Do you have restless students during readers' workshop? Are you looking for ways to engage students with the text? I also have struggled with this for years. I am sharing four independent reading ideas that work with keeping students on task. Reading Response Journals During independent reading time, I offer students journal choices to choose… Continue reading Unlocking Engagement: Independent Reading Activity Ideas
A Bio Poem Students enjoy writing about their hobbies and interests. A bio poem is a short poem for students to express their likes and feelings. Bio poems are great all about me activities for the beginning of the school year. There are many patterns that can be used to write a bio poem. I… Continue reading All About Me Activities: Fostering Self Expression and Connection
Literature Circles are a great way to have student led discussions. What is a literature circle? It is a small group of students that read and discuss a piece of literature. Literature circles have clearly outlined roles for each student in the group to contribute. Students get a sense of responsibility, accountability, and cooperation. How… Continue reading Transforming Reading Groups: The Magic of Literature Circles
Book reports templates provide a framework to explain the content of a book. Whether a student reports on a fiction or nonfiction book, comprehension skills and strategies are in use. When reporting on a book that is fiction, you will want students to include a plot map, character analysis, connections, and a brief book review.… Continue reading Book Reports Solutions: Templates for Busy Educators
For many years, I asked comprehension questions from the text and called on students to answer. The problem with that model is that I wasn't allowing students to share their thinking first. Now, I have students discuss the text before I ask any questions. How do you get students to have meaningful discussions? You set… Continue reading Academic Conversation Starters for Thoughtful Interaction
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