Reading Notes

Hello Everyone! First, I have to comment on my successful baking attempt. The chocolate chip cookie-oreo-brownies were a hit! :) I mean how couldn't they be with that mixture of ingredients! It's a small step in the cooking world, but for me that's truly a milestone! Secondly, I want to comment on the books I have been reading this week. All the books have been very informational and will surely be helpful in my student teaching placement, as well as in my future classroom. I am excited to use this information to help me be a successful literacy teacher. I would like to share a few key points in my reading that stood out to me...

1. Writing Workshop: Set students up for success with a variety of paper choices including folded paper for brochures and informational texts, Lined and formatted paper for letter writing, lined paper with a picture box for descriptive writing etc.

2. Guided Reading: Leads students to independent reading! Small groups; encourage students to read entire text; over time read more challenging books; Main Goal= Have students read for meaning at all times!

3. Word Sorting: 3 Main Types= Sound, Meaning and Pattern; Teacher Directed and Student Directed; Timing- Teacher Instruction 15-20 followed with 10 minutes daily;

Mock Schedule: (1st Grade)
Monday: Picture Sorting
Tuesday: Drawing and Labeling
Wednesday: Cutting and Pasting
Thursday: Word Hunts/ Word Banks
Friday: Games

Activities (Tips):
1. Repetitive writing is not helpful
2. Writing out sentences can be overdone; stick to choosing 5 words and writing 5 sentences NOT one for every word.
3. Instead of alphabetizing...Categorize (sound, pattern, meaning)!
4. Word searches, Hangman and Spelling bees do not help students learn material

Those were just a few snips of my notes from the reading. I hope some of you find something useful from my notes and I encourage all of you to pick up any of the books...all are great resources!

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I have just crossed the Minnesota border and am on my way to Minneapolis for a mini-getaway before beginning my Student TEaching Experience on Monday!!!!!! My husband and I are off to visit a friend who we don't get to see as often as we would like. He was a groomsman in our wedding and shortly after moved to MN :( but hey, we now have an excuse to visit MN and the Mall of America! :) On the car ride, I have been busy reading, planning an introduction activity for my students, and memorizing student names! I am doing pretty well; however, I am nervous that with different hair styles and clothing choices I will struggle...wish me luck! I am extremely excited to begin and can't believe it is only a weekend away! I can't wait to finally begin blogging about my student teaching experience and my professional growth during this learning opportunity! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and to all my fellow student teachers out there...GET READY!!! :)

"Find a Job you LOVE, and you will Never have to work another day in your Life!" -TEACHING :)