March Madness

March Madness has something to do with basketball, right??  It makes me think of the countdown till spring break and how quickly the days pass after it.  I told someone today that being in my class was like heaven on earth.  They are so wonderful, I can't even think about June when they will leave me for grander horizons.  I need it all to slow down!


Saw this wonderful idea on Pinterest and knew I had to use it: 

I couldn't find the original person that uploaded it but kudos to whoever you are :)

Mine is a bit simple but you could print it on colored paper. We are starting to select our goals during conferences tomorrow!  Get yours below :)

Writing Goals, Conventions

Writing Goals, Traits

Trait Posters by:Edina Public Schools Writing Trait Posters

I've been working on a guided reading instruction pack.  It came about when I was trying to share it all with my intern.  It's hard model and talk about all the ins and outs.  We all know that it is overwhelming to begin and follow through with!

The pack I created has a checklist of materials needed, helpful hints about grouping students, a chart to schedule time for each group, running record forms, ways to analyze a running record, daily note page for each group, record log for individuals, and a format to follow when working with students. It's far from perfect but a quick and dirty overview to get started.

Guided Reading pack



Here are pictures from my classroom that explain my set up:

These are my guided reading books. All the copies are in one bag and filed under their level.  You will notice I wrote various levels on the books because it seems that everything differs.  My school uses the Guided Reading levels develop by Fountas and Pinnell. 

 The baskets are leveled.  Each level has around six different text selections.  The books have the level listed on the back.  This set is PM Rigby.

In case your school doesn't have the funds for a different series of guided reading books you can always level your readers that go along with your basal.  Most of the time they aren't used in a leveled order, they are based of comprehension or phonics strategies.  Leveling them helps your readers because it puts just right books in their hands.  

Here is my binder:

 I have a schedule in the front and a list of needs for each group.  Currently I am working with 2 groups a day and my intern is working with 1 a day.  So you may notice I only have 3 groups listed, she is in charge of the other 2 groups;)

 This is my note taking page.  It defintely helps with planning effective lessons.

 Goals for the following week based of noticings.

 Leveling guide in front pocket developed for our school's needs.

 Running Record cues in the back pocket.

 Bins for each group with books to reread and new reads, writing journal for each child and a couple other things based off the needs of the group {2 bins are stashed behind}.

 Whiteboards, fluency rubric, easy button and bell for clean up warning.

Back of easel that is used for word work.

Large book covers make great seat sacks for whisper phones because each kid is reading at their own pace.

Running records organized by level.

 What the individual bags look like...several copies of the running record and one book.



Check out these links for helpful guided reading resources:

Leveling Chart by steck & vaughn      Harcourt Leveling Chart

Developmental DRA chart tells where your kids should be and when

Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Descriptions  <-----so helpful! tells what students do at each reading level

Running record cuing and general explanation

Enjoy!