Monday, November 7, 2022

What is Guided Reading Instruction?



 So! You're in the lion's den.  You've been told to teach guided reading, given some materials and set free to create reading miracles.  Cool.  But as you sit at your desk, do you ask yourself, "How do I do guided reading anyway?"  You are not alone!

I struggled for months trying to get it right.  I went to workshop after workshop, read everything I had time to read about guided reading, (not a ton of time, I assure you) and set to work trying one thing and then another to find strategies that work with my reading groups.  

To answer the question posed by this post, guided reading is small group reading instruction that uses a group of strategies to help students increase to higher and higher levels of difficulty and achievement. Sounds straight forward, but it takes knowledge about the process.  It's not magic, it's teaching at its best. 

Take a deep breath.  Your guided reading program may be a little different from other teachers.  That's ok. Like everything else in teaching, it's an art.  There are basic principals that work, and elevate your instruction to a level that helps student learning not only take place, but soar.  Guided reading really does work, and it works well.  Below are links to five guided reading posts that take on five areas that will set you on the right path to guided reading mastery.  There are freebies included with most posts, and lots of information you can implement today.  So, if you are just starting your guided reading program, or if you are looking to make it run better and smoother, The posts below will take you step-by-step through the process.

Getting Started!

Searching for Guided Reading Materials

Don't Hide from Running Records

Guided Reading: What Are the Other Kids Doing?

Creating a Guided Reading Schedule That Works

Here Comes Guided Reading

Take a Closer Look At Guided Reading


If you want a detailed resource that will lead you step-by-step through the guided reading process, check out:






Thursday, September 1, 2022



Trying to find good math games for math centers or cooperative learning can be a time consuming prospect. I've found some really good ones for different areas of the math curriculum. One site has PDFs, and the IXL site is an amazing resource for Common Core activities. Hope you enjoy them!


This is a great game called "Ivy's Meadow". It's perfect for second and third graders to practice addition and subtraction. Click the lady bug to begin, then choose easy, difficult, or expert. Then start playing! Students can choose to add or subtract a particular number by clicking on the up and down arrows. Cute, colorful and good practice!



This is a FUN way to practice those math facts in addition, subtration, multiplication and division! Enjoy!


If you are not familiar with IXL, don't waste another minute. This link goes to fourth grade, but you can click your grade level on the left hand side. Every Common Core math strand is listed, with a corresponding activity to use in the classroom. OHHH so helpful!


Defeat the Math Monster is terrific practice for grades 1-4 (you choose the difficulty, plus addition, subtraction, multiplication or division). It's great for math centers. Students get 15 answers right to defeat the monster. There is a video to watch that shows just what to do!


I love this one! Kids drag and drop answers and the pictures are totally engaging!


This site is FILLED with second grade math PDFs, activities and handouts for many strands of the math curriculum. (Great for 3rd grade review too). It includes penguin math, snowflake activities, snowmen and glyphs! Don't miss this one!


OMG! I LOVE this one for fast math practice. Kids choose the pretzel they want to be, then arm wrestle another pretzel. To win they must answer a math question fast! It includes an instructional video on how to play the game…it doesn't get much better than this!


Are you working on time? This fun game has four skill levels that include time to the half-hour, to the quarter hour, the minute and elapsed time. Be sure to watch the instructional video to learn how to move the clock hands. VERY nice game!


Freebie Time!

Mental Math is a vital skill for all students.  Here's a little freebie to get them started on developing this important skill!




Are you are interested in Math resources?  If so, check out the resources below, just click on the cover.














Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Text Features Freebies!


 

I may be crazy, but I love teaching text features!  It's a great time to pull out the informational texts that kids love.  Dinosaurs, bugs, monkeys, you name it! To make it even easier I've included in this post two of my favorite text feature teaching videos, plus a 14 poster text feature freebie.  I hope you enjoy!


This video gets straight to the point!



Now for the Freebie!  It uses emojis to grab your students' attention and keep them on the task at hand.  It includes 14 posters that cover:

Below is an example of only two of the 14 posters included in the freebie!


  

If you'd like the freebie, click on the picture below.  


This Freebie comes from a second grade Task Card resource that addresses Common Core RI.2.5.  If you'd like to check it out (It includes the posters) Click on the picture below: