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....