Step 1: Prep Materials
Our reading workshop model introduces non-fiction text to students in the fall of each year. As we settle into the school year our non-fiction texts are missing from our classroom library (except for a handful here and there). Students have plenty of books to get them through that time frame, but get SO excited for the grand reveal in our new unit. This year we partnered that with the Book Bistro to help students explore what they will like reading. I used the signs and table tents for decor, trifold menu to introduce some non-fiction structure, and the option to interact with the plate setting reading wish list. This had my students preview the pictures and bold words, while making a prediction if they would enjoy that book when they read it later. I also printed and laminated the table numbers to assign students a table reservation. Other options include an interactive placement (double sided) for student reflection without any folding. I have a mild obsession with themes, so I added some other decor elements to our room transformation. Such as teacher chef apron and hat, table cloths, hot dog baskets for pencils, and fresh flowers. Use whatever you have around the house to add to the room such a mini chalk boards, flickering candles (battery operated), or kitchen themed elements. Step 2: Set UpMy school has an extra room we sign out for meetings or events. I was able to book the meeting room for the day and set it up for students to come visit. This was great because five other classrooms were able to sign the room out during the day to visit the Book Bistro too. This cut the cost among teachers and was easier to set up/clean up. Step 3: Check-In
Step 4: Restaurant ReviewThe back of our menu gave students a chance to review our restaurant experience. This was a great change to relax WITH students to enjoy reading without a purpose. Students found topics of their own interest. The room quickly filled with giggles and reactions to the pictures in books. My team and principals loved the experience and engagement for students to kick off our non-fiction reading unit. We are already thinking about our next outing to the StarBOOKS cafe for the next unit. Stay tuned! Follow me on Teachers Pay Teachers It Is Elementary My Dear with Michele *This blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This does not add any cost to your items, but does support my classroom with a small percentage of your purchase. Thank you for supporting teachers!
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Bird is a verb, did you know? It was an exciting week as students across our district paired up with their nature trail buddies! My 1st grade class invited Mr. Quindlen’s 4th grade class to visit us on our nature trail for a morning of learning and fun. Once the students paired up with their buddies, they ventured onto the nature trail to see what they could find!
Both classes studied and explored the habitats of the Concord Nature Trail! In these habitats, the students observed some very exciting wildlife such as Red-bellied Woodpecker, Black Vulture, Praying Mantis, and even a Common Garter Snake! Many of these species were photographed by the students for further study and to upload to iNaturalist, a citizen science app that identifies and catalogues wildlife in our area. A fantastic time was had by all on the nature trail, and the buddies will be reunited this spring when we head to the trail our our buddies' school to experience a different season together on their Nature Trail! Shared reading is an open invitation for all students to read one book at the same time. In first grade this means: I select a text, use a document camera to air play one book, I read with fluency and expression, and students are invited to read the text with the teacher. On average this takes 10-12 minutes and we incorporate it into our morning meeting (not attached to our reading block). We read one book four to five times over the course of the week. The book selection should be short so it is able to be read in entirety in the time window each day. Select a book that is within the guideline benchmark for where students should be at that point in the year. Students that are currently below benchmark will be able to access the text and grade level material because of the supportive nature of shared reading. It is AMAZING opportunity for higher order thinking skills for all students, but especially those students whose books cannot offer that skill at their independent level yet. Use a book that is slightly above the reading level of most of your students. Ideally this a grade level text at the benchmark for that point in the year. Some students will read it with ease, others will take a bit of work, and some wouldn't be successful independently, but in a shared reading opportunity are exposed to grade level text and scaffolded within the system. StructureTeacher truth: we don't do this EVERYday. Our goal is 5 days a week, but some weeks are jam packed with events and special circumstances. On average I'd say we do shared reading 4 days a week. While each day we read the same thing, my planned teaching points vary slightly. Down below you will see how I plan for shared reading. With that being said, my students often make their own lesson plans for shared reading. Their observations and questions while reading are teachable moments of meaning and I take each one I can get from them! Day 1: Introduction and the Need to Know Give a small preview to start (title, author, main characters). Cover 3-5 words throughout the the book that are solve-able for your students. I cut a post-it note leaving the sticky piece attached to cover just the middle and the end. I model strategies to solve the word aloud. Day 2: Retell Rockstars The second read aloud builds further comprehension naturally. Use this session to focus on meaning, syntax, and visual clues from words as you read aloud. Have students cross check your word strategies with a turn and talk to ask if you got it right and how they know. Day 3: Word Study Transfer Work Reinforce word study concepts like phonics, concept of print, phonics principles, or vocabulary within the text. Hunt for those sight words, digraphs, or more within the text. Day 4: Fluency Read with great expression and prosody. Focus on dialogue and punctuation. Day 5: Comprehension You have had 5 days reading and rereading this same book. All students should have access to comprehension and text even if the book was above their independent reading level. Take this chance to extend the book and conversation around the characters, plot, or author's craft. Recommendations:
Lesson Planning TemplateI don't know that 'lesson planning' or even 'template' is the right word choice for what this process is, but this is how I do it! I use one post it note for each day of shared reading. Each post-it has the day and area of focus. I print the structure directly on the post-it notes, write the specific words on each one, and place them inside the back of the book. This allows me to reuse the books from year to year without revealing the next lesson to students in advance. Our Favorite Shared Reading BooksOne book a week is a great way to dive into an author study. It keeps certain elements the same but changes just a bit. Our favorite series this fall has been Gossie & Friends by Olivier Dunrea. My students naturally picked up the pattern of opposites, repetition at start/end, and verb choice (Dunrae never says runs instead opts to scamper, dash, scurry...). Follow me on Teachers Pay Teachers
It Is Elementary My Dear with Michele *This blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This does not add any cost to your items, but does support my classroom with a small percentage of your purchase. Thank you for supporting teachers! *Material objects won't make humans better teachers, but hey! some items just make our lives easier. These are my recommendations (in no particular order) for MUST have classroom items for novice OR veteran teachers. CORDLESS Hot Glue Gun
White Board MagnetsThat ACTUALLY hold up papers.
Staple GunStaple Remover
Paper, paper, paper
SmartFab Bulletin Board FabricFind a way to merge that idea with something a little more realistic. I'm proud to say my exact same bulletin board and boards have been up for three years! I keep the fabric a solid black and don't change the boards, but I can put seasonal messages or work on top without the hassle of starting over. I like solid black best because it goes with everything. I use solid white text and bright colored cardstock to make it pop and be more youthful for elementary school. This SmartFab comes in several colors and prints but sells out every August, so order enough in advance. It isn't see through, doesn't fade or show holes, and still looks like new in year three! Markers
PensOk, I lied. You need 9 things...I without fail get an upper respiratory infection sometime in the late fall every single year. My coworkers and I do a school time happy hour at lunch everyday taking one of these. The taste is surprisingly good (I like pink lemonade best) and it is a little boost to your immune system. May be the best kept school trick ever. You are welcome. Follow me on Teachers Pay Teachers
It Is Elementary My Dear with Michele *This blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This does not add any cost to your items, but does support my classroom with a small percentage of your purchase. Thank you for supporting teachers! Teaching Expectations
Follow me on Teachers Pay Teachers
It Is Elementary My Dear with Michele *This blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This does not add any cost to your items, but does support my classroom with a small percentage of your purchase. Thank you for supporting teachers! Before School Starts: Read AloudYes, that did say BEFORE school starts read aloud. Whether they made it to a meet the teacher event or not, consider recording yourself (the teacher) reading this book in the rocking chair of your classroom. It shows students your face and their new classroom, they can hear your voice, and possibly calm some of their nerves before school starts tomorrow! Set your phone up on a surface, read, record, and post to YouTube. You can make the video unlisted so it stays private and email a link of the video out to parents in advance of the real night before school!
First Week of School Read Aloud
Back to School Night
Books about Friendship
Setting ExpectationsWhat if Everybody Did That? is great story for starting that conversation about expectations. If you drop just one soda can out the window, it’s no big deal ... right? But what if everybody did that? What if everybody broke the rules ... and spoke during story time, didn’t wash up, or splashed too much at the pool? Then the world would be a mess. But what if everybody obeyed the rules so that the world would become a better place?
*This blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
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AuthorCurrent 1st grade teacher and former middle school educator trying to be techy, Reading Specialist, life long learner, and avid reader Categories
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January 2021
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