bodner093

Creating projects with my kids is one of the things I enjoy most about teaching. The kids get so excited to incorporate crafts and art as a way of displaying their learning.  I wanted to do a holiday project with them this week so we created "Reading Reindeer".  Don't they make a cute display? The first thing the kids did was read a holiday themed book. I pulled out all of my holiday books that had a story- I tried to stay away from any that did not have an actual plot. For my struggling readers I used holiday books with characters they were familiar with... Froggy, Henry and Mudge, Arthur... for my readers that are more on grade level I pulled out several Patricia Polacco books, Cranberry Christmas, Berenstain Bears, Christmas in the Big Woods, etc.  After reading the books, the kiddos completed a "book" review. The books the reindeer are holding are the kids' book reviews. On the outside of the book review they decorated a book cover. Most chose to also do...

During second quarter our focus during Reader's Workshop is nonfiction text. We have spent the first part of this quarter learning about nonfiction text features and how they help us when we read informational text.  Today we did an activity that my students really enjoyed. I saved a few of our Time For Kids magazines, ones we had already read and discussed, and then I collected them and stored them- so today I pulled those out and we went on a scavenger hunt searching for 7 different features.  Of course, I had already scoped them out and knew which features were for sure in the magazines. I typed up a directions page for my kiddos to use and we looked at the sample  I had made so they would know just what they needed to do.  You can find the directions page for free to use with your class here...  Nonfiction Text Features Poster As for my teacher example- here it is (the red border is a magnetic border on my dry erase board- it is not part of the pos...

Another book that I love to use to teach character is Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli. Not only does it have a strongly defined main character, but it is such a sweet book with a wonderful message. I read it to my class every year and they always love it.  This year I designed a quick activity to use to help students see the changes that Mr. Hatch goes through during the course of the story. As I read the book to my students I stop at three different points in the story for us to chart (and also at the conclusion of the book) and for them to work.  Here are my stopping points in the book... And here is our anchor chart... I love the detail my students used when completing their work- they loved drawing Mr. Hatch with the different emotions on his face! You can get this activity for free here- Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch printable! This book is also available on Storyline Online read by Hector Elizondo.  If you haven't used this book in your class ...

In my class we are continuing our study of characters. I want to share with you another great picture book with two very contrasting characters.  This book is also by Lisa Campbell Ernst (as I've said before- one of my favorite authors!). It is really a sweet book... I read the story to my students and then I started the chart- but we did not fill in the words to describe the characters (we did that later).  I gave my students the reading response activity and sent them off to illustrate and write. After giving them some time- we reconvened on the carpet and completed the chart. Then they could go back and add to their own work if they chose to.  You can find the free printable activity here ! They loved this activity and I was really pleased with their efforts!  Up next... Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch ! What picture books do you love to use to teach character?

During Reader's Workshop we have been focusing on character. For the first portion of our unit I read the novel From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler . What a great story to teach character- the main characters Claudia and Jamie are so distinct and have such personalities that my students could really envision the characters and get to know them.  After we finished the novel I wanted to continue to work with the concept of character. The first story I chose was Squirrel Park. It is by one of my all time favorite authors- Lisa Campbell Ernst.  First I read the story... Then we charted the 3 main characters- Chuck, Stuart, and Mr. Ivey. First, I just wrote their  names and sketched a picture of each. (I did not list any character traits at this point.) I then sent students off to their seats to draw and list describing character words for each character. After students completed this, we met back together and then completed the chart.  Her...

At my school we began using Everyday Counts Calendar Math a few years ago. I had really never used any form of calendar math before that, so it was the beginning of a learning process for me. Originally, I had really thought of calendar math as a kindergarten/first grade activity. Boy, was I wrong! After trying to faithfully use calendar math on a daily basis, I found I was falling short. I would skip a day here and there, my daily counts and calculations would get off track, some of my kiddos were not engaged in the learning taking place ...  So over Christmas break last year I decided I needed to do something to get the calendar math ship back on course... enter my Calendar Math Companion Journals.  I began with January- I included the everyday components, the focus skill for the month, and then tried to wrap in those third grade skills that my students need a constant review of. My students love having their own journal, I love being accountable to the journal and...

We went back to school the second week of August. Boy, am I tired! Between work and moving my youngest daughter to college I am wiped out! Really looking forward to Labor Day Weekend to get my batteries recharged.  This is the beginning of my 19th year and I can't believe I forget...  1.) how bad my feet hurt in regular shoes after wearing flip flops all summer!  2.) how easily I lose my voice with all of that talking! This year I was excited to try some new activities for the beginning of the year. I have been seeing all sorts of information about consensograms (never used one in class, but I have participated in them during PD). I thought they looked fun and would be high interest for my students. It would also be a great way for my students to get to know each other better. I decided on 4 questions- one for each school day our first week.   Favorite Fruit... Hot Lunch/ Cold Lunch... Kinds of Pets... Number of Siblings... As I was creating my charts I started ...