Saturday, April 20, 2013

Here is a great resource on writing workshop:} Choice Literacy is Maine based and is free online. Enjoy!!

[For sneak peeks at our upcoming features, quotes and extra links,  follow Choice Literacy on Twitter: @ChoiceLiteracy or Facebook:
 
 
In this feature from the Choice Literacy archives, Aimee Buckner considers the balance of Writers, Choice, and Independence in her writing workshop:
 



Sunday, April 7, 2013

Making the Home-School Connections - courtesy of Choice Literacy

Here are some great articles on making the home-school connection.  Enjoy:}

Here are two articles from the Choice Literacy Archives to help build the home/school connection.
Heather Rader and Jennifer Taft share tips for better communication with families in Good News: Your Teacher Is Calling:
Ruth Shagoury explains how dichos (words of wisdom passed down in families) can bring home cultures and values into classrooms:
Ashley Rice has created a Pinterest Board with 60 different Family Literacy Night suggestions:

Wendy Lawrence's blog, The Family That Reads Together, is a wonderful source of warm, funny, and wise book reviews from a parent's perspective:

Monday, April 1, 2013

During my last visit, the students displayed independence and learning in the centers the teachers have created! Obviously, students have learned to stay focused and on task. Bravo everyone!!

 Mrs. D demonstrating the use of the spelling center for her students.
 Mrs. D. demonstrates use of the homophone center and students follow up with independent use.
 Example of poetry collage in response to the weekly poem in grade 5 - awesome Mrs. P and students.

 Fifth grade students work in collaborative groups - responding to a slide presentation preparing students for making predictions and building prior knowledge before they read.



 Mrs. P demonstrates the slides for the presentation!
Mrs. B. reviews the features of chapter books as this group moves into reading chapter books in preparation for literature circles.


Students work at the Scrambled Sentence center as Mrs. B works with a guided reading group.

 Mrs. O meets with her students in guided reading format.  They are reading a non-fiction book and loving it!  Other students work independently around the room at centers.
 Student exemplars are displayed around the room for student reference.

 Centers are posted on the board so students know their schedule.  Mrs. O reviews the morning schedule before they begin.


A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS FOR THEIR HARD WORK.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO CHERIE DOUGHTY FOR ALL OF HER WORK ON THE BOOK ROOM.  SHE HAS SPENT MANY HOURS OF HER OWN TIME WORKING DILIGENTLY AND QUIETLY TO COMPLETE THIS IMMENSE PROJECT.  THANK YOU ALL.