Summer Projects

I've decided on several summer "teacher" projects to work on. I hope that I'll remember to take lots of pictures to post my progress.

Project 1: Reading Workshop
This is BY FAR the most extensive project. I've been so disappointed with my reading lessons. I feel like its been a terrible experience for the kids: read, answer the comprehension questions, take a test. Sometimes you read at home, sometimes we read together at school. It's been awful. I feel like the worst teacher on planet Earth, and I LOVE reading. I think that's why it bothered me so much.

So I went out in search of a better way to approach it. After revisiting my college textbooks and lurking on teacher forums, I decided to research Reading Workshop. I've used a loose version of Writing Workshop, which has shown significant progress in students. I went crazy! I read every book I could get my hand on - even those geared towards middle school. I'll post reviews of those books shortly.

The basic idea can be viewed on Beth Newingham's website. She is amazing! I can see why she is the rock star of the teaching world. That's what I want to be when I grow up. Inspiring, like Rafe Esquith.

This has catapulted me into several mini-projects to pull off Reader's Workshop successfully:

1. Organize and level ALL books in my classroom library. I am using Scholastic's Book Wizard to find the reading levels of the books. So far, I've labeled a few dozen and realized that I have more fifth grade level books than anything else. Most of my kids come to me reading slightly above grade level to begin with, but I still need to add more fourth grade level books!

2. Put all my classroom library books into a database. This is going to take FOREVER, but I'll be able to sort my books by any of the criteria, including author, genre, reading level, etc. It will be worth it in the end. I also have a column for the owner, so it should be a snap to delete all the DCA books when I eventually leave. The depressing thing is that I can tell how many of my books have "disappeared." A brand new book, just donated a few days before school let out, is already gone. I should just let it go, but that was a GIFT to me. I didn't even get to read it yet...

3. Creating a recommendation board. I got these handy pockets when at the Dollar Tree with my mom over spring break. I've laminated them, then will attach them to a bulletin board or poster board. Each will have a student's name on it. When kids read a book that they think someone in the class will like, they write out a rec card and stick it in the other student's pocket. It's like getting mail. I think the kids will love it. It will also cut down on the kids just staring at the library, not knowing what to read next. (I'll have lessons on how to pick a book, too, of course.)

4. Gathering materials for book nooks. I've gone crazy at the yard sales picking up floor pillows and a more attractive rug for my library. I tried the "book nook" idea at the end of the year in reading, and it went over really well. The kids grab their books, post-its, and pencils and head to a book nook to read. If it is their turn to have a pillow or special seat, they can take it wherever they want (within reason) to read. Everyone else gets free choice. Think about it... how many times do you choose to sit at a desk to do your recreational reading?

5. Book bins and book totes. My books got BEATEN this year. I actually had to throw out a book that I bought brand new last year. This child was only the second person to use it! I took a page from Beth Newingham (again) to solve the book-shoved-in-the-desk problem - book bins. She got lovely multi-colored bins from a teacher supply website. See here:
I loved them, but cringed at the $4/each price tag. Being frugal (mostly), I weighed the options: I could cut up cereal boxes into magazine holders. No, I don't eat cereal (too expensive) and they would be destroyed within a week. I could use plastic magazine holders bought at an office supply store. No, they're just as expensive. I could get the cheap Ikea cardboard magazine holders. No, I read on my favorite forum that they only last half the year. SOOOOO... I went a-searching at Target. Lo and behold, in the kitchen section, I find a tub for storing ice cubes in your freezer. YES! Price? $2.49/each. I ran over to the school supply section, nabbed a binder and stuck it in the bin. YES!! It fit! Of course, before I buy 15 or more, I want to see if there are any other options out there. I looked around for a few weeks, then went back and cleaned them out. :) I went back again today and cleaned them out again. They've got to be wondering why they are going through ice cube bins so fast...

This lovely plan solves where to store the books (and response notebooks) at SCHOOL, but what about transporting them HOME? I mistakenly thought that all fourth grade students pack their bags as methodically as I do, but ho-ho! was I ever wrong. Target saves the day again! I strolled through the dollar section this morning and came upon these cute little tote bags. The perfect size for juvenile reading materials! I was disappointed that most of the designs were girly, but then I looked to my right and saw another selection of bag, about the same size, in solid colors. And get this - they fold up into themselves when not in use. How awesome is that? Not that my kids will take the time to fold them up or anything. Ah, I digress. The idea is that they put their books into the bag before shoving them into the backpacks. Hopefully, it will extend some book's lives and help them to remain with their covers intact. They were not so lucky this year. For this reason, I have set up a bin dubbed the "Book Hospital" for books that need to be repaired. I'll even accept those without health insurance.

6. Easel. I need a fold-up easel for writing out my mini-lessons. My expensive preference would be to have a tablet of Post-It paper on it so I could stick the visual on the wall for a while. I could make do with regular paper and tape, too. Right now, I'm using the back of large desk calendars propped up on my lap. The cool thing about this (have you SEEN how much an easel with four legs costs?!) is that Drew and I are going to make it ourselves. I'm totally psyched about this project. We found plans online at This Old House. I think I might do a chalkboard on one side and white board on the other. Depends on what I can find for the white board. Then we'll attach clips at the top. Genius!

7. Take a nap.