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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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?
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Organizing your classroom is something I do in the summer! It does take some time and presents its own challenges. This year I changed grade levels and districts; walking into an EMPTY classroom is great but also forces you to think about how you will set up the flow of your room, students, supplies, and materials. I had to figure out where things would fit, work, and be practical; therefore things moved many many times. Organizing Classroom Supplies
Small Group Learning Space
A carpet is a great meeting sport for partners or small groups to meet and collaborate. This great carpet came from Amazon! It matched everything so perfectly and was a great reference for beginning readers too!
Classroom LibraryColorful and bright is definitely what I have going on in the library! We also have some Book Buddies that both function as a friend to read to and a decoration in the room!
The bins will come with card stock labels that fit in that slot perfectly, I measured the card and created my own to continue the colors with Astrobrights card stock. Book Bin Labels Shared Space: Morning Meeting/LearningIf you aren't a teacher, I bet you didn't think a carpet needed to be organized! Telling students to simply sit on the carpet can be a mess of space and disagreements. These are also from www.ReallyGoodStuff.com and it is a velcro like backing that sticks to most carpets. They were much cheaper than their competitor, use letter sense, and assign a space to each student. WORTH IT! The vacuum can go right over without damage or getting stuck! Student Supplies
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Things are about to change, I'm moving from 5th grade to 1st grade this fall! There are so many differences between the way a 5th grader and a 1st grader works and thinks, am I prepared? I'm moving into a (gorgeous and huge) new classroom, which means the cabinets are empty (a blessing and a curse).
During this past school year we celebrated Read Across America Week. The first day had a theme of "Bring a Book Buddy" for D.E.A.R (Drop Everything And Read). I was surprised of the amount of 5th grade friends that brought a stuffed animal or baby doll from home to read with during D.E.A.R time. Sometimes teachers forget that, as big as our 5th graders are, they are still children. I want to bring play and fun into my new classroom as much as I can, Book Buddies are an easy way to incorporate reading and fun at the same time! Here are some Book Buddies that I found at Kohl's this week. (Should I Share my Ice Cream? Knuffle Bunny Sneetches Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose) The proceeds raised benefit children across all of our communities (which is a great reason to explain why I needed ALL of the Mo Willem book characters). I also lucked out by finding some of the old Dr. Seuss Kohl's care line at a clearance price! *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.
The Children's Book World is a locally owned business, that may love books just as much as I do! Through their shop and author programs, I have had the opportunity to meet many beloved authors, hear them speak about writing, and get signed books for our classroom library. (It is also a GREAT way to get student motivated to read a new book or genre!)
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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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