Workshop Wednesday: Reader's Workshop Notebook

Happy Wednesday!  I'm teaming up with Ideas by Jivey to share with you an idea for a workshop within my classroom.

This week, I'd like to talk about our Reader's Workshop Notebook which is known as a Literacy Notebook in my classroom.  This notebook is the heart and soul of our hard work during our literacy block.  We use the notebook to record Shared Reading lessons, Reader's Responses and Station work.  As part of our supply list, it is asked that students purchase a five-subject 5 Star Notebook.

I know what you're thinking..."How can you ask students to purchase such an expensive notebook?" Well, my team has found that this is the only notebook that can with stand our literacy love and last the entire year.

Since the notebook has five sections, I have found success with having:

• Shared Reading (1 section)- Students use this section to record their thinking from strategy driven lessons.  For example, students may record on this inference chart that we used when we read the book, Something Beautiful.                                                                                                                                       

Frame: Purple Chalk Frame-It's a Wicked Good Life

• Reader's Response (2 sections)- In this section, students write weekly responses on our read aloud book.  These responses include a current summary and the use of two read strategies that demonstrate their thinking.  Below is a graphic organizer (which can be downloaded from my TPT store) that I often use with students.

     

• Station Section (2 sections)- The final section is used for when students are at stations and I'm meeting with guided reading groups.  The students are responsible for recording their work to show a quality use of their time when they're not meeting with me.

I hope that this provides a helpful idea on how you can organize your own notebooks.  Feel free to link up and share your ideas!

Enjoy,

Reader's Response Freebie

Hey Everyone-
The snow has just started falling and I'm snuggled warm inside working on this freebie for you all!  Well, truth be told, it's for some kiddos in my class who could benefit from the outline structure.  My 4th and 5th graders are expected to turn-in weekly responses about our read aloud book. (Currently, Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper)

Within the reader's response, the student has to provide a summary of the main events that take place including the title of the text and author.  The second paragraph is when the student demonstrates the use of two reading strategies including text support and a reflective statement that requires students to prove how the strategy has helped them.  The final statement is an overall lesson that demonstrates a key understanding of the text.  When this is all rolled together it becomes a challenging and exciting way for students to share their thinking!

Head over to my TpT account to download your copy today!

Enjoy,

Catch Up

Well, it's been nearly a month since my last posting and I've been one busy gal!  I spent the month of July doing nothing but PACKING because Nick and I just recently finished moving into our new house!  Sigh...

Isn't it cute?

So...in the midst of unpacking and settling into a new house, I'm also trying to settle into my new classroom and prepare for the start of the school year.  I have to say that I'm rather lucky with a later start date of August 24th.  Some schools have already had their bells ringing since Monday!  (EEEKKK)

Last Friday, my district offered a Summer Literacy Conference and naturally I attended looking for exciting new ideas.  Here are some of my gems that I'd like to share with you:

1. Frank Serafini - Love, love, love!  He was our opening speaker and he had me crying (laughing) at 8:45 a.m. in the morning!  If you ever get the chance to see him at a conference....DO IT!  You won't regret it!  

2. Anthony Browne- What a fantastic author!  I love trying to discover the hidden pictures within his books and I'm really looking forward to the amazing discussions that my class could have on these books.  

3. Arlene Sardine - by Christopher Raschka- Who wouldn't want their dreams to come true?  Well, Arlene Sardine is bound to be the book that every teacher hates, but the kids WILL LOVE! Check out the Amazon review to learn more about the book and give it a CHANCE!

That's all for now.  I'm off to work in the classroom!

Enjoy!