Door Idea-BE

I got this creative idea from Pinterest and decided to use it on my door. I love how it inspires not only children but all who walk by or in my door. And an added bonus is the great vocabulary that it teaches my second graders. They love learning about the words that are on the door. I have only put up about half of them so far. I plan on putting the rest up one at a time weekly. They can try to find the NEW word! 

Reading Rotations

Each day I see all my students in small groups for guided reading during reading rotations. Rotations last 15 minutes and they begin after a 10 minute mini lesson which introduces the skill/objective that we are targeting for the day or week during reading instruction. After the mini lesson, rotation 1 begins. The students can refer to the rotation chart if they don't know which station their group is visiting first. 

While the groups are at their stations, I am at the small group table with a about 4-5 students conducting a guided reading group. I prepare books for each group to read. The books are slightly above their independent level. As the students read in a whisper or in their heads, I will listen in and take running records. This will be a time when I can coach individual students or the group on specific skills that can help to push them up as readers. I can also take a running record. 

The other three rotations in my room include seat work, independent reading, and partner work. They require minimal preparation time for me; however, it is critical that the students are held accountable during each rotation. So whatever you assign, make sure that their is some accountability. For example, if they are reading at their seats, they should sticky note key parts or write a response in their journal. 

After 15 minutes, the groups rotate. I have 4 groups in my room. So we are finished after an hour. We come to the front of the room to discuss how we did as readers and debrief as a wrap up. 

Before, During, After Reading

The kids use post it notes to record questions they have about books they read or books I read to them. They post them directly on our cabinets under the correct category: BEFORE, DURING, or AFTER. They really love using the post it notes and the color coding helps with organization. 

Keep Calm and Read On

Here's how I decided to display the reading anchor charts that my class and I have created this year so far. 

Read Aloud Books for the First Week

I like to display the books that I will share during the week as read alouds on a recipe stand. Here are a few of my favorites!

I Can Board

Long ago, we use to post our objectives on the board daily...I'm not really sure who that benefitted.  Maybe it was for the teacher to remember what her goal for the day was or maybe it just looked good in case an administrator came in.  Now we realize it's more important to post "I can" statements for the kids that are at their comprehension level.  So here's my example. 

Rocking Chair Repaint!

What's a classroom without a rocking chair???
Rocking chairs say comfort...sit a while...relax...
I love having a rocking chair in my classroom.  This summer I found a steal at a thrift store! I got this old chair for 30 bucks!

Local thrift store steal! 30 bucks :)

Got this paint mixed at Home Depot...about $15

It needed a fresh coat of paint in a fun kid color.  I picked a mint green color.

 It doesn't show up well in the pictures but it looks great in person. I sanded it down just a little before I painted so that the paint would hold.  Then wiped it down.  Next I painted.  I only did one coat...it was enough for me.  I LOVE it!  And my students will too.