Vocabulary Instruction

As I have mentioned before, our Reading Series is Wonders by McGraw Hill.  There is A LOT to this reading series, and there is no way to really fit it all in and have it be meaningful.  My team and I spent a lot of time deciding what we should focus on to make our third graders the best readers they can be.

Part of the reading series is of course vocabulary instruction.  There are bright and colorful cards that show each vocabulary word for each reading unit.  Increasing vocabulary through reading and practice is essential to becoming a better reader.  Any practice that students enjoy with vocabulary will only increase their reading comprehension!

This week we are on our second Wonders reading unit for the year.  We are taking two weeks for each unit, and we switched the order to best fit our students' needs.  We also looked at the scope and sequence of Wonders 2020 to help edit our own scope and sequence and use the materials we have.  We do not have Wonders 2020, but we are using the same scope and sequence because it is laid out in two week genre studies.

For Unit 1 Week 2, the main story is Yoon and the Jade Bracelet.  There are some really important vocabulary words in this text that I thought my students knew, but after playing the vocabulary game with them that I created, I realized that they really do not know how to use these words in context.  This might seem obvious, but spending time playing a fun game really helped my students practice these words in context.

The game board has each vocabulary word from the story repeated three times.  There are corresponding sentences on game cards with the vocabulary words missing.  The students get 24 game cards, each with a sentence on them.  These are cut up and placed face down.  Then partners take turns drawing a card, coloring the matching vocabulary word that is missing, and they try to "Connect Four"!

I walked around and talked with students while they played.  They tried substituting different words in the sentences on the cards, they talked about the words, and they asked questions.  It was really fun for them to try to get four in a row also!

This game is available in my TPT shop, and it is free now!  As I create more games for Wonders vocabulary, I will probably make a bundle for each unit that can be purchased.  If you use Wonders, click the link to download for free now!

Daily Five and the Literacy CAFE System

I have been using the Daily Five model for my reading group instruction for eight years now.  I love the flexibility that is created using this model, and it gives me time to work with small groups on specific reading skills and strategies.  If you want to know more about this model click here for the explanation and research!

When I first implemented this model, I was not using a reading series.  I pulled different resources to fit the Common Core State Standards, and I used the books the students were reading to guide my instruction.  I also started using this model when I taught first grade, and it went very well.

Over the past few years now teaching third grade, my team and I have used our own resources, the Engage New York Curriculum that is free online, and now we are using Wonders by McGraw Hill as a resource for instruction.  After tweaking the Wonders curriculum to fit our needs for next year, I am planning on going back to using the Literacy CAFE system as well.  I don't think any one reading series can cover everything that needs to be included when working with third grade readers.

I like to make sure that I check in with students frequently on the books that they are reading, and last year I always felt very rushed to do this.  After reflecting a lot this summer, I realized that I don't need to rush to get through the Wonders curriculum (my team and I have a scope and sequence to follow, but we are all flexible and work well together), and I really need to put more time in each day to meet with readers and focus on specific skills and strategies for individual students.

The Literacy CAFE System ,which I have used in the past, allows for individualized and group instruction on specific reading skills and strategies, and the students guide this.  I have had a hard time keeping up with this in the past, but I think that if I dedicate my first round of the Daily Five system to checking in with individual students and keep a schedule that is manageable, then I will not feel so much pressure to get everything in.  Reading the books with students that they love is the best part of reading!

I am confident that I will be able to still fit in the Wonders curriculum and match it to the Daily CAFE strategies and skills.  I also think that the traditional Daily Five model of meeting for mini-lessons in between groups is something I need to go back to doing.  This is something I do a lot at the beginning of the year to train students, but throughout the year I just rush through the reading groups to get things done.  I plan to have mini-lessons in between about reading, writing, and grammar, so that I spend the whole morning until lunch working on these skills!

I created a new CAFE board for myself with a farmhouse theme to match my classroom for next year.  Check it out below!

Student Friendly Reader's Notebook

Last year my district purchased a new reading series, Wonders by McGraw Hill, and it was definitely an adjustment year!  We are very fortunate though that we can use this as a resource to best fit our students' needs.  My principal is extremely supportive when it comes to curriculum.  I have used different types of reading notebooks for students in the past, but after planning with my team for next year I have some different ideas on how I want to organize a Reader's Notebook that will work best for my students and myself.

I am not good at keeping up with interactive notebooks.  Each time I try to use these, it just does not work very well for me personally.  I like and use some elements of these from time to time, but I know that it is not a good fit for my classroom.  Everyone is different!

I decided to really think about what I want my students to be doing and how it would best benefit them to have their materials organized.  I decided that there are three main things I want to organize for my students and myself!

The Reader's Notebook I plan to use has three tabs.  It is just a regular spiral notebook divided into three sections.  I use a Daily Five model for my reading group instruction.  I want to have a place where my students can use think marks, stop and jot, and write down any vocabulary words they are struggling with when they read independently.  In the past they have used post its, but it is much easier to have all this in one place!  I decided to make one section of the reading notebook that is just "Read to Self."  There is also a spot underneath the tab in this section for a student to write their personal reading goal on a post it.  This way it can be changed out frequently.  I plan to use Daily CAFE reading goals.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Readers-Notebook-4642264

The second tab is titled "Read with the Teacher."  I have worksheets and practice to go with the reading series that I use, but sometimes the students in my group need paper or post its to stop and job, use think marks, etc.. All of these notes now will be in one spot. This section of the notebook will also have space for the students to record the reading skill and strategy for the unit.

 

The third tab is titled "Grammar Practice."  My team uses the Shurley Method, and this involves learning the parts of speech through songs and repetitive practice of call and response diagramming sentences.  I am SO TIRED of finding their Shurley papers everywhere, so I plan on putting everything they need in this section of the notebook for easy reference.  My students can also write quick practices on these pages and have the ability to go back and review as needed.
 

I also plan to put some think marks in the notebook.  We use Miss West Best's close reading think marks.

Finally in the back cover, I have a place where students can keep track of the books they have read for the year and their genre.  This will help me when it comes to one on one conferences, and it will help the students keep track and be proud of what they have read.

 

You can find my easy to use Reader's Notebook here! 

Student Goal Setting

Last year I started my school year at the end of September because I was on maternity leave.  The previous year I had a binder system for each student to keep track of goals and learning levels, and this past school year I really missed it!  I did not have my amazing maternity leave sub implement this since she was starting off my school year.  I saved the binders, and I plan on using them again this next school year!

 Each student has a simple white binder.  (Click to shop) I put their names on the binding, but I also let them pick a sticker to put on the binding so that their binder is easily identifiable.
 
I then put a tab in for each subject area that has learning levels.  My tabs are: Reading, Writing/Grammar, Math, Science/Social Studies.  We used Standards Based Grading (1-4 for our levels). (Click to shop)

Each student did not need all 8 tabs, so I split them up.  I have around 20 students each year.

In the front of each binder I put this sheet that I created for our assessments.  Click on the picture for an editable page.  Please make a copy for yourself before editing.  Here is the pdf too.

 

Throughout the year I meet one on one with students to check in on their scores, set goals, and then also to put copies of their work with learning levels in their binders under the correct sections.  For example, if we have a math test, I make a copy of their assessment and they put this copy in their binder with their learning level on it.  Then they take the original home.  It is extra work, but just takes a second to run the assessments through the copier and hole punch.

When I did this, I noticed that my students really enjoyed seeing their progress!  It was also really nice to pull this out for parent teacher conferences.  The students could talk about their work and progress easily throughout the year. 

How do you involve students in their data?  This works for me!

Classroom Refresh

There is a lot of research that supports different types of classroom decor and organization.  For the past three years I have had my bulletin boards bright purple, turquoise, and green.  I bought polka dot themed decorations to go with these colors.  I am ready this summer for a refresh!  I am going to try a calming turquoise on all of my bulletin boards.  We are very fortunate that we can paint!! Our principal is very supportive.  I also love Teacher Created Resources for my classroom decor.  I don’t think that you need a theme, but personally it is easier that way for me! This summer I plan to redecorate with the Home Sweet Classroom theme.  What is your opinion?  I am hoping that it has more of a calming effect.

Summer Fun!

Today is our first day of summer!  We are excited to get some break from our normal routine.  My kids will still go to daycare one to two days a week to stay in their routine.  I can get some things done for myself and my classroom that way too!  This summer my son is signed up for a speech therapy class on Mondays through Shine Therapy Services.  I am also trying out Preschool at home thanks to @busytoddler! We will have a fun summer of play and learning!

https://busytoddler.com/