Teaching Fluency

AHA! Moment -Goal 4 of The Reading Strategies Book Wow :)  I realized that I do not give my sixth graders enough time to focus on their reading fluency. To me, comprehension has always been the most important component of reading and I thought focusing on the fluency might take away from that. Keep in mind, in my school district fluency is synonymous with timed passages- yuck!

Serravallo shares what reading fluency involves:

• phrasing
• intonation
• emphasis
• automaticity
• pace

Yikes! That's a lot to consider and thus deserves  a strong focus in our reading curriculum. One of my big takeaways are the strategies related to Phrasing.

So- phrasing! These are the phrases that appear often in reading and should be read without pausing
Phrasing can be done as a warm-up activity before reading a text.
Here are a few examples:
at the
two of us
it's about time
but not for me

I think one can take this concept and chart phrasings found in nonfiction text too. Here are some thoughts...
in like manner
the difference between
one may conclude
the best estimate
This will definitely support my ELL's and struggling readers to improve fluency and ultimately comprehension

How have you used phrasing?

Running Records, MSV OhMy...

Running Records! I feel like it's been so long since they were mentioned. I am actually pretty jazzed with myself for still using them to analyze my students needs... and I simply used a blank sheet of paper too.
In this chapter Serravallo discusses the three cuing systems that skilled readers use in order to make meaning of what they are reading - M=Meaning, S=Structure, and V=Visual. At first, I thought I remember using these strategies when I taught first and second grade. Then Serravallo tweeted this eye-opening article: Click on the birdy :)

The article discusses the need to rethink how we teach sight words in the U.S. The author, Nell K. Duke,  has good tips and sound reasoning on why there is a need for change. This article hit home, because I had a handful of students that struggled to read in 6th grade and I often felt unsure of what to do to help them. One point that made total sense is that teachers have often taught these amazing strategies too early in a child's development for them to really understand how to use these strategies on their own. Duke shares that strategies should be taught later at a later age when students have had a more solid foundation.

What are your thoughts... any strategies you use that you have found useful in teaching sight words?

Wowza! I'm Back with PD!

I gotta to say that one of the biggest reasons I love summer vacation is because I get to catch up to some much needed professional development reading. I know "nerd!" After 20+ years of teaching it keeps me excited about the profession, the kiddos, and all the other not so fun stuff teachers deal with.
I was hesitant to take on this little (big) number because it seemed soooo very long with 378 pages. I love to read, but I love to lounge around and do nothing during the summer too :)

I'm diggin' how it fits so nicely with Daily 5/Daily 3/CAFE. This book is filled with relevant strategies teachers can use when working with whole group and/or small group! 

The Goal 2 chapter is filled with strategies to keep students engaged and focused during independent reading. I don't know about you but, this is an area I need to work on. I have my handy dandy notes/jots of AHA moments! I am so freakin' excited!

What is your PD reading for the summer?

Summer Reading

After tons of searching and indecision, I finally narrowed down my summer professional reading. I am so excited to take my math instruction to another level and integrate all my learning. Plus, I will be attending a summer math training and want to go into it with a solid foundation.

Also, I am teaching 6th grade next school year and want to make sure my math expectations are at their developmental levels.

Did I mention that I am teaching 6th grade with my husband? He will be my 6th grade teacher buddy and my room neighbor. Yup! Should be a learning experience for us and a test of patience. Believe it or not, after the shock, I am pretty excited about the individual strengths we both will bring to sixth grade.

My math selection...

Based on the reviews, it seems to be an objective view on current practices and Common Core. With all the amazing strategies and practices in teaching English Language Arts, I am looking for essentials that I should be using.

I was excited to find this little number.

What's your summer reading?

Currently in June

Ahh! Time to catch up with Currently and bloggy friends. I have to say, summer vacation is SO relaxing. My morning has consisted of coffee, reading, online shopping, running around the backyard with my furbabies and a nap (the furbabies are still napping). Sweet!

One of my personal enjoyments catching up with Currently is visiting all the creatively designed blogs. Wow! Teachers are a very creative bunch- aren't we?

Thank you Farley for bringing awareness to the many pets in need in Wimberley, Texas. I am so thankful to be able to help out.

 

Visit Oh Boy Fourth Grade  if you would like to help out too.

Now that I am on Summer vacation I don't have any excuses not to get an exercise routine and get in shape. This is my pep talk ... but no joke-  I have been pondering and contemplating being physically healthy for awhile now and just have not committed to it. I suppose me talking about it , writing about it, and investing in new shoes :) is me committing. If you have any words of inspiration, suggestions, I am open to them.

Here are the shoes that are going to help me keep my commitment to exercising consistently. Fun colors!

Obviously, it is going to take more than shoes (an outfit possibly?) But, I know I will feel better if I start and stay consistent. Here's to Summer 2015!

So Cal Link Up!

Summer time in Southern California is amazing! And if you're a teacher it is even more amazing!!! Don' get me wrong, teaching is a very fulfilling profession and there are many days that I can't believe I get paid for working with such great students, families, and colleagues. But then comes the end of the school year and everything  goes a bit crazy.

I know! I have worked through 21 end of school years and I am still surprised how stressful this time can be. So let's all take this time to look past all the craziness.

So as I sit here and ponder my summer vacation- there are at least 3 things I am looking forward to doing because they bring joy to my heart.

My hubby is also a teacher. As a matter of fact, we work at the same school AND will both be teaching 6th grade next school year. I am sure this will be a post at some point on my blog :) Any whoo, we both love spending time with our three furbabies and are looking forward to car rides, walks, and just lounging around with them.

Peluchina is our newest addition- she is a smart, happy Pomeranian mix.

 Little Guy is a momma's boy and I love that.

LuLu is our 11 year old Golden and she truly is the sweetest girl.

I love gardening! I'm still a newbie and from time to time a plant does not make it :( but I'm learning and getting better at caring for my plants. It is no fun being in a drought, but it opened up this whole new world of succulents. Boy, they can be lovely!

Morning walks in Southern California are beautiful! I have a few places in mind. Recently, my buddy Wendie and I went on a lovely walk in the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia. It was so serene!

Know that you are not alone during this stressful time. Here's to an amazing summer!
Please visit our store to download an end of the year/summer freebie. Just click on the pic.

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Stress Free End of the Year

There are certain times of the school year when the stress levels seem to run high. The end of the school year is definitely one of them. Some possible stressers are students' behavior, tons of papers to correct, grades, classroom check out, grade level change for the coming school year, room change, and an infinite number of possibilities. Over my twenty-one years of teaching I have established a few routines that help me survive and actually enjoy my job and students during these tough months.

I hope they can be of use to you as well. Feel free to add others that have helped you in the comments section.

Establish End of the Year Expectations with Your Students

Principal Brian Gaten shared the importance of setting academic and behavior goals for the end of the year (just like at the beginning of the school year). It is important to encourage students to maintain high standards for their behavior and their learning. Teachers can update goals/rules and refer to them often so that they can stay fresh in your students' minds.

Classroom Routine

Try to keep your classroom routine. I know at times this is impossible, but kids thrive on routine. I have found that students are experiencing lots of emotions with the end of the year. Happiness, sadness, excitement, uncertainty, concern, etc... Routine will help provide stability through this transition.

Start Organizing Now

I start with my classroom. Whether I am moving to another room or not - I begin with one cupboard at a time. I look for ways to better organize each cupboard, give away items I no longer need or use, and/ or toss items. I don't like clutter :0) I do the same with my files. More and more I keep my files organized on my computer so I don't need a hard copy of anything. But for the files I do have, I prefer to keep only one copy and/or sample.

Prepare for Next Year

I know- what? But, I promise you that you will be glad you did. Typically teachers are not running as many papers at the end of the year. So... I make sure I run papers that I will definitely need come August. I run student's personal dictionaries, interactive journals, parent welcome letter/packet, activities for the first week of school, and anything I am sure I will definitely use. Then, I will not be stressing the first week of school and I can have a "Stress Free" start too.

Now for the fun stuff! A giveaway there are four giveaways and four winners!!!

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