Thinking about notebooks...

Well, now that my job situation is settled..I have been thinking about next year. I know I still have many questions..and I will need to learn how the whole MCL village model will run..however, I have been thinking a lot about how I want to set up my reader's and writer's notebooks this year.

If you don't remember, last school year I was teaching in a "departmentalized" or "specialization" model. I only taught reading. It was my first year using an interactive reader's notebook and I LOVED it! However, as the school year ended I couldn't help but wonder if I could improve what I had already done? Of course I could! When can't we improve? We can always strive to do newer and better things...

I've decided for both the reader's and writer's notebooks I want to organize them by "tabs". This is something that I believe is essential. I found that last year when I didn't use tabs things could become a little unorganized. So, I've decided that I'd do a post where I begin brainstorming my ideas..and if any of you have suggestions please chime in!

**Reader's Notebooks:

I believe the purpose of a reader's notebook is to record and collect ideas learned during mini lessons, reactions or reflections to what one is reading during group reading/independent reading, and working on vocabulary.

I'm envisioning breaking my reader's notebooks into these sections this year:
1)Mini lesson/resources-This is where students could either record (draw) or glue in printed strategies that we have learned in class...anchor charts, etc. This section is a RESOURCE.

2)Reading responses-This section is to be used during reading, when children are reading group books together, I sometimes type up a prompt or question that is aligned with the common core, where students need to respond to using their group book. These entries are usually graded and responded to.

3)Independent reading responses-This section is dedicated to reflecting on an independent reading book the student is working on...I usually assigned a due date for the children to have an entry completed by a certain day each week. These were always responded to as well and were used during our conferences.

4)Vocabulary collector-This is where I would want students to record interesting "juicy" words that they have found in their books. Recording the word, meaning, where they found the word...perhaps some synonyms and for the word.

**Writer's Notebooks:

I believe the purpose of the writer's notebook is to once again collect ideas, create ideas, and try NEW types of writing. It should be used as a resource to inspire longer pieces of writing. I believe students need to write more and become FEARLESS with their writing...I notice at times they are so worried about being "wrong" or "right" when they just need to BE.

Ideas for sections:
1)Mini-lesson/resources- Once again...a section to collect ideas we have learned from mini-lessons.

2)Lists, topic starters, etc.-A section devoted to strategies to get us thinking about what to write...examples would be..lists, topics of interests..

3)Vocabulary,interesting leads, transition words, spelling-A section devoted to spelling, grammar, interesting leads, and transition words..

4)A section devoted to trying new writing-This is where students begin to write!

I would not want students to erase, cross out, revise, or edit within this notebook. This notebook is purely a resource, a tool. I consider the writer's notebook as a "pre-write". The writing process begins here....a draft would be done on "sloppy" copy paper, and then the writing process would begin (revise, edit, peer conference, publish).As Lucy Calkins would suggest..what is written in a writer's notebook should be DOUBLED on a sloppy copy. For every sentence done in the notebook...the student should be expanding to at least double or triple the amount.


Okay, those are my thoughts for today. How do you set your notebooks up???
xo

Big News!

Well...I waited as long as I could. However, I think it's fine to announce on here that I will be teaching 4th grade at a NEW school this coming school year! I am so excited about this change. I loved my old school, however, I am beyond excited to teach at my new school. I packed up my vehicle last night...and I mean PACKED! Moved everything out where it now waits in my garage to move into my new classroom.

Here is a picture of my new school!

 Some new things to look forward to:

*I will be teaching at the school I student taught at.
*This school is only 10 minutes away from my house. I will save so much time, energy, and money...my other school was 40-50 minutes away from my house.
*I will be teaching at a NEW school...literally.
*I will be teaching 4th grade!
*I will be teaching some 3rd and 5th graders...it's a "multiage" position.
*This multiage "village" is a MCL model..so exciting!

I went to go check out my new classroom today. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take pictures, but I will add some soon! I was given this book by my new principal:

Has anyone else read this book? I'm excited to read it!


Anyways bloggy friends...this is all for now. I will be posting many new updates soon!
xo

Summer Vacation! :)

Well, I've been enjoying my first week of summer vacation. I've had a FANTASTIC week and have some wonderful news I will share soon. What does summer vacation mean to me? I'll be doing lots of planning (school and wedding), relaxing, reading, and going to DISNEY WORLD! :) Did I mention I was excited about that?

I also can't wait to create a few more things for my TPT store! I have been so impressed with the sales I've had on my Common Core reader's journal prompts...so I think I'll create a few more Common Core resources.

I'll be back to share my special news as soon as I can. :)

xo

Thinking about next year...

Well, there is only 8.5 days of school left for me. This has been a year of reflecting and learning. I am excited however that I will be moving back down to 4th grade and have my own classroom again. So far that is the plan.. I decided to link up with Finding Joy in 6th for her linky party! Here we goooo....

This is the third year I have cleaned out a classroom and moved my current classroom into another room. I have this down to a science. However, I look forward to the day where I don't have to spend a summer moving my room.

Since I taught only Reading/Writing this year I had little work with the math Common Core. I need to make sure this summer I get more familiar with this and become ready for next year!

I know I will blog more this summer, as well as next year. Trust me..:)

12 and a half days to go!

Phew...
...I have to be honest bloggy friends. This year hasn't been ideal for blogging. In my two year career (yes..I know not THAT LONG) this has been by far the most craziest year in my long..long career as an educator. :). However, we only have 12 and half days of school left. I've been busily working on a poetry until with the fifth grade class. Let me just tell you..unfocused and anxious fifth graders at the end of the year LOVE poetry. They so look forward to it each and everyday. I found a fabulous unit on Teachers Pay Teachers. Check it out:

I've been teaching a different type of poetry everyday and the students then create their own poem of that style. All of the examples within this poetry book are fantastic! It has made planning for the last couple of weeks so easy and that is just what I needed! This week the students are going to publish atleast 5-7 poems of their choice. We will then create fun covers! I'll laminate and bind all of the 50 books! (Phew!)

Reflecting moment.....I have learned so much this year. I have always wondered what teaching middle school would be like...rotating, only teaching one subject, etc.  I have learned that having my own classroom, my own group of kiddos, and teaching multiple subjects is for me. It just feels right and makes sense. To all of my bloggy friends that do specialize I thank you for the wonderful ideas that I've read and your positive comments throughout this year. It has helped. Next year I will get my own classroom back and will be back in 4th grade! :) Life is good my friends..life is good.

I will be back blogging this summer, I'm sure. I tend to always have more time. However, I will be going to Disney World this summer and planning a wedding (EEEK so excited!) I'm also look forward to creating more fun things for my TeachersPayTeachersStore . Looking forward to endless possibilities.

Talk with you soon! xo

Oh hello there!

I have not posted in over a month. Shame on me. I know, I know.... My bloggy resolution has already failed. Ah well, what can I blame my lack of blogging on? I'm not quite sure. Needless to say this has been a very interesting year. I thought I would share though our Ice Cream scoop bulletin board for independent reading was a success! Many of my students that were not so motivated to complete just right books were suddenly motivated to see their ice cream cone filled with scoops! Check it out!

 

I'm grateful for vacation. Even though I haven't done anything too exciting, it was just what I needed! DRAs will begin when we return from vacation. I will be responsible for all 52 DRAs for the fifth grade. I wouldn't want it any other way however, because I have been the sole person teaching the students reading this year. Remember, we are doing "subject specialization model." I will be working tomorrow in the classroom to create some fun activities for the students who are waiting to take their DRA. What do other people do for this? Any ideas, I'd love to hear! :) Take care bloggy friends!

xo

Weeeeeeee March Currently and 50 Followers!!

Happy March everyone! March has always been a month I so long for during the long, long..have I mentioned LONG winter months? It's a sign of "oh hey, spring is around the corner." Although it doesnt FEEL like spring is around the corner, I just know it wont be long before these 8 ft. snow banks slowly start melting away..

Anywho, MARCH currently time over at Farley's. Here we go!

Listening: *Okay, I actually created this on Sunday when I WAS listening to the Today Show. Nothing too exciting, it's just a show I like to indulge in during the weekend/summer months because it begins at 7am! (Which is when I need to leave for work during the normal work week!)
Loving: My Mocha Coffee out of my Keurig!! Simply divine. Period.
Thinking: I need to get my Master's work started. I began my second class of my Master's work on Feb. 28th.  The class is a psychology class, which I find interesting. We will see how it goes!
Wanting: A fresh start. There isn't much I can say about this. I just feel like some weeks I want a re-do, a fresh start...you know what I mean..
Needing: More caffeine? Ah yes..
LIKE learning, LOVE laughing, HATE lollygagging! (Okay..okay..I equally love learning and laughing..I just needed to come up with words that began with the letter L because my name is Larissa!!)

I'm also super excited that I now have 50 followers! I thought this day would never come but now it has! Weeeeeee! Thank you, thank you! I think when I get to 100 followers I will do a give away! I've always wanted to. :)

Happy Tuesday my bloggy friends! Have a fantastic day!
xo