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December 16 Reading Simplified Test Must Do

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December 16 Reading Simplified Test Must Do

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December 16 & 17                 Get K and L  books for guided reading

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December 16 & 17                 Get K and L  books for guided reading

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3 Focus Skill                Use glossaries to clarify key words and phrases

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3 Focus Skill                Use glossaries to clarify key words and phrases

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Green Group December 16 Monday     1) Focus on ACCURACY must be over 95%   2) Compound Words             Page 10,11,12 stapled 5 copies Guided Reading and Binder Work  Tuesday             3)•Makes and breaks words at the syllable level (pre-dic-tion, fan-tastic,de-ter-mine)        

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Green Group December 16 Monday     1) Focus on ACCURACY must be over 95%   2) Compound Words             Page 10,11,12 stapled 5 copies Guided Reading and Binder Work  Tuesday             3)•Makes and breaks words at the syllable level (pre-dic-tion, fan-tastic,de-ter-mine)        

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Wanna hear my #1 tip for how to rely on the same literacy centers every day....yet still easily differentiate at each center?

You don't have to search...find...purchase...print....copy....laminate...cut....sort....for every day's lesson for the rest of your life! Watch the above video discover an easy-peasey way of keeping those kiddos engaged.

We're in Week #3 of the What to Do with the Rest of the Class series. This is the series that YOU asked for: A coherent plan for the other kids-and one that engages them-while you try teach a guided reading group.

Did you miss one of the weeks? Here's how to catch up:

Week #1 Kids Aren't Widgets

Week #2 3 Measures that Matter Most When Managing Groups

Please comment below with how YOU are managing the craziness that is literacy centers. I LOVE to hear from you!

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Same Literacy Centers Every Day...But Easily Differentiated!

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Wanna hear my #1 tip for how to rely on the same literacy centers every day....yet still easily differentiate at each center? You don't have to search...find...purchase...print....copy....laminate...cut....sort....for every day's lesson for the rest of your life! Watch the above video discover an easy-peasey way of keeping those kiddos engaged.

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My first year teaching, a literacy coach came to observe my classroom. After the students left, she commented on how I asked the whole class a question, would wait just a few seconds, and then answer it myself. "It's cute," she added. Um, I don't think she thought it was so cute. I think she was treading lightly on the ever-so shaky ego of a brand-new teacher while still giving me some very necessary feedback.

So that day, I learned about wait/think time. And also, over the years, I learned to ask better and better questions.

Many would agree that for inquiry to be alive and well in a classroom that, amongst other things, the teacher needs to be expert at asking strategic questions, and not only asking well-designed ones, but ones that will also lead students to questions of their own.

Keeping It Simple

I also learned over the years that asking straightforward, simply-worded questions can be just as effective as those intricate ones. With that in mind, if you are a new teacher or perhaps not so new but know that question-asking is an area where you'd like to grow, start tomorrow with these five:
#1. What do you think?
This question interrupts us from telling too much. There is a place for direct instruction where we give students information yet we need to always strive to balance this with plenty of opportunities for students to make sense of and apply that new information using their schemata and understanding.
#2. Why do you think that?
After students share what they think, this follow-up question pushes them to provide reasoning for their thinking.
#3. How do you know this?
When this question is asked, students can make connections to their ideas and thoughts with things they've experienced, read, and have seen.
#4. Can you tell me more?
This question can inspire students to extend their thinking and share further evidence for their ideas.
#5. What questions do you still have?
This allows students to offer up questions they have about the information, ideas or the evidence.

In addition to routinely and relentlessly asking your students questions, be sure to provide time for them to think. What's best here, three seconds, five, or seven? Depending on their age, the depth of the material, and their comfort level, this think time will vary. Just push yourself to stay silent and wait for those hands to go up.

Also be sure to vary your tone so it genuinely sounds like a question and not a statement. When we say something in a declarative way, it is often with one tone and flat sounding. On the other hand, there is a lilt in our voice when we are inquiring and questioning.

To help student feel more comfortable and confident with answering questions and asking ones of their own, you can use this scaffold: Ask a question, pause, and then invite students to "turn and talk" with a neighbor first before sharing out with the whole group. This allows all to have their voices heard and also gives them a chance to practice their responses before sharing in front of the whole class.

How do you ask questions in your classroom? What works well with your students? Please share with us in the comment section below.

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5 Powerful Questions Teachers Can Ask Students | Edutopia

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Many would agree that for inquiry to be alive and well in a classroom that, amongst other things, the teacher needs to be expert at asking strategic questions. With that in mind, if you are a new teacher or perhaps not so new but know that question-asking is an area where you'd like to grow, start tomorrow with these five ideas.