Tips, Titles and Tools for Teachers
Resources for Special September Events
This week's newsletter includes resources for special September events: Dot Day and the 15th Anniversary of September 11th. Enjoy!
I know that you are all establishing your routines and getting to know your learners in these first few weeks. Many classrooms are introducing Daily Five and CAFE strategies. If you are looking for book titles for CAFE strategies, let me know! Here is a link to a Google Doc for CAFE Mentor Texts with book titles for each strategy. Feel free to add your own recommendations! I will be adding book titles and strategies during the next few weeks.
Happy Reading!
Shelly
Recommended Posts and Articles
Research shows that one of the best ways for students to get better at reading is to read, read, read! Actually, students won't improve in their reading if we don't provide them with time to actually read. This year let's all commit to preserving our independent reading and Read to Self blocks of time. If something has to go from your daily schedule due to a special event, let's agree to protect independent reading time!
Richard Allington's Recommendations on Our Use of Time
50% Independent Reading Time
Books chosen by students with increasing challenge and complexity across the year.
25% Reading Mentor Texts
Annotating short texts that revel genre characteristics and the writer's craft in support of both reading and writing goals. (This description makes me think of close reading!)
25% Whole Class Novel or Small Group Novel Study
Based on curricular needs and with careful differentiation to support each reader's needs.
How will you spend your time? The start of the school year is the perfect time to reflect on how you will spend your time in reading workshop!
Nancy Atwell's Speech - Why kids still need 'real' books to read - and time in school to enjoy them
Celebrate Dot Day on September 15th
Dot Day is September 15! The Dot connects to many of our Habit of Minds, including Cultivating Creativity and Imagination. The message of this book and the opportunity to celebrate Dot Day are perfect for kids of any age!
Click here you want to learn more about Dot Day!
A Text Set for The 15th Anniversary of September 11th
Fireboat
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers
Seven and a Half Tons of Steel
The Survivor Tree
14 Cows for America
America Is Under Attack
Middle Grade Novels for September 11th
If you are interested in resources to use with your students, you may want to take a look at this Pinterest Board of resources for September 11.
Shelly Moody
Atwood Primary School
Williams Elementary School
Email: smoody@rsu18.org
Twitter: @shelmoody