We LOVE Words Wednesdays!

In our district this year, we are focusing on vocabulary and vocabulary development.  I wanted to incorporate this in a few different ways in the classroom.  One activity that the students and I are doing are reading different Andrew Clements books in book group and focusing on just vocabulary in each of the chapters.  We are also using comprehension strategies and doing fluency work in small group instruction  but when the students work independently they are just working on vocabulary (definitions, usage, etc.).  Students are also taking part in a listening center two days a week.  Each book has been carefully chosen and the groups have been carefully developed.  The books we are reading are:  The School Story, No Talking, Troublemaker and Lost and Found.

On to the next idea!  How can I do a more intense focus of vocabulary?  I found these wonderful vocabulary packs (Jargon Journals).  I decided to do a book a month depending on the focus in Reading Workshop for that month.  What was I going to call this great idea:  "We LOVE Words Wednesday".

On the first Wednesday of every month I introduce and read the new book during our morning meeting time.  This month it was the book Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes.  Then during the first few minutes of our Writing Workshop time, they create a word hat.  I would love to find some really inexpensive baseball caps that the kids could hand write words on so we could add to it every month (maybe next year?).  We used paper hats instead (that we already made and in my closet).  Then we discuss the definition for each word.

The second Wednesday of every month, we focus on the definition and what the word means to us.  The students made a section in their Writer's notebooks for "We LOVE Words Wednedays".  I also pulled out four other words from the story that were "extra" words.  We wrote these words into this section of our notebooks and then cut and glued the other word cards in.

The third Wednesday of the month, we will be working on parts of speech and syllable work.

The fourth Wednesday of the month, we will be taking the quick word assessment (and finishing up anything that needs to be completed from the other weeks).  Then the cycle starts over again!

This easy integration allows me the ability to integrate new vocabulary and more intensely without getting way over my head.  I am really excited!

Reading Workshop | Getting into the Groove

The past few weeks have been wonderful;  getting to know my students, enjoying the classroom and school days and teaching!  After assessing each student, I am now ready to officially start my Reading Workshop model.  The past few weeks, I've kicked of workshop with "What is Reading Workshop" and "What is a Good Reader?" and also started some classroom work (I am using my "I do, we do, you do" model for my first book report which is approaching on September 25th.

At home I have forming my groups with my notes and we are ready!  Let me explain.....

This is my Reading Workshop schedule for the kiddos.  I've planned it so they all meet with me at least once a week and/or with another teacher.  I currently have one other teacher that supports the students during this specific time.  I have a daily group (my 2:15 group).  When not in a teacher group two things are either happening.  They are using the computers or listening center or working independently.  The little chart is how they know when to do that.  I've worked it out so everyone gets on the computer/listening center and meets with me.  It's all very timed.

This week we have been modeling/practicing for our upcoming book report.  I've created mini anchor charts on my focus wall so the students can keep track of their learning.  I can not take the credit for some of the items that I am utilizing.  The book report is my own idea (modeled after a dodecahedron) but the anchor charts are from:
Anchor Charts; Reading Skills and Strategies; Settings

Teacher Bags

One thing I look forward to (which I know a lot of people do) are my new school bags for the year!  I am so excited to share my new shoulder wardrobe.  I'm a geek!

Classroom Behavior | Getting Started

I am having a great first week so far!  I wanted to share how I manage my classroom behaviors.  I try to keep it easy with helps for me, the kiddos and also the parents.  On the first day of school the students and I review some "expected" behaviors in the classroom and school and complete a "contract".  I also review 3 different levels of behavior.  Individual, group and whole class.  Here is the letter I send home explaining my system:

Behavior Information

The contract the students and I complete is located here:

RLS Contract

The way I manage the individual behavior is by use of 2 cards.

One card is specifically for stickers and the other is specifically for hole punches.

Every student gets both cards to start the year.  The hole punch card lasts 3 weeks and then a new card is distributed (mainly because only 3 weeks fit on the card).  If a student does receive a hole punch, it is punched in during that week and I make a notation of why.  I also mark it on the sticker card, so I know and the student knows that they are not to add a sticker that week.  Here is what both look like:

The sticker card has been premade so it includes all the dates for the last day of each week.  

You can see the sticker card is a full sheet of paper.  On the first day of school the students add labels with their name on it (premade) and then trim off the excess paper.  Fold it in half and staple it closed.  It then fits perfectly in our card pockets:

Reading Workshop | Reading Envelopes

For my Reading Workshop, I use a Reading Envelope to have students store their work.  The envelope also acts as a part in some beginning mini-lessons at the start of the year.

Here is the link to my Reading Envelope Companion: Reading Workshop Printables Companion

Part of these envelopes I created myself (yay!) and some of them I found resources online, mainly from Beth Newingham.  She has some amazing resources that are FREE and available to download. Beth Newingham Teacher Resources

The Classroom is Finally Setup

I am so proud and happy about how my classroom turned out this year.  I probably drove my husband and a few other people crazy but I truly am excited to spend my days (and some evenings!) there.  I got in a zone with my Silhouette Cameo and changed some signs and labels around.  I love the fresh update.  Take a look....

Open House Bulletin Board

In direct correlation with my open house letter (see post). I wanted to incorporate what my daughter and I have been working on all summer (see instagram @abisig77).

So my brain literally hurt trying to think of a theme for my open house bulletin board.  When alas!  Out of nowhere...it came to me!

ARE YOU READY TO LEARN EVERYTHING FROM A-Z?  Beautiful!

First step..finish the alphabet book with my daughter
Next step:  start crafting.
Use the Silhouette Cameo!

I used the Silhouette Cameo to make this part of it.  I then transferred it to a canvas that I got dirt cheap at Michaels!  I used a glitter paint where I knew the letters would be that way when I peeled off the letters it would have some sparkle. 

I decided to mount the letters on some foam board.  It is actually three pieces, taped together.  I used a staple gun to tack them onto to the foam board. 

I am really happy at how everything turned out and it was all connected to my summer activities.  Open house was wonderful and it is one of my favorite nights of the year!

Writing Workshop | Getting Setup

One day I came across a rolling bulletin board that no one wanted and it turned out to be one of the best hallway finds ever!  This year I am using it for my Writing Workshop area.  One side will be the writing process, where kids move a clothespin with their name on it through the Writing process and the other side will be our Writing project or assignment that we are working on.  I will post different items depending on what we are working on.  This way kids can refer to it for reference as they work independently.  The students also use a "Writing Workshop envelope" where they store all things Writing.  These are put in a black laundry basket I have labeled.

I purchased the 6 traits labels on TPT:  Posters  

I created the Writing Process steps, but I can not take credit for these!
I found these on Teachers Pay Teachers and I love them!  Writing Process Wheel

Library Setup

I honestly LOVE my library.  I finally got it to a good place last year.  I was always buying the fun bin labels, but I wanted something consistent so I made my own.   I also organize the library in the best possible way. I even try to take into consideration what bins are next to each other, so it makes a little bit of sense.  Each book has a tiny label on it (avery 8167) that matches exactly what the bin is called.   I then made up a bookcase map for each bookcase, so everyone can find out where the book goes without have to search too much.  The kids also "check out" the books writing on a card that's on the inside back cover and putting it in a container.  That lets me easily see what books kids are reading.  The students store their books in their book boxes.

Bulletin Boards

For the most part, my bulletin boards are done!  I plan on using my bulletin boards this year for my anchor charts, I can statements, focus wall, etc.  When the year gets going, I will post some more pictures of them in action.

I had a section on my bulletin board that was a small size, so I painted some poster paper with green chalkboard paint.  My idea was to have all the ways to stay connected on there so it could stay up all year long.  I ended up using my BRAND NEW Silhouette Cameo to print something up and then I transferred it to a piece of extra lamination.

Here you can see the "stay connected" area of the bulletin board.  I love it!

This will be my Reading Workshop Focus Wall.

Here I will put my Calendar Math and then on the door I will have my Math Focus Wall.  The door is metal, so I will be using magnet tape and sticking things up that way.  On the other wall (near the door, which is not in the photo), I have stuck up some hooks and I will be hanging my Math posters there.  

Organizing My Files

One thing that I always strive for is to make things easier:  "Think smarter, not harder".  I know there are a lot of people out there that use file cabinets and file folders.  The method I use, allows me to be portable and secure as well as have everything in the same place.  It also allows me to file things fast and easy.  I have 2 main binders that I use.  One is for Reading and the other is for pretty much everything else.  In the Reading binder below, I bought pocket dividers which allows me to insert each student's assessments.  Instead of labeling the divider with a name, I use a number (I can reuse these each year with no problem).

The second binder is the everything else binder.  I keep parent contact information, work samples, etc.  To make this binder easier, I use sheet protectors.  I can easily throw in a form or a work sample into the section it applies to and I'm ready to go.   

I made some cute covers this year using Instagram and Labelbox (apps).

The Setup Continues! Supply Organization

Hello!

I was back in the classroom today for a few hours working on getting things ready for the new school year.  These 2 pictures are of the bookcase I use for my book group books and literature circle books.  Basically this is where I store my multiple copies).  I use plastic bins to expand my space and then I cover it up with a piece of fabric that ha been sewn to fit the front of the bookcase.  It takes the distraction away and it keeps it private like a closet.  One project hat I would like to work on is to inventory all of these books so I have a list at my finger tips.

The pictures below are of my supply drawers.  Last year I bought these 2 drawer crates at AC Moore (with a coupon) and then last summer I taped them, painted them, taped them again and finished.  I then made a "map" of where everything is located.  You can peek inside to see how I organized them.  The little bins are from Target's dollar section.

I'll be back shortly to show my progress.  I started working on some bulletin boards before I left today so I am hoping to finish that next.