What is Reader's Workshop?

Wondering what our Reader's Workshop looks like? This video shows us action!

Here is an overview of our 90 minute literacy block...

Comprehension Mini-Lesson (20 minutes)

• Students gather on the carpet to hear a story and practice using comprehension strategies. Students use "Think-Pair-Share" to visit with their learning partner about the story that was read. Comprehension lessons come from the Making Meaning curriculum.

Independent Reading - Read-to-Self (30 minutes)

• Students find a cozy place around the room and read "good-fit" books independently.
• Teachers work with students individually or in small groups on reading goals.
• Mrs. Tarr (ELL), Mrs. Drier (Special Education), Mrs. Wikert, and Mrs. Vosburg (Reading Specialists) also work with students at this time.

 Vocabulary Mini-Lesson (10 minutes)

• Students gather back on the carpet and learn 4 vocabulary words each week. These words come from the book used in the previous week's comprehension mini-lesson. Again, students use "Think-Pair-Share" to discuss the meaning of the words taught with their learning partner. Vocabulary lessons also come from the Making Meaning curriculum

 Choice Reading (20 minutes)

• During this time, students can choose from the following...
• Read to Someone
• Listen to Reading
• Read to Self
• Teachers work with students in small groups or individually on reading goals.

Book Sharing/Reflection (10 minutes) 

• Students gather on the carpet to wrap up Reader's Workshop by sharing something they read, reviewing strategies, and reflecting on their reading.

* Reader's Workshop is my favorite part of our day. I love seeing the kids improve their reading skills and most importantly, learn to LOVE reading!

Technology

 Once during the 6-Day Cycle, we end up without any specials in the morning. I decided to create my own "special" and dedicate that time to learning about technology! We use the computers often throughout the year, but never really take time to teach specific skills. To start the year, I am teaching a bit of basic keyboarding. Look at these kids working hard at keeping their fingers on the home row!

 Later in the year, the students will use what they've learned about typing to publish one of their stories. I am also hoping to use this Technology time to have the students create podcasts and videos. Oh that possibilities of technology!

Here are some links to games that will help your child practice keyboarding skills.

http://www.abcya.com/keyboarding_practice.htm (Students type each letter repeatedly)
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/keyboarding_games/homekey-kennys.html (A "Whack-A-Mole" type game using only the home row keys)

First Fluency Performance!

We have a special time each morning dedicated to practicing our reading fluency. This is something new for me this year and it is already one of my (and the students') favorite times of the day! This week, we practiced a poem about a baseball player called "This Young Man." They were doing so well by the end of the week that I decided to record them performing and share it with you! Enjoy!

One Week Down!

We are off to a great start! The kids are catching on quickly to our routines and procedures. We did several activities this week to get to know each other. The students brainstormed what kind of teacher and classmates they want to have. One student shared that he wanted his teacher to be a diving expert... I am afraid he will be disappointed! :) We are having a lot of fun together and I look forward to a great year full of learning!!!

Before-School Conferences

Everything in the classroom is shaping up and I am *almost* feeling ready to go. 

The welcome letters were sent out today, so be watching the mail! With the letter, there will be a yellow sheet of paper with your scheduled conference time for the 20th. On this sheet there are also several questions for you to answer about your child. Please take time to fill this out and bring it with you to your conference. If the scheduled time does not work, please call the school or contact me and we can reschedule.

Right now, there are 14 boys and 7 girls in my class! There have been a few new second graders registering, so we might be adding another friend or two (hopefully some more girls!)

Supply List

 

Welcome to Second Grade! Below is the supply list for this year. Some supplies will be shared, so please check the list before putting your child's name on his/her supplies.

Please bring the following items LABELED WITH YOUR CHILD'S NAME

• School Bag (Bags with wheels don't fit in lockers!)
• Plastic Pencil Box (Large enough to fit markers and crayons)
• 2 Boxes of 24 Crayons 
• Paint Shirt (Old T-Shirt of Mom's or Dad's works best)
• Scissors
• Washable Markers
• 2 Notebooks (Spiral-bound, Wide Ruled)
• 2 Folders (2 Pocket)
• 12 inch ruler with centimeters
• Large Pink Eraser

Please bring the following items NOT LABELED WITH YOUR CHILD'S NAME

• 2 Boxes of Kleenex
• 2 Dozen #2 Pencils (plain yellow are best)
• 2 Glue Bottles
• Dry Erase Markers (pack of 2 or 4)
• 2 Highlighters
• 1 Box Gallon Size Ziploc Baggies

OPTIONAL ITEMS TO SHARE WITH THE CLASS

• Hand Sanitizer
• Disinfecting Wipes

Please bring your child's supplies to your scheduled before-school conference on August 20. Having supplies put away makes the first day of school go much smoother! :)