Monday, May 6, 2013

Multiplication Flashcards

We are working on memorizing our multiplication facts.  Here is how we are organizing the facts we know, from the ones we need to learn.




Raven's Day

Story telling for culturally responsive literacy.  Two years ago Brett Dillingham, a wonderful story teller from Juneau, came to my class.  He helped me learn an excellent process to help students write and tell their very own stories.  We started off by watching a video of B. Dillingham telling a story and analyzing what makes him a great story teller.

Here is Brett Dillingham's telling of Raven's Day.


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Reading Journals - YAY!

Today I introduced Reading Journals to help silent reading be a little more directed.   When students come into class, there will be a picture projected on the promethean board with a reading strategy and questions to answer in their journal.  After they're done responding to the questions, they will have 15 minutes of silent reading time.  They will then have five minutes to respond in their journals connecting their personal reading choice to the strategy they wrote about earlier.

  Here is an example:


REALISM & FANTASY: When you look at this image, think about what could actually happen in a real life setting, and what would only happen in a fantasy setting. List your ideas in a T-chart in your reading journal.

After their 15 min. of silent reading, I would follow up with a question about their book, whether it is realism or fantasy, and have them give an example.  

I have a wonderful source for these reading skill photos and questions.  You can follow her board on pinterest:  Suzy Brook's Reading Skills and Strategies