have any!  I think I'm pretty organized but obviously I need to step up my game!

5.  I was inspired by this pin to work on short vowel foldables....we brainstormed ideas for each vowel after reviewing sounds!  Ours didn't look quite this fabulous because we used markers but the students really enjoyed making them.  I challenged them to come up with words that were not already on the board.  Some used their names if they fit (that surprised me, because I didn't think of it...but what a great idea)

Source: mrsschmelzer.blogspot.com via AnnMarie on Pinterest

Here are some pictures of ours:

our list of words in order to hear the sound

a little out of order but got the sound right!

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Daily 5 Chapter 3 book study

Yes, Yes I know I skipped chapter 2 but I did read it - just had so much going on last week I didn't link up. But I'm ready to get back into it and let you know what I got out of chapter 3!  If you want to read more about my first chapter and the journey I'm starting with daily 5 click here.

This chapter really hit home with me because I think one of the biggest things that can be done in a classroom is establishing routines!  They are so important and can make your class run so smoothly.  I have had first hand experience in my practicum class where her guided reading and "corners" time had virtually no interruptions and the students were all working.  Upon first seeing this- I was AMAZED!!   I'm so excited I'll get to start and help implement daily 5 with her this year :)

Having a great model to show how the routines, transitions, and lessons should go (and already all planned out) is invaluable!

One of the things I really liked about this chapter and the model in general is that students get to MOVE! They get to move to and from mini-lessons and to wherever their next choice is.  When you have a 90 min reading block, any movement really helps redirect the students and can keep them focused instead of sitting and getting bored too easily.

Anchor charts was another huge part of this chapter!  The teacher I was with, had a whole wall devoted to anchor charts ( I wish I had pics :(

kinda like this-but we had a whole wall full 

She used clotheslines hung up on hooks, then just attached the anchor charts with clothespins whenever the class made a new one.  Having been in other classrooms before I think this strategy of putting them up and keeping them there is great!  You don't have to have fancy decorations- students help create these and use them daily- what better decorations can you get?!

Students use the anchor charts daily and because they had a part in making them as a class it gives them bonding as well as ownership over the topic.  They can refer to the charts easily all day!!!!

So excited to hear what everyone else has to day!  Click the button below to link up for yourself

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Daily 5 Chapter 1 book study and Linky Party

So if you've been reading for awhile you would know that I will be implementing Daily 5 this year with my cooperating teacher for student teaching.  She wanted me to read the book so we could both be ready for this year (We moved up a grade and they are already using this).  I'm pretty excited and thought this would be a good motivator to read the book.

Although upon starting, I realized I don't need much motivation (LOL) I'm already way far ahead....not the point :) 

Here are a few framing questions to ponder about Chapter One: 

1. On pages 4-6, the authors present two different pictures of their classrooms. In thinking about and reflecting on your own practice, how would you characterize your literacy block? Does it look more like the first or second scenario, or is it somewhere in between? How will you change it?

The classroom I was in, used a version of corners (kinda like centers) and the students were very independent! We hardly had any interruptions in our reading groups although this was at the end of the year so they had had plenty of practice :) 

I think after being the classroom the independence is something key to classroom success and I'm glad to start implementing Daily 5 so I can see it from the beginning.  Giving the students independence really showed me that students can be accountable for what they are suppose to do and you do not have to monitor them constantly.  I find this pretty revolutionary just because of the general idea of teaching and education but I also find it fantastic and this books gives a great way to start/ease in that seems so productive for so many teachers!

2. The typical teacher is very busy having students do lots of different activities. How is what you are having students do now in your classroom creating quality readers and writers? 

I think the important part of this question for me is "Quality" readers and writers.  Giving students lots of busy work does not equal QUALITY! Teaching them specific things to be good readers and writers (and actually wanting them to be!!!) is what teachers often strive for but do not know how to get there.  Daily 5 seems like a great way to start! Quality readers and writers aren't built by endless worksheets just to prove data.  Starting with their habits and teaching them a love for reading and writing can build a solid foundation for students for years to come.  This can also make the literacy block more enjoyable that rotating around to centers or completing tasks that students do not see as relevant, which makes them less likely to be done 

3. What sets the Daily 5 structure apart from what you are doing in your classroom?

Well I know I don't really have my own classroom, but I think I can answer from a general perspective.  I think it gives the literacy block structure and meaning. Goals for the students to become readers and writers are accomplished and we have a path to do it.  I think some teachers just use what they think will work because they are accountable for student success but actually giving some independence to students you would be surprised the results!  

Head over to 

http://seusstastic.blogspot.com/ to link up for yourself!  Hope everyone is enjoying the book as much as I am :) 

--------------------------squirrel-----------------------------------------------------

        (I, too, have stole this.  I'm sure everyone knows what it means)

 A great link up put on by Mrs. Stanford's Class!   First, I totally agree with the robot comments she mentioned!  It is easily removed (so we don't have to keep proving we are human :)

My pet peeves:

1. Music on blogs...I like music and all but when I'm blogging I want to read and this just gets me distracted (that is not hard to do but still.........)

2. Blogging about a TON of giveaways (yes I was guilty in beginning my blog) but if you can put a bunch of them together that I find more helpful!

Link up and share your pet peeves!!!

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Implementing Daily 5!

So meeting with my cooperating teacher she mentioned that I should work on reading this book because we would be implementing it starting next year in 2nd grade!

2nd Grade at this school already has it in place, but for both my teacher and I it is brand new! I'm so excited to start!  I ordered the book and got it TODAY after coming back from vacation.

Well reading through all the numerous blogs....I noticed that Tammy over at Live, Love, Laugh Everyday in Kindergarten is starting a book study!  The timing could not have been better, and although she is starting in Kindergarten I definitely could use some of the ideas.  

I took a sneak peek at the book today and am really excited to have other people going through it at the same time as well.........have I mentioned how much I love blogland?!  

I'm sure I'll be updating on the progress soon...head over to Tammy's blog for more info! Starts on June 8th!!

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