Calling All Ideas

As I begin to think about the first few weeks of school, I am trying to look ahead and map out my reading workshop. Does anyone have ideas as to an order that they enjoy doing with their class? Keep in mind I do second grade...I am going to hit procedures and expectations of what goes on during workshop time as well as conversations and conferencing...but as to other strategies within the workshop...I'm just wondering if there will be any method to my madness. All ideas are accepted! Thanks in advance!!!

One of my Passions!

Here is a picture of my small group girls. Seated on the steps at church are all of them. We had just finished a book study on Captivating and I surprised them with a dinner. All of them actually made it...one of the first times ever, so I had to capture it in a picture. The second picture is the small group girls who went to Bigstuf in PCB, FL. It was a great time and they are absolutely amazing! I still find it to be so humbling how much they teach me and what beautiful women they are! I am so proud of them and wanted to show them off.

Potpourri

I am in my classroom today (ended up not tutoring), so I cleaned out old files and just tried to organize! Are there any other educators out there overwhelmed at the prospect of next year? Was I like this last year? I don't think so. I know that I'm still learning a lot with reading workshop and I am doing more now for the kids than I did a few years ago...just overwhelmed at where to begin. What procedures to teach? What assessments to use? What order to use? Whew! I'm probably overwhelming you as you read.

However, in response to my last post, what does it look like to follow Jesus as a teacher? I've come up with a small answer. We are talking about worship at church. Giving my career to God and allowing Him to sustain me, provide me with resources, and doing the very best I can for these kids is just a part of it.

Wow!

Okay, I just got back from our Bigstuf trip in Panama City Beach, Florida. I had a great time, but one question that I am just going to throw out that I am processing in my mind is...as a teacher, what does following Jesus look like? Not just believing in Him, but being a follower and do as He's asked. I have more about the trip and pictures to post, but wanted to at least throw out my first huge question that I will be looking at and trudging through.

Pursue

Even though no one has challenged me with the "one word" to focus on, reading all of the other blogs has made me think. Pursue is the best word I can come up with simply because I am always wanting others to pursue me (being brutally honest), whether that be friends, God, or yes, a man. But in thinking about what word I could focus on for the year, what about my pursuit? My pursuit of my future students and their education, my pursuit of my relationship with God, my pursuit of my friends and family, and my pursuit of learning? Am I willing to push on to become what God wants of me this year and let go of what others think of me? I'm getting closer every day to that attitude...and by focusing on what I need to pursue...I'll get there.

By the way, ever type a word so many times you wonder if you spelled it correctly?

Songbooks

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know...long time no blog. I am beginning my literacy task force reading by the poolside (isn't it great to be an educator? and a big thanks to the Brown's who have an amazing pool and are so generous). As I was reading, I am constantly thinking of what I'll be doing in my classroom in the fall. Do other people find Reading and Writing Workshop taking over their mind and allowing them to embrace more planning for the future? Or am I just obsessed?

You all (whoever reads this) have always been so encouraging and have great ideas...thought I'd throw out a question. Does anyone have great songbooks they use in the beginning of the year with their class? For new readers, I have second grade...and will have 3 identified students who most likely are non-readers or minimal...Looking for all great ideas to incorporate! Thanks in advance!

Thinking Aloud

I read to my class, If Only I Had a Green Nose, by Max Lucado (great book), and right away, my students realized once again, that it was a sequel to a book we had read earlier in the year. But what shocked me more was that one of my boys asked if I could read the back of the book jacket to give them more information and help them predict. Of course I obliged.



Afterwards, we had discussion groups where I let one student be in charge (a bit) and write down the important thinking that was shared. I put one of my struggling readers as a leader to see what would happen. All 3 groups shared at the end and here are some of their messages they feel Max Lucado was trying to teach: Be yourself and God made us the same (I think they meant different) - be yourself and not copy, and you don't have to be like others. I think they got it!!!

What blew me away was my struggling reader. She rephrased what one girl said, took it up a level and then asked, "Is that what you are saying?" Then as she was sharing, she started off by saying, "I found our thinking fascinating."

I adore reading workshop and what is has done for my passion for teaching. I am also blown away by how God has chosen to bless me with placing me in this position of importance and impression.