Week Review & Freebies

The first FULL week back from break and it went by so SLOOOOWWWW…. TGIF, right? So I wanted to start with a short review of my week before I shared some of my favorite items (for free) and then some of my own freebies.

Monday was spent preparing for our Professional Development on Tuesday and Wednesday. Have you heard of Kathy Bumgardner? I LOVE her. I heard about her back when I was student teaching. Well our district paid for her to come to different schools in the county and speak and model lessons. She modeled some close reading and guided reading strategies in First Grade for the primary teachers and Fourth Grade for the intermediate teachers. She used a few of her own, original items that I loved and so I decided to share. 

First up is her "roll ups." She actually separates these into fiction and nonfiction. Then she cuts them apart and laminates them but with a small space between each square. (See the second picture). Once the kids decide which type of text they are reading, it gives them something to refer to. For example, today we read Sarah Plain & Tall. Once we agreed that it was a fiction text, we focused on the first three squares: setting, characters and major events. Our standard today was to describe how characters react to major events and challenges so it was perfect! Click on the picture to download:

 

Next I'd like to share her "think clouds." Kathy said she was having trouble with modeling think alouds. The children didn't know the difference between when she was reading a text and when she was thinking. She also had trouble when she would ask the students "what are you thinking about while you are reading?" So she created these "think prompts" if you will. Then she can model her think alouds with these and the students know she is "thinking" and not "reading." Eventually, the students are able to use these independently. If you click on the picture, it will take you to her website to download the large and small versions. I prefer the smaller ones. If you use the large ones, I suggest you print on card stock.

The last thing I want to share with you is her text evidence sticks. I'm sure you NEVER have this happen, but in MY class, just sometimes, students like to make up answers. You know, you ask a question about what someone said, or what someone did and BAM… completely unrelated answer. Example: "Why did the chicken cross the road?" Answer: "They liked ice cream?!?" Huh? These sticks encourage the kids to go back - like a detective - and look for clues or proof that their answer is correct. If they want to use the magnifying glass, they must have some evidence! She takes these, cuts out the center and laminates them so they kind of look like magnifying glasses. The kids eat this up and will die to use these! I also used this today… but I only take out one at a time for now so its still special...

Thursday I was sick, AGAIN! Today was pretty good but I had a few whiners, probably because of all the subs this week. Next week might be better. It's only a four day week. Monday I have a sub so I can do assessments (Running Records, DIBELS, yay!) and Thursday I have a sub to attend a front loading session with second grade teachers from around the county. Friday is another professional development. We are teaming up with another school so I will get to hear some new things.

So here are my freebies for you. Nothing new, but perfect for winter. PENGUINS!!!

Here is a web and penguin border paper (the paper was my first thing I ever made and it was the "old-fashioned" way). You have to click on each picture to download them separately. 

 

Have a good weekend and don't forget to enter my giveaway with Shawna: